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 man found ‘aluminium’ in 7-11 sausage
A Phuket man posted pictures of a sausage he bought from 7-11 on February 6 with the caption ‘Be careful when eating. There’s a small item that looks alike aluminium in the CP sausage. I bought it 20 minutes ago and luckily bit exactly here, otherwise it would have gone in my stomach’. He also added, ‘CP said they have…
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Thachatchai police announced stricter enforcement against ghost riders
Cyclists in Thachatchai area who like to ride against traffic flow are being warned by local traffic police that the law enforcement on ‘ghost riding’ will be stricter from now on. Following a large number of cyclists being spotted riding against the traffic flow, Thachatchai traffic police announced that they will enforce the traffic law section 43 (8) for ‘careless…
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THAIGER TODAY Thursday, February 8
Premchai house raids reveal weapons and ivory / infamous Tiger Temple to re-open / Krabi Governor says Phi Phi completely unprepared for fires / National police chief orders changes following shooting of on-duty policeman / UN will sit next week to discuss Roningya crisis.
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One-stop service centre set up on Phi Phi for fire victims
A one-stop service centre has been set by the Krabi Governor, gathering all the departments involved to assist victims of last night’s fire. Fire trucks have also been brought to the location and fire extinguishing drills has been taught to the locals as an additional measure for the future. After an investigation forensic police have confirmed that the cause of…
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Records broken at windy 2018 The Bay Regatta
A strong line-up of 33 boats and almost 300 sailors from around the world competed in 21st edition of The Bay Regatta from January 31 to February 4, 2018. A travelling regatta that sails through three of Thailand’s most beautiful provinces – Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi – and stays at different anchorages each night, participants came from far and…
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More than a thousand herons and egrets visit Krabi during winter
More than a 1,000 herons and egrets were found in the palm garden at the backyard of a Krabi citizen, 80 year old Jarat Jaihan, in Prudinna sub-district, during their annual escape from the northern winter. Jarat said for the past 3-4 months at the same time of the day, 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm, the birds would stay in…
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UPDATE: Fire on Koh Phi Phi
The fire zone following the blaze on Phi Phi last night is being cleared since early this morning (January 7) while Ao Nang Sub-district Administration Organization (OrBorTor), tourism businesses and Phi Phi Island Protection and Conservation Club have set up a registration list for fire victims. The area where the fire is thought to have started remains limited access, waiting…
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Nine injured in Koh Phi Phi guesthouse inferno
A fire broke out at a row of shophouses on Ko Phi-Phi around 9.30 last night, prompting evacuation of local residents and tourists. The fire is believed to have started at a small hotel, the October Guesthouse, in Soi Slinky and quickly spread out to about 25 adjoining shophouses and restaurants. National Park officials, Navy officers and rescue workers rushed…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, February 6
Chinese year brings 18% rise in tourists year-on-year | A new ban from the ‘fun police’ | Tokyo Stock Market opens down 4% today | Smog a problem for Central and Northern Thailand | Woman survives awful crash in north-east | Van and pick-up crash in Krabi kills one, injures 10.
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Four houses destroyed, one badly damaged, in Phuket Town fire
A fire consumed four Phuket houses and partially damaged another on Monday morning, police said. The Muang Phuket police station was alerted of the fire in Tambon Talad Mai at 6.45am. The crew from four fire engines took about an hour to put out the blaze, which burned down four connected houses and damaged a fifth. Police said no one…
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Going Green: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon achieves Gold Green Globe status
Guests enjoying the resort’s electric tuk-tuk Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket has become a certified Green Globe Gold member in 2017 having recently received the coveted eco-sustainable certification for the sixth consecutive year, achieving some of the best rankings in Southeast Asia. “We are very proud of our achievements in sustainable operations at the resort and of our…
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Pick-up and van crash in Krabi kills the driver and injures 10
Yesterday (February 4), Klong Thom Police (Krabi) received a report about a pick-up truck crashing into van, resulting in 1 casualty and 10 injuries. The accident occurred at Namkhao-Koh Lanta Road, where police and rescue teams found the Chevrolet pick-up badly damaged from its front all the way to the driver seat. About 20 metres away, a van with Trang…
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Four houses on fire in Phuket Town
This morning (February 5), Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, Phuket Municipality received a report about a blaze in Soi Hub Aek, Phuket Town, that quickly spread to another three houses. The estimated value of the losses is at least 400,000 Baht. At the scene, the 6 fire trucks couldn’t get into the street as it was too narrow. With the…
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Anonymous attack in Patong
A 27 year old man, Natchasak Satitrong from Surat Thani province, was attacked while sleeping in a sala near the Loma Park football stadium in Patong early yesterday morning (Sunday). At 4 am Kusoldham Foundation received a report about a man being attacked by a sharp item. They found Natchasak with knife wounds on his scalp, his left fingers, right…
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Boat crew arrested after slashing tourist
Phuket Tourist Police and Thalang Police arrested a boat crew, 24 year old Thanakorn Sechana from Sakon Nakhon province, after he slashed a Ukrainian passenger with a knife yesterday (February 3). The passenger, 24 year old Vitalii Kuzmichov, was traveling back from Phi Phi Island with a Best Travel Club tour boat and got slashed near his left elbow by…
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‘Big drug dealer’ arrested in Rawai
Phuket police have held a press conference to reveal a drug network which included the arrest of one man and seizure of 1.39 kilograms of methamphetamine, worth 5 million Baht. Police allege the drugs belong to a ‘big drug dealer’, 26 year old Nakarin Chaweewongprateep. The police initially arrested 49 year old Suth Saekang in Rawai with 307 amphetamine pills…
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Baby crocodile found in Chalong
A baby crocodile has been found at an old mine in Chalong yesterday (February 1) by local fishermen. Specialists say the reptile appears to be about 1 year old. The two men who found the crocodile, Suchatee Anoma and Pansak Chantawang, say that they were catching fish at the old mine in Soi Nakok and spotted a baby crocodile on…
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Singaporean crashes into the Heroines Monument
A 55 year old Singaporean man, Ang Koh Lin, crashed his Toyota Fortuner into the metal fence adjacent to the Heroines Monument last night (February 1) and was critically injured. Emergency responders provided first aid at the scene and sent him immediately to hospital. From the investigation, police believe that he was driving from Paklok heading west towards the monument…
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Baby crocodile found in Chalong tin mine lake
A local fisherman has found a baby crocodile at an old mine in Soi Nakok, Chalong. Fisheries Officers have been visiting the area and speaking to the man this morning. The question on everyone’s lips…’Where’s the mother?!” More information coming soon.
