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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Sponsored 5 best wine bars in Bangkok offering rich and quality wine
It’s wine o’clock! Whether you’re all about fruity reds, sweet whites, or funky naturals, Bangkok has many great spots to sip your favourite varieties. But with an array of options to choose from, and the constant rise and fall of...
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Phuket man arrested for raping his stepdaughter and niece
Police arrested a Thai man for repeatedly raping his nine year old stepdaughter and 11 year old niece at the homes of his wife and mistress in the Chalong sub-district of Phuket. A teacher from Ban Chalong School in Phuket filed a complaint with Chalong Police Station officers at about 8pm on July 6 that two young girls were victims…
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Patong Police hunt Thai man after knife attack on Indian tourist
Patong Police are actively searching for a Thai man who attacked an Indian tourist with a knife, resulting in a head wound. The incident occurred late Sunday night, July 7, when the Thai man blew cigarette smoke into the Indian tourist’s face, Patong Police were alerted around 11.10pm. Upon arrival, officers found 37 year old Aneesh Kumar Nikathithara Purushan, with…
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Russian DJ arrested in Koh Pha Ngan for last year’s hit-and-run
Police arrested a Russian DJ at a rented room in Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, for crashing an SUV into a motorcyclist last year. A Thai motorcyclist, whose identity was not disclosed, was severely injured in an accident on Koh Pha Ngan on July 30 of last year. A white Toyota Fortuner SUV…
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Foreign man escapes hospital, steals van, and crashes in Phuket
A foreign man escaped from a hospital at the weekend, stole a van parked at a petrol station, and crashed it into another vehicle on Khao Patong Road in Phuket. Officers from Patong Police Station were alerted to an accident on Baramee-Khao Patong Road in the Kathu district of Phuket on Saturday, July 6. Police then requested the Kusoldharm Phuket…
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Patong thief linked to multiple shop thefts remains at large
A woman suspected of stealing a gold amulet and 600 baht in cash from a smoothie shop in Patong has been linked to at least six other thefts in the area, yet she remains at large. Caught on CCTV on June 27, the woman was seen taking the amulet and cash from the smoothie shop. Subsequent footage and images shared…
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Thai woman arrested in Chalong for bank scam involvement
A woman in Chalong has been arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) for her involvement in a scam operation with the illegal creation of a false bank account. Law enforcement officials apprehended Cantida at her residence in Chalong on Wednesday, July 3. The charges against her fall under the Computer Crimes Act, focusing on fraud by entering false data…
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Phuket gunman currently at large for shooting teenage neighbour
Phuket police are actively searching for a 63 year old gunman, for his involvement in a shooting of a teenager in Srisoonthron, Phuket after a prolonged dispute between the two, who share over a 40 year age gap. Thalang Police Station officers received reports of the shooting at 6.39pm yesterday, July 4. Officers and rescue workers from Srisoonthorn Municipality arrived…
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Phuket officials inspect Chamcha Market for hygiene
Officials conducted a thorough inspection of Chamcha Market in Phuket Town yesterday, July 3, to ensure vendors adhere to food hygiene guidelines and display accurate prices. The inspection, led by Phuket Provincial Commercial Office Chief Woranit Apirat Jirawong, was a collaborative effort with the Sanitation and Environmental Health Department of Phuket City Municipality. Chamcha Market, also known as Lor Rong…
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Koh Samui’s drought nightmare vs Phuket’s flooding chaos
Koh Samui is reeling from an acute water shortage as its reservoirs are drying up amid a prolonged drought. On the neighbouring island of Phuket, residents are battling heavy rainfall and flooding. Koh Samui’s main reservoir, with a capacity of 800,000 cubic metres, is down to a mere 10%, enough to last just two weeks. The Krajood reservoir fares slightly…
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Phuket: 4 foreigners arrested for overstaying visas by up to 5 years
Immigration officers in Phuket apprehended four foreign men for overstaying their visas, with periods ranging from 234 days to over five years, during random inspections yesterday morning. Police conducted passport checks at locations known for harbouring visa overstayers as part of the ongoing Operation X-ray, targeting individuals violating visa regulations. Among those arrested were two Egyptians, one Pakistani, and one…
