USM-Spot1
Koh Samui Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on September 10, 2025
Ko Samui/Koh Samui (USM/VTSM) is a small island in the gulf of Thailand is a popular place for tourist from all over the world. The airfield is located between Chaweng on the east and Boh Put in the north. The airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways (PG) and because of that situation the airline variety is very low. PG is responsible for almost all flights using there A319s and ATR72s which make up for around 90 percent of the traffic. Apart from that, only Scoot flies to USM as of 2025. The airport welcomed more than 2 mio. passengers last year.
Wrtten by Julian Mittnacht and Lucas Bunk. Last Update: September 2025 – Spot 4 added by Donato Bolelli
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 17/35 | 2.060 m (6.759 ft) |
| Terminals | One for all operations. |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | No need |
| Car/Public Transport | Not needed, taxi is cheap. |
| Restrooms | Inside the terminal and the restaurants around the airport |
| Drinks/Food | All around the airport and the beach. |
| Hotels | If you stay in one of the hotels/villas at Hat Bang Rak beach you can easily watch the 17 arrivals from the waterfront. |
| Season | Many rainshowers between October and January |
| Runway Usage | |
| 17/35 | used in all directions (mainly RWY 17) |
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Spot #1 – Airport Parking – all runway movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | It isn’t a problem to find this spot as its next to the departure terminal parking area. So just follow the signs to the airport depature and park your car here for free. Walk on the meadow south of the parking and you will stand directly before an overflow basin for rainwater.
+++UPDATE JAN 2019: Sadly they build a huge fence (see photo below) at this spot so easy spotting is nearly impossilbe. You are very close to the action and you need a lens with a small diameter that you can put through the mesh. 12 Departures are possible if you walk back a few meters to the road+++ |
| WHAT | You are almost in the middle so all runway movements are possible. Koh Samui doesn’t have a taxiway, so all planes have to turn on the runway. |
| TIME | A good spot from the morning until noon (depends on time of the year) |
| MISC. | Closest facilities are in the terminal. There is no shadow or something to sit down. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-150 mm |
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Spot #2 – runway road – 17 arrivals&departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | There is a dirt road which cross the airport areal at the end of runway 17. It will be closed for traffic, when planes are going to arrive or departure. You can’t stop on the road as security protects it. In the morning use the east side for spotting. The gate is close to the Sanam Bin Road and the Bangkok Airways offices. When the sun turns around just cross the road to the other end. |
| WHAT | Usually the aircraft arriving from the north/ocean and you are very close. When they departure from RWY17 they make a turn at the end of the runway and are within your focus at both spots. |
| TIME | These two spots are good for the whole day. |
| MISC. | Security guys knows that this is a famous spot for the tourists and spotters and usually they won’t bother you. So just be friendly and they will let you do your job. There are many shops at the main road of Bo Put. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-150 mm |
 |
Spot #3 – Forrest – 35 arrivals&departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | It’s on the top of a hill with a Buddah temple called Wat Khao Hua Jok. You can reach it by car and park for free along the road which leadsa round the temple. From there you‘ll find stairs where you can reach the top (don‘t worry, not many). |
| WHAT | You have a beautiful sight over the southern part of the airport. Perfect for arrivals on 35 with a lovely background. Line-Up and departures on 35 are no problem at all. 12 departures should are fine as well. Even all arrivals on 12, except the ATRs, should be within your focus as they turn at the end of the runway ( 35 threshold). Due to the distance humidtiy and distortion is a big issue. |
| TIME | From afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | There are stands where you can buy refreshments. Please be respectful while visiting this hallow place. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | As there are only narrowbody aircraft at least 400mm are necessary. |
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Spot #4 – Terminal 55 Cafe – 35 Movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Terminal 55 Cafe opened in early 2025 and is a fantastic location for taking photos, enjoying a drink and a delicious Thai dish. The best solution is to go there by taxi, but if you rent a scooter there is a parking lot in front of the bar. |
| WHAT | From this point, you can see the end of runway 35, where you can photograph 35 arrivals and departures. |
| TIME | Later noon till sunset. |
| MISC. | No ladder needed as you sit slightly above the fence. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm ATR72 = 100mm |
Hi!
I was at location No. 3 on 08.17.2026 and I can tell you something.
Before I went to the place, I read “400 mm” on this page and thought it was a joke or a mistake – no. Absolutely 400 mm+. I took pictures with a Canon 6D+ 100-400mm, and it was so small for me.. But 400 mm is fine, and some camera angles are very good with 400 mm.
And what about the spot – if you go up to the observation deck on the temple, you will have a beautiful view that is not hindered by any vegetation. However, to climb it you need a ticket – 25 baht per person. In addition, at the moment, the entire temple is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. I was filming until 5:34, no one chased me away, but I think staying at the point after the temple closes is not the best idea. The part below the observation deck is probably (I can’t be sure) free, but there are a lot of trees in the way of view, and I would advise paying. The people are friendly and helpful, there is water and soft drinks at very pleasant prices, I think the point is worth it.
I don’t seen the viewing point without temple, only behind or in roof.
Thank you for the article, it is complete and useful! Have a nice spotting session!
Somebody can try to take photos on 300mm and crop it, but I think this is not very good idea
Thank you for the precise and informative article. It will make my task of accumulating local aviation video footage so much easier.
This is our first time in Koh Samui and both the people and location are wonderful.
I love Thailand, ko samui is my favorite place..
Just spent a day 11-5.30pm at USM. I stayed in spot 2 exclusively. The security here are very friendly and one, I assume is the supervisor speaks decent English and offered to take me to the 7/11 to get some supplies during the day. They actively encourage people to take photos and even have a little dirt mound the other side of the gate for people to stand on. The spot is popular with locals after about 4pm too. Some fresh fruit and other roadside stalls pulled up and did a pretty good trade. In the time I was there i shot all of PG A319 fleet most of the ATR, Firefly ATR, TG 734… Good variety.
Hi James,
we love to hear that you have had a great time there! If you have anything to add to this guide, just let us know! 🙂
Cheers
Marlin Lehmann
There are no A320 flying into Samui Airport. Only A319, ATR72 and B737-800 (TG) and, of course many private jets.
Cheers