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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Pygmy killer whales rescued in Phuket mangrove forest (video)
A group of pygmy killer whales stranded in Phuket’s mangrove forest prompted urgent action from marine officials. Five whales were rescued, while one tragically died. Pacharawat Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, shared that reports from Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, came in early yesterday, August 3, about six…
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Phuket immigration volunteers trained to boost efficiency
A training session aimed at enhancing the efficiency of Phuket Immigration volunteers was conducted yesterday at the Royal Phuket City Hotel. The event took place in the Bon Mai Thon Meeting Room and was overseen by the Commander of Immigration Bureau 6. Police Major General Songprot Sirisukha. The Superintendent of Phuket Immigration, Police Colonel Kriangkrai Ariyaying, along with various Phuket…
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Phuket Immigration arrests seven foreigners for visa overstays
Phuket Immigration officers apprehended seven foreigners for overstaying their visas as part of a focused initiative to identify and remove individuals illegally residing in Thailand. The targeted operation, conducted from last Tuesday, July 23 to yesterday, August 1, led to the arrests of seven individuals. These individuals were charged under the Immigration Act 1979 for being an alien who has…
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Phuket Peeping Tom escapes lynching, abandons panties (video)
A Thai man involved in a Peeping Tom incident in Phuket narrowly avoided being lynched. He fled the scene, leaving behind his motorcycle and several items, including women’s underwear, condoms, a cucumber, and drug paraphernalia. Another Thai man shared the incident on social media, which occurred at approximately 10.45pm on Wednesday, July 31, to warn locals in the Pa Klock…
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Two tourists drown in Phuket beach tragedies
Two tragic incidents unfolded on Phuket’s beaches yesterday resulting in the drowning deaths of a Hong Kong father at Patong Beach and a Kazakh tourist at Karon Beach. At Patong Beach, yesterday, July 31, Che Ka Fai aka Andy, a 52 year old Chinese national from Hong Kong, was pulled from the water unconscious and unresponsive. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongpipat…
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Officials tee up hunt for wayward crocodile at Phuket golf course
Officials in Phuket are stepping up efforts to capture a crocodile spotted at Mission Hills Golf Course. The sighting on July 31 prompted an urgent response from local authorities and specialist crocodile capture teams. It seems the croc is making a real ‘swing’ at disrupting the course, and officials are keen to ‘par’ the situation before it escalates. Nikhom Suksawat,…
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Urgent call for O-negative blood donations in Phuket
A call for urgent blood donations has been issued by the RH-Emergency Donation group to aid a Frenchman in dire need of O-negative blood. The plea highlights the scarcity of this blood type among the Thai population, underscoring the importance of donations from Westerners. This urgent request was made through a Facebook post, emphasising the critical need for O-negative blood…
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Phuket police seize nearly 3 kilogrammes of crystal meth in Rawai
Phuket police apprehended two men in possession of nearly 3 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine at a residence on Saiyuan Road in Rawai. The arrests, executed by the Crime Suppression Division of the Phuket Provincial Police, were led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phichit Thongto yesterday. A 47 year old man, Tribut Samaktalay, aka Tor, who is registered as living in Moo 4,…
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Motorbike taxi driver assaults UAE tourists in Patong
Patong Police are still yet to confirm any action taken against a motorbike taxi driver who assaulted two tourists from the United Arab Emirates in Soi Saen Sabai on July 29. The incident took place in front of the Hallo Massage shop, leaving the two tourists injured. The police were alerted to the situation around 10pm. The victims, identified as…
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Man dies after fainting and falling off bicycle in Phuket
A 60 year old man tragically died early today, falling off his bicycle after fainting en route to Thalang Hospital in Phuket for his regular medication. Police Captain Kraisorn Boonprasop of Thalang Police was alerted to the incident at approximately 6.50am and promptly arrived at the scene with Pol. Lt. Sin Saijit and an EMS Advance Unit from Thalang Hospital.…
