Phuket News
Phuket news, politics, business, tourism, and nightlife—stay updated with breaking stories, events, and expat updates from Thailand’s top island destination. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Phuket news source.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Phuket’s road to relief: Green light at the end of the traffic tunnel
Phuket’s long-awaited new road linking Kathu and Srisoonthorn is finally getting the green light, thanks to generous land donations from three of the island’s most prominent families. Local bigwigs have confirmed the long-stalled project is now full speed ahead. The Ekwanich, Kulwanich, and Saksaktawee families have handed over the land needed for the ambitious 5.6-kilometre road, designed to ease traffic…
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Phuket grease monkey scoops 30 million lottery
Phuket’s newest millionaire is none other than a humble chief mechanic at Anuphas Ford, who struck gold in the government lottery’s latest draw. Jirasak ‘Ton’ Saewun, who works at Anuphas Ford in Phuket, scooped a staggering 30 million baht after hitting the jackpot with five first-prize tickets. The winning numbers, announced by the Government Lottery Office, were 199606. Other lucky…
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Tragic end to holiday: Saudi tourist found dead on Phuket beach
A Saudi tourist’s holiday in Phuket ended in tragedy yesterday evening when his body was discovered on Karon Beach. The grim find was made near the Naga Statue around 6.05pm, yesterday, September 1, prompting an immediate response from the emergency services. Karon Police Chief Khundet na Nongkhai and Deputy Chief Wiwat Chamnankit, along with rescue workers from Karon Municipality and…
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Warning issued for Patong beach after bluebottle jellyfish found
Officials in Phuket issued a warning for Patong beach visitors after dozens of venomous bluebottle jellyfish were found washed ashore. The Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (Upper Andaman Sea) reported encountering the jellyfish on the beach yesterday evening. Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and lifeguards from Patong Surf Life Saving quickly responded, discovering 40…
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Pattaya Airways’ maiden flight set to revolutionise Thai logistics
Thailand’s skies witnessed a game-changing event as Pattaya Airways launched its inaugural cargo flight on August 21. Flight PTW822 soared out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 6am, touching down in Phuket by 8.15am. The aircraft returned to the capital just after midday, marking a significant milestone in Thailand’s logistics industry. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat rolled out the red carpet for…
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Phuket taxi driver tussle turns streets into a brawl zone (video)
The streets of Phuket resembled more like a battle scene today than a picturesque holiday resort after a furious brawl broke out between local taxi drivers and foreign tourists, raising fresh concerns about visitor safety. What started as a squabble quickly spiralled into a full-blown fight, drawing a large crowd of shocked onlookers. Wichit Police stepped in today, August 30,…
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Foreign driver damages Thai woman’s car during dispute (video)
A Thai woman is taking legal action against a foreign man for damaging her car during a heated traffic dispute on a road in Phuket yesterday. The Thai woman, whose name remains undisclosed, shared the details of the incident with the Phuket Times today, August 29. She explained that the foreign motorist, whose nationality was unknown, followed her from an…
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Burmese worker’s grief sparks axe rampage at Phuket camp
A Burmese worker’s grief over a friend’s death led to a chaotic rampage at a worker’s camp in Phuket, where he damaged a journalist’s car with an axe. The incident followed a fatal stabbing involving a Thai man and another Burmese worker. Yesterday, August 28, police in Thalang, Phuket, received reports of a man running amok and attacking a journalist’s…
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Land encroachment scandal rocks Phuket Big Buddha
The Phuket Big Buddha Foundation is in hot water after the Forest Department accused its chairman of land encroachment. This follows a catastrophic mudslide that claimed 13 lives, predominantly Myanmar nationals, last week at Khao Nak Kerd, Phuket’s tallest peak. Officials from the Forest Department, along with the Phuket Buddhism Office, police, and local officials, carried out a rigorous inspection…
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9 houses damaged in recent Phuket landslide, no injuries reported
Another landslide hit the Ratsada sub-district of Phuket in the early hours of this morning leaving nine houses in the area damaged. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The landslide in the Kata sub-district of Phuket last week killed 13 people, most of whom were migrant workers, and affected more than 200 households in the area. Residents are not yet out…
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Saudia adds dreamliner flights to Phuket
Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is set to make your travel dreams come true with its latest addition to the flight network. The airline confirmed that from December 2 it will launch flights to the exotic island of Phuket, making it the second Thai city in its roster after Bangkok. This move is part of Saudia’s strategic…
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Kazakhstan airline’s new route to Phuket takes off in October
