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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500 free helmets to be handed out to motorbike drivers before Songkran
FILE PHOTO: Patong Police Patong Development Foundation, along with Patong Police and Patong Municipality, will be handing out 500 helmets to motorbike drivers in Patong before Songkran Day under the campaign ‘Where’s your helmet’. Patong Police Chief Col Anothai Jindamanee says, “Many motorbike drivers have been injured and die in road accident. We want 100 percent of motorbike drivers and…
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US Navy and Royal Thai Navy conduct maritime enforcement exercises – PHOTOS
The US Navy and Royal Thai Navy are joining annual maritime enforcement exercises ‘Guardian Sea 2019’ up to April 11 in the Andaman Sea around Phang Nga and Phuket. The Royal Thai Navy in Phang Nga and the Third Area Command based at Cape Panwa is responsible for maritime security along the Andaman coast. Joining the five-day maritime enforcement exercises…
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Water trucks asked not to cross Patong Hill on Songkran day
PHOTOS: Patong Municipality Water truck operators will be asked to stop delivering water by crossing the notorious Patong Hill on April 13 (Songkran Day). The announcement was issued by Patong Traffic Police Chief Lt Col Lert Pokhwang. The statement says, “April 13 will be Songkran Day. There will be many road users on that day which heightens the risk of…
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Sacred waters begin their journey to Bangkok for Royal Coronation
PHOTOS: Phuket – Kritsada Meuanawong Thailand’s 76 provinces have taken part in a nationwide ceremony to draw sacred water from 108 water sources to be used during the Coronation of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn on May 4. The ceremony began in all provinces at the same time of 11.52am. The only exception was Bangkok where the same ritual will be held on April 12 at the Haw Sastrakhom, inside…
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Russian tourist rescued off Patong Beach
PHOTOS: Patong Surf Life Saving A Russian tourist has been rescued after getting into difficulty while swimming at Patong Beach this morning. Patong Surf Life Saving report that around 10.45am at Patong Beach a Russian tourist was spotted in the water, choking and fighting to stay afloat after being hit by a breaking wave. Lifeguards dived in and brought him…
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Phuket’s Songkran ‘seven days of danger’ safety campaign is on again
Phuket officials are preparing for the annual ‘Seven Days of Danger’ Songkran safety campaign that will this year runs from April 11 to April 17. The official Songkran day (Thai New Year) is on April 13. Phuket Governor Phakkapong Tavipattana says, “Road safety is being emphasised for drivers who are over speed limit, ghost riders, running through a red light,…
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False Killer Whales sighted of Koh Similans in Phang Nga – VIDEO
VIDEO: Wow Andaman About ten killer whales have been sited off Koh Similans in the Andaman off the Khao Lak coast this week. Thai Rath reports that tour guides from the Wow Andaman Tour were on a speedboat with tourists in the morning at Koh Similans this week. They say they sighted about ten False Killer Whales near the boat. The…
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Motorcyclist dies after slamming into power pole in Wichit – VIDEO
A male motorcyclist has died instantly after trying to overtake a minivan and colliding with a power pole in Witchit this morning. Wichit Police report that they were notified of the incident in Soi Thep Anusorn, Wichit at 5.45am this morning. Police and emergency responders arrived to find the body of a man who was later identified as 26 year…
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Phuket launced GPS and ‘Bus Beam’ for local buses
The Phuket Land Transport Office has launched the Global Positioning System (GPS) and ‘Bus Beam’ application for local Phuket buses; Pink bus (Po Thong) and blue bus (Song Thaew). The Chief of the Phuket Land Transport Office Banyat Kantha says, “The Po Thong Bus is a Phuket symbol which was launched since 1967 (52 year ago). Many tourists still love…
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Motorbike passenger dies after being crushed by bus in Kathu – VIDEO
A motorbike passenger has died at hospital after being crushed by the rear wheel of a bus in Kathu yesterday. Kathu Police were notified of the incident at Seekor Intersection on Phra Phuket Kaew Road in Kathu at 9.25 am yesterday. Emergency responders arrived to find the damaged motorbike along with the driver, 19 year old Sahassawa Churat. He had…
