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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Persistent Python vs Dog
https://www.facebook.com/kim.white.98/videos/10216374574019569/
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Sansiri launches THE BASE Central – Phuket
Sansiri launched another one of their ‘BASE’ branded condos with the launch of ‘THE BASE Central Phuket’. Quoting from their media release, “The design is influenced by an enchanting lifestyle where the native people and Chinese from across the seas come together to create the Peranakan culture under the new concept ‘MARK MY BASE’.” Poomisak Julamaneechot, Vice Managing Director of…
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Phuket to hold Digital Innovation Summit 2018: Big Data
Digital Innovation Summit 2018. The event will be held on June 29-30 from 10am to 6pm at Central Festival Phuket East (Home Works ground floor) The main purposes of the event is to build awareness and to drive more understanding about the digital economy and smart city projects in Phuket and nearby. The keynote speaker is Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister of…
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41 more sterilised monkeys released back on Koh Sirey
41 sterilised monkeys have been released back to Koh Sirey yesterday (June 20). Another 52 monkeys were captured at Koh Sirey for sterilisation while 42 sterilised monkeys were released back to Soi King Kaew in Rassada on Monday (June 18). Read more HERE. Pongchart Chouehorm, the Director of the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre at Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area…
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Dead dolphin washed ashore at Surin Beach
A dead dolphin, 1.26 meters long, has been found on Surin Beach this morning (June 20). Officials at Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) were notified that the dolphin had been washed up on Surin Beach in Cherng Talay. MaAnn Samran, chief of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor) headed to Surin beach to head the inspection with officials. Khun…
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Monkey update: Rassada locals say returned monkeys happy to be home
Tha Chin locals in Rassada say they’re satisfied with the way the monkeys were captured last Friday (June 15) while locals say sterilised monkeys at Soi King Kaew in Rassada can get back into their groups now that they’re been released into their area. Yesterday (June 19) Pongchart Chouehorm, the Director of the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre at Khao…
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French expat rescued off Phuket, jet-ski and parasail ban remains in force today
A French expat on a dinghy has been rescued in Ao Yon, Wichit yesterday (June 19) while the Phuket Marine Office has announced that jet-skis and parasails will remain beached until today (June 20). Maj Eakkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police was notified at 1.30pm yesterday that a French man, 78 year old Claude Gasca, had been rescued off…
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Phuket marine chief warns operators about boat safety during severe weather
The chief of the Phuket Marine Office has ordered authorities at all ports and piers, as well as the boat operators, to be careful heading out to sea, including today (June 20). Phuket Marine Office Chief, Surat Sirisaiyat, says “according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) Office, strong winds and waves are still affecting the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand…
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Phuket: Thailand Amazing Durian and Fruit Festival
Jungceylon Patong yesterday (June 18) hosted the launch of ‘Thailand Amazing Durian and Fruit Festival’ which will last until June 24. Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung and Deputy-director of Department of Internal Trade Chatchai Saksinchai presided over the opening ceremony. Khun Chatchai says, “The Ministry of Commerce has supported building businesses together with tourism. The festival is being launced in…
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52 monkeys captured in Koh Sirey, 42 sterilised monkeys released in Rassada
52 monkeys have been captured at Koh Sirey for sterilisation while 42 sterilised monkeys have been released back to Soi King Kaew in Rassada yesterday (June 18). Meanwhile the monkey sterilisations continued, as they have since June 12. So far there are 216 monkeys captured as part of the capture-neuter-rehome program for some of Phuket more mischievous monkeys. 42 monkeys that…
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Phuket: Areas to have water shut off for one week
The Phuket Water Authority (PWA) has announced that water supply in some areas of Patong, Kata and Karon will be shut off from 9am to 5pm on June 25 to July 2. Water will be shut off while work is being carried out conducting maintenance on the Reverse Osmosis (RO) water pumping station in Karon. Areas to be affected are…
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Chao Fah West road closure for Chalong Underpass construction
Parts of Chao Fa West Road will close at night from June 29 to July 28 as the the Chalong Underpass construction staggers along. A meeting was held yesterday (June 18) at the Phuket Highway Office hosted by Phuket Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok and Phuket Highway Office Chief Somwang Lohanut. Vice Governor Snith says, “Traffic problems during the peak hours…
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Ride4Kids – Interview with Romeo Perthuis
PHOTO: Romeo presenting Ride4Kids Organiser Donna Toon with a cheque for money raised at a fund-raiser at his school, Headstart International. Romeo speaks to Tim Newton on Saturday night at the welcome home dinner at Mezzos. Read more about Romeo’s involvement in the Ride4Kids HERE.
