Phuket News
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Burmese baby killed in Phuket Town road accident
A four month old Burmese baby girl died after a motorbike collided with a tour bus yesterday. Phuket City Police were notified of the accident on the main Phuket Road in Phuket Town at 5pm. Police and rescue workers arrived to find the tour bus parked on the side of the road. Nearby they found a motorbike. Behind the bus…
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Marine Department halts construction of Karon retaining wall
PHOTOS: DMCR Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources have paused the Karon Beach retaining wall construction project this week. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources report that officials found that the project was originally aimed at improving the outlook near the Nong Harn Swamp at Karon Beach and to prevent soil running into the sea. The construction…
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Former honorary consul arrested in Phuket for selling counterfeit visa stamps
FILE PHOTO Police have arrested a former honorary consul for allegedly producing counterfeit entry visa stamps and immigration documents and selling them to Russians wishing to come to Thailand. The Nation reports that Pol Maj-General Surachete Hakparn, acting immigration department chief, said the arrest of Kuliushin Vitalii in Phuket province was in response to a court-ordered arrest warrant against him.…
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Airbnb launches ‘Airbnb Plus’ in Bangkok and Phuket
Airbnb, the community-driven travel platform, welcomes its next stage of growth in Thailand with the launch of Airbnb Plus in Bangkok. Come December, Airbnb Plus will also be available for bookings in Phuket, Asia’s number one resort destination. Airbnb Plus is a selection of homes of the highest quality offered by hosts with great reviews and attention to detail. As…
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Drive Thru Immigration service officially launched
The Phuket Immigration Office yesterday officially launched a Drive Thru Service to help solve crowding problems in the main offices and the lack of parking spaces. The acting chief of Immigration, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn and the Phuket Immigration Office Chief Col Kathathorn Kamthieng led the officially launch ceremony for ‘Immigration Drive Thru Service’ yesterday. Col Kathathorn says, “The number of foreigners…
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‘Phoenix’ investigation to wrap up within seven days
Officials say it will take up to seven days to understand the full cause of the Phoenix sinking while evidence continues to be collected. Yesterday the Royal Thai Police Deputy Commander Gen Rungroj Saengkram, acting chief of Immigration, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn and the Deputy Chinese Consul-General in Songkhla and Director of the China Consulate-General in Phuket Li Chun Foo…
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Weather warning issued for Phuket and the South
Residents of 10 southern provinces are being warned to brace for severe weather conditions due to heavy rains throughout today from the influence of the remnant storm Toraji. Now downgraded to an active low-pressure cell, Toraji covers the lower South and is expected to move through the Andaman Sea today, said the Meteorological Department in its 13th warning about the…
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Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort and Laguna Phuket win at 2018 Asia Sports Industry Awards
More than 400 attended the Oscars for Asia’s sports industry. Sports industry professionals from around the world walked the 2018 SPIA Asia – Asia’s Sports Industry Awards & Conference red carpet yesterday (November 20) and at a lavish Awards Gala attended by more than 400 VIPs, federations, rights holders, agencies and brands, Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in 20 award…
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12 drug suspects arrested with crystal meth and pills
12 drug suspects have been arrested with a total of 1,964.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ice) and 137 methamphetamine pills in Phuket. Officer first arrested two suspects and later arrested the other 10. On November 18 officers arrested three drugs suspects, 27 year old Suwat Tongtoe, 27 year old Wittaya Seesakrom and 29 year old Keerati Yodpanya. Officers seized 57.25…
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The Phoenix is now high and dry at Rassada shipyards
The Phoenix was hoisted up on land this morning. It is now sitting on the hardstand at Rattanachai Shipyard in Rasssada as importance evidence for forthcoming court cases. Nong Sakunsim, the manager of Rattanachai Shipyard says, “The boat has been brought up this morning when it was high tide. Officers will now start their investigation of the boat.” No entry…
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Phuket China Travel Conference on Thursday
A strategic hospitality event titled The 360° China Travel Market Conference is taking place this Thursday, November 22 in Phuket. The Duangjitt Resort in Patong is the venue, and a wide variety of leading China specialists will be on stage. Currently the slowdown of the Mainland Chinese sector is one of the key challenges facing the island’s tourism industry and certainly…
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Man kills wife and holds two children hostage in Krabi
A man allegedly strangled his wife to death then held his two children hostage in Krabi yesterday. Khao Panom Police were notified about the incident at a house in Khao Panom yesterday morning. Police, soldiers and rescue workers arrived to discover an angry and upset man, 34 year old Prateep Cueaput. He was locked in his house with his 4…
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World-renowned Buddhist scholar officially opens Mindfulness Centre at UWC Thailand International School
On Sunday, November 18, world-famous Buddhist Scholar Dr. B. Alan Wallace took time out of his two-day seminar to officially open UWC Thailand’s on-campus Mindfulness Centre. His visit attracted more than 300 participants, and underpins UWCT’s perspective that mindfulness is integral to a 21st-century education. The UWCT Mindfulness Centre is used daily for secular mindfulness practice by classes ranging from…
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Man arrested over murder of woman in Mai Khao
The Tha Chatchai Police have arrested a man who has admitted to killing his ex-girlfriend in Mai Khao. A man stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death in Mai Khao on November 7 before escaping. Police believe the violent act was brought about over jealousy. The two had been together for only three months. Read more about the original reports of the…
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Ceremonies for the 47 victims held today – Phoenix
The Phoenix is expected to be brought up on to the land at the Rattanachai Shipyard in the next two days. Forensic Police are now inspecting the boat while a Buddhist ceremony was held for the 47 victims today. At 10.30am today at Rassada Pier, where the Phoenix is being temporary parked, the ceremony was led by the Phuket Governor…
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Phoenix design failures – Forensic probe begins
Now that Phoenix has been hoisted, successfully, from 45 metres below the surface of the Andaman Sea, the next phase begins as forensic experts, engineers and naval architect pour over the wreckage to find clues and prepare reports for the forthcoming court cases. The Tourism and Sports Minister, who has been in Phuket all weekend overseeing the operations, along with…
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Phoenix returns to Phuket. But will the Chinese travellers return?
