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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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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Legal action taken against people who removed beer cans from beer truck accident scene
PHOTOS / VIDEO: Thanakrit Asulyakul / Mana Sombat / Kanlaya Singkangrang / Kritsada Mueanhawong Legal action has already been taken against four people who ‘removed’ beer cans after a truck carrying boxes of beer cans overturned in Phuket on January 11. A logistic company representative has filed a report with police after more than 80,000 beer cans, valued at more…
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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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Police searching for the killer after shooting near Saphan Hin
A Thai man has been shot dead near Saphan Hin in eastern Phuket earlier today. The arrest warrant has already been issued for the suspect. The Wichit Police were notified of the incident on Rattanakosin 200 pi Road near Saphan Hin at 3.40am this morning. Police and rescue workers arrived to find the body of 30 year old Teerasak Saeong…
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Danish tourist dies in Phuket road accident
A male Danish tourist, driving a motorbike, has died after colliding with a truck in front of a market in Kathu. The Kathu Police were notified of the incident on Phra Phuket Keaw Road in front of the new outdoor Vintage Market in Kathu at 3am yesterday morning. Police and Kusoldharm rescue workers arrived at the U-turn to find the…
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Australian woman deported for overstaying visa by over 100 days
PHOTOS: Facebook/Claire Johnson An Australian woman, who was caught overstaying her visa by 111 days, will be released from detention and deported by Thai authorities tonight. She came to the media’s attention on Monday after sending urgent messages to a friend saying that she was being taken to a detention centre and that “they are taking my phone”. 46 year…
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What to do if a pet tests positive for Rabies
PHOTO: PR Department An announcement about animals in a Rabies Outbreak Zone. These are things that pet owners must do when it has tested positive for rabies. • Pet owners must follow Animal Epidemics Act 2015. • No person may move an infected animal or carcass specified in such announcement into, out of, through or within such zone unless they…
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Australian man found hanged outside home in Thalang
An Australian man has been found hanged outside his house in Thalang. The family of the victim told police that the man had been suffering from extreme stress brought on by financial concerns. He was worried that he might not be able to afford their school tuition and was further affected by his children’s lack of attention and time spent…
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International Hip Hop sensation at Sugar Club Phuket
Sugar Club Phuket is hyped to host the Thailand premier of US Hip Hop sensation Rae Sremmurd, live on Tuesday, January 22. Ever since Rae Sremmurd exploded onto the scene with SremmLife bangers “No Flex Zone”, “Unlock the Swag” & “No Type”, Hip Hop parties just haven’t been the same. Brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi may be relative new-kids…
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Phuket declares rabies outbreak zone in Chalong
A district livestock development office in Phuket province has announced a Rabies outbreak zone in the Chalong area yesterday. Sutat Niyomthai, Chief of livestock development officer of Mueang Phuket District, has announced that the Baan Na Yai, Moo 4 village in Tambon Chalong is a designated outbreak zone after a dog tested positive for Rabies. A rabies temporary control zone will…
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Chumphon woman, working in Phuket, wins first prize in lottery
A woman from Chumphon, who helps out her sister in Phuket, returned to her hometown last week where she bought a lottery ticket. The ticket won her the first prize in the lottery. 38 year old Thai woman Chonrada Laimer from Chumphon went to Chalong Police Station yesterday with the first prize lottery ticket number 197079. The weekly lottery numbers…
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New tsunami warning buoy installed off Phuket
A tsunami-warning buoy, valued at 12 million baht, is to be installed off the coast of Phuket, to replace the one that had been broken two years ago. It replaces one that hasn’t been working for 18 months. Two buoys were originally placed several hundred kilometres offshore in the original tsunami warning system following the 2004 Boxing Day tragedy. The…
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Phuket house keeper keeps 2,600 meth pills and 3kg of marijuana at house in Rawai
A Rawai house keeper has been arrested with 2,600 methamphetamine pills and three kilograms of marijuana. A team of Border Patrol Police has arrested 47 year old Wanlee ‘Mai’ Eiadkerd. Police seized 2,600 methamphetamine pills and three kilograms of marijuana inside a house in Rawai. The arrest follows police first arresting a Thai woman with methamphetamine pills in Chalong. She told…
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Phuket police launch search for man in Facebook post pointing a gun at his head
Last night Phuket Police launched a manhunt after a photo of a man pointing gun at his head went viral in social media. The Phuket City Police took about five hours to find the house after the photo of the man, who was pointing a gun at his head, along with a depressing message, was posted on the man’s social…
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77 year old Swedish tourist rescued at Patong Beach – VIDEO
PHOTOS/VIDEO: Patong Lifeguard Lifeguards at Patong Beach rescued a 77 year old Swedish male tourist from drowning after he lost consciousness whilst in the water. Lifeguards pulled the Swedish tourist, Berlin Goran, out of the water after he passed out whilst swimming at the beach. Head of Patong lifeguard Somprasong Sangchart says, “We saw other swimmers wave their hands and…
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Kamala lifeguard dies in motorbike accident in Cherng Talay
PHOTO: Kusoldharm Foundation A man, a Kamala lifeguard, has died in a motorbike accident in Cherng Talay this afternoon. The Cherng Talay Police were notified of the incident in front of a beauty salon near Baan Bang Tao School in Thalang at 1.35pm. Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a damaged Honda PCX. Nearby they found…
