Pimalai is a long-standing part of the Koh Lanta community, where tourism is approached as a shared opportunity for growth, fairness, and sustainability. 

The resort’s operations are shaped by a commitment to fair work, ethical business practices, and meaningful support for the local economy.

Everyone employed at Pimalai begins on equal footing, with clearly defined starting salaries and transparent evaluation systems that determine pay progression. Roles are filled through a formal hiring process that ensures accountability at each step. Interviews are documented, and decisions are based on qualifications and suitability, not personal connections. 

Leadership roles are open to all, and women currently hold several senior positions, including in finance, human resources, spa management, sales and marketing, and the kitchen — a reflection of the resort’s emphasis on capability and equal opportunity.

The resort actively sources goods and services from local suppliers, including fresh seafood, handmade products, and authentic experiences offered by small-scale operators. 

Its collaboration with the Tung Yee Peng community is one example of how tourism can be a positive force. With guidance and guest support from Pimalai, the community transitioned from engine-powered boat tours to environmentally friendly rowboat experiences through the mangrove forest. 

This shift has provided a more sustainable livelihood for the village, and today, a significant portion of its income comes from Pimalai guests. The community is now helping others on the island develop similar offerings.

The resort maintains clear procurement standards and does not work with companies that have failed to meet ethical employment practices, particularly in cases of unfair dismissal or unpaid wages during difficult times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Pimalai also conducts annual salary benchmarking against similar properties in Krabi and Phuket, ensuring that it remains a competitive and fair employer.

Education and knowledge-sharing are also part of the resort’s contribution. Pimalai offers composting workshops at its on-site facility, providing training to villagers, local authorities, and those interested in sustainable practices. The resort has also supported the Little Scientist House programme, initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Since 2014, all participating local schools have completed a series of science experiments and received official recognition. This work continues with older students and now includes a growing focus on environmental education.

The resort's practices reflect an understanding that meaningful travel should support the people and places it touches. The approach is not about perfection, but about progress — choosing to operate in ways that prioritise people, fairness, and long-term impact. For guests, it offers the opportunity to be part of something more considered: a form of travel that respects both the local economy and the individuals who sustain it.

Pimalai’s culinary team is trained in waste reduction and mindful menu planning. Menus are designed to minimise leftover food, with portions carefully considered and items like bread and butter offered in small, refillable servings. This simple yet effective practice has notably reduced butter waste and decreased the need for strong cleaning chemicals. 

Kitchen teams also rotate ingredients across outlets — including the staff canteen, which serves over 400 employees daily — ensuring full use of available produce. Imperfect fruits are repurposed into smoothies and juices, while small trimmings of meat or seafood are used to prepare stocks and soups, helping to avoid unnecessary waste.

Food waste is separated at all kitchen stations and in guest rooms. Each evening, the waste is collected and taken to the resort’s on-site composting facility. There, two gardeners process the compost every morning — a system that has enabled Pimalai to maintain zero food waste in its operations.

Sourcing practices are equally considered. Vegetables are supplied by a certified organic farm operated by Pimalai’s sister company in Chiang Mai, which also runs a sustainable grocery store that provides additional produce.

Seafood is sourced directly from island fishermen, supporting the local economy and reducing transport emissions. Meat and other ingredients are purchased in line with the resort’s sustainable procurement policy, which ensures ethical and traceable supply chains.

Although Koh Lanta does not currently have food banks — owing to the community’s ability to fish and grow rice — Pimalai contributes to food security by providing three nutritious meals daily for all staff. Menus are overseen by the executive chef and general manager to ensure nutritional adequacy.

The resort also fosters responsible tourism by promoting authentic, low-impact guest experiences. Visitors are encouraged to join traditional gondola tours in the nearby Tung Yee Peng village. With Pimalai’s support, the village transitioned from engine boats to hand-rowed vessels, creating a sustainable and quieter experience for guests while protecting the mangrove ecosystem. 

The majority of the village’s tour income now comes from Pimalai’s guests. The resort also promotes visits to Koh Lanta Old Town and local museums, helping to preserve cultural heritage and distribute tourism benefits throughout the island.

Pimalai is the largest purchaser of fresh seafood on the island and a major contributor to the local economy. It supports local festivals such as the Laanta Lanta Festival and offers local goods for sale in its resort shop. 

These partnerships ensure that the economic benefits of tourism reach as many community members as possible.

Environmental awareness is embedded into resort operations. Pimalai organises regular community cleanups and coral propagation activities, with guests invited to participate. The resort has maintained a record of sending only around 20% of waste to landfill for over a decade, with the rest either recycled or sold for reuse. Waste separation is practised consistently throughout the property, with a goal to reach 90% of waste saved from landfill by 2027. 

The composting facility also serves as an educational hub. Local villagers, government staff, and organisations regularly visit to learn about sustainable waste management. In addition, Pimalai has implemented energy-saving initiatives such as using keycard systems to control air conditioning in guest rooms and increasing the use of electric vehicles on-site. 

Water conservation is another core focus. Old piping has been replaced, leaks have been repaired, and water is recycled fully on-site. Rainwater is collected in three reservoirs, filtered for use, and then treated for irrigation. As a result, the resort discharges no wastewater into the environment.

Education and youth development are also part of the resort’s sustainable approach. In 2025, Pimalai will host approximately 70 trainees from universities across Thailand, providing accommodation, meals, and monthly stipends. 

The resort partners with all 11 schools on the island through the Little Scientist House programme, encouraging hands-on learning and environmental awareness through science projects and creative activities.

By embedding sustainability into everyday practices — from food and energy to sourcing and education — Pimalai demonstrates a practical, long-term commitment to responsible consumption and production, creating benefits that extend well beyond the resort’s grounds.

Pimalai has long prioritised the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems, recognising the deep connection between healthy oceans and sustainable tourism. Since 2001, the resort has maintained a zero wastewater discharge policy, treating 100% of its used water on-site and reusing it for irrigation. This closed-loop system ensures that no untreated water enters the surrounding marine environment.

The resort has played an active role in coral reef restoration since 2016, when severe storm damage impacted nearby coral ecosystems. In collaboration with Ocean Quest, the Koh Lanta District Office, and Koh Lanta National Park, Pimalai initiated a coral propagation project to rehabilitate affected reefs. Over time, thanks to improved reef health and successful restoration, efforts have shifted from planting to monitoring and maintaining coral structures, including repairing broken fragments. These activities now engage not only resort staff and guests but also local authorities and members of the Koh Lanta Travel Association, helping to raise awareness and share knowledge across the island.

Pimalai is committed to involving future generations in ocean conservation. The resort is working to engage students from local schools in coral propagation initiatives, nurturing a stronger understanding and appreciation of marine life and environmental stewardship from an early age.

In 2022, Pimalai joined with other local business operators to release 50 sea turtles from the resort’s beach, a symbolic promise to safeguard the coastline so that these turtles may one day return to nest. This commitment reflects a shared responsibility for preserving the delicate balance of coastal ecosystems.

The resort also contributes to marine education and low-impact tourism through the promotion of mangrove tours operated by the villagers of Tung Yee Peng. These silent, hand-rowed gondola boat experiences introduce visitors to the ecological importance of mangrove forests and the community’s efforts to maintain them. Since 2019, Pimalai has helped generate 80% of the village's tour income, providing vital economic support to a conservation-minded local enterprise.

Environmental initiatives at Pimalai are carried out in collaboration with the local community, school groups, National Park officers, and guests. These shared experiences — from coral care to mangrove preservation — are designed not only to protect marine life but to foster a culture of collective learning and long-term stewardship of the sea.