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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Sponsored This Christmas, give the gift of health: essential options for expats in Thailand
The holiday season is here, bringing warmth, joy, and a chance to reflect on the year gone by. As an expat in Thailand, this Christmas is a great time to invest in something that truly matters: health. Whether for you...
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Lithuanian woman saved from jumping from upper roadway at Phuket Airport – VIDEO
VIDEO: Newshawk Phuket A Lithuanian woman has been saved after being spotted standing on the side of the upper roadway at the Phuket International’s Airport terminal yesterday. The Sakoo Police were notified of the incident at 2.20pm. A foreign woman has been plucked to safety by two Thai bystanders after spotting the woman standing on the ledge of the upper…
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Reflections #2 – Thailand Tourism Forum – ‘Chindia Tourism’
‘CHINDIAN’ Tourists – Same Same or Different? by Wimintra Raj – hotelintel.co If you’re running a hotel or any business related to the local tourism industry in Thailand, this is an article you need to read, then read again. It was just one of the many presentations at the annual Thailand Tourism Forum held in Bangkok recently. “For the third…
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British Embassy contact Police to release the body of the 17 year old who died in a motorbike incident last week
A representative of the British Embassy has contacted Kamala Police to retrieve the body of the teenager who died in a motorbike incident in Kamala last week. The family are trying to raise funds to repatriate the body of Anthony Ryan. The 17 year old teenager from Yorkshire in the UK died after being involved in a head-on motorbike accident…
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Australia Day 2019 function at Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort
PHOTO: Phuket’s Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana and Australian Consul General for Phuket Craig Ferguson Celebrating the 2019 Australia Day, the Australian Consul General for Phuket Craig Ferguson hosted a lovely evening with guests including Phuket’s Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana along with other local dignitaries and invited local Australians. About 300 people were in attendance as Mr Ferguson reflected on the past year and…
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Twinpalms Hotels & Resorts appoint new director of sales & revenue
PHOTO: Paritchawan Kraiponrak (Jom), the new Director of Sales & Revenue at Twinpalms Group Mrs Paritchawan Kraiponrak (Jom) is warmly welcomed back into the Twinpalms group to take the position of Director of Sales & Revenue for the Phuket-grown hospitality brand. With well over two decades of solid work experience within Phuket’s hospitality industry and a master’s degree in ‘Hospitality &…
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Wat Chalong Fair kicks off on February 4
Phuket’s biggest annual temple fair, held at Wat Chalong, will kick off on February 4 to offer one week of local fun, stalls, food and entertainment. Each year the Fair attracts thousands of visitors who come to sample the wide range of food, browse the market stalls and enjoy the variety of activities on offer. There will also be traditional nang talung shadow…
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Sharks on order – Phuket seafood restaurants
PHOTO: Sunshine Sketcher “Sea food restaurants along Kata and Karon Beach are famous among tourists as prices of dishes are quite reasonable.” The IUCN is calling for every country to educate tourists to protect sharks before they become extinct. More sharks have now been discovered hanging in front of seafood restaurants along the Karon restaurant strip. Read more about recent sightings…
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Seven year old recovering after attack from wild dogs in Phang Nga
“The dogs have been captured and are no longer a danger to beachgoers.” Daily News is reporting that a seven year old boy is fighting for his life in Vachira Hospital Phuket after being mauled by a pack of dogs at a beach near the Sarasin Bridge, on the Phang Nga side. “D-Max” was just out playing with his friends…
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Chinese tourists injured in Chalong ATV accident
Two Chinese tourists have sustained injuries after driving an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle – Dune Buggy) off the side of a hillside in Karon. Rescue workers heard about the accident on the Nark Kerd Hills in Karon at 4.20pm yesterday (Sunday). When they arrived they found the two injured female Chinese tourists. The pair were identified as 28 year old…
