Phuket News
Discover the latest news and updates from Thailand’s most famous and beautiful island, The Thaiger’s hometown, having previously operated as the Phuket Gazette.
Our team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Phuket, covering everything from local politics and business to lifestyle and tourism. Learn about the island’s stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and thriving expat community, as well as keeping updated on events, and attractions.
The Thaiger is your ultimate guide to staying connected with Phuket’s ever-evolving landscape. To keep up with the most reliable news source on the island, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
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Arab tourist accused of assaulting ladyboy in Patong, Phuket
A troubling incident unfolded in Patong, Phuket, where a 35 year old ladyboy from Songkhla was allegedly assaulted by an Arab tourist. This incident, which took place outside a massage shop on the bustling Bangla Road, has sparked an investigation by local police. The altercation occurred around 2.30am yesterday, November 20, near Benz Massage on Soi Bangla. According to a…
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Phuket and Indonesia strengthen ties to support local community
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat recently welcomed Suarganana Pringganu, the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, to discuss strengthening cooperation and support for the Indonesian community in Phuket. This meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall, underscored the importance of nurturing bilateral relations and addressing significant issues such as the welfare and repatriation of Indonesian citizens. During the discussions, Pringganu acknowledged…
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Russian driver crashes into Thai couple’s motorcycle, denies responsibility
A Thai couple is seeking justice after a Russian man allegedly crashed his SUV into their motorcycle on a Phuket road and failed to take responsibility for their injuries. The victims contacted the Phuket Times, urging it to publicise their story in their pursuit of justice. On Tuesday, November 19, the page shared photos of the accident along with details…
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Thai beauty influencer named first Phuket tourism ambassador
Thai social media influencer, Sasisom Phadungkingtrakul, also known as Mook, has made history as she takes on the role of the first-ever Phuket Tourism Ambassador of Thailand. The accolade, awarded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) under the Amazing Thailand initiative, designates Sasisom as the island’s cultural and promotional representative until the end of 2025. The announcement was made…
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CCTV footage captures fatal fall of British man into Phuket sewer
CCTV footage yesterday showed footage of a British man jumping into an uncovered sewer on a footpath in Phuket before he was later found dead in the drain. Officers from Patong Police Station and rescuers from the Kuson Dham Phuket Foundation were called to investigate the discovery of the body of a foreign man in a drain outside a motorcycle…
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Phuket goes green: Old town steps up for carbon-free tourism
Phuket Old Town took centre stage on Monday, November 18, as the Department of Tourism unveiled its bold initiative to promote low-carbon tourism routes, marking a milestone in sustainable travel for the 2024 fiscal year. Local leaders and media gathered for the showcase event in the historic heart of Phuket, which spotlighted eco-friendly travel practices and the charm of the…
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Bet your bottom baht: Phuket cops cash in on secret gambling bust
Thalang Police swooped on an underground gambling ring in Srisoonthorn, Phuket, arresting 11 people during a targeted raid led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Suchart Luecha. The operation took place at a worker’s residence in Village 4, Srisoonthorn, yesterday, November 19, resulting in a high-profile haul and hefty charges for those involved. Among the arrested were nine women and two men,…
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Phuket Festival returns to kickstart tourism season this December
Patong City Municipality officially announced the return of the annual Phuket Festival, set to take place from December 8 to 10, marking the kick off of the island’s bustling tourism season. The 38th Phuket Tourism Festival, themed Phuket Memories of a Lifetime, was revealed during a press event held on Patong Beach yesterday, November 19. The event was led by…
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Rivalry turns bloody: Phuket guard stabbed in grudge attack
In the early hours of yesterday morning, a security guard’s night turned to terror as he was brutally attacked by knife-wielding assailants at Saphan Hin, Phuket. Police suspect the violent assault, occurring around 2.13am, yesterday, November 18, at the city’s Indoor Stadium, may be rooted in a personal feud with old rivals. Officers and Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers rushed to the…
