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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For those who have travelled throughout Thailand, 12Go is a well-known provider of various trips, though the platform itself has a much wider reach. Ranging from buses to planes, 12Go is undoubtedly a leading booking platform for travel throughout the...
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Panicked Phuket elephant rampages into forest
PHUKET: Police and livestock officers shot a runaway elephant with five tranquilizer darts after he panicked and ran loose at a camp in the Nakkerd Hills yesterday morning. Staff from the elephant trekking camp located in Soi Yodsanee, Chalong, called in officers from the Phuket Livestock Office and Chalong Police for help at about 10:30am, after the elephant, named ‘Plai…
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Phuket pockets billion-baht infrastructure budget
PHUKET: A billion-baht budget for infrastructure development for 2017-2018 has been approved for Phuket, Governor Chokchai Dejamornthan announced last week. The budget is slated to improve traffic congestion and overall infrastructure development in Phuket, including building, extending and maintaining roads; installing CCTV cameras; burying overhead cables; beach development; and building and maintaining underpasses. Additionally, Governor Chokchai has re-ignited interest in…
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Another unidentified foreigner found dead, at Phuket Beach
PHUKET: Another unknown tourist has been found dead in Phuket, this time having plunged from some rocks into the sea. The victim is male and believed to be aged 50-56, but as in several similar recent cases his identity and nationality are unknown. “Witness said the man was walking on the rocks before he suddenly fell down and was dragged…
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Electrical malfunction believed to be cause of Patong nightclub fire
PHUKET: The cause of a fire at ‘Seduction’ discotheque on Soi Bangla, Phuket’s infamous party street, is believed to be an electrical malfunction in a ceiling fan. The fire started at about 7:45pm on Saturday. Six firetrucks arrived at the scene, with firefighters working for at least two hours to calm the flames that took over and extensively damaged the…
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Video: Rare, endangered mammal safely rehabilitated in Phuket
PHUKET: A night guard working in Rawai discovered a rare and endangered mammal early yesterday morning, and quickly sprang into action to protect the creature from harm. Guard Sanya Ritto noticed a creature in the undergrowth during one of his security rounds at the Rawai Villas development. Recognizing it as a Sunda pangolin, he approached it. However, following its natural…
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Thai official released after paintings theft in Japan
JAPAN: A senior-level Thai Intellectual Property Department official, who has admitted to stealing three paintings worth 15,000 yen (4,684 baht) from a Japanese hotel, was released from custody in Japan yesterday, a Thai Foreign ministry spokesman says. The release came after representatives of the Royal Thai Consulate General in Osaka negotiated the payment of compensation to the Kyoto hotel that…
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Employers of drug suspect issue statement after his arrest
KRABI: The British International School of Krabi (BISK) today released a statement regarding the arrest of an American teacher cum alleged drug dealer employed at their school (story here). Kwanta Suksai, a director at the school, said that every teacher employed by BISK had to undergo pre-employment screening. “Criminal and other records of the teacher, named Alexander Jonathan Rosen, checked…
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Penalty, jail term announced for Koh Racha rule breakers
KOH RACHA: The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has issued a ‘last warning’ to all tourists visiting Racha Island. Signs explaining what constitutes illegal behavior have been set up Ao Patok, Ao Siam and Ao Tue, in Thai, English, Russian and Chinese. The rules prohibit boats from dropping anchor when parked at Racha Yai Island, and visitors fromstanding…
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Inaugural ‘Phuket RendezVous’ slated for next year
PHUKET: Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) is set to host the inaugural ‘Phuket RendezVous’ from January 4-7, 2018. Partnering with one of Asia’s most experienced luxury lifestyle event organizers, Asia RendezVous, the Phuket RendezVous showcase event will replace the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) and build on its 14-year legacy. Hosted by RPM, the four-day-event will showcase a diverse range of…
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Snatch and run suspect arrested in Phuket
