The vibrant annual festival of Koh Tao, Spotlight Koh Tao 2025, made a remarkable return from 27–29 June 2025 at Ta-Oh Garden, Sairee Beach, in Surat Thani province. Under the theme “Harmony with Nature – A Sustainable Future”, the event once again inspired community spirit and environmental consciousness, aiming to foster a deeper connection between people and nature.
Organised with strong support from the Koh Tao Tourism Association, and with the collaboration of local authorities, organisations, and community members, the festival brought together diverse voices and shared commitment to sustainability through creativity, learning, and meaningful action.
The event featured a wide variety of immersive activities designed to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Participants had the opportunity to learn, experience, and take action, surrounded by a welcoming and festive atmosphere. The presence of national artists, local experts, and cross-sectoral guests further enriched the event with valuable insights and inspiration.
Highlighted activity zones included:
- Local Zero Food Waste – Live cooking demos using local ingredients, paired with zero-waste food management concepts
- Koh Tao Green Market – A community market offering eco-friendly local products and food, supporting small enterprises
- Mini Dive Expo & Sustainable Future Network – A collaborative platform for divers, business operators, and sustainability-focused organisations
- Wellness Zone – A relaxing space featuring ice baths, sound healing, yoga, and traditional Thai massage
- “Below the Surface” Photo Exhibition & Recycled Art Installations – Powerful marine-themed artwork created from waste materials
- Marine Conservation Activities – Including coral reef restoration, underwater clean-ups, and microplastic surveys, with hands-on opportunities for participants to directly engage in environmental protection
The event was officially opened by Mr. Theerut Supawiboonphon, Governor of Surat Thani, who also visited and engaged with several booths, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts at all levels to move Koh Tao towards a more sustainable future.
This year, the MA-RE-DESIGN Project proudly joined the festival as a key contributor, offering an interactive booth that raised awareness about waste management. The booth featured engaging games with prizes and promoted the use of reusable food and beverage containers, organised by the Ecocrew, a team that professionally managed the reuse system throughout the event. Furthermore, the project helped facilitate a water refill station, offering free access to clean drinking water and reinforcing the message of reducing single-use plastic usage.
Over the course of the three-day festival, 9,006 reusable containers were used, significantly reducing single-use plastic waste and lowering the event’s carbon footprint 692 kgCO2e.
The participation of MA-RE-DESIGN marked an important step in showcasing how sustainable resource management can be implemented in a tourism-focused island setting. More importantly, it demonstrated a practical and replicable model for other destinations seeking to integrate sustainability into their local events and infrastructure. Spotlight Koh Tao 2025 was not just a festival — it was a collective movement that brought together citizens, businesses, local authorities, and environmental advocates to co-create a more resilient and sustainable Koh Tao.
