Chiang Mai vs Phuket

Chiang Mai leads Phuket by 14 points on the CIRA Index, 59 to 45. Chiang Mai grades better on 4 measures, Phuket on 7; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: Chiang Mai 59, Phuket 45
• OECD: Chiang Mai 56, Phuket 54
• UN Tourism: Chiang Mai 63, Phuket 46
• UNDRR: Chiang Mai 46, Phuket 63

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Chiang Mai 79, Phuket 70
• Economy and jobs: Chiang Mai 50, Phuket 75
• Climate and hazards: Chiang Mai 25, Phuket 40
• Water and environment: Chiang Mai 63, Phuket 0
• Community and housing: Chiang Mai 88, Phuket 25
• Access and continuity: Chiang Mai 50, Phuket 71

Where Chiang Mai is stronger

• Domestic share of nights: 72.6 % of nights by residents of the same country (region figure) (Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Thailand) / Chiang Mai University Multi-Disciplinary Research Institute (CTRD), 2023). At or above 45: grade 4/4.
• Recovery against 2019: 103.7 % of 2019 visitor nights reached in the latest full year (region figure) (Chiang Mai Provincial Tourism and Sports Office / Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Thailand), 2024). Between 100 and 110: grade 3/4.
• Municipal waste per resident: 401.5 kg per resident per year (region figure) (Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization via EXRI ASIA, 2024). Between 350 and 450: grade 3/4.
• Rent growth: 0.3 % change in rents over the last 12 months (country figure) (Global Property Guide / Bank of Thailand, Thailand Rent Price Index, 2025 Q2 to 2026 Q2). At or below 3: grade 4/4.

Where Phuket is stronger

• Largest foreign market: 17.3 % of international arrivals or nights (region figure) (Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 2025). Between 15 and 20: grade 3/4.
• Jobs in tourism industries: 8.8 % of employment in accommodation and food services (country figure) (National Statistical Office of Thailand, The Labour Force Survey Whole Kingdom Report, 2024). Between 8 and 12: grade 3/4.
• Income per head: 37,383 GDP per capita, USD PPP (region figure) (Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) / World Bank, 2019). Between 30,000 and 45,000: grade 2/4.
• Extreme heat days: 2.4 days a year at or above 35°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Early warning and emergency plan: An updated, tested plan that names visitors and tourism operators, with warnings in several languages (The ASEAN Magazine, 'Thailand's Progress 20 Years After the Indian Ocean Tsunami' & ICPADM, 2024). Grade 4/4.
• Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A plan tested in an exercise or a real event, with lessons published (PMC / Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, 'How Thailand's tourism industry coped with COVID-19 pandemics: a lesson from the pilot Phuket Tourism Sandbox project', 2022–2024). Grade 4/4.
• Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source such as a tourist tax or levy (Bangkok Post, 'Phuket considers tripling hotel tax rate', 2026). Grade 2/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• Thailand: #38 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• Thailand: #38 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

Chiang Mai in full · Phuket in full

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