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Man slashed in head after row with fisherman in Phuket park
A late-night attempt to enter Phuket’s Chalermprakiat Park took a violent turn for one intoxicated man, who ended up with a head wound after clashing with a fisherman. The incident, which unfolded around 4.40am yesterday, November 18, saw 37 year old Ekkaphan Phuthi reportedly trying to enter the closed park gates near Suan Luang Rama IX. In his inebriated state,…
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Phang Nga man launches knife attack at Phuket Police Station
In a shocking early-morning rampage, a Phang Nga man stormed into a police station in Phuket armed with a knife, launching an attack on an officer on duty. The incident occurred just before 3am on Sunday, November 17, when 48 year old Chuaib Phongthin arrived at the Thachatchai Police Station “in a state of distress,” according to police. Witnesses described…
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Foreign man fined 500 baht for physically assaulting Thai restaurant worker
Police fined a foreign man 500 baht for physically assaulting a Thai restaurant worker in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket. The foreign attacker also issued an apology to both the victim and the restaurant owner. Pictures of the incident, showing the foreign man in all-white clothes attacking the Thai man outside a restaurant in Phuket, were shared by the news…
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Phuket rescue drama: Autistic boy, relative saved from deadly well
In a rescue drama fit for the big screen, a ten year old autistic boy and his would-be saviour found themselves ensnared in a nail-biting predicament yesterday afternoon in Phuket. The daring rescue unfolded at a construction site in Wichit, near Naka Weekend Market, where a mundane renovation turned into a life-or-death situation. The chaos kicked off when the youngster,…
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Thai transwoman and foreign man clash on gender misunderstanding in Phuket
A brawl erupted between a Thai transwoman and a foreign man at a hotel in Phuket after the foreigner refused to pay upon discovering her gender. A source, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported the altercation between the Thai transwoman and the foreign man to the local news Facebook page, Phuket Times, on November 18. The page shared a post.…
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Thai man arrested for knife attack on Phuket Police Station officer (video)
A Thai man fled from Phuket to Phang Nga after a knife attack on a police officer at Tha Chatchai Police Station, eventually crashing his car and being arrested. The suspect, 48 year old Choo-ai Phongthin, entered Tha Chatchai Police Station at around 2.50am on November 17 and rushed to the office of inquiry officer, Police Lieutenant Colonel Akkaraphon Wilai.…
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Phuket’s tourism set to earn 500 billion baht this year
Phuket’s tourism industry is poised for a financial boom, with anticipated earnings reaching an impressive 500 billion baht this year. The island’s strategic focus on attracting visitors through sports tourism, even during the traditional off-season, is driving this growth, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Phuket office. Director of TAT Phuket, Lertchai Wangtrakuldee highlighted that the island effectively…
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Phuket police arrest local man with meth pills and Ice
Phuket police have apprehended a local man following the discovery of a significant cache of drugs in his possession. The 34 year old Thai man was found with over 2,000 methamphetamine (meth) pills and nearly 200 grammes of crystal meth, also known as Ice. The arrest took place in front of a rental room located in Soi Thiam Pracha Uthit,…
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‘Keep your krathongs on land,’ says Patong Mayor in eco-plea
As Loy Krathong celebrations light up Patong Beach tonight, Patong Municipality is urging revellers to keep their lanterns (krathongs) out of the sea. Every year, thousands descend on the beach, offering decorated krathongs to the water goddess to cast away bad luck and ask for blessings. Yet, while the gestures float away, the krathongs often come back, with the tide…
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Russian man confirmed dead after fatal fall in Phuket hotel
A tragic incident unfolded in Phuket as police have confirmed the identity of a 37 year old Russian man who is believed to have fatally jumped from a hotel in Soi Paradise, Patong. The event took place on November 13 night, leaving police and locals in shock. Police received a call to the hotel early yesterday, November 14, at approximately…
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Phuket guesthouse owner reclaims heirlooms stolen by employee
The owner of a Phuket guesthouse breathed a sigh of relief after police tracked down and recovered nearly 1 million baht worth of stolen jewellery and luxury items, taken by none other than her restaurant manager, who had been drowning in online gambling debt. The shocking betrayal left 33 year old Sophia Brussaard both heartbroken and relieved when justice finally…
