This post is for fellow Catholics who travel to either one of these islands in Thailand are are wondering if there are any Catholic churches they can go to there. Answer:

Koh Samui: Yes
Koh Phangan: No

In Koh Samui, there are at least two Catholic churches. St. Anna’s is in Nauthon Bay on the northwest side of the island, and another Catholic parish, which I do not know the name of, is on the norteast side in Chewang.

You can find these easily by picking up a map of the island, and there should be a cross marker on the map that notes the two Catholic churches. St. Anna’s is about a kilometer down the road from the police station, right before a bend in the road. There is a small road that goes off this main road and leads to St. Anna’s, which has a green roof and is about fifty meters along the small road. They have Mass at 8:30 AM on Sundays.

We actually went to the parish that I don’t know the name of, in Chewang. They have Mass at 10:30 AM on Sundays. No other Masses are celebrated from what I was told, as the priest comes in off the mainland to celebrate them. There were two nuns that appeared to be in residence at the Chewang parish, and she makes rosaries. My mom and I bought 6 of them!

The Mass there was really beautiful. I highly recommend going there if you find yourself, in the words of Talking Heads, “in another part of the world”! It was so great being able to go before Jesus’ presence amidst the foreign surroundings we had been immersed in for a week. How much I take for granted having Catholic churches all around here, and being able to go to daily Mass and weekly adoration!

“To find you in, the place your glory dwells…”