The waterspout could clearly be seen for around a minute before decaying into a cloud above.
The last waterspout to be seen in Phuket was in November last year over Patong beach. (See story here)
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explains that waterspouts are essentially the same as tornados, but over water.
"Waterspouts fall into two categories: fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts.
"Tornadic waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water, or move from land to water. They have the same characteristics as a land tornado. They are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning.
"Fair weather waterspouts usually form along the dark flat base of a line of developing cumulus clouds. This type of waterspout is generally not associated with thunderstorms. While tornadic waterspouts develop downward in a thunderstorm, a fair weather waterspout develops on the surface of the water and works its way upward.
"By the time the funnel is visible, a fair weather waterspout is near maturity. Fair weather waterspouts form in light wind conditions so they normally move very little."
It advises that boats anywhere near a waterspout, in order to get to a safe distance, should move in a direction at 90 degrees to the apparent direction of the waterspout's travel.