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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Mother desperate to find missing son, 3
PHUKET: A desperate mother has appealed to the police and the public to help find her three-year-old son, who has been missing since Wednesday. The distraught 23-year-old mother, Saowalak Chaiyo, said her son went missing while playing in front of their home in Wichit. Jetsadakron Chaiyo, nicknamed Nong DJ, was wearing a white hoodie with a black Angry Birds logo,…
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Speedboat operator charged for maiming Russians
PHUKET: The driver of the speedboat that crashed into two Russian divers on Wednesday is being charged with reckless driving causing serious injury. Russian nationals named by police as Sergei Dmitriev, 30, and Dmitry Kurynov, 48, were diving near Maya Bay when they were hit by the speedboat, causing one diver to lose his leg and the other to suffer…
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Phuket governor orders investigation into Facebook ‘defamation’ post
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has ordered an investigation into a Facebook user who has accused him of taking sides in a dispute over land rights between the sea gypsy community in Rawai and developer Baron World Trade Co Ltd, which plans to build luxury villas on the contested beachfront land. The Facebook user, who goes by the screen name…
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New pathway planned as quick fix for sea gypsy land dispute
PHUKET: Land officials led by Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul yesterday measured out boundaries so that a three-meter-wide path can be cut through public land near Rawai Beach to allow members of the local sea gypsy community to access traditional ceremonial grounds while a dispute rages between the gypsies and a developer over land use rights. The decision to clear…
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‘Phuket Brand’ logo to revive consumer confidence, says Gov
PHUKET: A newly revived ‘Phuket Brand’ logo can now be used by businesses to boost consumer confidence, the Phuket Office of Commercial Affairs announced yesterday. “The logo has been designed and approved since 2009 in order to promote the island’s goods and services,” said Decha Phetwong, chief of Phuket’s Office of Commercial Affairs. “But for some reason, it has not…
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Krabi hero attains Volunteer Defense Corp certification
KRABI: A Krabi man who was hailed a hero after rescuing two tourists stuck knee-deep in mud in October last year (video report here) has now become a certified member of the Krabi Volunteer Defense Corps. Chat Ubonjinda, 44, was one of 31 new defense volunteers presented with a certificate by Muang Krabi District Chief Suriyun Damrongkul yesterday, after successfully…
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Samkong junction set to close for two nights
PHUKET: The road at Samkong junction in front of Tesco Lotus will be partially closed between 10pm and 4am tonight and tomorrow to allow heavy lifting equipment to be used for construction of the underpass. “The section of road is being closed off at the request of the construction company in order to speed up completion of construction,” said Phuket…
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Phi Phi scuba divers mangled by speedboat
PHUKET: A Russian diver lost his leg and another was seriously injured after being hit by a speedboat near Maya Bay this morning. “I was taking 30 tourists to Ao Maya when it felt like we struck a submerged object. I turned the boat around and saw scuba diving tanks, and the water began to fill with blood,” said Adisorn…
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AMCHAM Phuket presents trends in sustainable hospitality
PHUKET: The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Greater Phuket Chapter has organized a tourism seminar on Friday (Feb 5) that will address how sustainability helps hotels cut costs and increase overall satisfaction and loyalty from both their associates and guests. The event will be led by Grace Kang of Singapore’s Greenview Hospitality company and will be held at the Keemala…
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Phuket police hunt company after tourist’s watery death
PHUKET: Police are hunting representatives of a tour company after a Chinese tourist died on a snorkelling trip off Koh Racha Yai yesterday morning. The company that booked Weidong Lu, 49, and his family on the boat, does not appear to have provided a tour guide, explained Lt Wuthiwat Leangboonjinda of the Chalong Police. “We are now trying to contact…
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Friend identifies British man killed by Patong bus
