Phuket

The pearl of the Andaman Sea — white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and unforgettable sunsets

What we can arrange

Sunset at Kata Beach, a pink sky over the Andaman Sea from 7 nights

Group Tours

Ready-made Phuket holiday packages including flights, transfers, accommodation, and excursions. Beach, sightseeing, and combination tours available for every budget.

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Kayaking among the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay at sunset VIP

Private tours

Private transfers, a pool villa, a personal guide, yacht charter — a bespoke Phuket journey delivered in full concierge format.

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Night market in Phuket Old Town service

Additional services

Travel insurance, visa assistance, vehicle hire, restaurant and spa reservations, event arrangements — everything required to make your stay seamless.

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Crystal-clear turquoise water at the Phi Phi Islands from 1 day

Excursions

Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island, the Similan Islands, Big Buddha — the finest excursions led by Russian-speaking guides.

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Sunset at Kata Beach, a pink sky over the Andaman Sea from 7 nights

Group Tours

Ready-made packages with flights, hotel, and excursions — for every budget.

View Tours →
Kayaking among the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay at sunset VIP

Private tours

Villa, yacht, personal guide — a premium holiday tailored entirely to you.

Learn More →
Night market in Phuket Old Town service

Additional services

Insurance, visas, car hire, spa and restaurant bookings — comprehensive on-the-ground support.

All Services →
Crystal-clear turquoise water at the Phi Phi Islands from 1 day

Excursions

Phi Phi, Phang Nga, Similan Islands, Big Buddha — guided excursions.

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About Phuket Resort

Phuket is Thailand's largest island, set in the Andaman Sea in the south of the country. Its coastline of more than 40 kilometres is lined with white-sand beaches, azure waters, limestone cliffs and dense tropical jungle. The island ranks among the most popular resorts in South-East Asia, welcoming millions of visitors from around the world each year. Well-developed infrastructure, a warm climate and a rich cultural heritage make Phuket an ideal destination for both family holidays and romantic escapes.

Phuket is home to a wealth of landmarks well worth exploring. The 45-metre Big Buddha statue is visible from virtually every corner of the island and stands as its defining symbol. Phang Nga Bay, with its dramatic limestone towers rising straight from the water, and the Phi Phi Islands, with their clear-water lagoons, reward even the most discerning traveller. The historic Phuket Old Town, lined with colourful Sino-Portuguese mansions, and the island's many Buddhist temples — including Wat Chalong and the viewpoint at Promthep Cape — complete a picture of a destination where natural scenery and a distinct local culture sit in easy balance.

AMIST operates charter flights to Phuket from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, providing full support from the moment of departure to the return home. We handle every detail — transfers, accommodation at trusted hotels, excursion programmes and travel insurance. Russian citizens may enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days, making the booking process exceptionally straightforward. With over 25 years of experience in international travel, we guarantee a holiday entirely free of worry.

Big Buddha on Nakkerd Hill — the iconic landmark of Phuket
60 days visa-free
10–14 h flight
+28…+31 °C year-round
THB (฿) Thai baht
−4 hours from Sakhalin

Best time to visit Phuket

Phuket is a tropical island with a monsoonal climate. Best time to visit — November through April: dry season, temperatures of +28–31 °C, calm seas, and ideal visibility for diving. From May through October the monsoon season brings noticeably lower prices.

Jan +29°
Feb +29°
Mar +30°
Apr +31°
May +30°
Jun +29°
Jul +29°
Aug +29°
Sep +28°
Oct +28°
Nov +28°
Dec +28°

Getting There

Connecting flights via Moscow, Novosibirsk, Vladivostok, or Seoul — total journey time 10–14 hours depending on the connection.

  • AMIST arranges charter flights in high season (November — April)
  • The charter tour price already includes flights, transfers, and accommodation
  • Scheduled flights: S7, Aeroflot, Thai Airways

Phuket International Airport (HKT) is located in the north of the island, in 30–50 minutes from the popular beaches of Patong, Kata, and Karon.

  • Taxi — fixed zone fares: to Patong from 600–800 baht
  • Minibus — shared transfer, less expensive than a taxi
  • AMIST Transfer — airport meet-and-greet and hotel transfer included in the package

Phuket is a large island, and exploring it comfortably calls for a mix of transport options:

  • Tuk-tuks and songthaews — songthaew minibuses between beaches, from 30–60 baht
  • Grab — Thailand's ride-hailing app equivalent, card payment accepted
  • Scooter Rental — 200–300 baht/day, licence and helmet required
  • Car Rental — convenient for families, rental outlets near the airport

Interesting facts about Phuket

15 remarkable facts about the pearl of the Andaman Sea

01

The largest island in Thailand

Phuket covers 576 km² and is the largest island in Thailand — larger than Singapore. Despite its island status, Phuket is connected to the mainland by two bridges: Sarasin and Tha Chatchai. The name derives from the Malay word “bukit,” meaning hill.

02

Big Buddha — guardian of the island

Atop Nakkerd Hill stands the Big Buddha statue, 45 metres tall — one of the most revered Buddhist shrines in Thailand. The statue is clad in white Burmese marble and is visible from almost anywhere on the island. On a clear day, the view from its base encompasses three bays simultaneously.

03

Maya Bay and the Phi Phi Islands

Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh island gained international fame after the film “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio in 2000. In 2018 the bay was closed entirely to allow the ecosystem to recover. Today access is permitted, but no more than 2,000 visitors may be present on the beach at any one time.

