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September 14, 2014Phuket Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on December 17, 2024
Phuket Airport (HKT/VTSP) is situated on the most north-west part of Phuket Island not far from the bridge connecting the island to the mainland. The airport has just finished a reconstruction/expansion of the International terminal also adding a larger apron in the west with open-air stands serviced by transfer buses instead of by air bridge.
HKT has seen a lot of changes over the last few years, both to be able to handle an ever-increasing passenger volume (16 Mio.) but also to bring security standards up to International levels. The airport is relatively short for space and buildings and infrastructure have grown very close to its perimeters. This has in turn lead to erection of a rather obnoxious fence along the southernmost perimeter and thereby ruining some great places for spotters. The only remaining really good spot which is also accepted by police/airport security is the beach adjacent to the threshold of runway 09. But being a bit street smart you can also get some nice shots off the 27 end. It is absolutely forbidden to take pictures through the fence.
BizJet activity can be plentiful at this airport, especially around the Chinese New Year. Global 6000, Hawker 800’s and and Gulfstreams are common. In the north side of the airport a Royal Thai Navy Base is set up with a small hangar which sometimes brings interesting military movements.
Spotters are tolerated at 09 end but at 27 end you risk being ushered off. Not allowed to take pictures through the fence. Be smart!
Written by Bengt Bergholm, Fryderyk Kastelnik, Clive Grant, Patrik Büchler, Joel Vogt, Jeremy Denton, JG-Taro & Sua Neung. Last change: December 2023 (Spot 6 added).
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 09/27 | 3.000m (9.843 ft) Concrete |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1 | International flights only. |
| Terminal 2 | Domestic flights. |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not necessary |
| Car/Public Transport | If you chose to stay at Grand West Sands Resort & Villas Phuket (see below) you do not have to worry about transport, you are already where you want to be. If you are staying at Nai Yang Beach I would recommend renting a motorbike (moped) since it can be difficult to explain to a taxi driver where exactly you want to go, and when you want to come back. Some of the hotels will also offer bikes for guest use, just don’t tell them you will be gone all day. We can recommend the App GRAB to get around. Fixed priced and paying by CC is possible. |
| Restrooms | Nothing at the locations, except at the hotels or terminals. |
| Drinks/Food | Nothing at the locations, except at the hotels or terminals. |
| Hotels | There are plenty of hotels both directly adjacent to the airport’s terminal side but also along the beach south of the airport called Nai Yang which is partly inside the Sirinat National Park which in turn stretches up to where runway 09 meets the beach. If your wallet is deep, then you may consider the prime spotting hotel – 5 star resort “Grand West Sands Resort & Villas Phuket” which is immediately to the north of the runway and which has direct access to the beach of your dreams. Beware though if you don’t like Russians, this seems to be their #1 spot to stay at Phuket. On Nai Yang beach (south of airport) I can recommend any of the 3 hotels I have used, Proud Phuket, Nai Yang Beach Resort and Chill House. Staying on Nai Yang will, depending on transport mode and route you chose put you at about 20min distance from runway 09 beach. |
| Season | November-March |
| Security | The safest spots for taking pictures at HKT are the one at the beach and the two at the terminal. At the spots 4 and 5 along the runway you will be approached by security. Usually they don`t speak english and somehow they will ask you to leave but at least not to delete your photos. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 09/27 | During high season the winds are mostly easterly and thus 09 is used a lot. Runway in use may still vary during the course of the day as winds may change during the afternoon. |
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Spot #1 – Nai Yang Beach – 09 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is the only remaining prime spot for Phuket International Airport. It is also the spot where most spotters converge and are tolerated by airport security. There are plenty of opportunities to stay. Usually you will stay in the south where you have the sun behind you.
