Kazakhstan is strengthening its presence in one of Southeast Asia’s most popular regions. As part of a working visit to Phuket Province, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Thailand Margulan Baimukhan held a meeting with the Governor of Phuket, Nirat Phongsitthaworn, DKNews.kz reports.
The talks highlighted how Kazakh–Thai relations have moved beyond formal diplomacy and are increasingly focused on practical cooperation, tourism, and investment.
Relations Built on Trust
During the meeting, both sides noted the high level and steady development of relations between Kazakhstan and Thailand, based on mutual respect and trust. Cooperation between the two countries continues to expand in key areas, including tourism, trade and economic ties, investment, and humanitarian exchanges.
The Kazakh side expressed clear interest in further strengthening cooperation not only at the national level, but also through direct engagement with Thailand’s regions.
Why Phuket Matters to Kazakhstan
Ambassador Baimukhan emphasized the special importance of Phuket Province for Kazakh citizens. The island has become one of the most popular tourist destinations for travelers from Kazakhstan.
According to official data, around 200,000 tourists from Kazakhstan visited Thailand in 2025, with a significant share choosing Phuket as their destination. This growing flow of visitors has made the province a strategic location for Kazakhstan’s consular and economic presence.
A Consulate Closer to Tourists
In this context, the opening of the Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Phuket was announced. The new consular office is designed to protect the rights and interests of Kazakh citizens abroad and to support the further development of bilateral cooperation.
The Governor of Phuket Province was officially invited to attend the opening ceremony of the consulate.
Nirat Phongsitthaworn welcomed the decision, noting that the consulate would not only improve consular support for tourists, but also create favorable conditions for expanding investment cooperation and business contacts between Kazakhstan and Phuket.
From Tourism to Digital Projects
The meeting also focused on the future of practical cooperation between Kazakhstan and Phuket Province. The sides discussed opportunities for joint projects in tourism, cultural exchange, business, investment, and digitalization.
The Embassy and the Consulate of Kazakhstan confirmed their readiness to facilitate direct contacts and to support mutually beneficial initiatives between businesses and institutions from both sides.
Direct Flights Strengthen Connectivity
Transport connectivity was given special attention. Currently, there are 34 direct flights per week between Kazakhstan and Thailand, including 21 flights to Phuket.
This level of air connectivity plays a key role in boosting tourist flows, supporting business interaction, and expanding humanitarian contacts between the two countries.
The Kazakh side also expressed gratitude to the Phuket provincial authorities for their efforts to ensure safety and comfortable conditions for foreign tourists, including citizens of Kazakhstan. The importance of close coordination and prompt communication with local authorities, particularly in emergency situations, was underscored.
A Strategic Tourist Hub
Phuket remains one of Southeast Asia’s leading tourist centers and one of the world’s most popular international destinations. Thailand welcomes around 35 million foreign tourists annually, with approximately 12 million visiting Phuket alone.
The province has a population of about 450,000 people, but when tourists are taken into account, the number of people present in the region at any given time can reach up to 2 million.
Phuket’s gross regional product is estimated at around 7.5 billion US dollars. The backbone of the local economy is tourism, which generates a significant share of regional income. Other key sectors include transport and logistics, trade and services, as well as real estate and construction.
Following the meeting, both sides expressed confidence that the opening of the Kazakh Consulate in Phuket would give new momentum to friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Kazakhstan and Thailand, while also deepening ties with one of the country’s most dynamic provinces.
