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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Amulet thief arrested in Cherng Talay
A team of the Cherng Talay Police led by Maj Parinya Kwankaew have arrested 47 year old Jiradet Kongkaew from Pattalung at a house in Srisoonthorn yesterday. Police seized 29 famous amulets including ‘Luang Por Chaem’. He was taken to the Cherng Talay Police Station where he was charged with theft. (An amulet is an object that is typically worn,…
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Fire in an unused classroom in Krabi
Fire fighters and fire trucks arrived at a class room on the third floor at a school in Krabi yesterday (May 15). Teachers and students were trying to put out the fire with fire extinguishers and buckets of water. Krabi Police were notified of the fire at the Krabi Provincial Administartive Organisation (OrBorJor) School in Krabi City at 1pm .…
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Woman talked down from pedestrian bridge in Thalang
Thalang Police were notified of an incident on Thepkrassattri Road in front of the Thalang District Health Office at 11:50 last night (May 14). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find an emotional woman standing on the iron guard of the 5.5 metre bridge during heavy rain. The woman was later identified as a 38 year old…
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Rescue workers help mother give birth in Krabi
Rescue workers were notified that a woman was about to give birth at a house in Klongthom, Krabi last night (May 14). She was was later identified as 39 year old Chamaiporn Intasar was found in end-stage labour pain and poised to give birth. Rescue workers from the Krabi Pitak Pracha Rescue Foundation assisted Ms Chamaiporn to give birth to…
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12 year old motorcycle rider killed in Wichit after head crushed by tour bus
Wichit Police have been notified about an accident at 4:40pm yesterday (May 15) on Chao Fa–Suanluang Road, opposite a furniture mall near Naka Jor Su Kong Shrine in Wichit. Police, along with medical staff and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a Honda motorbike in the middle of the road. Nearby was the body of 12 year old…
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1.5 tonne whale shark caught up in a fishing net in Krabi
A whale shark was found caught up in a fishing net at Ao Nang between Koh Phi Phi and Koh Khaew (Green Island) by ‘Kietwarin 3’ fishing boat over the weekend. The whale shark was 5 metres and weighed around 1.5 tons. The owner of the fishing boat, 48 year old Udon Boonsuk, who is also a boat captain says…
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Bangkok Airways to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket
Bangkok Airways is looking to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket this November. This according to Bangkok Airways’ regional airline vice president, Varong Israsena. Myanmar National Airlines started operating a direct flight between Yangon and Phuket last month and are looking to increase frequency of the flights from Myanmar’s largest city to Phuket. “I see great potential in Myanmar.…
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Krabi drug dealer tries to bury over 10,000 methamphetamine pills
On Saturday (May 12) Krabi Police arrested a woman, 43 year old Surat ‘Rat’ Sansatan. Police seized 10,700 methamphetamine pills (ya bah). She was charged with possession of Category 1 drug with intent to sell. The arrest follows police receiving a tip-off that a big drug deal was going down at a house in Klongtom, Krabi. Police headed to the house…
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Drug dealer arrested in sting operation
Border Patrol Police this week arrested Saksuriya ‘Ta’ Kajornduang at the parking area of the Yeeteng Market on Chao Fa Road in Phuket Town. Police seized 11.93 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) and a licensed handgun with 15 bullets. He was taken to the Phuket Police Station to face charges of possession with a Category 1 drug with intent to sell,…
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Man killed, murderer arrested in Rassada
The Phuket City Police have been notified of an incident in front of a house in Soi Malipan, Rassada on Saturday (May 12). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of a man who was identified as 30 year old Peerasit Saelim surrounded by a pool of blood on the ground. A kitchen knife was…
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Female drug dealer arrested in Phuket Town
Border Patrol Police this week arrested 24 year old Saranya ‘Palm’ Arjmongkon at a condominium in Phuket Town. Police seized 29.51 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) and 355 methamphetamine pills (ya bah). She was charged with possession with Category 1 drug with intent to sell. The arrest follows police receiving a tip-off that Saranya was selling drugs on the street. On…
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Phuket’s Governor inspects lifeguards at the northern beaches
The Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong has had his first inspection of lifeguards at Mai Khao Beach. There are now five lifeguards at Mai Khao Beach, the long stretch of beach along the northern end of Phuket’s west coast. Three more lifeguards will be hired. Governor Norraphat says “Currently there are no beach lights, CCTV camera or tourist service centres at Mai…
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Thai young gun Varanyu leads by eight shots at Singha Laguna Phuket Open
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij extended his lead by eight shots after shooting a one-under-par 69 in the third round of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open on Saturday. The 21-year-old Thai, who has led since round one, put himself in prime position for his first professional win. He leads on 18-under-par 192 at the award-winning Laguna Phuket course. New Asian Development Tour…
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Taxi catches fire outside Cassia Laguna Hotel – No injuries
Officials at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) stationed in Cherng Talay were notified of an incident in front of Cassia Hotel in Laguna, Cherng Talay at 9:05pm last night (May 11). Fire fighters with two water trucks arrived at the scene along with the Cherng Talay Police. At the scene they found a burnt white Toyota taxi…
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Varanyu holds commanding lead at Singha Laguna Phuket Open
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphaibulkij maintained his position at the top with his second round of nine-under-par 61 at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open on Friday. The 21-year-old Thai carded a flawless round with seven birdies and one eagle to lead the field by seven strokes on a 17-under-par 123 total at the 2 million baht (approx. USD64,000) event co-sanctioned by the…
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Andaman Hub Medical Network launched in Phang Nga
