Phuket International Airport
There are two ways of flying from Sweden to Phuket:
1) Regulary flight direct to Bangkok and then domestic flight to Phuket.
2) TUI flight direct to Puket
Alternative 1 often contains a long waiting period in Bangkok.
Comfort and prices depends on flight company. Persons with long legs should consider this. 60 days before departure you can reserve a better seat in the airoplane at a reasonable price if you go with TUI. For me who at two occasions have brought my bike with me Thai Air is very attractive. They charged me nothing extra provided that bike and luggage together did not exceed 20 kg.
Many charter companies offer the travellers advance ordering of taxfree goods. But why, when taxfree articles can be bought at the Phuket International Airport at arrival as well as at departure to very low prices. For example 1 liter Red Label or Gordons Gin for 500 Bath! The service at the taxfree shop here is excellent. They help you packing in nice plastic bags with a new picture every year:
The 2007 and 2008 pictures show the boss of the shop - Mrs Rak.
If you love wine it might be a good idea to order by advance 5 liter cardboard boxes. In Phuket there is no complain if you bring your own bottle of wine to the restaurant.
If you arrive to Phuket day time you will have a very beautyful view if weather permits over the dramatic islands northeast of Phuket. I do not know if this is always true - last time we came in from west with only sea under before the landing. The runway for landing and takeoff runs only about 100 meter from a main road available for anybody, which I think is a safety risk. That road should be closed for public use according to my oppinion.
The airport has lately been modernized and rationalized a lot. The latest is the customs control form, which now is abolished. The time for moving luggage from the aircraft to the conveyor belt has been reduced essentially. I hope the next step will be increasing the stay in the country withot visa. Now the limit is 30 days.