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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Sponsored Infinito helps hotels in Thailand with revenue management
Maximising revenue and profit–isn’t that the ultimate goal for every business in the hospitality industry? If you run a hotel, you might have heard that revenue management is an effective way to boost your top-line revenue. It involves using data...
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Trio of top cops gather to promote Phuket safety, again
PHUKET: The two highest-ranking police officers in Thailand joined Phuket’s top cop in Patong yesterday evening in the latest campaign to safeguard tourism revenue by convincing tourists that Phuket is a safe place to vacation. Over 400 police officers gleaned from every station in Phuket gathered in formation at one end of Soi Bangla to be reviewed by the Royal…
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Showdown for Queen’s Cup
PHUKET: This Sunday Phuket will host a major Muay Thai tournament in Patong, in honor of HM Queen Sikirit’s 81st birthday. The tournament was announced by the President of the Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand (AMTAT) former Thai Army chief Gen Chetta Thanajaro last Saturday during a press conference at the Tiger Hotel in Patong. The competition on Sunday…
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Phuket FC’s new coach to play ‘Brazilian style’ against Nakhon Pathom
PHUKET: The Islanders’ newly appointed (click here for story) Brazilian head coach, Stefano Rodrigues, or “Coach Teco”, said he is confident in Phuket FC’s chances against Nakhon Pathom United in tomorrow’s match. The game, the Yamaha League One’s 2013 season’s 21st clash of the 34 match campaign, will be played at Surakul Stadium with a 6:30pm kickoff (click here for…
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Chinese woman, 22, found dead in Phuket resort swimming pool
PHUKET: A 22-year-old Chinese tourist was found dead yesterday morning floating in a resort swimming pool on Koh Lone, a small island about three kilometers east of Rawai.Peng Yu was staying at the Cruiser Island Resort with a Chinese tour group.“A hotel staffer found her floating face down in the swimming pool,” Thada Sodarak of the Chalong Police said.Ms Peng…
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Patong Mayor Pian Keesin targetted in DSI’s investigations list
PHUKET: Long-serving Mayor of Patong Pian Keesin, as well as ten other people and suspect locations, has been named on a Department of Special Investigations (DSI) blacklist regarding illegal taxis. The blacklist was presented yesterday as Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak and DSI Director-general Tarit Pengdith arrived on the island to open the ‘Phuket Organized Crime Center’ (story here).…
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Logos Hope announces special events for Phuket
PHUKET: MV Logos Hope, carrying the world’s largest floating library, arrives in Phuket on Wednesday and has already announced two special events to be put on by some of its 460 volunteers. The first of the two events will be the ‘Cultural Cafe’, which showcases a variety of cultures, music and dances from around the globe. The event, during which…
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Special Report: Anatomy of a Phuket taxi driver
Special Report The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has opened an ‘Organized Crime Center’ [sic] at Phuket International Airport to crack down on illegal taxi drivers still operating there. The move follows widespread allegations of mafia operating on the island and illegal taxi drivers overcharging tourists. Here, the Phuket Gazette investigates what it takes to become a Phuket taxi driver.PHUKET:…
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Rohingya riot north of Phuket pre-planned escape attempt, says Immigration
PHUKET: The Rohingya refugees’ rebellion against their captivity during the Muslim holy day Eid-al Fitr yesterday was a pre-planned attempt to escape the facilities and leave Thailand, Phang Nga Immigration Police told the Phuket Gazette today. “The refugees were convinced by visitors to protest and attempt to escape to another country,” Phang Nga Immigration Inspector Neti Khanboon said. Lt Col…
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Guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins arrives in Phuket
PHUKET: The guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins arrived in Phuket yesterday, anchoring at the Deep Sea Port at Cape Panwa.The Higgins, the US Navy’s 26th Arleigh Burke class destroyer, carries a crew of 276 sailors and a formidable armament of standard and vertical-launch missiles, long-range Tomahawk missiles, two triple-tube torpedo mounts and deck guns.“The crew were welcomed to Phuket with a…
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Phuket warned human-trafficking record may result in European ban on seafood
PHUKET: Any deterioration in Thailand’s human-trafficking record may lead to a European ban on importing seafood from the Kingdom, Phuket Marine Police were warned yesterday.The message was delivered at a seminar intended to remind local Marine Police and those involved in Phuket’s fishing industry of the legal obligations to be upheld regarding human trafficking.The seminar, headed by visiting senior prosecutor…
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Rohingya refugees protest officials’ prevention of group prayer for Eid-al Fitr
PHUKET: Over 250 Rohingya refugees raged against Phang Nga Immigration officers when denied the right to leave their cells and gather for mass prayer to mark Eid-al Fitr today. Eid-al Fitr is one of the most important days for practicing Muslims, as it marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan (special report here). “The refugees broke out…
