For hundreds of years, travelers from the West have been mesmerized by the fascinating cultures and alluring people of The Orient (as it was once known).  One region of the Orient which seemed to truly capture the hearts of visitors was Siam, what we today refer to as the rapidly modernising Kingdom of Thailand. And no other place in the region captivated travelers as much as Phuket, known by its monicker: The Jewel of the Andaman Sea.

Ancient traders arriving on the shores of this amazing island undoubtedly fell in love with its people and its mystique, and in many ways, this has in no way changed for today’s tourists, who now flock to Phuket in their millions. Phuket’s mountains, jungles, and beaches, continue to leave visitors in awe, as well as the culturally rich Phuket Town.

What Has Contributed to Phuket’s Amazing Journey to Global Tourism Stardom? 

What made Phuket so popular with tourists from the West?

It’s hard to pinpoint one single event which secured Phuket’s place in the consciousness of global vacationers, but there have been a few things over the last few decades which have helped to put the island on the map.

Perhaps the most influential were the many movies in which Phuket featured prominently, offering people a large screen introduction to the beautiful scenery.

The James Bond franchise has twice filmed in the Phuket area, first in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), then in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). Interestingly, both used the stunning scenery of Phang Nga Bay as a backdrop, but it was Roger Moore’s visit to Scaramanga’s island hideout in the The Man with the Golden Gun which is the probably the most iconic. In fact, the island which doubled as the hideout is a popular tourist attraction today, and aptly named “James Bond Island.”

Phuket has long been a top spot for backpackers seeking adventure, and this lifestyle was depicted in the Leonardo DiCaprio film, The Beach.  Khao San Road in Bangkok and the Andaman Sea Island Koh Phi Phi were both highlighted, and most definitely contributed to increase in tourist numbers for Phuket. Unfortunately, today, the number of tourists visiting Maya Bay where the movie was filmed is limited to a specific number of tourists and it is even closed completely for some months of the year, due to the damage that increased tourism has caused to the environment.

The Growth of Tourism in Phuket

For newcomers to Asia, Phuket is a wonderful introduction, as it offers a perfect blend of stunning scenery, amazing culture with modern amenities and infrastructure all wrapped together with an ancient magical charm. That mixture of modernity and mystique helps to lessen the culture shock that many westerners experience when their first trip to “the East” is elsewhere in Asia.  It is also enough to cast a spell which keeps people coming back year after year.

It is expected that in 2025, the numbers could exceed the nearly 12 million tourists in 2019 and its popularity does not seem to be waning. Phuket is gradually becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Anyone who has already visited Phuket will already know the indelible impression that the country leaves on those who choose to make it a holiday destination. With their cherished moments permanently ingrained in their memories, visitors are always likely to return.

Has Modern Phuket Really Lost Its Mystique?

Some suggest that the steps Phuket has taken toward modernization and prosperity have been at the expense of the mystique which has drawn people to the island for years. There is certainly more traffic on the roads and ongoing construction, but this has certainly created better infrastructure for both residents and tourists alike.

But even as it modernises, the attraction Phuket holds for foreigners is almost unchanged. New adventurers and travelers are free to begin their own love affair with the island, just as people have for decades before them.

There is still adventure to be found everywhere: from uninhabited islands to jungle trekking, and you can still achieve that sense of being completely removed from civilization.  Sometimes only minutes from a main road, you can find yourself on a deserted beach or in the jungles atop a national forest mountain.

Even in Phuket Town, a casual stroll through the old town will make you forget the huge skyscrapers of other cities. Phuket Town now has an exhilarating blend of old and new, with its Sino Portuguese architecture and trendy cafes, which continue to enthrall new visitors and rekindle memories in veteran travelers.

Do Visitors Have to Overcome Any Language Barriers?

Unlike the first European visitors to the island hundreds of years ago, foreigners arriving in Phuket today have few communication problems.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has suggested that English has become the common linguistic “currency” of the country. The sheer number of English speaking visitors from around the world has ensured that most hotels and restaurants will speak English to a very high standard. And while visitors should not expect the same standard with taxi or tuk tuk drivers, you will still have no problem getting by.

In the last few years, Thais educated in various countries around the world have returned home and entered the tourism sector.  This means that – in the hospitality industry – German, Italian, French, Chinese and Russian are also commonly spoken.

But it is not only the tourists driving this trend.  The number of foreigners who decided to settle in Phuket have also played a part in ensuring that a diverse array of foreign languages are now being spoken.

What Are Phuket’s Most Popular Tourist Attractions?

Although the island’s area is only around 222 square miles, the terrain is surprisingly diverse, with buffalo pastures, rain forests, rubber plantations, palm groves and pineapple fields. Throughout the year, there are a range of temperatures, with both the dry season and the rainy season giving the island a different feel at various times of the year.

Because of the incredible landscape and natural surroundings, there are just so many things to do in Phuket. If you like the mountains and jungle trekking, then Kao Sok national park is only a couple of hours drive to the north. But Phuket also has its own protected national parks which are quite an experience. There are elephant sanctuaries, many zip lining experiences, ATV tours, kayaking through mangrove swamps and a whole array of other tourist attractions to fill the days.

There are over 30 beaches to visit, an array of watersports, sailing activities and island-hopping tours. Beach clubs now adorn the west coast, and the incredible array of culinary delights must be as good as anywhere else in the world, with a multitude of gastronomical flavours available across the island.

Although the same vibe can be felt in other Thai southern islands, like Koh Samui, they do not compare to Phuket in terms of infrastructure and accessibility. The road systems and Phuket’s amazing airport, make traveling easier and more enjoyable.

But regardless of what a resident or a tourist decides to do while living or visiting the island, they are sure to fall under the spell of the enigma that is Phuket Island!!