What Awaits Us in Thailand and Phuket: From Underwater Museums to Cities of the Future

What Awaits Us in Thailand and Phuket: From Underwater Museums to Cities of the Future

Thailand has always known how to surprise. But what is being prepared in the coming years may completely change our idea of tourism, entertainment, and leisure in this part of Asia. Phuket, in particular, is turning into an island of the future – with new viewpoints, underwater museums, and world-class infrastructure.

We regularly share all the current events in the Phuket Event Schedule. But now let’s take a look into the future and see which projects are already in the works.

Tomorrowland Festival 2026

Big news: in 2026, Thailand will host the legendary electronic music festival Tomorrowland for the first time. This event is already being called “a push for a new tourism era”: according to forecasts, the festival will attract around a million visitors and bring billions of baht to Thailand’s economy!

The location chosen for the festival is Chonburi Province, not far from Bangkok and Pattaya. And although the event won’t take place in Phuket, the whole country will feel its impact: more tourists, more interest, more reasons to plan a trip.

If you’ve never been to Tomorrowland or other massive music festivals, imagine this:

● Gigantic stages with futuristic decorations and dazzling light installations.
● A line-up of dozens of world stars – from David Guetta and Martin Garrix to Peggy Gou.
● Thousands of people flying in just for this event from every corner of the planet.
● Non-stop music, parties until dawn, bright costumes, a touch of surrealism, and the atmosphere of a true rave fairy tale.

There is no exact festival date yet, but one thing is certain: tickets will sell out very quickly—likely within minutes.

It is expected that there will be different ticket categories: for all festival days, for a single day, with accommodation in a themed campsite, and even complete packages including flights, accommodation, and festival entry.

Prices haven’t been announced yet, but it’s safe to assume they’ll be comparable to the European and Brazilian editions of the festival.

New Attractions in Phuket

The Raya Underwater Art Museum near the Racha Islands is a dream-scale project. Here, right on the seabed, sculptures inspired by the Ramayana epic and other art installations will be placed, becoming a home for corals and fish.

This is not only a tourist highlight but also a contribution to ecology. The sculptures, including a figure of Hanuman, will be made from eco-friendly materials developed by SCG and will serve as artificial reefs, helping to restore the marine ecosystem.

The underwater museum is planned to cover about 1,600 m² and will become the first underwater art museum in Asia and the third in the world. Full completion of the project is expected between 2027 and 2029.

New Viewpoint

Another upcoming “star” of the island is the glass observation deck at Surin Beach. The transparent terrace, hanging over the ocean, will offer a breathtaking perspective of the Andaman Sea.

The Surin Skywalk is planned to feature two extended glass platforms jutting out over the sea. The first will stretch 40 meters toward the ocean and rise 50 meters above the water, while the second will extend 8 meters and stand 20 meters above the water.

Construction of the observation deck began back in November 2023 and was supposed to be completed by August 15, 2025. However, the contractor has admitted that the deadline will not be met. This, in turn, may affect the Thailand Biennale 2025, for which the observation deck was planned as one of the key locations.

You can already explore Phuket’s existing viewpoints in the Viewpoints collection.

New Roads

Phuket is preparing for major changes in logistics. The Phuket office of the Department of Highways has confirmed plans to build another transport link to the mainland – the so-called “New Sarasin,” which will connect the island with Phang Nga Province.

The project is still at a very early stage of development, but the authorities have already assured that the historic Sarasin Bridge, opened in 1967 and long considered a landmark of the island, will not be demolished.

Phuket is also preparing to begin construction of a new expressway that will connect the Kathu area with Patong Beach. The project includes a modern tunnel nearly 4 km long, with a total budget estimated at 16.19 billion baht. Work is scheduled to start at the end of 2025, and the implementation period is expected to take about four years. Thus, the road should open to traffic in 2029.

The new route will become an important element of the island’s transportation system. It will provide fast and convenient access to one of the most popular tourist areas and reduce the load on National Road No. 4029, where traffic jams are common today. In addition, the expressway will have strategic significance: in the event of natural disasters, the road can be used as an alternative evacuation route, thereby increasing the safety level for both Phuket residents and visitors.

Another transport project, but in the long term, is the launch of a new light rail line. The LRT/monorail project from the airport to Chalong Circle will include 21 stations along a route of approximately 42 km. This new transport corridor will improve accessibility between the areas around the airport and Chalong, which will likely have a positive impact on property values along the line.

Airport

In 2026, construction will begin on the new Andaman International Airport in Phang Nga Province – just 30 minutes from Phuket. The airport is scheduled to be operational between 2030 and 2032.

The island’s current airport is not going anywhere either: it is planned to be expanded, increasing its capacity to 18 million passengers per year (up from the current 12.5 million). The goal is to implement this upgrade by 2029.

New Attractions for Tourists

Phuket continues to develop not only as a tourist destination but also as a region with a high level of infrastructure for both residents and visitors. In the coming years, the island will see new centers of attraction – from premium clinics and international schools to modern yacht marinas that will become magnets for tourists, expats, and investors.

Bumrungrad International Hospital Phuket. A world-class premium clinic focused on medical tourism is planned to open in 2026. Bumrungrad is known for its high standard of care and state-of-the-art equipment, making it attractive to international patients seeking quality medical services in Phuket. It is expected that the clinic will become an important factor in attracting both tourists and healthcare professionals to the island.

You can already find a list of existing clinics in the Hospitals section.

Global Gateway Academy. An international school for expat children, with a focus on British and international curricula, is scheduled to open in 2026. With modern teaching methods, extracurricular programs, and a wide variety of clubs, it will provide everything families moving to Phuket might need. This will further increase the area’s appeal for foreign residents.

Check the International Schools section to see the current educational institutions in Phuket.

Phuket Maritime Hub. A world-class yacht marina project is planned to become a center for yachtsmen and tourists. The development includes supporting commercial zones with restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Active discussions with local residents are underway to take their interests into account and integrate the infrastructure into the existing urban environment.

Casinos

For gambling enthusiasts, the Thai government is considering a bill to legalize casinos, with plans to create integrated entertainment resorts in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. At present, casinos are banned in the country, though football betting, underground gambling, and lotteries remain widespread.

Authorities claim that due to the absence of legal casinos, the country is losing significant revenue and not fully realizing its tourism potential. According to forecasts, the legalization of casinos could increase the flow of foreign tourists by 5–10% and tourism revenue by 120–220 billion baht.

All of this is not just attractive plans. These projects will change the way we see Thailand:

● Travel will become more convenient thanks to new airports, bridges, and expressways.
● Phuket will gain unique attractions found nowhere else in the region.
● The country will become a global hub for events, combining festivals, gastronomy, culture, and eco-tourism.

For more details on annual events in Phuket, see the article Holidays, Festivals, and Major Events in Phuket. We also regularly share updates on current happenings in the Phuket Event Schedule.