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90 houses damaged, power cables down on main roads – Phuket storm
There have been about 90 houses across Phuket that have been damaged from storms whilst eight power cables have been brought down in Thalang today (June 18). This is the latest in our coverage of the unusually wet and windy storms to hit the island. Officials have surveyed all the districts and found that there are about 90 houses which…
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Monkey move to islands postponed due to inclement weather
The task to move some of the migrating monkeys to Koh Payu in Paklok has been postponed due to strong wind and waves while the monkey sterilisations continue. Some sterilised monkeys will be released in Rassada today (June 18). 38 long-tailed macaques were caught at Soi Tha Chin in Rassada last Friday (June 15). Water tanks were also installed on…
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Phuket lifeguards warn about Portuguese man-o-war
Phuket Lifeguards are warning swimmers after Portuguese man-o-war have been spotted on Phuket’s west coast beaches today (June 18). “Warning to all beach swimmers that a Portuguese man-o-war was found on Nai Yang beach, Mai Khao Beach and Patong Beach. If you feel pain on your skin it may caused by their sting. Please contact a lifeguard on your beach…
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38 more monkeys captured in Rassada, water tanks installed on Koh Tanan
Water tanks are now being installed on Monkey Islands and 38 monkeys have been captured in Rassada for sterilisation in the ongoing Monkey move from Phuket to uninhabited outlying islands. 38 long-tailed macaques were caught at Soi Tha Chin in Rassada on Friday (June 15). Water tanks were also installed on Koh Tanan in Paklok last week. Pongchart Chouehorm, the…
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Police hunting for arsonist who allegedly torched ex-girlfriend’s car
Police are hunting for an arsonist who set a Mitsubishi Mirage on fire in Chalong yesterday morning (June 17). Chalong Police were notified of the incident at Baan Nakok in Chalong. Police and firefighters arrived at the scene to find a black Mitsubishi Mirage completely gutted by fire. It took about 20 minutes to put out the fire. The car…
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Phuket storm tears down trees and power poles
“This is the strongest wind he has ever seen.” Heavy rains and strong wind across Phuket yesterday (June 17) have caused trees and power cables to be torn down across the island. At about noon, a big banyan tree, aged around 100 years, fell down and blocked Narisorn Road in Phuket Town. 56 year old Wuttichart Na Pangchang says, “While…
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Two escape serious injuries in Phuket storm
Two people have escaped injures after a big tree toppled by high winds landed on their moving car as they were travelling through Thalang on Saturday (June 16). Thalang Police were notified of the incident on Pru Sompan Road at the entrance of Soi Baan Ja in Thapkrasattri, Thalang at 8.30pm. The fallen tree had blocked the road with the…
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Phuket Governor warns of heavy rains and possible flooding
Following the heavy rain, Phuket’s Governor, Norrapat Plodthong, is expressing his concerns yesterday about more flash flooding. “According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) Office of the Southern West Coast, from yesterday (June 16) until Wednesday (June 20). There is a Southwest monsoon that is affecting the Andaman Sea as well as the whole west coast of southern Thailand.” “The…
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Five days of wind and rain for the south
The forecast over the next five days in Phuket and southern provinces is not good, if you’re a tourist. According to the Thai Meteorological Department, “The southwest monsoon across the Andaman Sea and the Gulf becomes stronger leading to rough sea continuing between June 16-20. 2-4 metre waves will be likely in the Andaman Sea and 2-3 metres in the…
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Brand Andaman ready to start promoting the region
A meeting held at the Phuket City Hall, and hosted by Phuket’s Governor Norraphat, announced that southern provinces are planning to boost tourism with the ‘Andaman’ branding. Governor Norraphat says, “A research paper has been submitted on the creation of a tourism brand to develop Andaman tourism, related to Phuket tourism infrastructure. The brand will focus on tourist locations and…
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New Phuket estate projects get the green light
Phuket housing estates continue to grow as investors are putting their money into the construction of townhouses and single storey housing around the island. The Board of Land Allocation has approved four projects which cost many hundred thousand Baht. Phuket Land Officer Amnouy Pitsuwan says, “Four housing estate projects have been approved for commencement including ‘The Rich 3 @ Paklok’…
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Burmese woman arrested with drugs in sting operation
Police have arrested a Burmese woman with methamphetamine pills and crystal methamphetamine. A team of the Phuket City Police arrested 46 year old Thet Mar Win, a Burmese national at a house in Rassada, east of Phuket Town. She was found with 1.08grams of crystal methamphetamine and 14 of methamphetamine pills. Mar Win has been charged with possession of Category…
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Phuket marks World Blood Donor Day
The Phuket Red Cross is continuing its donation promotion under the slogan ‘Be there for someone else. Give Blood, Share Life.’ The event, held at Novotel Phuket Phokeethra in Phuket Town, was led by the Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong and his wife who is President of the Phuket Red Cross, Sudarat Plodthong. Mrs Sudarat says, ‘The International Federation of Red Cross and…
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Great Phuket Monkey Exodus of 2018: 37 more monkeys captured in Rassada
In the Great Phuket Monkey Exodus of 2018, water tanks are now being installed on Monkey Island and 37 monkeys have been captured in Rassada for sterilisation and then re-location. Yesterday (June 15), water tank were being installed on Koh Payu while 37 long-tailed macaques were caught at Soi King Kaew in Rassada. Pongchart Chouehorm, the Director of the Natural…
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Three arrested with drugs and firearms
A team of Phuket Provincial Police this week arrested have two more drug suspects and another suspect over the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition in a separate incident. Police arrested 29 year old Chaiyachet ‘Chet’ Pollata. Police seized 1,970 methamphetamine pills, 2.8 kilograms of marijuana and eight bottles liquid kratom. Chaiyachet has been charged with possession of Category…
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Suspect arrested with 180 kg kratom in refrigerated truck
A man has been arrested with 180 kilograms of kratom which were being transferred by a coconut refrigeration truck yesterday in Rassada. Police arrested 28 year old Tanabat Petmanee from Songkhla. They then seized 180 kilograms of kratom leaves inside his refrigerated truck. The arrest came after police received a tip-off that Tanabat was transferring kratom to Phuket. Police were…
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48 long-tailed macaques caught for sterilisation in Paklok
Some of Phuket’s monkeys are on their way to new homes off the island. But first a quick vet-check and a ‘snip’ before they continue their journey. 14 long-tailed macaques have been captured at Bang Rong Pier while another 34 long-tailed macaques have been caught in Baan Yamu, both in Paklok, central east in Phuket. The capture is the first…
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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