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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Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...
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Rolling the dice: Phuket authorities detain 18 in illegal betting crackdown
Following a tip-off, local authorities in Thalang in Phuket detained 18 people in connection with illegal gambling activities at the weekend. The raid on Sunday, August 13 was orchestrated by the Thalang Police and happened in a local venue in Moo 8, Srisoonthorn. Upon arrival, law enforcers discovered a crowd revelling in the forbidden pleasures of illicit gambling. Eight men…
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Patong Police raid massage parlours exploiting underage workers
In a recent crackdown on unlicensed operations, the Patong Police force swooped in on two massage parlours suspected of exploiting underage workers. Hatha Massage, located on Rat-Uthit 200 Pi Road, underwent a law enforcement raid at 9.40pm on August 12. The law enforcement action came on the heels of allegations that the establishment was not only operating without the necessary…
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SmartLand app scam: Phuket arrest made, victims lose millions
On the popular tourist island of Phuket, a 25 year old man has been apprehended on charges of facilitating a mule account for a fraudulent application known as SmartLand. The application has reportedly swindled people out of millions of baht. The individual, referenced by authorities solely as Winat or Oil, was arrested in a high-traffic lifestyle shopping mall located in…
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Patong police clamp down on tuk tuk misuse of public parking spaces
In a stringent move, Patong Police issued a stringent directive for all tuk tuk drivers to cease occupancy of public parking spaces, with a particular focus on the area alongside Patong Beach Road. The authorities swung into this action following an incident involving a tuk tuk driver who unlawfully utilised a public parking spot on the Beach Road, also known…
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Phuket officials probe safety standards after speedboat’s reckless wave maneuvering
Following a public outcry driven by online footage showcasing the reckless manoeuvring of a tour speedboat through large waves, the Phuket Marine Office has released a statement on the incident. The speedboat, distinctly labelled Natthicha 555, flagrantly disregarded a water safety notice by failing to equip its tourists with life jackets. The persisting unsafe sea conditions were the triggering reason…
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Angsana Laguna Phuket welcomes Chef Giordano Roscini and Chef Sunil Kumar
The Angsana Laguna Phuket is a hotel that caters to the modern traveller who seeks style and authenticity. The luxury provided by the beautiful environment, azure ocean, large swimming pool, and eye-catching houses and accommodating rooms could only be supplemented by exquisite cuisine. With that in regard, the Angsana Laguna already provides a foundation of eight restaurants with Chefs to…
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Cryptocurrency conundrum: Cyber sleuths collar 25 year old suspect in 1.4 million baht Phuket fraud
A burgeoning cryptocurrency fraud case took a significant turn as a 25 year old man was apprehended by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) in Phuket. Suspected of being a money mule within a criminal operation, authorities allege the man, named Toei, opened a bank account aiding a cryptocurrency fraud enterprise scamming over 1.4 million baht from unsuspecting individuals. The…
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Ocean tragedy: German father drowns, son survives off Phuket’s Karon Beach
A German father tragically drowned while swimming at Karon Beach in Phuket yesterday while his 11 year old son survived the terrifying incident. The Thai lifeguard team on Karon Beach rescued the 52 year old German, Jurgen Ralf Wiltzsch, who lost consciousness at the bottom of the sea. The rescue team was called to the scene and provided CPR to…
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Barber shop owner’s illegal tangle: Hot water over hiring allegations in Phuket
In a recent incident unfolding in the heart of Phuket, a 38 year old female business owner in Patong finds herself in hot water because of allegations of illegal employment practices at her barber shop. Known only as “Petladda,” the woman is facing potential charges for her suspected recruiting habits after a second incident of a foreigner found working illegally…
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Car accident pins Phuket man’s legs in crushed car
An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding a car accident, as a local man from Chalong, Phuket lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree. The car crash took place in Mai Khao when the man was entering the island late afternoon. The report of the car accident reached the Tha Chatchai Police at 4.55pm. The…
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Patong gunfire: Prime suspect in the incident nabbed after intense manhunt
In a recent development in the ongoing investigation into a street shooting that occurred on the morning of August 3 in Patong, Phuket, police arrested the prime suspect. Two men were injured during the gunfire incident and are currently receiving medical care at Patong Hospital. An arrest warrant was issued for 34 year old Nattapong Nachom on Friday, August 4…
