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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Phuket King’s Cup kicks off today
(left to right) M.L. Tridhosyuth Devakul; Kevin Whitcraft, President of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee; Norapat Plodthong, Phuket Governor; Rear Admiral Arkom Tang-on, Deputy Commander, Third Naval Area Command, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand representative and Chairman of Kata Group Resorts Pramookpisitt Achariyachai join the opening ceremony of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta 31th at Beyond Resort…
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Phukethon – 9,600 runners competing next weekend
The exciting running event – marketing itself as ‘Asia’s major running festival’ – Phukethon 2017, is being held on December 8-10 with plenty of running categories from fun run to full marathon at Sapan Hin Park. The event’s director of competition from Move Asia, Boonperm Intanapasat, says that there will be 3 distances – 42.19km full marathon, 21.1km half marathon…
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SUNDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
Welcome to your Sunday news briefing Phuket. Surrounding Phuket Province, many large areas in the south are mopping up serious flooding in the wake of heavy rains all last week – from Chumpon to Yala, mostly along the Gulf of Thailand coast. But Phuket’s been largely spared the extreme rains although it’s been mostly cloudy with moderate rain over the…
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SATURDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
Welcome to the weekend. As usual you can start your day with all the main local news stories from Phuket and Thailand. During the day we also have weather updates every 30 minutes on The Thaiger 102.75 FM (download the free App on your phone). Southern floods claim two, one missing A highly regarded nurse of 12 years service in…
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Conference reports on Phuket’s drop in road death stats
In the decade previous, 1997-2006, Phuket was among Thailand’s five worst provinces in terms of death and injury resulting from road accidents. The dramatic reduction in accidents and casualties has been credited to a focus on accident-prone locations (where crashes were cut by 30 per cent), strict law enforcement using speed guns, breathalysers and cameras at intersections (leading to 10…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, December 1
Weather watch – more rain on the way | Government says it hasn’t made a final decision on Thepa | Exports and tourism stats are up | World AIDS Day – Thailand still has challenges | Forensic report on dead cadet unfinished | Explosion in Narathiwat injures two.
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More than 2,000 amphetamine tablets seized at Thachatchai Gateway
Two men from Trang province, 41 year old Uthai Chankarn and 20 year old Puwadol Pornsawangniwate, were arrested at 11pm last night (November 30) while trying to smuggle amphetamine pills onto the island. The two men travelled with a private van and arrived at the Thachatchai checkpoint around 11pm. Officers searched the vehicle and one of the officers, Private Manop…
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Eagle wood smugglers nabbed at Suan Pa Bang Kanun, Thalang
Royal Thai Navy officers along with Forestry officials have arrested Assanai Sato, from Prachinburi province, while he was trying to cut the restricted crop, eagle wood with an accomplice. The team led by Rear Admiral Uthai Thongdee from Royal Thai Navy and Chief of Suan Pa Bang Kanun, Sorakrissana Singkham, arrested Assanai in the National Preserved Forest, Suan Pa Bang…
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Phuket setting up tourist service centres along the west coast beaches
Phuket’s Vice Governor, Sanit Srivihok, held a meeting yesterday (November 29) to discuss locations for the tourist service centres on each of Phuket’s main beaches. The implementation of tourist service centres is a policy from Phuket’s Governor aiming to give information to travellers as well as providing support for any issues such as first aid in an accident or a…
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THAIGER TODAY Thursday, November 30
Bali airport re-opens to clear back-log | Government opens its budget pockets | Songkhla protesters released on bail | Army checks for Phuket beach-rules compliance | HM The King grants extension to viewing time at Royal Crematorium | Cheap jet for sale.
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THURSDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
Protesters released on bail All 15 activists involved in the protest against the proposed Thepha coal-fired power plant have been freed on bail as Songkhla Provincial Court allowed university scholars to use their civil-service status to guarantee their temporary freedom. However, the activists will still have to defend themselves in court as police had prosecuted them with four charges. On…
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Narathiwat floods – more rain and winds predicted for Phuket Thursday
Narathiwat’s provincial administration on Wednesday declared all 13 districts of the southern border province as flood disaster zones after torrential rains continued since Tuesday. Narathiwat Governor Surapol Prommool declared disaster zones covering two municipalities and 301 villages in 60 tambons in all 13 districts. The governor ordered the 13 district chiefs to urgently survey the damage and people’s needs so…
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THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, November 29
Prayut’s not-so-good trip to Songkhla | Thai tourists getting assistance from Bali Consulate with Mt Agung gurgling | Super Moon on the way | Phuket FC says a sad farewell | Chao Praya boat captain has a bad day. And today & tomorrow’s weather.
