Phuket News
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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Phuket’s pristine promise: Chalong’s no-littering sign takes center stage
In a bid to maintain cleanliness and orderliness, the Chalong Municipality erected a sign prohibiting littering and the dumping of garbage in Phuket. This commendable move is aimed at preserving the beauty and hygiene of the municipality. According to Chalong’s village headman Kokchai Sae-Ung, the land is privately owned. Last year, approval had been given to raise the site using…
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Phuket hotels collaborate with ONWR to tackle water crisis and boost sustainable tourism
Facing a critical water shortage, the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) devised a strategy to collaborate with Phuket hotels, launching an initiative to decrease water utilisation in the tourism industry. Surasee Kittimonthon, the ONWR secretary-general, highlighted the escalating water crisis in the popular Thai resort island, marked by inadequate water supply and treatment issues. With the tourist count…
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Phuket’s 191 hotline control room gets ‘ready to dial’
The Phuket control room, part of the National Emergency Notification Center and commonly referred to as the 191 police hotline, yesterday underwent an operational readiness inspection. Police Major General Saksira Phueakam, the Deputy Commander of Region 8 Police, conducted the assessment. This control room serves as a crucial hub for receiving reports from both Thai and foreign tourists, as well…
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Kamala resident nabbed for motorbike thef in Phuket
A 31 year old Kamala resident Sahat Max Laksakul was apprehended today by the Patong Police on charges of motorbike theft. The arrest followed an incident in which a white-black Honda Click 125i was reported missing from Meg Khram The Sunshine Restaurant, situated on the road between Patong and Kalim. The incident transpired around 5pm on Monday, September 18, and…
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Phuket’s taxi turf war: App-hailing shakes up local cooperatives
The rise in popularity of taxi apps and cheaper fares threatens the long-standing dominance of local taxi cooperatives at key tourist locations in Phuket. Officials convened with representatives of these groups yesterday to address the emerging issues. The discussion took place at the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office and was led by Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkhwan Yodrambam. One contentious issue…
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Phuket’s tourism boom: Visa-free policy sparks influx of Chinese and Kazakhstani visitors
The popular tourist destination of Phuket is on the cusp of a significant increase in Chinese and Kazakhstani visitors, thanks to a new visa-free policy set to take effect next week. The policy, unveiled in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday, grants 30-day visa-free stays for nationals from both countries, starting from Monday and extending until February 29. The Tourism Authority…
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Taking flight: AOT’s 70-billion baht plan for new airport in Phang Nga takes off
Airports of Thailand (AoT) is progressing with a 70 billion baht plan to construct an airport in Phang Nga, located north of Phuket, to cater to the growing tourist influx to the Andaman region. This information was shared by AoT President Keerati Kitmanawat, as he responded to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisiin’s recent visit to Chiang Mai to deliberate on the…
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Phuket makes waves: Forum tackles island’s watery woes
Thailand’s popular island destination of Phuket held a forum to discuss the region’s persistent water issues, led by Secretary-General of the Office of National Water Resources (OWNR), Dr Surasee Kittimonthon. The forum, which took place yesterday, was attended by over 300 individuals, including Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan and Phuket Chamber of Commerce President Kongsak Khuphongsakorn. Dr Surasee later joined another…
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Mercedes driver faces charges after road rage incident with taxi in Phuket
A road rage incident involving a Mercedes Benz driver and a taxi driver near the Darasamut Intersection in Phuket, Thailand, resulted in the former facing charges for his violent reaction. The event took place on a Saturday night in September and quickly escalated when the green plate taxi allegedly cut off the Mercedes Benz. The 38 year old taxi driver,…
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Villa robbery in Phuket raises safety concerns for foreign family
A foreign family, currently residing in Phuket, experienced a shocking robbery of their villa in Chalong, raising serious safety concerns. The audacious theft occurred while the family of four, including two children, were present in the house, and the thief managed to escape with stolen goods worth over 50,000 baht. The family, of Russian origin, reported the invasive villa robbery…
