# Tourism-Induced Urbanization in Phuket Island, Thailand (1987-2024): A Spatiotemporal Analysis
## 1 Introduction  
Urbanization, characterized by the transformation of the landscape and the shift from rural to urban living, profoundly shapes land use and land cover (LULC) patterns over time [1, 2]. Regions undergoing urbanization are among the most dramatically altered in terms of land use and land cover (LULC) [3, 4, 5]. This long-term process contributes to socioeconomic development and improved quality of life. However, it also introduces significant challenges, such as biodiversity loss, water pollution, urban heat islands, and other environmental issues [6, 7, 8]. Addressing these concerns has made urbanization studies a key focus across various disciplines [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]. Also, urbanization patterns serve as critical indicators of a region's economic development and spatial growth characteristics [15, 16, 17, 2]. Understanding the evolution of urban spatial patterns and their associated social and economic changes is essential for sustainable development. These insights are invaluable for urban planners and managers in assessing the dynamics of human activity and economic expansion. General urban spatial structures, such as the concentric ring structure, multiple nuclei structure, and urban realm structure, have been well-documented in urban studies [18, 19, 20, 21]. However, no single structure universally applies to all cities due to thedynamic and diverse nature of urbanization [15]. LULC change is one of the most direct expressions of urbanization. Monitoring this process requires long-term datasets. Remote sensing (RS) technology has enabled dynamic monitoring of urban LULC since the 1970s. The Landsat program has provided extensive imagery through Landsat 1-8, facilitating detailed analysis of LULC changes over extended periods [22; 23; 24]. Phuket Island, Thailand, offers a compelling case study for urbanization. Historically reliant on tin mining, the island transitioned to a tourism-driven economy in the mid-1980s. This shift, driven by declining tin prices and infrastructure developments connecting Phuket to the mainland, spurred rapid urban growth. The tourism boom profoundly reshaped Phuket's LULC, as plantations and tin mines were converted into hotels, resorts, and other tourist-oriented facilities. Urban expansion frequently outpaced population growth, leading to unplanned settlements and raising significant environmental and cultural concerns. The challenges faced by Phuket highlight broader issues associated with mass tourism, including cultural commercialization and environmental degradation. Visitor numbers and revenue generally show long-term growth but experience sharp declines during events like the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis, the 2004 tsunami, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2021 countrywide lockdown (Figure 1). While the industry recovers after crises, the correlation between revenue and visitors shows the country's economic dependence on tourism. To safeguard against future disruptions, Thailand could benefit from diversifying its economy and promoting domestic tourism as a buffer during global downturns. Nonetheless, the island's rapid development underscores the importance of urban planning and tourism management strategies that balance growth with preservation. Urban  
Figure 1: Thailand’s tourism industry’s resilience despite recurring disruptions from political, economic, and natural crises. planners must address the pressures posed by urban expansion while safeguarding the natural and cultural assets that make destinations like Phuket attractive. Despite its rapid growth, the urbanization patterns of Phuket remain understudied compared to other regions [25; 26; 27; 28; 29]. Current urbanization research predominantly emphasizes economic zones, transportation systems, and commercial centers, neglecting the influence of seasonal tourism fluctuations, policy-induced economic shifts, and topographical limitations on urban growth in tourism-reliant islands. This study addresses key research gaps, including the following:  
1.