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 5 hidden healthcare costs in Thailand and how to avoid them
Thailand's healthcare system is affordable and supported by the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme, offering essential services to most citizens. However, hidden healthcare costs can surprise patients and lead to unexpected expenses. These include specialist fees, insurance gaps, emergency services,...
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Eight arrested with drugs, firearms and ammunition
A team of Mueang Phuket District officers led by Danai Jaikheang have arrested eight male and female suspects with a variety of illicit drugs, firearms and ammunition. The eight suspects arrested are 27 year old man Watanyu Jaiyen, arrested at a house in Soi King Kaew, Rassada. Officer seized 4.34 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 6 methamphetamine pills, 3 handguns and…
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‘Phoenix’ to be recovered by August 12
The law suit relating to the Phoenix boat sinking is expected to be filed at the end of this month while authorities are waiting for the boat to be salvaged, hopefully by the end of this week. Phuket’s Provincial Police commander Maj Gen Teerapol Thipjaroen says, “the process of questioning witnesses and gathering evidence about the ‘Phoenix’ case is almost done.”…
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‘If in doubt, don’t go out” – ISLA warnings
The International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA) is recommending that Phuket’s exposed west coast beaches be closed to swimmers, until current conditions subside. The following warnings are in effect: • High surf • Dangerous shorebreak • Severe rip currents in some locations • High winds • Sudden squalls • Rapid beach erosion in some areas A warning means these conditions are…
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‘Serenata’ captain and company manager charged
A law suit has been filed against the Serenata’s boat captain and the Chinese marketing manager of the company that owns the yacht. The Serenata was found to be of alleged ‘defective maintenance’. Serenata sank on the same day as Phoenix, July 5, but didn’t suffer any casualties with all passengers saved. Phuket’s Provincial Police commander Maj Gen Teerapol Thipjaroen says… “for…
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Power outage in parts of Chalong tomorrow
FILE PHOTO: PEA Residents of Chalong should be aware that there is a scheduled power outage from 9am to 4.30pm tomorrow (Wednesday) as the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) continues its work on high power voltage systems in the area. The blackouts will affect… from the intersection near the TOT Chalong office to an intersection near Country Home Housing estate Luang…
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Hotel badminton teams raise funds for Phuket school
Over 150 hoteliers from 20 resorts in the Phuket area came together to participate in the Outrigger Charity Badminton Tournament, held August 4 at the PK Arena Badminton Club in Thalang, central Phuket. Funds raised are going towards the Baan Kok Wat Mai School where Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort has undertaken several long-term projects, such as library renovation, school…
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“No mafia in Patong” – Patong businessman
The Patong Police Chief and a famous Patong businessman claim that there is no mafia in Patong. The comments come, unprompted, after arrest warrants were issued for three suspects last week in connection to the double, execution-style, murders in Sattaphip, near Pattaya on July 29. One of them is well-known local Patong businessman, known as ‘Sia Auan’ aka. 39 year old…
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Jet-skis and parasail rides banned until August 9
The Acting chief of the Phuket Marine Office has announced a ban for jet-skis and parasail ride operators using Phuket’s west coast beaches, including today (August 7). Phuket Marine Office Acting Chief, Wiwat Chitcherdwong says, “according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) Office, heavy rain and high waves, up to three metres are still affecting the Andaman Sea until Thursday…
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Emergency water shut-off hits Koh Kaew and Thalang
FILE PHOTO: PWA The Phuket Water Authority (PWA) has announced today (August 6) that water supply in some areas of Koh Kaew and Thalang will be shut off as the mains pipe broke earlier today. The mains have been shut off from 9am until repair works can be completed. The PWA says that water supply in some areas of Koh Kaew will…
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Man arrested over Phuket FamilyMart armed robbery
Police yesterday (August 5) have arrested a man who robbed a FamilyMart convenience store last Thursday (August 2) in Phuket Town. On Thursday the Phuket City Police were notified that a suspect used a gun to rob a FamilyMart on Maeluan Road in Phuket Town at 3.40am. The suspect threatened a staff member with a BB gun to hand over…
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Phuket hotels group aims to step up environmental education
By Sirivish Toomgum All members of the Phuket Hotels Association have jointly committed to eliminate plastic water bottles and drinking straws from rooms by 2019 as part of an effort to ensure a sustainable future for Phuket, said association president Anthony Lark. The association has also provided information to its hotel members about companies that provide alternatives to plastics for…
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Chinese media invited to Phuket to check on marine safety updates
Deputy Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau based in Bangkok, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn, was in Phuket over the weekend (twice) and yesterday (Sunday) led Chinese media to follow up on marine safety measures on the island. A team of officers led 24 Chinese journalists from 12 Chinese media outlets were invited to Phuket to follow up on marine safety measures…
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670,000 fewer Chinese tourists – Thailand counts its losses after the Phoenix boat disaster
Some of the fallout from the Phuket boat disaster is now starting to hit home, with more to come as cancellations bite into tourist arrivals, principally Chinese tourists. Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has officially revised down its forecast for July to December by nearly 670,000, to 5.1 million Chinese tourists. The South China Morning Post reports that Thailand…
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PWA announces Chalong water shut off tomorrow
The Phuket Water Authority (PWA) has announced that water supply in some areas of Chalong will be shut off from 9am tomorrow (August 6) until the work is finished. The PWA says that water supply in some areas of Chalong will be shutoff while work is being carried out on main pipes at the entrance of Soi Tanuthep on Chao Fa…
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Latest ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ nets UK and Nigerian overstayers, both over 1,000 days
File Photo The crackdown on serial overstayers continues across the country, including a British national arrested in Phuket. 53 year old Chris Michel was bundled up on Friday morning after it was revealed that he had overstayed his visa by 1077 days, nearly 3 years. 62 foreign nationals were detained in the latest ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’, targeting 75 locations…
