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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All quiet on Russian front: Phuket FC prevail in Vladivostok friendly
PHUKET: Maintaining fantastic pre-season form, Phuket FC dominated their all-Russian opponents, FC Forward Vladivostok, winning with a final score of 4-0 in a friendly match on Saturday night at Surakul Stadium. The result came to the dismay of the hundreds of Russian spectators who’d turned out in patriotic fashion – many waving red, white and blue flags, some even wearing…
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Phuket garbage truck downs streetlight near airport
PHUKET: The driver of a garbage truck lost control of his vehicle on the main route to the airport yesterday afternoon, knocking over a light pole on his way to landing the truck in a ditch, injuring himself and his helper. Theerawut Nasalhae, the 19-year-old driver of the Sakoo Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) garbage truck, was returning from a run…
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Phuket wife grieves death of Bangkok bomb victim
PHUKET: Tippayao Choochan, the grief-stricken wife of the Phuket taxi driver who died in the Bangkok bombing (story here), spoke with reporters this morning. “This was the fourth time Prakong attended the protests in Bangkok. Every time Suthep called for people to come, he joined them,” Mrs Tippayao said. “My husband desperately wanted the right things for the political system…
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Phuket protesters mourn death of Prakong, blame government
PHUKET: Protesters will gather tonight at Phuket Provincial Hall (map here) to mourn the death of Prakong Choochan, who died from injuries sustained in an attack on anti-government demonstrators in Bangkok yesterday. “We are devastated by what happened. He was fighting for our country,” said Phuket protest co-ordinator Amnuay Kumban. The 46-year-old taxi driver was one of 36 people injured…
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Phuket Poll: How to stop Patong Hill carnage?
PHUKET: Two people crushed to death by a runaway bus in December is only the most recent disaster on the notorious Patong Hill road (story here). In response, Phuket officials are scrambling to find solutions to stop the carnage (story here). To this, the Phuket Gazette asks our readers in our latest online poll: “What is the best way to…
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Phuket’s 250-million-baht provincial mosque to be built in forest reserve
PHUKET: Land within a forest reserve was approved this week for the construction of the 250-million-baht Phuket provincial mosque complex in Thalang. On January 15, Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut signed off on the use of over nine rai of the Pa Bang Khanun Forest Reserve near the Thalang Technical College. “Our budget was approved by Cabinet last year, and we…
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Phuket taxi driver killed in Bangkok bombing
PHUKET: A Phuket protester was the first to die in the “Bangkok Shutdown” after an unidentified person lobbed a bomb at a procession of demonstrators yesterday (story here). Prakong Choochan, 46 years old and a member of the Royal Paradise taxi rank, died at 1:57am from complications brought on by severe injuries sustained during the bomb attack. Bomb shrapnel pierced…
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Governor paves way for congestion free Phuket
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut led a survey yesterday of two road projects that should ease traffic congestion on the island. “With more than 50,000 vehicles travelling between Chalong Circle and Bang Khu Intersection in Kho Kaew daily, it is important to provide alternative routes and improve traffic flow,” Governor Maitri said. One of the projects examined was a two-lane…
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Phuket Police attempt to identify dumped body
PHUKET: The body of a man who had been violently assaulted was retrieved from the water near Chokpanuchit fish processing plant in Rassada yesterday afternoon.“We think he was attacked about 24 hours earlier and then dumped from a fishing vessel,” said Lt Col Chaleaw Taihoo of the Phuket City Police.The man was about 165-170 meters tall. There was a stab…
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Phuket Town shop fire doused
PHUKET: Police presume an electrical short circuit started a fire that broke out in a small ceramics store in Phuket Town late last night. No one was injured in the blaze, which caused an estimated 50,000 baht in damage. Two fire teams were called to the scene on Bangkok Road (map here), at 11:10pm. “Firefighters took 30 minutes to put…
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Night vision: No more faulty infrared sensors for Phuket speed cameras
PHUKET: Speed cameras which had faulty infrared sensors are now in full working order on the bypass road in Phuket. “After installing cameras to monitor speeds on several major roads on the island, we found that the cameras on the bypass road were not reading speed levels at night,” Lt Col Rungrit Rattanapagdee of the Phuket City Traffic Police told…
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Phuket bus drivers test positive for ya bah
PHUKET: Two more Phuket bus drivers tested positive for ya bah (methamphetamine) yesterday afternoon during an anti-drug blitz led by Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut. “We tested 33 bus drivers from two companies: Je-Siam Holiday Phuket and MKR Transportation,” Muang District Chief Administrative Officer (palad) Suthee Sirianan said. “Natthapong Chimree and Udon Sainate, both from MKR Transportation, tested positive for ya…
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Phuket earns 21 medals at 42nd Thailand National Games
PHUKET: Athletes representing Phuket at the 42nd National Games, contested in Suphanburi from January 5-15, brought home 21 medals – five golds, five silvers and 11 bronzes. Based on medal tally, Phuket placed 25th out of 77 provinces and Bangkok. The National Games’ hosts Suphanburi cleaned up the event with 358 medals including 198 gold, 80 silver and 80 bronze.…
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Phuket Airport Terminal X on target to open in February
PHUKET: The new terminal at Phuket International Airport is on track to open on February 5, boosting the capacity of the island’s critical tourism portal by 4,000 people per hour.Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut announced the news yesterday during an inspection of the new facility, currently called “Terminal X”.“The actual construction of the terminal is finished. There is only cleaning up…
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Phuket resort raided over beach beautification project
PHUKET: National park officers yesterday raided the Anantara luxury resort in Phuket and filed a police complaint for alleged encroachment on park land. The Mai Khao resort stands accused of clearing swathes of sea morning glory from the beach and planting palm trees as part of a beach beautification project. Sirinath Marine National Park Chief Cheewapap Cheewatham, who led the…
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Phuket Vice Governor, other officials, join anti-government protesters [Video Report]
PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Sommai Prijasilpa, along with three mayors and one district chief, joined the crowd of protesters gathered in front of Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday evening.The protesters vowed to provide their full support should the officials face criticism later.V/Gov Sommai was joined by Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana, Rawai Mayor Arun Solos, Kathu Mayor Chaianan Sutthikul and Thalang…
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Fatal accident on Kata Hill raises concerns about Patong Hill bus ban
PHUKET: Yet another bus accident, this time killing a motorcyclist on the Kata Hill road yesterday morning, has raised concerns about increased bus traffic in the area after the controversial Patong Hill bus ban takes effect. Worrapong Chaichomphu, 25, was travelling downhill toward Chalong when a bus travelling uphill crossed the center line and struck him in front of the…
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Phuket protest forces Provincial Hall to remain closed
PHUKET: Police today closed Surin Road in Phuket Town after anti-government protesters expanded their camp and forced Provincial Hall to remain closed for a second consecutive day. The protesters, led by former Rassada Mayor Suratin Lian-udom, compelled officials to close Provincial Hall (map here) yesterday as they staged a mass rally in support of the “Bangkok Shutdown” (story here). “The…
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Phuket Employment Office closed due to anti-government protests
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO), the island’s sole agency for issuing and renewing work permits for foreigners, has closed its doors today. “We are following a request from protesters yesterday asking for all government offices to close. We are afraid that if we open, they will blockade our office,” PPEO Chief Yaowapa Pibulpol told the Phuket Gazette. “We…
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Phuket’s DJ Doris to be honored with Celebration of Life
PHUKET: Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’ from Phuket Island Radio 91.5FM, will be honored with a Celebration of Life. The news follows the death of Mr Norris in a motorcycle accident early Sunday morning, a tragedy which prompted an outpouring of grief among friends, family and fans (story here). “Paul Norris is being repatriated to his home in Scotland.…
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Phuket bagman corruption investigation dropped
PHUKET: The Phuket bagman investigation into corrupt government officials who collect bribes from Patong business owners has been cancelled, businessman and adviser to the Thailand Trade Organization Chart Chindapol told the Phuket Gazette. Mr Chart alleged in October last year that government officials from at least 17 offices were extracting bribes that totalled almost 50 million baht a month from…
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Political accessories market heats up in Phuket
PHUKET: The number of vendors selling political paraphernalia at the Phuket Provincial Hall protests has significantly increased since the protest on December 9, despite the number of protesters decreasing, vendors explained to the Phuket Gazette today.“I sold whistles at the last big protest. Since then, the number of vendors has increased by about 20 per cent,” said 50-year-old Monthathip Jormtai.Kanokphan…
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Phuket Provincial Hall protesters peacefully move outdoors for the night
PHUKET: The protesters vacated Phuket Provincial Hall late this afternoon after holding the building all day to show support for the “Bangkok Shutdown” (story here). “We agreed to leave Provincial Hall and establish our camp outside,” Former Rassada Mayor and protest co-ordinator Suratin Lian-udom told the Phuket Gazette. “We don’t want to be responsible for any criminal activity; we just…
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Phuket tour bus avoids car, but clips motorcyclist near Kata Hill
PHUKET: A man parking his motorbike by the side of the road near Chalong Circle escaped with minor injuries this morning when a Phuket tour bus clipped him while trying to avoid an accident. The bus driver told police that he was en route to Kata when a car cut in front of him near the Sarapan Pleng bar, west…
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Running red: police probe deadly DJ Doris crash
PHUKET: One of the drivers involved in the accident that killed Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’, early yesterday morning ran a red light, Phuket Police confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. “We believe that one of them drove through a red light as the lights were working at the time of the accident,” said Wichit Police Investigator Ekarat Chartthai. “However,…
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Phuket protest underway, thousands expected to join
PHUKET: Organizers expect over 3,000 people to gather in central Phuket Town today in support of the anti-government “shutdown” now going on in Bangkok. One group is already assembled on the grounds of Provincial Hall (map here), and another group is marching through town to Saphan Hin. “Suratin Liang-udom, the former mayor of Rassada, will lead the group at Provincial…
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And the winners of the Boat Show lucky draw are…
PHUKET: This year’s edition of the annual Phuket boat show (PIMEX), which closed late yesterday, offered solid testimony to the improving global economy and the renewed vibrance of the marine leisure industry in Asia, particularly at its hub – Phuket. Full car parks, full restaurants and lots of action in the booths and berths at the Royal Phuket Marina –…
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Phuket’s Paul ‘DJ Doris’ Norris dies in motorcycle accident
PHUKET: Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’ on Phuket Island Radio 91.5FM, died in a motorcycle accident early this morning. He was riding home when his motorbike and a taxi collided at an intesection on Chao Fa West Road in Chalong at about 2am, police confirmed. Mr Norris was well known and much loved by his many friends and fans…
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Phuket celebrates Children’s Day
PHUKET: Today is Children’s Day, and youngsters across the island are being feted with games, prizes, and free food and drink in the annual celebration. In Phuket Town, Governor Maitri Inthusut hosted activities at his official residence, including a tour, while other events were underway at Provincial Hall and Saphan Hin. At a celebration sponsored by Phuket Marine Police, the…
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Tiger Disco trial over inferno deaths to start next month
PHUKET: The long-awaited manslaughter trial over the deaths of four people in Patong’s Tiger Disco inferno, in August 2012, will begin next month. Tiger Group CEO Piya Isaramalai and Sara Entertainment Co Ltd each face a charge of causing death through negligence under Section 291 of the Thai Criminal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.…
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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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