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Hartalika Teej: Phuket hosts Nepalese holiday, fosters love and tourism
The Nepalese community in Phuket, Thailand, recently basked in the joyous celebration of the ‘Hartalika Teej‘ festival, which marks the end of a three-day fast observed by women. Held on Friday evening, the celebration saw women being honoured and cared for by the men in their lives. The event took place at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Chao Fah Hotel…
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Phuket tourism and property sectors propose Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor
Phuket’s tourism and property development sectors have called on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to swiftly consider their proposal for an Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor (AWC). This initiative is intended to align with the global wellness trend, enhancing the tourism industry and related investments. This came to light during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Phuket and Phang Nga, where he…
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Young cow fatally hit in Phuket car accident sparks safety concerns
A tragic incident unfolded last night in Srisoonthorn, Phuket, when a young cow was fatally hit by a car. The cow, believed to be between six to eight months old, had wandered onto the Thung Suea Khruan – Ban Don Road, leading to the unfortunate accident. The incident was reported at 8.30pm, with residents gathering around the lifeless body of…
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Phuket MP raises concerns over hastily built, damage-prone Patong Hill Road
An MP representing Phuket District 2 announced his intention to raise a critical issue in Parliament regarding the hastily built road over the hills from Chalong to Patong. Constructed last year following a landslide on Patong Hill, this road has since been met with concerns about its condition and cost-effectiveness. The road, named Luang Phu Supha Road, was inspected by…
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20 year old arrested in Phuket drug raid amid ongoing suppression campaign
A drug raid executed in the Rawai Sea gypsy village in Phuket led to the arrest of a 20 year old local man. He was apprehended on charges of possessing 20 methamphetamine pills, colloquially known as Yaba. The arrest was part of a three-month campaign to crack down on drug dealing, use, and possession in Phuket. The operation was executed…
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Phuket’s forest-working group takes root: Mapping a path for protected land issues
Phuket’s inaugural meeting of a newly established working group, tasked with resolving issues concerning residents residing in or near the Bang Khanun Protected National Forest, resolved to develop a database to record all land parcels owned or occupied within the forest area. The decision also included creating a map of the occupied areas within the forest. The resolution was made…
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Phantom tuk tuk: Patong locals urge hit-and-run driver to step into the light
A tuk tuk driver in Patong, Phuket, who was involved in a hit-and-run incident with a tourist, is being urged to come forward by locals. The incident took place yesterday at 7.45pm. The tourist victim, who was walking on the pavement with his friends, was knocked over when he stepped onto the road. The impact of the collision sent him…
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Man accused by Chinese government of 5.6 billion baht fraud arrested in Phuket
A 55 year old Chinese man was apprehended in a villa in Rawai, Phuket, following an arrest warrant issued by the Chinese government. The man is accused of fabricating documents to secure an illicit loan, causing the Chinese government to suffer losses of around 1.133 billion yuan (approximately 5.6 billion baht). This news was revealed during a press conference at…
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Close call at Patong Beach: Tourist’s life saved by vigilant lifeguards
A hazardous rip current at Patong Beach, Phuket, nearly claimed the life of a foreign tourist on Monday. Thanks to the swift and skilled response from Patong Beach’s lifeguards, the individual was safely brought back to shore and revived. The beach was already under lifeguard surveillance due to the rip current threat when the victim was found unconscious in the…
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MMA fighter twin brothers detained in brutal Phuket home invasion case
Renowned MMA fighter Khusein Askhabov and his identical twin brother Khasan have been detained in connection to a violent home invasion at a Cherng Talay resort in Phuket, where an Italian resident was robbed of personal items exceeding 12 million baht. The Italian victim was discovered by resort staff, bound and severely beaten, allegedly by the MMA brothers. His face,…
