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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Phuket launches road safety initiative for children
The Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) kickstarted an initiative to boost road safety awareness among the island’s children and youths. The project, titled Safe Transportation Under the Royal Grace, was organised to commemorate His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua‘s 6th cycle birthday, celebrated on July 28. An official event report highlights the activities held at the Honda Safety Riding…
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Motorbike mayhem: Monkey wreaks havoc on bike seat in Phuket
A large monkey at Khao Rang (also known as Monkey Hill) in Phuket Town tore apart the seat of a parked motorbike, prompting an assistant village headman to issue a warning for locals and tourists to be cautious around the monkeys. Suriyan Mai-on, the assistant village headman for Thalang district, shared a video of the incident online today, September 9,…
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Tourists rescued after ignoring red flags at Phuket beaches
Emergency services in Phuket rushed to rescue two tourists who nearly drowned after ignoring red flag warnings at Kata and Karon beaches. The tourists, from Russia and China, were successfully resuscitated with CPR before being taken to Chalong Hospital for further treatment. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sanya Suksawat of Karon Police Station received notification from the Karon Radio Centre about the…
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Bus-tling arrival: Baby born on board Khon Kaen-Phuket route
A woman travelling from Khon Kaen to Phuket on a bus unexpectedly gave birth while on board, assisted by a nurse who happened to be a fellow passenger. This marks her fourth child, and she was unaware of her pregnancy. The incident occurred today, September 9 at 8am, when Wiroj Srisang, Mayor of Simamokhon subdistrict, Klangdong, Pak Chong district, Nakhon…
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Phuket motorcycle taxi driver warned for harassing passenger
A motorcycle taxi driver in Patong has been identified and warned by police following allegations of sexually harassing a female passenger. A social media post under the heading “Patong Taxi Drivers Are Very Horny,” surfaced yesterday, September 7, describing the driver’s suggestive and harassing behaviour towards female passengers. This post caught the attention of Patong Police officers. The post did…
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Patong boosts public safety in Soi Bangla and Soi Lao crackdown
Patong officials are stepping up efforts to improve public safety and cleanliness in the bustling tourist area, particularly focusing on Soi Bangla and the notorious Soi Lao. This initiative aims to tackle ongoing issues in the area, including drug-related activities, illegal street vending, and misuse of public spaces. A team of officials, led by Kathu District Chief Thammarong Chuay-akson and…
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Sparks fly as electricians and ceiling installers clash in Phuket
A violent brawl erupted in Patong between three ceiling installers and eight electricians, all subcontractors working on adjacent rooms in the same building. The incident, involving knives and resulting in multiple injuries, prompted an immediate police response. Investigative officer Pongpipat Kamchumphu received a report yesterday, September 6, of the brawl at a construction site near the fire station intersection on…
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Phuket art festival: Thai dancers to take over Venice canals
In an unprecedented cultural spectacle, Thai dancers commandeered Venice’s iconic gondolas, leaving locals and tourists in awe as Phuket stakes its claim as the next global art hotspot. Thailand’s Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, under the Ministry of Culture, held a press conference in Venice, Italy, on Monday, September 2 to promote the Phuket Biennale 2025. Modelled after the…
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Teeing off comeback: Laguna Phuket at the heart of tourism revival
Laguna Phuket, a luxurious 2,500-rai resort complex, is at the heart of Phuket’s tourism resurgence. After the pandemic’s brutal hit to the travel industry, Laguna Phuket Vice President Paul Wilson shares how this iconic destination has not only weathered the storm but emerged stronger than ever. “Laguna Phuket’s prime location in Cherng Talay, with its luxury hotels, 18-hole golf course,…
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Koh Kaew residents still waiting for paved road and electricity
Residents of Koh Kaew have been stuck in limbo for years, living with an unpaved road and no electricity supply. However, after a tense meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday, there’s a glimmer of hope. The meeting, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, was convened by the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office following complaints from the residents. A group…
