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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Sponsored How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
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Boon Rawd – the reluctant sea turtle
A sea turtle, a sole survivor from a cluster of 87 sea turtle eggs found at Koh Racha last year, is a hesitant swimmer and reluctant to return to the sea. Yesterday officials and veterinarians from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resource (DMCR) Phuket Office and the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) brought the sea turtle to Koh Racha…
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Injured dolphin from Nai Yang Beach has died
The small injured dolphin, found at Nai Yang beach last week, has died. Read more about the little dolphin’s rescue HERE. Read more about the initial reports from veterinarians HERE. At this stage veterinarians believe that the dolphin had caught an infection. The cause of death is now being examined. It has not been confirmed if the dolphin ‘vomited plastic’ whilst veterinarians…
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Bangkok #2, Phuket #11 – World’s most popular destinations
“Phuket rank 11th with about 11.9 million tourist arrivals this year, higher than last year’s 11.6 million arrivals making it Thailand’s most important economy outside Bangkok.” Bangkok has come in second place in the list of the world’s top cities for tourism. The list has been compiled by Euromonitor International. Their Top 100 City Destinations 2018 report has just been…
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“Plastic, the Material that Binds the Planet” – Talk in Phuket
by Ocean Recovery Alliance Join us for a deep dive talk on plastic pollution and some of the global activities underway to slow the flow of pollution to our waters. Speaker, Doug Woodring, was recently awarded the Prince’s Prize for Innovative Philanthropy from Prince Albert of Monaco for his work on this topic, and he is a leading global thought…
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Eight Phuket monks defrocked after testing positive for drugs
Eight monks from three temples in Phuket have been defrocked after posting positive drug tests. Phuket officers raided three temples in Mueang Phuket and Kathu district – Samkong Temple, Kathu Temple and Thepnimit Temple – after locals complained about drug in the temples. Officers conducted urine drug tests on the monks. The drug tests show that one monk from Samkong Temple…
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Serial masturbator caught on camera at Phuket condo
PHOTOS: Newshawk Phuket A man has been sighted on camera while he was masturbating in front of his room at a Phuket condominium in Phuket Town. A facebook user “Lebsuay Phuket” has posted two videos with a message read, “please shared this to warn other women.” “This has been happening since five month ago. He comes out about 3am, sometimes…
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Injured dolphin from Nai Yang Beach still in critical condition
The injured dolphin found at Nai Yang beach last week is still in critical condition. A laser treatment is being used as part of the healthcare for the dolphin. The dolphin was found on Friday. Read more about last week’s rescue HERE. At the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) veterinarians and volunteers are now taking care of the dolphin 24 hours a…
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Two races on Day One of Phuket King’s Cup
The 32nd Phuket King’s Cup Regatta was off to a flying start yesterday with a strong breeze of up to 17 knots, allowing race organisers to hold two races in all classes off the southern part of Phuket. In the top flight IRC Zero Class – for the slick, stripped down racing keelboats – Australian Ray Roberts and his crew…
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Karon locals follow-up on blocked public access
Local residents in Soi Lookpor (Soi Patak) in Karon are following up on a complaint about public access in Karon. They’ve been trying to get the attention of the local municipality but nothing is being done to address the issue. Karon locals, led by Ammara Thepkaew, came to the Phuket Reporters Association after a complaint had already been filed to…
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Lost and found – 64 year old French tourist
A French male tourist, who yesterday became lost with his son, has now been found. Last night Karon Police were notified that at around 5pm a Frenchman, 64 year old Paillereau Jean Michel, had become lost. Karon Police reported that he and his son were driving on different motorbikes heading from Phuket Town to the Thalang area. His son told…
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Alert to avoid Phuket King’s Cup Regatta area
The Phuket Marine Office has issued a warning for boats to avoid areas where the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is being held in and around Kata Bay this week. The event started today. The warning states that, due to the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta being held from December 2 to December 8 in Kata Bay, from 8.30am to 7.30pm each…
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1,000 riders join dress rehearsal for next week’s ‘Bike Un Ai Rak’
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office The Phuket Governor Pakkapong Tawipat along with more than 1,000 riders joined the dress rehearsal for next week’s ‘Bike Un Ai Rak’ yesterday. His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has graciously granted permission to the Bangkok government to organise the “Love and Warmth at Winter’s End” festival at the Royal Plaza and Sanam Suea Pa in…
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How will ‘Chindia’ change Phuket’s tourism future?’
