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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Minivan driver seriously injured in Patong hill accident – VIDEO
A minivan driver has been seriously injured after allegedly falling asleep at the wheel whilst traversing Patong hill early this morning. (September 11). Patong Police were notified of the incident at 4.45am alerting them to the crash on Phra Baramee Road near the Patong City sign. Police and Kusoldharm rescue workers arrived to find a minivan that had careered through…
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Phase 3 funds for Phuket’s underground cable project requested
300 million baht has been requested for a new underground cable project ‘Phase 3’ along Thepkrasattri Road from the Rajabaht Intersection to Saphan Hin which is part of the longer-term project to convert Phuket Town into a ‘living museum’. The Phuket Provincial Public Works Town and Country Planning are requesting the funding for the next phase to move unsightly overhead cabling…
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All four bodies of missing Phang Nga fishermen found
All four bodies of the missing Phang Nga fishermen have been recovered. Sadly they have all perished. The search continued off the coast of Phang Nga for the four for a week since their boat overturned last Tuesday (September 4). Read more about the original reports of their missing boat HERE. A body was found floating off Phang Nga on Friday…
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Phuket underwear thief caught on CCTV – VIDEO
PHOTOS AND VIDEO from Newshawk Phuket CCTV footage shows a man stealing underwear from washing machines. A facebook username ‘Jassika Brownie’ yesterday (September 9) posted a video clip with a message reading ‘be careful when you take your clothes to wash in a coin washing machine. All women’s underwear has disappeared. This happened in Laem Hin.’ CCTV footage shows that…
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The new Central Floresta is open
10.40am Monday, September 10, 2018. The new, highly-anticipated (by locals) Central Foresta opens it doors for the first time. Opposite the ‘old’ Central Festival, located at the Darasamuth Intersection, the new Central Floresta creates a ‘central’ shopping destination for the island to match anything in Thailand. The new Central Floresta combines the highest-end luxury brands with Peranakan-themed food halls, floating…
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Body found floating off Phang Nga
A body was found floating off Phang Nga on Friday (September 7) and is currently being checked for identification. Meanwhile, the search continues off the coast of Phang Nga for four fishermen after their boat overturned last Tuesday (September 4). Raead more about the fateful boat-trip HERE. On Friday (September 7) a body was found by local fishermen one mile offshore. Officers…
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Begpacking – ‘How to’ guide for aspiring travelling beggars
PHOTO: backslackers.com “Aren’t you technically homeless? Why shouldn’t YOU cash in too. Why shouldn’t other people pay for you to travel? Begpacking (or beg packing) is a way for backpackers like you to earn money while you travel by begging for money or busking around the world.” Thailand has its fair share of ‘beg packers’ each year – young travellers who…
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Phoenix to be raised soon – VIDEO
PHOTO AND VIDEO: The Phuket Marine Office The Phoenix is ready to be raised as soon as the weather conditions are good enough. Officials say the equipment is all ready. It’s already been more than a month since the Phoenix salvage operation began. So far the wreck remains resting on the bottom of the Andaman Sea, 45 metres underwater. Read more about…
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Phuket has Golden future for its sister city
by Chongchit Buchanan Australia’s Gold Coast city and Phuket will sign a letter of intent to establish themselves as sister cities tomorrow (September 10). The intent of the agreement is to explore a stronger relationship between the two municipalities and create international business opportunities. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate will travel to Phuket to sign the agreement with his Phuket…
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Dams will cope with this weekend’s weather – Irrigation Department
The water regulation authorities say they’re ready for heavy rains forecast this weekend and the situation is under control. The National Water Resources Office and Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has confirmed that the authorities and the irrigation system were ready to receive large amounts of precipitation during the extraordinary wet period, which is affecting almost every part of the country.…
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67 year old Belgian killed in Patong hill accident
PHOTOS: Newshawk Phuket A 67 year old Belgian motorbike driver died at the scene after a collision with a car and a pickup truck on the notorious Patong hill last night (September 7). Patong Police were notified about the incident on Phra Baramee Road at 8.30pm. Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a body of a…
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Search continues for four missing fishermen off Phang Nga
The search continues off the coast of Phang Nga for four fishermen after their boat overturned last Tuesday (September 4). A search team from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phang Nga Office and the Royal Thai Navy have continued the search for the four missing men since the reports came in that they hadn’t returned. The four missing…
