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PHUKET IN THAILAND HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE WORLD'S MOST OVERCROWDED TRAVEL HOTSPOT, WITH 118 TOURISTS FOR EVERY SINGLE LOCAL RESIDENT, AND ONE TRAVELLER SAID YOU'D BE FACED WITH

'WALL TO WALL PEOPLE' 10:37, 30 May 2025 Tourists are growing tired of a holiday hotspot that has become too popular for its own good. The issue of over-tourism has become a

pressing concern in the travel industry, especially after the post-Covid resurgence led to an exceptionally bustling summer as holidaymakers, previously confined by lockdowns, finally

embarked on their long-awaited journeys. Last year Venice launched a day-trip tourist tax aimed at reducing the influx of visitors to the City of Water. It's far from being the first

popular destination to implement such a measure, with numerous other cities and countries already striving to curb tourist numbers. In the UK, Brighton is considering whether to introduce

such a measure, in a bid to swell the council's coffers while controlling the impact of tourism. DO YOU HAVE A TRAVEL STORY TO SHARE? EMAIL [email protected] READ MORE: Outrage as

Spanish attractions slapped with aggressive message to tourists Thailand is one place that has recently introduced a similar levy, and for good reason. Phuket, an island in the country, has

been deemed the world's most overcrowded destination. A study from MoneyTransfers.com found that that this Thai gem has a staggering 118 tourists for every local inhabitant. Article

continues below Phuket boasts some of the world's top coastal spots, including Kata and Karon. As Thailand's largest island, it offers around 90 miles of coastline. However,

experiences on the island can vary greatly. Patong, one of Phuket's most renowned resorts, is famed for its vibrant nightlife, rows of beach deckchairs, and hordes of tourists. In

contrast, the north and east sides of the island offer tranquil seaside spots and more authentic, affordable Thai cuisine. A disgruntled traveller took to Tripadvisor to share their

disillusionment with Phuket, recounting their experiences from the 70s to a visit seven years ago. "I made my first trip to Phuket in the mid 70's and have returned many times

since, the latest around seven years ago," they began. "Needless to say there have been huge changes over the years and I expected to see a lot more people there during our visit.

However, nothing could have prepared me for the hordes of people crowding the island, the beaches and the day tours to outlying islands." READ MORE: Beautiful Game of Thrones city

brought back from the brink of 'death by tourism'READ MORE: Spain anti-tourist protestors warn Brits how they'll disrupt their holidays this summer They expressed dismay at

the influx of new visitors: "A crush of new tourists are arriving and often on non-stop, wide bodied flights. This is on top of an already large number of tourists visiting from other

countries and from within Thailand itself, and my perception is that the sheer number of bodies is overwhelming the place. Fortunately we had a nice resort away from the crowds so the visit

was not a total loss. If you love wall to wall people, go to Phuket, but if not, I suggest you look for some less crowded places in the region." As Thailand grapples with a tumultuous

travel industry that saw visitor numbers plummet from 40 million in 2019 to a mere 200,000 in 2020, only to surge dramatically as borders reopened, the country implemented a tourist tax in

April last year. Now, all airfares into the country include an additional £6.60 charge. If you fancy experiencing Thailand when it's less crowded, it would be prudent to avoid the peak

season between November and March. Although temperatures might be slightly cooler, they'll still hover around the 30C mark in many areas. "I just feel like everyone tries to do

something different, but you always wind up doing the same damn thing," exclaims Leonardo DiCaprio's character in Danny Boyle's The Beach. His words are prophetic in both the

film and real life. The success of the movie would sound a death knell for the pristine, idyllic beach that gives the flick its name. More and more people travelled to Maya Bay where it was

shot, to bask in its impossibly blue waters and sunbathe on the golden sands. GET HOLIDAY RECOMMENDATIONS STRAIGHT TO YOUR WHATSAPP! In need of a holiday? With the summer in full swing, the

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choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our PRIVACY NOTICE. CLICK HERE TO JOIN Article continues below Today, the reality of the Thai destination could not be further from the

slice of paradise at the heart of the film. Boats are banned from motoring into the bay as their presence was cluttering up the waters and chasing away the 40 blacktip reef sharks who

usually cruise there out of the cyan shallows. Tourists must buy a 400baht (£8) ticket to step onto the beach, only to be shepherded out again after an hour. Swimming is banned to protect

the fragile reef system there. Officials decided to shut the bay - on Phi Phi Leh island in the Andaman Sea - first for four months and then several years from 2018, it finally opening up

again in 2022. One recent visitor to Maya Bay likened it to "Times Square in New York", such is the hustle, bustle and density of the crowds found there. If you're planning to

visit Thailand, check out our guide on the quieter, less overcrowded beaches you can visit instead.