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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Kathu Street Festival, preserving culture and tradition
The tenth annual Kathu Culture Street Festival is on until Sunday night (July 29) and is being held on Wichit Songkhram Road, showcasing the cultural heritage of one of Phuket’s oldest and most vibrant communities. Vice Governor Snith says, “this is the second time that I am taking part in the Kathu Culture Street Festival. The festival is important to…
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Phuket honours HM The King on his 66th birthday
A host of special ceremonies are being held across Phuket today to honor and celebrate HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun’s 66th Birthday. The first ceremony, which got underway at 6.30am, was presided over by Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong offering alms to 67 monks as part of a blessing ceremony to honor HM The King at Queen Sirikit Park in Phuket Town. Also…
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Kathu Culture Street Festival until Sunday night
The tenth annual Kathu Culture Street Festival is on until Sunday night (July 29) and is being held on Wichit Songkhram Road, showcasing the cultural heritage of one of Phuket’s oldest and most vibrant communities. Vice Governor Snith says, “this is the second time that I am taking part in the Kathu Culture Street Festival. The festival is important to…
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Phuket’s croc watch takes to the skies over Layan Beach
Phuket’s latest crocodile escapee was spotted from a drone yesterday (July 27) afternoon near Layan Beach. The drone spotted the crocodile 200 metres from Layan Beach at 3pm yesterday. Cages have been set up along the beach and around rocks with chicken meat to tempt the hungry crocodile. The lone crocodile has been drifting with the current northwards along Phuket’s west…
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Register your crocodile by August 10 – Phuket Governor
OK, all you closet-crocodile owners, it’s time to register your crocodile. And make it snappy! Owners of crocodiles in Phuket must register them with the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office before August 10, 2018, or they will face legal action. Phuket’s Governor says “The province has issued an announcement notifying crocodile owners who have yet to register to the Phuket Provincial…
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Phuket crocodile spotted off Laypang Beach
Phuket’s latest crocodile escapee was spotted from a drone yesterday (July 26) evening near Laypang Beach, north of Bang Tao Beach. The crocodile catching team were notified by local fishermen at 6pm that the crocodile was seen swimming in the water near Laypang Beach. The drone spotted the crocodile near an island off the shore of Sirinat National Park area.…
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Croc tracks found on Bang Tao Beach
Traces of a crocodile claw footprints have been found at Bang Tao Beach today (July 26) as the crocodile search operation has struggled to find the shy reptiles citing strong wind and waves along the west coast. The crocodile search team claim they’ve found the croc-prints which, believed to be of the missing crocodile at Bang Tao Beach. The search…
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Search continues for missing Indian tourist at Karon Beach
A search is continuing for an Indian man who has been missing in the seas off Karon Beach since yesterday (July 25). Karon Police were notified at 5pm yesterday that a tourist was missing. Another Indian man had already been taken to hospital after being pulled from the sea. Karon Municipality is reporting that yesterday, lifeguards rescued one Indian tourist…
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New traffic conditions at the Chalong Circle roadworks
PHOTOS: Watcharapon Thaveesin The Phuket Highway Office has announced that the roundabout is closed and traffic is diverted around the construction site, effective until November 18. The new traffic plans will make the underpass construction faster by diverting traffic away from the actual circle area. The contractor is rushing the work schedule during this period, especially over the low season as…
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Thailand Golf Travel Mart 2018 being held in Phuket
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hosting golf operators from international markets to meet with suppliers at the Thailand Golf Travel Mart 2018 with the catch-phrase ‘World Class Golf Destination’. The event is being held in Phuket from July 23-26 and hosted by Phuket Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung, Public Relations Director of TAT Thanet Petchsuwan and golf, tour, and hotel operators…
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Chinese teenager rescued from Nai Harn surf
A Chinese boy and two other Chinese tourists were dragged out of the surf off Nai Harn beach after getting into difficulty in waves yesterday (July 25). The head of the Nai Harn Lifeguards, Jula Nontree, says, “The incident happened yesterday at about 4.30pm. A 13 year old Chinese boy and his two relatives went into the water while red…
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14 tourists and four Thai pulled out of Nai Harn surf
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Phuket Naiharn Surf Lifesaving Club Ten Russian tourists, four Chinese and four Thais were dragged from the surf off Nai Harn beach after getting into difficulty in waves yesterday (July 24). Nai Harn lifeguards rescued 18 swimmers in total yesterday afternoon. Pictures and videos have been put on Nai Harn Lifeguard facebook page yesterday with a message…
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More than 3,000 volunteers join event to mark the King’s birthday
More than 3,000 registered volunteers joined a big cleaning event in Phuket Town as a mark of respect to celebrate HM The King’s birthday on July 28. A n official launch of the day’s activities ceremony was conducted in front of a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun led by Grand Chamberlain Lt Gen Sakonket Chantra. All volunteers have swore to…
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Phuket: Areas hit by water shut off
Parts of the Wichit area have their water shut off today (July 25) since 9am this morning. The Phuket Water Authority (PWA) says that water supply in some areas of Wichit are shut off while work is being carried out repairing mains water pipes on Thep Anusorn Road. Areas affected are Narang –Borae Road Pattana Tongtin Road Soi Bangyai Irrawadi Bypass…
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Police raid Thalang houses, seize 207 kilograms of drugs
Police raided four target areas in Thalang over the past week in a continuation of their crackdown on drugs. They seized 207 kilograms of kratom, crystal methamphetamine and methamphetamine pills. A team of The Thalang Police arrested 19 year old Weerachai ‘Bub’ Jitjamnong from Phuket at a rented room in Thalang. Police seized a small quantity of crystal methamphetamine. He…
