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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Phang Nga Brand trade fair being held at Jungceylon
A ‘Best of Phang Nga’ fair is being held from June 7 -11 at Jungceylon Phuket with more than 35 stalls. The opening ceremony held at Jungcelon Department Store yesterday (June 7) hosted by Phang Nga’s Vice Governor Chansak Tawin and the Phang Nga Provincial Industry Office Chief Duangtida Janpum. Ms Duangtida says, “More 50 projects are taking part to promote their…
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Krabi officials continue crackdown on illegal hotels and tour operators on Koh Phi Phi
The crackdowns continue on Koh Phi Phi as Krabi officials focus on the popular tourist magnet island. Yesterday (June 7) further inspections on Koh Phi Phi Don uncovered plenty more illegal hotels as well as illegal diving operations. One hotel, still under construction, was found on land with more than a 35 degrees slope this week. The hotel owner was invited…
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Officials keeping an eye on illegal World Cup football gambling
Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong says, “The Ministry of Interior has reminded us that the World Cup football will be held from June 14 to July 15. Obviously it’s already a very big event in the media. More children, youth and adults will be coerced to take part in illegal football gambling.” “Offenders under the Gambling Act shall be liable to…
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2 million baht of counterfeit and prohibited imported goods destroyed
About 4,000 counterfeit items, valued at around 2 million baht, including prohibited imported goods were torched at the incinerator in Phuket Town today (June 7). The destruction of the fake goods was held this afternoon and led by Phuket Customs Office Chief Kanjana Suwachino. Ms Kanjana says, “This is the final step in cases involving counterfeit and imported prohibited products that have been…
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New ferry services proposed to connect Andaman ports
PHOTO: Pattaya Mail (The Pattaya/Hua Hin ferry that started last year. Similar to the new services being proposed for the Andaman region.) It’s being called the “Andaman Ring” – new proposed routes connecting Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi with a modern fleet of new ferries which authorities say will cut journey times and help cater for the expanding tourism in the…
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Darasamuth underpass closed today for maintenance
The Phuket PR Office says the Darasamuth Underpass (adjacent to Central Festival) is closed from 9am to 3pm today (Thursday, June 7) while workers repair light bulbs. This announcement from the Phuket Highways Chief Somwang Lohanut. Mr Somwang says, “both the northbound and southbound lanes through the underpass will be temporary closed. Workers will be carrying out repairs and replacing…
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Striped dolphin washed up on Kamala beach
A weak striped dolphin has been washed up on Kamala beach this morning. Rescue workers were notified that the dolphin was found on Kamala Beach near a public park early this morning (June 7). Rescue workers immediately informed officials at the Phuket Marine Endangered Species Unit. Kamala rescue worker Kriengsak Boonlang says, “Locals, tourists and rescue workers were helping to…
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Kamala flash flood “worst in 20 years”
The heavy rainfall this week (mostly Tuesday morning between 6-8am) caused severe flash flooding which Kamala locals say is the worst they’ve seen in 20 years. Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong says, “The rainfall on June 5 reached 147 millilitres, we think even more in Kamala. After the inspection, locals in Kamala all say that they have never seen flooding like this…
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Laotian woman arrested with drugs
Police have arrested a Laotian woman with methamphetamine pills and crystal methamphetamine. Yesterday (June 5) a team from the Thalang Police arrested the 38 year old woman Pu Saenudom at a house in Paklok. Police seized 263 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 11 methamphetamine pills. Pu failed to present her passport to police. Pu was taken to the Thalang Police Station…
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Billion baht expansion of the Phuket deep sea port
The one billion baht First Phase expansion at Phuket’s deep sea port will be done within 18 months. Yesterday (June 5) a meeting was held at the Cape Panwa Hotel led by the manager of Phuket Deep Sea Port Company Limited, Wanlop Pongluengtham. Mr Wanlop says, “The company has received a 30 years concession starting from May 1 this year…
