Phuket News
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Foreigner filmed leaving Phuket steakhouse without paying
A Phuket dine and dash was reported after a foreign man left a steakhouse in Choeng Talay through a back door without paying yesterday, March 3. The Phuket Times Facebook page posted about the incident today, March 4, saying it happened at about 9pm last night at a steak restaurant in the Choeng Talay area. The page did not name…
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Phuket drivers rush to fill tanks as fears of a fuel price rise spread
Phuket motorists rushed to refuel yesterday evening, March 3, with long queues forming at a Bangchak petrol station in Kathu as concerns grew that fuel costs could rise amid uncertainty in the Middle East. Vans and taxis running main routes such as Kathu to Patong were among those filling up, along with riders and other residents. The queue reportedly stretched beyond…
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Bangladeshi woman arrested in Phuket Airport with cocaine and fake documents
Police arrested a Bangladeshi woman at Phuket International Airport on Friday, February 27, after she was found with cocaine and counterfeit documents. Officers from Phuket Airport Immigration detained the 26 year old Bangladeshi woman, whose name was not released, at the international departures terminal on Friday as she was preparing to board a flight back to Bangladesh. According to a…
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Swede charged after alleged single slap leads to Australian man’s death
Police arrested a Swedish man after he killed an Australian man following a slap in the Patong sub-district, Kathu district, Phuket, on Wednesday, February 25. A Thai woman called Patong Police Station and sought emergency assistance after her 58 year old Australian boyfriend, Alan Roger Jolliffe, collapsed and suffered a serious head injury after being struck in the face by…
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Phuket transwoman seeks justice after foreign man breaks iPhone
A Thai transwoman appealed for help on social media after accusing a foreign man of damaging her mobile phone, worth more than 43,000 baht, during an argument in Phuket. The woman, whose name was not disclosed, provided video footage and her account to the Phuket Times Facebook page. The page shared the clip publicly yesterday, February 25. In the video,…
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Foreign woman walks away calmly with stolen suitcase in Phuket
CCTV footage captured a foreign woman, believed to be an Indian national, stealing a suitcase from a luggage shop in Phuket yesterday, February 25. The Phuket Times Facebook page shared the security camera clip today, February 26. The footage showed a woman walking along a footpath in front of the luggage store before stopping outside. She was then seen taking…
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Patong police investigates death of Australian tourist in Phuket
Police in Phuket are investigating the death of an Australian man who died at a hospital late yesterday, February 25, after reportedly being assaulted earlier the same day in Patong. Patong Police were notified at about 11pm that a foreign tourist had died at Patong Hospital, prompting officers to attend and begin an investigation. The deceased was identified as 58…
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Phuket tuk tuk driver filmed hitting car of Russian couple
A Russian couple had accused a Thai tuk tuk driver of threatening them and damaging their car during a road dispute outside a convenience store in Phuket. The Phuket News Facebook page reposted a video of the incident and the couple’s account yesterday, February 24. The footage, recorded by the couple, showed a tuk tuk driver in a white T-shirt…
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Thai fishermen rescue foreigner as unmanned boat spins off Phuket beach
Thai fishermen rescued a foreign tourist after he fell from his dinghy, causing the unmanned boat to spin in circles off Nai Yang Beach in Phuket yesterday, February 22. The incident was shared publicly after a police officer, Bandasak Silert from Ao Luek Police Station, recorded the scene on his mobile phone while spending time on the beach with his…
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Foreign woman alleges rude treatment in Thailand, sparking controversy
A foreign woman drew criticism online after posting a TikTok video claiming Thai people were rude to her by ignoring her questions due to language barriers. The foreign tourist, who identified herself as Farah, shared the video on her TikTok account @fdontcare on February 21. In the caption, she wrote, “So bad I love it here but be ready for…
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Woman arrested in Bangkok over Phuket crypto investment scam
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) today, February 20, arrested a woman in Bangkok, in connection with a crypto investment scam arrest case linked to a complaint in Phuket. CIB officers from the Special Operations division arrested 34 year old Haruethai at Mo Chit 2 bus terminal in Lat Yao, Chatuchak, under a December 27, 2022, arrest warrant issued by the…
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Phuket airport bus denies forcing Thai students off for foreigners
Phuket airport bus denied abandoning Thai students to make room for foreigners after a video and complaints from parents circulated online. Parents shared a clip with several local news agencies yesterday, February 19. The video showed students getting off an airport bus operated by Phuket Mahanakorn Company, which reportedly runs services between the Thalang area and Phuket International Airport. Parents…
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Four arrested as police seize cocaine in Patong and Phuket airport
A joint operation in Phuket last night, February 17, led to the arrest of four foreign suspects and the seizure of more than 3.1 kilogrammes of cocaine, as police move to disrupt an alleged transnational drug network targeting tourists. The operation was led by the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) under Lieutenant General Achayon Kraithong, along with Phuket Provincial Police commander…
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Russian tourist rescued after leg slips into drainage in Phuket
Police in Sakhu, Phuket, assisted a Russian tourist yesterday evening, February 17, after her leg slipped into a drainage opening at Naithon Beach, with officers and bystanders working together to free her. Sakhu Police said they were alerted at 5.45pm following a report that a Russian tourist had fallen into a drain in the Naithon Beach area. The response was led…
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Foreign women attend Phuket temple fair in bikinis, sparking online debate
An online debate ensued after two foreign women attended a Phuket temple fair in bikinis. Some netizens disapproved of the revealing clothes, while others criticised the Thai man for being rude in his video recording. The Thai man recorded the two women walking through the fair at Chalong Temple and shared the video with the local news Facebook page Phuket Andaman News.…
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Phuket officials rules entry fee legal but condemn racist behaviour
