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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UPDATE: Two foreigners die in high speed road accident in Phuket
Two foreigners, riding a powerful motorbike, have died at the scene of the crash, after colliding with a car in Chalong. Chalong Police were notified of the incident at 11.30pm on Chao Fa West Road near a local seafood restaurant. Police and rescue workers arrived to find the car with damage on its front right side. Chalong Police report that…
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Vale Matt Pond
PHOTO: Facebook/Marisa Sirirat Pond The Thaiger would like to acknowledge the passing of one of Phuket’s finest journalists, Matt Pond. Matt died peacefully yesterday morning surrounded by members of his family. Matt had worked with Class Act Media (The Phuket News) for five years and was a tireless contributor to the island’s only weekly newspaper. Apart from general news, Matt…
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Pic of female sunbather on Phuket balcony goes viral in social media
A photo of a female tourist sunbathing in a bikini on a balcony of a condo in Phuket. has gone viral in social media today. A Facebook user has posted the picture of the woman lying face down at a balcony of a condominium, her feet were dangling off the side of the building. The photographer was worried she was…
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Officers inspect Koh Racha in public access complaint
PHOTOS: Damrongdhama Centre Officials from the Damrongdhama Centre, Phuket Office visited Koh Racha Yai to inspect the area where locals have claimed that a hotel operator has closed a public entrance. Locals on Koh Racha Yai had filed a complaint to the Damrongdhama Centre (Office of the Ombudsman) Phuket Office. They claim that a hotel operator has closed an entrance which…
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Fire started in Rassada warehouse
A drunken man was allegedly burning some papers but the fire spread, damaging a motorbike in a warehouse in Rassada last night. The Phuket City Patrol Police headed to Soi Honsaithong in Rassada at 6.45pm. Police and fire fighters with two fire engines arrived at the scene. It took about 20 minutes to bring the fire under control. One motorbike…
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Dolphin rescued near Nai Yang Beach
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office A dolphin, found off Nai Yang Beach this morning, has been rescued. The Sirinat National Park Chief Witoon Detpramuanphon says, “At about 7am this morning, local fishermen at Nai Yang Beach informed us that they have found a dolphin near the beach.” “At 11.30am national park officials reported it was a one metre striped dolphin…
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Illegal seafood processing factory raided in Rassada, manager arrested
PHOTOS: The Phuket Fisheries Office Officials today have inspected a seafood processing factory in Rassada. A factory manager has been arrested over illegally operating a seafood factory. The Phuket PR Office reported that officials from the Phuket Fisheries Office as well as the Phuket City Police this morning inspected a seafood processing factory in the Rassada area. The factory was…
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Thousands of Phuketians sign up for ‘Bike Un Ai Rak’
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office More than 4,000 people in Phuket have registered for the upcoming cycling activity ‘Bike Un Ai Rak’. His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has graciously granted permission to the government to organise the “Love and Warmth at Winter’s End” festival at the Royal Plaza and Sanam Suea Pa in Bangkok from December 9-January 19, along with…
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Dead dugong found in Trang sent to Phuket
PHOTOS: DMCR A dugong has been found dead in the sea off Trang province. The body was sent to Phuket for further examination. Jatupohn Burutpat, director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal says, “the dead dugong was found in the sea near Koh Libong in Trang.” “It was a female dugong, 2 metres long and weighing 250 kilograms. No…
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Kata Rocks celebrates its fourth anniversary in grand style
Kata Rocks’ fourth anniversary was yet another celebration of the finer things in life, with guests enjoying a lavish Champagne Brunch Pool Party. Kata Rocks GM Somjai Tungkoo, said the fully-booked champagne brunch pool party on Saturday, November 24 was the resort’s best anniversary celebration to date. “It is truly gratifying how much people look forward to our anniversary parties…
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Phuket Police push a broken down bus out of peak hour traffic
PHOTOS: Traffic Report Cherng Talay Police got together to help push a broken down bus to the side of the road to avoid a traffic jam in Cherng Talay this morning. The Cherng Talay Police Chief Col Serm Kwannimit says, “The incident happened at 8.30am while we were standing in front of the Cherng Talay Police Station for the national…
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Phuket officials rush to control the scores of accidents in Thepkrasattri Road, Thalang
PHOTO: The Phuket PR Office More than 30 motorists since last week have been injured in an accident on part of the Thepkrasattri Road which is under construction in Thalang. Phuket officials are well aware of the issue and have moved swiftly to solve the problem. The part of the construction on Highway No. 402 (Thepkrasattri Road) is a 4…
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Drunken Aussie tourist admits he wasn’t robbed at gun point in Phuket
An Australian tourist, who had claimed he was robbed at gunpoint after being dropped off by a taxi, finally admitted that he was drunk and lost his belongings. On Saturday an Australian male tourist, 19 year old Terrance John White from New South Wales, notified the receptionist at a hotel in Nai Yang where he was staying that he had…
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Burmese baby killed in Phuket Town road accident
A four month old Burmese baby girl died after a motorbike collided with a tour bus yesterday. Phuket City Police were notified of the accident on the main Phuket Road in Phuket Town at 5pm. Police and rescue workers arrived to find the tour bus parked on the side of the road. Nearby they found a motorbike. Behind the bus…
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Marine Department halts construction of Karon retaining wall
PHOTOS: DMCR Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources have paused the Karon Beach retaining wall construction project this week. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources report that officials found that the project was originally aimed at improving the outlook near the Nong Harn Swamp at Karon Beach and to prevent soil running into the sea. The construction…
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Former honorary consul arrested in Phuket for selling counterfeit visa stamps
