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 Is cannabis really safe? Here’s what you need to know
Thai society’s views on cannabis continue to change for the better as the industry grows. More and more people are starting to embrace the plant for its medicinal and holistic wellness benefits. But despite growing acceptance, some stigma and perception...
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Phuket: Two arrested in Rawai over illegal football gambling
Two Thai men have been arrested in Rawai after they were found to be illegally gambling on World Cup football matches. Yesterday afternoon a team of officials from the Chalong Police arrested 55 year old Gosri ‘Boon’ Rueangrit and 30 year old Sriwawut Rueangrit at a house in Rawai. Police seized four books of loan lists from Gosri, a bank…
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How much would you pay for a plastic amulet?
The shenanigans at the Kathu Temple, where Chinese tour buses are arriving daily in their droves to purchase ‘lucky’ and ‘magic’ amulets, continues. This time two Dutch tourists, interested to visit a temple and check out the alleged lucky amulets, were horrified by what they discovered. The two, who have asked us not to publish their names, visited the temple…
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Soi Dog – Going, going green!
To celebrate the World Environment Day on June 5, 2018, the Soi Dog Foundation implemented a series of actions to reduce its carbon footprint as well as improve its Corporate Social Responsibility and ‘best practice.’ While the core mission of the Foundation remains the same, Soi Dog now goes one step further by measuring the impact of its work within…
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Saleng driver escapes side-car gas bottle fire
A saleng (motorbike side car) has caught fire after a cooking gas leak today (June 22) in Kathu. Officers at the Kathu Municipality were notified about the incident on Phra Phuket Kaew Road near the Bang Chak Gas Station around 11am. Kathu Police and fire fighters arrived at the scene to find a Honda and its side car (saleng) on fire.…
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Nine arrested in Phuket drunk-driving campaign
Nine people have been arrested during random checks last night (June 21)around Phuket Town. A team from the Phuket City Police set up a checkpoint from 8.30pm to 11.30pm on Pa Lean Road in Phuket Town to enforce traffic rules and conduct random alcohol breath tests. 88 drivers had alcohol breath tests. Nine of them were found over the alcohol…
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Man drowns in Phuket jet-ski accident
A man has died after falling off from a jet-ski at a lagoon in Thalang yesterday (June 21) Thalang Police were notified about the incident at a lagoon on Srisoonthorn Road near the Valley Housing estate in Thalang at 4.30pm. Phuket Marine Police, diving rescue workers and the Thalang Police were involved in the search for the body. The search was…
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Cheap plastic chairs being used on Krabi-Phi Phi ferry
There is no doubt a lot of infrastructure is at critical ‘overload’ stage where tourist attractions are struggling to cope with the sheer number of tourists and visitors coming to the region. This applies to the transport infrastructure getting people here and there as well. While there has been an announcement about new ferry services linking the golden tourist triangle…
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Motorbike driver dies exiting Bang Khu underpass
A 43 year old Thai man died in a motorbike accident when he was driving out of the Bang Khu Underpass in Koh Kaew yesterday (June 21). Police were notified of the accident at Bang Khu Underpass on Thepkrasattri Road at 3.40pm. They arrived at the scene with rescue workers to find a man who was later identified as 43…
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One Chinese drowns, two others rescued at Koh Racha
Yesterday (June 21) strong waves battered three Chinese swimmers who went swimming, unattended, at Patok Beach on Koh Racha. Two of them were rescued while the third drowned. The body of a Chinese man was identified by the Phuket Tourist Police as 30 year old Su Wang when his body was brought back to Chalong pier. No signs of struggle…
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Monkeys released at Koh Payu – video and photos
Yesterday morning (June 21) 80 monkeys were released at Koh Payu, off the coast of Phuket. This island covers 26 rais plot of land. Water tanks were also installed on Koh Payu last week. Read more HERE. Pongchart Chouehorm, the Director of the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre and his team released 80 monkeys on their new home on Koh Payu.…
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Persistent Python vs Dog
https://www.facebook.com/kim.white.98/videos/10216374574019569/
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Sansiri launches THE BASE Central – Phuket
Sansiri launched another one of their ‘BASE’ branded condos with the launch of ‘THE BASE Central Phuket’. Quoting from their media release, “The design is influenced by an enchanting lifestyle where the native people and Chinese from across the seas come together to create the Peranakan culture under the new concept ‘MARK MY BASE’.” Poomisak Julamaneechot, Vice Managing Director of…
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41 more sterilised monkeys released back on Koh Sirey
41 sterilised monkeys have been released back to Koh Sirey yesterday (June 20). Another 52 monkeys were captured at Koh Sirey for sterilisation while 42 sterilised monkeys were released back to Soi King Kaew in Rassada on Monday (June 18). Read more HERE. Pongchart Chouehorm, the Director of the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre at Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area…
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Clear the streets! Bangkok Airways Phuket Half Marathon – August 5.