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WEDNESDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
PHUKET FC hangs up its boots Phuket Football Club has hung up its football boots for the last time and announced its dissolution after getting sued by 3 foreign players for a total of 83 million Baht. The President of Phuket FC held a press conference yesterday announcing the club is being forced to disband. The 3 players, including Roland,…
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Super Full Moon this Sunday (but we may have too many clouds in Phuket)
The biggest Super Full Moon this year will occur on Sunday, December 3, and will be visible from 6pm onward in Thailand, a leading astronomer said on Tuesday. Saran Poshyachinda, the director of the National Astronomical Research Institute, said next month’s phenomenon will occur when the moon’s orbit is closest to the earth, and will be about 357,973 kilometres away.…
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End of an era – Phuket FC dissolves under burden of debt
The island’s local football team, Phuket FC, has announced its dissolution after being sued by 3 foreign players for a total of 83 million Baht. Today (November 28), at the Tourism and Sports Office, the President of Phuket FC, Pitipol Nukulpanichwiwat, alongside Phuket FC’s consultant, Sunanta Krajang, held a press conference to announce the dissolution of the Club. The 3…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, November 28
Patong venue operators urge authorities to extend opening hours | Bali airport still closed | Surin Beach vendors want a ‘management’ plan | Phuket’s King’s Cup announces dates | Gulf coast of Southern Thailand flooding.
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Maya Bay is Number 9. What is the World’s Best Beach?
And Maya Bay isn’t the only Tai beach included in the list. FlightNetwork.om rated the world’s best beaches. Thailand’s Maya Bay, on Koh Phi Phi Ley came in at #9. Maya Bay has been closed for rehabilitation since the middle of 2018 and is scheduled for limited re-opening some time in 2021. Tourists and boats will be limited to less…
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Phuket King’s Cup Regatta will be hosted at Beyond Resort Kata from December 2-9
The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is back this year at the Beyond Resort Kata with a particular focus on growing the sport of youth sailing in Thailand. The Opening Ceremony will be held on December 3, 2017 at Beyond Resort Kata. The Prize Giving Ceremony will be held on December 9, also at Beyond Resort Kata, part of Kata Group (rebranded…
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TUESDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Surin Beach vendors are revolting About 100 beach vendors and retailers gathered on Surin Beach yesterday calling for a long-term solution after 3 years of beach ‘management’ where they were promised, but still haven’t received, a venue to make a living. The group of locals filed letters of complaints, as well as suggestions, to the President of Cherngtalay OrBorTor, Thalang…
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“Get rid of corruption – close at 4am”
Patong entertainment businesses have filed formal requests to close their venues at 4 am, convinced that this is the solution to end bribery in Patong. The association members led by the president, Weerawit Kruasombat, filed a letter to Kathu District Chief, Somprat Prabsongkram today (November 27) for the attention of Phuket Governor, the Interior Minister and Prime Minister as well…
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Elephant attacks and kills mahout in Krabi
A 35 year old female elephant ‘Sao Nui’ has attacked her mahout, 50 year old Amorn Morakot, while they were walking in forests behind Krabi. A rescue team brought the body of Amorn out of the forest of Khao Panom district, Krabi, after his relatives found his body at the scene yesterday. “At about noon the mahout took his elephant…
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Marijuana valued at 2 million Baht – crackdown in Phang Nga
Phang Nga police have arrested 6 local fishermen with 456 kilograms of dry marijuana leaves. The 6 fishermen include 31 year old Boonkum Bohmuang, 27 year old Rachan Thong-Iad, 25 year old Sakrit Thong-Iad, 36 year old Thalerngsak Thanyupak and 37 year old Manoch Thintalay. After being informed about the drugs being transported by boat through the Andaman Sea, an…
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THAIGER TODAY Monday, November 27
Military cadet family want answers | Thai Airways open new Vienna route | Floods in south while Petchaburi clears | Shocking road death statistics | Miss Universe Thailand into final five.
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Marcus Rolli & Imogen Simmonds win the Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand 2017
A bumper edition of the second Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand saw almost 1,500 triathletes turnout for the iconic half ironman distance race and the newly introduced Sunrise Sprint today (26th November) on Phuket island, a mecca for triathlon in Asia with a history of triathlon events dating back almost 30 years. With 31 Pros from around the world on the…
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SUNDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
26 Chinese tourists have a lucky escape Police are speaking with the bus driver and witnesses as emergency service volunteers clean up the mess from last night’s bus fire in Koh Keaw. 26 Chinese tourists had a lucky escape after their tour bus burst into flames as they were headed southbound along Thepkasatri Road around 6pm last night, just opposite…
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26 Chinese tourists escape bus fire without injury
26 Chinese tourists have had a lucky escape after their tour bus burst into flames as they were headed southbound along Thepkasatri Road around 6pm tonight, just opposite the Isuzu Showroom. The group was returning from a trip to the islands off Phuket and headed for their hotel. The tour group only arrived in Phuket last night. The driver…
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More than 100 take part in Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand 2017 @ Thanyapura
Over 100 young athletes were greeted with perfect race weather at Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort in Phuket on Saturday 25th November, 2017, as they competed in the second edition of the Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand. A total of 140 children took part in the event, which was broken into four age categories; 6-8 years old, 9-10 years old, 11-12 years…
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Patong entertainment businesses say longer hours is the solution to corruption issue
The Patong Entertainment Business Association has weighed into the Patong Bribery scandal insisting that the the issue will never be solved unless the laws are changed – specifically the laws that will allow them to stay open longer. The President of Patong Entertainment Business Association, Weerawit Kruasombat, says that the law should be changed and the entertainment venues should be…
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THAIGER TODAY – Friday, November 24
Phetchaburi inundated | PM defends his Deputy’s comments about dead cadet | Seven youth arrested over drugs bust in Paklok | Airport getting ready for high-season influx | Navy FC Chairman threatens the players in the alleged match-fixing scandal.
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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