Phuket’s tourism engine has roared back to its strongest level in eight years, with the island recording a new daily high of 393 flights carrying 71,613 passengers, underlining its dominant role in Thailand’s visitor economy.
Figures from Phuket International Airport show that as of Feb 14, the airport handled 146 domestic and 247 international flights in a single day, surpassing pre-pandemic benchmarks and setting a fresh post-COVID record.
The passenger total of 71,613 comprised 23,031 domestic and 48,582 international travellers, reflecting the continued strength of foreign arrivals to the Andaman hub.
Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn welcomed the milestone, describing it as confirmation of Phuket’s position as a key gateway on the Andaman coast and a major driving force for national tourism.
The latest figures eclipse the 2019 average of 374 flights and 71,387 passengers per day, previously the island’s benchmark year.
Passenger and flight averages over the past eight years highlight the dramatic arc of Phuket’s recovery:
- 2019: 374 flights, 71,387 passengers
- 2020: 371 flights, 68,259 passengers
- 2021: 154 flights, 19,861 passengers
- 2022: 254 flights, 41,827 passengers
- 2023: 315 flights, 54,007 passengers
- 2024: 383 flights, 67,077 passengers
- 2025: 387 flights, 69,874 passengers
- 2026: 393 flights, 71,613 passengers
The 2021 collapse reflected pandemic-era border closures, when flights fell to just 154 per day on average and passenger numbers plunged below 20,000. The steady rebound since 2022 has now culminated in a new high, with international services once again accounting for the majority of traffic.
The data reinforces Phuket’s reliance on overseas markets, with international passengers making up more than two-thirds of the current total.
The upbeat figures coincided with a Chinese New Year celebration at the airport earlier this week, aimed at welcoming one of Phuket’s most important visitor markets.
Monchai Tanode, General Manager of Phuket International Airport, on Monday (Feb 16) presided over the opening ceremony of the ‘Chinese New Year Festival 2026’ performance at the International Terminal.
The terminal was decorated with auspicious symbols and traditional ornaments, while four Chinese cultural performances were staged for passengers. A parade distributed 500 souvenirs to travellers, to create a festive atmosphere and promote the airport’s positioning as the ‘Gateway to the Andaman’.
Airport executives said the event reflected both the strong relationship between Thailand and China and Phuket’s commitment to delivering a culturally inclusive travel experience.
‘TWO-SPEED TOURISM ECONOMY’
Phuket’s new record comes against the backdrop of widening disparities in Thailand’s tourism economy, as highlighted in recent analysis by the Bangkok Post.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the top five provinces ‒ Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Surat Thani and Chiang Mai — generated more than B2 trillion of Thailand’s total B2.7tn tourism revenue in 2025.
Phuket alone earned B546 billion last year, ranking second nationally and generating more revenue than the bottom 50 provinces combined.
Yuthasak Supasorn, chairman of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand and former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, described the situation as a “severe overconcentration” of tourism income.
Revenue from the top five provinces accounted for roughly 70% of the national total, while the top 10 made up 81%. The remaining 67 provinces shared just 18.7%.
While visitor distribution showed moderate inequality, income distribution was far more skewed, he said, with foreign tourists driving the lion’s share of revenue. In Phuket and Bangkok, foreign arrivals account for 92% and 69% of tourism income respectively.
An econometric model cited by Mr Yuthasak suggests each foreign tourist generates roughly B40,000 in revenue for a province, while domestic tourism has minimal impact on overall provincial wealth.
“This imbalance presents a major structural challenge,” he warned, noting that heavy reliance on a handful of destinations leaves the national economy vulnerable to crises affecting those areas.