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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Phuket’s croc watch takes to the skies over Layan Beach
Phuket’s latest crocodile escapee was spotted from a drone yesterday (July 27) afternoon near Layan Beach. The drone spotted the crocodile 200 metres from Layan Beach at 3pm yesterday. Cages have been set up along the beach and around rocks with chicken meat to tempt the hungry crocodile. The lone crocodile has been drifting with the current northwards along Phuket’s west…
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Body of missing Indian man washed up on Karon Beach
The Phuket Tourist Police have confirmed the discovery of the body of an Indian man who has been missing in the seas off Karon Beach since Wednesday (July 25). The man’s body was found at Karon Beach yesterday (July 27). Karon Police were notified at 5pm last Wednesday that a tourist was missing. Another Indian man had already been taken…
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Register your crocodile by August 10 – Phuket Governor
OK, all you closet-crocodile owners, it’s time to register your crocodile. And make it snappy! Owners of crocodiles in Phuket must register them with the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office before August 10, 2018, or they will face legal action. Phuket’s Governor says “The province has issued an announcement notifying crocodile owners who have yet to register to the Phuket Provincial…
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Phuket crocodile spotted off Laypang Beach
Phuket’s latest crocodile escapee was spotted from a drone yesterday (July 26) evening near Laypang Beach, north of Bang Tao Beach. The crocodile catching team were notified by local fishermen at 6pm that the crocodile was seen swimming in the water near Laypang Beach. The drone spotted the crocodile near an island off the shore of Sirinat National Park area.…
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Search continues for missing Indian tourist at Karon Beach
A search is continuing for an Indian man who has been missing in the seas off Karon Beach since yesterday (July 25). Karon Police were notified at 5pm yesterday that a tourist was missing. Another Indian man had already been taken to hospital after being pulled from the sea. Karon Municipality is reporting that yesterday, lifeguards rescued one Indian tourist…
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Phuket’s tourism spotlight turns green – Asia’s biggest sustainable tourism event
The Phuket Hotels Association has announced a new annual international forum called PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism), which will be held on the island for the first time this September to support the region’s hospitality industry in its fight for a sustainable future. The PHIST Forum 2018 will take place on Monday, September 24 2018 at JW Marriott…
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New traffic conditions at the Chalong Circle roadworks
PHOTOS: Watcharapon Thaveesin The Phuket Highway Office has announced that the roundabout is closed and traffic is diverted around the construction site, effective until November 18. The new traffic plans will make the underpass construction faster by diverting traffic away from the actual circle area. The contractor is rushing the work schedule during this period, especially over the low season as…
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Thailand Golf Travel Mart 2018 being held in Phuket
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hosting golf operators from international markets to meet with suppliers at the Thailand Golf Travel Mart 2018 with the catch-phrase ‘World Class Golf Destination’. The event is being held in Phuket from July 23-26 and hosted by Phuket Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung, Public Relations Director of TAT Thanet Petchsuwan and golf, tour, and hotel operators…
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14 tourists and four Thai pulled out of Nai Harn surf
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Phuket Naiharn Surf Lifesaving Club Ten Russian tourists, four Chinese and four Thais were dragged from the surf off Nai Harn beach after getting into difficulty in waves yesterday (July 24). Nai Harn lifeguards rescued 18 swimmers in total yesterday afternoon. Pictures and videos have been put on Nai Harn Lifeguard facebook page yesterday with a message…
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One million sea shrimp released to mark HM The King’s birthday
One million sea shrimp have been released in Rawai to celebrate His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s birthday which comes up this Saturday on July 28. The release was led by Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung, the Phuket Fisheries Office Chief Kowit Khaoeian and Rawai’s Mayor Aroon Solos. Vice Governor Prakob says, “Marine releases and cleaning activities have been conducted every…
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More than 3,000 volunteers join event to mark the King’s birthday
More than 3,000 registered volunteers joined a big cleaning event in Phuket Town as a mark of respect to celebrate HM The King’s birthday on July 28. A n official launch of the day’s activities ceremony was conducted in front of a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun led by Grand Chamberlain Lt Gen Sakonket Chantra. All volunteers have swore to…
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Phuket: Areas hit by water shut off
Parts of the Wichit area have their water shut off today (July 25) since 9am this morning. The Phuket Water Authority (PWA) says that water supply in some areas of Wichit are shut off while work is being carried out repairing mains water pipes on Thep Anusorn Road. Areas affected are Narang –Borae Road Pattana Tongtin Road Soi Bangyai Irrawadi Bypass…
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Phuket’s beaches deserve world standard lifesaving
By Daren Jenner, Marine Safety Officer, International Surf Lifesaving Association The Phuket governor’s plan to turn over what little funds are being provided for critical marine lifesaving services to the Or Bor Tors will only perpetuate the current deadly cycle of inexperienced, non-certified lifeguards, low salaries, fragmented service, and lapses in coverage. All of these factors will in turn contribute…
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Pattani man arrested in Phuket motorbike theft
Police have arrested a man from Pattani wanted over a stolen motorbike that was parked at a music school in Phuket Town yesterday (July 24). Phuket City Police have arrested 33 year old Tuanbudeeman ‘Tuan’ Tanamae from Pattani at a rental room in Phuket Town. Police also seized the stolen Honda motorbike. The man was taken to the Phuket City…
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‘Phoenix’ salvage ordered while investigation continues
The director-general of the national marine department has ordered the salvage of ‘Phoenix’ – the tour boat that sank on July 6 resulting in the drowning of 47 Chinese passengers. The investigation into official negligence is also being conducted. Director general of the Marine Department Jirut Wisanjit says, “We issued an order for the ‘Phoenix’ boat owner on to organise…
