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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Top 5 luxury villas in Phuket and Koh Samui for your next holiday
Ask people to name the most beautiful places in Thailand, and you'll often hear Phuket and Koh Samui being mentioned. Who would disagree? One is renowned for its bustling nightlife, vibrant culture, and lively beach scene, while the other is...
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Speedboat explodes into fire in Phang Nga
A parked speedboat which originated in Phuket has caught fire in Phang Nga today (August 13). One injury has been reported. The Takua Thung Police in Phang Nga were notified of the incident at 10.30am on Ao Man in Takua Thung. The speedboat captain told police that they were travelling with 20 middle eastern tourists and departed from Laem Sai…
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Chalong Police warn of beach thief at Nai Harn
Chalong Police are warning about a Nai Harn Beach thief after a tourist’s bag was stolen over the weekend. The Chalong Police were contacted after a Chinese tourist’s bag was stolen at Nai Harn Beach. Police say that the tourist reported that there was three mobile phones, 5,000 baht cash and a passport inside the bag. The Chinese tourist went into…
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Big surf and high tides pound Phuket’s west coast beaches
Phuket’s west coast was being pounded by big waves along the island’s beaches this morning. A mid-morning high tide, compounded with the 30 kilometre winds and south-west monsoonal waves, are washing away parts of some of the island’s most popular beaches. The International Surf Life Saving Association says today’s conditions are very hazardous for beachgoers and swimmers. At Surin Beach…
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Phuket’s bank robber surrenders to police
Thursday’s Thalang bank robber has surrendered himself to police this morning (August 11). Police found that the suspect is also a known gold snatcher. Read about the armed bank robbery on Thursday HERE. Yesterday police tracked down the 27 year old suspect’s home in a housing estate which is not far from the bank. Police continued the search at his…
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“Phuket, a little piece of paradise” – US News & World Report
PHOTO: thailandtravel.agency Whilst the annual south-west monsoon continues to kick up dangerous surf along its west coast, the southern island of Thailand has picked up another award. The island has been named the ‘Second Best Beach in the World’ by business publication US News & World Report. Phuket beat Maui, Kauai and Costa Rica in the world standings, according to the…
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Police are hunting for a Phuket bank robber
Phuket Police are now hunting for a suspect who has robbed a bank and got away with 26,900 baht cash in Thalang this morning (August 10). Thalang Police were notified of the incident at the Government Hosing Bank on Thepkrasattri Road, 300 metres north of the Heroines Monument in Thalang. The incident happened just after the bank opening time. Police…
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Man charged after 21 month old stepson’s death
A 21 month old child has died after being repeatedly hit by his stepfather with a broom. The man has been charged with bodily harm causing death. Thalang Police were notified by Thalang Hospital medical staff at 5.30am yesterday (August 9) that the child was at the hospital and doctors suspected the child had been beaten to death. Police arrived…
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Ban for jet-skis and parasail rides continues until August 14
If you were planning to head down to the west coast today for a quick jet-ski dash and parasail ride, forget about it, they won’t be operating. The Acting chief of the Phuket Marine Office yesterday announced a ban for jet-skis and parasail ride operators using Phuket’s west coast beaches until August 14. The Phuket Marine Office Acting Chief, Wiwat…
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MultiHull Solutions Regatta 2018 – Phuket Yacht Club, Chalong
Sea Focussed Productions have put together a terrific video showcasing the action from this year’s successful MultiHull Solutions Regatta hosted by the Phuket Yacht Club. Congratulations to the winners and organisers of the event. Watch and enjoy highlights from this year’s event. https://www.facebook.com/thethaigernews/videos/1830314000379753/
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Small boats ’should’ stay at port due to the weather
The Phuket Marine Office has announced a warning for boats heading out onto the Andaman Sea from today until August 15. “Small boats less than 12 metres should not leave from port.” The announcement, issued yesterday (August 8), stated that due to the 2-4 metres waves in the Andaman Sea (translated)… Boats that are leaving from Phuket ports to Phi…
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Navy help 177 tourists back from Koh Racha
The Royal Thai Navy was called by tour operators on Koh Racha Yai yesterday (August 8) to help bring 177 Thais and tourists back to the Phuket Deep Sea Port following strong winds and high seas in the Andaman Sea. The Royal Thai Navy Third Area Commander Admiral Somnuek Prempramot says, “At about noon yesterday (August 8) we were asked…
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Eight arrested with drugs, firearms and ammunition
A team of Mueang Phuket District officers led by Danai Jaikheang have arrested eight male and female suspects with a variety of illicit drugs, firearms and ammunition. The eight suspects arrested are 27 year old man Watanyu Jaiyen, arrested at a house in Soi King Kaew, Rassada. Officer seized 4.34 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 6 methamphetamine pills, 3 handguns and…
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‘If in doubt, don’t go out” – ISLA warnings
The International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA) is recommending that Phuket’s exposed west coast beaches be closed to swimmers, until current conditions subside. The following warnings are in effect: • High surf • Dangerous shorebreak • Severe rip currents in some locations • High winds • Sudden squalls • Rapid beach erosion in some areas A warning means these conditions are…
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‘Serenata’ captain and company manager charged
A law suit has been filed against the Serenata’s boat captain and the Chinese marketing manager of the company that owns the yacht. The Serenata was found to be of alleged ‘defective maintenance’. Serenata sank on the same day as Phoenix, July 5, but didn’t suffer any casualties with all passengers saved. Phuket’s Provincial Police commander Maj Gen Teerapol Thipjaroen says… “for…
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Man arrested with drugs (not very well) hidden in his underwear
Police have arrested a man with 4,000 methamphetamine pills hidden inside his underwear at Phuket checkpoint this week. A team of police at the Phuket Checkpoint in Mai Khao arrested 22 year old Kriengkrai Jongrak from Krabi after found the 4,000 methamphetamine pills. Kriengkrai was taken to the Tha Chatchai Police Station where he was charged with illegal possession of…
