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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Phuket police arrest 13 Chinese tourists in illegal gambling raid
Phuket Provincial Police arrested 13 Chinese tourists involved in an illegal gambling operation in Phuket Town, supported by locals. The raid, led by Police Colonel Ekkalak Boonsangcharoen, occurred at the Phuket Poker Sports Club in Soi Poonphol at 11pm on February 20. The gambling venue, managed by a Thai national, was secretly catering to Chinese gamblers. During the operation, police…
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Australian couple arrested for snatching belongings from Phuket tourists
Police today arrested an Australian couple for snatching the belongings of two foreign tourists in the Rawai area of Phuket on Wednesday, February 19. The first victim filed a complaint at Chalong Police Station at around 9.30pm, today, February 21, stating that two thieves on a motorcycle snatched her bag while she was outside a convenience store on Soi Samakkhi…
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Foreign tourist jumps from moving tuk tuk in Phuket (video)
A foreign tourist jumped out of a moving tuk tuk on a road in the Patong area of Phuket yesterday, February 20. Details of his injuries and the reason behind his actions have not been reported. Phuket Hotnews shared dashcam footage of the unexpected jump yesterday. The incident occurred as a red tuk tuk travelled from the Patong area towards…
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Thai woman fined for letting foreigner drive tuk tuk in Phuket
A Thai woman faces a fine for allowing a foreign tourist to drive her tuk tuk in Phuket yesterday, February 20. The Facebook news page Phuket Times yesterday shared pictures of a foreign man driving a light blue tuk tuk along a Phuket road, accompanied by a caption criticising the foreigner for allegedly working illegally in Thailand. The caption read……
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Firefighters battle wildfire at Laem Krathing, Phuket
Firefighters in Phuket are continuing efforts to control a wildfire that erupted at Laem Krathing in Rawai late last night, February 20, impacting approximately five rai of land. The blaze, which began at 8.20pm, rapidly spread over 500 metres of hillside terrain, challenging firefighting teams due to the difficult location. Emergency responders faced hurdles as fire trucks and large machinery…
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Phuket hosts Deep South youth for cultural exchange
Phuket is gearing up to host disadvantaged youth from Thailand’s Deep South as part of the San Jai Thai Su Jai Tai project, an initiative designed to bridge cultural gaps and provide life-changing experiences for young people from conflict-affected regions. Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer, Thiraphong Chuaychu, announced the initiative at a meeting held at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, February…
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Speeding motorbike crashes into power pole on Phuket road
A young man was critically injured after losing control of his motorbike and crashing into a power pole on Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket early this morning. The accident occurred near the entrance of Soi Srisoonthorn (Soi RCA) in Village 5, Srisoonthorn, at around 2.40am, today, February 20. Emergency responders from the Kusoldharm Foundation and a medical team from Thalang Hospital…
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Blow and behold: British man’s nose for trouble at Phuket Airport
Drama unfolded at Phuket International Airport as a British man swapped sun, sea, and sand for cuffs at customs for cocaine possession. The 42 year old British man found himself in hot water after allegedly kicking off and creating a scene at Phuket Airport. Following his tumultuous antics, airport officers uncovered 4.11 grammes of cocaine on him, sealed in a…
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Over 100 foreigners arrested in Phuket police blitz
Phuket police sent a strong message to law-breaking foreigners after arresting over 100 people and issuing 1,625 traffic citations in a sweeping week-long crackdown. The operation, running from February 10 to 16, targeted illegal businesses, visa violations, drug offences, and reckless driving, according to Phuket Provincial Police Commander Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum. The coordinated effort, involving Phuket Immigration and…
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Phuket braces for drought: Officials scramble to secure water
As Phuket enters the dry season, officials are stepping up efforts to prevent a potential drought, holding an emergency meeting to strategise water management and mitigation measures. The Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) convened its first working group meeting of the year yesterday, February 17, led by Chief Sopon Thongsai. The session brought together multiple agencies…
