I spent the second week of March 2025 in Ko Tao, Thailand, followed by most of the third week on Koh Samui.
Three islands, three very different vibes—all unforgettable—and a perfect reminder of why Thailand keeps pulling me back
This was my second visit to Koh Tao and Koh Samui. The first time, I spent six weeks here during a paid sabbatical from PayPal in January 2022. Back then, I did a lot more touring and exploring, which made this trip different in the best way—I already knew exactly where I wanted to be.
That’s really the ultimate goal for me: travel widely, move slowly, and identify places that are both amazing and affordable—places worth returning to long term. This trip to Thailand wasn’t about checking boxes; it was about confirming what already felt right.