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Phuket boat show rumbles – a new show announced
There used to be one Phuket boat show, then there was two, then there was the two coming together as one… and now there is a new event. Royal Phuket Marina are putting together their own show with Andy Dowden, of PIMEX fame, the principle organiser of the new Phuket Yacht Show. The new show is being planned for January…
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Thavorn Hotels & Resorts receives Thailand MICE Venue Standard Award
Thavorn Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce its certification of Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS) by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). The certification assesses venues in three key areas – physical, technological, and service requirements. Certified venues appear on an Approved List and are publicised worldwide as venues that meet international standards. MICE – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and…
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‘Big Joke’ stops to help Phuket hit and run victim
PHOTOS: Deputy Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn Deputy Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau based in Bangkok, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn, ordered his team to stop they convey of official vehicles to help a student who had been hit in Phuket Town this afternoon (Aug 3). Maj Gen Surachete reported that he saw the accident while he and…
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Russia set to establish Consulate-General in Phuket
The Russian Federation is poised to open a Consulate-General in Phuket in response to the growing Russian expat community and consistent stream in Russian tourists coming to the island. Russian PM Dmitriy Medvedev signed the order last Saturday ratifying the new diplomatic mission on the island. There are no details in the letter about when the Consulate-General will open its doors…
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Couples posting obscene photos in Old Phuket Town to meet with police
Pictures of a couple in allegedly obscene photos taken in Old Phuket Town are to meet with police after their photos went viral in social media yesterday (Aug 2). A Thai facebook page which is translated as ‘Want to be famous; here we go’ yesterday shared photos of a Facebook user with message read ‘here we come, school cosplay. what…
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Man arrested after picking up drugs at Phuket Bus Terminal
The Phuket City Police have arrested a man who was picking up drugs delivered to the old bus terminal in Phuket Town yesterday (Aug 1). A team of the Phuket City Police led by Capt Teerasak Narasri arrested 25 year old Kanokpon ‘Pop’ Sripiboon from Songkhla at the bus terminal (Bus Terminal 1) on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town. Police seized 4.36 grams of crystal methamphetamine.…
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VIDEO: Four escape serious injury in dramatic Phuket three vehicle collision
Four men have been injured after three vehicles were involved in a collision on Thepkrasattri Road in Rassada his morning (Aug 2). Kusoldarm rescue workers were notified of the incident at 6.28am today on Thepkrasattri Road, northbound lane, near the SuperCheap main store in Rassada. The four people injured include the driver of the white pick-up, 28 year old Kittithorn…
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Police search Patong bar owner’s rentals and home – Sattahip murder investigation
Police searched Patong Bar owner Panya ‘Sia Auan’ Yingdang’s accommodation for evidence that may link him to the Sattahip double murder over the weekend. Chonburi Police, investigating the double execution-style murders in the car park of Buddha Mountain in Sattahip, say their initial investigations revealed a number of key suspects. Read more about the issuing of a warrant for the…
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The Thai internal security command steps in to take over marine safety in Phuket
PHOTOS: Government Public Relations Department, Phuket Branch. The Thai military’s Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), is now taking over the overhaul of boat safety for Phuket in the wake of the July 6 tragedy when 47 Chinese tourists died after their tour boat sank off Phuket. The Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the political attaché of the…
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Deadly link: Puppy factories and rabies
(12 minute read) A media release from soidog.org The panic over rabies that erupted at the beginning of this year seems to have died down. Fourteen people have died; dozens of dogs were poisoned and thousands more died after being incarcerated in government pounds as officials across the country stumbled to stamp out the spread of the disease. Yet absolutely nothing…
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Happy Birthday Thaiger – One year old today
Acute self indulgence today as we announce our first major milestone for thethaiger.com. We’re one year old. It was on August 1, 2017 that the fledgling Thaiger company took over the reins of the 23 year old Phuket Gazette and started posting under the new management. Only two weeks before we had received the keys to the toy box and…
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Entertainment venues in Patong, connected to the Sattahip murder, found illegal
Police last night (July 31) raided an entertainment business on Bangla Road which allegedly belongs to one of the Chonburi double murder suspects. The business was found to be illegal. Chonburi police, investigating the brazen double execution-style murder in the car park at Buddha Mountain in Sattahip, say initial investigations were able to uncover a number of possible motives and…
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Arrest warrant issued for Patong bar owner linked to the double murder in Sattahip
Two houses in Patong, linked to a suspect in the double murder at Sattahip, Chonburi, remain under surveillance but there hasn’t been any activity according to police. Chonburi police, investigating the double execution-style murders in the car park of Buddha Mountain in Sattahip, say their initial investigations revealed a number of possible motives in the gruesome hit. Read more about…
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22 year old man killed in Thalang road incident
A man has died after losing control of the pickup truck he was driving and collided with a tree just after midnight today (July 31). Thalang Police were notified of the incident on Thepkrasattri Road’s southbound lane near the Esso petrol station Suan Nam Sai in Thalang at about 00.30am today. Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene to…
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Man surrenders after killing co-worker in Thalang
A man has surrendered himself to police after stabbing and slashing his friend to death. The Thalang Police were notified of the incident that happened in front of a local shop in Baan Don, Thalang at 8pm on Friday. Thalang Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a body of a man who was later identified as…
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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