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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Krabi Airport Director is waiting for engineer’s report tomorrow
The Krabi airport management has a team of engineers coming to the airport tomorrow to come up with a schedule to repair the runway where damage has been caused at either end of the landing strip. The Airport’s Director says they’ll be scheduling repairs between midnight and 6am to cause the least flight disruptions but had to wait for the…
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The 13th Lucky plate number auction kicks off
The Department of Land Transport launched the Gor Gai Wor Waen (กว) category of lucky car plate number auctions yesterday, offering 301 numbers. At least 23 million Baht is expected to be raised from this year’s auction. The auction takes is taking place yesterday and today (March 3,4) from 8.30 am on at Phuket’s Rajabhat University conventional hall, gathering a…
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Nearly 5,000 visited this year’s Thailand Yacht Show
After four days and excellent weather, the third edition of the Thailand Yacht Show finished last Sunday with the traditional symphony of horns at Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket. Over the four sunny days the show welcomed a total of 4,730 visitors who were treated to new yachts on display, activities for kids and the family and the best of…
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Tourist falls at Ao Nang Cliff
A 32 year old Argentinian woman, Karina Laura Citroner, fell from the Lagoon Cliff at Phra Nang Beach, Railay Bay, resulting in serious injuries. The Argentinian woman ended up with her right leg and the joint on the right foot broken with a serious open wound. The Director of First Standard Group (Ao Nang), Doctor Yingyong Temsinsakul, together with more…
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Airport housekeeper returns 500,000 Baht to passenger
Phuket International Airport Director, Petch Chancharoen, gave an award to Duangtawan Chuayseng, one of the housekeeping outsource staff from Phuket Inter Chemical Company today (March 2) for returning 500,000 Baht in cash to a Chinese passenger, Li Xiaofei. The cleaner was working at the mens toilet on the 3rd floor of the international terminal and found a wallet with a…
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108 turtle eggs found on Lek Beach, Similan
The Chief of Mu Ko Similan National Park in Kura Buri District, Phang Nga, has revealed today (March 2) that the national park officers found the tracks of turtles from the water to the beach area. After tracking down the path, the team found 108 turtle eggs buried under the sand. The eggs have been found on Had Lek on…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, March 2
TAT says we shouldn’t focus attention on sex tourism | NCPO warns protestors about Pinocchio masks | March 1 kicks off hot-season and registration of new political parties | Academics warn about coral restoration off Patong | Doctor in Hua Hin arrested over abortion clinic | Fake watch vendors arrested in Pattaya.
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Top 25 Asian beaches survey is out – three in Phuket
Thailand has ended up with two beaches in the top ten in the latest ‘Top 25 Beaches in Asia’ survey. The survey is based on comments from TripAdvisor’s 300 million users, or at least the ones that have visited a beach in Asia and taken the time to make a comment. The top three beaches are Agonda Beach in India…
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That summer feeling – starts now
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) will soon announce the start of summer heat in Thailand, which could see temperatures peak at 42-43 degrees Celsius during April, according to the Nation TV reporter for environment news Ittipat Pinraroj. Signalled by a recent shift that sees winds now bringing humidity from the Southern China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to cover…
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Makha Bucha Day dedicated to the King
Devout Buddhists across the country are observing Makha Bucha Day today by attending merit-making events, with much of the merit being earned on behalf of His Majesty the King. Bangkok Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang presided at a morning ritual in which alms were distributed to 67 monks. Activities continue until 9pm in Khon Muang Plaza in front of the…
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Baby dumped in Patong rubbish bin
Last night (February 28), Patong police received a report about the dead body of a baby dumped in a bin in Soi Kuan Yang Charoen on Phra Baramee Road. The bin was at the beginning of the alley near the main road. Inside, the police and a team from Kusoldham Phuket found a transparent plastic bag containing the dead body…
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Phuket Smart Bus kicks off
The first route of the Phuket Smart Bus has been launched today (February 28) connecting Phuket International Airport all the way to the south of the island – Rawai Beach. The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Panupong Sawetarun, chaired the opening ceremony of the Phuket Smart Bus. The first route launched today is the blue route, which…
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THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, February 28
PM responds to ‘sex tourism’ remarks | Extra long Songkran | Shoot-out on Samui’s Chaweng Beach | Big crackdown on illegal immigrants along Soi Cowboy last night | High-speed rail gets go ahead between Don Mueang and Rayong | PM pushes election date forward to February | Two Americans held in Chiang Mai over fake US bills.
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Phuket’s Governor visits Tritrang Beach to inspect action over effluent
A team of Phuket authorities headed up by the Phuket Governor, Norapat Plodthong, have visited Tritrang Beach again following up another report of wastewater being released into the seas off Patong Beach. “Every office and all departments involved have to integrate their resources to find a sustainable solution to this problem. This is my second visit to Tritrang Beach. The…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, February 27
Flooding in BKK | More than 100 new political parties poised to register | Two Aunties waiting to be charged over Great Driveway Affair | Activists asking for transparency over Premchai case | Update on Russian ‘love-making’ classes in Pattaya | Tourists chastised over climbing photos in Ayutthaya | Makha Buscha this Thursday – Public holiday.
