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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5 hidden healthcare costs in Thailand and how to avoid them
Thailand's healthcare system is affordable and supported by the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme, offering essential services to most citizens. However, hidden healthcare costs can surprise patients and lead to unexpected expenses. These include specialist fees, insurance gaps, emergency services,...
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Patong leaders back legalising sex work for safety and health
Patong’s key figures unanimously support the legalisation of sex work, asserting that it will enhance safety and health protection for sex workers and their clients. President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) Weerawit Kreuasombat highlighted the current paradox of Thailand’s stance on its renowned sex industry. “Thailand is known for its sex industry, yet maintains a hypocritical stance towards…
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Death toll in Phuket landslide rises to 9, including 2 Russians
The death toll from the flash flood and landslide in Phuket rose to nine, with two of the deceased being Russian nationals. Ten people were injured while dozens remain missing. The heavy rain from 1am today, August 23, led to a flash flood and landslide in the community near Kitti Sangkatam Temple in the Mueang district of Phuket. The residential area located…
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Thailand on track to invest 77 billion baht in new light rail systems
Plans are underway for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to introduce a light rail system in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phitsanulok, with an overall budget of 77 billion baht. MRTA Deputy Governor Wittaya Phanmongkol revealed that the estimated costs of the projects are 35 billion baht for Phuket, 30 billion baht for Chiang Mai, 7…
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1 killed and 4 injured in flash flood and landslide in Phuket (video)
A devastating flash flood and landslide struck the popular holiday resort of Phuket near Kata Temple in the Mueang district, killing one person and injuring four others. Thai government officials made it known that people were reported missing but their identities have not yet been made public. Prachachat news agency reported that heavy rain hit many areas of Phuket at…
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Kyrgyzstan boxer wanted for raping Thai sauna worker in Phuket
Officers at Chalong Police Station in Phuket are searching for a Kyrgyzstan boxer after he allegedly raped a 19 year old Thai worker at a sauna near his boxing gym. The 19 year old Thai victim filed a complaint at Chalong Police Station yesterday, August 21, immediately after the sexual assault took place. She explained that the mixed martial arts…
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2 Chinese women and foreign-Thai couple clash in Phuket mall
Police are searching for a foreign man and his Thai wife after two Chinese women accused the couple of physically assaulting them outside a shopping mall in Phuket. The Chinese woman named Wu and her daughter named Jang filed a complaint at Wichit Police Station in Phuket on Tuesday, August 20, after an altercation with the foreign man and his…
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Viral dugong sighting stuns Phuket
A video of a rare dugong swimming near the bustling Rawai Bridge in Phuket has taken social media by storm, sparking calls for immediate action from local officials. The 41-second clip, posted on the Phuket Info Centre’s Facebook page, shows the elusive sea creature gracefully navigating the waters of Rawai Beach, a popular tourist destination. Filmed yesterday morning, August 20,…
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Taxi to the danger zone: Driver stabbed in Phuket passenger showdown
An airport taxi driver stabbed a fellow driver outside a hotel in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket yesterday after a dispute over passengers. Officers from Patong Police Station investigated the stabbing outside Novotel Vintage Park Resort and arrested the attacker, 55 year old Raphiphan Saelor, at the scene. The injured victim, 40 year old Apinan Boonpha, was rushed to hospital…
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Viral video captures playful water theft at red light in Phuket
A viral video has taken social media by storm, showing a young man on a motorcycle stopping next to a pickup truck at a red light and quenching his thirst with water from a cooler at the back of the truck. A TikTok user named Golfkador yesterday, August 19, shared the clip, which quickly became popular across various social media…
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Russian airline Aeroflot relaunches flights to Thailand and India
Russian airline Aeroflot resumes direct flights to popular holiday destinations in Thailand, India, and Seychelles. This news will thrill jet-setters and sun-seekers looking to escape the chill. Starting September 13, Aeroflot will kick off its twice-weekly flights from Yekaterinburg’s Koltsovo Airport to Phuket. These flights, operating every Monday and Friday, will be followed by a new route from Yekaterinburg to…
