The licence number is the boring detail that protects your whole holiday.
Choosing a Thailand travel agent Phuket visitors can rely on comes down to one thing above all: verifying that they hold a valid Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) licence. A licensed local agent can handle your tours, transfers, hotel bookings, packages and group programmes as a single point of contact, with insurance and accountability behind them. Ours is TAT License No. 34/02294, held by True Design Holidays Co., Ltd., based in Kathu with more than 15 years operating in Phuket and the Andaman.
What a licensed Phuket travel agent does
One contact for the whole trip
A local travel agent in Phuket can put your entire trip together: island day tours and charters, airport and hotel transfers, accommodation, multi-day packages, show tickets, and group or incentive programmes. The practical benefit is having a single accountable contact who knows the island rather than assembling five separate bookings and hoping the timings line up.
Agent, ground operator, or both
Some companies resell other people’s products; some operate their own. A local ground operator runs programmes directly, which usually means better control when something changes — a delayed flight, a rough sea day, a hotel issue. We operate directly in Phuket and the Andaman, which is why we can adjust rather than just relay. Read more about our company.
Why the TAT licence matters
The single most important check
Tour operators and travel agencies in Thailand are licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. A valid licence indicates a registered company operating within Thai regulations, with the insurance and accountability that come with it. It is genuinely the first thing to ask for — and any hesitation to provide it should end the conversation. Ours is TAT License No. 34/02294, held by True Design Holidays Co., Ltd.
What to request
- The TAT licence number
- The registered company name
- A physical business address
- Written confirmation of your booking
- Clear payment and cancellation terms
- A contactable number during your stay
What a good agent handles for you
Scope of services
| Service | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Day tours | Island trips, sightseeing, attractions, shows |
| Charters | Speedboat and yacht charters, private boats |
| Transfers | Airport, hotel-to-hotel, pier and show transport |
| Packages | Multi-day itineraries with or without hotels |
| Groups & MICE | Meetings, incentives, events and gala dinners |
| Support | On-the-ground assistance during your stay |
A single point of contact across all of these is the main advantage.
Browse our tours, packages, transfers and group services.
Booking direct vs through an OTA
An honest comparison
Online travel agencies are convenient and often competitive, and for a single simple ticket they’re perfectly good. Where a local licensed agent tends to add more value is on anything complex or time-sensitive: multi-day itineraries, private charters, group programmes, and situations where something needs fixing on the day. A local agent can move a booking, reroute a boat or send another vehicle; a faceless platform generally can’t.
Warning signs to watch for
When to walk away
- Reluctance to share a TAT licence number or company name
- Pressure to pay in full immediately by untraceable means
- No written confirmation of what’s included
- Prices far below every other operator with no explanation
- No physical address or verifiable contact details
- Vague answers about weather, cancellation or refund policy
Payment and confirmation
How it should work
Expect a clear structure: a stated deposit, a defined balance date or payment on arrival, accepted payment methods with any card fees disclosed, and a written confirmation or voucher setting out the itinerary, inclusions and exclusions. Cancellation and weather-related change policies should be documented before you pay, not explained afterwards. If a policy only appears after payment, that’s a problem.
Local knowledge that actually helps
Where an on-the-ground agent earns their fee
Local knowledge shows up in small, expensive details: knowing that Maya Bay closes annually from 1 August to 30 September, that the Similans open only from around mid-October to mid-May, which pier your boat actually leaves from, how long a transfer really takes at 07:00, and which show runs on which nights. Those are the things that quietly make or break an itinerary. See our day tours and the TAT destination pages for background.
Working with us
What we are
- A TAT-licensed travel agency: License No. 34/02294
- Operated by True Design Holidays Co., Ltd., based in Kathu, Phuket
- More than 15 years operating in Phuket and the Andaman
- Direct operator of tours, charters, transfers and group programmes
- Contactable by phone, WhatsApp and LINE during your stay
Contact our team with your dates, or browse our tours and packages.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Thailand travel agent is legitimate?
Ask for their Tourism Authority of Thailand licence number and registered company name, plus a physical address and written booking confirmation. Any reluctance to provide these is a serious warning sign.
What is a TAT licence?
It’s the licence issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to registered tour operators and travel agencies. It indicates the company operates within Thai regulations with appropriate insurance and accountability. Ours is No. 34/02294.
What can a Phuket travel agent arrange?
Island day tours and charters, airport and hotel transfers, accommodation, multi-day packages, show tickets, and group or incentive programmes — with a single accountable contact rather than several separate bookings.
Is it better to book direct or through an online platform?
Platforms are fine for a single simple ticket. A local licensed agent adds more value on complex or time-sensitive bookings — multi-day itineraries, private charters, groups — and can fix problems on the ground.
What are the warning signs of an unreliable agent?
Reluctance to share a licence number, pressure to pay in full by untraceable means, no written confirmation of inclusions, prices far below the market with no explanation, and vague cancellation or weather policies.
What payment terms should I expect?
A stated deposit, a defined balance date or payment on arrival, disclosed card fees, and a written confirmation setting out the itinerary and inclusions. Cancellation and weather policies should be documented before you pay.
Book with confidence
Island tours are marine activities, and itineraries can change with tides, wind and sea conditions, or with national-park announcements. Departures may be adjusted or rescheduled for safety when the weather turns. For a smooth trip, book with a TAT-licensed operator (License No. 34/02294), confirm the boat, route and inclusions in writing, and reconfirm current prices and availability at the time of booking. National-park fees may apply on island stops.
Plan your trip with Phuket Thailand Travel
Phuket Thailand Travel is operated by True Design Holidays Co., Ltd., a TAT-licensed travel agency (License No. 34/02294) based in Kathu, Phuket, with more than 15 years of experience as a TAT-licensed travel agency and ground operator in Phuket, handling tours, transfers, packages and groups.
- Address: 113/297, Soi 10, M A, 7 Vichitsongkram Rd, Kathu, Phuket 83120
- Phone: +66 (0) 96 469 0456 · WhatsApp · LINE
- Next step: browse our tours and packages or contact our team