About Sakhu
Sakhu lies beside Nai Yang and Mai Khao beaches inside Sirinat National Park, on Phuket's north-west coast and close to Phuket International Airport. Mai Khao is the longest beach on Phuket, and turtles nest on both beaches from November to February. The airport is around 5 km away by road (around 15-25 mins depending on traffic), which is the main draw for people who travel often. Sakhu and Mai Khao are two separate sub-districts of Thalang, and the airport itself sits in Mai Khao.
Day to day, Sakhu is more practical than most of the north-west coast. Big C Sakhu and Lotus Go Fresh are around 5 mins away, with Tops and cafes along the Nai Yang strip and the airport road. A larger shop at Boat Avenue is around 20 mins south. There is no international school in Sakhu: UWC Thailand and Glenalmond are around 20 mins away in Thalang, and HeadStart's Cherngtalay campus around 20-25 mins. Golf is close, with Blue Canyon, Mission Hills Phuket and Laguna all around 20 mins. There is no padel court, large gym or nursery in Sakhu, Nai Yang or Mai Khao, so those need a short drive.
What's in Sakhu
Beaches & nature
- Nai Yang Beach and Sirinat visitor centre Park beach, around 10 mins. Turtles nest from November to February. Surf can be strong in the south-west monsoon
- Mai Khao Beach The longest beach on Phuket, in Sirinat National Park. Turtles nest from November to February. Around 10 mins to the southern end
- Nai Thon Beach Quiet park beach, around 10 mins
- Layan Beach Quiet beach to the south, around 15 mins
- Sai Kaew Beach The fourth Sirinat beach, to the north, around 30 mins
Healthcare
- Bangkok Phuket Clinic, Airport (BDMS) Outpatient clinic, open daily 08:00 to 20:00, in the airport area. A clinic, not a hospital
- Bangkok Phuket Clinic, Mai Khao (BDMS) Outpatient clinic, open daily 09:00 to 18:00
- Bangkok Phuket Clinic, Laguna (BDMS) Outpatient clinic, open daily 09:00 to 18:00, around 25 mins
- Thalang Hospital Public community hospital in Thalang, around 15 mins
- Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Bangkok Hospital Siriroj Private, 24-hour emergency, in Phuket Town, around 35-45 mins
- Vachira Phuket Hospital Public, 24-hour emergency, in Phuket Town, around 35-45 mins
- Pharmacy Boots at Porto de Phuket, Boat Avenue, around 20 mins
- Vets No vet was found in Sakhu or Nai Yang. The nearest verified are PIPC on Si Sunthon Road and Aura Pets International Animal Hospital in Cherngtalay, further south. Call first
Schools & nurseries
- UWC Thailand and Glenalmond Phuket IB and English National Curriculum, both in Thalang beside Thanyapura, around 20 mins. Glenalmond opened in August 2026
- HeadStart International School, Cherngtalay campus British curriculum, Foundation to Year 9, around 20-25 mins
- Finnway International School Finnish-based, ages 2 to 12, in Koh Kaew, around 30 mins
- British International School Phuket (BISP) British, ages 2 to 18, in Koh Kaew, around 30 mins
- QSI International School of Phuket American curriculum, ages 2 to 18, in Kathu, around 35-45 mins
- Kajonkiet International School British and Cambridge, ages 2 to 18, in Kathu, around 40-50 mins
- Nurseries None found in Sakhu, Nai Yang or Mai Khao. Kids Planet at Blue Tree (drop-in daycare, ages 1.5 to 6, not a nursery) and Little Treehouse in Bang Tao (ages 18 months to 5) are around 20-25 mins; UWC Thailand also runs early years
- More campuses HeadStart main campus in Wichit is around 40-50 mins
Shopping & daily needs
- Big C Sakhu Supermarket on the Nai Yang side, around 5 mins
- Lotus Go Fresh and Tops Small-format Lotus around 5 mins and Tops on the Mai Khao road around 10 mins
- Mai Khao 24-hour cluster Lotus, Tops Daily and SuperCheap on the Mai Khao road, around 20 mins
- Nai Yang temple market Tuesday and Saturday afternoons. Other market days are reported but differ between listings, so confirm locally
