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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UPDATE: Boat collision off at entrance to Royal Phuket Marina channel
From yesterday… Two boats have crashed at the entrance to the Royal Phuket Marina in the channel. Boats named ‘Pimracha’ and ‘Sattakamol’ collided just off the coast resulting in six injuries including one Thai man and 5 Italian tourists. The accident happened at the entrance to the channel leading to the Royal Phuket Marina at 4:30pm. Two of the tourists…
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THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, January 17
Second boat incident in three days | Prawit’s offering to resign if found guilty of ‘wrongdoing’ | Smart Visa details | Krabi and Thepa coal plants ‘still happening’ | PM puts hold on cannabis crops | Tax breaks for Thai families having babies.
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Bottlenose dolphin at Phuket dolphin show gives birth to ‘Nattya’
The General Manager of the Phuket dolphin show has revealed that the dolphin named Alice has given birth to her first baby bottlenose dolphin (calf) after about 10 months of pregnancy, on January 13. “Our team is very excited to see this very smart mammal give birth to a baby in our place. The baby is very healthy and playful…
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Three nabbed over fake goods and items seized in Karon
An undocumented migrant from Myanmar and two others from Cambodia have been arrested in Karon for selling pirated goods. The arrests, in a bid to suppress copyright violations, were made by a joint operation of Interior Ministry officials, troops and naval officers led by Muang Phuket assistant district chief Danai Jaikheng yesterday (Tuesday). The three were arrested at a roadside…
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Member of a Phuket gang arrested after attempted murder
Police have arrested 18 year old Pisut ‘Jojo’ Pohthong with a gun that he possesses illegally (a hand-made ‘Pradit’) and seven .38 bullets, in a house on Srisutat Road in Rassada. This arrest follows an incident that happened on January 1 when Jojo’s gang opened fire on the rival gang at the Queen Sirikit’s 72nd Anniversary Chalerm Prakiat Park (Dragon…
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Mystery of beached ‘Elysion’ solved
The mystery of the boat beached on an Aceh beach (original post below) has been solved with this message from the man who was aboard the yacht when the decision was made to abandon it…. “I sailed ‘Elysion’, a Belgian registered yacht, from Phuket (Thailand) to Langkawi, Malaysia but had to abandon the vessel about 40 nautical miles west from…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, January 16
The investigation starts into Sunday’s boat explosion | NACC asks posters to ‘go steady’ on Prawit’s watches | Armoured vehicle kills one, injures three in Pattani | American & Russian nabbed selling drugs on Koh Phangan | ‘Poshtels’ are the latest accommodation trend.
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Boat debris discovered and tagged off Viking Cave, Koh Phi Phi
King Poseidon 959 debris found in front of Viking Cave  A team of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park officers, Krabi Marine officers, Forensic Police and divers explored the debris of King Poseidon yesterday (January 15), which washed up on a reef in front of the Viking Cave tourist attraction.  The debris was about 200 metres…
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THAIGER TODAY Monday, January 15
Chinese tourists recovering after boat explosion near Phi Phi | Ban for hydrogen-filled balloons | Human trafficking investigation at Victoria Secret massage parlour in BKK | Jail-break at remand centre in Songkhla | Jealous husband murders wife | Monkey cheeks being installed near Saphan Hin to help with floods
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UPDATE: Phi Phi boat explosion
Authorities have been visiting injured passengers and staff of ‘King Poseidon’ in Phuket and Krabi while a meeting regarding the accident will be held today (January 15) chaired by Phuket’s Governor as well as an investigation at the accident scene by Krabi authorities. The ‘King Poseidon’ was a 3-engine speed boat with 28 year old Kriengkrai Boonsri as the captain.…
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Boat fire off Koh Phi Phi – Chinese tourists injured
A speedboat named ‘King Poseidon’ carrying 31 passengers exploded this morning (January 14) in front of Viking Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley. Injuries have been reported from the accident. https://www.facebook.com/phuketgazette/videos/1580631392014683/ There were 26 Chinese (23 adults and 3 children) plus 5 Thais who are the crew staff. There are five reported to be severely injured at this stage with…
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From ping-pongs to the real-deal. The evolution of sex-shows in Bangla Road.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains material that may offend some readers. Thailand, despite it’s many natural wonders, superb street cuisine, vibrant culture and (mostly) warm weather, still has a reputation well-earned. Let’s call it the three Ps – Patpong, Pattaya and Patong. Whereas, say ten years ago, you could visit a few go go bars, see an occasional ping pong…
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SATURDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes
Welcome to your weekend. Your Saturday ‘Boat Lagoon Weekend’ is on tonight from 6pm. Plenty of fun and food for all ages. For our weekend headlines, just click on the heading for the full story. Here are today’s main Phuket and Thai headlines… Two Thai men wed in Queensland Australia Two Thai men have been among the first same-sex couples…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, January 12
Would you pay 40 baht for a small bottle of water in Thailand? | Prawit’s watch collection knows no bounds | Chalong ‘drifters’ hand themselves in | Committee set up to manage the Layan beach foreshore | Bangkok sends it’s cable underground…eventually | Dismantling begins of the Royal Crematorium in Sanam Luang.
