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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Phuket safe, confirm police after US issues world-wide travel alert
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police confirmed that international-quality security was in place ahead of the United States Embassy in Bangkok sending a security message to US citizens yesterday. The US travel alert set to expire on February 26 stated: “The State Department alerts US citizens to possible risks of travel due to increased terrorist threats. Current information suggests that ISIL (aka…
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OrBorTor boss not worried by beach businesses’ 10mn-baht lawsuit
PHUKET: The controversial president of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) yesterday shrugged off a 10-million-baht lawsuit filed against him for alleged dereliction of duty. “The owners of two establishments, named Beach Bar and Paul Restaurant, located on Laypang Beach are claiming that I ruined their businesses,” OrBorTor President Ma-ann Samran told the Phuket Gazette. The two restaurants were…
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B10,000 reward for sea dumping tip-offs, says marine chief
PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Office has vowed to punish anyone caught dumping waste or rubbish into Phuket’s waters and reward those who provide tip-offs leading to arrests. Phuripat Theerakulpisut, chief of the Phuket Marine Office, signed off on a warning letter that reiterated that officers will strictly enforce the law. Those caught violating the law face up to six months…
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Police hunt Phuket purse snatcher
PHUKET: Police are hunting a snatch thief that made off with a woman’s purse near the Heroines’ Monument last night. Sukanya Koisinsok, 40, was on the way to a bus stop with her husband in preparation for a trip to Hat Yai. “As my husband slowed down our motorbike, a man in a white shirt rode by and grabbed my…
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Two-year-old drowns after wandering away from home
KRABI: A two-year-old boy drowned in Krabi on Monday after falling from his home in a mangrove forest. The body of Kritsada Kaykina was found under the roots of mangrove trees, about 500 meters away from the family’s home, in Baan Bangkhanoon fishing village, confirmed Anurak Parinyasathiragul, Krabi Marine Police chief. Officials believe that the boy wandered off after his…
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Two busted for smuggling 2.6kg of cocaine into Krabi
KRABI: Officers arrested two women on Sunday for their alleged role in smuggling more than 10 million baht worth of cocaine into the country via Krabi International Airport. Siriwan Yodtheerak, 32, arrived in Krabi on a flight from Manila on Saturday. However, she came to claim luggage on Sunday at about 7:30am, explained Vichak Apirugnunchai, director of Thailand Customs Department’s…
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Taxis, tuk-tuks continue to concern UK Ambassador
PHUKET: Tuk-tuks and taxis continue to undermine the progress being made in Phuket’s tourism industry, the British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. The ambassador’s concerns remain despite the National Council for Peace and Order’s cleanup of illegal taxi and tuk-tuk operators in July last year (story here). “Some of the behavior and prices we’ve seen…
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Region 8 Police seize more than 100 guns in crackdown
PHUKET: Region 8 Police sized more than 100 firearms, including one weapon of war, in a week-long crackdown ahead of tomorrow’s Loy Krathong festivities (story here). “Region 8 Police and local officers in Surat Thani, Nakorn Sri Thammarat, Chumphon, Ranong, Krabi, Phang Nga and Phuket conducted massive raids to get guns and drugs off the streets this week,” said Chalermkiat…
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Phuket divers lift 400kg of rubbish from Karon waters [video]
PHUKET: More than 400 kilograms of trash were swept out of a catchment area between Kata and Karon Bay by divers yesterday. The about 25 meter by seven meter patch of rubbish contained numerous plastic products, metal cans, organic material and even underwear and a plastic gun, explained a diver who had scouted out the area prior to the cleanup.…
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Jet-skis threaten Phuket tourism industry, says Ambassador
PHUKET: Jet-ski safety issues were again pushed to the front line during a meeting today, as they remain a serious concern on the island, explained the Netheralands’ ambassador to Thailand. “There are number of issues that are important to us, such as beach safety, beach management accommodations, competitive pricing for taxis and tuk-tuks, and jet-skis,” said Karel Hartogh, the Netherlands’…
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Phuket Governor hosts five ambassadors for roundtable talk
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada sat down with ambassadors from five countries today to review a number of issues affecting citizens from their nations. The ambassadors in attendance were from Canada, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Some of the major issues raised included marine and road safety, prison conditions, drug use and visa overstays. “After discussing a…
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Phi Phi management plan tackles anchors on corals, feeding fish
PHUKET: The first step in saving the marine ecosystem within Phi Phi National Park is to put an end to boats dropping anchor on corals and tour operators allowing clients to feed fish (story here), an expert study announced last week. Damage done by the tourism industry was seen at 12 of the 14 marine areas within Hat Noppharat Thara…
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Join Angsana Laguna’s stuffed turkeys for Thanksgiving lunch
PHUKET: People of all nationalities, prepare to gobble up a hearty American serving of Thanksgiving specialties at a networking lunch at Angsana Laguna Phuket on Thursday. The Greater Phuket Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) is celebrating this American holiday with a festive turkey lunch for everyone and their colleagues, friends and family members. The event, running from…
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World champion returns to win Laguna Phuket Triathlon
PHUKET: More than 1,300 athletes representing 44 nationalities crowded Laguna Phuket this weekend to participate in the 22nd Laguna Phuket Triathlon. Germany’s two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion Michael Raelert made an impressive comeback to take the top position on the podium with a time of 2:30:14 (swim 23:55, bike 1:20:06, run 43:44), followed by Switzerland’s Ruedi Wild (2:32:57) and Stuart…
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Phuket locals victorious in battle to save Nai Harn trees
PHUKET: The plan to construct the controversial Nai Harn Movie Museum was dashed at a public meeting last night, confirmed Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos. “We of course listened to what the community had to say,” Mr Aroon told the Phuket Gazette. Mr Aroon explained that after the public hearing, it was clear that a new location would need to be…