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British teacher suits up for legal battle after tailor-made trouble
A British teacher residing in Phuket has taken legal action after an altercation with a well-known local tailor turned violent, sparking concerns over the handling of such incidents by local police. Miss Inder, a teacher at an international school in Phuket, shared her harrowing ordeal. She detailed how a disagreement over tailoring prices escalated into a physical assault. According to…
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Pickup driver caught at Phuket police checkpoint (video)
A pickup truck driver revved his engine, causing thick black smoke to billow out, as he passed a police checkpoint in Phuket. Two officers on motorcycles immediately pursued and captured him, earning praise from netizens who commended their swift action. A video clip, one minute and four seconds long, was posted by the Choeng Thale Police Station in Phuket, accompanied…
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Phuket’s inadequate infrastructure development raises concerns
Inadequate infrastructure development in Phuket is struggling to match the island’s rapid urbanisation and severe flooding, tarnishing its reputation. The government’s failure to allocate sufficient budget and upgrade public facilities as promised is a significant concern. The President of the Phuket Tourist Association, Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, highlighted that 60% of tourists are first-time visitors who might not return if infrastructure issues…
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British man arrested in Phuket Airport amid embezzlement claims
A 37 year old British man was apprehended at Phuket Airport upon his arrival in Thailand, due to a long-standing arrest warrant. The Brit, whose identity remains undisclosed, has been on the Thai police’s radar since 2017, and his actions are now facing intense scrutiny. Thai immigration officers arrested the suspect at 1.10pm yesterday, July 2, after his passport check…
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Phuket flight turbulence: Rainstorm forces diversions amid deluge
Fourteen flights bound for Phuket were forced to divert to alternative airports as a deluge of rain battered the popular resort island, causing widespread flooding. Phuket Airport Director Monchai Tanod confirmed that although the airport itself remained dry, visibility plummeted to dangerously low levels between 7am and 9am, today, July 2. “Pilots simply couldn’t see the runway.” Flights had to…
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Tourist rescued from tree after parasailing mishap on Phuket beach
A foreign tourist found himself in a precarious situation when a parasailing adventure went awry, leaving him stranded atop a 5-metre pine tree on Kamala Beach in Phuket. Police were called to the scene to rescue him using a crane truck. Surasit Wandee, a deputy investigator at Kamala Police Station in Phuket, received a report of a foreign tourist stuck…
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Phuket’s Walking Street market leads new street food initiative
Phuket’s Chartered Walking Street market has been selected by the Department of Health as the premier venue for the Street Food Good Health from Local to Global initiative. This programme aims to bolster tourist confidence and attract visitors throughout the year. Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, Dr Atthaphon Kaewsamrit, and Dr Kusak Kukiattikoon, Chief of the Phuket Provincial…
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Phuket governor washes up Kamala after torrential rain (video)
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat spearheaded a substantial cleanup operation in Kamala following heavy rains that caused widespread flooding across Phuket. The downpours yesterday, June 30, led to traffic disruptions, flight delays, and inundated neighbourhoods. Joining the Governor in Kamala were Phuket Vice Governor Sattha Thongkham, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Office Suwit Suriyawong, Phuket Provincial Police Commander, Police Major General Sinlert…
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Phuket flight fiasco: Downpour delays leave one still in the clouds
Phuket International Airport confirmed that only one of the 17 flights delayed by yesterday’s downpours has yet to complete its journey. To mitigate any dangers posed by landing in intense weather conditions, inbound flights were diverted to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports, as well as airports in Krabi, Langkawi, Penang, and Surat Thani as pilots had no vision of…
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Rain check: Floodgates open as downpours dampen Phuket spirits
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) released an updated report on the recent flooding in Phuket, following heavy rains that caused significant disruption across the popular holiday resort island. Floodwaters inundated roads and homes, while landslides and fallen trees rendered several routes impassable. The TMD highlighted that water levels in Kathu had largely decreased, making most roads passable, including those…
