Survivor: Thailand was the fifth installment of the popular United Statesreality showSurvivor. It was filmed during 2002 and aired from September 19, 2002 - December 19, 2002 on CBS. It was set in on the island of Koh Tarutao in Thailand. The two initial tribes were Chuay Gahn and Sook Jai. They eventually merged into the Chuay Jai tribe.
Fourteen episodes aired weekly. The winner, Brian Heidik, was announced on December 19, 2002.
The gameplay "twist" introduced for this season was that when there were 10 remaining players, the usual time for a merge, the two tribes were moved onto one beach, with a feast awaiting them. The two tribes took this to mean that they were merging, and Shii Ann attempted to use this to her advantage by openly trying to get allied with her "former" opposing tribe. At the next challenge they attended, however, the two tribes were informed that they were living on one beach, but were not merged. This came to backfire on Shii Ann as her tribe lost the ensuing Immunity Challenge, and she was booted off for her excessive scheming.