The streets are cleared, the roadways barren of traffic, all is ready. The Bangkok Airways Phuket Half Marathon 2018 coming up on August 5 is more than just a race. It is a chance to observe the local way of life and appreciate the area’s landmarks and Sino-Portuguese architecture from a different perspective in busy Phuket town – from the…
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Dead dolphin washed ashore at Surin Beach
A dead dolphin, 1.26 meters long, has been found on Surin Beach this morning (June 20). Officials at Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) were notified that the dolphin had been washed up on Surin Beach in Cherng Talay. MaAnn Samran, chief of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor) headed to Surin beach to head the inspection with officials. Khun…
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Monkey update: Rassada locals say returned monkeys happy to be home
Tha Chin locals in Rassada say they’re satisfied with the way the monkeys were captured last Friday (June 15) while locals say sterilised monkeys at Soi King Kaew in Rassada can get back into their groups now that they’re been released into their area. Yesterday (June 19) Pongchart Chouehorm, the Director of the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre at Khao…
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Phuket marine chief warns operators about boat safety during severe weather
The chief of the Phuket Marine Office has ordered authorities at all ports and piers, as well as the boat operators, to be careful heading out to sea, including today (June 20). Phuket Marine Office Chief, Surat Sirisaiyat, says “according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) Office, strong winds and waves are still affecting the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand…
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Kratom use on the rise in Phuket
Drug arrest statistics have shown that the use kratom is on the rise in Phuket followed closely by methamphetamine pills and crystal methamphetamine. Phuket’s Vice Governor Snith says, “We have found that kratom is the number one drug seized in Phuket. Even though our officers are strictly enforcing the law, arresting suspects and seizing this drug in large quantities, kratom…
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Phuket: Thailand Amazing Durian and Fruit Festival
Jungceylon Patong yesterday (June 18) hosted the launch of ‘Thailand Amazing Durian and Fruit Festival’ which will last until June 24. Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung and Deputy-director of Department of Internal Trade Chatchai Saksinchai presided over the opening ceremony. Khun Chatchai says, “The Ministry of Commerce has supported building businesses together with tourism. The festival is being launced in…
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52 monkeys captured in Koh Sirey, 42 sterilised monkeys released in Rassada
52 monkeys have been captured at Koh Sirey for sterilisation while 42 sterilised monkeys have been released back to Soi King Kaew in Rassada yesterday (June 18). Meanwhile the monkey sterilisations continued, as they have since June 12. So far there are 216 monkeys captured as part of the capture-neuter-rehome program for some of Phuket more mischievous monkeys. 42 monkeys that…
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Chao Fah West road closure for Chalong Underpass construction
Parts of Chao Fa West Road will close at night from June 29 to July 28 as the the Chalong Underpass construction staggers along. A meeting was held yesterday (June 18) at the Phuket Highway Office hosted by Phuket Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok and Phuket Highway Office Chief Somwang Lohanut. Vice Governor Snith says, “Traffic problems during the peak hours…
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Ride4Kids – Interview with Darren Scherbain
Tim Newton speaks to Darren Scherbain at the welcome home dinner at Mezzos.
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Ride4Kids – Interview with Romeo Perthuis
PHOTO: Romeo presenting Ride4Kids Organiser Donna Toon with a cheque for money raised at a fund-raiser at his school, Headstart International. Romeo speaks to Tim Newton on Saturday night at the welcome home dinner at Mezzos. Read more about Romeo’s involvement in the Ride4Kids HERE.
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90 houses damaged, power cables down on main roads – Phuket storm
There have been about 90 houses across Phuket that have been damaged from storms whilst eight power cables have been brought down in Thalang today (June 18). This is the latest in our coverage of the unusually wet and windy storms to hit the island. Officials have surveyed all the districts and found that there are about 90 houses which…
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Phuket lifeguards warn about Portuguese man-o-war
Phuket Lifeguards are warning swimmers after Portuguese man-o-war have been spotted on Phuket’s west coast beaches today (June 18). “Warning to all beach swimmers that a Portuguese man-o-war was found on Nai Yang beach, Mai Khao Beach and Patong Beach. If you feel pain on your skin it may caused by their sting. Please contact a lifeguard on your beach…
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Jungceylon Patong issues urgent safety order following Phuket storm
Jungceylon department store executives have issued a safety order after storms hit Phuket yesterday (June 17). The storm has damaged the front part of the shopping centre on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road. No injuries were reported. The notice says, “two safety orders for customers and pedestrians nearby are” The entrance of the store on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road has been…
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38 more monkeys captured in Rassada, water tanks installed on Koh Tanan
Water tanks are now being installed on Monkey Islands and 38 monkeys have been captured in Rassada for sterilisation in the ongoing Monkey move from Phuket to uninhabited outlying islands. 38 long-tailed macaques were caught at Soi Tha Chin in Rassada on Friday (June 15). Water tanks were also installed on Koh Tanan in Paklok last week. Pongchart Chouehorm, the…
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Police hunting for arsonist who allegedly torched ex-girlfriend’s car
Police are hunting for an arsonist who set a Mitsubishi Mirage on fire in Chalong yesterday morning (June 17). Chalong Police were notified of the incident at Baan Nakok in Chalong. Police and firefighters arrived at the scene to find a black Mitsubishi Mirage completely gutted by fire. It took about 20 minutes to put out the fire. The car…
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Two escape serious injuries in Phuket storm
Two people have escaped injures after a big tree toppled by high winds landed on their moving car as they were travelling through Thalang on Saturday (June 16). Thalang Police were notified of the incident on Pru Sompan Road at the entrance of Soi Baan Ja in Thapkrasattri, Thalang at 8.30pm. The fallen tree had blocked the road with the…
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Monkey chase in Chalong
Whilst mischievous monkeys are being rounded up and sent to uninhabited islands around Phuket, one has found its way into a Chalong residential area. A monkey was found running around homes in Chalong yesterday (June 16). Officers of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) stationed at Chalong Municipality were notified at 10.05am that a monkey was searching for…
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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