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Phuket bans heavy trucks on key roads during peak hours
Heavy-duty trucks with 10 wheels or more are now restricted from travelling on certain Phuket roads during peak traffic hours, effective today. This measure, enforced under Section 139 of the Land Traffic Act 1979, aims to mitigate the island’s worsening traffic congestion. Phuket Provincial Police Commander Sinlert Sukhum issued the order on June 7, citing the imbalance between the growing…
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Police hunt woman who stole gold amulet and 600 baht in Patong
A woman is being sought by police in Patong for stealing a gold amulet and 600 baht from a smoothie shop early today. Patong police responded to the incident on Sawasdirak Road at 10.50am today after the shop owner, known as Aum, reported the theft. She had closed her shop at 2.30am and found the items missing when she returned…
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Phuket Pride 2024 parade route confirmed for Old Town celebration
Phuket Town Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas confirmed the route for the Discover Phuket Pride 2024 parade, set to take place on the streets of Phuket Old Town tomorrow, June 29. Thousands are expected to join the celebration, led by a star-studded lineup of Thai celebrities, including actress Grace Patsita, singer Mum Laconics, actors Tae Nanthasai, Biw Nattapon, Big Nathaschai, and actress…
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Credit crunch: Phuket bank manager’s pickup truck mishap
A bank credit manager crashed his pickup truck into the back of a parked trailer in Phuket, causing significant damage. Police promptly investigated the scene. The trailer driver reported hearing a loud noise around 5.40am today, June 28. Police Captain Aphairat In-iad from the Phuket City Police Station received the accident report. The crash happened in front of a petrol…
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Phuket’s digital dive: Seminar equips leaders for tech tide
Phuket officials recently conducted a training seminar aimed at educating local community leaders on the use and risks associated with digital media and technology. The event, held at a hotel in Ratsada yesterday, was presided over by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong. Chief of the Phuket branch of the National Statistics Office (NSO), Hasana Lekheem highlighted the seminar’s objective of…
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Phuket board urges better waste separation management
Phuket grapples with the challenge of managing its daily solid waste, with waste separation emerging as a critical focus. Members of the Phuket Provincial Governance Board yesterday conducted an inspection of the Phuket Provincial Waste Disposal Centre and Incinerator at Saphan Hin. Peeraphit Aongcharoen, Vice Chairman of the Board, led the delegation to monitor and assess the progress of budget…
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AOT shakes up commercial space at Bangkok and Phuket airports
Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to reclaim prime commercial and office spaces at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International Airports in a move to improve passenger satisfaction, despite facing a potential loss of over 90 million baht. AOT revealed plans to reclaim areas currently operated by King Power Duty-Free and office spaces used by key government agencies, including the Immigration Bureau, the…
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Stinging situation as Bluebottles sighted around Racha Islands
The Thai authorities issued a warning about the presence of Portuguese Man o’ War, also known as bluebottles, at the Racha Islands, located south of Phuket, following an incident where a tour boat staff member was stung yesterday. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has identified bluebottles at Ao La, Ao Tu, and Racha Yai Islands. Tourists and…
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Warning issued for venomous jellyfish at Phuket’s Racha Yai Island
A warning has been issued about the presence of the highly venomous Portuguese Man o’ War jellyfish in the waters of Lah Bay and Tue Bay at Racha Yai Island, Phuket. Tourists and those engaging in marine activities in the area are advised to exercise extreme caution to avoid contact with these dangerous creatures. The Department of Marine and Coastal…
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Phuket fraud case crumbles: Dutchman cleared of shopping scam
Phuket Provincial Court dismissed the case against a 40 year old Dutchman accused of operating a fraudulent shopping mall website scam. He was arrested at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok in February of 2021. Several Thai and foreign residents, primarily from Phuket province and Koh Samui island in Surat Thani province, filed a complaint against the Dutchman, Wesley Halbach, accusing him…
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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