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.
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Sponsored How much is Thai health insurance?
Health insurance in Thailand is essential for expats and locals, providing financial protection and access to quality care. Costs depend on age, health, and coverage level, with basic plans being cheaper but limited and comprehensive plans offering more benefits at...
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Thais, Chinese and Burmese arrested over Phuket’s 13 million baht ‘call centre’ gang
“Police seized 8 laptops, 4 wi-fi routers, 150 mobile phones, 4 iPad tablets, one money counting machine, 135 credit cards, 6 ATM cards, 52 SIM cards, 13,568,570 baht in cash, 3,800 yuan cash and one new Mercedes Benz CLA 200.” Representatives of the Tourist Police Bureau, based in Bangkok, have arrested 2 Thais, 22 Chinese and 1 Burmese who were…
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Live hand grenade found in Phuket
A live M26 hand grenade was found on Patak Road in Karon today (July 18). Karon Police were notified that an object, similar to a hand grenade, was on Patak Road at 5am this morning. Experts from Phuket’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit were called immediately to the scene to find the M26 hand grenade near a rubbish bin in…
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60 tourists stuck at Koh Racha
The Royal Thai Navy were called today (July 18) to bring about 60 tourists back to the Phuket’s Deep Sea Port following another day of strong winds and high seas. At about noon (July 18) Rawai’s Mayor Aroon Solos was notified that about 60 tourists were stuck at Koh Racha Yai as they are unable to leave the island due…
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“Serenata” recovered as evidence in the July 5 boating tragedy in Phuket
The boat “Serenata” has been recovered from the waters to the south-west of Phuket and is now sitting as a falorn figure in the Boat Lagoon hard stand area. The boat has been recovered as part of the ongoing investigation into the two boats that sank back on July 5 resulting in the death of 47 Chinese tourists who drowned.…
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“Phoenix might have reduced safety standards to save costs” – Surachate Hakparn
In the ongoing investigation into the sinking of ‘Phoenix’, it’s emerged that the boat may have cut back on safety equipment in efforts to save costs. We now know that the ‘Phoenix’ is owned by TC Blue Dream, with 26 year old Thai Woralak Rerkchaikan as its biggest shareholder. She is now in detention after Phuket Provincial Court denied her bail…
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Search for a jet-ski operator missing off Ao Po
A staff member of a jet ski business has disappeared after he was hit by a wave near Koh Naka in Pa Khlok at 3pm yesterday (July 17) while a search continues today (July 19). The Thalang Police were notified that the staff member was hit by a wave while riding on a jet-ski between Koh Naka Yai and Koh…
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Fisherman washed off rocks near Kata found floating near Cape Promthep
The body of a man who was washed off rocks by a wave while fishing at Kata Viewpoint yesterday (July 16) has been found floating near Cape Promthep today (July 17) Rawai’s Mayor Aroon Solos was notified by locals that a body was found floating near Promthep Cape in Rawai. Officers from Rawai Municipality headed to the area on a…
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Phuket boat accident “marginally affects tourism” – Tourism Minister
PHOTO: Tourism and Sports Minister, Weerasak Kowsurat walking with British cave diver Charles Harper last week Quoting the National News Bureau of Thailand… “The Tourism and Sports Minister, Weerasak Kowsurat, admitted that the tour boat that capsized off the coast of Phuket province on July 5, resulting in the deaths of 47 Chinese tourists, has caused some people to cancel their…
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Court refused bail for ‘Phoenix’ owner and chief engineer
The ‘Phoenix’ boat captain, chief engineer and boat owner are now in custody at the Phuket Provincial Prison. The Thai ‘owner’ of ‘Phoenix’ remains in custody after she surrendered following the issuing of an arrest warrant over the weekend. Read more HERE. The Chalong Police have already pressed charges of a reckless act causing death, serious injuries, mental and bodily harm…
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Body of missing fisherman found, following July 5 Phuket storm
The body of a Rawai fisherman was found yesterday (July 16) near Koh Racha. Two local fishermen from Rawai have been missing since heading out fishing on Thursday (July 5), the same day of the boat disaster when two tour boats sank and 47 Chinese tourists drowned, including 16 children. The Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command (NAC3) officers were…
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Phuket man arrested with 20,000 methamphetamine pills
A man has been arrested with methamphetamine pills, crystal methamphetamine, a gun and ammunition. A team of the Border Patrol Police last week arrested 22 year old Tanaset ‘Fluk’ Kraimaneelert at a housing estate in Rassada. Police seized 1.06 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 20,000 methamphetamine pills, a gun and 21 bullets. Tanaset was taken to the Phuket City Police Station and…
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Thai owner of ‘Phoenix’ now in custody
The Thai ‘owner’ of ‘Phoenix’ remains in custody after she surrendered following the issuing of an arrest warrant. Arrest warrants for the ‘Phoenix’ owner, 26 year old Woraluck Rueakchaiyakan from Phuket and boat chief engineer, 56 year old Onjan Kanhayotee from Phetchabun, were issued last Friday (July 13). They face charges of a “reckless act causing death, serious injuries, mental…
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Last body from the Phuket boat disaster recovered
Last night (July 15) divers recovered the final body from ‘Phoenix’. The body had been wedged under the boat. The body was brought back to the Phuket Deep Sea Port before transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital. The body arrived at the port at 8:50pm. Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Lyu Jian, the Chinese Consul-General in Songkhla Zhou Haicheng and Phuket Governor Norraphat…
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Pavilions Hotels & Resorts announce two important acquisitions
The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts has made two important appointments as it continues to expand its portfolio and strengthen its management team. Scot Toon takes on a new role as the company’s Managing Director, Asia while Tim Sargeant becomes the Director of Marketing for The Pavilions Phuket. Both are highly skilled and experienced hospitality professionals who join The Pavilions Hotels…
