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.
-
Sponsored Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
-
Phuket FC fired up for Ronin redemption
PHUKET: A disappointing 0-2 defeat to AIS Division 2 team Lampang FC bundled Phuket FC out of the 2015 Toyota League Cup last weekend. Lampang striker Jennarong Wongnoi opened the scoring in the 7th minute, and midfielder teammate Surapong Thongbua sealed the match with a goal just two minutes before the final whistle. The Ronins’ loss, however, is being used…
-
Phuket police slash red tape for Phi Phi rape cases
PHUKET: A major leap forward has been taken to bring Koh Phi Phi rapists to justice, following concerns raised by the Norwegian Honorary Consul regarding jurisdiction issues which led to island rape cases failing to be fully investigated. “We want to see police treat rape as a serious crime. We want police to bring rapists to justice. We want to…
-
Police, Navy teams end search for missing American
PHUKET: The Royal Thai Navy and Phuket Marine Police will no longer send out dedicated search teams to find the body of missing American Joshua Devine, who disappeared from a dive boat off the coast of Phuket on April 11 (story here), officers confirmed today. “We have searched for several days and have yet to find any sign of Mr…
-
Phuket tour boats, ferries forced to install AIS locators
PHUKET: New regulations to come into effect from Sunday will require all boats and ferries in Phuket that are registered to carry 25 or more passengers to be fitted with an AIS locator device. The news was delivered at a meeting of marine officials with more than 220 Phuket boat operators at the Katina Hotel in Phuket Town yesterday. “Also,…
-
Phuket officials contemplate Article 44 to clear Surin beach clubs
PHUKET: Local authorities are investigating whether or not they can use the internationally controversial Article 44 of the interim Charter to evict business operators still occupying venues along Surin Beach. Officials involved in the eviction of the beach clubs were slated to visit the business owners on Monday to confirm whether or not the appeals had been filed against eviction…
-
Phuket hosts Asean and Asia Conference on Literature and Culture
PHUKET: Phuket for the first time ever is hosting the Asean and Asia Conference on Literature and Culture, which is being held at the Phuket Merlin Hotel. The conference, which aims to encourage Asian writers and help Asian people exchange culture and traditions, has drawn writers and cultural experts from 16 countries throughout the region. “We are family. We support…
-
No alcohol ban on Phuket passenger, tour boats
PHUKET: The Phuket marine chief will not order a ban on the sale or consumption of alcohol on any passenger or tour boats operating to or from Phuket. The decision was made at a meeting of marine officials and more than 220 Phuket boat operators at the Katina Hotel in Phuket Town yesterday. “At this stage, we will not ban…
-
Phuket’s ACYC Open Day takes sailing back to its roots
PHUKET: Sailing gets back to its roots this weekend as Alfie Rowson of the reigning national champion Platu crew on Kingdom Property is set to lead free dinghy sailing lessons for kids and adults at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) Open Day tomorrow. Rowson, along with fellow Phuket-based sailor Scott Duncanson and Kingdom Property crewmates Trent Pedersen and Tony…
-
Phuket tsunami drill to be held away from tourist fleshpots
PHUKET: A full-scale tsunami evacuation and emergency-response drill will be held on Koh Sireh, on the east side of Phuket Town, on May 7. The full-scale annual drill was originally slated to be held on Christmas Day last year (story here), but was later postponed due to sensitivities over the exercise being held one day before the 10-year anniversary of…
-
Ring in the rainy season at this year’s final Lighthouse Market [video]
PHUKET: The Boat Lagoon Lighthouse Market returns next month to ring in the rainy season with a three-day extravaganza of shopping, chilling and eating at Phuket’s liveliest marina. The market will be on hiatus during April, confirmed market organizer By Kanittha, as there is a high chance of stormy weather toward the end of the month. However, the market will…
-
Patong book place in cricket league final