If the weather is not so good, the position in the north has the highest elevation where you can get aircraft lining up with minimal fence interference. If you bring a chair or ladder you might get over fence level but still far away enough not to pose any security concern. Use the South Entrance: Use the North Entrance: Written driving instructions: At the corner, continue onwards up to the main road (traffic lights). Take note of how it looks to aid your return. There is a 7-eleven at this crossing. Turn right at the 7-eleven and continue for approx 250m (800ft) and turn left at Soi Mai Khao 6. Continue on to the beach and find somewhere to park. Typically there is now a 800m (0.5 mile) walk along a path to the viewing area. However when I was there this week, a 20 baht per person fare will give you a ride in a “scooter taxi” down to the view point. |
| WHAT | All arrivals on rwy09 from this spot. It is also possible to take departure shots from Runway 27, although fast climbing traffic is likely to be too high by this point. Taking pictures from the line-up on rwy 09 from the mound over the fence is no longer possible due to a new,very high fence and its even forbidden! |
| TIME | All day all year round (during the summer months no arrivals from the beachside in the normal case) |
| MISC. | Bring water and sunblocker if you are planning to be all day. Bathing trousers are also recommended. The area closest to the fence was remodeled during 2016 to block prevent people from approaching it. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 10-300mm |
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|---|---|
| WHERE | As of December 2024 access to the terrace is once again blocked… |
| WHAT | |
| TIME | |
| MISC. | |
| FOCAL LENGTH | |
Photos below taken December 2024
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Spot #3 – Parking International Airport – 27 heavy departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Follow the signs Phuket International Airport once you can notice the Car Parking International Airport. Drive to the latest floor. |
| WHAT | Morning departures rwy27. Heat haze can be an issue. |
| TIME | Almost all day all year round from November until March. |
| MISC. | Toilets and foods inside the terminal. 5 minutes walk. Keep a low profile while spotting here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A321 : 400mm / A333 : 200mm |
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Spot #4 – The Rock – All movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is located near the Control Tower. If you come from the airport take the road “4031” direction north (direction Control Tower). For a few minutes (5 minutes drive) you will pass in front a “Car Park” sign which is on the right side, continue strait. Take the third dirty path on your right, just before reaching the hill. Please park as mentioned in the MAP your motorbike/car/bike. Do not park next to the road or in front of the spot in order to avoid any issues with the police. Please refer to the map in order to see the way to climb the cliff. Your first time might be not easy as it is almost in the jungle and hid by the dens trees.
+++ UPDATE FEBRUARY 2024: two lines of red tape now block off the entrance however it is still possible to get up to the hill. There is a good chance of a visit by airport security, telling you to leave because “it is not safe”. Try to go further up the hill where you are less visible for the security. +++ |
| WHAT | Arrivals/Departures and taxiing aircraft all runway usage. |
| TIME | Almost all day all year round from November until March. |
| MISC. | Bring what you need before coming at the spot. Also, we recommend you to carry some good shoes as you have to climb and in the early morning it is sleepy.
IMPORTANT : This is not an official spot but it is located in a public area. However, we ask you to keep a low profile in order to keep this great location. Security will approach sooner or later and ask you to leave the place. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Runway: AT7 = 140mm / A320=116mm / B773 = 58mm Taxiway: B752=26mm |
Way up from the street:
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Spot #5 – Hill – All 27 movements, partially 09 |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The location is a big hill on the north side of the airport. Get on the 3033 and drive westwards until you see a small temple. Park there and walk up the path as marked on the map for 10-15 minutes. The spot is located on a hill which is elevated and offers a nice sight of the runway. |
| WHAT | Great place for 27 movements as well as 09 departures and arrivals which will exit to the right of this spot. |
| TIME | Photos for planes on the runway are possible only in the afternoon during the summer months, starting in April and ending in September. It might be possible to photograph planes entering and vacating the runway two in the morning and evening hours. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby, please take what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100mm for 777; 150mm for A320 |
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Spot #6 – 8/5 Cafe – All movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | There is a brand new café named “8/5 Cafe”, directly at the runway. It is along the major road “4031” and not far from the airport terminal (10 minutes walk). For more details visit their Facebook page. The cafe offers an outside terrace on an upper level so you have a fantastic sight of the runway. |
| WHAT | From here you have a perfect sight of all runway 09/27 movements. Furthermore the taxiway is can be photographed but aircraft are very close. |
| TIME | Almost all day all year round from November until March. |
| MISC. | The cafe is open from 9 in the morning until 7 in the evening. They have some very nice fruity drinks and the classic range of soft drinks as well. They ask you to take off your shoes or flip-flops as it is usual in many establishments in Thailand. Socks may save you from burning your feet on the hot floor. Also, beware of some tourists who are over-keen to take selfies and photos of their drinks with no respect to what other people might be doing at the same time. The platform is rather narrow and can be crowded, particularly on weekends. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Runway/Taxiway as follow: ATR-72: 135 mm / 35 mm; B737-800 (or A320): 110 mm / 25 mm B767-300: 70 mm / 18 mm B777-300: 55 mm / too big for my 18 mm lens, fisheye or smartphone required |
Hi, Spot number 2 viewing terrace inside the terminal is fully blocked off by plants.