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Motorbike driver dies after slamming into parked truck in Phuket
PHOTOS: Kusoldarm Foundation A motorbike driver has died at the scene of the collision in Mai Khao after slamming into the rear of an asphalt truck this morning. The Tha Chatchai Police were notified about the incident on Thepkrasattri Road, northbound in Mai Khao at 7.20am. Police and emergency responders arrived to find the body of a man who was…
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Luxury beachfront suites at The Bay & Beach Club
The Bay & Beach Club boasts luxurious beachfront accommodation in the heart of Patong. Situated right on the soft sands of the beach in an area lined with palm trees, the resort is just a few steps away from the clear waters of the Andaman Sea. The Bay & Beach Club offers luxurious accommodation all designed with the finest contemporary…
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Man drowns in Kathu lagoon, Phuket
PHOTOS: Kusoldharm Foundation A man has drowned while fishing in a lagoon in central Phuket yesterday. Kusoldharm rescue workers were notified of the incident at a lagoon in Kathu before noon. Rescue workers arrived to find a body of a man lying on the ground near the lagoon. There were no signs of a struggle on his body. The man was identified…
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Police raid illegal Chinese call centre in Chalong, Phuket
FILE PHOTO A total of 16 Chinese nationals, 13 men and 3 women, have been arrested in Chalong, over the alleged operation of a call centre scam which targeted Chinese victims. Officers believe that the operation started sometime in the middle of March. The 16 were arrested at a housing estate on Moo 1, Chalong, southern Phuket, yesterday morning. “We were…
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Three suspects arrested with drugs in Patong
PHOTOS: Patong Police Patong Police have arrested three suspects with methamphetamine pills and crystal methamphetamine in Patong. All three arrests happened yesterday. Patong Police report that they have arrested a 46 year old man. Police seized 261 methamphetamine pills. Police have als0 arrested a 46 year old woman with 30 methamphetamine pills. And in a third arrest police arrested another…
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Wastewater still flowing into Mudong Canal in Chalong
Officials from the Environment Office Region 15 in Phuket, along with Chalong municipal officials, have inspected the Mudong Canal. Water in the canal flows through villages and markets in Chalong and Wichit before getting to the open sea. Local villagers were complaining that the untreated water caused fish to die and that there was a bad odour all the time.…
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Patong lifeguard wins first prize in the Thai lottery, 30 million baht
“I will continue doing my job as a lifeguard. I love my job and I am happy with it.” 32 year old Nara Nalack, Patong lifeguard, has won first prize in the bi-weekly national lottery, receiving a prize of 30 million baht. The Thai lottery is announced twice each month (the 1st and 16th of each month). The first prize ticket…
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Pickup truck crashes into power pole in Wichit, causes five hour blackout
PHOTOS: PEA A pickup truck accident in Wichit has caused a blackout for over five hours. The Phuket Provincial Electric Authority (PEA) reports that at 10.20pm last night the pickup truck ran into the pole, pulling down the high voltage pole. The accident caused a blackout in the area around Soi Bang Yai (behind Big C Super Centre) for over…
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Big Bike driver dies after slamming into cement truck in Thalang
PHOTOS: Kusoldharm Foundation A big bike driver has died after his bike crashed, at speed, into the back wheels of a cement truck over the weekend in Thalang. Emergency responders were notified of the accident on Thepkrasattri Road, northbound in Thalang at 4.30pm on Saturday. Emergency responders arrived to find the cement truck in the middle of the road. Near…
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Man arrested with 10,000 methamphetamine pills in Thalang checkpoint
A man who was driving a pickup truck has been stopped at a routine checkpoint in Thalang over the weekend where he was found with 11,110 methamphetamine pills along with a gun. Police have arrested 44 year old Pisak Rodpai from Trang, south of Phuket. Police seized 11,110 methamphetamine pills, a handgun and seven bullets from his vehicle. The arrest…
