Thailand · Asia

Phuket

A large island in the Andaman Sea that draws more than 16 million air passengers a year through its single international airport. Tourism pressure has caused recurring traffic congestion, water shortages, and airport slot shortages during peak season. The Thai government has approved a 300-baht tourist entry fee, currently delayed until mid-2026.

P

Phuket

Thailand

Saturation snapshot

77
Severely overtouristed

Last updated: 2026-05-30

Movement through central areas is slow — expect to dodge and wait. Lines at major sights routinely exceed 1–2 hours without pre-booking. Iconic views are difficult to photograph without crowds in frame. Local residents have publicly raised concerns about visitor volume.

Crowd Density
87 source
Visitor Impact
82 source
Local Sentiment
52 source
Trajectory
75 source

Restrictions, taxes & fees

Fee Amount When Source Verified
Tourist entry fee (air arrival)
All foreign tourists arriving by air (pending implementation)
 300.00 THB — bangkokpost.com
2026-05-30
Tourist entry fee (land/sea arrival)
All foreign tourists arriving by land or sea border (pending implementation)
 150.00 THB — euronews.com
2026-05-30
Airport passenger service charge (international departure)
All passengers departing Phuket International Airport on international flights
 730.00 THB — aip.caat.or.th
2026-05-30