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Phuket Governor visits Kamala locals after torrential rains
Heavy rains across Phuket yesterday (June 5) caused peak hour road flooding, congestion, landslides and mayhem. Read more about yesterday morning’s downpour HERE. Officials led by Phuket’s Governor Norraphat Plodthong inspected flooded areas in Kamala. The Governor’s now declared some of these back streets in Kamala as a disaster area. Many houses were flooded with 30 cm to 50 cm of…
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Police hunting for thief who snatched a restaurant TV
Thalang Police were notified of a thief who snatched a television from ‘Jae Jeab’ restaurant on Thepkrasattri Road, 300 metres from the Heroines Monument last night (June 5). Police arrived at the scene to find 49 year old Usa ‘Jae Jeab’ Silapa, the restaurant owner. Police checked CCTV footage of the restaurant (on another TV obviously). A man age between…
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Governor warns of dengue fever this rainy season – Phuket
Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong is warning residents and tourists about the high potential for Dengue Fever this wet season. He says, “Phuket has the highest infection rate in the country. Two people have died from dengue fever this year – a 13 and 23 year old who were in Rassada and Mai Khao, respectively.” “The highest infection rate is found…
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Phuket thunderstorms bring floods and a landslide
Heavy rains across Phuket this morning (June 5) have caused peak hour road flooding, congestion and landslides. Just south of the Heroines Monument, Thepkrasattri Road was flooded in front of the Muslim Wittaya Phuket School in Koh Kaew. In Kathu there was flooding on a chaotic Phra Phuket Kaew Road. Adding to this morning’s traffic woes were the daily drop-offs…
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Phuket’s Ao Kung residents oppose marina project
Locals from the Ao Kung community, in the far north of the Phuket, along with environmentalists, are expressing serious concern about the building of a new marina. The 120 million baht marina project will have the capacity to accommodate up to 72 yachts. Locals say the proposed marina is very close to the Ao Kung bay and will threaten coral…
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Phuket film festival honours the late King Rama 9
Phuket is honouring the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej by presenting nine Thai movies made during his reign for an exhibition being held at SFX Cinema Central Festival Phuket from June 4-6. It’s part of a national film exhibition, selecting films produced during King Rama 9’s reign and showing them around the country. Yesterday (June 4) the opening ceremony was held…
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The evolution of an island – Phuket’s rise and rise
PHOTO: Banyan Tree Phuket “Thailand’s great push forward on mega-transportation projects is seeing strong dividends being paid in its tourism industry. One key example is Phuket, where passenger arrivals grew by nearly 19% in the first four month of the year at the newly upgraded and expanded international airport.” By Bill Barnett Why Phuket? One only has to look at…
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17 year old motorbike driver dies in Paklok accident
Thalang Police were notified of an accident on Saturday night (June 2) at 11.30pm near the Heroines Monument – Paklok Road in front of Sitti Srisoonthorn Bamrong School (Baan Pak Cheed School) in Thalang. Rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a teenager who was later identified as 17 year old Wasurat ‘Oat’ Palapon from Khon Kaen. Wasurat had…
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Phuket rescue foundation donates food to the poor – Te Krajard merit-making ceremony
Some of Phuket’s poorest people received food as part of the annual Te Krajard merit-making ceremony. The event marks the birthday of the Chinese god, Poy Jun Sia Hook, and was held at the Kusoldharm Foundation headquarters in Phuket town last Friday (June 1). The distribution was led by Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong, the Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teraphol Thipjaroen and…
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‘Phuket City of Gastronomy’ festival underway
The Phuket City of Gastronomy event is back for the fourth year and being held this week in Phuket Town. Read more about Phuket’s street-foodie fest HERE. The event was officially opened last Friday (June 1) at the 72nd Anniversary Queen Sirikit Park on Thalang Road in Phuket Town by Phuket’s Governor Norraphat Plodthong and the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) Deputy…
