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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PM Abhisit in Phuket for Democrat “Crisis Seminar’
PHUKET: Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva arrived in Phuket yesterday evening ahead of the two-day Democrat Party “Crisis Seminar”, which got underway at the Merlin Beach Resort at Tri Trang Beach this morning. During his opening address, PM Abhisit reminded party members to “perform our duty with efficiency and in accordance with the law and the principles the spirit of the…
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Revitalized Phuket Town to boost tourism
PHUKET: Revitalization of Phuket Town’s Sino-Portuguese heritage was the topic of a seminar held by the Senate Tourism Committee on July 30, led by Phuket Senator Thanyarat Atchariyachai and Phuket City Municipality at the Metropole Hotel. Speaking at the seminar, Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana explained that there were three major plans for the project. The first is to develop…
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Phuket “still life’ wins Wichit photo contest
WICHIT: Chusak Uthaipanumas has won the Wichit Municipality’s “Travel Thai Way in Wichit” photo contest for his outstanding photo Cheewit Haeng Sai Nam Mudong (Life of Mudong Canal). For first prize, Mr Chusak will receive 10,000 baht cash and a certificate of achievement. “I feel delighted. I often go to that area to shoot photos. This photo was taken around…
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Phuket reservoir projects get green light
PHUKET: Work is set to go ahead on increasing the capacity of Bang Wad Reservoir by 3 million cubic meters after Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Phuket Provincial Irrigation Office (PPIO) Director Weerawat Aungsupanith and Kathu Mayor Chaianan Suthikul yesterday at Phuket Provincial Hall. Mr Weerawat told the Gazette that the 300-million-baht project will be…
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Phuket reservoir project stalled by red tape
PHUKET: Construction of the 5.7-million-cubic-meter Klong Krata reservoir in Chalong has stalled because the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has yet to approve a request to use a 60-rai plot needed for the project. According to Isara Anukul, chief of the water allocation division at Phuket Provincial Irrigation Office (PPIO), construction was planned to begin this year and…
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Over 7,000 alien workers deported from Phuket this year
PHUKET: Phuket is on track to set a record number of deportations of illegal workers this year, with at least 7,086 illegals having been deported from the province in 2010, according to the latest statistics from the Phuket Immigration Office. In 2009, 10,790 illegals were deported, preceded by 7,867 in 2008. Announcement of the figures comes on the heels of…
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Dems to hold “Crisis Seminar’ in Phuket this weekend
PHUKET: Leading Democrats and rank-and-file party members will attend a “crisis seminar” in Phuket this weekend. Democrat Party official spokesman Dr Buranaj Smutharaks announced the meeting on Tuesday, saying all Democrat party members “without exception” are expected to attend. The seminar, from Friday to Sunday, is entitled “Concentrating Energy to Solve the National Crisis”, Dr Buranaj said. The emphasis will…
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Phuket Police arrest 15 for alcohol ban violations in Patong
PHUKET: Fifteen people were arrested for selling alcohol at bars and restaurants in Patong on the Khao Pansa Buddhist holiday on Tuesday. Kathu Police Deputy Superintendent Praya Chansomwong ordered police to be on the lookout for violators of the alcohol ban that was in effect on Monday and Tuesday, according to a report in the local Thai-language press. Violators will…
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Bt1m stolen from Phuket temple on Buddhist holiday
PHUKET: Thieves used yesterday’s Buddhist holiday to rob a Phuket temple of one million baht in cash and valuables, Siangtai Daily newspaper has reported. Monks at the well-known Rasadaram Temple, located off the bypass road in Rassada, reported the theft early yesterday evening. The burglary occurred in the monks’ cell area while they were attending a service that began at…
