Phuket News
-
Russian man arrested over unlicensed Phuket fishing tours
A Russian man accused of running an illegal tour operation in Phuket was arrested at sea today, May 6, after police traced fishing trips allegedly sold through Telegram to Chalong, Mueang Phuket, Phuket. The case began with a tip-off to the Tourist Police hotline. Police were told that a group of foreigners had been advertising tour packages on Telegram, prompting…
-
Thailand plans 80 billion baht airport expansion to become aviation hub
Thailand airport expansion projects worth around 80 billion baht are being prepared as the government moves ahead with plans to position the country as a regional aviation hub. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn recently met with Airports of Thailand (AOT) executives and related officials to discuss aviation development projects aimed at improving airport facilities and passenger capacity.…
-
Police seize heroin hidden in Thai clothing sets bound for Australia
Police in Phuket seized more than six kilogrammes of heroin hidden inside 48 Thai clothing sets on April 30 after a suspicious parcel shipment from Loei was sent to a house in Sakhu, Thalang, allegedly for onward delivery to Australia. The shipment, packed in two sacks, was sent through a private delivery company from Chiang Khan district, Loei, to a…
-
Phuket man loses 58,000 baht in money showing scam by foreigners
A Thai man lost 58,000 baht to a group of foreign suspects outside a bank in the city centre of Phuket last night, May 4, after reportedly showing cash to a foreign woman. The victim shared details of the incident with the Phuket Times Facebook page. He said he had arrived at the bank at around 6pm to withdraw cash…
-
Foreign couple held after sex on moving tuk tuk in Phuket
A foreign couple was detained yesterday, May 4, after they were caught on a viral video engaging in sexual activity while travelling on tuk tuk in Patong, Phuket. A Phuket tuk tuk incident involving a foreign couple engaging in sexual activity in public led to their arrest yesterday, May 4, after video of the incident, recorded by a passerby, circulated…
-
Phuket taxi driver denies assault after argument video goes viral
A Phuket taxi driver denied physical assault on a foreign man after a video of their argument went viral on Thai social media yesterday, May 4. The footage was posted by the Facebook page Koh Kalok Phuket with a caption questioning how the situation should be handled and included hashtags criticising taxi drivers. In the video, a foreign man is…
-
Phuket restaurants hit by wave of foreign dine-and-dash cases over single weekend
Three dine-and-dash incidents involving foreign tourists were reported in Phuket around the same time, raising concerns among local business operators and prompting calls for action from police and officials. The first case occurred on Saturday, May 2, with details later shared on social media yesterday, May 3, by a restaurant owner. She said two foreign customers ordered stir-fried noodles and…
-
Foreign couple rescued from Krabi mangrove after allegedly ignoring safety warning
A foreign couple became trapped in a mangrove forest at Ao Thalane in Krabi during a receding tide after reportedly ignoring safety instructions from a tour guide. The incident took place at Ao Thalane in Krabi province, a popular ecotourism site known for kayak trips through mangrove forests. Tours typically last around 30 minutes and require close attention to tide…
-
Police face backlash for letting 2 foreigners walk naked on Phuket road
Two foreign tourists were seen walking naked along a road in the Kata-Laemsai area of Phuket yesterday, April 28, prompting criticism of local police and officials over their response to the incident. Images of the naked tourists in Phuket were shared by the Phuket Times Facebook page, showing the pair without clothing while standing roadside with a group of friends.…
-
Unlicensed BMW driver kills Phuket transwoman while retrieving dropped phone
A BMW driver crashed into and killed a Thai transwoman on April 25 while the victim was retrieving a dropped mobile phone on a road in Phuket. The incident occurred at around 2.30am on Pathak Road outside an entertainment venue in Chalong subdistrict, according to Khao Phuket. The victim, Auttachai Deeprom, sustained serious injuries and later died in hospital. CCTV…
-