04

James Bond Island

James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay became famous after the 1974 film “The Man with the Golden Gun” starring Roger Moore. The roughly 20-metre rock rises almost vertically from the water — a rare geological phenomenon. Local fishermen called it “Khao Tapu,” meaning “nail island.”

05

Similan Islands — a diver's paradise

The Similan archipelago, 100 km from Phuket, ranks among the top 10 dive sites in the world. The name derives from the Malay “sembilan” — nine, after the number of islands. Water visibility reaches 30 metres, and the surrounding waters are home to manta rays, whale sharks and more than 200 species of coral.

06

Old Town — Portuguese heritage

Phuket Town's old quarter is a unique example of Sino-Portuguese architecture. The colourful “shophouse” mansions were built in the 19th century by Chinese tin traders who adopted European techniques from Portuguese colonists. The streets of the district are listed as a protected cultural heritage site.

07

Vegetarian Festival

Each October, Phuket is gripped by one of Asia's most intense festivals — the Nine Emperor Gods Festival. Devotees observe a strict vegetarian diet, while mediums in trance pierce their bodies with sharp objects. The festival has been held on Phuket for more than 200 years.

08

Cradle of Muay Thai

Phuket is home to dozens of professional Muay Thai camps, where fighters from more than 50 countries come to train. The legendary Patong Boxing Stadium has held bouts three times a week since the 1950s. Around 15,000 sports tourists visit the island each year specifically for training.

09

The tin capital of Southeast Asia

From the 17th to the 20th century, Phuket was the region's largest tin-mining centre. At the peak of the 19th century, the island produced up to 40% of the world's tin output. The mining industry attracted thousands of Chinese immigrants, who laid the foundations of the island's present-day culture.

10

Monument to the two heroines

In 1785, the sisters Thao Thepkasatri and Thao Sisunthon led Phuket's defence against the Burmese army, which besieged the fortress for over a month. According to legend, they dressed the townswomen in men's uniforms to create the illusion of a large garrison. Every year on 13 March, Phuket commemorates Heroines' Day.

11

Phang Nga Bay — 42 karst rock formations

Phang Nga Bay is dotted with 42 limestone karst islands rising from emerald waters. This karst landscape formed approximately 10,000 years ago. Several islands conceal caves containing rock paintings up to 3,000 years old.

12

Phuket Fantasea — a night of fantasy

The Fantasea cultural entertainment complex on Kamala Beach covers 60 acres. Its headline show is staged in a 3,000-seat theatre and combines circus acts, special effects, fireworks, and elephant performances. Fantasea welcomes more than 2 million guests each year.

13

Cashew — a nut with a history

Phuket is one of Thailand's largest cashew producers. The trees were introduced by Portuguese seafarers in the 16th century. Local markets carry dozens of varieties of roasted cashews — seasoned with salt, curry, lemongrass, and pepper.

14

Phromthep Cape — the finest sunset

Phromthep Cape at the island's southern tip is Thailand's most celebrated sunset viewpoint. From the cliff's edge, the panorama spans the Andaman Sea — on a clear day, islands 20 km away are visible. Every evening, hundreds of visitors gather here an hour before sunset.

15

Sea turtle conservation

Leatherback and green sea turtles, both endangered species, nest on Phuket's beaches. The Marine Biological Centre has been operating since 1979, releasing thousands of hatchlings every year. At Mai Khao Beach (11 km long), volunteers guard the nests around the clock from November to February.

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Tours

Tours to Phuket

Discover the pearl of Thailand — from beach relaxation to underwater adventures

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All tours to Thailand
Excursions

Excursions in Phuket

Day programmes with a Russian-speaking guide — islands, temples, and the underwater world

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All Thailand destinations
Traveller reviews

What our travellers say

★★★★★

My husband and I spent two weeks in Phuket — it was unforgettable. Patong Beach was captivating: days on the sand, evenings strolling the promenade. The local cuisine deserves special mention — the tom yum and seafood at the night market were exceptional. Thank you, AMIST, for selecting the perfect hotel right by the sea!

Natalia P. “Classic Phuket,” January 2026
★★★★★

We travelled with two children aged 8 and 11 — everything went perfectly. The Fantasea show made a tremendous impression on the children; they still talk about the elephants and fireworks. Karon Beach proved calm and safe for swimming. The AMIST managers briefed us on every detail in advance — that made an enormous difference.

Andrey and Oksana L. “Family Phuket,” December 2025
★★★★★

I was travelling alone and had some concerns, but Phuket welcomed me warmly. The excursion to Phi Phi was the highlight of the trip — I had never seen water so clear. Thai massage was simply magical. AMIST recommended trusted venues and designed an itinerary specifically for a solo traveller.

Ekaterina V. “Phuket Solo,” February 2026
★★★★★

As an experienced diver, I can say the Similan Islands fully lived up to expectations. Underwater visibility reached 30 metres — we encountered sea turtles, reef sharks and enormous shoals of fish. The AMIST instructors were professional and attentive. I am absolutely returning — the underwater world of the Andaman Sea is incomparable.

Dmitry S. “Active Phuket,” March 2026
★★★★★

My second trip to Phuket with AMIST — and once again everything was arranged impeccably. This time the focus was Phang Nga Bay: kayaking among the karsts, sea caves — an entirely different experience. The company knows how to impress even returning clients. I am already thinking about a third trip.

Igor M. “Phuket: Phang Nga,” November 2025
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