By Phuket News Property Editorial Team · January 12, 2026
Phuket has always been an international destination, but the makeup of its long-stay community today looks very different from what it did twenty or even ten years ago. What was once a relatively predictable mix of nationalities has evolved into a far more diverse and globally representative population.
This change has not happened overnight. It reflects shifts in global mobility, work patterns, lifestyle priorities, and how people choose where to live.
The early years of Phuket’s expat community
Two decades ago, Phuket’s international population was dominated by a relatively small group of nationalities. Australians, British, Scandinavians, French, and a smaller number of Italians formed the backbone of the long-stay foreign community.
Many were retirees, second-home owners, or people who had discovered the island through tourism and returned later in life. Communities tended to be clustered, social circles overlapped heavily, and the international presence, while visible, was comparatively narrow in scope.
Expansion begins with Eastern Europe and Asia
Around fifteen years ago, the international mix began to broaden. Larger numbers of Russian and Ukrainian residents started settling in Phuket, initially as seasonal visitors and later as long-stay residents.
This was followed by increased interest from parts of Asia, including China, particularly as travel access improved and Phuket’s profile grew internationally. These new arrivals added depth and scale to the island’s foreign population and marked the beginning of a more complex international landscape.
A noticeable shift in the last five years
The most striking change has occurred in the past five years. Phuket’s international community has expanded beyond its traditional source countries in a way that would have seemed unlikely two decades ago.
Today, residents come from a far wider range of regions, including Spain and other parts of Western Europe, as well as South America. Brazilians, Argentinians, and people from neighbouring countries in the region are now part of everyday life on the island.
At the same time, communities from Israel and across Eastern Europe have grown, with Polish, Latvian, and Lithuanian residents becoming increasingly visible. This has transformed Phuket from a destination defined by a handful of nationalities into one that feels genuinely global.
Community diversity reflected in everyday life
This growing diversity is evident in daily life rather than formal statistics alone. International schools often highlight the number of nationalities represented among their students, sometimes numbering in the dozens. Restaurants, social groups, fitness communities, and business networks increasingly reflect a mix of languages and cultural backgrounds.
Phuket’s international population now includes families, entrepreneurs, remote professionals, creatives, and long-stay residents at different stages of life. The island no longer fits a single expat stereotype.
Why this change has happened
Several factors have driven this transformation. Improved global connectivity, more flexible work arrangements, and changing lifestyle priorities have made relocation more accessible to people from a wider range of countries.
Phuket’s appeal has also matured. What was once seen mainly as a holiday destination is now recognised as a place where people can build routines, raise families, and maintain international careers. This broader appeal naturally attracts a more diverse population.
A more global Phuket
While there is no single official figure that captures exactly how many nationalities are represented in Phuket today, the lived reality is clear. The island has become home to people from across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, and beyond.
This diversity has reshaped the social fabric of Phuket. It has influenced education, business, food culture, and community life, making the island feel less like a niche expat enclave and more like a truly international place to live.
As Phuket continues to evolve, its international community is likely to become even more varied. What has changed most over time is not just where people come from, but the idea that Phuket can be home to almost anyone, from almost anywhere in the world.