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Aussie buyers lose millions in Phuket condo scam
Two Australian men have filed a fraud complaint against the company behind The Peaks Residences project in Phuket after shelling out over 5 million baht for a dream condo that never materialised. Despite winning a civil court case, they are yet to see a single baht in compensation, sparking outrage and calls for justice. On September 4, the Central Investigation…
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Phuket outcry after drunk foreigner drives SUV into Bangla Road
Thai netizens condemned a foreigner who, while drunk, drove an SUV into a crowd of Thai and international visitors on Bangla Walking Street in Phuket. Some netizens have suggested that the driver might not actually be of foreign nationality. The Phuket Times shared pictures of an MG light blue SUV parked on a zebra crossing in the middle of Bangla…
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Swiss man walks free: Shocking gaps in prosecution exposed
In a sensational courtroom drama that gripped Phuket, Swiss businessman Urs Fehr aka David has been acquitted of assault charges after the Phuket Provincial Court found glaring inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. The owner of an elephant park, David, was accused of kicking Thai doctor Thandao Chandam on Yamu Beach in Thalang district on the night of February 24, but…
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Villa thrill-a: Russian buyers drive Phuket’s 2024 villa surge
Phuket’s villa market has seen a remarkable surge in the first half of 2024, surpassing the total launches for the entirety of 2023. For the first time in 15 years, the value of new villas has exceeded that of condominiums, driven primarily by robust demand from Russian buyers. Phattarachai Taweewong, director of the research department at property consultancy Colliers Thailand,…
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Thai man’s tragic end: Suicide at Phuket resort after affair exposed
A Thai man yesterday committed suicide in front of his mistress at a resort in Phuket after his wife discovered his secret affair. Officers from Patong Police Station were alerted to the suicide of the 40 year old Thai man named Sajeecha yesterday, September 3, and attended the scene at The Natural Resort to investigate. The forensic team from Vachira…
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Phuket: 80 million baht study for new Sarasin Bridge underway
A feasibility study amounting to 80 million baht is currently in progress for the new Sarasin Bridge project, confirmed Somkid Kittisopit, the new Director of the Phuket Highways Office. Somkid revealed the update during a meeting with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday. He provided updates on five major transportation projects intended to enhance travel efficiency, reduce…
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Swiss man acquitted in Phuket court for kicking woman doctor
A Swiss man charged with kicking a woman doctor on the steps leading down to a beach outside his villa in February was acquitted by Phuket Kwaeng Court yesterday. The court extended the benefit of the doubt to the 45 year old Swiss expat Urs Fehr, also known as David. Details of the court’s ruling remain undisclosed. David faced accusations…
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Phuket on high tide alert: 49 areas in flood zone
Phuket Town is now on the flood watch radar alongside 48 other vulnerable areas, according to the Mineral Resources Department. The popular tourist hotspot is bracing itself for yet another battering from severe weather. The department has listed 49 high-risk villages, with the Old Quarter and Chartered Bank community in the Mueang district topping the list. The department used cutting-edge…
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Phuket: Pregnant whale met tragic end due to floating garbage
A pregnant whale was found dead on a Phuket beach, tragically suffocated by a stomach full of floating rubbish. The grim incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the devastating impact of marine pollution. The 2.24-metre-long female Dwarf Sperm Whale was discovered on Bang Tao Beach in Choeng Thalay subdistrict, Thalang district, yesterday, September 2. Experts from the Upper…
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Karma’s a baht: Cheating Thai woman loses 78,000 to scammer
If karma indeed exists, then it worked its magic on a Thai woman in Phuket who cheated on her boyfriend. Subsequently, she lost 78,000 baht to a man she encountered on a dating app. The woman, whose identity remains concealed, informed the Phuket Times on Sunday, September 1, that she had lost her mobile phone before discovering that all 78,000…
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Patong motorbike taxi drivers investigated for Grab driver assault