Thanks for the hint. Pretty stupid situation!
-Julian
Hi, can anyone advise me if taking the North route to Mai Khao Beach, where is the parking lot and what is the walking distance from the parking lot to the Mai Khao Beach Airplane Viewing Point? I hear it takes 15 to 20 minutes by taxi to arrive at Mai Khao Beach from the nearest Hotel to Phuket Airport Domestic Terminal and do not need to walk a long distance to reach Mai Khao Beach. Is there easy taxi to summon at Mai Khao Beach to return to the hotel?
Spot #1 Naiyang Beach should be renamed as Mai Khao Beach or Mai Khao Beach Airplane Viewing Point. Naiyang Beach is the beach bordering Sirinat National Park. Tourists have to walk for a long time along Naiyang Beach in order to reach Mai Khao Beach to shoot pictures of aircraft flying at a close focal length.
I’m at Spot#2 right now and the area is seperated by plants and fences, still able to get inside. AOT safe keeper won’t ask you to leave the area when you spot. Btw the glass is very clean!
I honestly don’t recommend the spot N4 because it’s very difficult to get there because of the vegetation and it’s generally quite unsafe and full of insects. you could also have some problems with the authorities. A friend of mine was BEATEN by the police for spotting there a few years ago
Spot 2 in the international terminal might not be accessible as the airport authorities have put two large potted plants to keep passengers away from the glass. However, there’re some alternative options, seating area between gate 10 & 11 provides a great view of the apron movement of international flights. The restaurants nearby also offer some fantastic local cuisine at a reasonable price! But do note that the windows of the terminal are tilted and the reflection of the lightings from within the terminal can be problematic sometimes.
Highly recommend spot 6
Hello admin, I do have some photos at Spot #6 which I am happy to share. I tried uploading it through your web portal but I can’t upload it for some reason. Where can I share this to you?
You can send us a mail to support@spotterguide.net. Thanks!
-Julian
Hello Gan, the spot is just a few meters away from the Airport itself. It took me about 10 minutes to walk from the airport terminal down to spot 6. You can also book a ride via Grab if its quite far from your hotel.
I did not book Grab. Initially, I travelled from The Sixteenth Naiyang Beach Hotel after plane-spotting to Phuket Airport Place by hotel van and from there I arrive at the cafe in less than 5 minutes for continuous plane-spotting. The hotels charge 200 Baht for transfer per way.
Note for spot #4, two lines of red tape now block off the entrance however it is still possible to get up to the hill. I managed to spot there from 7.30-9.30 this morning before I was told to leave by airport security who said it wasn’t safe
I left a not in the guide, thanks!
-Julian
Thanks Julian, although I was quite low on the hill, therefore a lot more visible from the road. I went back a few days after however and I was near the top of the hill and I was fine all day
Hey mate, looking on google maps, the path to this spot seems very difficult to find, any tips on how you got up? I’m going to Phuket in a month and hope to spot there. Thanks!