Phuket News
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Phuket airport tightens security, passengers urged to arrive early
Phuket airport is on high alert following the discovery of an explosive device hidden in an abandoned motorcycle on its premises. Passengers are urged to arrive at least two hours early from today, as security measures have been tightened in the aftermath of the threat. The warning comes after bomb experts successfully neutralised the device found on Wednesday night, June…
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Phuket soldier honoured in royal ceremony after fatal sniper attack
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has granted a final tribute to Private First Class (PFC) Pakom Suden, a young Phuket soldier killed during a patrol in Thailand’s Deep South. The special ceremony took place yesterday, June 26 at 1.30pm, at the Muslim cemetery in Baan Bang Malao, Sakhu, where officials, soldiers, police officers, Islamic religious leaders, and family…
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Bomb plot in Phuket: 6 suspects arrested, officials continue search
Officials are searching for two more bombs, which the suspects claimed to have hidden on Surin Beach in Phuket. All six criminals involved in the bomb plot were arrested. Officers from Mueang Phang Nga Police Station apprehended two suspects, 29 year old Muhama Wadeng and 27 year old Sulaiman Gaza, in the southern province of Phang Nga at 3.30am on…
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Phuket’s tsunami drill to test readiness with 1,000 participants
In a massive push to strengthen Thailand’s disaster response, more than 1,000 people will take part in a major tsunami drill in Kamala tomorrow as part of the national disaster response exercise, C-MEX 25. The drill, aimed at enhancing readiness and coordination across six Andaman coastal provinces, is set to be the largest exercise of its kind in recent years. The…
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Patong Beach gets bomb squad and sniffer dogs for tourist safety
Phuket officials are ramping up security in one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations after a safety inspection at Patong Beach, aimed at reassuring tourists and locals. Yesterday, June 25, a bomb scare was averted thanks to the swift action of local police, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, and specially trained sniffer dogs. At 12.30pm, Police Colonel Akanit Danpitaksan, Deputy…
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Explosive motorcycle at Phuket Airport safely destroyed
The director of Phuket International Airport reported that a suspicious motorcycle found at the airport had been destroyed after being confirmed as containing explosives. This did not affect flight operations, and flights continued as usual. Monchai Tahanod, director of Phuket Airport, stated that at 3.40pm yesterday, June 25, Phuket Provincial Police coordinated the arrest of a suspect with a plot…
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2 rescued from ravine after motorbike crash near Patong
A dramatic rescue unfolded early this morning as two people were safely retrieved from a deep ravine after their motorbike crashed along the road to Tri Trang Beach, south of Patong. The Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation received an emergency call at 3.05am today, June 25, alerting them to the accident in which a motorbike had plunged into the ravine, leaving the…
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Phuket deputy mayor jailed for corruption, 4 others appeal verdict
A corruption scandal in Phuket continues to unfold as Deputy Mayor Thaworn Chirapattanasophon faces a four-year jail sentence for his alleged involvement in a botched construction project. The case, which has caught the attention of both local and national authorities, centres around the Bang Yai Canal construction project that was never completed according to the contract. Despite this, an extension…
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Phuket cracks down on illegal migrant labour, 48 workers arrested
To tackle illegal employment, Phuket is tightening its grip on the island’s massive migrant workforce, which now includes around 126,980 workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Provincial officials are stepping up their efforts to ensure foreign workers comply with regulations, with a new focus on monitoring businesses and ensuring fairness in employment practices. On Monday, June 23, Thanapong Oncharoen,…
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Phuket governor’s China trip boosts cancer care and green tech
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwanarat recently led a high-profile delegation to Guangdong province, China, on a fact-finding mission to explore cutting-edge cancer treatment, modern urban development, and green technology. The visit, which aimed at boosting Phuket’s public health services and advancing its vision of becoming a smart, low-carbon city, is set to provide invaluable insights for the island’s future. On Saturday,…
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High stakes on the high life: Phuket drug busts soar
Phuket’s seedy underbelly is under fresh scrutiny after a sharp spike in drug crimes this year, with police battling everything from cut-price meth to cocaine-fuelled parties in tourist hotspots. Government officials revealed the island paradise is facing a rising tide of narcotics offences, with 1,899 drug cases logged between October 2024 and May 2025, a jump of over 10% on…
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Fishing boat capsizes off Phuket, one rescued, one missing
A local fishing boat capsized amid turbulent seas off the coast of Phuket, leading to one person being rescued while another remains missing. The incident occurred at approximately 4.10pm yesterday, June 23, when the Andaman Narenthorn Centre alerted the Third Naval Area Command of the event. The boat, which had two people onboard, capsized roughly 1 kilometre from the Thasak…
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Justice minister unveils rehab plans at Phuket Prison
Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong made a formal visit to Phuket Provincial Prison on Saturday to unveil new rehabilitative facilities and inspire inmates with a message of hope. The minister was welcomed by a host of local officials, including Phuket Prison Commander Prinya Srithanyakaew and Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob, marking the beginning of a day…
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Sick and tired: HIV surge in Phuket sparks shame and scandal
Shocking figures reveal a surge in HIV and STD cases in Phuket, while a Thai student falsely accused of spreading the virus fights to clear her name after being dragged through the digital gutter. Public health officials have raised the alarm after Phuket reported 244 new HIV or sexually transmitted infections, pushing the province’s total number of registered patients to…
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Four arrested in Phuket for assault on massage worker
Police in Phuket have apprehended four young men concerning the assault of a massage shop worker in Phuket Town on June 19. The incident took place at approximately 10.15pm, as reported by the Phuket City Police on June 22. The four individuals attacked 41 year old Suriya Namsak in front of a local noodle shop. The suspects alleged that Suriya…