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Blue Tree Phuket appoints hospitality ace as GM
Blue Tree Phuket has announced the appointment of Michael Ayling, a veteran of Phuket’s hospitality scene, as its general manager. Having worked in a consulting capacity on the project for the past 24 months, Mr Ayling now takes the reins to lead the development, beginning with its opening to the public in early 2019. The UK-born leisure industry professional brings…
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Marine talkfest to ensure better marine safety in Phuket
A meeting was held this morning (July 23) at the Chalong Pier. The meeting was led by Navy chief of staff Admiral Pichet Tannaset who was determined to follow through with measures that would ensure marine safety – better controlling tour boats in Phuket in order to prevent marine accidents. Admiral Pichet says, “We don’t have direct power to enforce…
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Tourism operators suggest visa-fee waiver to counter cancelled bookings
As the cancellations of accommodation and tour bookings from Chinese tourists continue to rack up, local tourism operators are urging the Government to be pro-active in trying to restore confidence. Vichit Prakobkosol, the President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents is calling for the Thai government to waive visa fees in a bid to lure back the Chinese tourists.…
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Three arrested with 12,000 methamphetamine pills at checkpoint
Tha Chatchai Police have been conducting their latest crackdown on drugs at the Phuket Checkpoint and scored another major haul, arresting two men and one woman with 12,000 methamphetamine pills yesterday (July 23). The police arrested 36 year old Pratueang ‘Bang Hed’ Kanuengkarn, a 39 year old woman Saitip ‘Mae’ Boonjan – both are from Phuket – and 27 year…
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Crocodile hunters move to Paradise and Patong beaches
Phuket’s elusive west-coast crocodile was last seen last night (July 23) at Tri Trang Beach. Today, crocodile hunters are focussing their attention around the waters of Paradise and Patong Beach where the crocodile is believed to be heading. Yesterday morning (July 23) the crocodile appeared off Tritrang Beach in Patong Bay. Locals say that they spotted the crocodile of Tritrang Beach…
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A man was fished out of the Surin Beach surf today – whilst on-duty lifesavers watched
PHOTOS: Pavida Anantarasmi Witnesses at Surin Beach today watched in bemused confusion when a man, who was in difficulty whilst swimming off Surin Beach today, was helped back to shore. But not by one of the lifeguards on duty at the beach who stood at the shore and watched the rescue take place. The incident happened around 11am when a…
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Four Dubai tourists pulled out of the Nai Harn surf
Four male tourists were dragged from the surf off Nai Harn beach after getting into difficulty in waves last night (July 22). Nai Harn lifeguards rescued four Dubai male tourists at 7pm last night (Sunday). The head of Nai Harn Lifeguards, Jula Nontree, says, “The incident happened at 7pm (just after sunset) after we had finished our official working hours…
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Phuket’s crocodile arrives at Patong bay
Our latest crocodile update reports that it was last seen his morning (July 23) off Tritrang Beach in Patong Bay. Locals say that they have spotted the crocodile of Tritrang Beach at 9.15am. Karon Deputy Mayor says, “Last night we didn’t see the crocodile. It was last seen in the waters off Karon Beach near the Karon roundabout at 5.30pm yesterday…
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Search for Phuket’s elusive reptile continues – Crocodile sightings off Karon Beach
A “crocodile catching operation centre” has been set up at Karon Beach on Phuket while the professional crocodile catchers from Surat Thani are still battling with strong winds and waves to find the elusive reptile. Beachgoers have been walking along the beach instead of being allowed to go into the water. The crocodile was last officially seen early yesterday morning…
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Global Green Hotel Report – the third annual edition launched
by Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com The Green Lodging Trends Report 2018 (the third annual report) has been launched and will remain open until August 10, 2018. To participate, which is free, hotels need to sign up using the link HERE. Given the current influx of tourism to Phuket and all resort markets across Southeast Asia, this is a invaluable tool…
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Going north – Elusive Phuket crocodile avoids capture again
Phuket’s latest elusive crocodile escaped catch this morning off Karon Beach. It was first sighted off Yanui and Nai Harn beaches from Wednesday this week when a fisherman said it tried to chase him. Since then the crocodile has been taunting officials and professional crocodile catchers and making a slow track north long the island’s west coach beaches – yesterday…
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The cost of living in Phuket
Living costs in Thailand can vary wildly, depending on where you live – it’s the same anywhere in the world. But the situation becomes more exaggerated on a tourist island like Phuket. No longer simply the tropical island paradise with kilometres of beaches, the island is now a bustling tourist magnet that caters for both ends of the tourist spend.…
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Phuket crocodile discovered on Kata Noi Beach
The crocodile was last seen resting on the shoreline of Kata Noi Beach early this morning (July 21). Swimmers have been banned from going into the water while the capture operation continues. Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos reported yesterday afternoon that the crocodile was heading to Kata Beach after spending two days taunting officials and professional crocodile hunters in the sea…
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Water Park Wars – Phuket wettest battlefield
by Xinyi Liang-Pholsena of ttgasia.com ttgasia.com is reporting that the water park battle in Phuket is getting very intense as new players enter the marketplace. Among them Blue Tree Phuket, poised to open its doors early 2019 as an upscale family entertainment and lifestyle complex. The sprawling 22.5ha development, located around Cherngtalay, is the result of a joint venture comprising…
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Love Rawai FB page captures the actual crocodile, on video
https://www.facebook.com/loverawaicom/videos/2116049662007848/ Like and follow the Love Rawai Facebook page HERE. Rawai is the southern end of Phuket. Crocodiles are EXTREMELY rare (no swimmers have ever been attacked in Phuket), usually long sunny days with great beaches.
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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