PHUKET: A dominant victory over Village CC by an innings and 257 runs at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) in Thalang last Sunday secured Patong CC the minor premiership and place in the league final, to be played on May17. Both teams were missing many of their regular players, who were busy with work, travel commitments or out with injuries,…
-
Opinion: Stop paying the power bill, Phuket
PHUKET: It’s hard to argue with the objective of the Ministry of Energy’s campaign to reduce electric power consumption on the island by 10 per cent within six months, but the Gazette hopes that more energy will be saved in the effort than calories expended. As mentioned in an announcement by Ministry of Energy Inspector Pramoul Chanpong, primary targets include…
-
Phuket immigration 90-day check-in now online
PHUKET: An online option for 90-day immigration check-ins is now available in all provinces throughout Thailand. “We tested the system for two months [story here] before officially launching it on April 1,” Phuket Immigration Office Chief Sunchai Chokkajaykij told the Phuket Gazette. “However, it is only compatible with the Internet Explorer browser.” The same rules apply for checking in after…
-
Indian tourists injured as Phuket tour bus slams into taxi
PHUKET: Three Indian tourists were injured when a tour bus slammed into a taxi and a pick-up truck south of the Heroines’ Monument on Thepkrasattri Road yesterday. The taxi, carrying an Indian family of three, and the tour bus, which had just dropped off a group of Chinese tourists at Phuket International Airport, were travelling southbound on Thepkrasattri Road when…
-
Video Report: Phuket Oilfield Classic golfers drive the fair way
PHUKET: The 7th annual Phuket Oilfield Classic 2015, played at two Phuket golf courses earlier this month, brought more than 120 golfers to the island, together raising more than 2 million baht for charity. Team Hellespont, comprising Andy Lidgard, Candice Lidgard, Rod Nicolson and James Bissett, took top honors in the traditional Texas Scramble at Red Mountain Golf Course on…
-
Officials clear restaurant from Phuket beach
PHUKET: Police have been tasked with pursuing beach encroachment charges after a team of officials cleared a restaurant’s tables and chairs from the sand at Bang Tao Beach on Tuesday morning. About 20 officers led by Thalang District Chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol arrived and removed 34 pieces of beach furniture following complaints of beach encroachment being filed with the Thalang District…
-
Phuket Gran Fondo draws world cyclists
PHUKET: More than 220 cyclists from around the globe joined the Thanyapura Gran Fondo road race last weekend. Cyclists completing the 120km course started in Phuket and completed a lap through Phang Nga before heading back to the finish line at Thanyapura. Riders were individually chip timed and had the right of way at all intersections. The event also included…
-
Phuket career car robber flunks again
PHUKET: Police have arrested a man who has confessed to breaking into and stealing items from five cars in Phuket Town on Friday and Saturday night. Pongphol Boondetpiti, 25, was arrested at a house in Rassada yesterday. “Officers searched his house and found several items reported stolen from the robbed cars,” Phuket City Police Deputy Superintendent Somsak Thongklieng said this…
-
Top official in heat-stroke coma after hot spring plunge
PHUKET: A senior official at the Attorney-General’s Office in Bangkok is on 24-hour watch in the intensive-care unit (ICU) at Vachira Phuket Hospital, in Phuket Town, after jumping into a hot spring in Krabi last week. Somkiat Phatkhun, the deputy director of the Training and Development Institute at the Office of the Attorney General in Bangkok, is fighting for his…
-
Lucky sidecar escape in Phuket underpass prompts fines, safety warning
PHUKET: A garbage collector driving a motorbike with a sidecar escaped serious injury in the first road accident in Phuket’s new underpass, prompting fines, improved safety measures and a warning from island officials. At about 2pm yesterday, the motorbike driver entered the new Darasamut Underpass heading southbound toward Chalong, Phuket Highways Office Director Samak Lueduanghad explained to the Phuket Gazette…
-
Video Report: Indonesian caught smuggling 5.2kg of cocaine into Phuket