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Driver lucky to escape serious injury in gas cylinder truck accident
PHOTOS: Community Television Phang Nga Volunteers / Newshawk Phuket A refrigerated pickup truck driver, who has admitted to being asleep at the wheel, has sustained minor injuries after colliding into the back of a parked truck which was carrying gas cylinder tanks in Phang Nga this afternoon (September 7). Phang Nga rescue workers were notified of the accident in Takua…
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Thai pull direct Phuket to Hong Kong flights
PHOTO: Planespotters.net Thai Airways are cancelling the popular direct Phuket to Hong Kong (HKT-HKG) flights from October 28. Any existing bookings beyond this date will be funneled through Bangkok (BKK) instead. Despite the tortured English in the advisory, the Thai national airline is informing all existing bookings of the cancellation of the direct flights and re-routing. A few emails to…
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Phuket hotels join forces with Central Group to reduce plastic bag use
As it prepares to host the inaugural edition of PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism Forum 2018), the Phuket Hotels Association has achieved a major victory in its drive to secure a more sustainable future for Thailand’s most popular resort destination. In partnership with PHIST, the unique free-to-attend event that takes place on Monday, September 24 2018, Central Group, Thailand’s…
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Divers invited to join International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 15
PHOTO: Go Eco Phuket Go Eco Phuket ‘diving for the environment’ club is inviting volunteer divers for a massive underwater cleanup as well as volunteer to join them to clean Phuket’s beaches. This is the club’s commitment to International Coastal Cleanup Day activities for the island. Go Eco Phuket is inviting scuba divers from anywhere in the world to join…
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Police hunting for thieves after break-ins at Phuket shops
Police are hunting for thieves who broke into three shops in Suan Luang Market in Phuket Town this morning. The Phuket City Police were notified about incidents at the Suan Laung Market on Wirat Hongyok Road in Phuket Town around 8.30am. 60 year old Somboon Kleawkla, a food shop owner, says, “I was going to open the shop at 4am…
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Drug suspect dies after Thalang police return fire
A Thalang drug suspect has died after being shot when he opened fire on Thalang police before trying to escape yesterday afternoon (September 5). The Thalang Police were notified of the incident in front of a restaurant in Thepkrasattri Road, southbound through Thalang. Thalang Police arrived to find a man who was later identified as 34 year old Pisit Boonsing…
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Dog drowns off Nai Thon Beach
PHOTOS: Ohm Surfing A dog has died after being pulled out of the water on the Nai Then shoreline shortly before midday today (Wednesday). The small dog belonged to a lady who sells fruit shakes at the NaiThon Beach. Apparently, the dog had a fever and wasn’t feeling well. It ventured close to the water, possibly to cool off. It…
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Phase 2 of the Phuket Old Town underground cabling pushes out to March 2019
The Phuket City Municipally is pushing to complete the Phuket Old Town underground cables installation in Phang Nga Road and Rassada roads. The Phuket City Municipality Mayor Somjai Suwansuppana says, “We believe that the construction is unlikely to be completed as in the original schedule. The project manager has extended the construction 230 days more until the end of March…
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Darasamut Underpass closed for maintenance today
The Phuket Highway Officereminds us that the Darasamut Underpass (adjacent to Central Festival) is closed today from 9am to 3pm (September 5). Mr Somwang says, “Both the northbound and southbound lanes through the underpass are temporary closed. Workers are carrying out maintenance, repairs and replacing water pumps and light bulbs from 9am to 3pm today.” “We apologise for any inconvenience during…
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Six arrested in Phuket loan shark crackdown
Officers have arrested six suspects in a loan shark crackdown in Chalong. At 6.30am yesterday morning, officers raided a house in Chalong after the the Phuket Provincial Court has issued 21 arrest warrants for six suspects over offences relating to the Excessive Interest Rate Prohibition Act. They were… 28 year old Somkiet Boonpeng from Chanthaburi in 5 arrest warrants. 23 year…
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Why did so many Chinese passengers die in the boat sinking?
Last Friday many deceased Chinese tourists were found floating, face down, in the wake of Thursday evening’s disaster. Bouyancy vests, life jackets, bouyancy aids – what’s the difference? Tim gets into a pool to demonstrate how wearing the right ‘vest’ could save your life.
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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 some fruit treats. On June 21, 80 monkeys, which had already been sterilised, were released onto Koh Payu, off…
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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…
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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