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Phuket’s hotel bookings starting to wane in wake of boating disaster
(4 minute read) The Nation is reporting that Thai tourism authorities are expressing concern following an increase in cancellations of hotel room bookings by Chinese tourists following the tragic July 5 boat accident. So far, 7,300 Phuket hotel room bookings for July and August have been cancelled by Chinese tourists in just 16 hotels that have reported figures so far,…
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Thrills and spills – Day Two of Multihull Solutions Regatta
Nineteen knots of wind in Ao Chalong greeted competitors as they sailed out to compete in day two of the Multihull Solutions Regatta. Armchair pundits were hedging their bets as to which boats would be damaged by heavy winds. Some thought the Corsair Pulses, who have been a touch fragile in heavy weather, might be in trouble, but the Pulses…
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Phuket marine chief removed, Phoenix ‘owner’ questioned by police
Thai PBS is reporting that the Marine Department is ordering an immediate transfer of the chief officer of Phuket Marine Office. They’ve also set up a panel to consider disciplinary action against him for alleged dereliction of duty that led to the sinking of the ‘Phoenix’ dive boat south-west of Phuket on July 5, resulting in the deaths of 47…
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Injured Phuket monkey captured after swimming around Ao Po marina
A monkey which was found injured in Ao Po, on the north-east coast of Phuket, is now recovering and getting veterinary attention. It was found at the Ao Po Grand Marina. The Wildlife Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand was notified last week about the monkey which some of the staff at the Ao Po marina believed had swam back from Koh…
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Tenth Multihull Solutions Regatta gets underway
Day one in the 10th Multihull Solutions Regatta saw fifteen boats divided into four classes compete off the shores of host organizer Phuket Yacht Club in Chalong Bay in the ‘Boat Lagoon’ Race Day. Before the regatta started, Multihull Solutions’ Andrew de Bruin said, “We are back for the 5th year as title sponsors to the Phuket Yacht…
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Comment: Will the Blame Game result in a Chinese Phuket tourism boycott?
by Bill Barnett As the death toll climbs past a reported 40 from the recent sinking of a tourist boat in Phang Nga Bay, social media in Mainland China is creating a hailstorm of negative criticism about Phuket. While there is a general perception in Thailand that the tourism market dodged a bullet, with the Chiang Rai cave story dominating…
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Arrest warrant to be issued for the owner of ‘Phoenix’
Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police, Gen Sriwara Rangsiphramnakul, is urging police investigators to push on in the possible case against the owner of ‘Phoenix’ in order to request an arrest warrant as soon as possible. In the latest revelation, 27 passengers on the boat were found not to wearing life jackets at the time of the sinking. Gen Sriwara flew down from…
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Firearms, ammunition and incendiary devices seized in Phuket
A team of soldiers and police yesterday (July 12) arrested two suspects and seized a cache of firearms, ammunition and incendiary devices. Officers first raided a house in Rassada around 6pm. Officers arrested 52 year old Phuket man, Sanakorn. Police seized various kinds of firearms, ammunition and incendiary devices in his home. The arrest, and subsequent information from Sanakorn, led officers…
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64 million baht approved for boat tragedy compensation
The Tourist Assistance Fund has approved about 64 million baht compensation for boats victims. One million baht is being paid as compensation for the deceased. Including the boat company’s insurance, 2.1 million baht will be paid out to the families or estates for each of the deaths following last week’s boat tragedy. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism…
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Kamala man streams live video of his suicide
A man shot himself, killing him instantly, while on a Facebook live video stream inside a bedroom in Kamala earlier today (Thursday). Kamala Police were notified that the man had shot himself at a house in Soi Bang Wan in Kamala. Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of a man who was later identified…
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Marine Department launches investigation over boats tragedy
Marine Department is continuing its investigation over the Phuket boat tragedy, a week ago. The marine Department Region 3 Chief Puripat Teerakulapisut says,“The warning announcement for boats heading to sea is based on the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). If we can see that the wind and wave conditions are not too strong, we will announce to for boats to be…
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Divers recovering the last body from ‘Phoenix’
A body, a passenger on ‘Phoenix’ when the boat sank last Thursday and found stuck and unable to be removed by divers, is hopefully going to be recovered today. The task to recover the last body inside the boat started early this morning. On a separate search, one male body was found yesterday (July 11) near Phi Phi Island in…
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Mercedes Benz driver lucky to escape burning car
A Mercedes Benz driver has escaped serious injury after the vehicle he was travelling in caught fire in Mai Khao last night (July 12). Tha Chatchai Police were notified of the boring car on Thepkrasattri Road, northbound, at 11.40pm. Firefighters, along with two fire trucks and the Tha Chatchai Police, arrived at the scene to find a Mercedes Benz ablaze.…
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‘Phoenix’ to be salvaged as important evidence
The ‘Phoenix’ is to be salvaged in order to help find the one remaining missing passenger as well as another body which has been stuck in the boat, unable to be recovered by divers. The boat is to be salvaged from its current location 45 metres underwater, south-west of Phuket island. The marine Department Region 3 Chief Puripat Teerakulapisut says,…
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Chinese netizens rip into Phuket authorities’ handling of boat disaster
With the Tham Luang cave story evolving into health updates of the team members, some international media are now focussing on Thailand’s worst maritime disaster (since the 2004 tsunami) last Thursday. CNN have published an article sharing Chinese media and netizens ripping into Thai officials, including the deputy PM, Prawit Wongsuwan. Users on the Twitter-like service Weibo, citing witnesses who…
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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