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Fire destroys buildings in Phuket Town
A fire has destroyed a building in Phuket Town, damaging nearby buildings before it was brought under control. Fire fighters at the Phuket City Municipality were notified of the incident at a building near Phuket Bus Terminal 1 in Phuket Town on Phang Nga Road at 8.53am. About 10 fire engines arrived to find the three storey building was in…
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OPINION – One, two, three bad incidents on Patong Hill within 24 hours
The bottom of Patong Hill, on the Patong side, has been the scene of numerous fatalities over the past 20 years. Following a steep decent and some tight windy turns, some vehicles simply come to grief. Residents and shops at the bottom of the hill have built barriers, walls and fencing to try and defend themselves from the parade of…
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Suspect dies in Phuket road incident after killing his wife – VIDEO
The car driver, who died in the crash on Phuket’s Bypass road yesterday, appears to have crashed his car intentionally after killing his wife. The car driver was killed after colliding with a pickup truck at a U-Turn in the road. The dash cam video from the man’s car appears to clearly indicate the driver’s intentions. Read more about the…
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Chinese tourists caught on camera removing sea stars at Coral Island
An Asian tourist has been caught on camera showing a sea star on a beach at Coral Island. Siriwan Kawprasert, a local on the island, has reported to The Thaiger that many Chinese tourists have bringing sea stars from the sea to the beach. Locals have warned them to put them back where they found them. Khun Siriwan told The…
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Car driver killed after colliding with pickup on Bypass Road
PHOTOS: The Phuket City Police A car driver has been killed after colliding with a pickup truck on the Bypass road today. The Phuket City Police were notified of the incident at 11am today on the Bypass Road, northbound, at a U-turn near the Premium Outlet Store. Police report that the driver of a red car, driven by 60 year…
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Rawai locals protest against high Dengue rates in southern Phuket
VIDEO: Nicholas Spaethe Rawai and Nai Harn locals in southern Phuket, along with the Rawai Or Bor Tor Mayor Aaron Solos, protested this morning about the rise in Dengue Fever cases in the area. They say they are concerned about the high rates of contracting the virus in the south of the island and are calling on the provincial government…
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Dugong found dead at Phang Nga Beach
PHOTO: DMCR A 300 kilogram dugong has been found dead on a beach in Takua Thung, Phang Nga, yesterday. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) is reporting that they have been notified from the national park officials in Phang Nga that a dugong was found dead near a cave at Koh Panak in Takua Thung in Phang Nga.…
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Coral damage from a sunken fishing boat at Koh Racha Noi – Phuket
PHOTOS: Thon Thamrongnawasawat More than 50 square metres of coral has been damaged after a fishing boat sank at Koh Racha Noi off Phuket. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources is reporting that they were notified about a fishing boat the sank at Koh Racha Noi yesterday. The fishing boat had sunk on January 18 after it was battered by…
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Thailand’s marine industry unites around single yacht show
The fourth Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous has now wrapped up with many of the exhibitors praising the new format and noting the sales and contacts made during the four day marine exhibition. The exhibit was held between January 10-13 at the Royal Phuket Marina. Leading international yacht dealers, brokerage houses, charter agencies and marine suppliers were there to showcase…
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All day dining at The Patong Bay Hill Resort – Phuket
A tropical, luxurious resort nestled into the landscape of Hasibpee Hill, the Patong Bay Hill Resort overlooks the ocean and the Patong Beach neighborhood below. The resort offers sweeping sea and city views to accompany its suite-style accommodation, and features a wide variety of on-site amenities and a fantastic all day dining restaurant. The all day dining restaurant at Patong…
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Bus crash on Patong Hill takes out 12 other vehicles, passengers in bus shaken
PHOTOS: Phuket Traffic Report VIDEO: Provided by Newshawk Phuket The tour bus accident on Patong yesterday afternoon, the third such incident in the same spot within 24 hours, has caused three injuries and with vehicles damaged as the bus careered down the hill, out of control. There were 10 tourists on the bus who were shaken by the incident but…