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Australian woman sends desperate messages from Thai immigration detention
PHOTOS: Facebook – Claire Johnson – founder and MD of Cosmetic Holidays International Claire Johnson was due back in Sydney on January 8, but sent frantic text messages from a Thailand detention centre. She claims she wouldn’t be going home because ‘serious stuff went down’. She sent texts to a friend saying she was ‘so scared… get media involved’. A story…
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More sharks found displayed at seafood restaurant in Phuket
PHOTO: Go-Eco Phuket More sharks been discovered hanging in front of a seafood restaurant in Karon in “Thailand famous tourism city” (translated). A Facebook page ‘Go-Eco Phuket,’ principally a diving and environmental site, yesterday posted a photo of the shark being displayed out the front of a restaurant with a message reading… “This is at the number one tourism city…
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Driver charged in Chumphon tour bus accident
PHOTOS: หน่วยกู้ภัยมูลนิธิชุมพร //บางหมาก 02 / MulnithiChumphrKarKuslSngKheaaH A tour bus driver has been charged for reckless driving after yesterday morning’s tour bus accident in Chumphon. 23 Filipino tourists escaped serious injury in the bus crash. The bus was travelling from Bangkok to Phuket. Read more about yesterday’s crash HERE. Thairath is reporting that the tour bus driver, 36 year old Taweesak Chitchuea from…
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Big leatherback sea turtle rescued after getting stuck in fishing net – VIDEO
PHOTOS/VIDEO: ReReef / กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่าและพันธุ์พืช / เฟสบุ๊คไต๋มิ ธนากร A big leatherback sea turtle has been rescued by fishermen after getting stuck in fishing nets in Phang Nga last night. A Phang Nga fishermen rescued the big leatherback sea turtle that was stuck in fishing netting off Phang Nga coast near Khao Na Yak in the Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang Nation…
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23 Filipino tourists escape serious injury in Bangkok – Phuket bus accident in Chumphon
PHOTOS: หน่วยกู้ภัยมูลนิธิชุมพร //บางหมาก 02 / MulnithiChumphrKarKuslSngKheaaH 23 Filipino tourists have escaped serious injury in a tour bus crash in Chumphon early this morning. The bus was travelling from Bangkok to Phuket. Chumphon rescue workers were notified of the incident on Phetkasem Road, southbound, at 4.30am this morning. Rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the Bangkok – Phuket tour bus in…
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Explore the best of Patong from Patong Bay Hill Resort, Phuket
Patong Beach is the most popular beach destination in Phuket. Known the world over, the neighbourhood is the beating heart of the island’s vibrant nightlife scene and also offers up a variety of dining options and unique places for shopping. This bustling neighbourhood is also home to the classy Patong Bay Hill Resort. Perched high above the beach in the…
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Fire destroys six houses in Wichit, Phuket
Fire has destroyed six houses at the Klong Koh Phee Community in Wichit last night. No injuries or deaths was reported. Officers from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) stationed at Wichit Municipality were notified of a fire in Soi 6 in Klong Koh Phee Community in Wichit at 11:50pm last night. Fire fighters and the Wichit Police…
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Seven arrested over illegal pre-wedding photo shoots in Phuket
Seven foreigners have been charged over illegally working as pre-wedding photographers and assistants in Phuket yesterday. The Phuket Immigration Office Chief Col Kathatorn Kumthieg ordered officers to inspect Kathu Temple and Kata Noi Beach, popular locations for foreigner pre-wedding photo shoots. The Phuket Immigration Office reports that all staff in the pre-wedding photo shooting team were foreigners who only held tourist visas. They…
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Family of British Phuket property developer say “he was murdered”
PHOTO: Lawyer Vincent McOwen holding up a photo of Steven James Granville – Khaosod English A lawyer representing the family of Steven James Granville has filed a complaint with the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) in Bangkok over police reports about injuries sustained in a 2013 ‘cycling incident’. The TCSD is now overseen by Immigration Chief Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn.…
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UPDATE: Phuket’s injured Leopard Cat dies
The leopard cat, which was found severely injured in front of a Mai Khao Graveyard on December 31, has unfortunately passed away. Read more about the locals finding the cat HERE, Read more about the injuries and care for the leopard cat HERE The can was transported to Soi Dog Foundation on January 1 for treatment and was under constant care from the…
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Company reports 80K beer cans disappeared after truck accident in Phuket
A logistic company representative has filed a report to police after more than 80,000 beer cans, valued at more than two million baht, mysteriously vanished after a beer truck overturned in Rassada this morning. The truck overturned and beer cans were scattered all over the road outside a 7-11. Read more about the incident HERE. Locals nearby helped clear up…
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Jam-packed Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous opens at Royal Phuket Marina
The fourth Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous opened its doors today for yachting enthusiasts and lifestyle-seekers from around the region. Boasting a line-up of leading international yacht brands and brokers, charter agencies, luxury property developers, bespoke travel organisers and leading names in the hospitality and food and beverage industries, the Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous is open to the public…
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Lots of green seaweed washed up on Patong Beach
Patong Municipality public works staff have been clean up piles of green seaweed on Patong Beach today. This morning there was a line of green seaweed along 500 metres along the popular beach. Arnon Poomduang, a jet-ski operator says, “This is a normal and happens every year around this time. This year it is more than in the past years.…
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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