SCREENCAPTURES: Kritsada Mueanawong The vessel, that is at the centre of Thailand’s dramatic drop in Chinese tourists, will arrive back at a boatyard in Rassada today. Back on July 5 it headed out for a day of diving near Koh Hei, south west of Phuket. The day was mostly fine although there had been warnings from early in the morning…
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Return to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
By Mark Louie Maycong Phuket is one of the Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations and continuously booming. There are so many attractions and activities that you can enjoy. One of them is visiting the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Visiting this place is heaven on earth specially for animal lovers. You get to know the elephants and their back stories and learn…
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Laguna Phuket Triathlon road closures
PHOTO: TAT The Laguna Phuket Triathlon is on today and roads around Laguna, and surrounding areas, are going to be blocked off at times as the runners and riders make their way around local public roads. The race organisers have sent riders and runners out onto the island’s main artery. Thepkasattri road is by far the busiest road that suffers…
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The Phoenix rises to the surface
PHOTOS: Facebook/สุรเชษฐ์ หักพาล The yacht sank late afternoon on July 5 in a short, sudden storm. Most boats would have quite capable of withstanding the wind squal and waves on the day. But Phoenix capsized and sank, taking with her 47 Chinese tourists. The full reasons are stilll being investigated. Today, the actual yacht rose from the depths of the…
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Laguna Phuket Triathlon. Kicks off today, main event tomorrow.
PHOTO: Laguna Phuket Triathlon In 2018, Laguna Phuket Triathlon celebrates the events’s 25th anniversary – Asia’s longest running triathlon. The event will be held this weekend. The event features the best international pro triathletes including world champions vying for the US$ 20,000 prize money purse. Amateur age group also have a chance to measure themselves with the world’s best or strive…
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Chinese tourists still number one visitors to Phuket
The Deputy Director of the Phuket Tourism Authority of Thailand, Montri Manator, says, “Numbers of Chinese tourists visiting Phuket in tour groups have been continuing to decrease after the Phoenix sinking on July 5 this year.” “On the other hand, Chinese tourists who are visiting Phuket by themselves, called FIT groups (Free and Independent Travellers), has not decreased. They are…
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Phuket Tourist Police asks night clubs to take care of foreign female customers
Tourist Police are asking Phuket night club operators to be responsible and look after female tourist customers. This follows Phuket police arresting a man who sexually assaulted a British female tourist at Nai Harn last week. Read more about the assault and arrest HERE. The suspect, 40 year old Amnart ‘Mai’ Attajan, is now in custody for sexually assaulting the woman…
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Marine activity banned around the charred remnants of yacht off Patong
The Phuket Marine office has banned marine vessels from going near the area where the ‘Soraya’ was destroyed on Wednesday evening. The announcement states… “The ‘Soraya’ caught fire on Wednesday night 400 metres off Patong Beach. Some parts of the yacht are still on the water surface and some parts under water. “For the best chances of navigation and to…
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Tourist Police service centres being set up on Phuket beaches
PHOTO: TravelScams.org The Phuket Tourist Police are poised to improve marine and coastal safety by setting up service centres on Phuket beaches, starting initially with Kamala and Karon Beach. The Tourist Police Division 3 Chief Major General Unggoon Klaiklueang says, “We have been planning on the project to set up the tourist service centres at Phuket’s busiest beaches.” “The centres…
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Phuket Police officer transferred after gambling den raid
Five Kathu Police have been transferred to the Phuket Provincial Police Station after a gambling den raid. Soldiers raided a gambling den in Kathu on Tuesday night. More than 56 gamblers were arrested. Read more about the raid HERE. The order issued yesterday was signed by the Phuket Provincial Police commander Maj Gen Wisan Panmunee stating that five Kathu Police have…
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Woman sues Bangkok Phuket Hospital for 19 million baht
A Phuket woman has filed a lawsuit with the Civil Court against Bangkok Hospital Phuket for 19 million baht in compensation after an alleged error during an operation has left her bed-ridden. Nonglak Srisaeng assigned Chalermpong Klubdee, an official of the Foundation for Consumers, and Sakolrat Ritsamitchai, a lawyer, to file the lawsuit on her behalf. The lawsuit was filed…
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Tourist Police arrest Thais collecting beach entrance fees in Phuket
The acting Immigration Bureau Chief Maj-Gen Surachate Hakparn has arrested two Thais who were collecting Phuket beach entrance fees yesterday. Maj-Gen Surachate says, “We have arrested the pair who were collecting entrance fees for people to visit Freedom Beach. They were collecting the fees from Thais and foreigners. Police have taken over a year to investigate and take legal action against these two…
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Blacklisted Swede arrested in Phuket
PHOTOS: Immigration Bureau A Swedish man, who had been blacklisted, has now been arrested in Phuket yesterday over a previous drug case and illegal entry into the country. The Immigration Bureau has reported that officers received a tip-off that the illegal foreigner was staying at a condo in Kathu. The Phuket Immigration Officers and the Phuket Tourist Police arrived at…
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Salvage operations now fully underway – Surachate Hakparn
Deja Vu from the waters south-west of Phuket this afternoon. Last week it was reported that the sunken vessel Phoenix would be raised to the surface before last Sunday. But the crane for the new salvage operations didn’t arrive until yesterday. But now, with the barge and new crane in full operation off Koh Hei, confident predictions are again being…
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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