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Blackchin tilapia threat leads to fish destruction in Phuket
Concerns over the potential invasion of blackchin tilapia in Phuket have led to the destruction of 20 kilogrammes of the fish sold at local markets. The environmental group Monsoon Garbage Thailand sparked the action, highlighting the ecological threat posed by the species if it were to establish itself in the island’s waters. The blackchin tilapia, a cichlid species native to…
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Officer monkeying around: Phuket cop saves Russian’s bag
A police officer in Phuket has been commended for his resourcefulness in retrieving a Russian woman’s bag from a mischievous monkey at Khao Toh Sae in Phuket Town. The incident, highlighted on the Phuket News Hawk page, involved Police Sergeant Supachai Arunchot and Pol. Sgt. Phuthip Chotiwatanakorn of the Phuket Provincial Police. Pol. Sgt. Supachai recounted how the monkey, a…
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Busted: ‘Smoke and mirrors’ shop nabbed for untaxed cigs, vapes
Two women have been apprehended for selling untaxed cigarettes and illegal vaping paraphernalia at a shop in Soi Pha-niang, Moo 5, Ratsada. The illicit operation netted them more than half a million baht over the past three months. The 23 year old Sarinya Phonkaew, from Satun, and the 25 year old Chonlada Chuewong, registered as living in Chalong, were detained…
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Human skeletal remains found washed ashore in Phuket
Human skeletal remains, including a pelvis and upper leg bones, were discovered washed ashore in Phuket, prompting an investigation. The remains, likely those of a male, are estimated to have been deceased for over eight weeks. Local officials also found documents in a pair of trousers nearby. Police Lieutenant Natthee Pichitchai Nithimeth, Deputy Inspector of Wichit Police Station in Phuket,…
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Power outage to hit Baan Manik in Srisoonthorn tomorrow
A scheduled power outage will impact Baan Manik in Srisoonthorn tomorrow, as announced by the Thalang branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA Thalang). The outage will occur from 9am to 4.30pm to allow workers to safely conduct repairs and maintenance on the high-voltage system in the area. The specific areas affected extend from the entrance of Wat Thepwanaram (Wat…
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Efforts intensify to protect rare marine species in Andaman Sea
Efforts to protect rare marine species along the Andaman Sea have intensified, with new aerial surveys revealing the presence of dugongs, sea turtles, and dolphins, highlighting a thriving marine ecosystem. The initiative, spearheaded by senior officials, aims to conserve these precious resources. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Pachara Wongsoonsawat has shown significant concern for the…
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Indian tourist drowns at Surin Beach despite red flag warning
A 27 year old Indian tourist drowned at Surin Beach after getting entangled in a rip current during an early morning swim with friends yesterday, July 24. A red flag, indicating dangerous water conditions, was posted on Surin Beach. Despite this warning, the Indian tourist, Kapoor Manav and his friends ventured into the sea. Thalang Police Station received notification at…
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Phuket leads in dengue crisis: Kids worst hit in southern Thailand
Phuket has emerged as the hotspot for dengue fever in upper southern Thailand, with the highest infection rates among seven provinces, according to the Department of Disease Control’s regional office. Dr Darinda Rosa, acting Director of Health Region 11’s Disease Control Office, highlighted a significant surge in dengue cases from January 1 to yesterday, totalling 5,853. Children aged 10-14 are…
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Mooring buoys installed off Koh Hei to protect coral reefs
Rawai Municipality and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Region Third Area Command at Cape Panwa spearheaded an initiative yesterday to install more mooring buoys off Koh Hei (Coral Island). The event, held to honour His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday this Sunday, July 28, was led by Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos and Rear Admiral Suchat Thammapitakwet, Commander of the RTN…
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Phuket canal blackened by boat engine soot, not oil spill
Black water in Klong Tha Jeen, located on the east side of Phuket Town, was traced back to soot from a boat engine, according to the Phuket Marine Office. The incident occurred yesterday when soot from the engine of a boat named Jovana caused black water to appear on the canal’s surface. A tip-off was received around 11am, yesterday, July…