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Marine Office sets new life vest standards
The Phuket Marine Office has issued a rule about life vest standard’s certification for each boat to ensure all vessels only use the life vest approved by the Marine Office to guarantee quality. Phuket Marine Office Chief, Surat Sirisaiyat, says that the new rule will order all boats to use life vesta approved by the Marine Office, which comprises qualifications…
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FRIDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes
Chalong racers charged over drifting The 10 drivers, who have been drifting their cars and spinning wheels in Chalong, generally disturbing the locals, handed themselves into Police last night. They are accused of reckless driving, blocking the traffic way and disturbing the public. The 10 cars were seized by the police. The video on Facebook showing the group in Chalong’s…
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Phuket sets up committee to manage Layan & Laypang beaches
PHOTO: OrBorTor President Ma’Ann Samran showing reporters and officials where the beach is. By Salinee Prap Phuket has set up a committee to manage the 178-rai Layan and Laypang beaches in Thalang district after it was ruled as public space by the Supreme Court last year. Efforts will be made to allow common use and prevent anymore encroachments, Phuket Land…
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Dante Alighieri Phuket rolls their sleeves up for the elderly
Today (January 11), Dante Alighieri Society Phuket distributed food for elderly people at Ban Phuket Elders Public Aid in Thalang. Mrs Nonglak Khantong, president of Dante Alighieri Phuket and Mr Carlo Briola, treasurer of the Association, have declared that this is just the first of the group’s charity initiatives. Already recognised by Provincial officials, Dante Alighieri Phuket aims to promote…
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Progress on Sea Gypsy Sirinath NP fishing case
Rawai’s Mayor, Arun Solos, led a group of Rawai Sea Gypsies to file a complaint this morning (January 11), in order to call for justice for the 6 fishermen arrested in Sirinath Marine National Park. The mayor headed a delegation including Niran Yangpan, the community leader, village chief and sub-district chief with the 6 fishermen to hand the letter to…
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THAIGER TODAY Thursday, January 11
Kathu Temple being asked why it is in business with Chinese Tour Groups | Yingluck on ‘Entrepreneur’ visa in the UK | Minimum wage decision postponed | Dental Council warning us against online orthodontic promotions | BKK receives 120mm in rain over 24 hours | Thai goalie first ever for Euro football team
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THURSDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes
Would someone please call the Thai Meteorological Department and explain to them that it’s not meant to rain this time of the year! More rain sells expected at some time today although we predict (without any scientific knowledge) that they will be brief (we hope). Here’s today’s main news stories… Don’t shop for orthodontic services online! The Dental Council is warning people…
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Ten injured in buggy crash in Hanuman World, Kathu
A buggy transporting tourists to Phuket’s famous zip lining destination, Hanuman World in Kathu, crashed into a tree resulting in 10 people being injured and taken to hospitals. Yesterday afternoon (January 9), a group 8 tourists from Kazakhstan were traveling on the buggy to the zip line destination when the driver, Boonrak Sri-Iad, who works for Hanuman World, crashed the…
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I’ve got a drone. Can I bring it with me to Thailand? Yes, but…
INFOGRAPHIC: Tourism Authority of Thailand Last week it was reported that over 7,000 drones had been registered for flying in Thailand since October 2, 2017 when the law came into effect where drones must be registered. This number only included drones registered at NBTC offices, not at police stations around the country, so the true number of registrations is much…
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THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, January 10
Boat wreck threatens oil spill off Cape Panwa | Porche Vs Taxi in BKK | Big rains in the capital overnight | Van crash kills one, injures eight | Three killed in Pattaya after high-speed bike crash | Minimum wage debate heats up | “Get off the bus!”
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WEDNESDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your news in 3 minutes
A lot of stories making up our news feeds today, from all over Thailand. Let’s ignore the threat of a 100% chance of rain from the forecast and focus on the sunshine in between. Here are today’s main news stories… Minimum wage rise, but… Debate over a rise in the minimum wage is heating up, with a key battleground opening…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, January 9
Over 7,000 drones registered so far | Taxi industry getting new ‘Taxi OK’ App | Suspects arrested over bus torching in South last month | No plans as yet for HM King’s coronation | Restaurants holding out along Layan Beach | Brit arrested in Pattaya over women falling from balcony | Latest in the Bang Tao beach ‘private beach’ affair.
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TUESDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your local news in 3 minutes
Hang on.. “100% rain predicted Wednesday and Thursday”. Isn’t this meant to be the dry-season, the high-season, the blue-sky season? Despite the dramatic forecasts we still seem to be getting plenty of sunshine. Here’s today’s main new stories… Bus torching leads to arrests More arrests are anticipated over the torching of a Bangkok-bound bus in southern Yala province last month thanks…
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Russian rape story ‘misunderstanding’
Reports on social media that a 28 year old Russian woman had been attacked and raped on Koh Phi Phi are false according to local police. Police say there was no truth to the suggestion there was a misunderstanding after the alleged victim told a Russian friend to contact police. Polina Shemiakina, a Russian yoga teacher had arrived on the holiday…
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THAIGER TODAY Monday, January 8
Private Beach in Bang Tao. Huh?! | Update on Phuket Immigration website | Yingluck awaiting asylum status in the UK | Toon’s charity money WILL be used to purchase hospital equipment | South Korean, with a US passport, got naked at airport | Ao Nang Beach effluent outcry | 42 arrested in Songkhla in rubber plantation gambling raid.
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MONDAY MORNING HEADLINES – All your local news in 3 minutes
PHOTO: Over 40 Gamblers rounded-up after a gambling den was raided in Songkhla. Many escaped. The weather says rain, our eyes say sunshine. Still, it’s going to be 30 degrees. Many schools are back from today and the traffic seems to be getting back to its usual crawl. Here’s today’s main news stories… Dusit Thani ask German tourist to move…
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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