PHUKET: A Phang Nga man was arrested on Tuesday for multiple thefts in the Wichit and Kathu areas earlier this month. Col Nikorn Somsuk of Wichit Police presented the suspect Parkpoom Thinglim, 35, at a press conference yesterday. “We received several reports of snatchings by a man on a motorbike, three times in Wichit and once in Kathu. At about…
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Thai woman complains about overpricing
PHUKET: A Thai woman took to Facebook to release her anger early this morning by publicly complaining about a meal she had in Patong the previous evening that was, according to her, overpriced. She ordered two Pad Kapaow Gung (stir-fried prawns with rice, basil leaves and eggs), one beer and one bottle of water and received a bill of 420…
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“Professional’ pickpockets beaten by Phuket locals
PHUKET: Two pickpockets were caught and beaten to a pulp by locals at Wat Chalong Fair last night. Col Anantachai Piyapanun of Chalong Police received a report from locals present at the scene at about 9:30pm. “The two victims named Nunthicha Sermjabog and Jenjira Somboon were walking amid crowds at the fair when the two men, named Duangden Punna and…
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Bus crash in Phuket injures 16 Indian tourists
PHUKET: A bus carrying Indian tourists crashed against a concrete divider in the hills of Kata this morning, toppling to one side and taking down a street light with it. Lt Col Sakkarin Sangchareon of Chalong Police received the report at about 8:10am. “The bus was heading from Kata to Chalong. One tour guide and 16 Indian tourists were injured…
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Video: Foreign boat hunted for anchoring on coral off Phuket
PHUKET: The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources is hunting for a foreign boat that was captured on video anchoring on a coral reef at Koh Racha. “We received the report and video clip from a tour guide who wishes to remain anonymous,” Suchat Rattanaruengsri, head of the Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Division Region 6, told the Phuket Gazette.…
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American drugs suspect teaching at Krabi school arrested
KRABI: A man wanted by authorities in the United States on drugs charges was arrested yesterday morning in Krabi province, where he worked as a teacher at an international school. The suspect, Alexander Jonathan Rosen, was arrested in front of the school after the US Embassy made a request for assistance to national police chief Gen Chakthip Chaijinda. Police found…
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Infant found dead hours after being fed
PHUKET: A 20-day-old baby girl was found dead at a Burmese worker camp in Thalang last night. Col Chattri Choowichien of Thalang Police received the report at about 10:30pm from Soi Na Yao in Pa Khlok. “Ms Soo, 31, told us that she was breast-feeding her new-born daughter in their room at about 6pm. The baby started choking on the…
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EducationUSA Thailand to host informational fair
PHUKET: EducationUSA Thailand, a program of the US Department of State and US Embassy Bangkok, is inviting high school and university students, parents, and educators to its annual series of higher-education fairs. The Phuket fair is slated for February 1 at Satri Phuket School, with Chiang Mai scheduled for February 2 at Le Meridien Chiang Mai, and Bangkok on February…
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Rawai Mayor warns against swindler
PHUKET: Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos has issued a warning about a possible swindler posing as a Phuket City Municipality officer. Mr Aroon said that a man who called himself Raywat Chanakeaw called him to ask for money yesterday morning. The caller claimed to be a Phuket City Municipality officer and said that he had been in an accident and needed…
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Phuket man faces possible amputation after being scratched by a cat
PHUKET: A 63-year-old Phuket man has undergone two surgeries and almost had to have his leg amputated after a seemingly harmless scratch by a cat last week. A Facebook user named Yak Rerm Ton Mai Kab Krai Bang Khun (real name Rungnapha Ngamjan, the victim’s daughter-in-law) posted a picture of a severely infected leg with a caption that read: “Warning!…
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Canadian tourist dies in single-vehicle accident, friend severely injured
PHUKET: A young Canadian woman faces months of rehabilitation and huge hospital bills after being severely injured in a single-vehicle accident that claimed her friend’s life in Phuket last week, the Vancouver Sun reported yesterday. Nezabravka (Nezi) Borislavova, 24, from Vancouver, suffered internal injuries, two broken shoulders, a broken arm and broken wrist, according to her family friend Patrick Parenteau.…
