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.
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Handling a medical emergency in Thailand as an expat can be difficult without the right information. This guide explains what to do in a medical emergency, including important contact numbers, the differences between public and private hospitals, how to deal...
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Phuket Airport tourist cries fowl over 3,000 baht Subway sarnies
A foreign woman took to TikTok to accuse a Subway store at Phuket International Airport of overcharging her after she bought three sandwiches for 3,000 baht. (£72). The TikTok user, @naynaysully, posted a video on Wednesday, January 8, while standing in front of the Subway store at the airport. In the video, two security guards can be seen intervening, while…
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PM pledges to polish Phuket into a top-tier tourist hotspot
Phuket is turning up the glamour stakes as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra unveils ambitious plans to transform the island into a premier tourist magnet. On her whirlwind visit to the sun-drenched southern province, the Thai premier set out a bold vision to tackle key issues facing the beloved getaway, from sorting out traffic snarls to bolstering its allure as a…
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Bitcoin hits the beach: Thailand’s sizzling crypto coup in Phuket
Phuket is set to become a crypto paradise as Thailand trials a new payment system using cryptocurrencies, all in a bid to make it easier than ever for tourists to splash their cash. The architect behind this brainwave reckon it’ll not only put a smile on the face of tech-savvy travellers but will also give the nation’s tourism sector a…
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Phuket’s healthcare crisis: PM pushes for cancer centre
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra spotlighted healthcare as a critical issue for Phuket, amid public outcry and fundraising efforts to improve cancer treatment facilities on the island. At a high-level meeting held at Phuket International Airport this morning, the 38 year old Thai PM addressed the urgent need to upgrade state hospitals like Vachira Phuket Hospital to better handle diseases such…
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Phuket kicks off bold campaign for clean politics and fair elections
Phuket is making waves in political reform, launching a high-profile campaign to ensure fair and transparent elections across the island. The Phuket Provincial Election Commission Office unveiled its Honest Political Reform on the Basis of Elections project at a lively event held at the Bhukitta Boutique Hotel & Residence Phuket yesterday, January 8. Presiding over the ceremony was Phuket Vice…
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Sand wars settled: Kata Noi Beach reclaims its shores
The sandy battle for Kata Noi Beach appears to be over, with beachgoers celebrating their newfound space. What was once a sprawling battlefield of beach chair vendors has been transformed into a haven for snorkellers and sunbathers alike. One local reported that the long-standing “sand grab” has been resolved, with clear and accessible spaces now available along the beach. “I…
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British man’s death in Phuket leaves family searching for answers
The heartbroken family of a British man is desperately seeking the truth after his body washed ashore a Phuket beach. The body of Regan Kelly was discovered on Saturday, January 5, floating in the sea off a Thai beach. The 28 year old South London man’s body was discovered naked and face down merely hours after he was seen dashing…
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Kazakh man reports Phuket investment scam run by Ukrainian and Thai men
A Kazakh businessman filed a complaint with the Phuket Governor after being tricked by Ukrainian and Thai men into investing in a real estate project in the province. However, he has not received any profits from the investment. The Kazakh victim, Takhir, initially reported the investment scam to Choeng Thale Police Station. He and his legal team subsequently met with the Phuket Governor,…
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PM Paetongtarn to inaugurate International Boat Show in Phuket
Phuket is bracing for a high-profile visit as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra lands on the island tomorrow, January 9 to tackle critical local issues and boost tourism. With an ambitious agenda in tow, the 38 year old PM is set to chair key meetings and launch a glamorous luxury lifestyle event, according to the Phuket Public Relations Department. Touching down…
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Lifesaving heroine: Student performs CPR on elderly man in Phuket
A female high school student was praised for her quick response in assisting an elderly man whose heart had stopped while riding a motorcycle with a sidecar. The incident took place yesterday, January 6 at 2pm near the Cherng Talay Shrine on Srisoonthon Road in Cherng Talay subdistrict, Thalang district, Phuket province. Upon receiving a report of an unconscious person…
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British family mourns tragic holiday heartbreak in Thailand
A British family are reeling from the heartbreaking loss of a family member who met a tragic end in a motorbike crash while holidaying in Thailand. Corey Beavis, a “larger than life” young man from Barry, South Wales, died in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, January 4, in Phuket. The crash has left his 28 year old twin brother Liam,…
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Foreign woman allegedly assaults Thai woman over seat dispute at Phuket airport
A Thai woman is seeking justice after an alleged physical assault by a foreign woman during a dispute over a seat at Phuket International Airport. The 22 year old Thai woman, whose name has not been disclosed, shared her story with the Phuket Times yesterday, January 6. The incident occurred on the night of January 3 in Phuket Airport’s boarding lounge…
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Kuwaiti tourist faces charges after drunken tantrum in Phuket
A violent outburst by a Kuwaiti tourist at Karon Beach, Phuket, resulted in multiple charges after he assaulted locals and caused public disorder on January 3. It was reported that he was heavily intoxicated at the time. The Kuwaiti tourist, later identified as 26 year old Ali Ashkanani, was detained following reports of aggressive behaviour near Karon Beach. Several residents…
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Drunk tourist clashes with Phuket bikers over massage ride
A drunken tourist attacked three Thai app-based motorcycle taxi riders in Phuket, allegedly because he wanted a lift to a massage parlour. However, the riders declined to serve him, citing that they were fully booked. Several news agencies shared a video of the foreign man attacking three Thai men on a footpath yesterday, 5 January. In the video, the foreigner, wearing…
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Foreigner dies in Phuket motorbike crash after losing control
A tragic accident occurred in Phuket yesterday morning, December 4, resulting in the death of a foreign man who lost control of his motorbike and crashed into a guardrail in Kathu. The incident took place on Wichit Songkhram Road, with local police responding to the scene around 7.30am. Upon arrival, Kathu Police and rescue workers found a severely damaged Honda…
