Cosmetic and plastic surgery in Koh Samui

Koh Samui at a glance

Koh Samui is one of Thailand's largest islands, in the Gulf of Thailand, and part of Surat Thani province. Private hospital care on the island includes international patient services, and some hospitals list plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgery or aesthetic departments. The choice of surgeons is smaller than in Bangkok, so for specialised, combined or complex procedures, compare options in both places before deciding.

Why patients choose Koh Samui

• Several flights a day from Bangkok land on the island itself
• A resort island with some quieter beach areas, which some patients prefer for recovery
• A compact island that can be driven around in a couple of hours, which makes it easier to stay near your hospital

Keep expectations realistic: a recovery stay means rest, not beach activity or island hopping.

Airport, ferries and getting around

• Samui International Airport (USM) at Bo Phut is a private airport owned by Bangkok Airways, which flies there from Bangkok several times a day. The flight takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, and there are also some international flights.
• Surat Thani Airport (URT), run by Thailand's Department of Airports, is on the mainland about 25 km west of Surat Thani city. From there, allow about 1.5 hours by road to the ferry pier at Don Sak, then about 1.5 hours on the car ferry to Samui. After surgery, the direct flight is usually the less tiring way home.
• On the island, use hospital transfers or taxis and agree taxi fares before setting off. Avoid riding motorbikes, which cause many accidents on Samui.

Recovering on the island safely

Most surgeons ask you to avoid swimming in the sea or pools until wounds have fully healed, and to protect scars from strong sun for months. Stay close to your hospital so check-ups and any problems can be handled quickly, and choose quiet, air-conditioned accommodation over nightlife areas. Heat and humidity can make compression garments uncomfortable. Leave boat trips, diving and motorbikes until your surgeon says you are ready.

Seasons on the Gulf side

Koh Samui's wettest months come later than Phuket's. According to the Thai Meteorological Department, the east coast of southern Thailand, which includes Surat Thani, gets its heaviest rain during the north-east monsoon, from about October to December, with the most rain usually in November; heavy downpours can cause flooding. From about mid-May to mid-October, the south-west monsoon brings more rain to the Andaman coast around Phuket than to this coast, although showers are still common. The hot months, roughly February to April, are usually the driest. Surgery is possible all year; in the wettest months, leave spare days in your plans.

Choosing a provider in Koh Samui

Check the surgeon's licence with the Medical Council of Thailand, their specialist training, and where the operation will take place. Hospital accreditation can be checked on the HA Thailand and JCI websites. For complex or combined surgery, ask whether the hospital has intensive-care facilities. See our checklist.

Procedures in Koh Samui

• Rhinoplasty
• Facelift
• Blepharoplasty
• Breast augmentation
• Gynecomastia surgery
• Liposuction
• Tummy tuck
• Hair transplant
• Vaginoplasty
• Facial feminization surgery
• Voice feminization
• Top surgery (chest masculinization)
• Phalloplasty

Gender-affirming surgery →

Surgeons, hospitals and clinics in Koh Samui