Thailand
Ko Tarutao, Thailand
A cutthroat, slow-burning season in Ko Tarutao, remembered for its prickly cast and a champion who treated the island like a used-car lot.
Sole Survivor
Brian Heidik
Won the jury 4-3
- Year
- 2002
- Location
- Ko Tarutao, Thailand
- Format
- All-new cast
- Days
- 39 days
- Castaways
- 16
- Grand prize
- $1,000,000
- Jury vote
- 4-3
Also read at the Final Tribal Council
How Brian Heidik won
Brian, a calculating car salesman, mapped the entire endgame from day one and executed it with cold precision, steering a beatable rival to the final two.
In context
Era
The Old School Era
2000–2010
Timeline
5th of 50
Aired 2002
Filming
Thailand
1st of 1 season filmed here
Starting tribes
The 2 tribes marooned when the game began — and where the names come from.
Thai for 'to help one another'.
Thai for 'happy heart'.
At the merge · they became Chuay Jai — Merge tribe — a blend of the two starting tribes Chuay Gahn and Sook Jai (loosely 'help' + 'heart').
Explore Season 5
Common questions
- Who won Survivor Thailand?
- Brian Heidik won Survivor: Thailand (Season 5, 2002), taking the jury vote 4-3.
- Where was Survivor Season 5 filmed?
- Survivor: Thailand was filmed in Ko Tarutao, Thailand.
- When did Survivor Season 5 air?
- Survivor: Thailand aired in 2002 and ran 39 days.
- Who were the finalists in Survivor Thailand?
- Brian Heidik won at the Final Tribal Council alongside Clay Jordan.
Around the fire
The tribe's debating Survivor 5 right now
“Cirie never needed an idol. She WAS the idol — read every vote a round early and bent the whole jungle to her will without a single immunity win. That's the cei…”
Cast your vote, drop a hot take, and climb your torch — every contribution is tied to your profile at Tribal Council.
Join the debate at TribalSeason 5 of 50