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Thai immigration to deport alleged pedophile, sex-offender today
PHUKET: Authorities will today deport a suspected Czech pedophile back to his home country where he is wanted for allegedly committing sexual crimes. “Czech authorities will provide five policemen to escort him during his flight back,” Immigration Bureau chief Nattorn Prohsunthorn said yesterday. The suspect, Zdenek Pfeifer, 49, was arrested in Phuket last week in response to a request from…
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Italian man killed on Phuket road bend
PHUKET: An Italian man was killed after his motorbike crashed into a roadside barrier while he was heading toward Promthep Cape this afternoon. Lt Col Thada Sodarat of Chalong Police received the report at about 12:30pm. “The victim’s body was lying on the side of the Nai Harn-Laem Promthep Hill road and a Yamaha motorbike was wedged under the barrier.…
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Suspected OD victim found in Phuket Town
PHUKET: Police believe a drug overdose may be the cause of death of a Myanmar man whose body was found outside a Phuket Town hostel this morning with drug paraphernalia nearby and a white power in his shirt pocket. Police are now testing the white powder and investigating the cause of death. “We received the report at about 8am and…
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Blood test for Lucky the elephant goes awry
PHUKET: An agitated elephant injured two people and damaged two vehicles while officers were drawing his blood as part of a general health and DNA check on Saturday. A total of 219 elephants were given blood tests at Nakkerd Hills camps by officers from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), who are currently investigating elephant trafficking…
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Phuket tuk-tuk driver injured after crashing into police box
PHUKET: A tuk-tuk driver sustained serious injuries after crashing into a police box situated atop a median in Kathu this morning. The accident occurred at about 8am near the Kathu-Patong junction, on the way down from Patong Hill. The driver had no identification documents with him, but police believe his name is Faad Yayi, aged between 70-80 years. They also…
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Taxi and tuk tuk operators’ requests denied
PHUKET: The Provincial Committee turned down requests from both taxi and tuk tuk operators to either expand their services to other areas or bring more vehicles to the Island. Phuket Vice Governor Sanit Sriwihok presided over the meeting with concerned officials regarding the requests at the Provincial Hall yesterday afternoon. “Taxi operators in Phuket City are asking for permission to…
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PHA launches ‘Brand Phuket’ logo
PHUKET: The Phuket Hotels Association (PHA) unveiled ‘Brand Phuket’ at the annual Thailand Tourism Forum this afternoon, held at the InterContinental Bangkok, with more than 550 travel and tourism leaders from around the region in attendance. The brand identity, set to drive the profile of the destination worldwide, was created by global branding agency QUO, focusing on positive stories about…
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Fisherman drags ashore ‘disappeared’ 4 million baht speedboat
PHANG NGA: A speedboat that went missing on Thursday was found floating off Koh Yao, Phang Nga Bay, by a local fisherman yesterday afternoon. The speedboat belonged to the Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra resort and reportedly ‘disappeared into thin air’ after being anchored off Krabi (story here). The fisherman, Apichat Singharoon, 32, reported his discovery to the Klong Prasong village headman,…
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BREAKING NEWS: One seriously injured after explosion on yacht
PHUKET: Two men were injured after a fire extinguisher exploded inside a yacht at the Boat Lagoon at about 2pm today. The yacht, named Serenity, is on the hardstand at the marina for repairs. Both men, who are employees of Marine Engineering Co, were taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital where one is reported to be in critical condition. Maj Somchai…
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Elephant “sees red’ during blood test, rams into pick-up
PHUKET: Visitors and officers watched in horror yesterday as an elephant became agitated during a blood test at a camp in the Nakkerd Hill, damaging a pick-up truck parked nearby. The 15-year-old elephant, named ‘Plai Kong Thong’ was undergoing a general health and DNA check by officers from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), who are…
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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