- Thalang shops Lotus (hypermarket), HomePro (home and hardware) and Makro (cash and carry), around 15-20 mins
- Porto de Phuket (Boat Avenue) Open-air shopping and dining centre with Villa Market and Boots, around 20 mins
- Central Phuket Festival and Floresta Large malls in Phuket Town, around 40-50 mins
Restaurants & beach clubs
- Sea Almond and The Good View Thai and seafood on Nai Yang Beach, moderate prices, around 10 mins
- The Slate: Black Ginger, Rivet and Rebar, Tin Mine Southern Thai and open-fire grill at high-end prices, and an all-day international and Thai restaurant at higher prices, around 5 mins
- Phuket Marriott: The Andaman Kitchen and Big Fish Thai and international, and beachfront seafood, higher prices, around 5 mins
- Lertrod Kitchen Southern Thai next to the airport, casual, and Michelin-listed
- Local Thai in Mai Khao Natural Restaurant Airport, Taokhun Seafood and Toh Daeng (decorative Thai restaurant at the Baan Ar Jor House Museum)
- Micky Monkey Beach, M Beach Club and Sand Box Beach bar and restaurant, with M Beach Club at JW Marriott and Sand Box at the Renaissance, all in Mai Khao
- PRU at Trisara Tasting menu with one MICHELIN Star and a MICHELIN Green Star in the 2025 guide, around 10 mins
- JAMPA Farm-to-fork cooking over live fire with a MICHELIN Green Star, in Thalang
Coffee & cafes
- Sea Calm Cafe and Bistro European-style cafe with coffee, tea, desserts and breakfast on Soi Nai Yang 16, around 10 mins
- Starbucks and Cafe Amazon Chain cafes on the airport road and Nai Yang strip, around 10 mins
- Specialty roasters None found in Sakhu, Nai Yang or Mai Khao. Dou Brew, Baboon and Campus Coffee Roasters are in Phuket Town, around 29 km
Sports & wellness
- Golf Blue Canyon (36 holes, Canyon and Lakes courses), Mission Hills Phuket (18 holes, Jack Nicklaus design, on the east side at Pa Khlok) and Laguna Golf Phuket (18 holes, par 71), all around 20 mins
- Thanyapura Sports and health club in Thalang with 50 m and 25 m pools, tennis courts, a gym and classes. Day passes are sold. Padel is not listed on its official site. Around 20 mins.
- Padel & pickleball None in Sakhu, Nai Yang or Mai Khao. Padel Bay Indoor Club (indoor, near Layan) is around 15 mins; Destination Padel Club (6 courts, 4 roofed) in Thalang is around 15 mins; PTP Club Phuket (6 courts) and Padel Phuket @ Blue Tree (6 courts, 4 covered) are around 25 mins; WAREHAUS.club and The Peak Racquet Park are in the Cherngtalay area
- Gyms and Muay Thai No large gym in Sakhu, Nai Yang or Mai Khao. Femme Flow (pole, dance and fitness) is around 15 mins, and Sumalee Boxing Gym and Revolution Gym around 25 mins
- Horse riding COLTS offers beach rides and lessons at Nai Yang Beach (confirm the Phuket branch). Phuket International Horse Club offers beach rides along Bang Tao and Layan (check the pick-up point when booking), and Phuket Riding Club in Mai Khao around 30 mins. Niran Equestrian Centre is around 30 mins
- Kitesurfing KiteBoarding Asia at Nai Yang Beach teaches from May to October, around 10 mins. Wind and surf suit experienced riders
Marinas
- Yacht Haven Marina On the north-east coast, around 25 mins
- Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina On the east coast, around 30 mins
New & coming soon in Sakhu
New
- NewGlenalmond Phuket (Thalang) English National Curriculum school at Thanyapura, opened August 2026. Around 20 mins from Sakhu.
- NewBangkok Phuket Cancer Institute Opened 14 September 2026 at Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket Town.
Coming soon
- Coming soonPhuket Airport expansion Planned. An international terminal extension and extra gates, taking capacity to at least 18 million passengers a year. Completion is given as between 2029 and 2031, depending on the source. Around 15-25 mins from Sakhu.
