Phuket News
Phuket news, politics, business, tourism, and nightlife—stay updated with breaking stories, events, and expat updates from Thailand’s top island destination. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Phuket news source.
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12Go introduces Japan Rail Passes to enhance travel accessibility for international travellers
For those who have travelled throughout Thailand, 12Go is a well-known provider of various trips, though the platform itself has a much wider reach. Ranging from buses to planes, 12Go is undoubtedly a leading booking platform for travel throughout the...
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Phuket’s underwater neighborhood gets a pre-high season clean
More than 300 volunteers, including divers and local volunteers, joined the cleaning activities held yesterday around Phuket. Rawai Mayor Arron Solos says, “There are many beautiful diving points in the Andaman Sea. In addition, from May to October every year, it is the monsoon season or ‘Green Season’ which can cause some strong wind and waves.” “Garbage and broken fishing…
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Dead Australian visited shooting range three times – Police
Following the death of the Australian 25 year old, who shot himself at a Sakoo shooting range on Friday, police have concluded their initial investigation. The man died at Vachira Hospital on Friday night. Police checked CCTV footage in the shooting range and have spoken to witnesses. Police have announced that Jayden Antony Cook had come to the shooting range…
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Phuket’s new Governor starts work today
Newly-appointed Phuket Governor Pakkapong Tawipat has arrived in Phuket after former-Governor Norraphat Plodthong has now retired. The Thai cabinet approved the new Phuket governor to replace current Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong who retired officially on September 30. The new Phuket governor, Pakkapong Tawipat, was a previous Governor of Phitsanulok. Governor Pakkapong’s qualifications include… • High school from Suankularb Wittayalai School…
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Central Floresta releases a statement following Tribhum ‘volcano’ fire
Central Floresta has spoken out after a fire almost destroyed a theme park under construction but stressed that the incident hadn’t affected other costumer services at the new shopping centre. The cause of fire is being investigated and a statement will be made after a full check of all systems and interviews with workers on the site, and the new…
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25 year old Australian, who shot himself in Sakoo, dies
The young Australian man who shot himself in the right temple at a Sakoo shooting range yesterday afternoon, has died as a result of his injuries. The man shot himself at the Asian Shooting Range, just south of the Phuket International Airport. The man, 25 year old Jayden Antony Cook, had arrived in Phuket on September 25 for a month’s…
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Official travel warnings about Phuket issued by the Chinese Embassy
“The embassy reminds Chinese tourists to follow the rules while in Thailand and to stay out of the water when authorities put red flags on beaches, indicating the marine situation is dangerous.” The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok is telling travellers to take particular care in Thailand’s southern resort provinces of Phuket, Phang-Nga and Krabi. The embassy has issued an official…
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Central’s new volcano goes up in flames
VIDEOS: Kristopher and Toribio One of Central Floresta’s new themed feature attractions has been totally guttered today in a dramatic fire that started just after opening time this morning. The ‘Tribhum’ attraction, a walk-thru theme park, scheduled to open before the end of the year, burnt fiercely as the outer skin of the ‘volcano’ caught fire and kept burning until…
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Thai mothers caving to superstition or private hospital wishes when having babies
by Kornwaree Panyasuppakun and Tim Newton “Many babies in Thailand are born to suit ‘auspicious days’ or the Obstetrician’s golf plans.” The expectant mother reported to the private hospital in Phuket where she and her husband had decided to have their first baby. When she walked in for her appointment with the Obstetrician the first question was when she wanted to…
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Australian tourist shoots himself at a Sakoo shooting range
A 25 year old Australian tourist has sustained serious injuries following a gunshot at a shooting range in Sakoo today. Sakoo is a Tambon near the Phuket International Airport. The Phuket Tourist Police report that they were notified from the Sakoo Police at 2pm that a male Australian tourist, later identified as Cook Jayden Antony, used an automatic handgun to…
