HKT-Spot1
Zurich Kloten Intl. Airport Spotting Guide
August 23, 2014
Larnaca Intl. Airport Spotting Guide
September 14, 2014Phuket Intl. Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on July 6, 2022
Phuket Airport (HKT/VTSP) is situated on the most north-west part of Phuket Island not far from the bridge connecting the island to the mainland. The airport has just finished a reconstruction/expansion of the International terminal also adding a larger apron in the west with open-air stands serviced by transfer buses instead of by air bridge.
HKT has seen a lot of changes over the last few years, both to be able to handle an ever-increasing passenger volume (16 Mio.) but also to bring security standards up to International levels. The airport is relatively short for space and buildings and infrastructure have grown very close to its perimeters. This has in turn lead to erection of a rather obnoxious fence along the southernmost perimeter and thereby ruining some great places for spotters. The only remaining really good spot which is also accepted by police/airport security is the beach adjacent to the threshold of runway 09. But being a bit street smart you can also get some nice shots off the 27 end. It is absolutely forbidden to take pictures through the fence.
What you can expect to see at HKT :
BizJet activity can be plentiful at this airport, especially around the Chinese New Year. Global 6000, Hawker 800’s and and Gulfstreams are common. In the north side of the airport a Royal Thai Navy Base is set up with a small hangar which sometimes brings interesting military movements.
Spotters are tolerated at 09 end but at 27 end you risk being ushered off. Not allowed to take pictures through the fence. Be smart!
Written by Bengt Bergholm, Fryderyk Kastelnik, Clive Grant, Jeremy Denton, JG-Taro & Sua Neung. Last update June 2022.
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 09/27 | 3.000m (9.843 ft) Concrete |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1 | International flights only. |
| Terminal 2 | Domestic flights. |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not necessary |
| Car/Public Transport | If you chose to stay at Grand West Sands Resort & Villas Phuket (see below) you do not have to worry about transport, you are already where you want to be. If you are staying at Nai Yang Beach I would recommend renting a motorbike (moped) since it can be difficult to explain to a taxi driver where exactly you want to go, and when you want to come back. Some of the hotels will also offer bikes for guest use, just don’t tell them you will be gone all day. We can recommend the App GRAB to get around. Fixed priced and paying by CC is possible. |
| Restrooms | Nothing at the locations, except at the hotels or terminals. |
| Drinks/Food | Nothing at the locations, except at the hotels or terminals. |
| Hotels | There are plenty of hotels both directly adjacent to the airport’s terminal side but also along the beach south of the airport called Nai Yang which is partly inside the Sirinat National Park which in turn stretches up to where runway 09 meets the beach. If your wallet is deep, then you may consider the prime spotting hotel – 5 star resort “Grand West Sands Resort & Villas Phuket” which is immediately to the north of the runway and which has direct access to the beach of your dreams. Beware though if you don’t like Russians, this seems to be their #1 spot to stay at Phuket. On Nai Yang beach (south of airport) I can recommend any of the 3 hotels I have used, Proud Phuket, Nai Yang Beach Resort and Chill House. Staying on Nai Yang will, depending on transport mode and route you chose put you at about 20min distance from runway 09 beach. |
| Season | November-March |
| Security | The safest spots for taking pictures at HKT are the one at the beach and the two at the terminal. At the spots 4 and 5 along the runway you will be approached by security. Usually they don`t speak english and somehow they will ask you to leave but at least not to delete your photos. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 09/27 | During high season the winds are mostly easterly and thus 09 is used a lot. Runway in use may still vary during the course of the day as winds may change during the afternoon. |
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Spot #1 – Nai Yang Beach |
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| WHERE | This spot is the only remaining prime spot for Phuket International Airport. It is also the spot where most spotters converge and are tolerated by airport security. There are plenty of opportunities to stay. Usually you will stay in the south where you have the sun behind you.
If the weather is not so good, the position in the north has the highest elevation where you can get aircraft lining up with minimal fence interference. If you bring a chair or ladder you might get over fence level but still far away enough not to pose any security concern. Use the South Entrance: Use the North Entrance: Written driving instructions: At the corner, continue onwards up to the main road (traffic lights). Take note of how it looks to aid your return. There is a 7-eleven at this crossing. Turn right at the 7-eleven and continue for approx 250m (800ft) and turn left at Soi Mai Khao 6. Continue on to the beach and find somewhere to park. Typically there is now a 800m (0.5 mile) walk along a path to the viewing area. However when I was there this week, a 20 baht per person fare will give you a ride in a “scooter taxi” down to the view point. |
| WHAT | All arrivals on rwy09 from this spot and line up (backlit!). It is also possible to take departure shots from Runway 27, although fast climbing traffic is likely to be too high by this point. Taking pictures from the line-up on rwy 09 from the mound over the fence is no longer possible due to a new,very high fence and its even forbidden! |
| TIME | All day all year round (during the Thai winter no arrivals from the beachside in the normal case) |
| MISC. | Bring water and sunblocker if you are planning to be all day. Bathing trousers are also recommended. The area closest to the fence was remodeled during 2016 to block prevent people from approaching it. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 10-300mm |
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Spot #2 – International Terminal (airside) |
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| WHERE | Once you pass through the security, take on your right and walk until the end of the terminal (direction Burger King). 3 minutes walk you will find there a large open-air terrace for smokers with view of the final approach and threshold 09 but not as far as the touch-down zone. Unfortunately, this terrace is on air side and accessible only for checked-in and security cleared passengers for INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS ONLY and as of beginning of 2018 they put a glass wall on it. There is just a small gap left where you can put your lense through. The gap in the panels as the metal supports holding the panels are rusty and may scratch the barrel of the lens.
