In a public advisory, Phuket Airport warned that schedule changes and cancellations remain possible due to the volatile situation. Passengers were advised to monitor updates via airline websites and applications, airline counters at the airport, or direct contact channels.
Airlines affected include Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia.
Passengers have also been encouraged to allow extra time when travelling to the airport and to follow the latest announcements. Phuket Airport confirmed that its Tourist Assistance Center and international terminal information counter remain available 24 hours a day.
Governor: No tourists stranded
On Monday (Mar 2), Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn confirmed that the situation at Phuket Airport had returned to normal and that no tourists were currently stranded.
The Governor acknowledged that last Saturday (Feb 28) some passengers were unable to travel after airlines failed to provide advance notice of flight disruptions. However, affected travellers returned to their accommodation and no one remained stranded at the airport, he said.
He added that tourist arrivals from Europe had not declined despite the disruption.
Dozens of flights cancelled in Phuket
Earlier, airport officials reported significant disruption over several days as tensions between Israel and Iran led to airspace closures and route suspensions.
Phuket Airport General Director Monchai Tanode said that on Sunday (Mar 1) alone, seven outbound flights were unable to depart and two inbound flights from the Middle East could not be accepted.
Over Saturday and Sunday (Feb 28-Mar 1), a total of 25 flights were cancelled at Phuket ‒ 13 inbound and 12 outbound ‒ affecting thousands of passengers.
On Saturday, 499 inbound passengers and 1,906 outbound passengers were affected. On Sunday, a further 2,759 inbound and 3,659 outbound passengers saw their flights cancelled. Many travellers had already arrived at the terminal before learning of the cancellations, prompting urgent coordination of transport and temporary accommodation.
Seven aircraft from Middle Eastern airlines, including Qatar Airways and Air Arabia, as well as an Israeli carrier, were parked overnight at Phuket Airport. All flights to and from the Middle East on Sunday were cancelled.
Airport officials said the situation remains difficult to assess and requires daily monitoring.
166 flights cancelled nationwide
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that, as of midday yesterday (Mar 3), a total of 166 flights had been cancelled nationwide over the previous four days (Feb 28-Mar 3), comprising 105 outbound and 61 inbound flights.
According to ministry data compiled from five major airports ‒ Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Krabi ‒ the breakdown as of yesterday was as follows:
- Krabi: three outbound flights cancelled
- Chiang Mai: one outbound flight cancelled (Chiang Mai–Abu Dhabi)
- Phuket: 14 flights cancelled (six inbound and eight outbound)
- Don Mueang: no cancellations reported
- Suvarnabhumi: awaiting updated information
Officials stressed that, despite the cancellations, there were no confirmed reports of passengers stranded at airports.
Immigration relief measures
On Monday (Mar 2), the Immigration Bureau announced temporary measures to assist foreign nationals affected by the Middle East airspace closures, which have prevented some travellers from leaving Thailand.
Foreigners whose permission to stay expired from February 28 onwards and who wish to depart Thailand will be exempted from overstay fines.
Those seeking a temporary extension of stay may apply for an extension of up to 30 days at a time. In such cases, overstay fines will first be imposed in accordance with the law before consideration of the extension. Applicants must provide a temporary stay application form (TM.7), a copy of their passport or equivalent travel document, and certification from their embassy or consulate where possible.
The measures will remain in effect until the situation returns to normal or further orders are issued.
Compensation fund on standby
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Natthariya Thaweewong said the ministry is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant agencies to maintain tourist confidence.
She clarified reports of a B2,000 compensation payment, explaining that in past prolonged crises the ministry had used a tourist assistance fund to compensate businesses ‒ such as hotels and restaurants ‒ caring for stranded tourists at an average rate of B2,000 per person per day. The payments were made to operators as a lump sum for accommodation and meals, not directly to tourists.
However, she stressed that such payments would only be activated if the situation becomes severe and prolonged, and if operators are no longer able to absorb the costs of assisting stranded travellers.
For now, officials maintain that the situation remains under control, but emphasise that developments in the Middle East continue to require close, day-to-day monitoring.