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Throttle down: Patong police clamp down on reckless riders
In a bid to curb chaos on the streets of Phuket, Patong police launched a major crackdown on reckless driving by foreign tourists, resulting in over ten motorbike rental operators facing fines. The operation, which swung into action on Saturday, February 15, saw the capture of numerous vehicles, with operators penalised for renting bikes to tourists without checking for valid…
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Burmese man arrested after attempted rape in Phuket
A Myanmar national has been arrested for the attempted rape of a 57 year old woman in Wichit after her son’s sudden arrival forced the attacker to flee. The horrifying incident unfolded at around 1pm on Saturday, February 15, when the victim, identified as Kai, was asleep in her home. The suspect, Soe Aung, allegedly broke in, restrained her, and…
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Tragic Phuket crash: Man killed as car overturns
A 30 year old man lost his life in a horrific late-night crash after his car flipped and smashed into a roadside barrier in Wichit, Phuket, early yesterday morning. Wichit Police were alerted to the accident at around 2.30am, yesterday, February 17, near the Bangchak petrol station on Mueang Chaofa Road, a key route linking Prince of Songkla University’s Phuket campus…
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American man arrested in Phuket for violating foreign business act
Police arrested an American man wanted on multiple warrants at a restaurant in Phuket Old Town on Valentine’s Day, February 14. Officers from the Phuket Immigration Bureau and Mueang Phuket Police Station sought a court-issued arrest warrant for the 67 year old American man, Ronald Ray, mainly for violating Section 8 of the Foreign Business Act: operating a business in…
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Last laugh: Frenchman arrested for laughing gas sale in Phuket
Police arrested a Frenchman at a house in the Patong sub-district, Kathu district, Phuket, yesterday, February 16, for selling nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas. Officers from Patong Police Station posed as customers and ordered laughing gas from the 30 year old Frenchman, whose name has not been disclosed. The suspect directed the officers to collect the item from…
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Filipina woman arrested in Phuket over Bangkok fraud charges
A 45 year old Filipina woman was arrested in Phuket on Friday after immigration officers discovered an outstanding fraud warrant issued by the Criminal Court in Bangkok in 2020. The suspect, identified as Brenda (surname withheld), was taken into custody while attempting to extend her visa at the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town. A background check through the Immigration…
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Russian, Thai nationals arrested in Phuket over wire fraud charges
A Russian national and three Thai citizens have been detained in Phuket in separate operations. The Russian, Egor Nikolaevich Glebov, is wanted by US police for wire fraud charges. Phuket Immigration officers and the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) carried out the raids. Glebov, a 38 year old Russian national, was apprehended at a residence in Supalai Palm Springs, Srisoonthorn.…
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Azerbaijan eyes Phuket: Talks on direct flights and sister city plans
Phuket is on the radar for deeper ties with Azerbaijan. Governor Sophon Suwannarat rolled out the red carpet on Thursday, February 13, for Ambassador Elchin Rakub Ogul Bashirov of Azerbaijan at the Phuket Provincial Hall, where the two discussed ramping up diplomatic and tourism cooperation. With Phuket’s tourism boom in full swing: 13.1 million visitors raking in over 497 billion…
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Phuket motorcycle taxi feud turns bloody in street stabbing
A long-standing rivalry between two motorcycle taxi drivers erupted into a brutal knife fight outside Vachira Phuket Hospital last night, leaving one man seriously injured. The violent altercation, which unfolded at around 9pm yesterday, February 13, saw the men stab each other in a heated dispute over passengers. Phuket City Police, led by Deputy Chief of Investigation Police Captain Pawinut…
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Over 100 couples tie the knot in Phuket on Valentine’s Day
Romance filled the air in Phuket Town today as more than 100 couples gathered at the Mueang District Office to register their marriages in a joyful Valentine’s Day celebration. The event, which embraced love in all forms, saw couples from all backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+ partners, formalising their unions in a special ceremony. The festivities were led by Phuket District Chief…
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Phuket forest fire sparks panic before firefighters contain blaze
