Phuket’s international airport is huge, and it’s already so popular. People are coming in and out every single day.
At the Phuket Real Estate Association’s sustainability seminar on 23 September 2026, a speaker representing Dr Jiraroth Sukolrat, Director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, set out the plans for a second one.
Where it will be
The Andaman International Airport is planned for Khok Kloi in the Takua Thung district of Phang Nga, 23.4 kilometres north of Phuket International Airport and around 20 minutes away by road.
The project belongs to Airports of Thailand, which the speaker said has completed its pre-feasibility study. The Ministry of Transport’s target is capacity for 18 million passengers a year across the two airports. Airports of Thailand has set out a seven year programme with opening slated for 2031, and it expects at least 15 million more tourist arrivals a year to the Andaman region.
The slides marked two air projects as quick wins: Phase 2 of the Phuket Airport development, and the Andaman International Airport. “In principle, the focus is on developing the current airport first,” the speaker said.
A government serious about Phuket
The new airport is going to mean so much more for the island. The government pushing infrastructure projects and approvals into Phuket shows they’re serious about making Phuket the golden crown of Thailand’s tourism.
They’re planning these projects ahead, and they’re addressing the traffic at the same time.
What changes in Phang Nga
Right now the area around the new airport is sleepy, beautiful and quiet. If people are flying in there, there’s going to be a lot more short term stays, and the area is going to grow.
Real estate in Phang Nga is already rising in price. Land around the golf course and along Natai Beach is going up.
With the nominee crackdowns in the news, I believe condominiums are going to be the driving force for foreigners investing in Thai real estate.
If you’re looking at businesses in the Phang Nga area, I would get in now, because the changes are already happening.
If you’d like to talk through what the airport could mean for your plans, get in touch with me here.
This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice.