PHUKET: A Phuket expat today was able to identify a British man who allegedly jumped in front of a bus in Patong last week. The foreigner, who asked to be named only as Darren, recognized the British national after seeing a picture of him supplied by Patong Police and published by the Phuket Gazette. Following the identification of the man,…
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Thailand Yacht Show appoints event Ambassador
PHUKET: Rose Maitland-Smith has been appointed as the official Ambassador of the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS), which will take place at Ao Po Grand Marina under the patronage of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Phuket’s newest, largest and most exciting gathering of yachts, boats and luxury brands, brimming with parties and glamour, will open its doors on Thursday, February 11…
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Brit arrested at Phuket airport after “tempting’ discovery
PHUKET: Police charged a British national who found an envelope of mixed currency and pocketed the cash at Phuket International Airport yesterday. Darren Chapman, 49, was arrested while checking in at the Bangkok Airways counter after having taken US$320 and CA$100 cash from the envelope, which had been left at an Air Asia counter. “Mr Chapman confessed that he took…
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Z-Coaching Phuket team takes podium by storm
PHUKET: Last weekend saw the recently established Z-Coaching Phuket triathlon team sweep the field clean at the Surat Thani/Khao Sok National Park cycling race (70km/120km), where over 1,000 cyclists participated. Jaray Jearanai took the much coveted win in the Men’s Open 120km race, with fellow teammates Martin Brot, Oat Wongtanaponsil, Toha Navong and coach Jurgen Zack all placing in the…
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OTOP gets lovely for Valentine-themed festival [video]
PHUKET: Couples planning on tying the knot in Phuket in February can take part in special Valentine-themed marriage ceremonies held at Sarasin Bridge between February 14 and 23. “The 10-day ‘OTOP Lovely Phuket Festival’ will feature many activities to help promote tourism in the province,” said Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada. Tourists, as well as locals, are welcome to register their…
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Damaged road not to affect underpass construction
PHUKET: The severely damaged road near the Samkong intersection has had no effect on underpass construction, confirmed a Phuket Highways Office official. Heavy rains on Thursday left sections of the road running alongside the underpass, as well as one of the underpass walls, heavily damaged (story here). “As of last night, the road can be used as normal and traffic…
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Blood donations save German crash victim
PHUKET: A motorcycle crash victim is out of danger after undergoing surgery and receiving seven units of A-negative blood following a plea last week for donations of the rare blood type. German national Bernd Langer, 51, is recovering at Bangkok Hospital Phuket after coming off his motocycle in Rawai on January 24 (story here). Mr Langer underwent emergency surgery at…
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Navy seizes alleged IUU fishing boats in Phuket
PHUKET: The Royal Thai Navy seized two fishing vessels for illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing when the ships returned to Phuket after tuna fishing in the Indian Ocean. Mook Anda 018 and Mook Anda 028 arrived at the Phuket Deep Sea Port on Saturday, where Rear Admiral Kittipong Rumakom, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, was…
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A Decade Ago: Soi dog woes as medical tourism grows
PHUKET: Similar to Phuket attempting to turn back the wheels of time on its beaches – by deeming some of the island’s well-trampled sands to be ‘virgin’ – a decade ago, officials were trying to ensure that Phi Phi Don remained an idyllic paradise island, following the destruction of most of the island’s man-made structures by the tsunami’s waves. “We…
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DSI vows to back Phuket sea gypsy land claims
PHUKET: The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) vowed to renew its efforts in backing the Rawai sea gypsies’ claim of having lived on a disputed piece of beachfront property for more than 100 years. “At the meeting with Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada on February 2, we will provide all the DNA evidence collected from the archaeological dig we conducted on…
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Southbound bypass closed at Samkong underpass
PHUKET: Southbound traffic at the Samkong underpass construction site is being diverted east toward Samkong and west toward Kathu after recent heavy rain wreaked havoc on a section of road alongside the site and cracked one of the underpass walls (story here). “Those who want to go straight on to Central Festival now have to turn left, drive through the…