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Chinese couple photo shoot no-no at temple crematorium
Pictures of Chinese couple taking their pre wedding photos at the crematorium at Chalong temple have gone viral among Thais social media users. People are criticising the couple and their entourage about the inappropriateness of this photo location, showing a proposal with a man kneeing down in front of a woman in red bride dress right in front of the…
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Phuket Hotels Association award their first six scholarships
The PHAB (Phuket Hotels Association Benefit) fundraising event was held last year on May 13 and raised approximately 4 million baht. Since then, the Phuket Hotels Association’s Education Working Group has placed advertisements, shortlisted candidates and interviewed the prospects for its scholarship program. The three institutions they will be working with are Phuket Vocational College, Rajabhat University and Prince of…
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THAIGER TODAY January 31
Frenchman and Thai accomplice re-enact murder | Viet Jet back-pedal over PR stunt | Thai PM admits falling popularity | British expat needs triple by-pass – no health insurance | Krabi province investigates marine ambulance | AMLO clamps down on Bitcoin.
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Van crashes near Khao Lak
A van transporting Chinese tourists crashed on the way from Phuket International Airport to Khao Lak this morning (January 31), resulting in 13 injuries, 9 of them considered serious. The van was driving in foggy weather while a motorcycle cut ahead of it causing van driver to swerve. The 52 year old driver, Suchart Aduman, who received minor injuries, explained…
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A 152 year chance to see a rare triple treat – Lunar Eclipse
Stargazers and astro-photographers will gather at locations along Phuket’s east coast between 6pm and 12pm to catch sight of the very rare triple display of a blue moon, a super moon and a total lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse, a blue moon and a supermoon will occur simultaneously, in a coincidence that last happened almost 152 years ago in 1866.…
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THAIGER TODAY Monday, January 29
Krabi coal fire plant hearings get no opposition | Frenchman nabbed over Italian’s murder in Tak | Thailand voted the Number One ranking of the list of Best Countries to Start a Business | Anxious wait for Thai fishing ‘yellow card’ to lifted | Wildlife Selfie Code launched | ‘Upcycling the oceans’ event pulls nearly a tonne of rubbish off…
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Russian man dies after walk along Krabi beach
A 61 year old Russian tourist, Shikokenko Alexander, fainted while walking along the beach at Hong Island in Krabi, was being taken to hospital but died on the way (January 28). At 1pm, the Chief of Bokkoranee National Park received a report that the Russian man was walking with his wife along the beach when he collapsed onto the sand.…
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Krabi power plant public hearing went smoothly. Protesters boycot event.
More than 2,500 people attended the public hearing about Krabi’s proposed new coal power plant yesterday (January 28) with 1,150 police and army officers guarding the meeting and watching out for any potential protest activity. The 1,150 officers were guarding the area of the public hearing stage at Klong Kanan Sub District Administration Organisation office (OrBorTor), both in uniforms and…
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4 metre long python found in goat farm
Last night (January 28), the owner of Kiang Tawan goat farm in Krabi, 56 year old Kiang Yaithong, along with his friends, tried to capture a 4 metre and 15 kilogram python that sneaked inside his farm and ate a cat and a few chickens. They tied it up and dragged it out from the goat cage then left it…
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1,150 Officers prepared for Krabi Power Plant Public Hearings
Krabi’s Police Commander, Pol Maj Gen Boontawee Toraksa, has promised that the public hearings will not see any violence with the addition of 1,150 police, military and defense volunteer officers, all prepared to guard the area. Infrastructure for the public hearings has already been put in place with 3 big air-conditioned tents with a capacity of 2,500 people. CCTV cameras…
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Waste water flowing freely onto Krabi’s beaches
Krabi Vice Governor, Pol Capt Apinan Puakpong, with a team of military officers, Krabi Office of Natural Resources and Environment and Krabi Provincial Public Health Office, inspected hotels, resorts and restaurants along Tub Kaeg Beach and found that there are five 5-star hotels as well as one restaurant that have their waste water pipe releasing directly into the sea. The…
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.
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.