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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Sponsored What’s not covered by health insurance in Thailand?
Health insurance in Thailand has important limits that everyone should know. Many policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, motorcycle accidents, extreme sports, or specific treatments. These gaps can lead to unexpected costs during emergencies. Coverage for outpatient care and hospital...
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Ao Por Pier introduces the use of Flowlow wristbands – Video
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Chaiwut NBT.KRABI / Newshawk Phuket Flowlow wristbands have been introduced in Phuket and are currently being used for trips departing Ao Por Pier in Palkok since Saturday (September 1). Ao Por Pier has introduced Flowlow wristband that includes travel insurance from the Southeast Insurance Company Limited for every visitor who passes the Ao Por Pier from September 1.…
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Phuket Governor warns of rain and traffic jams
PHOTO: The Phuket PR Office Following the rain that continued overnight, Phuket Governor, Norrapat Plodthong, is expressing his concerns about more rain and traffic jams across the island today. Governor Norraphat says, “According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reporting on the South West Coast, until Wednesday (September 5), there is a moderate monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea as well…
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Driver injured after colliding with power pole in Thalang
PHOTO: Jao Blue Car 2299 / Newshawk Phuket A male driver has sustained serious injuries after colliding with a power pole in Thalang on Saturday night (September 1). The Thalang Police headed to the scene of the accident at 10.45pm on Thepkrasattri Road near Mueang Mai PTT gas station, northbound. They found a damaged Toyota Vios with a Phang Nga registered…
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Tourist seriously injured in ATV accident
A Saudi Arabian tourist has sustained serious injuries after driving an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle – Dune Buggy) off the side of a 10 metre hillside yesterday (Sunday). Narenthorn Rescue workers were notified that two tourist injured in the accident on Nark Kerd Hill in Chalong at 4pm were taken to the Chalong Hospital. A male Saudi Arabian who has…
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Phoenix salvage moves into its second month – Videos
PHOTO AND VIDEOS: The Phuket Marine Office It’s already been a month since the Phoenix salvage operation began. So far the wreck remains resting on the bottom of the Andaman Sea, 45 metres underwater. All attempts, so far, to bring the Phoenix to the surface and be used as critical evidence in the forthcoming court case, has failed with divers and salvage contractors…
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Chinese tourist badly injured in hit and run
PHOTOS: Hamima Kahapana / Newshawk Phuket A Chinese tourist was hit by a pick-up after running onto the road near a hotel behind the Factory Outlet on ByPass Road, Phuket. The driver of the pick-up sped away even though it would have been completely obvious that they had hit the tourist, albeit an accident caused by the running tourist. A…
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Responsible property purchases – do your homework and seek a second opinion
Many times prospective buyers of property in Thailand search online for legal information in regards to their purchase. They soon discover that online legal advice varies depending on the law office, lawyer or advisor providing the information. In some cases advice is given which recommends that to secure an investment in property a Thai company should be incorporated to hold…
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National police ask to be updated on death of German tourist on Koh Phi Phi
A top national police spokesman has commented on the, as yet, unsolved death of a German tourist found on rocks at Koh Phi Phi. The national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda has asked to be kept informed of any developments in the case. Daily News reports that 50 year old Markus Steinbach was found on Tuesday evening in a sandy crevice on…
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German tourist’s death remains a mystery – Koh Phi Phi police
Police are continuing their investigation into the death of a German tourist on Koh Phi Phi. They say they’re unsure whether he died after accidentally falling from rocks or if it was a suicide. The man was found dead on Wednesday evening. The body of 50 year old Markus Steibach was found lying near a rock formation on the beach…
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Darasamut Underpass to close for maintenance
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 Wednesday (September 5). Mr Somwang says, “Both the northbound and southbound lanes through the underpass will be temporary closed.” “Workers will be carrying out maintenance, repairs and replacing water pumps and light bulbs from 9am to…
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Phoenix fails to rise
The attempt to bring the Phoenix up to surface has failed again due to ‘uncontrollable factors’. The Phuket Marine Office says that divers were trying to attach the ropes around the boat as well as trying to maneuvre larger orange ropes to make into a knot to attach to 200 litre floatation tanks. A large balloon is used to balance…
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PPHO Chief apologises for the hospital’s mistake over gauze left in body
Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) Chief has apologised over gauze being left in a woman’s vagina after the patient had given birth at a government hospital in Thalang. Two people have made official complaints about the Phuket government hospital in Thalang alleging malpractice. In one case, gauze was left in a woman’s vagina after the patient had given birth, whilst another…
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Complaints over gauze left in body, wrong injections at Phuket Hospital
FILE PHOTO Two people have complained about a Phuket government hospital in Thalang. Gauze was left in a woman’s vagina after the patient had given birth, whilst another had drug allergies following a nurse giving an incorrect injection. Reports have been filed to Thalang Police Ms A says, “I gave birth at a hospital in Thalang on June 18. I…
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“It’s ok, it’s just a drill” – Phuket Airport
PHOTOS: Newshawk Phuket The Phuket International Airport is conducting an Emergency Plan Exercise: PEMEX, an annual, real-life practice drill today (August 30), from 10pm to 1.30am tomorrow. The Phuket PR Office says that the simulations involve a ‘Sabotage and Suicide Bomber in Domestic Passenger Terminal’ scenario. Some sections of the area for the practice drill will be closed. The Phuket…
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Oh no! No more Ofo.
