Phuket gateway opens route to Phang Nga’s quieter tourism offer
Phuket’s airport and tourism infrastructure are supporting access to Phang Nga as Thailand promotes lower-density, wellness and sustainable travel, with Russian visitors among its largest international markets.
Phuket is serving as the main air gateway for travellers continuing to Phang Nga, as Thailand promotes the Andaman province as a quieter destination focused on nature, wellness and community-based tourism.
Phang Nga has no commercial airport, according to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) guidance for the Similan Islands. Travellers can therefore fly into Phuket before continuing north to destinations including Khao Lak, Phang Nga Bay and the Similan and Surin island groups.
The neighbouring destinations are increasingly being presented as complementary parts of the same journey. Phuket has the region’s major international airport, established resort areas and extensive tourism services, while Phang Nga offers forests, beaches, waterfalls, marine landscapes, wellness experiences and community tourism.
TAT’s official Phuket–Phang Nga itinerary combines attractions in Phuket with Ban Bo Dan Hot Spring, the Khao Lak coast and Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park in Phang Nga.
Russian travellers are an important potential market for the wider route. TAT reported 9.31 million international arrivals to Thailand between 1 January and 31 March 2026. Russia accounted for about 726,000 arrivals, making it the country’s third-largest source market after China, with 1.49 million, and Malaysia, with 960,000. India recorded 626,000 arrivals and South Korea 412,000 during the same period.
The national figures do not establish a large-scale movement of Russian visitors from Phuket to Phang Nga. They indicate strong Russian demand for Thailand while Phang Nga is being promoted for lower-density and nature-based tourism.
Thailand’s tourism policy is also placing greater emphasis on value, sustainability and the dispersal of visitors. TAT introduced its Thailand Tourism Next strategy in January 2026, with an ambition of up to B3 trillion in total tourism revenue and a focus on quality, balance and sustainability.
Phang Nga, along with Nan and Phetchaburi, was identified as a pilot green destination under the strategy. TAT’s destination profile highlights the province’s mountains, caves, forests, bay, beaches, waterfalls and marine attractions.
The international promotion of these products continued in May, when TAT organised the Amazing Green Experience in Thailand programme for overseas buyers and media. The programme covered Krabi, Phang Nga, Surat Thani and Phuket and included community, wellness and nature-based businesses. In Phang Nga, it featured the Ban Sam Chong Nuea Community Enterprise.
The approach gives Phuket a role beyond hosting visitors on the island: its airport and tourism infrastructure can connect international arrivals with a broader Andaman itinerary, while Phang Nga develops a more dispersed tourism offer.
