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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Sponsored The real cost of being a digital nomad in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for digital nomads, known for its affordable living, lively culture, and modern facilities. With its warm climate, great food, and friendly communities, it's an ideal place for remote workers to balance work and travel. However,...
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Taxi scam: Grab driver overcharges Phuket tourist
A frustrated tourist in Phuket has once again fallen victim to an overcharging taxi driver: this time through the Grab app. Despite booking a ride at a fixed price of 264 baht, he was hit with an unexpected 100-baht surcharge midway through the trip, leaving him fuming and questioning Grab’s ability to protect customers from exploitation. The incident occurred yesterday,…
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2 Phuket police spark debate after using force against foreign tourist
A viral video showing two Thai police officers using force to restrain a foreign man, who allegedly attacked a woman in Phuket, has sparked mixed reactions among netizens. The video was shared yesterday, March 12, by a foreign Facebook user named Brenin DeOliveira, with a caption that read… “Thai cops don’t play! Allegedly, he punched a woman in the face.…
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Foreign driver attempts to stab Thai motorcyclist after Phuket crash
A foreign pickup driver yesterday allegedly crashed into a Thai motorcyclist on a Phuket road and attempted to stab the victim. The Thai motorcyclist took to Facebook to seek assistance from netizens in locating the foreign pickup driver who collided with him yesterday, March 12. He revealed that the foreigner was driving a white Ford Raptor with the registration plate…
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Tourist beaten by ladyboys on Soi Bangla after dine-and-dash
A wild brawl erupted in the early hours of yesterday on Phuket’s infamous Bangla Road after a tourist allegedly skipped out on paying for his meal. The chaotic scene, which unfolded yesterday, March 12, in the heart of Patong, Kathu district, saw a group of local ladyboys, unhappy at the dine and dasher’s behaviour, confronted the man before the situation…
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Luxury v law: Phuket crackdown targets beachfront land grab
Officials in Phuket are ramping up efforts to reclaim Bang Tao Beach from unauthorised developments, with high-end hotels and businesses facing potential demolition after illegally encroaching on public land. Yesterday, March 11, officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Phuket branch, led by Director Suwat Saowarun, launched their second crackdown on beachfront encroachments in Cherng Talay. Joined by Thalang District…
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Russian wheeler-dealer busted for shady bike rentals in Krabi
Police arrested a Russian man for illegally operating motorcycle rental shops in the southern province of Krabi, using Thai nationals as nominees. Officers from the Krabi Immigration Office, the Revenue Office, and Tourist Police received a tip-off about multiple illegal vehicle rental shops in the province. These shops were reportedly operated by foreign nationals. The officers spent more than three…
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Russian woman accuses Phuket taxi driver’s wife of assault
The wife of a taxi driver in Phuket denied assaulting a Russian passenger during a ride. Instead, she turned the tables on the Eastern European and accused the woman of insulting her. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (Phuket is so brutal) shared a video recorded by a 31 year old Russian woman, whose name has not been disclosed, with a caption stating……
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Nigerian drug dealer in Phuket arrested after client’s viral drug use video
Police arrested a Nigerian drug dealer in Phuket after a viral video showed one of his clients using cocaine by the roadside. The news Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (meaning Phuket is so brutal) shared the video of two foreigners using drugs by the roadside on March 6, accompanied by a caption that read, “What are you doing, bro?” In the…
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Speedboat leakage leaves Phuket holidaymakers in deep water
Nearly 30 foreign holidaymakers found themselves in deep trouble when their speedboat began taking on water en route from Koh Lipe to Phuket. The drama unfolded near Koh Poda Nok, just off the Krabi coast, as powerful waves battered the vessel, causing a leak. Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park sprang into action, sending out a park patrol…
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Phuket targets 14,000 dropouts in education reintegration plan
Officials in Phuket are stepping up efforts to reintegrate school dropouts into the education system, aligning with the government’s Thailand Zero Dropout policy. During a meeting yesterday, March 10, officials revealed that 14,282 children in the province have dropped out of school across various categories. The discussions, led by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, focused on strategies to ensure these children have access…
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Phuket police swoops on 3 foreign nationals in overstay crackdown
In a sweeping crackdown on immigration and employment law violators, Phuket police swooped to arrest three foreign nationals in separate stings, as part of a robust campaign to keep the province squeaky clean for tourists and locals alike. Phuket police officers yesterday, March 10, detained two foreigners for visa overstays in targeted inspections. The culprits, known only as “Jay,” an…
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Swiss tourist in a high-profile jam! Phuket drug bust goes viral
A Swiss tourist found himself in hot water after an alleged roadside drug scandal in Kamala, Phuket, spread across social media like wildfire. Locals were left stunned as the Swiss man, Sascha, was reportedly spotted brazenly indulging in drug taking in a motorbike parking area along the bustling Kamala-Patong road last Thursday, March 6. Eyewitnesses couldn’t believe their eyes as…
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Foreign beachgoers, Thai lifeguard return caught ray to Phuket sea (video)
A viral video shared on Thai social media today showed a group of foreign beachgoers and a Thai lifeguard rescuing a ray and returning the animal to the sea. The Phuket Hotnews, along with other media outlets such as PPTV HD and MGR Online, shared the video of the ray’s rescue mission today, March 10. The animal was seen lying…
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Phuket motorcyclist praised for helping rain-soacked tourist reach hotel
A foreign tourist took to TikTok to praise a Thai motorcyclist for his kindness after he gave her a free ride to her hotel in Phuket upon seeing her standing soaked in the rain. The foreign TikTok user, @one_way_ticket, shared a video of the Thai motorcyclist, who introduced himself in the clip as Assan, on Saturday, March 8. “This Thai…
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19 year old American boy missing for 3 weeks in Phuket
The parents of a 19 year old American boy who vanished in Phuket three weeks ago have turned to social media in a desperate bid to find him. He was last seen with his bicycle in the Mueang district of Phuket. The parents of the American teenager, Steven, turned to social media platforms, and The Thaiger today, March 10, in…
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Revved up: Phuket police clamp down on noisy motorcyclists
Phuket City police swooped in during the early hours of Saturday morning in a high-octane operation to apprehend a group of young motorcyclists causing a ruckus with their customised, noisy rides. Police Lieutenant Colonel Ratchaphas Buakaew and Police Lieutenant Thanakorn Chuaphong were behind the crackdown that revved into action at 4am on Saturday, March 8 on the bustling bypass road.…
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Phuket crash: 70 year old dies after hitting parked vehicles
A tragic incident occurred in Phuket where a 70 year old man lost control of his Toyota Fortuner, colliding with five parked vehicles and later dying from his injuries. The event was captured on CCTV, and police are investigating the cause. At 5.26am, yesterday, March 8, Police Lieutenant Sunan Phetnu, Deputy Inspector at Saku Police Station, Phuket, received a report…
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EXAT teams up with private firms for Phuket expressway by 2030
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is collaborating with private entities to invest in two Phuket expressways, spanning 34.6 kilometres, with a budget of 27 billion baht. The project is expected to be operational by 2030, with toll fees ranging from 15 to 125 baht. Surachet Laophulsuk, the governor of EXAT, announced the opening of an opinion hearing for private…
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Phuket’s plan to end traffic chaos with AI and expressway
Phuket’s notorious traffic congestion has long frustrated both locals and tourists, but a major two-part plan aims to finally solve the problem. Governor Sophon Suwannarat has unveiled ambitious strategies to transform the island’s traffic flow, including a new expressway and AI-powered traffic management—a first for Thailand. The Thai government has approved a long-awaited expressway project that will connect Muang Mai…
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Foreigners rush to buy Phuket villas on long-term leases
Thailand’s property market is witnessing a real estate revolution, as foreigners snap up houses on long-term leases instead of just condominiums. This trend, particularly in tourist hotspots like Phuket, Chon Buri, and Surat Thani, has been booming since Thailand reopened its borders in 2021. According to Dr Wichai Wiratkaphan, an independent scholar in urban development and housing, the leasehold market…
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Israeli tourists and transwomen clash in Phuket street brawl (video)
Two Israeli tourists found themselves embroiled in a street skirmish with a group of transgender women on the bustling Bangla Road in Phuket, leaving both parties nursing injuries. The brawl erupted in the island’s notorious nightlife district on Wednesday, March 5, sparking a dramatic scene captured on video and widely shared across social media. Drama unfolded in the vibrant hub…
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Turkish man arrested in Phuket for illegally selling cannabis
Police arrested a Turkish man in the Patong area of Phuket for illegally selling cannabis in the province. Patong Police Station officers reported the arrest of the 33 year old Turkish man, whose name remains undisclosed, yesterday, March 6. The arrest took place outside the Weed Kebab store on Bangla Road on Wednesday. The Turkish man was found illegally distributing…
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Laundrette looter! Foreign thief caught airing dirty laundry in Phuket
CCTV footage from a 24-hour laundrette in Phuket this week captured a man, believed to be a foreigner, stealing clothes belonging to the shop’s customers. A Thai man shared footage of the theft, at around 11pm on Monday, March 3, on social media to warn others who use the laundry shop in the Kathu neighbourhood of Phuket. He believed that…
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Illegal Chinese workers busted in Phuket construction raid
Thalang police arrested four Chinese nationals caught working illegally at a construction site in Thepkrasattri, Phuket, after a dramatic raid on the premises. Acting on a tip-off received on Monday, March 3, officers stormed a warehouse in Village 9, Thepkrasattri, yesterday morning, March 5. Upon arrival, they found the warehouse door open, with the sounds of construction echoing from inside.…
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Body of foreign tourist found on Kata Beach, Phuket
A grim discovery cast a shadow over Kata Beach in Phuket yesterday, as the lifeless body of a female foreign tourist, believed to be in her 50s, was found face down in the sand. The solo traveller’s body was unearthed near the Karon subdistrict municipal office yesterday, March 5, leaving officials stumped and scrambling for answers. With the cause of…
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Phuket officials probe ‘extra-large’ condo scandal
A major investigation is underway in Phuket as officials probe two controversial condominium developments in Cherng Talay. The projects, described as “extra-large,” have raised legal and environmental concerns, prompting high-level scrutiny from the Ministry of Interior. Leading the charge is Supoj Rotruang Na Nongkhai, Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Interior, who is conducting a two-day inspection on the island.…
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Phuket Airport immigration chief transferred amid nepotism claims
Police Colonel Padthongtew Damapong, chief of Phuket Airport Immigration, has been promoted to head Nonthaburi Immigration, part of the Greater Bangkok area after only ten months. The move, which follows another fast-tracked promotion just 10 months earlier, raised eyebrows due to his high-profile family connections. Pol. Col. Padthongtew is the nephew of Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, the ex-wife of former…
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Phuket taxi driver’s dash after runaway Russian fare dodgers
A Thai taxi driver chased after a Russian couple who allegedly fled without paying their fare upon arriving at their destination in Phuket. The couple still refused to settle the bill after the driver caught up with them. The Phuket Times shared pictures and a video of the argument between the Russian couple and the Thai taxi driver today, March…
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Phuket cracks down on deadly road accidents with safety workshop
Phuket officials are stepping up their fight against dangerous road accidents with a new strategy aimed at reducing fatalities and making roads safer. With alarming accident statistics continuing to rise, officials gathered for a high-level road safety workshop to analyse crash causes and implement life-saving measures. The Phuket Road Safety Centre hosted the event yesterday, March 4, at Phuket Provincial…
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Search continues for missing American tourist in Patong Bay
Patong police have confirmed that they are continuing the search for a missing American tourist, despite reducing the scale of operations since her disappearance five days ago in Patong Bay. Nina Ng, a 38 year old New Yorker, was last observed removing her life jacket and entering the water from a hired jet ski approximately 1 kilometre from Patong Beach…
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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