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Power outage in parts of Chalong tomorrow
FILE PHOTO: PEA Residents of Chalong should be aware that there is a scheduled power outage from 9am to 4.30pm tomorrow (Wednesday) as the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) continues its work on high power voltage systems in the area. The blackouts will affect… from the intersection near the TOT Chalong office to an intersection near Country Home Housing estate Luang…
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“No mafia in Patong” – Patong businessman
The Patong Police Chief and a famous Patong businessman claim that there is no mafia in Patong. The comments come, unprompted, after arrest warrants were issued for three suspects last week in connection to the double, execution-style, murders in Sattaphip, near Pattaya on July 29. One of them is well-known local Patong businessman, known as ‘Sia Auan’ aka. 39 year old…
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Jet-skis and parasail rides banned until August 9
The Acting chief of the Phuket Marine Office has announced a ban for jet-skis and parasail ride operators using Phuket’s west coast beaches, including today (August 7). Phuket Marine Office Acting Chief, Wiwat Chitcherdwong says, “according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) Office, heavy rain and high waves, up to three metres are still affecting the Andaman Sea until Thursday…
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Fire destroys Phuket tour boat
A fire has burnt out a large tour boat under maintenance in Rassada, east of Phuket Town, this afternoon (August 6). The damage bill is said to be more than 5 million baht. The Phuket City Police were notified of the fire at 1.30pm near the Phuket Fish Market Organisation. Police and fire fighters arrived at the scene to find…
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Emergency water shut-off hits Koh Kaew and Thalang
FILE PHOTO: PWA The Phuket Water Authority (PWA) has announced today (August 6) that water supply in some areas of Koh Kaew and Thalang will be shut off as the mains pipe broke earlier today. The mains have been shut off from 9am until repair works can be completed. The PWA says that water supply in some areas of Koh Kaew will…
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Phuket hotels group aims to step up environmental education
By Sirivish Toomgum All members of the Phuket Hotels Association have jointly committed to eliminate plastic water bottles and drinking straws from rooms by 2019 as part of an effort to ensure a sustainable future for Phuket, said association president Anthony Lark. The association has also provided information to its hotel members about companies that provide alternatives to plastics for…
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Chinese media invited to Phuket to check on marine safety updates
Deputy Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau based in Bangkok, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn, was in Phuket over the weekend (twice) and yesterday (Sunday) led Chinese media to follow up on marine safety measures on the island. A team of officers led 24 Chinese journalists from 12 Chinese media outlets were invited to Phuket to follow up on marine safety measures…
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Phoenix owner fails to meet deadline to salvage the boat
PHOTO: Director General of the Marine Department Jirut Wisanjit The owner of Phoenix has failed to recover their boat, after it sank on July 5 killing 47 Chinese tourists. The boat company will now be sued for salvage expenses estimated to be around 10 million baht. Director General of the Marine Department Jirut Wisanjit flew down to Phuket from Bangkok…
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670,000 fewer Chinese tourists – Thailand counts its losses after the Phoenix boat disaster
Some of the fallout from the Phuket boat disaster is now starting to hit home, with more to come as cancellations bite into tourist arrivals, principally Chinese tourists. Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has officially revised down its forecast for July to December by nearly 670,000, to 5.1 million Chinese tourists. The South China Morning Post reports that Thailand…
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Latest ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ nets UK and Nigerian overstayers, both over 1,000 days
File Photo The crackdown on serial overstayers continues across the country, including a British national arrested in Phuket. 53 year old Chris Michel was bundled up on Friday morning after it was revealed that he had overstayed his visa by 1077 days, nearly 3 years. 62 foreign nationals were detained in the latest ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’, targeting 75 locations…
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Phuket boat show rumbles – a new show announced
There used to be one Phuket boat show, then there was two, then there was the two coming together as one… and now there is a new event. Royal Phuket Marina are putting together their own show with Andy Dowden, of PIMEX fame, the principle organiser of the new Phuket Yacht Show. The new show is being planned for January…
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Man charged over posting soft porn photos in Old Phuket Town Â
A man who appeared in ‘obscene’ photos, shot in Old Phuket Town and posted on Facebook, has been charged with offences to the Computer Crime Act. The couple, engaging in ‘intimate’ photos taken around Old Phuket Town, met with police after their photos went viral in social media on Thursday (August 2). Read more about the photos HERE. Yesterday afternoon (Aug…
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Thavorn Hotels & Resorts receives Thailand MICE Venue Standard Award
Thavorn Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce its certification of Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS) by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). The certification assesses venues in three key areas – physical, technological, and service requirements. Certified venues appear on an Approved List and are publicised worldwide as venues that meet international standards. MICE – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and…
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Russia set to establish Consulate-General in Phuket
The Russian Federation is poised to open a Consulate-General in Phuket in response to the growing Russian expat community and consistent stream in Russian tourists coming to the island. Russian PM Dmitriy Medvedev signed the order last Saturday ratifying the new diplomatic mission on the island. There are no details in the letter about when the Consulate-General will open its doors…
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Couples posting obscene photos in Old Phuket Town to meet with police
Pictures of a couple in allegedly obscene photos taken in Old Phuket Town are to meet with police after their photos went viral in social media yesterday (Aug 2). A Thai facebook page which is translated as ‘Want to be famous; here we go’ yesterday shared photos of a Facebook user with message read ‘here we come, school cosplay. what…
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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