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Grim discovery: Tourist found dead off Patong Beach
Holidaymakers were left in shock yesterday, January 3, as police launched an investigation into the death of a foreign tourist found floating lifelessly off Patong Beach in the morning. The grim discovery was made near the iconic Dolphin Circle at approximately 10am yesterday. Traiphop Buakhai, a local parasail speedboat operator, was the first to notice the tragic scene—a body face…
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Foreign men attack Phuket taxi driver over fare dispute (video)
A viral video showed two foreign men attacking a Thai taxi driver outside a supermarket in Phuket, allegedly over a fare dispute. Several Facebook news pages in Phuket shared the video of the physical assault today, December 3. In the video, one of the two foreign men, both wearing white T-shirts, is seen kicking the taxi driver, who was standing…
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High ambitions: Air India Express introduces new Phuket flights
Air India Express is making waves with its latest announcement: direct flights from Hyderabad to the tropical paradise of Phuket. Launching on January 31, these flights will initially operate thrice weekly—on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays—before ramping up to six times a week from February 15, skipping only Tuesdays. This move comes hot on the heels of the airline’s new Bangkok route,…
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Out of luck: Lottery scammer busted at Phuket fair
A brazen fraudster tried her luck at scamming thousands of revellers at Phuket’s new year fair—only to find herself caught red-handed by police in the early hours of the morning today, January 2. Phuket City Police swooped in on 45 year old Kritporn Butlo near the central stage of the Saphan Hin Good Things fair around 12.30am. The suspect was…
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Phuket ushers in new year with traditional almsgiving ceremony
Phuket officials marked the new year with a traditional almsgiving ceremony, drawing prominent figures and residents from across the province. The event took place yesterday morning outside the Government Savings Bank on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town, setting the tone for a year filled with aspirations for unity and prosperity. The ceremony began at 6am, featuring offerings of food…
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Phuket horror: Tourist bludgeoned by rider over route dispute (video)
A Norwegian tourist’s dream holiday turned into a nightmare when he was viciously attacked by a ride-hailing driver in Phuket. The shocking incident, which occurred in the early hours of December 30, left the tourist battered and bruised, sparking a heated debate about passenger safety. A Thai woman, 44 year old Thanatphon Khongcharoen, accompanied her friend, 57 year old…
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Fireworks mishap sparks panic among Patong tourists (video)
A dramatic New Year’s Eve incident unfolded in Patong, Phuket, when fireworks unexpectedly veered into a crowd of tourists. Footage shared on the Newshawk Phuket Facebook page captured the moment during the countdown celebration in Kathu district. As the clock struck midnight, fireworks were being launched to usher in the new year, but suddenly, one fell dangerously close to where…
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Phuket family returns home to theft of 1 million baht safe
A family in Phuket faced an unexpected start to the new year when they returned home from celebrations to discover their house had been burglarised. A safe containing 1 million baht, gold bars, gold necklaces, and passports had been stolen. Police are actively pursuing the case, aiming to recover the stolen items and apprehend the culprits. The incident was reported…
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Russian man arrested for rampage and knife attack at Phuket hotel
Police arrested a Russian man who went on a violent rampage at a hotel in the Choeng Thale area of Phuket, physically assaulting other hotel guests and Thai police officers. Officers from Choeng Thale Police Station were called to the hotel to contain the situation after the Russian man, identified only as Sharapov, attacked other guests with a knife. Fortunately,…
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Thai man arrested for stabbing Danish tourist in Patong
A 27 year old Thai man has been apprehended by Patong Police after allegedly stabbing a Danish tourist early on December 28. The swift action by senior officers at Patong Police Station led to the arrest following the incident which left the tourist injured. The suspect was detained at a residence on Soi Kralim 6, located off Phra Barami Road…
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Phuket man demands justice after brutal attack on mother and girlfriend
A shocking incident of violence in Phuket has prompted a man to turn to social media to demand justice following a brutal attack on his mother and girlfriend in Srisoonthorn. This assault, captured on CCTV around 3am on December 26, has been brought to the public eye by a family member seeking accountability for the perpetrators. The incident unfolded as…
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Phuket teacher investigated for alleged molestation of students
A teacher from an elementary school in Phuket is currently under investigation following allegations of molestation made by the parents of two young students. These serious claims have prompted police to look into the matter, raising concerns about the safety of children at the institution. Deputy Chief of Investigations at Phuket City Police Station, Pawiinuch Kongsut, shared details of the…
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Phuket communities recognised for innovative food waste reduction project
Phuket’s Cherng Talay Tambon Administrative Organisation and Baan Haad Surin Community have earned recognition as model communities for their exceptional work in the Raksa Food project, commonly known as Food Banks. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat awarded certificates during a ceremony at Phuket Provincial Hall on Christmas Day to honour their achievements. The Raksa Food project, led by the Phuket Provincial…
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Phuket’s Freedom Beach embroiled in land encroachment dispute
Phuket’s scenic Freedom Beach, a favourite among tourists, finds itself at the centre of a legal tussle as allegations of land encroachment surface. The head of the Forest Protection Unit, Sorasak Rananan, has reported 15 alleged incidents of encroachment onto the protected grounds within the Khao Nakkerd National Forest Reserve. This complaint was lodged with the Karon Police following an…
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Thailand’s top destinations gear up for new year surge
A jaw-dropping wave of tourists is set to descend on Thailand’s favourite hotspots this new year, with Phuket leading the charge and Chiang Mai hot on its heels. Here’s how the Land of Smiles is gearing up for the festive frenzy. Phuket is bracing for an influx of over 230,000 visitors between December 28 and January 1, projected to inject…
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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