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Wat Chalong Fair kicks off on February 7 [video]
PHUKET: It’s that time of year again. Phuket’s biggest annual temple fair, held at Wat Chalong, will kick off on February 7 to offer one week of local fare and entertainment. “There will be plenty of food vendors, circus rides, games and stalls set up at the fair. Everyone is more than welcome to come and enjoy themselves,” said Chaiwat…
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Foreigner among six charged for stealing Phuket national park land
PHUKET: Six people, including a foreigner, were charged by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for falsifying land documents to steal Phuket national park land. “This particular encroachment case is about 92 rai of Sirinath National Park land that was stolen using a flying SorKor 1,” explained Lt Col Prawut Wongseenin, the director of the DSI’s Bureau of Consumer Protection…
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Fishing boat slaves rescued in Phuket
PHUKET: Phuket and Bangkok officials raided a dormitory in Koh Sireh yesterday to rescue 32 illegal Myanmar workers being held captive and forced to work without pay. Officials were alerted to the dormitory after a worker, named only as Nai, escaped from the fishing boat they were forced to work on and swam ashore to call relatives in Myanmar. “Mr…
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Another Phuket Boat Crash: Five Chinese tourists injured in speedboat
PHUKET: Five Chinese tourists were injured after two speedboats crashed off Koh Phi Phi yesterday . Banthita 9 and Leeloo 3, carrying a total of 80 tourists, collided near the cape of Phi Phi Lay at about 5pm, confirmed Phi Phi Police Chief Jetsada Junphum. “Of the five injured, one was taken to Mission Hospital with a broken arm, while…
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Chanotes issued in 2005 for Rawai sea gypsy land
PHUKET: Representatives from Baron World Trade Co Ltd presented a thick set of documents on Wednesday backing their claim to the land that is currently occupied by Rawai sea gypsies in Phuket. Among the documents presented by Chatree Madsatun, a representative from Baron World Trade, were four Chanote land titles (9613, 78116, 12616, 12592); a letter of permission from the…
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Breaking News: Phuket underpass damaged, roadway cracked
PHUKET: Heavy rains last night left a section of road running alongside the troubled Samkong Underpass, as well as one of its walls, heavily damaged. “Police and rescue workers were on site last night until about 2am to help with the traffic congestion caused by the damaged road,” Lt Col Rungrit Rattanapagdee of the Phuket City Traffic Police told the…
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Island readies for 17th annual Old Town Festival
PHUKET: The 17th annual Phuket Old Town Festival, which celebrates Phuket’s unique culture and traditions, is set to kick off on February 13. The festival will get underway on four roads in the heart of Phuket Town: Thalang Road, Thepkrasattri Road, Soi Romanee and Krabi Road. “This is the 17th year that the Old Town Festival has been organized by…
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V/Gov orders Laem Sing Beach cleanup
PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat this week has ordered the removal of all furniture on Laem Sing Beach. The Vice Governor imposed the order after aerial photographs showing furniture strewn on the sands went viral on social media earlier this month (story here). “As soon as I received the report, I gave vendors five days to take all of…
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Deputy PM happy with Phuket’s progress
PHUKET: During a tour of five Andaman provinces, Deputy Prime Minister Admiral Narong Pipatanasai visited Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday to express his satisfaction with officials’ progress in solving local issues. Deputy PM Narong stopped by the Damrongdhama Center (ombudsman’s office) and met with Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada to discuss current issues facing the island and the actions taken to resolve…
![OTOP gets lovely for Valentine-themed festival [video] | Thaiger](https://thethaiger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1_20162117287500_jUxIwoaZcRkVPmzyTxkIyzbiTJfViqiSKfbGUCgw_jpeg.jpeg)
![Wat Chalong Fair kicks off on February 7 [video] | Thaiger](https://thethaiger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1_2016130134440230_CDhsNIxNTThxAxqgJjTSpYJqIPIKcXaeaIXoQUCk_jpeg.jpeg)
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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