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.
-
Sponsored
Last chance for Thaiger readers: Get 10% off your health insurance—Offer ends in 5 days!
Did you know that treating a broken leg can cost around 200,000 THB for uninsured patients, and a three-day hospital stay for conditions like dengue fever averages 40,000 to 80,000 THB in Thailand? While healthcare in Thailand is more affordable...
-
Phuket man drowns while diving for clams
PHUKET: A Phuket man drowned while diving for clams in a swamp in Kathu yesterday morning. The incident occurred near a cement factory on Wichitsongkram Road. Police arrived at the scene to find the body of the victim, named only as Wirot, lying on the ground. His friend, Narong, was waiting at the scene. “Mr Narong told us that he…
-
German tourist suffers brain hemorrhage after fight over bar tab
PHUKET: A German tourist was knocked unconscious from a severe head injury early yesterday morning, following a noisy brawl with bouncers at a Bangla Road bar. Thomas Rapp, 31, reportedly racked up a 2,000 baht bill following a night of heavy drinking at Dragon Night Bar on Soi Freedom. “Staff and other witnesses told us that Mr Rapp and a…
-
Cobra captured in Chalong home
PHUKET: Snake catchers were called out to a house in Chalong yesterday to capture a large adult cobra that had hidden among antique jars in a store room. “We had to be really careful capturing this one, a female cobra, to make sure we didn’t damage the fragile jars, which were Chinese antiques,” said volunteer snake catcher Sayan Thummapan. Mr…
-
Edible jellyfish help Krabi fishermen earn extra cash
KRABI: Fishermen in Krabi are earning extra cash by putting jellyfish on the menus in restaurants around the region. About 100 fishermen in Krabi’s Nhongtalay sub-district are cashing in on the unusual marine menu item, which is edible and does not sting, selling the ‘Lodchong’ jellyfish for up to seven baht apiece. Local council member Udon Bootlhee said the Lodchong…
-
Krabi village inundated with fly swarms
KRABI: Locals have appealed to authorities for help after thousands of flies infested their homes and neighborhood this week. Villagers in Pru Dindarn sub-district, Khlongthom District say the source of the flies is a chicken farm located about 100 meters from their village. “The flies have caused a lot of trouble for us as they swarm everywhere inside our houses.…
-
Trouble makers warned of dire consequences after mysterious luggage causes panic in Phuket
PHUKET: The Explosive Ordnance Unit (EoD) responded to a bomb scare at Phuket’s old bus terminal in Talad Yai District yesterday evening. Phuket City Police officers received reports of an incident at about 6pm, regarding a blue suitcase that had been left next to a power pole opposite the CN Restaurant. Police Lt Apichart Musikasang arrived at the scene with…
-
Change of contact information for Phuket Gazette
The Phuket Gazette wishes to inform it’s readers of a change in contact information. With immediate effect, our readers, customers and business partners can contact us on 076-615244. The change in numbers has been caused by the cessation of business of TT&T and takeover of their services in Koh Kaew by the TOT. We regret any inconvenience caused and thank…
-
Phuket Gov slashes accidental death target by more than half
PHUKET: Safety on the roads and waterways in and around Phuket is a “top priority” for the high season, Phuket Governor Chokchai Dejamornthan has declared, as is customary at provincial hall this time of year. In a meeting with police, disaster prevention officials and public health department heads on December 7, Governor Chokchai set a target of less than 50…
-
Crash victim impaled in grisly Phuket collision, one critical in ICU
PHUKET: A man ended up in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and a woman was severely injured in a gruesome high-speed motorbike collision in Thalang yesterday morning. Captain Suporn Muangkhai of Thalang Police received reports of the incident about 6:30am and arrived at the scene on Khaow Laan intersection, Srisoonthorn Road to find Kitti Chareonrat, 37, lying underneath a motorbike…
-
Thailand Yacht Show sets sail today at Ao Por Grand Marina
PHUKET: The second edition of the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) officially opens today at Phuket’s Ao Po Grand Marina, showcasing superyachts, marine toys, sailing accessories and exclusive lifestyles. The four-day event (December 15-18), aimed at promoting Phuket as a world-class yachting and marine leisure hub, officially launches at 3pm with an opening show and tours of some of the superyachts…
-
Two injured as truck crashes into utility pole in Phuket
PHUKET: Two people were injured when a trailer truck carrying a backhoe crashed into an electric pole in Phuket’s Thalang yesterday afternoon. Thalang Police received news of the crash on Thepkrasattri Road northbound at about 3:45pm. Officials and rescue workers rushed to the scene where they found the truck trapped in a jumble of wires. “The front side of the…
-
Teen robbery suspect on the run after bag snatch arrest
PHUKET: A suspected 19-year-old thief is on the run after escaping from police custody today while he was being questioned about his involvement in a failed ride-by robbery attempt on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town yesterday (story here) The teen was arrested after he and an accomplice allegedly snatched a bag from a female student on a motorbike, who…
-
Phuket student chases down bag snatchers
PHUKET: A brave university student kept her cool and chased down a couple of bag snatchers in Phuket Town yesterday afternoon, leading to one robber’s arrest, as well as the retrieval of her belongings. The victim, named by police as Chompoonut Noparat, was riding a bike on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town when a man and a woman on…
-
Two more Chinese tourists badly injured in Phuket taxi crash
PHUKET: Two Chinese tourists on their way to Phuket airport in a taxi this morning were severely injured when their driver slammed into the back of a parked 18-wheel truck on the bypass road at 5:40am. The taxi driver was attempting to overtake another car on the inside lane when he hit the parked truck an eye witness told police.…
-
Phuket officials warn locals against eagle attacks
PHUKET: Officials have issued a warning to Kamala locals to beware of an eagle that has attacked four people since Sunday. Details of the incidents were shared on social media by Seree Lapmak, deputy president of the Kamala OrBorTor. “I believe that the eagle was either released or escaped from somewhere. There have been four injuries so far, with some…
