Thailand’s Koh Samui: A Community-Led Journey Toward Sustainability

Koh Samui, Thailand’s second-largest island, is renowned for its white-sand beaches, lush tropical forests, and vibrant tourism industry. Every year, millions of visitors are drawn to its beauty and charm.

But behind the success story lies a deeper challenge. The island’s rapid development has come at a cost to both the environment and the local population.

Garbage has made its way into once-pristine forests. Tourism infrastructure has altered the natural landscape. And while profits have poured in, they have often bypassed the very communities that keep the island alive.

The time has come to rethink what prosperity looks like.

With support from the Joint SDG Fund, UNDP and UN-Habitat are working closely with local communities to reshape the future of Koh Samui. Together, they are designing a path that places people and the planet at its center.

Turning Data into Action: Driving Local SDG Progress | Joint SDG Fund

Investing in Sustainable Development

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 requires more than good intentions. It demands strategic planning and bold investment. Yet, many developing countries face a $4 trillion annual financing gap that limits progress.

In Thailand, the SDG Joint Fund is helping bridge that gap. By using SDG profiles and Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), global commitments are being translated into local priorities and investment strategies.

While VLRs are commonly used to measure SDG progress, they are also a powerful tool for community engagement. They bring people together to reflect on real-life challenges, share practical solutions, and shape meaningful interventions.

Since January 2025, Koh Samui has hosted a series of consultations with residents, local authorities, and private sector actors to identify key development priorities. This collaborative approach builds trust, promotes shared ownership, and ensures that financial flows align with community needs.

“Urban waste in Koh Samui affects more than just the environment—it impacts our quality of life, tourism, and economy. A cleaner Koh Samui means a thriving future for all.”
— Naon Suwanteerakit, Deputy Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand in Koh Samui

Waste: A Barrier to Sustainable Growth

The VLR process helped identify one issue that stands out above the rest: urban waste. Improperly managed waste is undermining the island’s environment, public health, and tourism appeal.

“Effective waste management starts with everyone—residents, businesses, and local leaders. By taking responsibility for our waste, separating it at the source, and supporting waste banks, Koh Samui moves closer to a zero-waste future.”
— Supinya Srithongkul, Deputy Mayor, Koh Samui Municipality

Turning Waste into Opportunity

To address this challenge, Koh Samui is embracing community-driven waste solutions. One of the most promising examples is the growing network of local waste banks.

These banks offer residents a place to drop off sorted recyclables in exchange for small financial rewards. Beyond that, they encourage more sustainable behaviors, generate income, and strengthen community connections.

“The success of community waste banks depends on strong leadership, active participation, and effective awareness-building. With the right support, they can thrive—turning waste into value and communities into changemakers.”
— Sunun Maktisong, Member of Lipa Noi Community, Koh Samui

Today, Koh Samui’s waste bank is part of a nationwide network of nearly 16,500, serving more than 4.3 million members and generating over 900 million THB (about $25 million) in community welfare benefits.

Financing the Future

To ensure long-term success, UNDP is helping Surat Thani province identify sustainable financing opportunities through the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF). At the same time, UN-Habitat is supporting the development of project proposals grounded in community needs and data.

By addressing urgent challenges and laying the foundation for sustainable development, Koh Samui is becoming a model for other municipalities across Thailand.

As Thailand advances its efforts to localize the SDGs, the lessons from Koh Samui’s VLR process are already inspiring action in Udon Thani, Surat Thani, and beyond. This is what progress looks like—driven by people, informed by data, and aligned with the needs of both communities and the environment.

Originally published by UNDP in Thailand.

Note:

All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.