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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More rain on the way – north, north-east and south
Phuket is facing more thunderstorms and rain until at least the weekend. Phuket Governor, Norapat Plodtong, said yesterday (October 2) that according to the Thai Meteorological Department, Phuket is one of those provinces facing downpours from October 2-5 saying locals should follow up the weather forecast closely. People in Phuket, especially those who live on the lowland areas, should be…
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More kids sailing than ever at the Phuket Dinghy Series
ON DECK By Duncan Worthington I have been critical in this column on more than one occasion of the youth sailing apparatus in Thailand. Specifically, the lack of it and of what exists its closed door nature. I was at the Third Naval Area Command at Panwa Cape this weekend to check out the first of three events that make-up…
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THAIGER TODAY Monday, October 2
Coming from Bang Wad in Kathu today… A 23 year old Chinese tourist, Shi Yieing, drowned over the weekend | US President and the Thai PM meet today in Washington for talks | More pink fire jellyfish found off Koh Hong | Sunday’s Run 2Gether in Phuket Town a high success.
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Koh Racha gets a clean-up, on the beaches and underwater
Volunteer divers tackled the rubbish around Koh Racha over the weekend. They collected 2,291 pieces of trash with a total weight of 506 kilograms. Here’s a list of the rubbish they collected… 2,007 pieces of trash from beach activities 811 plastic bottles 150 glass bottles 51 drinking cans 265 bottle lids/corks 60 forks/spoons 5 toys 290 plastic glass 171 clothes…
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Phew, that’s the first day done – new lifeguard regime
Today (October 1), Phuket’s Governor visited the Marine Safety Centres in Patong and Karon to cheer up the temporary beach lifeguard teams whilst two tourists were saved from the waters off Nai Harn Beach thanks to volunteers this afternoon. Following the end of the Phuket Lifeguard Company contract yesterday, Phuket Governor Norapat Plodthong visited the two locations which had gathered…
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Three foreign overstayers arrested
3 foreigners have been arrested on Bangla Road, Patong, including 33 year old Khurram Rasheed from Pakistan, 23 year old Riasat Ali from Pakistan, and 21 year old Ratnakar Reddy Singireddy from India. The police made a patrol in the area yesterday evening (September 30) following the current crackdown on illegal immigrants. Police noticed the three men looking suspicious so…
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Phuket officials get behind the ‘Run 2Gether’ in Phuket Town
Early this morning (October 1), Phuket Governor, Norapat Plodthong, hosted the “Run 2Gether Phuket Town” event, the first ever running event that gathered 1,000 runners and disabled people to join the activity together. The Governor also joined the run, leading the way for participants in the event which started in front of Limelight Avenue mall. “I’m very glad that many…
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Business as usual – Phuket’s beaches under lifeguard patrol
The Phuket Governor held a meeting yesterday (Saturday) bringing together all the beach lifeguard resources to prepare for the end of the lifeguard company contract which finished at 6.30 pm last night. Several local officials from the areas across Phuket joined the meeting to finalise preparations to send beach guards to each beach on the island today. There are 4…
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Chinese tour bus catches fire – no injuries
We’re used to seeing smoke come out of the back of the hundreds of tour buses moving around Phuket’s roads, but not like this. 22 Chinese tourists and their 50 year old bus driver, Khunchai Pinyo, had a scare yesterday. “I was driving the bus with 22 Chinese tourists coming back from Thalang to a birds nest shop in Koh…
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Laypang, Phuket’s star croc, has finally started to eat
The crocodile captured from the tin mine lake near Laypang and Bang Tao Beach last month has started to eat some chicken today (September 29) after rejecting the tasty morsels for a month. The crocodile’s complete DNA test is expected early next month. The 200 kilogram reptile, that remains in the rehabilitation pond at the Phuket Coastal Aquatic Animals Development…
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Ao Sane luxury villa being investigated by the DSI
The 12 metre high beach villa project on the cliff at Ao Sane has been proven to be illegal according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The owners were instructed to demolish the upper structure to meet the legal height of 6 metres back in August. In the meantime DSI (Department of Special Investigations) officials have been on…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, September 29
Phuket OrBorJor says it will continue the existing contract until a new contract is negotiated for Phuket’s Lifeguards | Custard Pie led police to the ATM bomber | May Bay to be closed next year | Two men arrested over rape of a woman in Ubon Ratchathani. Plus all the fun of the Cake & Coffee day at Kajonkiat International…
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Maya Bay being closed for three months next year
Park officials say they’re going to close Phi Phi island’s famous Maya Bay from June for three months next year. Officials of the Koh Phi Phi National park authority held crisis talks yesterday where they were told that the bay has been ravaged by too much tourism. So it’s going to be shut to allow the beach side of Maya Bay, as well…
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UPDATE: Phuket’s beach lifeguard emergency sorted, in the short-term
Phuket’s Governor Norapat Plodthong hosted a meeting at the provincial hall today (September 28), gathering all local authorities, including the Tambon administration organisation with defence volunteers and Royal Thai Navy area 3, to discuss about the beach security measures after the Phuket Lifeguard Company finishes its contract on Saturday night. The Governor says the team of defence volunteers, working with…
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Tourist Police getting ready for high-season
Today (September 28), the tourist police rehearsed aerial transportation of injured people to improve their readiness for the forthcoming high season. The rehearsal took place on the football field of Baan Sapam Mongkol Wittaya School, demonstrating the transportation of injured patients by helicopter. “We got a great cooperation for this rehearsal. The safety of tourists in Phuket is our priority…
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THAIGER TODAY Thursday, September 28
PM says Yingluck is in Dubai | Polish man suspected of blowing up an ATM ‘planning more attacks’ | Crisis meeting in Pattaya to sort out Taxi/Uber turf wars | UN Aid agencies visiting Rhakine State today
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DSI checking alleged Phang Nga National Park encroachment
The DSI (Department of Special Investigations) are checking two luxury houses located on Pa Kuantohla and Pa Laemsam mountains alongside another 2,000 rai of land that is alleged to have an illegal land deed. After checking the land document at the local land office, DSI have found that the names of landlords are a famous millionaire and his children who…
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UPDATE: Phuket Lifeguard boycott of OrBorTor contract
The Governor said today (September 27) that there is no auctioneer joining the bid so far, possibly because of the lower budget of this year. “I can see that the budget has been cut down every year, from 25 million to 22 million and this year 19.8 million Baht. Today is the last day for interested auctioneers to file their…
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THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, September 27
Awaiting the BIG verdict | Another parasail accident at Patong beach | A Polish man arrested over the 300,000 Baht ATM theft | HM the Thai King grants extra days for paying respects at the Grand Palace | Lifeguards determined to boycott next year’s beach lifeguard contract.