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Drunk Phuket Tuk Tuk driver charged after running red lights
PHOTO/VIDEO: Nicky phukettour / Newshawk Phuket The drunk driver’s behaviour was bad enough. The police pursuit also poses questions…. A drunk Tuk Tuk taxi driver has been charged after running through red lights in Patong. Patong Police report that a Tuk Tuk taxi driver has run through red lights at 4.45pm from the traffic light near Bangla road, Jungcelon Department…
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Two arrested with nearly 2,000 methamphetamine pills at Phuket Checkpoint
Two people have been arrested with 1,952 methamphetamine pills at the Phuket Checkpoint at Tha Chatchai, far north of the island. A team of officers arrested two men from Nakhon Si Thammarat, 28 year old Surasak Kaewmanee and 20 year old Watchara Rattanapong. Police seized 1,952 methamphetamine pills, an unregistered handmade handgun, four bullets and a new Toyota car. Surasak…
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Snap for Stray exhibition @ Limelight Avenue
The Soi Dog Foundation has mounted the ‘Snap for Stray’ Photo Exhibition which will run until September 29 at Limelight Avenue in Phuket Town. The exhibition gathers 40 beautiful photographs from contestants of the Snap for Stray Photo Contest held earlier last month. The exhibition aims to change peoples’ attitude about stray dogs, showing them that strays can be lovely,…
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Police hunting for Phuket coffee shop thief
Phuket police are hunting for a thief who has broken into a coffee shop in Thalang this week. Thalang Police were notified of the incident at the coffee shop inside PTT gas station on Thepkrasattri Road, northbound in Thalang. Panada Molee, a coffee shop staff member, told police that she had closed the coffee shop at 8pm on Tuesday night…
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Darasamut Underpass to close temporarily for repairs
The Phuket Highway Office has issued an announcement that says the Darasamut Underpass (adjacent to Central Festival) will be closed from 9am to 3pm on Thursday (September 27). The announcement says, “Both the northbound and southbound lanes through the underpass will be temporary closed.” “Workers will be carrying out maintenance, repairing water pumps and fans from 9am to 3pm on September…
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Trailer driver escapes injury in Phang Nga roll over
PHOTOS: ทีวีคนอาสา จังหวัดพังงา / Newshawk Phuket A driver of has escaped injury after a trailer rolled over off the side of a road in Phang Nga yesterday. Phang Nga foundation rescue workers were notified of the accident at 2.15pm at an intersection on Petkasem Road, southbound. Rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the 18 wheeler trailer rolled over off…
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Two injured in By Pass road roll-over
PHOTOS: Jao Blue Car 2299 / Newshawk Phuket Two people have been injured after an SUV careered off the side of Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Road (Bypass Road) last night. Rescue workers were notified of the accident on the By Pass Road, southbound, around 11pm. They arrived at the scene to find an SUV rolled over on the roadside verge. Inside the…
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Seven Phuket police questioned, more evidence collected
PHOTO: The pursued pickup slams through motorcyclists at a traffic light in Rassada. Seven Phuket police today have been called to acknowledge the charge of intent to murder. More evidence has also been collected. At the Cherng Talay Police station today a team of investigators, including police, prosecutors and representative from the lawyers council, have spoken to the seven police.…
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Tourism stakeholders commit to plastic-free future at PHIST
PHIST – Phuket Hotels for Island Sustaining Tourism Forum 2018 Leading hotels and tourism groups have signed the “Phuket Pledge” at Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism Forum 2018 (PHIST) establishing a model for the future development of islands throughout Asia that embraces sustainability as a core and sets urgent goals for long-term change. The Phuket Pledge is a commitment…
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Mechanic found dead on tour boat – Phuket
PHOTOS: Suppawattakan Khunnaluck A mechanic. whose head had been injured, was found dead on a boat in Chalong last night. Chalong Police were notified of the incident at the Chalong Pier at 7.20pm last night Police and emergency responders arrived to find a body of a man who was later identified as 30 year old Wanchai Yuttasang from Nakhon Si Thammarat.…
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Seven Phuket police charged with intent to murder