Kazakhstan airline Air Astana announced the launch of direct flights from Astana to Phuket, with the first flight taking off on October 26. This exciting new route adds to Air Astana’s existing Almaty-Phuket service, which is also getting a boost with daily flights starting the same day. Travellers from Astana can now look forward to jetting off to Phuket three…
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Son of former Phuket leader arrested in major drug trafficking bust
Police in Phuket arrested the son of a former local leader for his involvement in a major drug trafficking network. The raid uncovered a substantial amount of crystal methamphetamine, firearms, and ammunition. Colonel Somsak Thongkliang of Kamala Police Station reported the arrest of Jesdaporn to Major General Sinlert Sukhun, Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police. This operation followed an extensive investigation…
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Phuket landslide leaves 13 dead, 19 injured, 209 homes damaged
Rescue officials in Phuket concluded the search for missing individuals following a devastating landslide. All 13 missing persons have been found dead and the disaster has left 19 injured and impacted 209 households. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwann announced the end of the search operation after the bodies of all 13 missing individuals were located. The landslide occurred in the Kata subdistrict…
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Patong leaders back legalising sex work for safety and health
Patong’s key figures unanimously support the legalisation of sex work, asserting that it will enhance safety and health protection for sex workers and their clients. President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) Weerawit Kreuasombat highlighted the current paradox of Thailand’s stance on its renowned sex industry. “Thailand is known for its sex industry, yet maintains a hypocritical stance towards…
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Death toll in Phuket landslide rises to 9, including 2 Russians
The death toll from the flash flood and landslide in Phuket rose to nine, with two of the deceased being Russian nationals. Ten people were injured while dozens remain missing. The heavy rain from 1am today, August 23, led to a flash flood and landslide in the community near Kitti Sangkatam Temple in the Mueang district of Phuket. The residential area located…
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1 killed and 4 injured in flash flood and landslide in Phuket (video)
A devastating flash flood and landslide struck the popular holiday resort of Phuket near Kata Temple in the Mueang district, killing one person and injuring four others. Thai government officials made it known that people were reported missing but their identities have not yet been made public. Prachachat news agency reported that heavy rain hit many areas of Phuket at…
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Foreign man caught standing naked in cannabis shop in Phuket
A picture of a naked foreign man proudly showing off the family jewels inside a cannabis shop in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket went viral on Thai social media. The reason for his nakedness is still under investigation. The Phuket Times shared the picture of the naked foreigner yesterday, August 21, with a caption that read, “Free visa! Drunk foreign man…
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Kyrgyzstan boxer wanted for raping Thai sauna worker in Phuket
Officers at Chalong Police Station in Phuket are searching for a Kyrgyzstan boxer after he allegedly raped a 19 year old Thai worker at a sauna near his boxing gym. The 19 year old Thai victim filed a complaint at Chalong Police Station yesterday, August 21, immediately after the sexual assault took place. She explained that the mixed martial arts…
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2 Chinese women and foreign-Thai couple clash in Phuket mall
Police are searching for a foreign man and his Thai wife after two Chinese women accused the couple of physically assaulting them outside a shopping mall in Phuket. The Chinese woman named Wu and her daughter named Jang filed a complaint at Wichit Police Station in Phuket on Tuesday, August 20, after an altercation with the foreign man and his…
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Taxi to the danger zone: Driver stabbed in Phuket passenger showdown
An airport taxi driver stabbed a fellow driver outside a hotel in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket yesterday after a dispute over passengers. Officers from Patong Police Station investigated the stabbing outside Novotel Vintage Park Resort and arrested the attacker, 55 year old Raphiphan Saelor, at the scene. The injured victim, 40 year old Apinan Boonpha, was rushed to hospital…
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Thai women fight Kuwaiti tourists in Soi Bangla, Phuket (video)
Netizens have called on Patong Police Station officers and Phuket administrative officials to intensify their efforts in safeguarding the province’s reputation, following yet another physical altercation on Soi Bangla. Reports indicate that the incident involved Thai women and Kuwaiti tourists. The news Facebook page, โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (translated as “So Brutal, Phuket Province”), shared a video today, August 21, showing Thai…
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Viral video captures playful water theft at red light in Phuket