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Motorbike rider dies in car collision on Thepkrasattri Road, Phuket
A motorbike rider died following a collision with a car on Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew, Phuket, on Sunday night. A Phuket City Police Station spokesperson confirmed the death yesterday, July 22, after the rider succumbed to his injuries at Mission Hospital Phuket. The rider, Khajon Patiphatpitak, was pronounced dead at the hospital, having been involved in the accident around…
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Man found dead after argument with wife in Phuket rental home
A tragic incident occurred in Phuket when a 40 year old man was found dead in an apparent suicide following an argument with his wife on their first day at a rented house in Baan Manik. Thalang Police Station was alerted to the scene in Moo 7, Srisoonthorn, at 2am yesterday, July, 2024. Upon arrival, police officers and rescue workers…
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Patong tuk tuk driver fined after aggressive road confrontation
Patong tuk tuk drivers are again under scrutiny after an alarming confrontation between a driver and a resident in traffic. The incident, captured in a 51-second video, ignited a wave of criticism and concern among Phuket residents. A resident, who has been living in Phuket for eight years, documented the encounter and posted the video on the Facebook page Driving…
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Debate ignites over van-car collision in Patong Hill, Phuket (video)
A collision between a van and a car at the intersection of a hotel driveway in Patong Hill, Phuket, sparked a heated debate over road rules and responsibilities. Video footage of the incident, shared by the NewshawkPhuket Facebook page, shows a white car exiting a hotel on Phra Baramee Road in Kathu district and being hit by an oncoming van.…
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Wichit conducts major tsunami evacuation drill in Phuket
Phuket’s Wichit Municipality conducted a comprehensive tsunami evacuation drill and rescue exercise yesterday, July 18, aimed at bolstering disaster preparedness in Phuket. Wichit Mayor Kreetha Chotiwichpipat and Mueang Phuket District Chief Worasit Putjeeb led the drill, which involved multiple agencies in a Table Top Exercise (TTX). The simulation was designed to test the municipality’s ability to respond to a tsunami…
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Phuket launches road safety campaign to curb tourist accidents
Phuket provincial police have initiated a new road safety campaign targeting the root causes of traffic accidents involving tourists. This effort, in collaboration with local partners, aims to reduce the high number of road incidents in the area. The campaign was officially launched yesterday, July 18, at the Phuket Merlin Hotel by Region 8 Police Police Lieutenant General Suraphong Thanomchit…
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Irish footballer fights for his life after bike crash in Thailand
An Irish footballer from Cork, in the Republic of Ireland, is battling for his life after a catastrophic cycling accident in Thailand. The horrific crash on Saturday, July 13, left the Tramore Athletic Football Club goalkeeper with severe injuries, prompting an outpouring of support that has raised over 46,000 euros (around 1 million baht) in just hours. Rushed to Phuket…
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Foreign man caught on viral video urinating on Phuket road (video)
A viral video shared on a news Facebook page showed a foreign man urinating in the middle of the Patong Beach Road in Phuket during a traffic jam, despite many motorists staring at him. The Facebook page, 1วันพันกว่าเรื่อง ภูเก็ต (meaning over 1,000 things happen in a day), shared a video of the foreign man, whose identity was not disclosed, yesterday,…
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Transport Ministry execs visit Phuket to boost economic development
Senior executives from the Ministry of Transport gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, engaging in a two-day study tour aimed at boosting economic development in the region through transportation initiatives. This initiative, part of a broader training programme organised by the Ministry of Transport, targets government officials and employees from state enterprises. Running from May 27 to August 16, the…
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Cat-nabbed: Thai man’s purr-fect crime outside Phuket bank (video)
Police arrested a Thai man for stealing a cat from outside a bank in the Wichit district of Phuket. The man claimed he intended to pet the cat but many Thai netizens suspected he intended to eat it. The cat’s owner posted CCTV footage on social media showing the thief, identified as 32 year old Nattaphon, taking her white cat named…
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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