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Foreign man drives against traffic flow and confronts Phuket motorist
A foreign man, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, drove against the flow of traffic in Phuket and attempted to confront a Thai woman on the road. The incident was shared by the victim on her Facebook account on Friday, June 20. She stated that it occurred at around 8.10pm on Thursday, June 19, on Kalim-Kamala Road, a two-lane route…
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Phuket sets world record with largest Hokkien noodle stir-fry
Phuket has achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous stir-fry of Hokkien noodles, highlighting this year’s Phuket Peranakan Festival. The record-breaking event occurred yesterday, June 22, at Saphan Hin, local officials confirmed. The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), in collaboration with Phuket City Municipality, the Peranakan Association of Thailand, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Thailand…
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Phuket replaces iconic pink buses with new electric fleet
Phuket’s well-known pink Pho Thong buses, which have been a staple of the town’s streets for decades, have been replaced by 24 new electric buses from China, each costing over 5 million baht. These iconic vehicles were an integral part of Phuket Town’s charm, easily recognised by their simple design, which included six-wheeled flatbed trucks modified with wooden bench seats…
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Endangered Olive Ridley turtle rescued from net at Karon Beach
Marine officials rescued an endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle at Karon Beach after it was found trapped in a discarded fishing net on June 20. Officers from the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animals Rescue Centre, which operates under the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), received a report of a turtle washed ashore, alive but entangled in netting. Upon their…
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Phuket police hunt burglar after 2 million baht villa heist
Police in Phuket are searching for a burglar who targeted four luxury villas in a single night, stealing items valued at over 2 million baht in Thalang district. Security footage shared online depicts a man dressed in black scaling the perimeter wall of a villa in Ban Yamu, located in the Pa Khlok subdistrict, on the evening of June 17.…
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Russian tourist drowns after ignoring red flags at Phuket beach
A Russian tourist disregarded red warning flags and entered the sea at Karon Beach, Phuket, before tragically drowning in front of his family. Despite rescue efforts, he was pronounced dead on June 10 at 11.40am. Police Sub-Lieutenant Jaras Lempan of the Karon Police Station received a report of the incident and informed Police Colonel Khundech Na Nongkhai, the Karon Police…
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‘Get out!’: Rally erupts in Phuket over PM’s leaked clip
The streets of Phuket Old Town roared with anger as hundreds rallied against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, demanding her resignation following a bombshell leaked audio clip. Yesterday afternoon, June 19, a group that called themselves Phuket Loves the Nation staged a highly charged protest at Queen Sirikit Park on Thalang Road, drawing a crowd of 200 to 300 demonstrators. Their message…
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Rawai drug dealer busted with gun and meth stash
A Phuket man’s drug-dealing days went up in smoke after police raided his Rawai home and uncovered a stash of meth, firearms, and a bullet-laced surprise. The 30 year old suspect, Thanabat “Bank” Nomsaksiri, was arrested yesterday, June 19, following a targeted operation led by the Narcotics Suppression Division of the Phuket Provincial Police. The raid, headed by Police Lieutenant…
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Chalong sting nabs Uzbek woman in clinic raid
A foreign woman offering backroom beauty treatments in Phuket has been arrested after police uncovered her secret unlicensed clinic. An Uzbek national, known only as Maftu, was caught red-handed operating an illegal beauty business in the Chalong area. The arrest took place on Tuesday, June 17, following a joint raid led by Phuket Provincial Police, Phuket Immigration, Chalong Police, and…
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Fair play! Phuket job bonanza gives jobless a fighting chance
It was CVs at the ready and handshakes all round as more than 1,500 job vacancies were up for grabs at Phuket’s biggest recruitment bash of the year – with employers and job seekers going face-to-face at the Phuket Job Fair 2025. Held yesterday, June 18, at Robinson Lifestyle mall in Chalong, the fair was organised by the Phuket Provincial…
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Brazilian busted at Phuket Airport over traffic crimes
A holiday escape turned sour for one Brazilian man after he was nabbed by immigration cops at Phuket International Airport – wanted over traffic offences and caught just before takeoff. Phuket Airport Immigration confirmed the arrest of the 35 year old suspect on Sunday, June 15, at around 10.30am. The man, whose name was not released by police, was taken…
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Phuket’s economy soars, but 600 Cambodian workers left stranded
Phuket’s economy is roaring back to life, with employment soaring by nearly 100% and tourism revenue skyrocketing. But while the island thrives, a pressing issue remains — the 600 Cambodian workers currently stranded without a repatriation plan. Phuket Deputy Governor, Suwit Pansengiam, gave a promising update today, June 18, revealing that tourism in Phuket has grown significantly since last year. With a revenue of 497 billion…
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Phuket launches ‘City Lab’ for sustainable transport revolution
Phuket is charging ahead in the race for greener cities, with the launch of an innovative new initiative to transform urban mobility. The City Lab project, a key part of the Thai-German cooperation on energy, transport, and climate change, is set to revolutionise the way locals and tourists get around, starting with the use of electric vehicles (EVs). The official…
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Phuket police hit the sand in beach safety crackdown
Phuket police swapped squad cars for surf patrols this week, as officers took to Bang Tao Beach to ramp up safety and stop tourists from drowning during the deadly monsoon season. Yesterday, June 17 at 2pm, senior officers from Cherng Talay Police Station launched a proactive beach campaign in line with safety directives from Provincial Police Region 8 and the…
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Thailand and Malaysia boost maritime security with joint exercise
In a significant display of naval cooperation, Thailand and Malaysia have strengthened their maritime security relations through the 71st SEAEX THAMAL Combined Training Squadron/2025, which takes place from June 15-18. Yesterday, June 16, Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul, Commander of the Third Naval Area Command, assigned Rear Admiral Phachong Rodnikorn, Deputy Commander of the Third Naval Area Command, to officially welcome…
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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