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‘New York City cop’ arrested on drug charges in Phuket
PHUKET: Police on Monday arrested two men caught smuggling some 8,000 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills onto the island at Tah Chat Chai checkpoint. Tah Chat Chai Police identified the suspects as 35-year-old Nonthaburi resident Wesarat Ninjamrat and his alleged accomplice Jad Jedklang, a 26-year-old from Nakhon Sri Thammarat. At the time of his arrest, at about 6pm, Mr Wesarat was…
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Trawler sinks off Phuket after collision with barge
PHUKET: In the latest marine mishap off Phuket, a crew of 12 fishermen were saved by another fishing boat after their trawler slammed into a sand barge off Wichit last night. Pol Sub-Lt of the Phuket Marine Police received a report of the accident at 7am. The 10-meter trawler Sri Thong Prae 4 from Ranong was cruising about 2 kilometers…
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National census underway in Phuket
PHUKET: Thailand’s national census-taking in now underway in Phuket, which is the first province where the data collection is taking place.Phuket Provincial Statistical Office (PPSO) chief Yuthachai Apichaicharnkit said the census, held every ten years, was initially slated to begin nationwide on July 1, but had to be postponed to September 1 due to the civil unrest in Bangkok in…
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MET issued flood warning for Phuket
PHUKET: Due to prevailing strong monsoonal conditions, the Meteorological Department (MET) has issued a flood warning to residents in risk areas of Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Ranong. Issued by the MET Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast) at Phuket International Airport at 11am today, the warning states that residents in risk areas should be prepared for flooding and flash-flooding. It…
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Kids’ crash helmets selling like hot cakes in Phuket
PHUKET: There are only two days left to enjoy special discounts on children’s motorbike helmets on sale at Bangkok Hospital Phuket. The sale, which runs daily from 9am to 6pm, offers five different types of children’s helmets at prices ranging from just 180 baht to 280 baht. Each style is available in a wide variety of colors. Sunantha “Jae Taew”…
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Two Chiang Mai men arrested for selling yaba
PHUKET TOWN: Two men from Chiang Mai were arrested on Wednesday last week for trafficking in amphetamines (yaba). A total of 300 pills of the drug were seized by the arresting officers. Undercover officers observed the two, aged 46 and 24, selling the drug in a restaurant at the junction of Si Sena Rd and Surin Rd. The two were…
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Phuket Raceweek draws to wild close
PHUKET: Winds gusting up to 35 knots and driving rain drew the Six Senses Phuket Raceweek regatta to a dramatic close yesterday with two men being catapulted overboard and at least one boat being left with her mast in tatters. The racers received an early warning before the final day of racing after news spread yesterday morning that Stuart Williamson’s…
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Sunee’s murderer flees Phuket: police
PHUKET: Police have released images of the man they believe is responsible for stabbing Sunee Premprasert and then slitting her throat and leaving her to die in Thalang on Thursday. Tah Chat Chai Police duty officer Watcharin Jirattikarnwiwat told the Gazette this afternoon that police were continuing their investigation, but believe the suspect was no longer on the island. Ms…
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Phuket exhibit fit for a King
PHUKET: Residents and tourists alike flocked to Central Festival Phuket over the weekend to view the “Good Living under His Royal Kindness” exhibition, a tribute to HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej organized by the Royal Thai Army. The exhibit, which ran Friday through Sunday, presented the public with information about His Majesty’s life and the countless Royal Patronage Projects he has…
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Warning to Phuket Tourists: Don’t swim!