FILE PHOTO Police have arrested a former honorary consul for allegedly producing counterfeit entry visa stamps and immigration documents and selling them to Russians wishing to come to Thailand. The Nation reports that Pol Maj-General Surachete Hakparn, acting immigration department chief, said the arrest of Kuliushin Vitalii in Phuket province was in response to a court-ordered arrest warrant against him.…
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Phuket’s largest Loy Krathong festivities – PHOTOS
Phuket’s largest Loy Krathong parade was held in Phuket Town last night while police ramped up security for the island’s busiest celebrations in Saphan Hin. The Parade was hosted by the Phuket City Municipality and started at 6pm heading along the Phuket Town Road to Saphan Hin. Teachers, students and officers dressed in Thai traditional costumes took part in the…
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Drive Thru Immigration service officially launched
The Phuket Immigration Office yesterday officially launched a Drive Thru Service to help solve crowding problems in the main offices and the lack of parking spaces. The acting chief of Immigration, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn and the Phuket Immigration Office Chief Col Kathathorn Kamthieng led the officially launch ceremony for ‘Immigration Drive Thru Service’ yesterday. Col Kathathorn says, “The number of foreigners…
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‘Phoenix’ investigation to wrap up within seven days
Officials say it will take up to seven days to understand the full cause of the Phoenix sinking while evidence continues to be collected. Yesterday the Royal Thai Police Deputy Commander Gen Rungroj Saengkram, acting chief of Immigration, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn and the Deputy Chinese Consul-General in Songkhla and Director of the China Consulate-General in Phuket Li Chun Foo…
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Weather warning issued for Phuket and the South
Residents of 10 southern provinces are being warned to brace for severe weather conditions due to heavy rains throughout today from the influence of the remnant storm Toraji. Now downgraded to an active low-pressure cell, Toraji covers the lower South and is expected to move through the Andaman Sea today, said the Meteorological Department in its 13th warning about the…
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Region 8 Police pre-Loy Krathong crime blitz
The Region 8 Police have seized more than 3 million methamphetamine pills and more than 100 firearms during a week of drugs and crimes crackdowns before Loy Kratong, from seven provinces. Detail were revealed at a press conference at the Region 8 Police headquarter in Mai Khao. From November 13-18, before the Loy Kratong festivities tomorrow, police arrested a total…
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12 drug suspects arrested with crystal meth and pills
12 drug suspects have been arrested with a total of 1,964.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ice) and 137 methamphetamine pills in Phuket. Officer first arrested two suspects and later arrested the other 10. On November 18 officers arrested three drugs suspects, 27 year old Suwat Tongtoe, 27 year old Wittaya Seesakrom and 29 year old Keerati Yodpanya. Officers seized 57.25…
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The Phoenix is now high and dry at Rassada shipyards
The Phoenix was hoisted up on land this morning. It is now sitting on the hardstand at Rattanachai Shipyard in Rasssada as importance evidence for forthcoming court cases. Nong Sakunsim, the manager of Rattanachai Shipyard says, “The boat has been brought up this morning when it was high tide. Officers will now start their investigation of the boat.” No entry…
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Phuket China Travel Conference on Thursday
A strategic hospitality event titled The 360° China Travel Market Conference is taking place this Thursday, November 22 in Phuket. The Duangjitt Resort in Patong is the venue, and a wide variety of leading China specialists will be on stage. Currently the slowdown of the Mainland Chinese sector is one of the key challenges facing the island’s tourism industry and certainly…
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Chinese-speaking local guides take to the streets
More than 100 Chinese-speaking Thai tour guides have today protested and filed an official complaint to tour companies to stop supporting illegal tour guides. The complaints have become a regular fixture in the PR game between tour guides and the provincial officials. This morning about 100 Chinese-speaking Phuket tour guides protested by walking along the road in Wichit and handing…
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World-renowned Buddhist scholar officially opens Mindfulness Centre at UWC Thailand International School
On Sunday, November 18, world-famous Buddhist Scholar Dr. B. Alan Wallace took time out of his two-day seminar to officially open UWC Thailand’s on-campus Mindfulness Centre. His visit attracted more than 300 participants, and underpins UWCT’s perspective that mindfulness is integral to a 21st-century education. The UWCT Mindfulness Centre is used daily for secular mindfulness practice by classes ranging from…
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Man arrested over murder of woman in Mai Khao
The Tha Chatchai Police have arrested a man who has admitted to killing his ex-girlfriend in Mai Khao. A man stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death in Mai Khao on November 7 before escaping. Police believe the violent act was brought about over jealousy. The two had been together for only three months. Read more about the original reports of the…
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Ceremonies for the 47 victims held today – Phoenix
The Phoenix is expected to be brought up on to the land at the Rattanachai Shipyard in the next two days. Forensic Police are now inspecting the boat while a Buddhist ceremony was held for the 47 victims today. At 10.30am today at Rassada Pier, where the Phoenix is being temporary parked, the ceremony was led by the Phuket Governor…
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Phoenix under high security at Rassada Pier
The Phoenix is now under 24 hour security guard at the Rassada Pier while waiting for a suitable tide to bring it up into the shipyard. The boat eventually broke the surface just after 3pm on Saturday. Read more about the Phoenix’s journey back to Phuket yesterday, HERE. Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr.Weerasak Kowsurat, Royal Thai Police Deputy Commander Gen Rungroj Saengkram,…
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Phoenix returns to Phuket. But will the Chinese travellers return?
SCREENCAPTURES: Kritsada Mueanawong The vessel, that is at the centre of Thailand’s dramatic drop in Chinese tourists, will arrive back at a boatyard in Rassada today. Back on July 5 it headed out for a day of diving near Koh Hei, south west of Phuket. The day was mostly fine although there had been warnings from early in the morning…
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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