Phuket, April 19th, 2025 — Ms. Siriwan Siharach, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office, revealed plans to attract new-generation travelers and experience-seeking Thais to Phuket.
This group favors stylish lifestyles, enjoys coffee, food, and hands-on tourism in local communities — a growing trend that prioritizes immersive experiences over simple photo-taking.
She highlighted the success of the Phuket SUP Rally: Paddle in Paradise, held at the lush mangrove area of Ban Tha Chatchai in Thalang District. The event targeted niche sports lovers and gained attention through local and international media and social networks.
Many were surprised to discover Phuket offers more than just world-famous beaches.
Next, Phuket is gearing up for the annual Vegetarian Festival in October, a key event in TAT’s calendar, with plans to host it on a grander scale for both Thai and international visitors.
Addressing recent earthquake concerns, Siriwan assured that Phuket remains unaffected. The provincial governor promptly clarified that only Bangkok and northern Thailand experienced the tremors, while Phuket is fully safe and operational. She highlighted the province’s preparedness, citing its proven ability to overcome past crises.
Tourism in Phuket continues to grow steadily. In Q1 2025 (January–March), the island welcomed 3.8 million visitors — 1.077 million Thai tourists (up 10%) and 2.813 million foreigners (up 5.77%).
Tourism revenue reached 149 billion baht, marking an 8% increase from last year. Thai tourists contributed 11 billion baht (up 18%) and foreign tourists 138 billion baht (up 8.3%).
The outlook for Q2 is optimistic, driven by more international flights, including routes from France and other European countries, as well as continued promotional activities. The top five tourist groups in Phuket are from Russia, China, India, the UK, and Germany.
For more on this topic, see our prior article here.