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Thailand Tourism Forum 2019 – Reflections #1
PHOTO: Thailand Tourism Forum 2019 One of the key points made at the recently concluded Thailand Tourism Forum 2019 in Bangkok, was the country’s over reliance on mass tourism. Jesper Palmqvist of STR presented full year hotel data for Phuket which showed signs of recovery, yet highlighting the full impact of the drop in Chinese business after the July boat…
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Seaweed on Patong Beach – just a seasonal phenomenon
The seasonal mass of seaweed that was washed up onto Patong Beach over the last week is a natural phenomenon. A spokesperson for the Phuket Marine Biological Centre says that the seaweed isn’t harmful although it can smell bad as it starts to rot in the daytime sun. The seaweed first started coming ashore back on January 10. Read The Thaiger…
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Foreign tourist caught carrying protected sea star at Chalong Pier – VIDEO
PHOTOS/VIDEO: Khanchit Klingklip A foreign man has been caught on camera carrying sea star along Chalong pier yesterday. A Facebook user ‘Khanchit Klingklip’, a member of a nature resources volunteer network, yesterday posted photos and a video with a message reading, “6pm at Chalong Pier, a foreign man was carrying sea star inside a plastic bag. Why can’t he just watch…
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Truck crash on Patong Hill causes three hour traffic delays – VIDEO
PHOTOS: Kusoldharm Foundation The driver of a truck, blaming failed brakes, has collided with another truck along with cars, pickups and motorbikes on Patong Hill late yesterday afternoon. The incident caused about three hours of traffic mayhem, particularly for traffic heading out of Patong. The delay also caused bank ups right through Kalim as Kamala traffic was trying to get…
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The 35 billion baht white elephant – Phuket’s light rail
“About the only thing feasible in this rendering is the blue sky.” Spending 35 billion baht on infrastructure that few will use, is planned on the least useful route and will cause mayhem for a 3-5 year build time is a waste of money. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is currently chatting to the private sector and…
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Soi Dog’s mobile clinic continues in Phuket, starting in Rawai
The mobile clinic of Soi Dog Foundation, which provides sterilisation and vaccination free of charge, has begun in the Rawai area. The mobile clinic forms part of the CNVR program – Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release – which is the core mission of Soi Dog Foundation and the most effective and humane way to control the street dog and cat population…
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Some restrictions lifted for superyachts in the region
PHOTO: katarocks.com Thailand is poised to ease rules on bareboat charters as well as introducing new measures to attract more luxury and super yachts into the region. The new measures were laid out in a presentation called “Highlighting Strategies for Attracting Yachts and Improving Safety at Sea” held at the 2019 Thailand Yacht Show and Rendezvous in Phuket. Gordon Fernandes,…
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Suspect hands himself in to police, denies charges in Saphan Hin shooting
A suspect has handed himself in to police after an arrest warrant was issued over a Saphan Hin shooting last week. The suspect is denying the charges. A Thai man was shot dead near Saphan Hin in eastern Phuket last week. An arrest warrant was issued for the suspect shortly after as police went hunting for the suspect identified by…
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Police hunting for driver in hit and run – Patong
WARNING: Extreme graphic content Patong Friday, January 18, 2.06am – Police are trying to locate the driver of this hit and run silver sedan in Patong. If you have any information please contact the Tourist Police or Patong Police – 1155 or 191 (Thai) VIDEO: Newshawk Phuket https://www.facebook.com/thethaigernews/videos/288527705179718/
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UPDATE: Response to Rabies zone in Chalong
‘Following the earlier reported rabies incident in Chalong, the Soi Dog Foundation yesterday (Friday, January 18) teamed up with The DLD and Chalong OBT to carry out vaccinations in the area the infected dog was discovered. Jointly, the team was successful in vaccinating 128 dogs in a swift response to what is hoped to be an isolated case. Working alongside…
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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