The international airport on the Thai island of Phuket is right next to a narrow strip of sand, Mai Khao beach, that faces west towards the Andaman Sea.

Key points: Low-flying aircraft coming in to Phuket airport are popular with selfie enthusiasts

Low-flying aircraft coming in to Phuket airport are popular with selfie enthusiasts Authorities are reportedly concerned about the safety of people taking photos next to the runway

Authorities are reportedly concerned about the safety of people taking photos next to the runway They have decided to implement a new safety zone, with harsh penalties for violators

The beach's proximity to the airport means it is a popular haunt for people who want to snap a few sandy selfies with the planes that loom large overhead as they come in to land.

According to a report in the Bangkok Post, the beach has become known as the "unseen Phuket", due to the practice of beachgoers capturing photos of themselves with the low-flying aircraft.

Schapelle Corby, Ben Panangian and a very low plane at Mai Khao beach on April 8. ( Instagram: Schapelle Corby )

Schapelle Corby, who was released in 2017 after spending 12 years in jail in Bali for drug smuggling, just snapped a photo of herself and her boyfriend Ben Panangian there on Monday — and she is not alone.

A search on Instagram using the #maikhaobeach hashtag yields more than 20,000 images, many of which show people posing with planes filling the frame as they zoom down towards the airport runway.

According to the Bangkok Post, Phuket authorities have now said they are concerned about safety of people taking these close-up plane pics, and they also want make sure tourists stay off the adjacent airport runway.

They are reportedly developing a new safety zone near the airport that takes effect soon, according to deputy Phuket airport chief Wichit Kaeothaithiam.

Mr Wichit reportedly met with provincial officials on Thursday to discuss safety at the beach.

"People and tourists will not be allowed to enter this area to take photos," he told the Post.

Mr Wichit said local authorities were concerned that the popular plane selfies are dangerous, and said local authorities must apply safety rules as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

He also warned people living close by against shining lights at planes in the air and against flying drones, following a report that pilots had been disturbed by these activities, the Post said.

A plane comes in low over the beach to land at Phuket International Airport. ( Supplied: Instagram )

Mr Wichit also reportedly said anyone who violates the warning could potentially face extremely harsh punishments under the Air Navigation Act.

"The maximum penalty is the death sentence," he told the Post.

Initial safety meeting was held last month

According to an earlier report in the Phuket News, a meeting was held last month on March 6 to discuss the expansion of the safety zone around the airport.

A man on Mai Khao beach raises his hands to the sky as a plane comes down to land at Phuket airport. ( Supplied: Instagram )

After the meeting, the report quoted a spokesperson from Phuket airport as saying a new safety zone was planned and would be implemented before long.

"Under the initial guidelines discussed, we are setting up a safety zone, which will be categorised as a strictly prohibited area that does not allow people and tourists to take pictures," the spokesperson said.

"The airport wants to boost tourism revenues, but at the same time it must make sure there will not be any problem with aviation regulations. Tourism and safety must co-exist."

Residents concerned about impact on tourism

A new safety zone near the airport will reportedly be in effect soon. ( Supplied: Instagram )

One resident, Winai Sae-io, told Phuket News at the time that locals objected to the plan, which they had been told included a goal of keeping 150 metres either side of the airport runway clear.

"This will impact local tourism in our area. If the beach is closed, we will have serious problems because many tourists simply will not come," Mr Winai said at the time.

A young couple crouch on the sand to line up for that perfect plane pic. ( Supplied: Instagram )

Up until now, people have been able to freely access Mai Khao beach close to runway number nine at the airport, and the sight of aircraft flying close overhead as they land has reportedly become a must-see for many tourists.

According to the Phuket International Airport website, the airport has a capacity of handling 24 flight operations per hour, and operates 24 hours a day.