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Phuket’s beaches deserve world standard lifesaving
By Daren Jenner, Marine Safety Officer, International Surf Lifesaving Association The Phuket governor’s plan to turn over what little funds are being provided for critical marine lifesaving services to the Or Bor Tors will only perpetuate the current deadly cycle of inexperienced, non-certified lifeguards, low salaries, fragmented service, and lapses in coverage. All of these factors will in turn contribute…
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‘Phoenix’ salvage ordered while investigation continues
The director-general of the national marine department has ordered the salvage of ‘Phoenix’ – the tour boat that sank on July 6 resulting in the drowning of 47 Chinese passengers. The investigation into official negligence is also being conducted. Director general of the Marine Department Jirut Wisanjit says, “We issued an order for the ‘Phoenix’ boat owner on to organise…
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Blue Tree Phuket appoints hospitality ace as GM
Blue Tree Phuket has announced the appointment of Michael Ayling, a veteran of Phuket’s hospitality scene, as its general manager. Having worked in a consulting capacity on the project for the past 24 months, Mr Ayling now takes the reins to lead the development, beginning with its opening to the public in early 2019. The UK-born leisure industry professional brings…
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Beachgoers banned from swimming at Phuket beaches until crocodile is caught
Swimmers have been banned on all beaches in Phuket while the crocodile hunting operation is still in operation. Phuket is preparing to announce urgent crocodile registration measures in order to keep track of all known crocodiles in the area in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act. Governor Norraphat Plodthong says, “We are preparing to announce registration for all…
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Marine talkfest to ensure better marine safety in Phuket
A meeting was held this morning (July 23) at the Chalong Pier. The meeting was led by Navy chief of staff Admiral Pichet Tannaset who was determined to follow through with measures that would ensure marine safety – better controlling tour boats in Phuket in order to prevent marine accidents. Admiral Pichet says, “We don’t have direct power to enforce…
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Three arrested with 12,000 methamphetamine pills at checkpoint
Tha Chatchai Police have been conducting their latest crackdown on drugs at the Phuket Checkpoint and scored another major haul, arresting two men and one woman with 12,000 methamphetamine pills yesterday (July 23). The police arrested 36 year old Pratueang ‘Bang Hed’ Kanuengkarn, a 39 year old woman Saitip ‘Mae’ Boonjan – both are from Phuket – and 27 year…
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Crocodile hunters move to Paradise and Patong beaches
Phuket’s elusive west-coast crocodile was last seen last night (July 23) at Tri Trang Beach. Today, crocodile hunters are focussing their attention around the waters of Paradise and Patong Beach where the crocodile is believed to be heading. Yesterday morning (July 23) the crocodile appeared off Tritrang Beach in Patong Bay. Locals say that they spotted the crocodile of Tritrang Beach…
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Should Phuket’s beaches be closed until the crocodile is captured?
The crocodile’s location, search and capture attempts appear to be completely random and uncoordinated. Daren Jenner from the International Surf Life Saving Association says Phuket’s west coast beaches should be closed until it’s captured. Tim Newton reports… https://www.facebook.com/thethaigernews/videos/1801892163221937/
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A man was fished out of the Surin Beach surf today – whilst on-duty lifesavers watched
PHOTOS: Pavida Anantarasmi Witnesses at Surin Beach today watched in bemused confusion when a man, who was in difficulty whilst swimming off Surin Beach today, was helped back to shore. But not by one of the lifeguards on duty at the beach who stood at the shore and watched the rescue take place. The incident happened around 11am when a…
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Phuket’s crocodile arrives at Patong bay
Our latest crocodile update reports that it was last seen his morning (July 23) off Tritrang Beach in Patong Bay. Locals say that they have spotted the crocodile of Tritrang Beach at 9.15am. Karon Deputy Mayor says, “Last night we didn’t see the crocodile. It was last seen in the waters off Karon Beach near the Karon roundabout at 5.30pm yesterday…
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Search for Phuket’s elusive reptile continues – Crocodile sightings off Karon Beach
A “crocodile catching operation centre” has been set up at Karon Beach on Phuket while the professional crocodile catchers from Surat Thani are still battling with strong winds and waves to find the elusive reptile. Beachgoers have been walking along the beach instead of being allowed to go into the water. The crocodile was last officially seen early yesterday morning…
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Body of Phuket jet-ski staffer found in Phang Nga Bay
The body of the jet-ski staffer who disappeared in a Phuket storm around the Naka Island area last Tuesday (July 17) was found today (July 22) in Phang Nga Bay. A staff member of a jet ski business disappeared after he was hit by a wave near Koh Naka, off Ao Po in Pa Khlok at 3pm on Tuesday. Read the…
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Global Green Hotel Report – the third annual edition launched
by Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com The Green Lodging Trends Report 2018 (the third annual report) has been launched and will remain open until August 10, 2018. To participate, which is free, hotels need to sign up using the link HERE. Given the current influx of tourism to Phuket and all resort markets across Southeast Asia, this is a invaluable tool…
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The cost of living in Phuket
Living costs in Thailand can vary wildly, depending on where you live – it’s the same anywhere in the world. But the situation becomes more exaggerated on a tourist island like Phuket. No longer simply the tropical island paradise with kilometres of beaches, the island is now a bustling tourist magnet that caters for both ends of the tourist spend.…
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Phuket crocodile discovered on Kata Noi Beach
The crocodile was last seen resting on the shoreline of Kata Noi Beach early this morning (July 21). Swimmers have been banned from going into the water while the capture operation continues. Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos reported yesterday afternoon that the crocodile was heading to Kata Beach after spending two days taunting officials and professional crocodile hunters in the sea…
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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