PHUKET: An Indonesian man was arrested at Phuket International Airport yesterday in possession of 5.2 kilograms of cocaine, which he was transporting from Columbia to Khao Lak. Jemani Ikhsan, 63, had departed Bogota, Columbia, on April 18 and connected in Panama City, Panama; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Qatar; and Singapore before landing in Phuket at about 7:20pm yesterday. The cocaine, valued…
-
Phuket health officials to crack open alcohol promotion laws, case by case
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) has confirmed that it will not take action against restaurant and bar owners for showing images promoting alcohol – unless a specific complaint is made against the venue. The news follows a report of a restaurant owner in Bangkok being sentenced to pay 460,000 baht for breaking the Alcohol Control Act of 2014.…
-
Pakistani tourist found dead in resort swimming pool
PHUKET: A Pakistani woman found in emotional distress by hotel staff early this morning was later pulled unconscious from a resort pool and pronounced dead at Thalang Hospital. Staff at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa in Mai Khao recovered Shumyla Mir, 26, from a pool at the resort at about 4:15am. “Her body was later taken to Thalang…
-
Minister battles devastating illegal fishing practices
PHUKET: New fishing regulations are to hit Phuket as Thailand looks to close legal loop holes and enforcement issues being abused by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishers. Experts estimate that the global value of economic losses from IUU fishing range between $US10 billion and $US23.5bn annually, reported US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2011. “IUU fishing poses…
-
Epileptic crabber drowns on the hunt in Phuket
PHUKET: An epileptic man drowned while catching mole crabs at Mai Khao Beach yesterday afternoon. Uthai Wongpen, 45, was pulled from the water by Centara Grand Hotel lifeguards on patrol in the area. “We were told by eyewitnesses that Mr Uthai was catching mole crabs in knee-deep water, when he suddenly collapsed into the sea. He was floating in the…
-
Mother, sister join Navy search for missing American tourist
PHUKET: The mother and sister of missing American tourist Joshua Devine today joined a search by air for their lost loved one, who disappeared from a dive boat off Phuket on April 11 (story here). Mr Devine’s mother, Marie Gallant Major, and his sister Jennifer Bakowski boarded a Royal Thai Navy helicopter after being briefed on the search efforts at…
-
Phuket Poll: Thai police lose battle in gaining trust
PHUKET: A staggering 80% of all respondents to a Phuket Gazette poll have stated that they do not trust the Thai Police – either in part or at all. The message was sent loud and clear through the poll, which garnered more than 12,000 votes (click here). Thai nationals led the charge, with 49% saying that they did not trust…
-
Phuket Police bust major dealer, seize more than B7m of drugs
PHUKET: A major Phuket drug dealer was arrested with more than 7 million baht of drugs in Phuket Town on Friday night after police were tipped off by one of her sellers. Thammarat ‘Ken’ Matte provided police with the nickname and clues to the location of his supplier after he was arrested with 400mg of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) earlier…
-
Energy officials target Phuket’s power hungry
PHUKET: The Ministry of Energy will launch a campaign that aims to reduce Phuket’s power consumption by 10 per cent within six months. The campaign will target hotels, shopping malls and condo projects – and government offices, explained Pramoul Chanpong, an inspector with the Ministry of Energy. “Phuket is one of the top three power users in all of Southern…
-
F1: The Bahrain challenge – tyres, team rivals and turns
PHUKET: Shanghai provided the exact result I forecasted: Lewis Hamilton followed by Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel, with Kimi Raikkonen well in contention. In fact, the safety car may have stopped any further attrition by the Iceman. It was nice to see Kimi back in form. I speculated before Shanghai about how close Williams could get to Ferrari. The answer…
![Ring in the rainy season at this year’s final Lighthouse Market [video] | Thaiger](https://thethaiger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/201542410719988_tbTAShIsvGqDnbeRZbgPwwDNCkFKGwAwLFiIVMON_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.
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.