What is Phuket doing to improve safety on tourist boats in 2026?

Phuket launched a boat-safety training programme in May 2026 to improve emergency-response standards in the marine tourism sector. Training and inspections can raise standards, but they do not make every operator or every weather condition equally safe.

Before booking, ask about passenger capacity, life jackets in suitable sizes, crew qualifications, insurance, weather cancellation rules and the exact type of boat. At the pier, listen to the safety briefing and identify where life jackets and exits are located. Families, older passengers and people with back problems should consider whether a speedboat is appropriate when the sea is rough.