Koh Madsūm

If you haven’t yet heard of Pig Island, that’s part of its charm. Officially called Koh Madsūm, this speck of paradise off Samui’s southern coast has become the island’s most heartwarming discovery. The tale begins when pigs first arrived from the mainland after locals brought them to the island; they continued to breed and soon became a magnet for tourists during the COVID pandemic. Fast-forward, and the pigs now paddle in turquoise shallows, lounge under coconut palms, and star in countless holiday photos. Beyond the novelty, there’s something delightfully grounding about Koh Madsum: the gentle crash of the waves, the simplicity of a wooden beach bar, the laughter of day-trippers who come for a swim and stay for the serenity. Arrive early to avoid the crowds, order a coconut, and watch as the pigs wade by like seasoned locals. Samui has many stories, but few as endearing—or as sabai—as this one.