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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Thai mothers caving to superstition or private hospital wishes when having babies
by Kornwaree Panyasuppakun and Tim Newton “Many babies in Thailand are born to suit ‘auspicious days’ or the Obstetrician’s golf plans.” The expectant mother reported to the private hospital in Phuket where she and her husband had decided to have their first baby. When she walked in for her appointment with the Obstetrician the first question was when she wanted to…
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40,000 meth pills hidden in model cars
Phuket police have seized 40,000 methamphetamine pills, crystal methamphetamine and heroin from model cars sent via parcels in the post. The three suspects arrested are 29 year old Thai national John Marako Viccos, 29 year old Tipparat Prompramoon and 44 year old Udom Rattanamanee. Police seized 39,820 methamphetamine pills, 18.80 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 0.18 grams of heroin. Police…
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Australian tourist shoots himself at a Sakoo shooting range
A 25 year old Australian tourist has sustained serious injuries following a gunshot at a shooting range in Sakoo today. Sakoo is a Tambon near the Phuket International Airport. The Phuket Tourist Police report that they were notified from the Sakoo Police at 2pm that a male Australian tourist, later identified as Cook Jayden Antony, used an automatic handgun to…
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Drunk Phuket Tuk Tuk driver charged after running red lights
PHOTO/VIDEO: Nicky phukettour / Newshawk Phuket The drunk driver’s behaviour was bad enough. The police pursuit also poses questions…. A drunk Tuk Tuk taxi driver has been charged after running through red lights in Patong. Patong Police report that a Tuk Tuk taxi driver has run through red lights at 4.45pm from the traffic light near Bangla road, Jungcelon Department…
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Snap for Stray exhibition @ Limelight Avenue
The Soi Dog Foundation has mounted the ‘Snap for Stray’ Photo Exhibition which will run until September 29 at Limelight Avenue in Phuket Town. The exhibition gathers 40 beautiful photographs from contestants of the Snap for Stray Photo Contest held earlier last month. The exhibition aims to change peoples’ attitude about stray dogs, showing them that strays can be lovely,…
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Foreigner sets fire to his house then tries to jump off cliff
A foreign man, who set fire to a house he was living in with his Thai wife, tried to jump off a cliff in Rawai this morning. Firefighters were notified about the incident at a house in Rawai earlier today. When firefighters arrived at the scene, the house was already well ablaze. It took half an hour to put out…
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Police hunting for Phuket coffee shop thief
Phuket police are hunting for a thief who has broken into a coffee shop in Thalang this week. Thalang Police were notified of the incident at the coffee shop inside PTT gas station on Thepkrasattri Road, northbound in Thalang. Panada Molee, a coffee shop staff member, told police that she had closed the coffee shop at 8pm on Tuesday night…
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Darasamut Underpass to close temporarily for repairs
The Phuket Highway Office has issued an announcement that says the Darasamut Underpass (adjacent to Central Festival) will be closed from 9am to 3pm on Thursday (September 27). The announcement says, “Both the northbound and southbound lanes through the underpass will be temporary closed.” “Workers will be carrying out maintenance, repairing water pumps and fans from 9am to 3pm on September…
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Two injured in By Pass road roll-over
PHOTOS: Jao Blue Car 2299 / Newshawk Phuket Two people have been injured after an SUV careered off the side of Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Road (Bypass Road) last night. Rescue workers were notified of the accident on the By Pass Road, southbound, around 11pm. They arrived at the scene to find an SUV rolled over on the roadside verge. Inside the…
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Two motorists died in Phuket road accident
PHOTOS: CITY LAW 201 / Newshawk Phuket Two motorists havedied in a road accident on Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Road (Bypass Road), southbound this morning. The Phuket City Police were notified of the accident at 5.45am this morning. Emergency responders and police arrived at the scene two find one deceased female and one deceased male. Two identification cards were found with their personal…
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Seven Phuket police questioned, more evidence collected
PHOTO: The pursued pickup slams through motorcyclists at a traffic light in Rassada. Seven Phuket police today have been called to acknowledge the charge of intent to murder. More evidence has also been collected. At the Cherng Talay Police station today a team of investigators, including police, prosecutors and representative from the lawyers council, have spoken to the seven police.…
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Tourism stakeholders commit to plastic-free future at PHIST
PHIST – Phuket Hotels for Island Sustaining Tourism Forum 2018 Leading hotels and tourism groups have signed the “Phuket Pledge” at Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism Forum 2018 (PHIST) establishing a model for the future development of islands throughout Asia that embraces sustainability as a core and sets urgent goals for long-term change. The Phuket Pledge is a commitment…
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Seven Phuket police charged with intent to murder
Seven Phuket police have been charged with intent to murder after a man was shot dead after breaking through a checkpoint. A Phuket man, who broke the Phuket City Police checkpoint, was shot and died after allegedly attempting to open fire on police in Cherng Talay very early on (September 18). Read more about the man running the checkpoint and…
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A ‘pawsome’ Sunday with Surf for Soi Dog at SurfHouse Kata Beach
Soi Dog Foundation, teaming up with Surf House Phuket, had a ‘pawsome’ day of surfing yesterday. The proceeds from the surfing tickets were donated to contribute to the work of Soi Dog on helping to relieve the suffering of dogs and cats across Thailand and Asia. The charity surfing session took place from midday until 6pm and was attended by…
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Seven Phuket police transferred off the island after man shot dead
Seven police officers have already been transferred out of Phuket while investigations continues after a man was shot dead by police following the man breaking through a checkpoint in Phuket Town last week. The Phuket man, who broke a Phuket City Police checkpoint, died after ‘attempting’ to open fire on police in Cherng Talay early on September 18. Read more…