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Push for 24-hour tourist help centers on Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Plans are underfoot to establish 24-hour tourist service centers at more than a dozen popular Phuket beaches, Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul announced on Friday. “We all know that millions of tourists visit our island every year. It is our responsibility to come together and ensure their safety and security while on holiday here,” said V/Gov Prajiad. “We can…
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Another police station riot suspect arrested for unrelated crimes
PHUKET: A second police station riot suspect was arrested for unrelated crimes, confirmed Thalang Police yesterday. Noppon Songkram, 31, was netted in possession of an illegal firearm during a police raid in Srisoonthon yesterday. The raid focused on suspected criminals involved with illegal firearms and drugs. “It wasn’t until we ran his name in our system that we realized he…
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Laguna Tri-Fest organizers announce Phuket road closures
PHUKET: Officials will close down sections of road to accommodate Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest practice events and races. This will cause traffic tailbacks during the 10-day triathlon extravaganza starting this weekend. Race organizers are asking that all drivers prepare for a 30-minute increase in travel time due to traffic congestion. Additionally, the following roads should be avoided if possible: 4030,…
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Popular British International School access road temporarily closed
PHUKET: Popular British International School access road Soi Koh Kaew 33, behind the Isuzu showroom, will be closed from today until November 30. The road was originally closed in late July, after nearly half of its width had fallen into a parallel drainage ditch. The Koh Kaew Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) was then forced to build a new retaining wall…
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Phuket boarder among world’s best
PHUKET: Phuket surf star Anni Flynn has added another trophy to her collection, beating most of the best flowboarders from around the world to take second place at the World Flowboarding Championships in Bangkok last weekend. In a field dominated by pro-flowboarders from the US, Anni trounced last year’s world champion, and her personal idol, Xana Kai-Nash, but was held…
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Thanyapura Junior Challenge returns
PHUKET: Junior athletes and sports enthusiasts throughout the region will face off against each other and optimize their potential at Thanyapura’s third Junior Challenge Triathlon. Following the success of last year’s event, the 2015 competition will be held on November 28 and will be staged alongside the Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest, which attracts thousands of avid triathletes every year. This…
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Phuket beach-wedding ban lifted
PHUKET: The Phuket ban on beach-wedding ceremonies was lifted earlier this week. The ban was put in place earlier this year as the province attempted to prevent private entrepreneurs from staking public beach areas for profit making endeavors. “Even though such events can bring publicity to Phuket, we cannot allow them to take place on our beaches, as that is…
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Video Report: Field of rubbish revealed off Phuket beach
PHUKET: The Karon Municipality is preparing a team of divers to undertake a cleanup operation after a Facebook video revealed an enormous field of rubbish in the waters near Karon Stadium. The video, which quickly went viral, showed heaps of trash, such as plastic bottles, foam boxes and shoes floating in the water. “I have seen the video. This is…
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Moment of silence observed at Phuket French Consulate
PHUKET: About 40 French nationals, as well as a few Thai citizens and police officers, joined in a moment of silence observed in Phuket for the victims of the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris. “I acknowledge that it was very short notice, but everyone came together to show their support regardless,” French Honorary Consul Claude de Crissey told the…
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Annual Petanque tournament returns this weekend
PHUKET: Dubai Petanque is back in Phuket to take on three Thailand-based teams in a four-way tournament this weekend. An expansion on earlier versions of the Dubai-Phuket Challenge, this year’s tournament will consist of four clubs – Dubai Petanque; Phuket’s Saphan Hin Club; the French Rawai Petanque Club; and Pattaya’s Khao Rai Club. Each club will play five sets against…
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Fishermen ready to get PIST
PHUKET: The Phuket International Sportfishing Tournament (PIST) returns with three days of fun fishing and four nights of parties at the Tamarind Bar and Grill on Chalong Pier road. The opening night event was held on November 18 with fisher-folk from around the world lining up to register for the tournament. Last year the tournament celebrated its tenth anniversary and…
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Squirrel hunter finds hanged Cambodian near Phuket retreat
PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of a Cambodian national found hanged with his hands bound in a Phuket jungle area yesterday. A 36-year-old Myanmar national discovered the body when he was setting squirrel traps in the wooded area in the vicinity of the Pitak Samanakij Dhamma retreat in Phuket Town. The victim was identified only as Mr Wit, explained…
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Korean honeymooner dies after diving lesson
PHUKET: Officials are investigating the death of a Korean honeymooner who died after an introductory diving lesson at Koh Hei on Tuesday. Hyunju Ahn, 36, was in about one meter of water with her new husband Minchul Shin, 33, when she informed instructors that she was having trouble. “Diving instructors and staff helped Ms Ahn out of the water. She…
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Thanyapura athletes win big at World Travel Joy
PHUKET: It was a clean podium sweep for Thanyapura at the World Travel Joy East Coast Challenge in Ranong last weekend where their athletes won HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup in the 151 kilometer race. Phuket’s former Tour de France cyclist Nick Gates triumphed in first place, followed shortly by four-time World Champion Chris McCormack. Clint Kimmins came in…
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Paris attack suspect reportedly sighted in Phuket
PHUKET: A man wanted in connection to the devastating terrorist attacks in Paris that left 129 people dead and more than 240 injured was reportedly seen in Phuket earlier this year, a well-informed source within Phuket’s French-speaking community revealed to the Phuket Gazette. Police forces in Europe are currently hunting 26-year-old Brussels-born Abdeslam Salah for his alleged involvement in the…
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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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