The Cabinet has given the green light for the construction of the undersea cable system leading to Ko Samui in Surat Thani province in order to strengthen power system security on this popular resort island and nearby areas.

The decision was made on 28 February 2023, following a proposal by the Ministry of Energy, which had entrusted the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) with carrying out the project.

The undersea cable development project involves a total budget of 11.23 billion baht, 4.97 billion baht of which will be spent on purchasing equipment from abroad and 6.26 billion baht will be used for construction costs and the purchase of equipment in the country.

It will last 7-8 years, and it is scheduled to be completed in June 2029. The project aims to increase electricity transmission capacity to meet the growing demand for electricity on Ko Samui and the neighboring islands of Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao. 

It will also reduce blackouts on these islands, where economic activities and tourism businesses are expected to expand further in the future.

Ko Samui is about 84 kilometers from the town of Surat Thani. It is the third-largest island in Thailand, after Phuket, which is both an island and a province, and Ko Chang in Trat.

Like Phuket, Samui combines natural beauty with an exceptionally good standard of hotels, spas, and other tourism facilities. Recognized as a “south sea paradise,” Ko Samui is sunny and popular among international tourists.

Located about 100 kilometers from the town of Surat Thani and about 15 kilometers north of Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan is famous for beautiful beaches and amazing blue water. A large number of tourists from all over the world visit this island each year.

As for Ko Tao, it is located 45 kilometers north of Ko Pha-ngan and is one of the top scuba diving destinations in Thailand. The island is recognized as a center for environmentally friendly diving practices.