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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Phuket: British and South African tourists clash in street brawl on Bangla Road
A brawl between a group of British and South African tourists on Bangla Road, Patong, Phuket, was reported to local police yesterday morning, January 5. Injuries were sustained by both parties and the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation was mobilised to send the injured individuals for treatment at Patong Hospital. Photos of the scene of the incident have been released, however, the…
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Phuket Rajabhat University launches entrepreneurial scheme for student innovation
The Phuket Rajabhat University in Thailand set in motion a pioneering scheme yesterday aimed at fostering entrepreneurial prowess amongst its students and sparking innovation within the community. This enterprising initiative, launched to nurture future business leaders, seeks to promote business designs born out of community innovation. The grand inauguration of the project was attended by dignitaries including Phuket Vice Governor…
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Phuket authorities step up anti-drug operations, apprehend two suspects
As Phuket’s officials are making moves to address drug use among boat operators, Thalang Police have concurrently stepped up their anti-drug operations. The outcome of these intensified efforts is the recent apprehension of two individuals, confirmed to be in illegal possession of methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba, with intentions to distribute. The Thalang Police Force made public the results…
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Scheduled power cut in Layan Soi 1, Phuket for essential maintenance work
An announced power cut is set to disrupt numerous residences, condominiums, and villa estates along Layan Soi 1, Moo 6, Cherng Talay, Phuket. The Provincial Electricity Authority’s Thalang branch (PEA Thalang) has planned this interruption for tomorrow, The blackout, scheduled from 9am to 4.30pm, is required to facilitate maintenance work on the high-voltage electrical system in the said area. The…
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Phuket continues promotion as timeless destination to boost tourism
Championed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s (TAT) local office, Phuket is set to continue its promotion as a timeless destination, void of an official low season. Director Lertchai Wangtrakuldee confirms this strategy following the significant triumph of last year when the resort province achieved its arrival and revenue targets ahead of schedule. By the end of November, the visitor…
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First fatal casualty reported in Phuket’s new year safety campaign
The bustling tourist destination of Phuket in Thailand reported its first fatal casualty amidst its annual Seven Days New Year safety campaign. The campaign, which began on December 29, aims to promote road safety until midnight on January 4. The fatality was acknowledged at the Day 5 briefing of the Seven Days safety initiative, which also highlighted the road accident…
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Russian upper class take over Phuket properties
Phuket has become a playground for Russia’s wealthy elite, causing property prices to skyrocket by 15 to 20%. Amidst Thailand’s tourism boom and the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, affluent Russians are making Phuket their long-term home, revealed Maetapong Upatising, president of the Phuket Real Estate Association. “Phuket’s allure lies in its world-class amenities, including an international airport, schools, golf…
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Two fatal crashes in Phuket highlight importance of traffic safety
Two fatal accidents have left a sombre note in the otherwise bustling city of Phuket. A motorcyclist lost his life in an early morning crash in Kathu, while a pickup driver met a similar fate on Thepkrasattri Road in Mai Khao last night. Kathu police answered a distress call to the Kuan Lim San Curve on Wichit Songkhram Road around…
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Surprise drug test at Phuket’s Ratsada Pier reveals shocking find
At the heart of Phuket‘s east coast, a pivotal marine tourism hub, Ratsada Pier, was the scene of a surprise drug testing operation today. The results revealed a shocking find – one out of the 18 boat captains and crew members tested had traces of drugs in their system. The harbour, also known as Rassada Harbour, is managed by Seatran…
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English national arrested in Phuket over violent tuk tuk altercation
A violent altercation involving a gun and a tuk tuk in Phuket led to the arrest of an English national. The incident, which occurred on the evening of January 1, involved the suspect, identified as 38 year old Jamie, hitting his co-passenger with a hidden firearm. The argument escalated within the tuk tuk while en route to a café in…
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Ko Mai Thon speedboat accident: Captain found drug positive
A speedboat collision off Mai Thon Island near Phuket on New Year’s Eve claimed the life of a five year old Russian girl, with others facing life-threatening injuries. The tragedy took a bizarre turn as reports surfaced, revealing that the 41 year old captain, currently on life support, tested positive for an amphetamine-related substance. Phuket authorities are now under scrutiny,…
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New Year’s Day in Phuket sees six in hospital after road accidents
Phuket’s New Year’s Day celebrations were marred by the news of road accidents that resulted in the injury of six individuals, as confirmed by the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM-Phuket). The report, released on this morning, provided details of the unfortunate incidents. The injured, constituting four men and two women, were victims of the six acknowledged accidents…
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Phuket welcomes 2024 with soaring tourist numbers and an 8 billion baht boost
Thailand’s famed island paradise of Phuket has just witnessed an impressive upswing in tourist numbers over the new year break. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office has confirmed that the island has welcomed a remarkable 265,000 visitors, contributing more than 8 billion baht to the local economy. The head of the TAT Phuket office, Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, provided these…
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Heavy traffic in Phuket forces travellers to allocate extra time
Phuket International Airport is once again reminding those scheduled to fly out of the island to factor in additional travel time to reach the airport. This advice, which was initially issued for the new year period, has been reiterated due to persistent heavy traffic on the island’s main roads. This renewed call for travellers to allocate an extra two to…
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Russian tourist child dies in tragic Phuket speedboat accident
Tragedy struck on the last day of 2023 when a speedboat carrying seven Russian tourists, including a five year old girl, crashed into rocks at Koh Maithon while returning to Phuket from Phi Phi Island. The young girl, Liza Pak, sadly lost her life in the incident. The speedboat, named Apirak 89, was believed to be leaving Koh Maithon and…
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Fatal New Year’s shooting in Phuket hotel: police apprehend 32 year old suspect
A 32 year old man was fatally shot in front of a hotel in Phuket during New Year’s celebrations. The assailant, who fled the scene on a motorcycle, was later apprehended by police. The incident occurred at 4.14am today (January 1) Police Lieutenant Colonel Eakasak Khwanhuan, an investigator at the Karon Police Station in Phuket, was notified of the shooting…
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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