The agreement was reached during a provincial-level meeting on marine safety and tourism standards chaired by Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn held at Phuket Provincial Hall on Thursday (Apr 2).
The meeting brought together key stakeholders including the Phuket Regional Office of the Marine Department, the Phuket Provincial Commerce Office, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office, and private tour boat operators to address rising operational costs and safety concerns across the island’s marine tourism sector.
Officials confirmed that while the fare increase was not mandated by authorities, operators collectively agreed that a rise in prices was necessary to offset surging fuel costs and maintain safety standards.
Governor Nirat stressed that Phuket’s tourism industry should not compete purely on price, urging operators instead to prioritise quality and safety.
“Good things don’t have to be cheap, but they must be of high quality,” he told the meeting, underscoring the need to build a sustainable and positive image for Phuket tourism.
Operators used the forum to highlight mounting financial pressure, particularly from continued increases in fuel prices, warning that without adjustments, essential spending on boat maintenance could be compromised ‒ posing potential risks to passenger safety.
In response, officials from the Phuket Marine Office clarified that the meeting was intended as a platform for discussion and collaboration, not to impose pricing changes, but to encourage improvements in both service standards and safety practices.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of five key areas aimed at strengthening marine safety across the province.
These include enhanced management planning and staff readiness, stricter inspections of vessels, equipment and piers, tighter legal compliance checks, improved public safety communications such as weather alerts and warning signage, and stronger water rescue preparedness with trained personnel.
Authorities also outlined a zoning system dividing Phuket’s marine areas into seven zones covering major piers and beaches. Each zone will be staffed by 17 officers, overseeing more than 37 piers to ensure consistent enforcement and rapid response capability.
Officials reaffirmed that the measures are part of a broader effort to integrate cooperation between government agencies and private operators, with the goal of raising standards in water-based tourism.
The fare increases, they said, form part of a wider shift towards a “quality over price” model, aimed at safeguarding tourists while sustaining the long-term viability of Phuket’s marine tourism industry.