A viral video has taken social media by storm, showing a young man on a motorcycle stopping next to a pickup truck at a red light and quenching his thirst with water from a cooler at the back of the truck. A TikTok user named Golfkador yesterday, August 19, shared the clip, which quickly became popular across various social media…
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Russian airline Aeroflot relaunches flights to Thailand and India
Russian airline Aeroflot resumes direct flights to popular holiday destinations in Thailand, India, and Seychelles. This news will thrill jet-setters and sun-seekers looking to escape the chill. Starting September 13, Aeroflot will kick off its twice-weekly flights from Yekaterinburg’s Koltsovo Airport to Phuket. These flights, operating every Monday and Friday, will be followed by a new route from Yekaterinburg to…
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Etihad Airways unveils luxurious flatbeds to Phuket in 2025
Etihad Airways is set to elevate the travel experience between Abu Dhabi and Phuket, unveiling plans to launch flights on the Airbus A321LR, featuring flatbed business class seats, from August 2025. The airline’s booking engine has already confirmed these details, showcasing its ambition to connect the UAE with the tropical paradise of Thailand in unprecedented comfort. The inaugural flight on…
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Phuket or leave it: Flooded roads sink travel plans to island airport
Flooding across Phuket is wreaking havoc on travellers bound for the island’s international airport, as waterlogged roads spark major disruptions. Local officials are urging passengers to rethink their travel plans, advising them to allow an extra three to four hours to reach the airport in these treacherous conditions. Phuket International Airport officials issued a public warning, strongly recommending the additional…
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Helmet on TikTok: Kamala cops go viral to keep heads safe in Phuket
Kamala police have launched an innovative campaign on TikTok to promote helmet use among road users in Phuket. The initiative has quickly gained widespread attention and praise for its creative approach to enhancing road safety. Kamala Police Chief Somsak Thongkliang stated that the campaign was developed following a directive from higher government officials to improve road safety measures. Recognising the…
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Teen gunman kills Myanmar girl in Phuket shooting
A tragic shooting incident in Phuket resulted in the death of a young Myanmar woman, sparking a police manhunt for the teenage gunman involved. Police in Kathu district, Phuket, received a report about a fatal shooting incident. The incident occurred while Kittipong Jantawong, a 27 year old man, was driving a white Toyota pickup truck with the license plate บม…
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Singaporean tourists assault hotel guard at Patong hotel
A confrontation between two Singaporean tourists and a hotel security guard in Patong yesterday led to all three individuals being hospitalised. The incident took place at the Patong Bay Residence Hotel, where the tourists reportedly tried to leave without completing the mandatory check-out procedure. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongpipat Khamchumphu, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Patong Police Station, was alerted to the…
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Russian dad’s Phuket heartbreak: Wife bolts, leaves him penniless
A Russian man and his five year old son living in Phuket appealed for help after his Thai wife left him penniless and took his belongings. A Thai man, Ekkawit Suratwadee, shared the story of 57 year old Russian man Oleg Magdeev and his five year old son on social media, hoping to seek assistance for the foreigner. Magdeev wanted…
Phuket is a province in the south of Thailand. Phuket's beaches face the Andaman Sea allowing the west coast beaches fantastic sunsets right throughout the year. If you're looking for news in Phuket, go to thethaiger.com/phuket Or follow our instant news in our Facebook pages.
The good news is that Phuket is famous for its foodie scene with an enormously diverse range of local and international foods - Phuket and southern favorites, street food along with international choices catering for the 12 million visitors to the island each year. Thaiger follows Phuket news and information 24 hours a day with regular updates.
Phuket is only 'just' an island with a 300 metre bridge linking it to Thailand's mainland. We're always reporting in the news that the channel beneath is frequently dredged to maintain Phuket's status as an island. On the other side of Sarasin Bridge is the Province of Phang Nga.
Getting to Phuket is easy as the island has land, air and sea connections. Phuket is also used as a take-off point for local island trips as Thailand's largest island is surrounded by over 30 pristine islands. Koh Phi Phi and the famous Maya Bay are always in the news and would be the best known of the island's just off Phuket's shores.
Phuket is an island and a province. It's the largest island in Thailand – 48 km north to south, 21 km east to west.
It's about 20% smaller, in area, than Singapore but much less densely populated. Whilst the island nation of Singapore boasts a population of nearly 6 million, Phuket has a permanent population of around 400-450,000 (but varies a lot with the influx of tourists and a workforce that is always changing). Most of Phuket remains jungle and tropical rainforest despite an acceleration of development over the past 20 years.
Unlike some of Thailand's other popular islands (that are in the Gulf of Thailand), the news is that Phuket is located in the Andaman Sea.
Phuket is 878 km north of the equator.
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