Motorbike taxi drivers in Patong are under police investigation following a violent assault on a Grab motorbike taxi driver last night. The incident occurred on Phra Metta Road at approximately 9.08pm when Patong Police were notified of the attack. Police Major Chayakorn Tangsakul, upon learning of the assault, dispatched officers to the scene immediately. Patong Police Chief Chalermchai Hoernsawat was…
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British man escapes serious injury in Patong Hill motorbike fire
A British man narrowly avoided serious injury when his motorbike skidded and caught fire on Patong Hill yesterday. The incident occurred as the 62 year old rider was navigating the downhill slope past the Tiger Temple Shrine on his way to Patong Beach. Patong police received the call at approximately 2.14pm yesterday, September 2. Upon arrival, traffic police, Patong firefighters,…
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Major British drug dealer arrested in Phuket restaurant
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a major British drug dealer at a restaurant in Phuket yesterday after he escaped a life imprisonment sentence in the UK and fled to Phuket to live a life of luxury. The UK’s National Crime Agency requested cooperation from the Thai authorities in the arrest of the fugitive drug suspect, a 28 year old man…
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Phuket’s road to relief: Green light at the end of the traffic tunnel
Phuket’s long-awaited new road linking Kathu and Srisoonthorn is finally getting the green light, thanks to generous land donations from three of the island’s most prominent families. Local bigwigs have confirmed the long-stalled project is now full speed ahead. The Ekwanich, Kulwanich, and Saksaktawee families have handed over the land needed for the ambitious 5.6-kilometre road, designed to ease traffic…
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Tragic end to holiday: Saudi tourist found dead on Phuket beach
A Saudi tourist’s holiday in Phuket ended in tragedy yesterday evening when his body was discovered on Karon Beach. The grim find was made near the Naga Statue around 6.05pm, yesterday, September 1, prompting an immediate response from the emergency services. Karon Police Chief Khundet na Nongkhai and Deputy Chief Wiwat Chamnankit, along with rescue workers from Karon Municipality and…
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Warning issued for Patong beach after bluebottle jellyfish found
Officials in Phuket issued a warning for Patong beach visitors after dozens of venomous bluebottle jellyfish were found washed ashore. The Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (Upper Andaman Sea) reported encountering the jellyfish on the beach yesterday evening. Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and lifeguards from Patong Surf Life Saving quickly responded, discovering 40…
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Disabled woman’s fifth suicide attempt ends in tragedy in Phuket
A 39 year old Thai woman who resided at Baan Lipon complex in Si Sunthon village, Phuket was found dead at around 5.30am today. Police today, August 30, found the lifeless body of Sunanta Na Pattalung, leaning against the steel sliding shutters outside her home. Dressed in a blue tank top and shorts, Sunanta had tragically hanged herself using a nylon…
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Pattaya Airways’ maiden flight set to revolutionise Thai logistics
Thailand’s skies witnessed a game-changing event as Pattaya Airways launched its inaugural cargo flight on August 21. Flight PTW822 soared out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 6am, touching down in Phuket by 8.15am. The aircraft returned to the capital just after midday, marking a significant milestone in Thailand’s logistics industry. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat rolled out the red carpet for…
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Foreign driver damages Thai woman’s car during dispute (video)
A Thai woman is taking legal action against a foreign man for damaging her car during a heated traffic dispute on a road in Phuket yesterday. The Thai woman, whose name remains undisclosed, shared the details of the incident with the Phuket Times today, August 29. She explained that the foreign motorist, whose nationality was unknown, followed her from an…
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Burmese worker’s grief sparks axe rampage at Phuket camp
A Burmese worker’s grief over a friend’s death led to a chaotic rampage at a worker’s camp in Phuket, where he damaged a journalist’s car with an axe. The incident followed a fatal stabbing involving a Thai man and another Burmese worker. Yesterday, August 28, police in Thalang, Phuket, received reports of a man running amok and attacking a journalist’s…
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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