At the live finale, Brian Heidik was named Sole Survivor, defeating runner-up Clay Jordan by a jury vote of 4–3.

The first occurred on day 1, when the two eldest contestants, Jake Billingsley and Jan Gentry, were given the power to pick their own tribes.

Assuming a merge had occurred, Shii Ann from Sook Jai decided to switch allegiances to the Chuay Gahn alliance under the presumption that she was being ostracized by her tribe.

However, the players were shocked to learn that they had not yet merged and were only living on the same beach; Shii Ann was subsequently voted off after Sook Jai lost the immunity challenge.

Sook Jai was never able to recover from their numerical deficit, and they were systematically picked off one by one once the merge finally happened on day 25.

Brian, who had made separate alliances and formed friendships with both Helen and Ted, was lambasted for his callous approach, but he was praised for his challenge performances and strong work ethic.

In comparison, Clay was felt as not deserving for his lack of work ethic, and he was accused of making racial slurs against Ted.

The sixteen castaways were dropped off at an island separated by gender, causing some players to think they were going to be divided into tribes of men and women.

Sook Jai also won a tight immunity challenge, sending Chuay Gahn to Tribal Council for a second time.

Still bitter about the grinding incident, Ghandia approached Helen and Jan in order to oust Ted.

Brian approached Ted in order to hear his side of the story, causing Ghandia to become enraged.

After Chuay Gahn lost immunity, Ghandia attempted to form an alliance with the women to target Clay.

As Sook Jai enjoyed their feast, Brian and Ted explained the importance of winning the next immunity challenge so the tribes would merge at five members each.

In a huge upset, immunity was won by Chuay Gahn, when Sook Jai failed to realize that they could have ensured a victory by virtue of them getting to make the first move.

The pair of Clay and Shii Ann received a note telling them to travel to the Chuay Gahn camp.

At Tribal Council, Shii Ann's tribemates decided they could not trust her after she openly aligned with Chuay Gahn.

Jake attempted to entertain both tribes and bond with Chuay Gahn by telling adventure stories, however he ended up annoying Clay.

Back at camp, Jake lobbied Helen to flip to Sook Jai, explaining that the only way they could win is by getting rid of Brian or Clay.

Despite this, the Chuay Ghan alliance (minus Clay) quickly saw through Penny's scheme and immediately took her out of the immunity challenge.

Brian managed to unscramble to letters, but misspelled the phrase and yelled it out aloud, giving Ted the correct answer.

Later on, Helen, deciding to play on both sides of the fence, approached Brian and revealed her distaste for Ted.

On the morning of day 38, Jeff arrived at camp towing a gold canoe with instructions for the tribe's final rite of passage.

On day 39, Brian and Clay set their boat ablaze and reflected on the time spent in Thailand.

At the final Tribal Council, Erin asked the finalists why the person sitting next to them didn't deserve the million dollars.

Brian incorrectly answered the questions, while Clay accurately listed several details about her personal life.

He asked Clay why he was threatened when Jake was excited that the votes were based on performance at a previous Tribal Council.

Next up was Ted, who told Brian that he was a great car salesman, and sold him friendship and loyalty, though it was limited.

While heavily criticized on various internet outlets in the years that followed its original airing, Survivor: Thailand won the 29th People's Choice Award in 2003 for Favorite Reality Based Program,[16] and remains the third-highest rated season in the show's history in terms of Nielsen ratings.

[18] He described the season as "mean-spirited and marred with hostility and ugliness" and called Helen, Jan, Clay, and Brian "the least likable final four ever."

Probst would further elaborate by calling Heidik's game as "so sleazy" and said that "you felt like you needed a shower after watching Brian play.