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Foreign cyclist severely injured after being hit by Phuket Airport taxi
A foreign cyclist sustained a severe injury after being hit by an airport taxi while cycling along a road in Phuket. The Phuket Times shared pictures of the injured foreign cyclist and his damaged bicycle on August 18, with a caption describing the incident. “#PhuketRoad This incident occurred yesterday (August 18). Please avoid driving in the lanes designated for smaller…
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Etihad Airways unveils luxurious flatbeds to Phuket in 2025
Etihad Airways is set to elevate the travel experience between Abu Dhabi and Phuket, unveiling plans to launch flights on the Airbus A321LR, featuring flatbed business class seats, from August 2025. The airline’s booking engine has already confirmed these details, showcasing its ambition to connect the UAE with the tropical paradise of Thailand in unprecedented comfort. The inaugural flight on…
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Helmet on TikTok: Kamala cops go viral to keep heads safe in Phuket
Kamala police have launched an innovative campaign on TikTok to promote helmet use among road users in Phuket. The initiative has quickly gained widespread attention and praise for its creative approach to enhancing road safety. Kamala Police Chief Somsak Thongkliang stated that the campaign was developed following a directive from higher government officials to improve road safety measures. Recognising the…
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Teen gunman kills Myanmar girl in Phuket shooting
A tragic shooting incident in Phuket resulted in the death of a young Myanmar woman, sparking a police manhunt for the teenage gunman involved. Police in Kathu district, Phuket, received a report about a fatal shooting incident. The incident occurred while Kittipong Jantawong, a 27 year old man, was driving a white Toyota pickup truck with the license plate บม…
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Local roti vendor hailed as hero after rescuing woman in Phuket
A local vendor is being hailed as a hero after he rushed across a busy street to rescue a young woman from being harassed inside a dental clinic. The incident occurred in Rassada, Mueang District, Phuket. A 35 year old man, identified as Pongsak, was arrested by Phuket City Police for indecent behaviour towards a 21 year old female customer…
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Singaporean tourists assault hotel guard at Patong hotel
A confrontation between two Singaporean tourists and a hotel security guard in Patong yesterday led to all three individuals being hospitalised. The incident took place at the Patong Bay Residence Hotel, where the tourists reportedly tried to leave without completing the mandatory check-out procedure. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongpipat Khamchumphu, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Patong Police Station, was alerted to the…
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Kuwaiti man assaulted in Phuket after insulting Thais (video)
Two Thai men physically assaulted a Kuwaiti man near Soi Bangla in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket after the foreigner allegedly insulted Thai people. Officers from Patong Police Station were alerted to the gang attack on the tourist at about 7.20am on Tuesday, August 13, and rushed to the scene, a road near Soi Bangla in the Kathu district of…
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New Russian Consul General Ivanov meets with Phuket Governor
Egor Ivanov, the newly appointed Russian Consul General for Phuket, met with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat yesterday to formally introduce himself after his credentials were accepted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the meeting, Ivanov expressed his gratitude to Governor Sophon and his team for their efforts in looking after Russian tourists. He also conveyed his readiness to support…
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2,000 debtors flock to Phuket fair for a chance to clear the air
Over 2,000 debt-ridden individuals yesterday turned out for the 55th Debt Relief Fair at The Pago Hotel in Ratsada, north of Phuket Town. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Justice’s Department of Rights and Liberties Protection and the Legal Execution Department, in collaboration with the Phuket Provincial Justice Office and other organisations, aimed to offer guidance on managing various…
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Thailand aims to host InterPride World Conference 2025
Thailand is reaffirming its commitment to LGBTQIA2S+ rights and preparing to bid for the InterPride World Conference in 2025, with further aspirations to host WorldPride in 2030. The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) held an event titled Thailand Announcement — Unity in Action: Thailand’s Next Steps in Equality to celebrate the passing of the Marriage Equality Bill and to…