Seven Phuket police have been charged with intent to murder after a man was shot dead after breaking through a checkpoint. A Phuket man, who broke the Phuket City Police checkpoint, was shot and died after allegedly attempting to open fire on police in Cherng Talay very early on (September 18). Read more about the man running the checkpoint and…
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Seven Phuket police transferred off the island after man shot dead
Seven police officers have already been transferred out of Phuket while investigations continues after a man was shot dead by police following the man breaking through a checkpoint in Phuket Town last week. The Phuket man, who broke a Phuket City Police checkpoint, died after ‘attempting’ to open fire on police in Cherng Talay early on September 18. Read more…
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Foreign man rescued after drifting out to sea
PHOTOS: Mam 5828 H 117 / Newshawk Phuket A European man has been rescued after he was floating off Patong Beach for almost two hours over the weekend. Kusoldharm Rescue were notified about the incident at 8.35pm on Saturday night. Divers from Kusoldarm Foundation searched for the man for two hours while Patong lifeguards were on standby on the beach. Luckily…
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Three Phuket Town locals arrested with illicit drugs
Police have arrested three suspects with methamphetamine pills, crystal methamphetamine and kratom. Police firstly arrested 35 year old Wichean ‘Mar’ Saetan. Police seized 9.35 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 184 of methamphetamine pills. He has been charged with illegal possession of Category 1 drugs with intent to sell. He admitted that a man, named only as ‘Peiak’, asked him to deliver…
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Phuket Tourist Police stop to help at a road accident
PHOTOS: The Phuket Tourist Police / Newshawk Phuket Lt Col Milin Peanchang and Capt Eakkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police were on the way to meet the Phuket Governor, Norraphat Plodthog. But it wasn’t going to be a normal drive to meet the Governor today. Lt Col Milin Peanchang ordered his team to stop and help a man injured…
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More sea snakes sighted along Patong Beach
PHOTOS: ได้หมด ถ้าสดชื่น / Newshawk Phuket Many sea snakes have been found along the shores of Patong Beach this morning (September 21). About five sea snakes were caught by boat operators, Patong lifeguards and locals in the early hours of Friday. Local fishermen say sea snakes are usually found in open seas and swimming on the water surface. Their food is…
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Big Bike rider dies in Phuket road accident
PHOTO: Kjnine999 / Newshawk Phuket A motorbike rider died in a road accident in Kathu early this morning (September 21). Rescue workers were notified about the accident on Phra Phuket Kaew Road, heading from Kathu to Patong near the Bang Chak gas station at 2.10am. Rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of a man who was…
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Phuket woman arrested with over 20,000 methamphetamine pills
A Phuket woman has been arrested with 20,772 of methamphetamine pills and 73.43 grams of crystal methamphetamine in Chalong. A team of patrol police arrested 39 year old Jiraphon ‘Sao’ Chauykerd. She was arrested in front of a house in Soi Luang Por Cham in Chalong. Police seized 20,772 of methamphetamine pills and 73.43grams of crystal methamphetamine from the residence.…
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Anatomy of a photo
PHOTO: หญิง’ โลนลี่ / ¥.OunG.¥ / เหยี่ยวข่าว ภูเก็ต Yesterday a dramatic photo of an approaching storm front was a big hit, being shared many thousands of times. It was taken at the Phuket International Airport at 14.39, according to the time stamp. The photo was taken by members of the Newshawk news team in Phuket, news partners with The Thaiger.…
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Koh Payu monkeys have a fruit feast
PHOTOS: Pongchart Chouehorm A team of officers from the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre headed out to Koh Payu where monkeys were released to their new home over two months ago. The visit was to check on their welfare and give them a fruit-fest – LOTS of bananas. Today (September 20), 80 monkeys, which had already been sterilised and released onto…
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Seven arrested with illicit drugs
The Phuket City Police have arrested 7 drugs suspects with quantities methamphetamine and kratom leaves this week. The seven unrelated cases were all aged between 20 and 63 years old. • 63 year old Sanom Netsawang was arrested with 19 of methamphetamine pills. • 24 year old Kosin Daman and 20 year old Wirat Nookun were arrested with 1,250 millilitres of…
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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