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Discover Thailand’s dreamiest beaches for your next getaway
Thailand, known as the Land of Smiles, lures millions with its sun-kissed sands, vibrant culture, and world-renowned cuisine. If you’re craving a beach holiday with tranquil waters and unbeatable scenery, these Thai beaches, rated by Conde Nast Traveller and Hotels ID, as reported by Tempo, promise an unforgettable escape. Kata Beach, Phuket Golden sands, azure waters, and warm tropical weather…
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Baht to basics: Tourists’ wild rides on Phuket tuk tuks spark online uproar
Thai netizens and a local news Facebook page criticised foreign tourists for their inappropriate behaviour on baht buses and tuk tuks in Phuket, expressing concerns over the safety of both the tourists themselves and other motorists. The Phuket Times shared photos of foreigners on public transport in two separate posts yesterday, November 13. The images sparked safety concerns among Thai social…
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Phuket takes action to protect migrating dugongs near Rawai Beach
Phuket is taking decisive steps to protect around 30 dugongs that have migrated from the coasts of Trang and Krabi to areas near Rawai Beach. The initiative comes as a response to the urgent need to safeguard these marine creatures, which have been facing threats due to dwindling food sources and environmental challenges. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwanrat recently held a…
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Ugandan, Tanzanian women fined 1,000 baht for prostitution in Phuket
Phuket Immigration Control Centre (PICC) officers arrested four Ugandan and Tanzanian women for illegally engaging in prostitution in the province. Residents in Phuket filed complaints with the PICC police, reporting that they had witnessed foreign women offering sexual services to foreign visitors in Soi Bangla, in the Patong area of Phuket. Phuket Times also shared pictures of the women, taken while…
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Phuket residents alarmed by sudden worm invasion
Residents of the Phuket Villa 3 housing estate in Wichit found themselves in disarray yesterday when a staggering swarm of “norn pradu” worms descended upon their community. The unexpected invasion left the public park and its surroundings teeming with these small creatures, causing significant distress among the locals. These worms, measuring roughly 2 to 3 centimetres in length, quickly spread…
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Falling from grace: Thai woman injured in Phuket hotel plunge
A Thai woman suffered severe injuries after falling from the fifth floor of a prominent hotel in Phuket. Police investigations revealed the room was locked from the inside, with no one else present at the time of the incident. Chanant Mekchai, an investigation officer from Patong Police Station in Kathu district, Phuket, was alerted to a person falling from a…
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Phuket’s waste crisis escalates: Larger landfills urgently needed
Phuket is battling a mounting waste crisis as the island’s landfills struggle to keep up with booming tourism and business expansion. Deputy Mayor Suphot La-ongphet is spearheading urgent efforts to contain the overflow, making a high-stakes visit to Saphan Hin’s landfill sites 4 and 5 on Monday, November 11 to fast-track expansion projects. Landfill 3 is already beyond capacity, with…
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Drunk foreigner shocks Phuket woman by entering her unlocked car
A Thai man took to social media to issue a warning to locals in Phuket after a drunk foreign man entered his girlfriend’s unlocked car last night leaving her in shock. The Thai man, Wuttipong “Bank” Phibun, shared the story in a Facebook group, ขับรถแบบนี้ต้องประจาน ภูเก็ต (meaning “bad drivers in Phuket must be exposed”), today, November 12. He revealed that…
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Taxi tensions in Phuket: Drivers demand ride-hailing rights
Tensions are boiling over in Phuket as local green plate taxi drivers, reliant on app-based bookings to stay afloat, face hefty 2,000-baht fines for doing just that. Drivers rallied at Saphan Hin’s central stage last Tuesday, November 5, calling on officials to overhaul outdated regulations that penalise them for using ride-hailing apps – a vital income stream since the pandemic…
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4 foreign suspects arrested for extorting 250,000 USDT from Ukrainian man
Phuket police officers today arrested four foreign suspects who allegedly extorted 250,000 USDT (8.5 million baht) from a Ukrainian victim at a hotel in Phang Nga province. The 23 year old Ukrainian man, Viacheslav Leibove, filed a theft complaint with Kamala Police Station in Phuket on Saturday, November 9, claiming he lost cryptocurrency to four foreign thieves. The suspects are…
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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