Phuket

As of May 2026, Phuket, Patong, Kata, Karon have 9,386 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 6% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Phuket generates ฿877K per year. High-performing properties earn ฿4.3M/year, while low-performing properties earn ฿228K/year. This wide earnings variance suggests that top-tier assets capture a disproportionate share of market revenue, while the average unit struggles against a 16.5% decline in annual returns.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Phuket. Average annual revenue is ฿877K with 31% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to ฿4.3M/year. The delta between average and high performance indicates that market saturation forces a bifurcation where only specific, highly optimized listings maintain meaningful yield in a declining revenue environment.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Phuket is 31%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of ฿8K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of ฿2K per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Phuket, with annual revenue of ฿3.1M. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Phuket market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Phuket area. Phuket: Moderate. Hotel license required for rentals under 30 days, property must meet hotel standards. Enforcement increasing but inconsistent - many unlicensed operators exist, authorities cracking down selectively on larger properties. Patong: Moderate. Same hotel license rules as Phuket apply. Enforcement sporadic - tourist police conduct occasional raids on unlicensed hotels/condos, but many operate openly despite regulations. Kata: Moderate. Hotel license mandatory for short-term rentals. Light enforcement - smaller villas/condos often operate without licenses, authorities focus on larger complexes and complaints. Karon: Moderate. Hotel licensing required. Minimal enforcement - many properties rent short-term illegally, crackdowns rare except for egregious violations or neighbor complaints. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Phuket Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 6% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 17%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The contraction in RevPAR despite modest supply growth highlights that current demand levels are insufficient to absorb existing inventory at previous pricing structures.

Launch around October, 2-3 months before peak winter season (January peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 37% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (May-September) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Phuket listings include: Air Conditioning (99%), Kitchen (94%), Tv (93%), Pool (87%), Washing Machine (71%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Bbq, Pool, Hot Tub, with Bbq properties earning approximately 105% more (฿2.4M/year vs ฿1.2M/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Phuket over the last 12 months: May: ฿31K, June: ฿29K, July: ฿38K, August: ฿39K, September: ฿26K, October: ฿36K, November: ฿62K, December: ฿88K, January: ฿119K, February: ฿85K, March: ฿64K, April: ฿55K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Phuket is ฿8K, up 15% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average ฿3K/night, 2-bedroom properties average ฿7K/night, 3-bedroom properties average ฿10K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average ฿26K/night. Rates peak in January and are lowest in September.

Guests in Phuket book an average of 25 days in advance, down 26% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 21 days, 2-bedroom: 26 days, 3-bedroom: 28 days, 4+ bedroom: 33 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Phuket Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 6%, revenue per listing decreased 17%, occupancy fell 22%, average nightly rates increased 15%, and lead time decreased 26%. These metrics show a shift toward shorter booking cycles and higher price points, signaling a more reactive, volatile market environment.

In Phuket, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday.