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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One injured in boat engine explosion north of Phuket
PHUKET: Navy officers conducted a helicopter rescue mission north of Phuket after a man was injured in an engine room explosion early this morning aboard a boat transporting olive oil to Myanmar. Royal Thai Navy Region 3 rescue teams were dispatched by helicopter and speedboat, with a Vachira Hospital medical team in tow, after they received the report of the…
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Tourism industry leaders demand jet-ski cowboys be reined in
PHUKET: The lack of progress in reining in jet-ski operations on Phuket was one of many key topics at the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) forum yesterday, which focused on the future of Phuket’s marine tourism industry (story here). “We now have another governor to speak to, and, unfortunately, the first subject is going to be jet-skis,” Phuket Honorary Consul…
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Poll: Overwhelming Phuket safety concerns revealed
PHUKET: Only 11% of respondents in a Phuket Gazette online poll said that they felt “completely safe” anywhere in Phuket. The month-long poll on safety garnered 3,266 votes from tourists, Thai nationals and local expat residents (click here), with just over 12% responding that they “rarely feel safe anywhere in Phuket”, while 18% said “I don’t feel safe anywhere in…
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South African family searches for missing son last seen in Phuket
PHUKET: The family of a South African man who went missing after arriving in Phuket in June is asking for any information about his whereabouts or safety. Ezra Jansen, 31, last contacted his mother on June 11, the day after he arrived in Phuket. “I tried to call him on his phone on June 11, but I could not get…
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NFL Week 12 underway as Raiders record first win
PHUKET: Beleaguered Thailand-based fans of the Oakland Raiders finally had a reason to cheer on Friday morning local time, when their team chalked up its first win of the season, 24-20, against AFC East division rivals the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football (TNF). Even though playing in the friendly confines of Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, the 0-9 Raiders…
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Phuket officials consider postponing Christmas Day tsunami drill
PHUKET: Officials are considering postponing the Christmas Day tsunami drill in Phuket after receiving complaints from tsunami victims preparing for the 10th anniversary of the tragedy (story here). “Several foreigners filed complaints directly to me saying that they don’t want to witness the full-scale tsunami drill so close to the 10th anniversary day,” Governor Nisit Jansomwong told Phuket Gazette today.…
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Killer elephants to return to jungle treks
PHUKET: Two bull elephants who killed their trainers in musth-induced fits of rage this past week will return to providing jungle trekking tours to tourists after the musth period has passed, the Phuket Gazette was told (story here). Wittawat Salangam, 22, was killed at the Phuchada Safari camp in Rawai on Tuesday when he went to unchain the 23-year-old bull…
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British woman reunited with birth mother decades later in Phuket
PHUKET: A British national, born to an Aussie mining-site manager and a Thai woman in 1960 and then given up for adoption six months later, was reunited with her birth mother in Phuket after 54 years apart. Kimberley Ferreira, 54, was able to hold her 79-year-old mother, Yoklern Jankaew, in her arms for the first time yesterday due to the…
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Central Group opens its first learning center in Phuket
PHUKET: Central Group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, opened Phuket’s first learning center last week at Baan Sapam Mongkol Wittaya School. Built and equipped with 3 million baht in funding donated by the Central Group, the new Chirativat Community Learning Center is part of the mall developer’s nationwide plan to build such centers in all 77 of Thailand’s…
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Video Report: Muay Thai starts swinging for the Olympics
PHUKET: The head of the two leading sports associations representing the Thai national martial art Muay Thai submitted a formal request on Tuesday for the sport to be included in the next edition of the Asian Games, to be held in Indonesia in 2018. The ultimate goal is to see the sport included in the Olympics, explained Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan,…
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Phuket to hold full-scale tsunami drill on Christmas Day
PHUKET: A full-scale tsunami emergency-response drill will be held in Phuket on Christmas Day, ahead of three days of official events to remember those who perished in the disaster 10 years ago. The decision to stage the drill on December 25 was announced at a Provincial Hall meeting on Wednesday, attended by Russ Jalichandra, deputy director-general of the Department of…
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No change in Rohingya policy as new top Navy brass takes charge in Phuket
PHUKET: Though their has been a change of top brass at the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Area Command, based in Phuket, the official policy for managing the overwhelming flow of refugees and illegals escaping violence in their home countries remains unchanged. The recently transferred Vice Admiral Sayan Prasongsamrej, now Commander of the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Area Command, told the…
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Welding sparks blamed for Phuket quarry facility fire
PHUKET: Sparks from a welder fixing a roof are believed to have set a quarry building on fire in Baan Yamu, on Phuket’s east coast, late last night. Two teams of firefighters arrived at the quarry at about 11:20pm. They brought the blaze under control within about 30 minutes. “One of our staff was welding on the roof,” said 49-year-old…
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Two men injured after losing control of truck on notorious Phuket curve
PHUKET: Two men in a pick-up truck sustained minor head injuries after the driver lost control on a wet Phuket highway and slammed into a local shop on the side of the road. The driver, 62-year-old Somsak Jamjan, and his co-worker in the passenger seat, who police have yet to publicly identify, were travelling southbound on Thepkrasattri Road when Mr…
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Governor joins merit-making for new Phuket Provincial Hall
PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong has given his stamp of approval to the new 449-million-baht Phuket Provincial Hall, hoping that its traditional Sino-Portuguese design will impress visitors. The governor recently made merit at the construction site, located on a 50-rai plot on Phang Muang Sai Kor, opposite Suan Luang (Rama IX or King’s Park) in Phuket Town, and participated in a…
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AMCHAM forum to tackle Phuket’s critical marine tourism issues
PHUKET Registration is building for the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Thailand’s special forum focusing on the future of Phuket’s marine tourism industry, to be held tomorrow evening (click here). “Many people have expressed great interest in the joining the forum and we’re looking forward to a large turnout from people who have concerns to be addressed and ideas…
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Krabi officials on watch for Rohingya
PHUKET: Officials on Koh Lanta, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, are on the lookout for any suspicious boats that may be carrying refugees after Myanmar identity cards were found discarded on the island. “We are now keeping watch for Rohingya and any people of other nationalities [sic] who may land on Koh Lanta,” said Pornpoj Pandaeng, chief administrative officer…
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Police hunt for Phuket teen motorbike gang after two men assaulted, robbed
PHUKET: Police are hunting down a teen motorbike gang after two men were kicked off their motorbike, beaten and robbed in Phuket on Tuesday night. Police received a report that there had been an assault and snatch-and-run case near Baan Ya village in Srisoonthorn at about 11:30pm, said Capt Narong Malavaechan of the Thalang Police. The two victims, Sattawat Pohab,…
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Phuket cement-truck driver charged over fatal collision killing student
PHUKET: The driver of the cement-mixer truck that crushed and instantly killed an 18-year-old student in Rassada last week has surrendered to police and been charged with reckless driving causing death. Chalermchai Lakbaan, a student at Phuket Rajabhat University, died instantly when his motorbike collided with a cement truck entering* the Phuket Cement Co Ltd site on Prachasamakkee Road in…
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Asian Beach Games: Thailand eyes overall prize
PHUKET: Thana Chaiprasit, chef-de-mission of the Thailand athletes’ delegation in the 4th Asian Beach Games, currently being contested in Phuket, expressed his confidence that the Thai athletes will capture more gold medals than the 40 they had initially targeted. Thailand currently leads the medal tally with 71 medals, comprising 29 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze. Japan is second place…
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Asian Beach Games: Thailand lands 12 of 14 gold in single day
PHUKET: Hosts Thailand flexed their muscles to haul in 12 of the 14 gold medals up for grabs yesterday to stay atop the overall standings with 60 medals – including 25 gold – in the 4th Asian Beach Games being hotly contested in Phuket. Thailand made a clean sweep of both golds on offer in the beach petanque yesterday, with…
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Phuket police break open multi-million-baht drug network
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police yesterday presented four suspects arrested for dealing millions of baht of drugs that were delivered from Bangkok by bus. Presented as evidence at a press conference today were more than 19,000 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) and 120 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), as well as two illegal firearms and two cars. Phuket Provincial Police…
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Asian Beach Games: Thai gold rush adds to medal tally
PHUKET: Hosts Thailand today extended their lead in the medal tally standings in the Asian Beach Games being contested in Phuket, bringing home at least five more gold medals in the day’s events. Thailand closed the day with 58 medals (24 gold), while nearest contender Japan is in second place with 12 medals (6 gold). Getting off to a good…
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Phuket beach town leaders shine light on umbrella rumor
PHUKET: Vice Governor Chamroen Tippayapongtada today re-confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that tourists are not allowed to bring their own umbrellas or sun loungers to Phuket beaches. The confirmation from one of the island’s top-ranking officials follows a news report claiming that the ban – made public by a Gazette report on Saturday (story here) – had been lifted. “I…
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Asian Beach Games: Muay Thai masters target medal takedown tonight
PHUKET: The opening rounds of the Muay Thai competitions for the Asian Beach Games get underway on Patong Beach, near the end of Soi Bangla. At 5pm, Hoang Duc Le of Vietnam will enter the ring to take on Eugene Tan of Singapore in Bout 1 of the quarterfinals of the Men’s 48kg-Light Fly division. Meanwhile, Chan Kai Tik from…
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Phuket beefs up Ebola security with specialized laboratory
PHUKET: Vachira Phuket Hospital has opened the first Designated Receiving Area (DRA) in Southern Thailand in response to the recent Ebola outbreak worldwide and the increasing number of visitors to the island. The DRA is a laboratory fully-equipped to quickly and accurately diagnose patients who show symptoms of highly infectious diseases, such as the Ebola virus. “This outbreak has alarmed…
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Phuket roof painter seriously injured after electric shock, 10-meter fall
PHUKET: A man is in serious condition at Vachira Phuket Hospital after he suffered an electric shock while painting a roof and fell 10 meters to the ground in Karon yesterday. Jakkapon Limmui, 26, was first rushed to Patong Hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries sustained in the accident, which occurred at a building on Patak Road near Karon…
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Drunk man stabs himself, calls for mother
PHUKET: An unemployed Phuket man stabbed himself with a kitchen knife several times last night after a bout of heavy drinking with a group of friends. The incident occurred at the Karn Keha housing estate in Rassada at about 7pm, Lt Preecha Rakjan of the Thalang Police told the Phuket Gazette. “We received a call and arrived on the scene…
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Phuket Town snatch thief caught within two hours
PHUKET: Police arrested a man who caused a woman to crash her motorbike after he ripped a gold necklace off her neck on the outskirts of Phuket Town yesterday. Pongchai Wongwan, 29, was caught walking around Koh Sireh, on the east side of Phuket Town, after selling the necklace to a gold shop for 16,200 baht. Police caught up with…
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Asian Beach Games: Thailand leads medal charge
PHUKET: Hosts Thailand plundered more gold in the 4th Asian Beach Games yesterday, sealing crucial victories to maintain their commanding lead in the medal tally. Despite another searing day in the seaside resort, crowds of Thai spectators and tourists braved the sun to watch the fun-packed competition on Phuket’s beaches and venues at Karon, Patong, Nai Yang and the Saphan…
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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