A raging forest fire in Thepkrasattri subdistrict, Phuket, sent firefighters and locals scrambling to contain the fast-spreading blaze yesterday, February 13. The fire engulfed over 6 rai of land in Khao Kluay, Baan Pak Pli, before emergency crews managed to bring it under control after a tense four-hour battle. The Thepkrasattri Subdistrict Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) first reported the incident, which…
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Phuket mum on the run after wild high-speed chase
A high-speed rampage through Thalang district has left Phuket residents in shock after a pickup-driving mother smashed into multiple vehicles before fleeing the scene, leaving behind her terrified three year old son. The dramatic series of crashes began in front of a fresh market in Thepkrasattri, where municipal officers witnessed a pickup truck colliding with several vehicles and motorcycles. The…
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Nigerian man arrested in Phuket for selling cocaine to tourists
Phuket Immigration officers detained a 37 year old Nigerian man in the Thepkrasattri subdistrict for possessing cocaine with the intention to sell. The individual, identified as John Paul, was arrested at a rented residence in Village 11, Thepkrasattri yesterday morning, February 13. The operation was a joint effort by Phuket Immigration and officers from Thalang Police Station. During the arrest,…
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Turkish man’s visa revoked in Phuket over Interpol notice
Phuket Immigration has withdrawn the visa of a 32 year old Turkish national due to an Interpol Red Notice. The notice was issued for alleged offences involving illegal firearms and unauthorised sharing of personal data. The Republic of Turkey’s arrest warrant accused the Turkish national, Taskin, of possessing firearms and ammunition unlawfully and disseminating personal information without permission. This led…
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Driver trapped as car crashes into Phuket’s Seahorse Circle
A young driver was left trapped and seriously injured after losing control of his car and crashing into a power pole at Phuket’s infamous Nimit Traffic Circle, also known as Seahorse Circle, in the early hours of yesterday morning. Rescue workers from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation arrived at the scene at around 3am, yesterday, February 12, to find a wrecked…
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Phuket probes kindergarten injuries amid social media uproar
Officials in Phuket have launched an investigation into alleged student injuries at Patong Kindergarten following concerns highlighted on social media. A high-level meeting was convened on February 10, with officials committing to a comprehensive and impartial inquiry. Attendees of the meeting included Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri, Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, Deputy Mayor Lalita Maneesri, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee, senior…
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Phuket cybercrime bust: Six arrested in online gambling crackdown
A significant operation against international cybercrime in Phuket has led to the arrest of six people, including three Taiwanese nationals, connected to a complex online gambling and money laundering scheme. This was part of an initiative by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). The arrests were publicised yesterday, February 11, at the CCIB headquarters in Bangkok. The operation, named Hunting…
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Fare play: Bolt driver warns after Indian couple scams free airport ride
A Thai Bolt driver took to social media to issue a warning to others after an Indian couple tricked him into providing them with a free ride to Phuket International Airport. The driver urged the Facebook news page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (which translates to Phuket is brutal) to share his story and warn others not to fall victim to similar fraudulent…
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Canadian man found dead in car near Phuket beach
Police have launched an investigation after a Canadian man was found dead inside a parked car near Nui Beach in Karon yesterday morning, leaving officers puzzled over the circumstances of his death. Karon Police were alerted to the scene at approximately 9.15am yesterday, February 10, where they found the man’s body inside a Mitsubishi Xpander with Phuket registration. His lifeless…
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From bars to blooms: Phuket’s old prison set for a green makeover
Phuket’s infamous Twilight Zone is getting a green makeover! The historic Phuket Prison, one of Thailand’s oldest correctional facilities, is being transformed into a sprawling public park in the heart of Phuket Town. The ambitious project, led by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), will turn the 33-rai site into a vibrant recreational space featuring an observation tower, a multipurpose…
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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