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 on flood, landslide alert
PHUKET: The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Phuket Office has issued an official landslide and flash flood warning for Phuket following the recent heavy rains due to Tropical Storm Vamco (story here). “We issued a warning to all local governments on the island yesterday. We asked them to beware of current weather conditions that could possibly lead to flash flooding…
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Two killed in head-on motorbike crash
PHUKET: A head-on motorbike collision early this morning killed two men and put two others in hospital as one of the drivers attempted to navigate around roadworks in Rassada, Phuket City Police confirmed. Rescue workers rushed the two Indonesian survivors, named only as Lain, 23, and Dusoe, 24, to Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) Hospital. “When we arrived at the…
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Kiwis off the hook after paying ‘dine and dash’ tab
PHUKET: Police yesterday released two New Zealanders who were arrested upon arrival at Phuket International Airport on Monday after the pair settled their 2-year-old unpaid restaurant bill with Blue Marine Resort and Spa in Patong (story here). “The settlement was made yesterday evening,” Capt Yingyong Chuoykij of the Patong Police told the Phuket Gazette. Brian Russell Finn, 54, and his…
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Thai-Malaysia border remains open for visa runs
PHUKET: Amid a flurry of concern about the Thai-Cambodian border being closed to ‘visa runs’ (story here), a high ranking Immigration officer has confirmed that there are no changes to procedures at the popular Phuket visa-run checkpoint in Sadao. “We have yet to receive any special orders to change how we process people needing visa exemptions on arrival or those…
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Blacklisted Kiwis busted for 2-year-old unpaid restaurant bill
PHUKET: Police scooped up a New Zealander and his son upon arrival at Phuket International Airport last night for a 2-year-old unpaid restaurant bill from the Blue Marine Resort and Spa in Patong. The Phuket Provincial Court issued an arrest warrant for Brian Russell Finn, 54, and his son Luke Russell Finn, 24, for allegedly ‘dining and dashing’ on a…
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Missing Phuket fishing crew all safely rescued
PHUKET: Phuket rescue teams saved two missing fishermen today who were on board a boat that sunk while hunting for lost fishing gear near Koh Mai Thon yesterday. All four men have now been safely brought back to Phuket. However, the boat is gone, confirmed Marine Police Division Chief Maj Gen Kritapol Yeesakorn. “I didn’t think we would make it.…
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Phuket on alert for Enterovirus 71
PHUKET: Phuket is one of several provinces on alert for Enterovirus 71, which has killed three children in Thailand so far this year, confirmed the Department of Disease Control (DDC). Enterovirus 71 can cause outbreaks of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in children. Additionally, it has the potential to cause severe neurological diseases. Other provinces flagged as at risk…
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ICT considers developing ‘smart’ Phuket
PHUKET: The Information and Communication Technology Ministry (ICT) is eyeing Phuket and Chiang Mai as ‘smart cities’ that focus on tech start-ups as part of a move to turn Thailand into the digital hub of Asean. ICT Minister Uttama Savanayana said that under the policy the ministry planned to roll out pilot projects to drive the country forward, with the…
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Fishing boat sinks, two missing
PHUKET: Phuket Marine Police are searching for two men who are still missing after their fishing boat sank off Phuket. “We received a report from speedboat captain Sulaiman Srisamut, who rescued a Myanmar national he found floating at sea near Koh Dok Mai,” said Phuket Marine Police Chief Panya Chaichana. “The first report was that three others were missing. However,…
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Private sector may join light rail project
PHUKET: The private sector might be asked to join forces with the government to push through the more than 23-billion-baht light rail project slated for Phuket. “When it comes time to propose the budget to the government, we will see if it is willing to take on the whole cost or if it will invest only a portion, giving the…
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Nai Harn soi dogs under control, says mayor
PHUKET: The Nai Harn Beach dog situation is under control without officials having to take any drastic measures, Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos told the Phuket Gazette. “We will not be banning pets at worker camps. However, we have dispatched municipality officers to ask that the residents take proper care of them and sterilize the dogs,” Mr Aroon said. “We’ve also…
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Phuket marina wishes boat-fire victims speedy recovery
PHUKET: Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) issued a statement wishing the speedy recovery of the two men seriously injured after a speedboat engine exploded near the marina’s fuel dock yesterday morning. “Royal Phuket Marina staff acted quickly and professionally,” the statement said, noting that safety precautions were followed. “[RPM staff used] on-site fire safety equipment, doused the blaze, assisted the speedboat…
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A Decade Ago: Phuket shelter remains in dog house
PHUKET: The Mid Road Dog Shelter – which really hasn’t gotten out of the dog house a decade later – was on the chopping block with the headline ‘D-Day looming for dog pound’ in the September 10-16, 2005 issue of the Phuket Gazette. Just two months earlier, tough days for the dogs had made headlines with dwindling food supplies at…
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Freshly fueled boat bursts into flames at marina, two seriously injured
PHUKET: Five men were injured when a resort’s transfer boat burst into flames while refueling at the Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) at 9am yesterday. “Two of the victims were seriously burned, with one having burns to more than 50 per cent of his body and the other with burns to about 40-50 per cent of his body. The other three…
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Maroon 5 takes to Thanyapura’s tennis courts
PHUKET: Superstars from the American pop rock band Maroon 5 took to the tennis courts of Thanyapura last week for a bit of downtime between concerts. James Valentine, the band’s lead guitarist, took advantage of the world-class Phuket facility for some practice and a few friendly matches with the Spin and Slice Team. “It was such a surprise to see…