Foreign tourists take turn showing their private parts on Phuket tuk tuk
A group of foreign tourists were criticised after exposing themselves to motorists while travelling in a tuk tuk in Patong, Phuket. Images posted by the Phuket Times Facebook page yesterday, April 27, showed several foreigners standing in the vehicle, turning towards traffic behind them and pulling down their trousers. The page stated in the caption… “Bottoms show in Patong. Foreign…
-
Fists fly after man causes disurbance at Phuket restaurant
Patong police took a foreign man into custody on April 26 after he disrupted a restaurant in Phuket and was involved in a physical confrontation with the manager, with video of the incident spreading on Facebook. The man, whose nationality has not been released, was filmed walking in and out of a hot pot restaurant in Patong on multiple occasions…
-
Kyrgyz suspects wanted by Interpol arrested at Phuket hotel
Two Kyrgyz suspects wanted under Interpol Red Notices over a kidnapping and murder case in their home country were arrested yesterday, April 25, at a hotel in Phuket after fleeing to Thailand. The 26 year old men, Aiat and Adilet, were wanted under Interpol Red Notices on charges of kidnapping, illegal detention, assault causing death, and murder. Both men were…
-
Foreign men caught on CCTV footage stealing guitar in Phuket
A Thai man is seeking help online after two foreign men stole his guitar from a motorcycle in Karon, Phuket, at around 2.30am yesterday, April 23. The 19 year old victim, Kasidit, shared details with the Phuket Times Facebook page and Khao Phuket in the hopes of identifying the two men and recovering his guitar. The theft was captured on…
-
TikTok video of 150 baht coconut in Phuket divides Thai internet
A foreign TikToker recently posted about the price of a coconut on Patong Beach in Phuket yesterday, April 22, pointing out the upcharge in tourist areas, which were met with mixed reactions as debates raged on in the comments. The video, which focused on the price of coconuts in Phuket, left many viewers, Thai and foreign, divided. Some are defending…
-
Foreign tourists slammed for abandoning rental motorcycles at Phuket airport
Two foreign men were seen abandoning rental motorcycles outside the passenger terminal at Phuket International Airport despite signs banning motorcycles and parking, drawing criticism online. The Phuket Times Facebook page shared photos of the men and the two rental motorcycles today, April 22, with the caption, “Foreign tourists rode rental motorcycles to the second-floor of Phuket airport despite no entry…
-
Frenchman files counter complaint after his arrest for assaulting Phuket man during Songkran
A Frenchman filed a counter-complaint after he was arrested yesterday, April 21, for assaulting a Thai man during Songkran celebrations in Phuket on April 12. He claimed the Thai man had started the altercation. The incident came to light after the wife of 38 year old Weerasak Madlee contacted the Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต, alleging that police had not acted on…
-
Thai parasailing staff and tourist fall into Phuket sea after rope snaps
A tourist and parasailing assistant fell into the sea in Phuket on Monday, April 20, after a rope snapped mid-flight. No injuries were reported. The incident was captured on video by a foreign witness and shared on TikTok account, @burcuus, with the caption “That was close.” The footage shows two men, believed to be a tourist and a parasailing assistant, being…
-
Russian suspect arrested in Phuket over scam cash withdrawals
Police in Phuket arrested a Russian national yesterday, April 20, in connection with a call centre scam after he was found withdrawing funds linked to fraudulent operations. The suspect, identified as 41 year old Anton Kurchenko, was monitored by Phuket Provincial Police after making multiple ATM withdrawals outside a supermarket in Soi Ta-iad, Chalong subdistrict. According to a report from the…
-
Foreigner claims 0% tax after buying 56 million baht Phuket home
A foreign social media user has drawn attention online after claiming to have bought a 56 million baht home in Phuket and could live in Thailand long-term while paying zero tax on global income. The post, shared on X, showed the individual with his partner alongside a message stating they had signed a contract to purchase a “dream home” near…
-
