Phuket airport expansion plans reviewed as MPs inspect facilities
A parliamentary tourism committee reviewed Phuket airport operations, immigration facilities and a proposed expansion aimed at increasing passenger capacity.
The House of Representatives Tourism Committee reviewed Phuket International Airport’s operations, immigration services and expansion plans during a visit on Friday, 31 July 2026.
The committee, led by chairman Lt Col Sinthop Kaewpichit, was briefed by airport general manager Monchai Tanode. The airport expects to handle an average of 248 flights and more than 38,000 passengers a day during the 2026 low season, with Russian, Chinese, Indian, Australian and British travellers among the largest international visitor groups.
Traffic has eased slightly from last year. Phuket airport handled 53,920 flights between January and June 2026, compared with 55,112 during the same period in 2025. The daily average fell to 297 flights from 304.
The committee also inspected the immigration checkpoint, where officials outlined plans to expand the Automated Border Control system. Pol Lt Col Saisuree Butphakdee, an inspector for the airport’s arrival section, said the automated channels, which are linked to Thailand’s e-Visa system and national immigration databases, process passengers in about 45 seconds. Immigration officers will continue facial and visa verification as part of security checks.
The airport currently has two automated gates, with 13 more scheduled for installation by September, bringing the total to 15. The system will initially serve Thai, Hong Kong and Singapore passport holders, as well as other authorised travellers.
Officials also briefed the committee on the proposed Phase 2 expansion, which remains at the design stage pending government approval. Plans include extending the international passenger terminal, adding aircraft parking bays and upgrading utilities and other support facilities.
Airport officials said the expansion would raise annual passenger capacity from the current 12.5 million to 18 million. However, figures presented separately during the briefing referred to a Phase 2 design capable of handling 10.5 million passengers a year, creating an apparent inconsistency in the reported capacity targets.
Two international routes are expected to begin during the coming high season. Indonesia’s TransNusa is planning Bali-Phuket flights, while Virgin Atlantic is preparing services between London Heathrow and Phuket.
Sakhu police chief Pol Col Salan Santisasanakul also raised traffic problems outside the airport. He attributed congestion to private vehicles, taxis and ride-hailing vehicles waiting for passengers, particularly drivers stopping illegally in the terminal’s no-parking zone to avoid parking fees. He said closer cooperation between airport authorities, police and other government agencies would be needed to address the problem.