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German expat found dead in home
PHUKET: A German woman died yesterday after what police believe was an accidental fall from a ladder while changing a light bulb. Thalang Police were alerted at about 12:15pm. Upon arrival, officers found the body of Irmgard Helga Hein, 71, on the floor of her Dream Village home. “Ms Hein had a plaster cast on her left arm and nearby…
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Phuket temple raider caught red-handed
PHUKET: Monks prevented a thief, who had previously broken into Srisoonthorn Temple, from escaping when the man returned to the scene of the crime last night to commit another theft. “When we arrived at the scene, we found the monks standing around their residence to prevent 24-year-old Thawatchai Sirimonkon from eluding justice again,” said Lt Col Kritsana Jannit of the…
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Road-raging truckers crash in Phuket
PHUKET: Two road-raging truck drivers were in an intentional crash on Thepkasattri Road, the north-south artery of the island, causing long tailbacks for about an hour this morning. “Suriya Kuiyoksui, a 35-year-old driver of an 18-wheeled-truck, flung open his door to ensure a minor crash with the driver of a six-wheeled crane truck. The men immediately exited their vehicles and…
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Phuket nightlife venues to push ministry for 4am close
PHUKET: Patong nightlife operators will send a letter to the Ministry of Interior asking for opening times in the party town to be extended to 4am, revealed Weerawit Kurasombat, head of the Patong Entertainment Business Association. The announcement comes after a meeting yesterday that reiterated the rules and regulations of the current ‘nightlife zone management plan’ for Patong. “We talked…
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National Police Chief tempers rumors about bomb suspects’ whereabouts
PHUKET: National Police Chief Gen Somyos Pumpanmuang today asked that the public cease publishing unfounded speculations about where the Bangkok bomb suspects might possibly be hiding. “There are a lot of rumors spreading about where the suspects might be. We have increased security at all borders and exit points in the country, including Phuket. However, there is nothing to be…
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Rescue helicopter to join Region 8 Headquarters in Phuket
PHUKET: A Royal Thai Police rescue helicopter will be stationed on Phuket to help boost tourists’ confidence in their safety while visiting Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, it was announced at the grand opening of the Region 8 Headquarters this morning. “With the Region 8 Headquarters now based in Phuket, residents and tourists can be confident in their safety, as…
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DNA from Koh Tao murder weapon not a match, expert says
BANGKOK: DNA found on the weapon allegedly used to kill two Britons on Koh Tao last year did not match those of the defendants currently on trial, a forensics expert testified in court this morning. Pornthip Rojanasunand, head of the Ministry of Justice’s forensics institute, told the Samui Provincial Court that the DNA found on the garden hoe used against…
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Thailand’s first Thai, female marina manager takes reins at RPM
PHUKET: Royal Phuket Marina confirmed the appointment of Thailand’s first Thai, female marina manager, Woranart Wongvanich. Ms Woranart has worked in Thailand’s marine industry for more than 20 years, more than 10 of those at Royal Phuket Marina, where she has worked her way through the ranks to her current management position. “Joining Royal Phuket Marina at the beginning, I…
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Phuket light rail modifications announced
PHUKET: A number of adjustments to the greatly-anticipated Phuket light rail project, including the scheming in of a flyover station at the airport, was announced by officials from the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) during site inspections this morning. The changes include modifications of the light rail route from Phuket International Airport to Phuket Town due…
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Navy levels illegal rubber, oil palm plantations
PHUKET: Chainsaws were roaring in Phuket as the Royal Thai Navy led an about 300-person task force in removing illegal rubber and oil palm trees from more than 82 rai of public land yesterday. “Officers filed a complaint about the illegal plantations in Suan Pa Bang Kanun in March. However, no owner has stepped forward to account for the trees…
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Civil defence volunteer pistol whips tourist
PHUKET: Police arrested a Kathu district civil defence volunteer for breaking a Kuwaiti tourist’s nose in a fight in Patong early yesterday morning. “Our officers were on a routine patrol when they saw two men fighting in front of the Royal Palm Beach Front resort on Thaweewong Road,” said Lt Sarawut Putthapornapiban of the Patong Police. Officers quickly broke up…
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Australian Boarding and Day School Fair to be held at RPM
PHUKET: More than one million baht worth of scholarships, study trials and fee reductions are being offered by various schools at the CETA Worldwide Education’s inaugural Australian Boarding and Day School Fair on October 4 from 1pm to 5pm at the Royal Phuket Marina. The exhibition is organized in conjunction with the Australian Education Assessment Services and supported by the…
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British national found dead in Chalong condo
PHUKET: A British national was found dead in his Chalong condo on Tuesday after the housekeeper alerted the owner to a foul smell coming from the hallway. Stephen Prespon, 53, was found lying face down behind the sofa after the owner used a spare key to enter the room. Chalong police believe that Mr Prespon had been dead for five…
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Storm-sunk ship salvaged for dive site
PHUKET: A large section of the Cambodian-flagged cargo vessel that sank near Coral Island has been moved to Koh Racha Yai in the government’s effort to support the scuba diving industry in Phuket and Krabi. The piece of Sinaran Andaman was placed on sand at a depth of about 30 meters, far from where it could impact coral reefs in…
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Police squelch social media rape rumor
PHUKET: The Provincial Police refuted rumors that they have failed to do their job by investigating an alleged rape in the murder of Rachet Eidjarern at a meeting yesterday. After his death on Monday, rumors spread quickly on social media that Mr Rachet, 35, was beaten to death after trying to save a female from being raped at Rawai Pier…
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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