2 Frenchmen arrested for assault on Thai motorcyclist in Phuket Songkran celebrations
A Thai man suffered serious injuries after he was attacked by Frenchmen in Phuket on April 13 after refusing to join a Songkran water fight. The victim’s girlfriend, 27 year old Maytinee Sila, went to Patong Police Station on the day of the incident to report the assault on her 29 year old boyfriend, Kunanya Phokham. The incident took place at…
-
Phuket tourists arrested after soaking police at Songkran command post
Patong police have arrested a group of foreign tourists after video footage showed them directing high-pressure water guns at officers on duty during the Songkran festival in Patong, Phuket, on April 13. The incident occurred at a police command tent set up in Patong Municipality for the Patong Songkran Beach Festival 2026. Footage of the incident, which circulated on social…
-
Phuket locals call for tougher action on foreigners with disruptive behaviour during Songkran
A group of foreigners in Phuket is facing public criticism after reports of aggressive behaviour during Songkran Festival, including blocking roads, harassing motorists and inappropriate conduct towards women. Officers from Patong Police Station arrested the group on April 14 after a viral video showed them forcing open a van door and throwing water at the driver and inside the vehicle.…
-
Phuket landfill fire contained but smoke continues
A fire broke out at a waste site in Saphan Hin, Mueang district, Phuket, yesterday, April 11, with officials containing the blaze but warning of ongoing smoke from the landfill blaze. The incident was reported at about 3.17pm at the Phuket City Municipality landfill site. Flames were found in landfill pits four and five, with the fire believed to have…
-
French tourist injured in gold necklace snatching in Phuket
A French tourist sustained a neck injury during a gold necklace snatching on Bangla Road in Phuket yesterday, April 9, but managed to recover the jewellery from the thief. Phuket Times Facebook page reported that the incident took place at about 4am while the tourist was walking on Bangla Road with two friends. A Thai friend recorded a video showing…
-
Interpol-wanted Swedish mafia arrested in Phuket condominium
A Swedish national wanted under an Interpol Red Notice was arrested in Phuket yesterday, April 9, for involvement in murder, illegal weapons offences, and drug trafficking in Sweden. Phuket Provincial Police carried out the operation as part of a wider crackdown on foreign nationals involved in crime, including suspects who fled their home countries or used Thailand as a base for…
-
Foreign driver hits motorcycle, injures three girls in Phuket
A crash in Phuket left three Thai girls aged 14 injured after a foreign driver crossed into the opposite lane and hit a motorcycle in Sakhu subdistrict, Thalang district, at 3.15pm on April 8. CCTV footage later shared by the Phuket Times page yesterday, April 9, showed a sedan driven by a foreign national crossing into the opposite lane and hitting…
-
Israeli national arrested for nominee-run travel agency in Phuket
Police arrested an Israeli national in Phuket yesterday, April 8, for operating a travel agency illegally through a Thai nominee. Officers from the Department of Tourism and Tourist Police investigated illegal travel agencies in Phuket and found two companies in breach of the law. The first company, Gmat Hospitality, was found to be operating through a Thai nominee. Investigators said…
-
Thai man arrested for shooting colleague at Phuket warehouse
A gunman who shot his colleague at a warehouse in Ratsada, Phuket, was arrested at a hotel yesterday evening, April 7, following a police search. The suspect, 50 year old Prakit Pannarai, opened fire on his colleague, 40 year old Wirat Nawadate, at a retail store warehouse on April 6. Prakit fired three shots, striking Wirat in the body and…
-
Thai man escapes after shooting colleague at Phuket warehouse
Police are searching for a gunman who escaped after shooting his colleague at a warehouse in Phuket yesterday, April 6, leaving the victim in critical condition. Officers from Mueang Phuket Police Station were alerted to the shooting by medical staff at Mission Hospital Phuket. The victim, identified as 40 year old Wirut, suffered gunshot wounds to his body and leg…
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.
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.