Phuket News
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Flight risk: Aussie in court for helping crime boss flee to Thailand
An Aussie man is scheduled to appear in court in Australia today, accused of aiding the escape of a notorious organised crime figure to Thailand. The unnamed 57 year old from Bargara, Bundaberg, Queensland, allegedly crewed a vessel alongside another man to pick up a fugitive at a clandestine sea rendezvous. After quietly setting sail from Thursday Island, north of…
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Foreign transwoman and man clash in rose row on Bangla Road
A foreign transwoman got into a physical altercation with a foreign man on Bangla Road in Phuket on Wednesday allegedly after the man refused to buy roses from her. The Thai TikTok user @pondcing7 shared a video of the incident yesterday, March 20, with a caption reading, “Again! Every day! Lol #BanglaPatong #Phuket.” The user witnessed the incident and recorded…
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Over 10,000 bottles of cough syrup seized in Phuket drug raid
Police made a shocking discovery in Kathu, Phuket, as a recent investigation into an illegal e-cigarette distribution network has uncovered more than 10,000 bottles of cough syrup, allegedly part of a wider smuggling operation. The raid, which has left many stunned, highlights the alarming rise of unregulated drug trafficking in the region. An ongoing investigation into a local e-cigarette ring…
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Lithuanian man dies in Phuket after tree falls on motorbike
A Lithuanian man’s tropical getaway ended in horror on Phuket’s picturesque Nai Thon Beach Road. Tragedy struck as a towering pine branch plummeted onto the unsuspecting 42 year old Eastern European, killing him instantly as he sped along on his motorbike yesterday morning, March 20. “Shockwaves rippled through the usually serene area,” said Thanapong Keonun, village headman of Moo 4,…
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Phuket charity schools raided amid migrant education crackdown
Raids on charity schools run by the Good Shepherd Foundation continued this week, with officials from the Thalang District Office targeting the BanYa Literacy Centre in Srisoonthorn. Led by Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun, officials including Deputy District Chief for Security Chaiporn Yangchin, village leaders, and other officials conducted an inspection at the centre in Village 6, Srisoonthorn on Tuesday,…
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Phuket’s alcohol-free Songkran festival returns
Phuket is gearing up for Songkran with a booze-free twist! The Songkran No Alcohol Festival is back for its 11th year, promising cultural charm, live music, and family-friendly fun—without the chaos of drunken revelry. Phuket officials are preparing for another safe and tradition-focused songkran as the island hosts the Songkran No Alcohol Festival Phuket 2025, organised for the 11th consecutive year,…
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Power out: Phuket prepares for outage today
The Phuket branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has issued a notice about a scheduled power outage today, March 20, due to electrical system improvements. The power cut will take place between 9am and 4.30pm, impacting several key areas across the island. Residents and businesses near the intersection in front of D Condo Kuku, along one side of Ratsadanusorn…
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Dutch tourists fined for provocative dancing on Bangla Road, Phuket
Two Dutch tourists have been slapped with a fine after being caught dancing provocatively in the middle of Patong’s infamous Bangla Road, Phuket, late last night, in a display that left many onlookers stunned. At around 10.20pm yesterday, March 18, the two women were filmed dancing near Soi Sea Dragon, with the video quickly circulating on the LINE application. The…
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Charged & brewed: Phuket thief busted for beer & batteries theft
A 39 year old man has been arrested after he was caught stealing beer and batteries from a 7-Eleven store in Patong, Phuket, with the police tracking him down using CCTV footage and his distinctive clothes. Officers from Patong Police Station, led by Police Colonel Chalermchai Hirasawat, apprehended the suspect on Sunday, March 16, following a theft reported on March…
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School rejects ‘slum’ label for Phuket Myanmar community (video)
The director of a Catholic-operated school in Phuket has contested the description of a Myanmar community in the province as a “slum” by a foreign YouTuber. A video on the YouTube channel Ride with Gabi, which claims to document a “Myanmar slum in Phuket,” has ignited debate, showing a significant Myanmar migrant community in the southern province. The footage depicts…
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YouTuber exposes Phuket’s shocking slum conditions (video)
A YouTuber has caused a storm online with his latest video, The Other Side of Phuket, which takes viewers behind the glossy tourist façade to one of the island’s largest slums. In the video, popular YouTuber Ride with Gabi contrasts Phuket’s global fame for its stunning beaches and lively nightlife with the stark reality of its poverty-stricken communities. The video…
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British pedophile’s 27-year run in Thailand ends (video)
A notorious British paedophile, who evaded capture for nearly three decades by living under a stolen identity in Thailand, has finally been brought to justice. Richard Burrows, faced Chester Crown Court and was found guilty of a staggering 54 offences against young boys, marking the end of one of the UK’s longest-running manhunts. The shocking extent of Burrows’ crimes was…
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British man’s sun-soaked dream escape turns tragic in Thailand
A dream holiday in paradise has turned into an unimaginable nightmare for a British man whose life hangs by a thread in a Thailand hospital. The family and friends of British restauranteur Ricky Eury are by his bedside praying for his life following a shocking accident at a luxurious Thai resort. The 39 year old Brit, who was enjoying a…
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Shell shocked: Minister calls for united front to save dugongs (video)
An impassioned call for collective action to tackle the conservation crisis threatening seagrass and dugongs was issued by Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment at the Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort. The turtle release ceremony, held on March 14, emphasised the urgent need for all sectors to collaborate in safeguarding these endangered marine species. Chalermchai lauded the efforts…
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Race against crime: Phuket police crack down on illegal street racers
Police in Wichit stepped up their campaign against illegal motorcycle racing, confiscating 22 motorcycles and arresting 10 young people in a focused operation addressing reckless riding. The action occurred on Saturday, March 15, as Wichit officers concentrated on key areas within Mueang district. Starting at 9pm, a team led by Wichit Police Chief Police Colonel Somsak Thongkliang, together with other…
