Health Ministry Certifies 25 Koh Samui Hotels With New Safety Standard
Koh Samui's Health Ministry certified 25 hotels under new "3C Sustainable Hotel" standards covering clean beds, air, and food to boost tourist confidence and protect public health.
The Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, is advancing a health economics initiative from laboratory research to real-world application by partnering with networks to upgrade sanitation standards at hotels in Koh Samui under the DMSc Certified trademark and the 3C concept: Clean Bed, Clean Air, Clean Food. The program covers bed bug-free accommodation, safe air and water free from pathogens, and safe food, with 25 model hotels in Koh Samui receiving the 3C Sustainable Hotel certificate to build confidence among Thai and foreign tourists.
On August 17, Dr. Sarawut Bunsuk, Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences, chaired the opening of a knowledge-sharing forum to enhance implementation of the bed bug and pathogen surveillance programme at Koh Samui hotels. The event brought together officials from the Department of Medical Sciences and partner agencies including the Surat Thani Provincial Public Health Office, Tourism Authority of Thailand Koh Samui Office, Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association, and hotel operators.
Dr. Sarawut stated that Koh Samui is a major tourism destination popular with Thai and international visitors, making hygiene and disease prevention essential for promoting economic growth. The Department of Medical Sciences and partners are sharing medical science knowledge and implementing surveillance measures against pathogens in hotel water, food, and bed bugs to protect tourists. This effort enhances hotel reputation, increases tourist confidence, and supports Thailand's economy.
The department is driving health economics through the DMSc Certified trademark under the 3C concept focusing on bug-free beds, pathogen-free air and water, and safe food to build tourist confidence and support Thailand's tourism sector. A memorandum of understanding was also signed among the Department of Medical Sciences, Koh Samui Municipality, Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to integrate cooperation between government, tourism, and hotel operators in developing sanitation standards and monitoring for Legionella, norovirus, foodborne pathogens, and bed bugs. The collaboration aims to promote Koh Samui as a quality health tourism destination, building confidence among Thai and foreign tourists while strengthening the competitiveness of the tourism industry.
