Phuket Aquarium was established 1983 as one of six departments of the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC), a research and monitoring center for the Andaman Sea. As such it belongs to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and In 2002-2004 the aquarium underwent major reconstructions and renovations. When it was just about to be reopened the Tsunami struck Phuket on 26th December 2004. Luckily only some infrastructure was damaged and after additional renovations the Phuket Aquarium could finally open again in April 2005. As result of the German Post-Tsunami-Assistance to Thailand the exhibition was extended through the science & nature trail.This trail connects now the inside exhibition with the natural coastal habitats and several research facilities of the PMBC.

Phuket Aquarium aims to increase the public understanding about Thailand’s marine and coastal environment. They believe that a good education and understanding of our environment is the foundation for a sustainable management of our coasts and oceans. As part of the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC), the Aquarium is in the unique position to serve as a window for the public for current research and knowledge. Learning should be fun and that’s why they are steadily developing their exhibition towards more interactivity, audiovisual media and edutainment elements. Phuket Aquarium also carries out its own research like the restocking of decimated clownfish populations, aquarium water quality management, life cycle ecology or the aquaculture of marine ornamental organism.