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Perspective: West coast hoteliers give some insight into low season hotel traffic – Phuket
Speaking to a number of west-coast hoteliers on the island The Thaiger heard a few ‘truths’ about Phuket’s surging tourism industry, from the front line and not from the Associations which are forever pitching extravagant occupancy rates, spinning the numbers. The TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) can sometimes be accused of painting a ‘too rosy’ picture of what’s happening in…
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Dara Hotel control room fire – Phuket
There’s been a fire at the Dara Hotel in Phuket Town. No injuries have been reported. It is believed that the fire started from sparks inside an electric control room of the hotel. Firefighters were notified of the fire at 1.30pm yesterday (June 1) at the hotel near the Darasamuth underpass intersection (Central Festival). Firefighters with 10 fire engines, together…
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Maya Bay’s four month ‘tourist break’ begins
Park Rangers at the Nopparat Tara-Mu Ko Phi Phi marine national park have placed buoys outlining a no-access zone as part of a bid to rehabilitate the park’s world-renowned Maya Bay. The decision to close Maya to pave the way for a rest period, and preparation for new access to the area, was made by the National Parks, Wildlife, and…
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Local teachers work with Soi Dog to pass on lessons in animal welfare
On May 24 – 25, Phuket’s Soi Dog Foundation conducted animal welfare workshops entitled ‘Humans Love Animals, Animals Love Environment’, gathering local school teachers from 12 schools across the island. Realising the importance of the younger generation and the power of education, the Foundation’s education team passed on their animal welfare knowledge through these educators who shared the experience and…
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Phuket airport’s domestic terminal launches today
The Phuket International Airport General Manager Petch Chancharoen took Phuket’s media on a tour of the full service domestic terminal today (June 1). There are now 66 check-in counters, carry-on luggage checkpoints with 8 x-ray machines, revamped Boarding Gates 4-10 and 7 sky bridges. Five toilet areas (for male, female and disabled) are now provided as part of the renovation. The third…
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Phuket Airport holds annual tsunami evacuation drill
Phuket Airport has held its annual tsunami drill. The drill yesterday (May 31) at the Phuket International Airport was led by Phuket Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok and the Phuket International Airport General Manager Petch Chancharoen. Mr Petch says, “safety is the most important thing we’re concerned with. The drill simulated an earthquake with its epicentre located at the Nicobar Islands –…
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Two escape injures in Patong house fire. Woken up by cat hero.
Patong police have been notified of a fire in a Soi near the Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road in Patong early today (May 31) at 05.20am. Firefighters and fire engines arrived to find a two storey old timber and concrete house ablaze. It took about 20 minutes to extinguish the fire. Fabric, a laptop and some stationary…
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Some monkeys will be moved, most will be sterilised – Phuket
A meeting was held today (May 31) at the Governor’s residence, hosted by Governor Plodthong. The meeting was to collate information from all the recent public hearings into Phuket’s monkey problems and relocation plans. All the public meetings agreed that the island’s monkeys, in the public ‘hot’ zones, needed to be sterilised in a systematic program. Tha Chin community in…
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Patong lifeguards call for safe equipment storage
Yesterday (May 30) one of Patong’s lifeguard posted pictures on his personal facebook. The photos showed a damaged lifesaving equipment storage box. The head of Patong lifeguards, Somprasong Sangchart, says, “Someone has destroyed the storage box near Loma Park on Tuesday (May 29) but everything is still inside the box. I discovered this yesterday morning.” “This is not the first…
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Two arrested over shots in the air – Wichit
Wichit Police were notified of an incident yesterday afternoon (May 30) at Mummuang Market. Lt Col Anuwat Raksayot says, “We found a man (the first person). He told us that he and another man (second person) were arguing because they had looked at each other inside a 7-ELEVEN stores nearby. They don’t even know each other. This triggered some sort of…
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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