- Coming soonBumrungrad International Hospital Phuket Planned in Mai Khao, near the airport. Opening is reported between the third quarter and the end of 2027, depending on the source. The site is near Blue Canyon.
- Coming soonSongklanagarind (PSU) Hospital Phuket Planned. Opening is reported between 2029 and 2030, depending on the source. The site is reported as Kathu in some sources.
- Coming soonAirport access road and airport to Kathu expressway Planned. A new direct airport access road to separate tourist and local traffic is given as 2025 to 2028, and the expressway and rail link from the airport to Kathu as construction from 2027 with service around 2030, per the Transport Minister in October 2025.
- Coming soonNLCS Phuket (North London Collegiate School) Announced in May 2026. The opening date has not been confirmed; one summary gives the third quarter of 2028. Planned for Cherngtalay (Manik), Early Years to Year 13.
- Coming soonICONPHUKET (Siam Piwat) Announced 5 October 2026. A retail and attractions project on Thepkrasattri Road in Thalang, planned to open in 2029 as part of the wider Synthesis Ark Phuket development. A regional draw rather than a Sakhu one.
- Coming soonPhuket light rail Proposed. Airport to Chalong, about 42 km. Construction is reported between 2028 and 2029 and opening between late 2031 and 2032, after earlier dates were missed. It would not serve Sakhu directly.
- Coming soonAndaman International Airport (Phang Nga) Proposed. A second airport on the mainland in Phang Nga, reported to open between 2030 and 2032, depending on the source.
Getting around from Sakhu
- Nai Yang Beacharound 4 km, 10 mins
- Nai Thon Beacharound 4 km, 10 mins
- Phuket Airportaround 5 km, 15-25 mins
- Layan Beacharound 11 km, 15 mins
- Boat Avenuearound 15 km, 20 mins
- Bang Tao Beacharound 18 km, 25-35 mins
- Boat Lagoon & Royal Phuket Marinaaround 20 km, 30 mins
- Phuket Townaround 29 km, 40-50 mins
- Patong Beacharound 33 km, 40-50 mins
Properties in Sakhu
Projects in Sakhu
Other Phuket area guides
Bangtao/Laguna · Bangtao/Surin · Cape Yamu · Chalong · Cherngtalay · Kamala · Karon · Koh Kaew · Layan · Nai Thon · Natai Beach · Pru Jampa · Rawai · Thalang
Frequently asked questions
What is Sakhu like to live in?
A quiet area beside Nai Yang and Mai Khao beaches inside Sirinat National Park, close to the airport. Airport convenience is its main draw, and Big C Sakhu, Lotus Go Fresh and Tops are around 5-10 mins away.
How far is Sakhu from the airport?
Around 5 km by road from the middle of the area, roughly 15-25 mins depending on traffic. It is closer from the Nai Yang beach end.
Is Sakhu the same as Mai Khao?
No. Sakhu and Mai Khao are two separate sub-districts of Thalang, and the airport sits in Mai Khao. Mai Khao Beach is around 10 mins from Sakhu.
Is there a hospital near Sakhu?
Not in Sakhu. The Bangkok Phuket Clinic at the airport (open daily 08:00 to 20:00) and in Mai Khao are close for minor care, and Thalang Hospital, a public community hospital, is around 15 mins. The nearest private hospitals with 24-hour emergency departments are in Phuket Town, around 35-45 mins. Bumrungrad International Hospital Phuket is planned in Mai Khao.
Are there international schools near Sakhu?
Not in Sakhu itself. UWC Thailand and Glenalmond are around 20 mins away, HeadStart's Cherngtalay campus around 20-25 mins, Finnway and BISP around 30 mins and QSI around 35-45 mins.
Where can I play golf or padel near Sakhu?
Blue Canyon, Mission Hills Phuket and Laguna Golf Phuket are all around 20 mins away. The nearest padel is Destination Padel Club in Thalang, around 15 mins. There is none in Sakhu, Nai Yang or Mai Khao.
How many properties are for sale in Sakhu?
There are currently 2 properties for sale in Sakhu with Digital Villas, across 1 project.
What do villas cost in Sakhu?
Villas in Sakhu start from around THB 19.9M, with price depending on the project, plot and finish.
Which developers build in Sakhu?
Sakhu has developments from Botanica.