Starting over in paradise: 8 people on what it’s like to run a business, find a home, and build a life in Koh Samui

On this sun-drenched tropical island, time moves more slowly — and that's exactly what many people were looking for when they chose to make it home.

I had just wrapped up an interview with a millennial who left his life in the US behind to become a Muay Thai fighter. Next, I was heading off to speak with the French owner of a boutique hotel.

Three days into my reporting trip, I was starting to see why so many people are drawn to Koh Samui, the Thai island that's recently been thrust into the global spotlight thanks to HBO's hit series "The White Lotus." Long before the show put it on the radar of TV audiences, Samui had already been quietly attracting people in search of something different: an unhurried pace of life, a lower cost of living, and the promise of a fresh start far from home.

Samui, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is known for its gorgeous beaches and waterfalls. It spans about 88 square miles and is home to around 70,300 residents — including about 3,800 foreigners — per the latest May data. For comparison, Phuket, Thailand's largest island at roughly 210 square miles, is home to about 430,000 people, including almost 9,700 foreigners.

Nearly everything of interest on Samui is connected by a single main road — Route 4169, also known as the Samui Ring Road — which loops around the island. The island's airport was built on the site of a former coconut plantation. Unlike Phuket's airport, which has flights across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Samui International Airport mainly serves nearby domestic cities and a few countries in Asia. Six international schools also make it possible for families with children to settle in for the long term.

It helps that the Thai government is invested in developing policies designed to welcome long-term visitors. In 2024, the country launched the Destination Thailand Visa in a bid to attract digital nomads, remote workers, and individuals interested in participating in cultural or wellness activities.

All of these help position the island as an attractive place to live.

Whether they arrived last year or almost two decades ago, everyone I interviewed considered Samui to be home.

Some came to escape the 9-to-5 grind, while others came to start a business or raise a family. Regardless of their reasons, they all say they've found a rhythm that feels freer and more sustainable than what they left behind.

From the US to the UK and beyond, they've put down roots — and aren't planning to leave.