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Pounds meltdown: Phuket hospital weighs in on medical tourism
Vachira Phuket Hospital is stepping up its game in the booming medical tourism sector by inviting international patients to experience its top-notch weight-loss surgery. With demand for such procedures on the rise, the hospital is keen to establish itself as a major player. Dr Thakoon Poonthananiwatkul, a senior surgeon at Vachira, proudly announced the plans. “We have over a decade…
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Bugged out! Mosquito bite leaves British dad in Tourette’s grip
A British father’s dream holiday in Thailand took a nightmarish twist after a vicious mosquito bite not only gave him Tourette’s syndrome, but set off a series of bizarre, life-altering health issues. Ross Constable returned from a family holiday to Phuket, never expecting a simple insect bite to transform his life in the most shocking way. The 48 year old…
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Thailand seeks private investment for Phuket expressway project
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is seeking private sector involvement in the Phuket Expressway Project to enhance road infrastructure, alleviate traffic congestion, and improve connectivity for both locals and tourists. On March 7, a public hearing took place at the Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, where private investors were invited to share their views on the project’s feasibility and investment…
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South Korean tourist found dead in Phuket luxury spa sauna
A South Korean tourist was found dead in a sauna room at a luxury spa in Phuket. His wife revealed that he had entered the facility before losing consciousness. Attempts to revive him with CPR were unsuccessful. Police are set to investigate the cause of death. Today, March 16, reports emerged that yesterday, March 15 at 6.30pm, Police Captain Yutthaphon…
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Thailand tourism surges with visa-free policy, Phuket leads
Following the easing of Covid-19, global tourism has experienced a resurgence, bolstered by the Thai government’s visa-free policy. This has led to a continuous increase in tourists visiting Thailand. Recent data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports revealed that between January and March, the number of tourists reached 7,021,344, marking a 5.91% increase compared to the same period last…
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Phuket leads Thailand’s push for sustainable tourism
Thailand is going green in a big way, with Phuket at the forefront of a bold push to revolutionise sustainable tourism. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has launched the Green Hotel Plus Phuket Sandbox project, a key initiative to raise hotel sustainability standards to global levels. Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, who chaired the event on Thursday, March 13,…
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Phuket mayor vows clean drinking water for all
Phuket Town residents may soon enjoy safe, drinkable tap water as city officials push forward with a major water quality upgrade. At a public event held at the Phuket City Municipality’s Waterworks Division yesterday, March 13, Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas assured residents that progress is being made in providing clean, potable water across the town. Flanked by key officials—including Deputy Mayor…
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No freedom at Freedom Beach: Land dispute sparks Phuket showdown
A heated land dispute has erupted over Phuket’s Freedom Beach, with the heirs of a landowner demanding the suspension of its recent designation as a recreational forest. Lawyers representing the family of Panthong Na Ranong petitioned the Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), arguing that unresolved land rights issues must be settled before the area is officially…
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Phuket mystery: Homeless woman found dead at abandoned hotel
A chilling discovery in the heart of Phuket Town has left residents and tourists in shock after a homeless woman was found dead at an abandoned hotel. Police believe she may have fallen from the third floor but mystery surrounds the circumstances of her death. Phuket City Police were called to the old Imperial Hotel on Phuket Road at around 8pm…
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Patong car thief caught after GPS tracks stolen vehicle
A reckless car thief learned the hard way that technology always wins after police tracked and arrested him within hours of stealing a vehicle left running outside a Patong 7-Eleven. The suspect, 48 year old Pradit Phomduang from Trang province, swiped a parked Suzuki Swift after its owner, 27 year old Chanyanuch Boon-anan, left it running while making a quick…
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Myanmar fisherman found dead at sea near Phuket
Thai police are investigating the mysterious death of a Myanmar fisherman whose body was found floating in the sea between Phuket and Krabi, hours after he was reported missing from a fishing boat. The body of 39 year old Zaw Min Thuy (also spelt Zaw Min Htoo) was discovered at around 3pm yesterday, March 12 and later brought ashore at…
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Taxi scam: Grab driver overcharges Phuket tourist
A frustrated tourist in Phuket has once again fallen victim to an overcharging taxi driver: this time through the Grab app. Despite booking a ride at a fixed price of 264 baht, he was hit with an unexpected 100-baht surcharge midway through the trip, leaving him fuming and questioning Grab’s ability to protect customers from exploitation. The incident occurred yesterday,…
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2 Phuket police spark debate after using force against foreign tourist
A viral video showing two Thai police officers using force to restrain a foreign man, who allegedly attacked a woman in Phuket, has sparked mixed reactions among netizens. The video was shared yesterday, March 12, by a foreign Facebook user named Brenin DeOliveira, with a caption that read… “Thai cops don’t play! Allegedly, he punched a woman in the face.…
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Tourist beaten by ladyboys on Soi Bangla after dine-and-dash
A wild brawl erupted in the early hours of yesterday on Phuket’s infamous Bangla Road after a tourist allegedly skipped out on paying for his meal. The chaotic scene, which unfolded yesterday, March 12, in the heart of Patong, Kathu district, saw a group of local ladyboys, unhappy at the dine and dasher’s behaviour, confronted the man before the situation…
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Drug-fuelled taxi rage: Man arrested with gun and meth in Phuket
A man was arrested after allegedly threatening a taxi driver with a pen gun near Mae Somchit Kata Fresh Market, only for police to discover he was also carrying crystal meth. The dramatic incident unfolded at 6pm on Monday, March 10, when Wichit Police received a report of a man menacing a taxi driver with a concealed weapon on Kata…
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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