What exactly is this Chindia? In a nutshell it’s a flash drive marketplace with 1/3 of the world’s population – China and India. For a great number of Phuket hoteliers, the first half of 2018 saw marketplace velocity, where RevPAR’s rose on surging demand, and the most often heard comment was the ignominious ‘same same’. Though room rate growth was…
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Netizens disagree with official numbers: The miracle 20% rise in tourist numbers
A story from The Thaiger yesterday stirred up a lot of suspicion that the Ministry of Sports and Tourism are being ‘flexible’ with the truth. The story quoted the Sports and Tourism Minister saying that, since they introduced the visa-on-arrival fee waiver (for 21 countries), the numbers of arrivals has surged 20%. He said in his quotes that the ‘bounce’ came…
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UPDATE: Two foreigners die in high speed road accident in Phuket
Two foreigners, riding a powerful motorbike, have died at the scene of the crash, after colliding with a car in Chalong. Chalong Police were notified of the incident at 11.30pm on Chao Fa West Road near a local seafood restaurant. Police and rescue workers arrived to find the car with damage on its front right side. Chalong Police report that…
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Vale Matt Pond
PHOTO: Facebook/Marisa Sirirat Pond The Thaiger would like to acknowledge the passing of one of Phuket’s finest journalists, Matt Pond. Matt died peacefully yesterday morning surrounded by members of his family. Matt had worked with Class Act Media (The Phuket News) for five years and was a tireless contributor to the island’s only weekly newspaper. Apart from general news, Matt…
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Officers inspect Koh Racha in public access complaint
PHOTOS: Damrongdhama Centre Officials from the Damrongdhama Centre, Phuket Office visited Koh Racha Yai to inspect the area where locals have claimed that a hotel operator has closed a public entrance. Locals on Koh Racha Yai had filed a complaint to the Damrongdhama Centre (Office of the Ombudsman) Phuket Office. They claim that a hotel operator has closed an entrance which…
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Three metre python caught in Chalong
PHOTO: Chalong Municipality A three metre python has been caught in a rubber plantation in Chalong. Staff members of the Chalong Municipality were notified from locals that a python had been found in a rubber plantation yesterday. They tried to catch it using a rope lasso but the snake headed for a nearby tree. After a few attempts the team…
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Fire started in Rassada warehouse
A drunken man was allegedly burning some papers but the fire spread, damaging a motorbike in a warehouse in Rassada last night. The Phuket City Patrol Police headed to Soi Honsaithong in Rassada at 6.45pm. Police and fire fighters with two fire engines arrived at the scene. It took about 20 minutes to bring the fire under control. One motorbike…
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Dolphin rescued near Nai Yang Beach
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office A dolphin, found off Nai Yang Beach this morning, has been rescued. The Sirinat National Park Chief Witoon Detpramuanphon says, “At about 7am this morning, local fishermen at Nai Yang Beach informed us that they have found a dolphin near the beach.” “At 11.30am national park officials reported it was a one metre striped dolphin…
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Thousands of Phuketians sign up for ‘Bike Un Ai Rak’
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office More than 4,000 people in Phuket have registered for the upcoming cycling activity ‘Bike Un Ai Rak’. His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has graciously granted permission to the government to organise the “Love and Warmth at Winter’s End” festival at the Royal Plaza and Sanam Suea Pa in Bangkok from December 9-January 19, along with…
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Phuket joined the Life Saving World Championship 2018 in Australia
Athletes who were heading to the Life Saving World Championship, in Australia over the past week, met with the Phuket Governor Pakkapong Tawipat before heading to the event. The President of the Phuket Association, Anupohn Arunrat, led athletes, who have been competing in the Life Saving World Championship 2018 at Glenelg, Adelaide from November 19 to 26, to meet with…
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Dead dugong found in Trang sent to Phuket
PHOTOS: DMCR A dugong has been found dead in the sea off Trang province. The body was sent to Phuket for further examination. Jatupohn Burutpat, director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal says, “the dead dugong was found in the sea near Koh Libong in Trang.” “It was a female dugong, 2 metres long and weighing 250 kilograms. No…
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Kata Rocks celebrates its fourth anniversary in grand style
Kata Rocks’ fourth anniversary was yet another celebration of the finer things in life, with guests enjoying a lavish Champagne Brunch Pool Party. Kata Rocks GM Somjai Tungkoo, said the fully-booked champagne brunch pool party on Saturday, November 24 was the resort’s best anniversary celebration to date. “It is truly gratifying how much people look forward to our anniversary parties…
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Phuket officials rush to control the scores of accidents in Thepkrasattri Road, Thalang
PHOTO: The Phuket PR Office More than 30 motorists since last week have been injured in an accident on part of the Thepkrasattri Road which is under construction in Thalang. Phuket officials are well aware of the issue and have moved swiftly to solve the problem. The part of the construction on Highway No. 402 (Thepkrasattri Road) is a 4…
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DENGUE: Mosquito 1 – Garry 0
‘Waking The Thaiger’ host Garry Holden was back on air this morning on The Thaiger 102.75 FM after two weeks of Dengue hell. He has some useful warnings.
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Drunken Aussie tourist admits he wasn’t robbed at gun point in Phuket
An Australian tourist, who had claimed he was robbed at gunpoint after being dropped off by a taxi, finally admitted that he was drunk and lost his belongings. On Saturday an Australian male tourist, 19 year old Terrance John White from New South Wales, notified the receptionist at a hotel in Nai Yang where he was staying that he had…
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Burmese baby killed in Phuket Town road accident
A four month old Burmese baby girl died after a motorbike collided with a tour bus yesterday. Phuket City Police were notified of the accident on the main Phuket Road in Phuket Town at 5pm. Police and rescue workers arrived to find the tour bus parked on the side of the road. Nearby they found a motorbike. Behind the bus…
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Former honorary consul arrested in Phuket for selling counterfeit visa stamps
FILE PHOTO Police have arrested a former honorary consul for allegedly producing counterfeit entry visa stamps and immigration documents and selling them to Russians wishing to come to Thailand. The Nation reports that Pol Maj-General Surachete Hakparn, acting immigration department chief, said the arrest of Kuliushin Vitalii in Phuket province was in response to a court-ordered arrest warrant against him.…
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Airbnb launches ‘Airbnb Plus’ in Bangkok and Phuket
Airbnb, the community-driven travel platform, welcomes its next stage of growth in Thailand with the launch of Airbnb Plus in Bangkok. Come December, Airbnb Plus will also be available for bookings in Phuket, Asia’s number one resort destination. Airbnb Plus is a selection of homes of the highest quality offered by hosts with great reviews and attention to detail. As…
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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