A new flight route to Phuket is bridging Central Asia and Southeast Asia. Uzbek carrier Centrum Air launched direct service from Tashkent on October 31, marking a significant expansion in Thailand’s tourism strategy.
When are the Tashkent-Phuket Flights?
The Phuket-Tashkent direct flight operates twice weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Centrum Air inaugural flight arrived with 95% occupancy, carrying 186 passengers—strong evidence of pent-up demand from Central Asian travelers.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed the flight at Phuket International Airport as part of its “Airline Focus” strategy to tap emerging markets.
The route extends Centrum Air’s Tashkent-Bangkok service that was launched in July, creating seamless connections to Thailand’s beach destinations.
How Many Uzbek Tourists Are Visiting Thailand?
Between January and October 2025, Thailand welcomed 41,173 visitors from Uzbekistan—a 37% increase over 2024. Officials project the figure will exceed 50,000 by year’s end.
What makes the Uzbek market particularly attractive is its profile: over 80% of visitors are first-time tourists, primarily families and couples seeking beaches, wellness retreats, and nature experiences. Phuket, Bangkok, Chonburi, and Krabi top their destination lists, with peak bookings during the New Year and Nowruz celebrations.
How Is Thailand Attracting Central Asian Travelers?
Photo by Carlos Castilla from Canva
Five prominent Uzbek social media influencers joined the inaugural flight for a seven-day familiarization trip showcasing Thailand to Central Asian audiences. Their itinerary includes elephant care, Thai cooking classes, and Similan Islands cruises—experiences designed for digital storytelling.
This influencer-driven strategy aims to position Thailand as offering experience-driven tourism that appeals to Central Asia’s growing middle class, where outbound travel surges.
Why Does the Tashkent-Phuket Route Matter?
While Uzbekistan remains a small source market, its trajectory suggests rapid growth. The direct connection eliminates multi-stop itineraries that previously deterred travelers.
For Phuket, the route diversifies its international visitor base and smooths seasonal fluctuations. For Uzbekistan, it provides access to tropical experiences unavailable in landlocked Central Asia.
The launch signals Thailand’s recognition of Central Asia as an emerging tourism powerhouse—and a strategic bet that airline partnerships and digital marketing can unlock significant visitor flows from this developing region.
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*Banner photo by MR.BUDDEE WIANGNGORN from Getty Images