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Kite-boarding accident at Patong Beach injures Chilean tourist
A Chilean man in his late 20s was lucky to escape more serious injuries after his kite board canopy finished up in trees after dragging the man along the ground and into several parked motorbikes. The incident happened at 3.30 this afternoon (September 26) at Patong Beach. Kusoldarm volunteers attended the scene and the man has been taken to Patong…
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78 year old German killed in his Chalong home
Last night (September 25), 52 year old Niran Pratumsin surrendered herself to police confessing that she had killed her husband in the house they lived. At the scene, police found 78 year old Johann Friedrich Speckbacher dead on the floor, next to a dining table with traces of rope still around his neck. There was no other injury found on…
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Phuket Lifeguards finish this Saturday – not renewing contract
There will be no more lifeguard on Phuket beaches from the end of this month according to Phuket Lifeguard after 7 years of duty. The meeting of the Phuket Lifeguards announced that the Company won’t be joining the auction organised by the Phuket OrBorJor this year. Their final duties finish at 6.30 pm on September 30. “We will finish the…
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Fire jellyfish washing up on Koh Phi Phi beaches
A large number of jelly fish have been found washed up on the shores of Koh Phi Phi. The chief of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park warns for swimmers to be aware of the jelly fish around Phi Phi after a lot of them were found washed up on the beaches. “on Ao Ling (Monkey Beach) on…
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Phuket expecting 5 – 7 percent increase in high-season tourists
Phuket Hotels Association President Anthony Lark The Phuket Hotels Association is expecting the number of international direct passenger arrivals at Phuket International Airport for the high season of 2017 to 2018 to increase by between 5 per cent and 7 per cent year year-on-year. This, according to Association President Anthony Lark. The latest figures show that from January to April…
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Ditch the car. Get on your bike. Phuket Car Free Day.
Phuket Car Free Day 2017 Early this morning (September 24), Phuket hosted the Phuket Car Free Day 2017 chaired by Vice Governor Siwaporn Chuasawat, who joined the ride alongside local authorities, including Phuket Mayor and Phuket Police Station Deputy Chief. The event took place at the 72nd Anniversary Queen Sirikit Park (in front of Limelight Avenue mall), which was the starting and…
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First bird photograph exhibition@ Limelight – Vachira Hospital fund
Yesterday (September 23) at 4pm, at Limelight Avenue Mall, was the launch of the first bird photograph exhibition aiming to raise funds to assist final-stage patients at Vachira Hospital. The opening ceremony was attended by heads of sections involved including the Hospital Director, Dr Chalermpong Sukhonthapol and Chief of Nature and Wildlife Education Centre at Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area,…
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Rang Hill road closure following large cracks appearing
Phuket Municipality has announced that Kosimby Road on Rang Hill, from behind of Khao Rang Hill restaurant all the way to Khao Rang Temple at the bottom, will be closed down soon to fix the road and build up landslide protection systems. This follows a large crack of about 50-80 meters on one side of the road. Police have already…
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UPDATE – Weather damages Ton Sai, some beaches remain closed
Ton Sai Waterfall has been affected from the recent downpours while some beaches along the west coast remain closed. Chief of the Nature and Wildlife Education Centre at the Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area, Pongchat Chuahom, along with his team, visited Tonsai Waterfall which is a part of a popular trekking route and found some damage. However, there’s no report…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, September 22
A police colonel detained and questioned over escape of former PM Yingluck | 200 military officers go shopping in zero-dollar crackdown | 19 arrested over National Buddhism Office scam | Grand Palace closed for October | Be on the look-out for really bad fake 500 Baht notes.
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Phuket Waterworld – New ‘off beach’ condo for Bang Tao
A new 555-unit hotel managed residence project named Phuket Waterworld is now offering apartments for sale. Located ‘off beach’, near to Casuarina Shores and the Outrigger Laguna Beach Resort, the project is being developed by the New Nordic Group. Phase one units range for studios from 26 square metres, one bedroom apartments and two bedrooms up to 104 square metres.…
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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