Tourism Phuket Sets Sail to Become Southeast Asia's Cruise Capital

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

Phuket is setting its sights on becoming Southeast Asia’s premier cruise destination with the launch of its new cruise terminal at Ao Makham Port. This ambitious project aims to boost tourism and attract the world’s leading cruise lines to the island's shores.

 

The state-of-the-art facility, set to be fully operational by mid-2025, promises to revolutionise travel for high-end tourists, offering comfort, speed, and style. Officials are calling the terminal a transformative "gateway," putting an end to the days of passengers facing rough seas on tenders. The port now features deep-water berths suitable for larger ships—solving many logistical hurdles that previously discouraged cruise operators.

 

Inside the terminal, passengers will find modern conveniences including efficient customs and immigration facilities, advanced luggage handling systems, and luxurious air-conditioned lounges with free Wi-Fi and multilingual signage.

 

“Phuket can now compete with Singapore and Hong Kong as a major cruise hub,” one tourism official stated, predicting new itineraries in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.

 

The terminal's opening is already having ripple effects, with travel agents crafting cruise-and-stay packages that combine disembarkation in Phuket with overland adventures to destinations like Krabi, Phang Nga, and Khao Lak. Local businesses are gearing up to cater to the anticipated influx, expanding services and offerings.

 

“Cruise tourists are high spenders,” noted a spokesperson from a Phuket business association. “Even a single night’s stay contributes significantly to the local economy—from tuk tuk rides to exquisite seafood meals and spa treatments.”

 

For those seeking budget-friendly or eco-conscious options, enhanced road and bus links to Bangkok are making it easier to blend overland travel with cruising.

 

The upgraded terminal also offers improved connections to nearby islands such as Phi Phi and Koh Yao Yai, facilitating new multi-stop itineraries and boosting regional tourism.

 

However, with ambitious growth plans come vital responsibilities. Tourism leaders emphasise the importance of sustainable practices, ensuring that environmental impacts are managed responsibly and that the economic benefits are fairly distributed among local communities.

 

If successful, Phuket will not only become a top beach destination but also a model for sustainable cruise tourism benefiting all of Southern Thailand.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-04

 

 

[merijn]

They can always make so beautiful muckups but in reality it looks completely different off-course. 🙂

 

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Inside the terminal, passengers will find modern conveniences including efficient customs and immigration facilities, advanced luggage handling systems, and luxurious air-conditioned lounges with free Wi-Fi and multilingual signage

Then step outside into the reality of Phuket

[spidermike007]

No thanks. Was first in a Phuket in 1976. No resorts. A few bungalows on the beaches. Beachfront land was 1,000 baht a rai. They could not give it away. Quite a lovely place. 

 

Went back in 1986. Had developed alot. Still very nice. Again in 1993. Far more development. Still amazing. Azure seas. The gorgeous Andaman. Spectacular women everywhere. Great food. 

 

Did not return until around 2008. It was degraded, for the most part. But, still decent. Good nightlife. But not as good. 

 

Again around 2014. Nowhere near the place it used to be, with a diminished nightlife, but not awful. Prices had gone up quite a bit but I guess that's to be expected. 

 

Back again in 2023 and there was absolutely no charm left, very few attractive gals and Bangla Road was absolutely horrific, with barely a good looking girl to be found with the exception of just a couple of Go-Go's, charging truly stupid money.

 

The primary population of tourists were Arabs, Malaysians, Indians and Russians, and most of them felt like low end tourists and expats. The proliferation of Russians was too much to bear. They are SO obnoxious. No need to ever return. The charm is lost. Traffic was crazy. The over development is stunning. The prices were crazy. Yikes. 

 

[norsurin]

Haven't been in Phuket since 2003.No plan to visit again.Same Pattaya..13 years since last visit.I prefer Bangkok and hua-hin.

[CanadaSam]

Too late now, but somebody should inform the authorities that Phuket is not exactly the kind of place most "high-end" tourists wish to visit!

[Negita43]

Too many sharks in those waters

[Suetape]

Spider-Man your story sounds familiar but mine began in Pattaya in 1967.  It was truly heaven on earth.  My wife and I lived on Wongamart Beach like royalty with very little baht.  Returning again this fall but staying away from Pattaya and UNFORTUNATELY a week in Phuket is on the itinerary. 

[supersomchai]

Just when many european cities start to restrict/ ban cruise ships ,Thailand welcomes them (so ahead of the curve) ☹️

[Watawattana]

21 hours ago, Suetape said:

Spider-Man your story sounds familiar but mine began in Pattaya in 1967.  It was truly heaven on earth.  My wife and I lived on Wongamart Beach like royalty with very little baht.  Returning again this fall but staying away from Pattaya and UNFORTUNATELY a week in Phuket is on the itinerary. 

I really do hope you have great time and the positives outweigh those negatives!