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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12Go introduces Japan Rail Passes to enhance travel accessibility for international travellers
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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Baby Hawksbill turtle rescued from marine debris at Rawai Beach
A baby Hawksbill turtle was rescued from a heap of marine debris washed ashore at Rawai Beach. The young turtle was discovered yesterday, July 28, by staff from Rawai Municipality, who promptly notified the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animals Rescue Centre, under the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). Weighing 1.8 kilogrammes and with a shell measuring 27.5 centimetres wide…
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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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2 Pakistani men arrested in Phuket after scamming Thai vendors
Police have arrested two Pakistani men at a residence in Phuket after they repeatedly defrauded several Thai vendors. The men claimed that their criminal actions were unintentional and resulted from being under the influence of alcohol. The owner of a drugstore in the Kamala sub-district of Phuket filed a scam complaint with Kamala Police Station after a foreign customer, later…
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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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Shellfish showdown: Tempers boil over pricey shrimp dish in Phuket
A heated debate has erupted over the pricing of a shrimp dish at a well-known restaurant in Chalong, Phuket. The controversy began when the popular Facebook page Page E So Khia Khao 3 shared a post about the stir-fried lotus lai with shrimp served by Suan Indy Seafood in Soi Kruwattana (Soi Palai 2). The post highlighted the dish’s price…
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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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Phuket enforces 48-hour alcohol ban for Buddhist holidays
Patong police announced a 48-hour ban on alcohol sales in bars and restaurants as Thailand observes the Buddhist holidays Asarnha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa this weekend. Violating the alcohol sales ban could result in up to six months in jail or a fine of up to 10,000 baht, according to the notice issued by Patong Police. Officers informed bar…
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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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Phuket police seize 188 Yaba pills in drug bust
Police in Phuket apprehended two individuals in Baan Phru Somphan, Moo 8, Thepkasattri, following local community complaints about drug-related activities. The Provincial Defence Office reported that the arrests took place at approximately 6.35pm on July 16. The names of the suspects were not disclosed. The first suspect, referred to as Accused No.1, was found in possession of 175 methamphetamine pills,…
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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…
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Tourist mugged near Big Buddha Viewpoint in Phuket
A tourist was mugged near the Big Buddha Viewpoint in Phuket, prompting Karon Police to launch a manhunt for the assailant. The incident took place yesterday, July 16, at approximately 6.22pm near the Nak-Kerd Seaview Cafe, according to police reports. A Thai man, identified only as Wirat, witnessed the mugging while driving towards Chalong. He immediately alerted the police by…
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Phuket cleanup in full swing after storm wreaks havoc
Teams of workers are diligently clearing debris across Phuket after a severe storm struck the island overnight. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that the storm brought intense rain and winds reaching up to 68 kilometres per hour, causing significant disruption. The municipalities of Wichit and Thepkrasattri confirmed that several trees were uprooted, minor flooding occurred, and there was damage…
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Overloaded truck blocks Patong Hill, causing long delays (video)
A truck overloaded with hay bales blocked traffic over Patong Hill last night, causing extensive delays. The incident occurred when the truck struggled to climb the steep hill, before ultimately coming to a halt near its base. The video, shared on Facebook by Newshawk Phuket, recorded the truck at 11.25pm, yesterday, July 15, as it struggled and eventually stopped. The…
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Phuket resident wins 60 million baht in BAAC lottery
A resident of Phuket scooped 60 million baht from the BAAC lottery for July. This marks the ninth time this year that a lucky winner has claimed the top prize from the Thong Thong lottery series. The news was reported today, with BAAC Thailand’s Facebook page sharing images of the new millionaire. The grand prize winner, a customer from the…
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Tourist brutally attacked by taxi drivers in Phuket (video)
Motorbike taxi drivers brutally assaulted a tourist, rendering him unconscious outside a prominent shopping mall in Patong Beach. A video clip shared on Facebook by Phuket Info Centre revealed the attack, sparking outrage and criticism from netizens. The incident took place today, July 15, at approximately 3am, when a group of motorbike taxi drivers attacked a tourist outside the Central…
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NZ brothers return home after 4 months in Thai custody for assault
Two New Zealand brothers, who were detained in Thailand for nearly four months following an assault on a police officer in Phuket, have returned home. Hamish and Mattson Day had faced multiple charges after a disagreement over a speeding violation on March 16 escalated into violence. A passerby captured footage of the incident, showing 38 year old Mattson Day attacking…
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Motorbike taxi speeds along Patong Beach, alarming tourists (video)
A motorbike taxi was seen speeding along Patong Beach in Phuket, causing confusion among the many tourists relaxing on the shore. Lifeguards attempted to intervene but were unable to catch the rider. A video showing a motorbike taxi riding on Patong Beach in Kathu district, Phuket, was shared by Monsoongarbage Thailand and Newshawk Phuket, causing a stir on social media.…
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Speeding motorcyclist dies in Phuket underpass crash
A tragic motorcycle accident at a Phuket underpass in Rassada resulted in the death of a motorcyclist. The motorcycle rider was allegedly speeding and lost control before being stencilled into the back of a car. The deceased, identified as 36 year old Nattapol from Nakhon Si Thammarat, was found lying on the road near a grey Toyota. The rear of…
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Viral Phuket motorcycle breast groper arrested
Chalong Police in Phuket apprehended a drive-by breast groper after his attack and the chase of a woman in Rawai earlier this month garnered significant public attention. Chalong Police Chief, Police Colonel Ekarat Plaiduang, announced the arrest today, July 12, confirming that officers detained a 23 year old Myanmar national Aung Ko Phyo yesterday. The arrest followed a thorough investigation.…
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Phuket vendors warned over price gouging during inspections
Police in Phuket yesterday conducted an inspection at Malin Plaza Patong Market and Banzaan Fresh Market, warning vendors against price gouging. The investigation, led by Pathumphon Yamkerd of the Phuket Provincial Commercial Office, took place yesterday, July 10, at the two markets, aiming to ensure fair pricing and enhance Phuket’s tourism reputation. Some vendors were found not displaying prices, a…
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Phuket vies to host 2025 InterPride World Conference
Phuket is gearing up to compete for the opportunity to host the 2025 InterPride World Conference, with local officials affirming the island province’s readiness. Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a ceremony for the Pride & Equality Phuket memorandum of understanding alongside representatives from both public and private sectors. The agreement, aimed at promoting gender equality, includes raising awareness about gender inclusivity,…
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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