PHOTOS: Newshawk Phuket The Ofo Thai Company has issued an announcement to the Phuket City Development (PKCD) company that they’ve cancelled the Ofo bike project on the island. The announcement says that “the Ofo bike head office in China has canceled the Ofo bicycle project in Thailand. The cancellation is effective from August 28, 2018.” “The Ofo Thai Company will…
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Prince of Songkla University students send strong safe-sex message
In what has now become a regular event at the Prince of Songkla University campus in Kathu, Phuket, over 200 Thai and international students attended a Safe Sex Campaign. All students worked together to prepare thousands of safe sex packs with the aim of reducing HIV in Phuket and beyond. A total of over 30,000 packs were prepared during this…
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Local fishermen call for action to fix garbage dumping in Rassada
Local fishermen in Rassada are calling for action to be taken against garbage dumping in Tha Chin canal which flows into the sea. Today (August 29) local fishermen at Tha Chin Canal community in Rassada, led by Suchart Ponkit, filed a report to the Damrongtham Centre (ombudsman’s office) at the Phuket Provincial Hall. Col Teeerasak Thammasatit of the Phuket Provincial…
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Chinese arrivals down, but not by much
Thailand’s July travel figures are showing the first signs of a decline in Chinese arrivals – this from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ latest data. But the news isn’t catastrophic. The July figures indicated a marginal decline as opposed to some reports of a mass exodus of Chinese tourists following the Phoenix boat disaster in Phuket on July 6.…
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Phuket girl wins a bronze medal in Karate at the Asian Games 2018
Monticha ‘Nam Phueng’ Tararattanakun, a Phuket-born girl, has won a bronze medal for Karate in the Asian Games 2018 being held in Jakarta. Nam Phueng also won a bronze medal for Karate in Kuala Lumpur’s 29th SEA Games 2017 and the Asia Championship at Kazakhstan. Nam Phueng says, “I have been interested in Karate since I was seven years old. I told…
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Soi Dog’s ‘Snap for Stray’ underway
Last Saturday Soi Dog Foundation in Mai Khao arranged an event to launch its first ever photo contest ‘Snap for Stray’ which aims to show the beauty of all soi dogs through the lens of the photographers. The event featured a talk with famous dog blogger, Antony ‘Guy’ Kawin Thoong, who is the owner and admin of the page ‘Captain…
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Everything old is new again – the plastic ban in Krabi marine park
With thousands of tourists heading out to islands around Phuket and Phang Nga Bay every day, all with their lunches and snacks packed up in plastic bags and polystyrene, you can imagine how much waste is produced. So Thais online have been full of praise for tourists using traditional “pinto thao” food containers instead of plastic bags to take their…
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‘Intoxicated’ man apprehended at Samkong intersection
PHOTO: Nem Tamada Maisai Khai Facebook Police have arrested a Thai man who may be mentally disabled, after parading around wearing just his underwear, and carrying an 80 centimetres knife in Samkong. A picture of the man, wearing only underwear with a helmet on his head and carrying a knife, has been posted on social media today (August 28). The man…
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Body of Indonesian man recovered off Karon Beach
PHOTO: Royal Thai Navy A body has been found at Karon beach after nearly two days of searching. The man’s body was found floating just off the shoreline, near the beach area in front of the Karon roundabout. The Indonesian man was missing since Sunday afternoon when he and a 23 year old Ukranian female friend, Inna Lutsyk, got into difficulty in…
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More arrests in Phoenix boat tragedy
More nominees, involved in the company that ‘owned’ the Phoenix, have been arrested and charged. Financial record shows that the money was being transferred to a Chinese owner. A press conference was held yesterday (August 27) at the Phuket Provincial Police Station led by Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police Gen Rungroj Saengkram, Deputy Chief of the Tourist Police…
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Phuket’s first purpose-built school mindfulness centre opens at UWC Thailand
UWC Thailand (UWCT) welcomed its community back last week with a brand-new addition to its campus: a purpose-built, student-centric Mindfulness Centre. As the island’s leader in mindfulness-based education, the addition – intentionally situated at the school’s main entrance – has been well-received by students, staff and parents alike. “Mindfulness is integral to a UWCT education, and has been an ongoing…
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One dead after ammonia leak at Phang Nga ice-factory
PHOTOS: Natthawut Plukmaidee / Newshawk Phuket The owner of an ice factory in Phang Nga has died after an ammonia gas leak was discovered in the factory in Kokkloi yesterday (August 26). Rescue workers were notified of the incident at 4pm Sunday afternoon. The owner of the factory fell unconscious after breathing ammonia gas in his efforts to control the situation.…
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One rescued, one missing after rescue at Karon Beach
PHOTOS: Karon Police An Indonesian man is missing whilst a female Ukranian friend has been pulled out from surf at Karon Beach yesterday (August 26) Karon Police were notified at 7.30pm that a tourist was missing while another tourist had been rescued from surf near the Karon roundabout. Emergency responders and police arrived at the scene to find that lifeguards…
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Big-bike rider killed on Phuket road
A big-bike biker has died following a collision into the the back of a parked mini truck in Koh Kaew this morning (August 25). The Phuket City Police were notified of the accident at 4.05am near the PTT gas station in Koh Kaew on Thepkrasattri Road, southbound. Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene to find a parked mini…
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Floods and landslides in Phang Nga damage homes
The Nation is reporting that flash floods damaged nearly 30 homes in Phang Nga while a landslide hit a house in the Kapong district. The governor Sitthichai Sakda led a team to inspect the damage today (Friday). Sitthichai, along with Kapong district chief Surat Laichan and Phang Nga disaster prevention and mitigation chief Sayan Kijmano, inspected the damage at Ban…
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Phuket man confesses to Sattahip double murder
Phuket bar owner Panya “Sia Auan Bangla” Yingdang, extradited from Cambodia on Tuesda, has since confessed to masterminding last month’s murder of a former teen beauty queen and her partner in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district. 39 year old Panya, the final suspect to be captured in the case, also admitted to reporters while he was being escorted away to perform…
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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