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Kudo Beach Club in Patong charged after allowing under-age entry
A lawyer of a night club in Patong and a representative of an event organiser yesterday presented themselves to police to face charges after allowing customers younger than 20 years of age to enter the venue. The incident was highlighted by the Spotlight Thailand’ Facebook page. At Patong Police Station last night, the lawyer for the ‘Kudo Beach Club’ and…
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New airport duty free bid split into two
The Government has insisted that the AoT rejig its awarding for the concession of duty-free shops at its airports. Up to now King Power Duty Free has had a monopoly on the lucrative duty free concessions. So the Board of the Airports of Thailand Company has now decided to split the concession to operate airport duty-free shops into two contracts – one for Suvarnabhumi…
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Will Young sells Brit Awards to raise money for Soi Dog Foundation
British singer Will Young sold two of his Brit Awards, highly-respected popular music awards for the British music industry, for a Phuket charity. But he says he only raised £800 (33,000 baht) for them. The singer told Chris Evans, a Virgin Radio Breakfast show presenter, he went through with his pledge to auction off the gongs after announcing he was…
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Roll out the water trucks – Phuket’s water runs low
by Salinee Prap Many areas of Phuket have suffered a shortage of tap water, with inconsistent or no flow, prompting business operators and residents to buy water from the private sector. Phuket as an island, is usually self-sufficient with its water supply, with three large catchments on the island serving locals, expats and the 12 million annual tourists. Phuket governor…
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Darasamuth Underpass closing this Saturday and Sunday night
The Darasamut Underpass (adjacent to Central Festival) will temporarily close tomorrow and Sunday from 9pm until 5am (overnight). The Phuket Highways Chief Somwang Lohanut says, “Both the northbound and southbound lanes through the underpass will be temporary closed at those times.” “Workers will be carrying out repairs and replacing light bulbs and fans as part of the normal scheduled maintenance.”…
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Patong taxi driver suspects arrested after ganging up and beating a tourist
PHOTOS: Patong Police Six suspects have been arrested today following an assault by a group of taxi, tuk tuk and motorcycle taxi drivers. The incident was captured on video, as the drivers ganged together to beat up a tourist in Patong last night. The argument started over a taxi fee to take the family back to their hotel. Patong Police…
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Patong Police investigate taxi drivers beating up a tourist – VIDEO
Patong Police are investigating an assault on tourists from a group of Patong taxi drivers. Two video clips of taxi drivers attacking tourist in Patong have gone viral in social media today. The incident happened at Malin Plaza Market at the south end of Patong last night at 11pm. A male middle eastern tourist was attacked by taxi drivers in…
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Event Round-Up – April 2019
by The Sponsorship Experts – Paul Poole (South East Asia) The first ever ASEAN Gastronomy Tourism Fair will kick off on April 9-10 at CW Tower Ratchadapisek Bangkok. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, it is the first time all 10 member states of ASEAN will come together to build a strong foundation for gastronomy tourism in the…
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Bus driver fined after dropping oil on Patong Hill – VIDEO
PHOTOS/VIDEO: Kathu Police / Law Enforcement 201 / Newshawk Phuket A bus driver has been fined after his bus dropped oil onto the road as it was coming down from Patong Hill. Motorbike drivers had been been injured after slipping on the oil slick. The CCTV footage shows the incident when the bus was going down from Patong Hill, dropping…
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Bomb making equipment discovered in Krabi cave
Krabi officers have discovered bomb-making equipment inside a cave in Krabi. Yesterday officers raided the cave on Koh Talu in Ao Lueak, Krabi after they found that the cave is part of an area of a company who received a concession to produce and farm bird nets. To men died from their injuries after stepping on mines along the shores…
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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