+++ UPDATE June 2022: |
| WHAT | Touchdown zone is obscured by infrastructure. Beach view possible if you are willing to stick your camera all the way through the gap and shoot “blind”. |
| TIME | Runway all day all year round, taxiway/line up depends on motive but mainly during afternoon |
| MISC. | Everything you need within the Terminal. Be aware that the glass is tinted and some panels have big cracks and are very dirty. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 10-500mm, depends on motive |
Photos below taken June 2022
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Spot #3 – Parking International Airport |
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| WHERE | Follow the signs Phuket International Airport once you can notice the Car Parking International Airport. Drive to the latest floor. |
| WHAT | Morning departures rwy27. Heat haze can be an issue. |
| TIME | Almost all day all year round from November until March. |
| MISC. | Toilets and foods inside the terminal. 5 minutes walk. Keep a low profile while spotting here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A321 : 400mm / A333 : 200mm |
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Spot #4 – The Rock (Both Runways) |
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| WHERE | The spot is located near the Control Tower. If you come from the airport take the road “4031” direction north (direction Control Tower). For a few minutes (5 minutes drive) you will pass in front a “Car Park” sign which is on the right side, continue strait. Take the third dirty path on your right, just before reaching the hill. Please park as mentioned in the MAP your motorbike/car/bike. Do not park next to the road or in front of the spot in order to avoid any issues with the police. Please refer to the map in order to see the way to climb the cliff. Your first time might be not easy as it is almost in the jungle and hid by the dens trees.
+++ UPDATE FEBRUARY 2022: Place is available and the strong vegetation is gone +++ |
| WHAT | Arrivals/Departures and taxiing aircraft all runway usage. |
| TIME | Almost all day all year round from November until March. |
| MISC. | Bring what you need before coming at the spot. Also, we recommend you to carry some good shoes as you have to climb and in the early morning it is sleepy.
IMPORTANT : This is not an official spot but it is located in a public area so you shouldn’t have any issues with the police/security. However, we ask you to keep a low profile in order to keep this great location. Security will approach sooner or later and ask you to leave the place. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Runway: AT7 = 140mm / A320=116mm / B773 = 58mm Taxiway: B752=26mm |
Way up from the street:
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Spot #5 – Dirty Mound (Afternoon) |
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| WHERE | From spot 5, continue driving on the dirty path further down until you reach the firefighter plane. |
| WHAT | Landings/departures runway 27, take-off runway 09 and taxiing aircraft with background. |
| TIME | End Afternoon. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby, please take what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-300mm |
So for spot 4 would a 70-300 be too big for medium to heavy aircraft like the 777 and the 747?
Hello Federico,
I will update the spot 4 lenses so that’s easier for everyone.
Runway: AT7 = 140mm / A320=116mm / B773 = 58mm
Taxiway: B752=26mm
Regards,
Jeremy
I’m spotting in Phuket now. I will tell you the latest information.
Spot2,5 and 6 not accessible. There is a barricade at the entrance of spot 2.
Spot 4 is accessible. but sometimes airport security guard comes and warns you to get off the rock.
I found a new spot. It is Car park rooftop(6th floor).
From that location you can take beautiful pictures of 27 take off. I recommend you a 400mm zoom lens.
In any case, spot1 the beach is definitely the most beautiful.
Thank you.
Hello dear. Which Car Park? Where is it located?
Hello Oleg,
We are trying to find out the location of the car park. Once we know more we will definitely post somewhere in the guide.
Thank you,
Regards,
Dear JG-Taro,
Thank you for your feedback however would you be able to get in touch with use in order to find out the new place of the Car Park rooftop (6th floor) ?
As well, do you have any picture, proof, for the spot 2/5/6 which are not accessible ?
Thank you and sorry to question your feedback. It’s mainly due to unsubstantiated report…
Regards
Thank you for reply my comments.
The car park is located in front of the international terminal for airport passengers. You can check there by Google Maps.
However, sometimes it is said that airport security cannot take pictures after I posted comment.
About carpark and 2/4/6 spots, I have some pictures, but sorry, I don’t know how to post it.
Regards
Thanks for the heads up. May I kindly ask you to send to our e-mail address support@spotterguide.net the exact location of the new spotting location with some explanation and pictures ? Thank you.
Hello Guys!!! I’m planning to go to Phuket in 2020 . Which time is the best?
January and February are the peak season and that’s when you’ll see the greatest variety of traffic coming into the airport. It’s also when the weather is driest and most sunny.