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Big crowds and long waits at Phuket airport after runway closure
PHOTO reprinted with permission from Pimmie Pimpathu The closure of runway 09 resulted in a big back-up of ‘not happy’ passengers waiting for their delayed flights. The runway fix started early morning yesterday (February 26) and finished at 6.30am this morning as planned. However, there are a large number of remaining passengers as the relative authorities reshuffle arrival and departure times…
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Foreigner’s body found in Kathu
The body of a foreigner has been found in a jungle near an old tin mine in Kathu. The police received a report at 9:30am this morning, leading to the discovery of a foreigner who was hung on a tree. No trace of a fight or violence was found on his body. The man was wearing a green and blue…
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THAIGER TODAY Monday, February 26
59% of those polled don’t want a political party with Prayut as leader | Repairs to Phuket Airport runway | More carnage on Patong Hill | Poorly planned ATM snatch it Krabi | January’s numbers for new cars and tourism | Toon hands over the cash – 1.3 billion baht | Police raid Russian sex classes in Pattaya.
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Phuket Airport Runway 09 closed for repairs
Runway 09 at the Phuket International Airport was closed today, February 26, and will be closed again tomorrow from 2 am – 7am for fixing cracks in the runway surface. There are small cracks in an are covering 9 square metres while there is another 84 square metres area between the runway and the taxiway that requires repair attention. PIA…
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Patong Prawn Fraud. Price-gouging in Patong restaurant.
Phuket’s Tourist Police have arrested the owners of an overpriced restaurant named ‘6 Restaurants’, located in Patong, after receiving reports from more than 19 Chinese tourists. Apart from the reports, photos from the restaurant also went viral in Chinese social media about the over-priced prawn dish of 300 baht per 100 grams (3,000 baht per kilogram!) The report mentioned that…
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ATM theft gone wrong in Krabi
Two thieves tried to steal an ATM by dragging it with a pickup truck last night (February 25) in Krabi. An ATM at an SCB bank was found damaged and removed about 1 metre away from its housing next to the bank. After checking the CCTV camera, police saw that two people tied up the ATM machine with a sling,…
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Waste-to-energy plant protests in Krabi
The Baan Nai Chong preservation group are protesting a new waste-to-energy plant over the future health impact on their community. The power plant is planned to be built at the local landfill of Krabi Municipality, which is nearby their community. The signs have been installed since yesterday (February 23) under the leadership of group president, Warrant Officer 1st Class Panya Hiran.…
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Two Chinese tourists drowned. Another missing in Phang Nga.
Two Chinese tourists have drowned and another is missing after swimming at a beach in Phang Nga’s Thai Muang district last night. Two other Chinese tourists were injured in the incident in high surf in front of the Dusit Hotspring Beach and Spa Hotel around 6pm. Police were alerted to the incident at 8pm. The two drowned tourists have been…
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Local administrative organisations to take over lifeguard contracts
Phuket’s Governor, Norapat Plodthong, says that the local administration organisations will take control of the lifeguard hiring budget instead of the Provincial Administrative Organisation (OrBorJor) to avoid the problems with the annual lifeguard contract and beach safety. “Especially this year, there has been a lot of people drowning at our beaches during the time we didn’t have an effective lifeguard…
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Crocodile – 1. Performer – 0.
File Photo The Phuket Ruamjai Foundation were called to a Chalong crocodile show around 12.30 pm today (Friday) after a crocodile bite a 44 year old man, Jampa Kaewsai, during the show in Chalong. The man was wounded on his face and ears. Jampa was moving his head out of the mouth of the crocodile when the show was about…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, February 23
Greenpeace demands something is done about BKK air quality | Premchai doesn’t turn up to yesterday’s interview with police | A lift falls at Maxx Hotel in capital | Woman lied about Taxi driver attack | Driveway dispute forces closure of nearby markets | Pick-up hits elephant | Chinese tourist falls off Kamala villa rooftop.
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Krabi Social Insurance Office provides support for King Poseidon captain
The Chief of Krabi Social Insurance Office, Pornthep Sripaiboon, together with officials from the Krabi Labour Office, visited Kiengsak Boonsri, the captain of King Poseidon speedboat, which exploded in front of the Viking cave off Koh Phi Phi Ley two months ago. He has been in hospital ever since. Video of boat fire HERE. The team granted 7,002 Baht in…
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Chinese tourist falls from Kamala roof top
A 31 year old Chinese man, Gao Zhiyum, has died after falling from the 16 metre high rooftop of a villa in Kamala. The Chinese man was staying at the villa with 6 other people including his wife and friends. On Wednesday night (February 21) at about 11 pm, all 6 were drinking together on the rooftop until 1.40 am.…
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8 million baht budget approved for Government Stray Dog Shelter
An 8 million baht budget has been approved for a ‘dog condo’ and landscaping at the Phuket Government Stray Dog Shelter in Suan Pa Bang Kanun, Thalang. Phuket Lifestock Office Chief, Surajit Witchuwan, spoke about the improvements to the government dog shelter, a shelter located on 4 rai with about 500 dogs that has been opened since 2003 and was…
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Samkong landslide killed one worker, injures another
Yesterday’s (Wednesday) landslide occurred at the construction site of a clinic near Vachira Hospital where there is a 3-4 metre retaining wall. A team of police, rescue teams and a Vachira Hospital medical team tried to save a Myanmar worker, 22 year old Nay Sol Lin, by digging the soil around him and providing saline water. It took about 20…
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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