Travelers visiting Phuket can choose any beach to their liking: some prefer secluded small coves, while others opt for huge expansive beaches with miles of coastline and many visitors. I decided to look for something unique and came across information about Mai Khao Beach. This place is sure to attract aviation enthusiasts and those looking for special photographs, as huge airliners fly directly over the heads of sunbathers.
Mai Khao Beach: For Spotters and More
Mai Khao Beach is located in the northern part of Phuket Island, not far from the bridge to the mainland of Thailand. Right behind the beach area is the runway of Phuket International Airport (HKT).
The planes fly quite low over the beach: from the start of the beach to the runway threshold is just 170 meters. On the day of my visit, aircraft were landing with intervals of about five minutes. You can check the schedule and the location of incoming planes on flightradar24.com. I came across information that some travelers visit here when planes are taking off towards the sea; however, this scene is not as spectacular as the landing.
According to the airport's website, there are plans to expand the airport in the future, so the number of planes arriving here is likely to increase.
I read that the island authorities have repeatedly raised the issue of closing Mai Khao for visitors due to safety concerns, but probably the tourism infrastructure brings in significant revenue, which is why the beach area is still accessible today without any restrictions. However, at the airport's fence, there is a sign warning about possible negative consequences from being here.
In my opinion, despite its uniqueness, Mai Khao is one of the most uncomfortable beaches in Phuket for relaxation: the stretch of coastline near the planes' landing path is completely devoid of vegetation, and there are no amenities like sunbeds or resting areas, so it's easy to get sunburned. Another inconvenience is that it's almost impossible to take a photo without other people in the frame.
How to Get There
I took a taxi from Kata Beach to Mai Khao, and the one-way fare was 1,061 baht. You can use this point on the map as a reference. On my way back, I took a smart bus, and the fare was 100 baht. Access to the beach is free.
The next part of my series about my trip to Thailand will be dedicated to a walk through Phuket's historic district.
Have a nice trip!
