Phuket’s Mayor, Seree Ratsada, has presented a bold, forward-thinking blueprint that goes way beyond the usual tourism talk. His plan, centered around seven powerful pillars, aims to transform the island into a sustainable, smart, high-value hub—not just for beach lovers, but for medical tourists, digital nomads, sports enthusiasts, students, anglers… you name it.
A Wellness & Medical Tourism Powerhouse
“Health really is the new wealth around here.”
Phuket’s already buzzing with world-class wellness retreats. Now, Ratsada plans to supercharge it: think full-scale medical and wellness tourism. Picture luxury spas, advanced medical procedures, recovery resorts, and holistic healing centers—all under one umbrella.
-
Andaman Health + Wellness Centre is getting a ฿5.1 billion investment from local partners like Songklanagarind’s hospital and dental tech teams.
-
Key infrastructure like smart-health platforms, telemedicine, and certification standards will ensure Phuket stands out not just for pampering, but real, serious healthcare.
Why it matters
Wellness tourism isn’t just a feel-good buzzword—it’s a serious revenue play. Longer stays, higher per-visitor spend, and travel outside peak season make this a sustainable growth strategy.
Phuket as a Global Gastronomy Hub
Spice, flavor—and profit.
Ratsada wants to stamp Phuket on the global map as a city of gastronomy.
-
The island’s pushing forward with GI certifications for local produce like garcinia fruit (“som khwai”) to boost authenticity.
-
Expect gourmet festivals, celebrity-chef pop-ups, food tech incubators, and refined food-trail tourism channels.
How the table looks
| Pillar | Goal | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Certification | GI, ISO, Health & Safety | Raise global trust |
| Events | Fest, masterclasses, street-to-fine dining | Diverse appeal |
| Supply chain | Farm-to-table, local branding | Help local SMEs |
The takeaway
From pad thai to haute cuisine, this isn’t just about eating—it’s about Würst value. That means job creation, SME growth, and savvy marketing that says: “Phuket isn’t just pretty—it’s tasty.”
A Smart Technology & Education Hub
Tech-savvy Phuket, not just paradise.
Here’s where it gets futuristic. Ratsada’s putting tech front and center.
-
Smart city rollouts—think public Wi-Fi, CCTV systems, smart piers (like Chalong), and AI-controlled traffic signals.
-
And it’s not just gadgets—it’s about becoming a regional education hub: international schools, lifelong learning institutions, and flipping Phuket into a digital knowledge center.
Why should you care?
Faster services, better traffic, data-driven planning, plus attracting digital nomads and remote learners. This isn’t sci-fi—it’s tomorrow’s Phuket.
Sports Tourism & Active Lifestyle
Run, swim, bike—and spend.
Ratsada is eyeing the sporty crowd.
Growing sports tourism means facilities and events for everything from triathlons to soccer academies. Think a base camp for international athletes, training camps, and youth leagues.
The ripple effect
Hotels, gear rental shops, local councils—all linked to event seasons. Sporting events pour money into restaurants, transport, retail. Plus, peak-season crowd control becomes easier with a calendar of events.
Maritime & Marine Hub
Sea is freedom—and revenue.
Sea-and-boats tourism is getting a facelift.
-
Phuket will expand its marina scene—deep-sea ports, private marinas, and anchored pier networks for yachts and boat taxis.
-
Plans for boat taxis aim to ease road traffic and give visitors a scenic route between attractions .
Beyond the waves
Yachting is high-spender territory. Add marine-tech start-ups and cruise connectivity, and this pillar becomes both green and gold.
Marine Fisheries & Tuna Trade
From sea to plate—and shipping docks.
Phuket isn’t just for tourists. Ratsada wants to ramp up seafood exports.
-
The island will take centre stage in ASEAN tuna processing and trading.
-
Combined with gastronomy, this boosts the seafood value chain—grow, process, market, export.
Sustainability note
Building a fisheries hub means training local fishermen on sustainable methods, gear upgrades, and clean-export standards. Eco + economy = win-win.
MICE & High-End Conferences
Bonus: meeting minds.
Phuket is hosting more conferences, think-tanks, and incentives meets:
-
Purpose-built MICE facilities are being marketed for ASEAN-level gatherings.
-
This spreads tourism beyond beaches and into boardrooms.
Payoff
Business tourists = off-peak seasons, longer stays, more spending on services and venues. Local consultants, catering, hotels—all get a boost.
High-End Transportation & Urban Infrastructure
No more traffic jams (maybe!).
Supporting all this needs serious infrastructure:
-
฿148 billion is earmarked for regional upgrades—airport expansions, highway upgrades, tunnels, expressways.
-
Projects include:
-
Airport expansion (phase 2): 12.5 → 18 million ppa
-
Second airport (Andaman Airport): 80 billion baht
-
Road links: Kathu–Patong tunnel (฿14.7 B), Muang Mai–Koh Kaew expressway (฿42.6 B), frontage roads, interchanges .
-
Future light rail/tram system (to follow road upgrades) .
-
Environmental measures
Water treatment plants, waste incinerators (processing 500 tonnes/day), flood & landslide defences, plus improved CCTV and tourist security systems.
Bringing It All Together: A Sustainable Phuket 2.0
-
Boosted economy: Diversified revenue through high-end tourism segments.
-
Jobs galore: From dockworkers to doctors, chefs to digital experts.
-
Cultural uplift: Better infrastructure, education, and local pride.
-
Sustainability by design: Wastewater, flood safeguards, green operations = longevity.
-
Global brand: Phuket evolves from beach party reputation to a holistic, high-quality destination.
Conclusion
Ratsada’s plan isn’t a surface-level makeover—it’s a systemic transformation. Seven initiatives work like cogs in one machine: healthcare, gastronomy, sports, education, smart tech, marine trade, and MICE. That’s before you factor in the infrastructure pushes—tunnels, expressways, rail, smart systems, and ecology-driven infrastructure.
It’s smart, inclusive, and future-ready. Phuket 2.0 isn’t just about more visitors; it’s about better visitors, better experience, and better economic balance. Tourists, students, remote workers, conference-goers, healthcare seekers—they all get a seat at the table.