Phuket NEWS Hound – A daily digest of news from around the world compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community. PHUKET: Red flag warnings are in force along Phuket’s west coast beaches, several of which have achieved notoriety in recent years for scores of drownings and near-drownings during the monsoon season (May through October). Strong West/Southwesterly winds reaching speeds…
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Phuket bars closed for two days
PHUKET: All bars and nightlife entertainment venues on the island must close for the two-day Asarnha Bucha Day public holidays (today and tomorrow), Phuket Provincial Police have confirmed. A spokesperson in the Phuket Provincial Police planning section today confirmed that there will be a two-day ban on alcohol sales at all nightlife venues. Alcohol sales at retail establishments will remain…
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FC Phuket crush Chumphon FC, 5-1
PHUKET: Coming off a tough 2-0 home loss to Yala, Phuket’s proud new football club, FC Phuket, regrouped with a 5-1 win at home over hapless Chumphon FC yesterday. FC Phuket took the lead 18 minutes into play with a nice left-footed shot from in front of the goal by Sarach Yooyen. Some scrappy play ensued, with Thawin Butrsombat suffering…
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Miss Thailand World 2010 contestants grace Phuket
PHUKET: Thirty hopeful contestants in the Miss Thailand 2010 pageant paid a visit to the new OTOP outlet at Saphan Hin Friday morning, getting a warm welcome from Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) President Paiboon Upatising and fellow PPAO members. Located near the Mining Monument, the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) outlet is a PPAO project built in part of…
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Phuket Town wins international development award
PHUKET: Phuket City Municipality has received an award in the category of ‘Promoting Economic Development’. The accolade has been granted in recognition of the municipality’s ‘Old Town’ project. Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwanasupana said the municipality was also cited as one of 16 “exemplars of good government” by a group of institutions. The group includes the Thai Environmental Institute; Germany’s…
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Katsu blazes into Phuket Raceweek lead
PHUKET: After trailing Scott Duncanson’s Quantum Fusion M on the opening day of racing in the Six Senses Phuket Raceweek regatta on Thursday, Ben Copley’s Katsu fought back with two first-place finishes yesterday to take the lead in the IRC1 class. Quantum Fusion M placed second and third in yesterday’s two races in the class to hold second place overall…
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Giant Clam in peril in Phuket waters
PHUKET: Fisheries experts are trying to find ways to culture hardier types of giant clams in order to make the huge mollusks better able to cope with rising sea temperatures, the state-run Thai News Agency has reported. Kongkiat Kittiwattawong, a researcher with the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC), said giant clams in local waters face a variety of natural and…
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Tourist death prompts Phuket lifeguard warning
PHUKET: The death of Romanian tourist Gheorghe Paulive, who died after being pulled from dangerous surf at Karon on Tuesday, has prompted angry Phuket lifeguards to call for more cooperation from hotels in helping to warn guests about dangerous surf conditions.Mr Paulive, 35, was pulled from the surf near the Karon Princess Hotel at around 11am on Tuesday.He was pronounced…
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Laguna Phuket hold charity raffle
PHUKET: A unique painting valued at 60,000 baht by acclaimed Australian artist Chris Hogan will be raffled off to raise funds for Laguna Phuket Foundation’s Developing Sustainable Schools program. Chris is currently Artist in Residence at Laguna Phuket’s Summer Family Festival. The raffle draw will be the centerpiece of the festival’s “Art Party” in Canal Village on July 31, when…
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Duncanson wins Phuket Raceweek opener
PHUKET: Scott Duncanson and his crew on Quantum Fusion M drew first blood in the Six Senses Phuket Raceweek regatta yesterday, beating Ben Copley’s Katsu by more than four minutes on corrected time to lead the IRC 1 class.Anthony Hastings on Baby Tonga placed third in the class.Peter Dyer’s Sea Bees pipped Mike Downard’s Tuay Lek by just 26 seconds…
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Fanelli arrest: Phuket Police to share Bt50,000 reward
PHUKET: Police investigators will share the 50,000 baht reward money offered for clues leading to the arrest of Ronald Fanelli, Phuket City Police say.Phuket City Police Superintendent Wanchai Ekpornpit told the Gazette this morning that several people offered tips to the police and photos of people they suspected might be responsible, but that none of those led to the arrest…
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Phuket Poll: Do foreign tourists respect Thai culture?
PHUKET: The Gazette last week reported that the discovery of a Buddha image converted by a foreigner to serve as a garden fountain sparked a crackdown by the Phuket Culture Ministry office. The head of that office, Tawichart Intorrarit, commented that many foreigners who visit Phuket seem to understand little about Thai culture. Do you think foreign tourists who visit…
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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