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Phuket’s PIPO heroes: Two Thai men saved, but waves claim two
The Port-in-Port-out (PIPO) authorities in Phuket rescued two Thai men after their fishing boat capsized yesterday. Regrettably, two fishermen lost their lives in this tragic incident. The authorities were notified that a red fibreglass boat named Baan Kung Mang Korn capsized near an island called Koh Aeo in the Mueang district of Phuket due to powerful waves. There were four…
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CPN plans 3 billion baht expansion of Phuket condos
Central Pattana (CPN), a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), announced its intentions to introduce two additional phases to its condominium project, Phyll Phuket, near Central Phuket Floresta. The Phuket condos expansion, which includes nearly 700 units worth a total of 3 billion baht, is set to launch in the forthcoming year. This decision is motivated by…
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Phuket urges small hotels to obtain a licence ahead of anticipated 2.19 million tourists
Phuket is gearing up for the high season by encouraging small hotel operators to obtain a licence. This move is part of the city’s preparation to host over 10,000 tourists daily, equating to 2.19 million visitors annually. The Phuket Boutique Accommodation Consortium (BAC) held a seminar on September 7 to advocate for a ministerial regulation that was issued by the…
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Retiring Phuket Governor Narong participates in traditional merit-making walk
Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew is set to retire by the end of this month. The governor took part in a 2.5-kilometre merit-making walk in Old Phuket Town earlier today. The walk involved 15 monks, including Governor Narong. Narong recently undertook a 15-day ordainment as a monk at Wat Pa Phutthaphot Hariphunchai in Lamphun province on August 26 under the religious…
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Drunk Thai man arrested for holding Russian woman hostage in Patong hotel
A Thai man, in a state of intoxication, was apprehended in Patong for allegedly keeping a Russian woman hostage in a hotel room. The incident, shrouded in mystery due to the ongoing investigation, was reported to the Patong police on Friday. The man, whose identity has been withheld by the authorities, was also found to be in possession of a…
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Phuket authorities dismiss concerns over rising Russian population and mafia claims
Yesterday, Phuket authorities refuted allegations that the island has been overrun by Russians, including members of the mafia. These claims were sparked by a report in Al Jazeera earlier this week, which highlighted concerns among locals. Phuket locals fear that Russian tourists are snatching jobs usually held by Thais, operating unlawful businesses, and causing a surge in property prices, making…
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Golden gun drama: Russian tourist’s Phuket fright
A Russian woman filed a complaint to the police after a Thai man threatened her with his golden gun while hanging out at a hotel in Phuket. The Patong Police Station officers dashed to the scene and arrested the gun toting Thai man, 37 year old Kittiphum Mamark, at the hotel and seized his 9mm Beretta golden handgun and 14…
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Phuket Airport taxi turmoil: Grab’s entry drives cabbies to complain
Phuket’s International Airport taxi drivers filed an official complaint about reduced income following the inclusion of Grab as an authorized service at the airport, effective from last Friday, September 1. The complaint was submitted by Chukiat Panyawai, President of Phuket Business Car Service Cooperative Limited, to Rewat Areerob, President of Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO), on September 6. Members of…
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Draining dilemma: ONWR chief dives into Phuket’s watery challenge
The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) Secretary-General visited Phuket to see if he could manage to solve the popular Thai island’s daily wastewater conundrum. Phuket has to deal with about 55,000 cubic metres of wastewater daily. ONWR Secretary-General Surasee Kittimonthon visited Phuket to address the resort’s water management issues, including flooding and potential droughts. Surasee inspected the Patong Municipality…
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Cocaine surprise: Kenyan women’s shocking 3-kilo stash at Phuket Airport
Phuket International Airport officials recently detained three Kenyan women, who were found carrying nearly 3 kilogrammes of cocaine. The narcotics, estimated to be worth approximately 10 million baht, were concealed within their bodies. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board had earlier tipped off local police and customs officials about foreign nationals smuggling cocaine into the country through Phuket Airport.…
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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