An opening ceremony was held today (May 11) at the Andaman Hub Medical Network in Takua Pa, Phang Nga. The launch was hosted by Public Health Minister Doctor Piyasakol. Beach safety and marine accident rescue drills were being held. Doctor Piyasakol says, “We have developed public health services for 23 coastal marine provinces. Health Premium Service and Maritime Emergency Care Systems…
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Phuket Gateway officially launched
The opening ceremony for the Phuket Gateway was held this morning (May 11) in Mai Khao, just north of the Thachachai Checkpoint. The ceremony was hosted by Phuket’s Governor Norraphat and Thalang District Chief Adul Choothong. Governor Norraphat says “The government has been paying attention to locals in the area saying they want to generate more local income for tourists…
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Motorbike driver died after running into garbage truck in Thalang
Thalang Police were notified about an accident in front of the Thalang Police Station on Thepkrasattri Rd southbound at 7:20pm last night (May 10). Police, together with rescue workers, arrived at the scene to find an orange garbage truck was parked beside the road. The truck driver 51 year old Somboon Tonglueng was waiting for police at the scene. A…
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Phuket Property Awards for Export 2018
PHOTO: The Regent Bang Tao “We have received some good ideas from the Phuket Governor to make a good image for condominium investors in Phuket and to improve confidence and credibility for both Thai and Foreign customers. Many condominium project complaints have been filed at the Damrongdhama Centre.“ This from the President of the Phuket Real Estate Association (P-REA), Boon…
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Police search for truck battery thief in Krabi
A condominium general manager in Ao Nang Kanchit Chotkosit says, “We’ve discovered that on Tuesday (May 8) a thief stole two batteries from water trucks which were parked inside the condominium compound. Those two batteries cost more than ten thousand baht. “CCTV footage shows that the thief was wearing a full face helmet. He was driving a white Yamaha motorbike.…
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KLM jet continues flight after precautionary landing in Phuket
At 12:20pm Wednesday staff members at the Air Traffic Control department of the Phuket International Airport were notified that a KLM Boeing 777-200, Flight KL 809 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, had to make a precautionary landing in Phuket, after smoke started filling the cabin when a passenger’s mobile phone ‘overheated’. Read more HERE General Manager Petch Chancharoen said, “There were…
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The Blue Horizon World Corporate Golf Challenge, Thailand
The WCGC Thailand roared back into action in 2018 with a new Title Sponsor ‘Blue Horizon’ at the helm of the event, and a new scoring system. With a title sponsor on board it enabled the entry fees to be lowered significantly from last year helping the event double participation on last year event with over 150 teams taking part…
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Volunteer training to get ready for school-term traffic snarls
“There are many schools and educational institutions in Phuket. This will definitely affect the island’s traffic, especially in Phuket Town, when they’re arriving and departing.” Yesterday (May 9) at the Phuket City Police Station, the Phuket City Police Chief Col Sompong Tiparpakun and the Phuket City Traffic Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Pongpop Prasoppichai lunched the training for volunteers to…
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Investors continue buying up Phuket development projects, land prices increasing
President of Phuket Real Estate Association (P-REA), Boon Yongsakul says, “Real estate investment in Phuket is continuing to grow. We are sure that this year’s investment is growing more than last year.” “Phuket has a very beautiful natural environment and Phuket local people are very nice. More foreign tourists continue to visit Phuket. Investors, both Thai and foreigners, are continuing…
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Motorbike taxi driver arrested after robbing Australian tourist
A reenactment was held at Rawai Palm Beach Resort, opposite the Rawai Municipality yesterday (May 9) led by Chalong Police Chief Col Pakayot Tanongsak together with Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos. The suspect in the re-enacment was 48 year old Tanapon Sukjam, a motorbike taxi driver from Surat Thani who’s stationed at Rawai Beach. On May 8, around 3:30am, Tanapon robbed…
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Paklok community release new marine life to counter over-fishing in the region
The Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong attended activities yesterday (May 8) at the Baan Para Pier in Paklok at 4pm. Joining him were the Chief of the Phuket office of the Department of Fisheries, Kowit Kaoean and others. Mr Kowit says, “Our marine resources are being degenerated and decreased as illegal fisheries equipment continue to be used and there are many fisheries…
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JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa appoints new GM Matthias Y. Sutter
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is delighted to announce the appointment of Matthias Y. Sutter as the General Manager who brings with him a wealth of knowledge and 18 years of luxury hospitality expertise. In this role, he will be primarily responsible for managing the hotel operations and maintaining the exceptional services of the 265-room keys luxury Phuket resort…
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Nigerian man arrested with cocaine in Thalang
A team of the Thalang Police today (May 9) have arrested a 32 year old Nigerian man, Emeh Tobechukwu Kyran. He was arrested at a checkpoint on Thapkrasattri Road southbound in front of Thalang Police Station at 2.30am this morning. He was found cocaine with totaling 44.7grams. The arrest came after Kyran, who was driving a car, was stopped by…
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Police crackdown on Kathu and Patong pharmacies selling unlisted drugs
Officials from Kathu District Office led by Kathu District Chief Somprach Prabsongkram along with a pharmacist from the Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO), randomly checked pharmacies in the Kathu District this week. Three pharmacies in Patong have been checked and found to be legal. Police were checking for sales of cough syrups that could be used to mix with Kratom…
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Swedish man dies after allegedly jumping from 8th floor of a Phuket hotel
A Swedish man has died after allegedly jumping from the balcony of a Patong hotel. Patong Police were notified of the incident at 3:35pm yesterday (May 8). Together with rescue workers and Patong medical staff, they arrived at the hotel on Rat Uthit 200 Pi Road in Patong. At a parking area near the building they found the body of a…
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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