The High Road Beyond Borders Tour of Thailand, is an adventure across Thailand led by Monica Garcia, global cannabis consultant, and myself, Veronica “Vee” Castillo, the Traveling Cannabis Writer. The tour started in mid-January 2026, when we set out to uncover Thailand’s hidden heart, from the bustling city of Bangkok to islands like Koh Samui;capturing stories of legacy, legend, and the evolving cannabis culture reshaping Asia. Thailand’s cannabis industry has shifted from strict prohibition to a progressive stance that’s opened doors for wellness tourism. Against this backdrop, we found ourselves on the shores of Koh Samui, where The Beach Samui Hotel became our sanctuary and a tour sponsor.
The Island
Koh Samui, Thailand’s second-largest island, sits like a jewel in the Gulf of Thailand. Once a quiet fishing community known to backpackers seeking affordable beach life, the island has evolved while maintaining its soul. Famous for its coconut groves, trained monkeys were traditionally used to harvest coconuts from the tall palms, and at its peak, the island exported over two million coconuts per month. Today, Koh Samui balances luxury resorts with traditional fishing villages, Buddhist temples with beach clubs. The coral-strewn beaches still feel authentic, and in places like The Beach Samui Hotel, you can experience both worlds at once.
The Property
Tucked into a traditional fishing village on one of these coral beaches, The Beach Samui Hotel sits on the quieter side of the island, away from the party scene but still easily accessible via taxi, motorbike, or ride share options that make getting around simple. This Forbes-featured property with a five-star Google rating doesn’t feel like your standard resort, it feels like arriving at a friend’s incredibly beautiful home. From the moment you arrive, there’s a clear philosophy at work here: just get here, and we’ll take care of the rest.
That philosophy starts immediately. Upon arrival, you’re offered infused and non-infused beverages, a joint for the smokers, and a view of the ocean that makes you exhale everything you’ve been carrying. Owner Bryan Lunt and his team have thought of everything, down to the smallest details that make you feel seen. It doesn’t matter if the hotel is at max capacity. You are the star of their show, and you’ll feel it from check-in through check-out. They hug you without ever touching you, which is the most loving description of hospitality I’ve encountered.
The accommodations range from superior suites with king-sized beds and panoramic glass doors to grand suites with direct ocean views and hand-carved tubs. The standout is the two-bedroom mezzanine suite: floor-to-ceiling ocean views, full kitchen, and his and her bathrooms. Every room centers the ocean because waking up to that view is the entire point.
Cannabis & Wellness
What sets The Beach Samui apart is how seamlessly cannabis culture weaves into the wellness experience. On-site, you’ll find The Herbalist Samui, a dispensary administered under the guidance of fully trained herbal pharmacists. During my three nights at the hotel, I experienced a cannabis tasting that felt more like a culinary journey. A thoughtful spread of infused beverages, edibles, and tapas paired with premium cannabis.
Holly Smokes sponsored a range of products for our consumption during the stay, and their Blue Dream nearly brought me to tears. I’m talking about that kind of quality that reminds you why you fell in love with this plant in the first place. Blue Dream is one of my favorite strains, so smoking it in this setting, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, created one of those moments I’ll carry with me forever. Kanha’s products were also available, rounding out a cannabis experience that prioritized community, appreciation, and high vibrations.
The wellness offerings extend beyond cannabis. I participated in breathwork with Jane Kask, a fitness coach and facilitator, and found healing and reflection that cut deep. The hotel hosts wellness retreats, offers spa services, and provides services/experiences like in-suite sound bowl therapy. For the adventurous, kayaking and southern island hopping are available, though, if you get there and feel like I did, you might find yourself too content to leave.
The Food
Executive Chef Nui runs the kitchen with heart. Every meal was as delicious as the last. Home cooked dishes with locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs, plus plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Guests enjoy breakfast and dinner in the ocean-facing dining area or your suite. I also took a Thai cooking class with Chef Nui: fun, informative, delicious, and the kind of experience that gives you stories and skills to take home.
The People
What makes The Beach Samui extra special is the people you meet. Over those three nights, I shared sunsets with a couple from Canada, swapped stories with a yoga instructor from a neighboring island, learned from a legendary grower protecting landrace strains alongside his son, met a St. Lucian glass blower, and connected with a Puerto Rican from New York who’s turning hemp into building materials. We consumed cannabis together, sat in moments of silence that somehow said everything, and created the kind of community that only happens when strangers become friends in beautiful places.
This is what cannabis culture, community, and love for the plant looks like; the connections, the conversations, and the spaces it creates for people to be present with each other.
Looking Forward
Thailand’s cannabis evolution is still unfolding, and properties like The Beach Samui are leading the way in showing what responsible, luxurious, and culturally respectful cannabis tourism can look like. It’s not just a hotel. It’s a blueprint for how this industry can integrate into wellness, hospitality, and community in ways that honor both the plant and the people who seek it.
If you’re curious about experiencing The Beach Samui for yourself, visit their website to learn more about accommodations, wellness offerings, and upcoming retreats. For deeper insight into the vision behind this property, check out the interview with owner Bryan Lunt on the Exhale Social Pro YouTube channel, where he breaks down the philosophy and passion that make this place what it is.
The High Road Beyond Borders Tour continues, and there are more stories to tell. Stay tuned.
All images used courtesy of Veronica
Veronica “Vee” Castillo is the Traveling Cannabis Writer, an international traveling plant medicine journalist who has spent over seven years documenting cannabis culture across the United States and internationally, including Thailand, where she explores the intersection of ancient plant medicine traditions and modern cannabis culture. With over 25 publications and celebrity interviews to her credit, along with her role as former Communications Director for a leading minority cannabis trade association and author of Cannabis Legacy Chronicles, she has dedicated her career to amplifying BIPOC voices and authentic stories in plant medicine. Back on the road covering cannabis internationally, Vee helps wellness and cannabis businesses worldwide transform their unique stories into strategic content that drives measurable growth and global visibility.