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Oil slicks threatens Phuket beaches, authorities seek culprits
In the Thalang district of Phuket island, the beautiful scenery was marred by the unexpected appearance of oil slicks and tar balls along four beaches. These are being carefully removed from the coastline of the Sirinat National Park by a mix of residents and authorities. The cleanup started on Friday after an alert was raised by the Layan Beach station…
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Phuket drownings prompt safety measures and Australian aid
Five people lost their lives in drowning incidents in Phuket just over the past week. The unfortunate victims included four international tourists and a Thai national. This troubling streak has provoked local authorities into a state of high alert, with Thai authorities even recruiting help from Australia. The drownings occurred in Phuket between July 28 and today. In the current…
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Oil spill on Phuket beaches met with quick cleanup response
Late yesterday afternoon marked the start of a clean-up operation on the northwest shores of Phuket. Beachgoers were met with harrowing sight of oil and tar balls, accompanied by traces of oil slick that had made their unpleasant appearance on the beaches. The beaches targeted by the operation included locations at Nai Yang, Mai Khao, Nai Thon, and Layan. The…
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Phuket lucky license plate auction raises 25 million for disabled road accident victims
Funds raised from an online auction of “lucky” vehicle registration plates by the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) were generously donated to aid nine individuals left disabled by tragic road accidents. The auction that took place on July 22 accrued over 25 million baht in proceeds. The lucky number plates auctioned flaunted the Thai alphabet’s “KorJor” set against an exquisite…
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CIB arrest Phuket man for online scam they’ve tracked since 2022
Thai police have taken into custody a local man in connection with a number of online scams, the Royal Thai Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) shared in a media update. The arrest took place on Freedom Beach in Phuket, as the CIB disclosed through a post on its official Facebook page. Although the detailed report refrained from stating the family…
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Nigerian’s dramatic car chase leads to cocaine trafficking revelations
A 26 year old Nigerian led Thai police on a frenzied car chase across in Phuket in an attempt to escape charges that escalated and escalated the more police uncovered. The incident unfolded in the afternoon in Thalang, when the Phuket Immigration Police, along with officers from the Cherng Talay Police Station began trailing a suspicious sedan driving through. When…
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Russian man ignores red flag warnings, drowns at Surin Beach in Phuket
The serenity at Surin Beach in the Thalang district of Phuket was disturbed by an unforeseen occurrence yesterday after a Russian man became a victim of its tempestuous sea. The Russian drowned after allegedly disregarding the clear warnings of danger on the beach—the vibrant red flags signalling a prohibition on swimming. The call stating this incident was relayed to the Phuket…
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Phuket’s fiery pursuit: Officials strive to spark safety but no fireworks fouls found yet ahead of Vegetarian Festival
In their continuous push to secure safety measures in Phuket fireworks stores, officials have not yet identified any businesses operating breaches of critical safety regulations. The investigations, which sparked on July 30, are the aftermath of a tragic explosion at a firework warehouse in Narathiwat. The devastating event resulted in 12 deaths and left 121 people injured. Read more about…
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Wave-riding rebels: Phuket probe targets speedboat drivers who ignored safety notice
An investigation is currently underway concerning two speedboat drivers who allegedly flouted a safety notice issued by the Phuket Marine Office. This unfolded on Tuesday, August 1 when the captains reportedly displayed reckless behaviour by navigating their boats precariously in large waves and powerful winds whilst making their way back from Phi Phi Island. The probe into the conduct of these…
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Surin beach tragedy: Body of 44 year old Thai man washes up on Phuket shores
Tragedy hit the shores of Phuket yesterday as the body of a 44 year old man from Phitsanulok, was found washed up on the seaside. The man, Thawat Sriracha, who had come to Phuket to kickstart a new job, vanished on Sunday, July 30 amid the large waves of Surin Beach. Patrons of Surin Beach on that eventful day were…
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Shocking surprise: Power interruption leaves Phuket residents in the dark
Residents of Srisoonthorn, in particular those living in the Sri-Suphalak Orchid Villas housing estate, Moo 6, Phuket, should brace for a power interruption this week, as announced by the Thalang branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA Thalang). This power interruption, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to last from 9am to 4.30pm. The temporary state of darkness isn’t without a…
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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