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Thai PM calls for tourist safety in Phuket ahead of high season
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin insists tourist safety in Phuket must be prioritised ahead of the upcoming high season. The Thai premier made these remarks during a meeting with tourism-related agencies in Phuket yesterday, August 12, to prepare for the high tourist season from September to February. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Royal Thai Police, Provincial Police Region…
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Brawl erupts on Karon Beach between tourists and local workers
A photo posted on a popular social media page in Phuket today ignited controversy after capturing a brawl on Karon Beach. The image depicted a group of Indian tourists in a physical altercation with local workers responsible for managing beach umbrellas. The caption accompanying the post read: #Clashing! Brawl on Karon Beach, Karon Subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket province. A group…
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Woman injured by debris from grass-cutting operation in Phuket
A woman was seriously injured when debris from a roadside grass-cutting operation hit her eye while she was riding her motorcycle in Phuket. Local government officials and the responsible company have initiated discussions regarding accountability and compensation. The incident occurred yesterday, August 10, at 9am on Phatthana Road, Soi 3, Talat Nuea subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district. A police officer from…
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Self-harming woman hospitalised after rent dispute in Phuket
A 35 year old woman has been hospitalised after being found with self-inflicted knife wounds at a small guest accommodation in Patong, Phuket. Police responded to the incident at a hotel on Phra Mettha Road at 6.56am yesterday, August 11. Upon arrival, officers and rescue workers discovered the woman on a bed with stab wounds to her abdomen and a…
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Phuket hotel and police accused of covering up fatal electrocution
The family of a Thai woman electrocuted to death in a Phuket hotel is seeking justice after they accused the hotel and police of attempting to cover up the cause of her death to avoid taking responsibility. The 26 year old woman, Kanokwan “Nam” Intachak, worked as an assistant chef at a well-known hotel in Phuket and died while working…
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Foreign man in Phuket protests after Thais take over his home
A foreign man in Phuket submitted a complaint to the Ministry of the Interior after a bunch of Thai people took over his home. The Phuket Times shared a picture of the foreign man, whose identity was not revealed, protesting on Cherngtalay Road on Wednesday, August 7. The foreigner was sitting outside Krungthai Bank with a sign written in four…
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Phuket Vegetarian Festival to sprout excitement and turnip the fun
The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival is set to “sprout” with residents ready to “turnip” the excitement from October 3 to October 11, confirmed by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat. In a meeting jam-packed with officials and local figures at Phuket Provincial Hall, Governor Sophon, Vice Governor Norasak Suksomboon, and Phuket Culture Office chief Pichaiyut Singhasami finalised the festival dates. The focus…
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Phuket launches urgent cleanup to boost tourism on Karon Beach
Phuket officials initiated an urgent cleanup operation at Karon Beach, aiming to address concerns over its impact on tourism. Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a meeting with the local Joint Public and Private Sector Committee on Economic Development, focusing on regulating beach umbrellas at Karon Beach, Kata Beach, and Patong Beach. The cleanup drive targets the removal of beach umbrellas and…
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Phuket Airport grounded: Power cut leaves flights in the dark
Phuket International Airport faced a brief power outage last night because of a power failure in the Provincial Electricity Authority’s (PEA) 115kV electricity distribution system. The outage, which started at 6.25pm, yesterday, August 6, impacted the Thalang district area, including the airport, according to an announcement from the Airports of Thailand Phuket branch (AoT Phuket). The disruption was attributed to…
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Man caught in Phuket after two-year hunt for selling modified guns
A 29 year old man has been apprehended in Phuket following a two-year manhunt for his involvement in modifying blank guns and selling them via live broadcasts on Facebook. The suspect, known only as Kittiphon or Tom, managed to evade capture by fleeing from Phang Nga to Phuket. Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Crime Suppression Division…
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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