Officials from the Phuket Provincial Commerce Office addressed public backlash after a souvenir shop owner was filmed making a racist gesture towards a Chinese tourist and charging an entry fee of 40 baht. The controversy erupted after a video of the owner of a ceramic and souvenir shop called “Positive Thinking” went viral on the Chinese social media platform Douyin.…
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Russian manager and Burmese worker held at Phuket illegal hookah bar
Police in Phuket raided a foreign-owned bar in Thalang district for operating without a permit, opening beyond permitted hours and providing hookah to customers, leading to the arrest of a Russian manager and a Burmese worker. Administrative officers carried out the raid at Safari Lounge Bar at 12.45am yesterday, February 15, after residents reported suspected illegal activity. The venue is…
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Taiwanese man arrested for unlicensed dental clinic in Phuket
Police raided an unlicensed dental clinic in Phuket yesterday, February 12, and arrested a Taiwanese man accused of providing treatment without permission. Wichit Police Station officers, working with the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, carried out the operation at 6.10pm at Sunrise Smile Dental Clinic, located on the second floor of a building behind a department store in Wichit sub-district, Mueang district,…
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Nine foreigners busted in Phuket luxury villa poker raid
Police in Phuket arrested nine foreign nationals at a luxury villa in Rawai on February 11 after uncovering an illegal poker operation promoted through Instagram that required players to pay 20,000 baht per session. Officers had received information that a group of foreigners were advertising poker games via an Instagram account named Poker Level. The promotional messages, written in Russian,…
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Oil spill from sunken cargo ship off Phuket not expected to threaten islands
Authorities say a refined oil spill from a cargo ship that sank near Phuket over the weekend is unlikely to threaten nearby islands or coral reefs, with the slick now drifting out to open waters. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) confirmed yesterday, February 10, that the latest oil spill modelling shows the refined petroleum is moving southwest, away from coastal…
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Calls for action after foreign motorcyclist confronts Phuket schoolgirl
A viral video showing a foreign motorcyclist aggressively threatening a young Thai student and her guardian in the Patong area of Phuket sparked public criticism and demands for deportation. The video was shared on Facebook on Friday, February 6, by Jeerawut Wangnurak, who condemned the foreigner’s behaviour. In his caption, Jeerawut wrote… “Have you ever seen Thai people without smiles?…
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Colombian man arrested over fatal shooting of Iraqi tourist in Phuket
Police arrested a Colombian national in connection with the fatal shooting of an Iraqi tourist in the Patong area of Phuket on Saturday, February 7. Officers confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody on Sunday, February 8, following an intensive manhunt led by Patong Police Station. The victim was identified as a 24 year old Iraqi man, Ameer Mundher Mahmood.…
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Phuket tightens motorcycle rental rules, targets tourist infractions
Phuket officials are increasing regulations on motorcycle rental businesses and addressing unlicensed and reckless riding by foreign tourists. This follows a multi-agency meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on February 6, which was chaired by Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn. The initiative aims to reduce road accidents while maintaining the province’s tourism appeal. The meeting included representatives from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Phuket…
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Iraqi tourist shot dead in Phuket; police hunt for gunman
A violent incident unfolded in Phuket when a helmeted assailant shot and killed an Iraqi tourist in a shocking attack that has raised serious concerns. The Patong Police Station is actively investigating the case apprehend the suspect. Yesterday, on February 7, Police Sub-Lieutenant Thapnatthon Meejeena of the Patong Police Station received a report of a shooting that occurred opposite the…
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Swedish man arrested in Phuket over alleged rape of fellow tourist
Police arrested a Swedish man at a hotel in Phuket for the alleged rape of a woman from the same country, following a complaint filed earlier this week. The arrest was confirmed on Wednesday, February 5, after officers from Patong Police Station tracked down the suspect at a hotel on Na Nai 8 Road in Kathu district, Phuket. The 32…
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Filipina woman arrested at Phuket over theft and forged documents
Police arrested a Filipina woman at the Phuket Immigration Office after discovering that she was wanted under an arrest warrant for theft and the use of forged documents while she was attempting to renew her visa. The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 3, when the woman visited the Phuket Immigration Office to apply for a visa renewal and extend her…
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Foreigner seen relaxing on SUV roof during Phuket traffic
A foreign man surprised onlookers on the road as he relaxed on the roof of a moving SUV, casually using his mobile phone while the vehicle crawled through heavy traffic on a busy road in Patong, Phuket. The incident, caught on video and shared by the PhuketTimes Facebook page today, February 5, shows the man lying face down on the…
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Russian runner protests Phuket race organiser, throws medal away
A Russian runner criticised the organiser of a running event in Phuket after being accused of following the wrong route and being disqualified, insisting that the mistake was caused by the organiser rather than by him. The Russian runner, Sergey Zyryanov, shared a video on social media showing himself throwing a medal from the Running@Wichit event into a rubbish bin.…
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French couple deported and blacklisted after sex on Phuket tuk tuk
A French couple are facing deportation and blacklisting from Thailand after being arrested for engaging in a sexual act while travelling on a tuk tuk in Phuket last month. The case came to light after a Thai motorist, who was driving behind a tuk tuk on Patong Hill in Phuket on January 29, noticed the inappropriate behaviour of a foreign…
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Phuket’s Big Buddha viewpoint set to reopen after renovations this month
The Big Buddha viewpoint, located between Chalong and Kata in Phuket, is anticipated to welcome visitors again this month, bringing cautious optimism to locals and tourism operators alike. Phra Khru Wisutkitiyaphon, abbot of Wat Kittisangkharam, has announced that the reopening will occur once renovations and cleaning are completed, with an exact date still pending confirmation. Temple officials continue to coordinate…
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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