File photo for reference only

Phuket's booming tourism industry is warning of an infrastructure crisis as growth on the island surpasses its capacity to cope. The Phuket Tourist Association has called on the government to accelerate stalled transport and water projects to handle increased demand. Without these improvements, the island risks overwhelming its infrastructure and diminishing the quality of life for residents and visitors.

Phuket was initially designed to support a population of about 400,000, but the reality is far different. With over 400,000 additional people supporting the economy and around 130,000 registered migrant workers, the island's infrastructure is stretched thin. During peak tourist seasons, visitor numbers can approach one million, highlighting capacity issues first noted during the Phuket Sandbox period.

The association's president, Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, emphasized the focus on attracting "quality" tourists who stay longer and spend more, with average per-capita spending around 50,000 baht — higher than pre-COVID levels. The association also suggests developing "city pairing" packages, using Phuket as a hub to enhance travel to nearby areas like Phang Nga and Ranong, thus easing travel logistics for international visitors.

However, Thaneth stresses the need for the government to prioritize infrastructure solutions seriously. Significant projects — the Kathu–Patong tunnel and water-supply plans — have seen little progress due to governmental changes. Specifically, the water project, designed to route water from Cheow Lan Dam, has been discussed for decades but requires tens of billions of baht for completion.

Looking ahead, the urgency to address infrastructure gaps is clear. With continued growth, Phuket must implement long-discussed solutions swiftly to support its tourism industry sustainably and maintain quality of life, reported The Nation.

Key Takeaways

• Phuket's infrastructure struggles to support increasing tourism numbers.

• Significant projects, including a water-supply scheme, remain delayed.

• The focus is on attracting quality tourists while balancing local impacts.

Related stories:

Thailand Tourism Takes a Hit in 2025 as Foreign Visits Drop

India Extends Free 30-Day E-Visa for Thai Tourists

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2026-01-02

 

 

Why a picture taken in Krabi province is used for a story on Phuket ?

1 minute ago, Chalong circle said:

Why a picture taken in Krabi province is used for a story on Phuket ?

It's a nicer picture than a picture from Chalong Circle would be.

Just now, stevenl said:

It's a nicer picture than a picture from Chalong Circle would be.

I cannot deny that.

They're way too late, the horse has already bolted.