-
Parked car bursts into flames
PHUKET: A car parked outside an apartment in Talad Nua spontaneously caught fire yesterday afternoon. The vehicle’s owner, Nathanan Ubonkun, had parked the car in a space behind Poopara Apartment in the morning and left it there, returning at 12:40, after being told by locals that her car was on fire. The inside of the car on the driver’s side…
-
True breeze brings King’s Cup Regatta to a close on high note
PHUKET: The final day of racing off Kata Beach for the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta on Saturday saw all classes of boats competing in only one race each, making the most of good winds in the afternoon after light conditions earlier in the day. A royal award ceremony presided over by HE Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, personal representative of…
-
Police crash victim succumbs to head injury
PHUKET: A Phuket City Police officer involved in a collision in Thalang on December 1 succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, after fighting for his life for nine days at the Intensive Care Unit at Vachira Phuket Hospital. The 23-year-old officer, Lance Corporal Thanakorn Jimjuan, suffered a severe head injury after crashing into a metal barrier surrounding the Heroines’ Monument…
-
Man found dead at home, roommate missing
PHUKET: A construction worker was found dead in his room in Patong yesterday afternoon. Police are looking for his roommate, who disappeared after he was seen drinking with him Thursday night. “We received a report at about 12:30pm of a dead man in a room on Pisitkoranee Road,” said Lt Sirinat Cherdchutrakulthong of the Patong Police. “When we arrived, we…
-
Man arrested for stealing 80,000 baht in coins
PHUKET: A Thai man who robbed a Patong exchange booth of 80,000 baht in coins on Wednesday evening was apprehended in Thalang last night. The suspect, named as Promma Seesuree, had broken into the unmanned booth on Rat-Uthit 200 Pi Road and escaped with the loot. “We received a complaint about the incident and collected evidence from the day of…
-
Compromise reached with new site for Patong vendors
PHUKET: The long-standing dispute between Patong Municipality and Loma Park vendors regarding expiration of rental contracts and alleged violation of beach management rules was concluded after both parties reached an agreement yesterday afternoon. A meeting between the two parties held on November 1 was chaired by Phuket Governor Chokchai Dejamorthan and lasted several hours. It ended in a deadlock, however,…
-
Police pony patrol trial trotted out at Surin Beach
PHUKET: Police officers saddled up on ponies at Surin Beach this morning on the first day of a trial to have mounted police patrol the sands during the high season. The horses have been employed at the beach to make it easier for police officers to get across the sand, after they found it difficult trudging along the beach on…
-
Phuket social club asks for donations for flood victims in Nakhon Sri Thammarat
PHUKET: A social club in Phuket representing people from Nakhon Sri thammarat has called for donations to help flood victims in their hometown, over 100 schools have been closed and more than 261,000 residents affected (story here). Phuket Provincial Public Relations Chief Busaya Jaipiam also reiterated the donation request yesterday morning. Club members have asked for uncooked rice, dried foods,…
-
Monk demands that bank hand over missing money
PHUKET: An elderly Buddhist monk baffled Krungsri Bank staff this morning at a branch on Thepkrasattri Road when he insisted on withdrawing 20,000 baht from his account – an amount he had withdrawn the previous day. A security guard at the bank called in ‘reinforcements’ from Phuket City Police to handle the precarious situation that ensued, as the monk dropped…
-
Lackluster winds delay day 3 regatta races
PHUKET: Little wind off Kata Bay yesterday delayed racing on day three of the Phuket King’s Cup with boats not setting sail until the afternoon. The course was shortened and fewer races were run in each class to make up for the late start. Winners of the IRC2 races were the Australian team on Judy, led by April Jorgensen. In…
-
Indonesian earthquake tremors felt in Phuket
PHUKET: Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga felt tremors of an earthquake that shook parts of Indonesia about 5am today. The earthquake measured 6.5 on the Richter scale, occurring 377km away in the Indian Ocean near Aceh, North Sumatra. Several deaths were reported and dozens of people were hospitalized with injuries. Many locals and expats in Phuket took to social media…
-
Stern winds make for tough sailing on day 2 of King’s Cup Regatta
PHUKET: Stern winds, choppy seas and a spirit of competition on day two of the Phuket King’s Cup made for a fast and very tough day’s sailing Tuesday. Kevin Whitcraft’s THA72 team scored a double win, beating rival Ray Roberts and team by two clear minutes in the first race of the day (IRC0). In the IRC1 class, Mandrake III…
-
Austrian tourist dies while snorkeling in Krabi
PHUKET: A 75-year-old Austrian tourist ended up dead yesterday while snorkeling at Koh Rok, Krabi. His body arrived by boat this morning. “We received reports that the man’s friends were bringing his body to Chalong Pier early in the morning today. I notified the Austrian Consulate and told rescue workers and Chalong Police to receive the body and take it…
-
Head-on collision kills two more tourists in Phuket
PHUKET: A head-on collision at Chao Fa West Road early this morning has left two more tourists dead. Police arrived to find a 38-year-old Korean woman, named as Hyemi Lee, standing by her car in shock at the scene in front of Dibuk Hospital. Her car had collided with the tourists’ motorcycle, which was jammed under its front right wheel.…
-
30th King’s Cup Regatta sets sail under “Heritage of Passion’
PHUKET: Fair winds were afoot on Sunday for the launch of the 30th annual Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, which this year is under the theme ‘Heritage of Passion’, in memory of the late HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and in honor of Thailand’s new monarch HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. Held at the Kata Beach Resort December 3-10 under the auspices…
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.