Two recent Koh Samui community efforts have given residents of Bangrak, Koh Samui, reasons to celebrate: cleaner beaches and stronger local education.
Employees from Prana Resort Nandana, part of the QI Group, joined residents, NGOs, and families as part of RYTHM Foundation’s Employee Community Impact (ECI) programme — a global initiative connecting staff with local communities through hands-on volunteering.
Tackling Plastic Pollution on Bangrak Beach
Koh Samui’s pristine coastline is vital to tourism and the local economy, yet it faces constant challenges from plastic waste washing ashore. To help, 30 resort employees teamed up with Trash Hero Koh Samui, a grassroots organisation that runs weekly cleanups and environmental education in schools.
The joint effort targeted Bangrak Beach, a stretch frequented by locals and tourists. Volunteers collected 25 bags of plastic and other debris in a single cleanup drive, working alongside residents and visitors to restore the shoreline’s natural beauty.
“It may seem like a small thing, but starting small is how change begins,” HR manager Pranee Srangthongdee said as the cleanup wrapped up.
Residents appreciated the resort’s involvement. One Bangrak local said, “It’s always great to see local businesses getting involved. So much trash was collected in just a short time. Well done to all.”
Building a Culture of Care on Koh Samui
Not long after the clean-up, the focus shifted inland to Bangrak School, where 33 volunteers from the resort collaborated with the Bophut community to organise a traditional Thai cultural fair. The event aimed to raise funds for school equipment and an additional teaching post.
Staff and residents teamed up to prepare food, lead a long drum parade, and participate in a Buddhist ceremony, with many volunteers also making personal donations.
“Working side by side with my colleagues, cooking, joining the parade, and meeting families gave me a real sense of what this school means to the community,” said Tippavan Saisaard, the resort’s reservations manager.
For families, the event reaffirmed the school’s role as the heart of the neighbourhood — a place where children’s futures are nurtured and neighbours rally for one another.
From cleaner shores to stronger classrooms, the projects highlight how small, collective actions can ripple outward — preserving the island’s environment while supporting the next generation of Koh Samui residents.