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Foreign man rescued after drifting out to sea
PHOTOS: Mam 5828 H 117 / Newshawk Phuket A European man has been rescued after he was floating off Patong Beach for almost two hours over the weekend. Kusoldharm Rescue were notified about the incident at 8.35pm on Saturday night. Divers from Kusoldarm Foundation searched for the man for two hours while Patong lifeguards were on standby on the beach. Luckily…
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Phuket Tourist Police stop to help at a road accident
PHOTOS: The Phuket Tourist Police / Newshawk Phuket Lt Col Milin Peanchang and Capt Eakkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police were on the way to meet the Phuket Governor, Norraphat Plodthog. But it wasn’t going to be a normal drive to meet the Governor today. Lt Col Milin Peanchang ordered his team to stop and help a man injured…
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Kata Rocks ends the use of plastic straws
Kata Rocks has launched its new sustainability and social impact initiative as it moves to eliminate single-use plastics in the luxury resort which has already started and will reach its broader goal within one year. Guests staying at Kata Rocks are increasingly eco-conscious and are a driving force behind the shift in demand for sustainable travel options. The decision to…
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More sea snakes sighted along Patong Beach
PHOTOS: ได้หมด ถ้าสดชื่น / Newshawk Phuket Many sea snakes have been found along the shores of Patong Beach this morning (September 21). About five sea snakes were caught by boat operators, Patong lifeguards and locals in the early hours of Friday. Local fishermen say sea snakes are usually found in open seas and swimming on the water surface. Their food is…
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Big Bike rider dies in Phuket road accident
PHOTO: Kjnine999 / Newshawk Phuket A motorbike rider died in a road accident in Kathu early this morning (September 21). Rescue workers were notified about the accident on Phra Phuket Kaew Road, heading from Kathu to Patong near the Bang Chak gas station at 2.10am. Rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of a man who was…
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Anatomy of a photo
PHOTO: หญิง’ โลนลี่ / ¥.OunG.¥ / เหยี่ยวข่าว ภูเก็ต Yesterday a dramatic photo of an approaching storm front was a big hit, being shared many thousands of times. It was taken at the Phuket International Airport at 14.39, according to the time stamp. The photo was taken by members of the Newshawk news team in Phuket, news partners with The Thaiger.…
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Russian tourist stung by ‘fire jellyfish’ at Patong Beach
PHOTOS: Patong Lifeguards / Newshawk Phuket A female Russian tourist has sustained a painful sting on her leg from a ‘fire jellyfish’ at Patong beach today (September 20). Patong lifeguards are warning of jellyfish known locally as the ‘fire jellyfish’ at Patong Beach. Fire Jellyfish or Morbakka fenneri can be discovered in tropical watersa. The physical appearance of this jellyfish…
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Koh Payu monkeys have a fruit feast
PHOTOS: Pongchart Chouehorm A team of officers from the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre headed out to Koh Payu where monkeys were released to their new home over two months ago. The visit was to check on their welfare and give them a fruit-fest – LOTS of bananas. Today (September 20), 80 monkeys, which had already been sterilised and released onto…
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Seven arrested with illicit drugs
The Phuket City Police have arrested 7 drugs suspects with quantities methamphetamine and kratom leaves this week. The seven unrelated cases were all aged between 20 and 63 years old. • 63 year old Sanom Netsawang was arrested with 19 of methamphetamine pills. • 24 year old Kosin Daman and 20 year old Wirat Nookun were arrested with 1,250 millilitres of…
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Canada/Australia consular service share in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga
Canada and Australia have added Phuket, Krabi and Phrang Nga, to the Canada-Australia Shared Consular Services Agreement. Shared Consular Services are now found in 30 consular missions around the world. The Canada and Australia Consular Services Sharing Agreement dates back to the principles that were agreed to by both countries in 1986, recognizing the similarities of our philosophies underlying the…
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Chinese tourists injured in Phuket minivan accident
PHOTOS: Sayan Thammaphan Three Chinese tourists have been injured after a minivan they were travelling in rear-ended an 18 wheeler truck in Chalong today (September 19). Rescue workers rushed to the scene of the accident on Chao Fa West Road near Nakok Intersection about noon. They arrived to find the minivan ploughed into the rear end of the 18 wheeler truck at the…
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Chinese tourist in coma after being rescued from surf at Mai Khao Beach
PHOTOS: Kusoldharm rescue workers/Mai Khao rescue workers / Newshawk Phuket A Chinese tourist remains in a coma after being pulled out from the surf at Mai Khao Beach today (September 19). Kusoldarm rescue workers headed to the scene on the incident at 12.20pm. Rescue arrived at the scene to find a male Chinese tourist who had already been pulled out…
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Motorbike rider dies in Phuket road accident
A motorbike rider has died after colliding with a pole in Paklok last night (September 19). Thalang Police were notified about the accident in Soi Bang Ga in in Paklok at 8.35pm. Rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of a man who was later identified as 30 year old Bancha Sangsawang from Nong Khai. His body…
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DNA tests reveal Phuket’s Yanui is a….
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office The DNA tests are in and it reveals that Yanui is a saltwater crocodile. The Phuket Fisheries Office Chief Kowot Kaoeian says, “Yanui is a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).” “The crocodile has been reacting well to treatment. No microchip was found on the crocodile. Scratches were found on its tail, legs and mouth. One tooth…
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Statement from Tiger Marine Charter Phuket
Following the incident over the weekend where a 70 foot charter yacht from Tiger Marine ended up stranded off Koh Phi, necessitating the Spanish tourists to swim over to another vessel to be taken back to shore, Tiger Marine have contacted The Thaiger (no connection) and asked us to post their response. The original story HERE. Here’s the Tiger Marine…
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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