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Krabi murder defendants claim US Embassy translator unfair
PHUKET: The three Thai musicians charged with the murder of American tourist Bobby Ray Carter Jr in Krabi on July 31 (story here) have refused to have the translator provided by the US Embassy in Bangkok involved in the trial. The lawyer representing the three defendants explained the complaint to the judge at Krabi Provincial Court on Tuesday, when defendants…
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FIVB beach volleyball world tour’s return to Phuket has interest spiking
PHUKET: The return of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour to Karon beach Phuket has created plenty of interest among both players and fans. With the tournament still just under three months away, over 40 teams from 19 countries have already entered the US$75,000 Phuket Thailand Open powered by PTT, which will be held from October 29 to November 3.…
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Citizen rescue to bolster safety at Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Scores of everyday people are voluntarily undergoing lifeguard training in order to help Phuket’s strained contingent of lifeguards cope with the growing number of tourists, expats and local residents who need to be saved from dangerous surf.There are currently 38 beach guard stations at 13 beaches in Phuket, staffed by a total of 108 lifeguards, explained Phuket Lifeguard Club…
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Organized Crime Centers to open for business tomorrow
PHUKET: Phuket’s first Organized Crime Center for Tourism is set to open tomorrow, with one office at Phuket International Airport and one office at the Phuket City Police Station. The offices are being established to get a grip on tourist operators extorting money from island visitors, money launderers, illegal taxi drivers (story here) and persons involved in criminal associations (story…
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Oil spill damage not as great as feared, say Phuket Marine Biologists
PHUKET: The environmental damage to Koh Samet is not as great as initially feared, according to five Phuket-based marine biologists who have just returned from a fact-finding mission to the oil-spill stricken island (story here). The Phuket group’s findings were similar to those reported by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. “We did not find any remains or evidence…
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Only one Krabi musician faces the music for American’s murder
PHUKET: Only one of the three musicians charged with killing American tourist Bobby Ray Carter Jr in Krabi last week appeared in court for arraignment on Monday. The other two postponed their trial date. All three men, charged with the July 31 murder of 51-year-old Bobby Carter Jr and the assault of his son Adam, 27, outside the Little Longhorn…
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“No worries’ over Aussie police workshop on transnational crime in Phuket
PHUKET: The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are in Phuket to hold a joint workshop with Phuket authorities on tackling the issue of transnational crime on the island.“Phuket is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. Every day, large numbers of tourists from all over the globe come to visit us,” Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karajedee…
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Black taxis scoff at Phuket Airport organized crime center
PHUKET: A taxi company using illegal “black taxis” to serve Phuket International Airport said it will continue to do so despite the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) opening its Organized Crime Center for Tourism there on Friday (story here). “Our black plate taxis will still work as usual. If the DSI officers arrest them, I will explain to the officers…
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Phuket joins Bangkok ranks at amnesty bill protest
PHUKET: Members of the Phuket Pitak Siam group and their anti-government cohorts in Bangkok will join Democrat supporters and People’s Army protesters to rally against the amnesty bill in front of Parliament House tomorrow. An estimated 70,000 people are expected to join the street protest, Pitak Siam Phuket coordinator Apharat Chartchutikumjorn told the Phuket Gazette this morning. “The Democrat Party…
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Heavy rain brings minor floods across Phuket, huge tailbacks
PHUKET: Heavy rain in Phuket this morning caused minor flooding across the island, including in Patong on the west coast, in Chalong in the south and in Srisoonthorn in Thalang.Roads cut off by flash-flood runoff forced traffic to a standstill as small vehicles could not get through.Traffic was backed up in front of the TOT office on Chao Fa West…
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No infrastructure damage to Krabi International Airport, despite ramp road subsiding
PHUKET: Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) officers confirmed that there was no structural damage to the domestic terminal at Krabi International Airport after heavy rains caused the ramp road of the terminal to subside (story here). The DCA has already approved a budget to make repairs to the airport, which recently underwent a 743-million-baht upgrade. The budget is set to…
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Phuket FC appoints seasoned Brazilian as new coach
PHUKET: The Islanders’ vacancy for a head coach (see story here) has already been filled – by a skillful and respected Brazilian, Stefano Cugurra Teco. Known formally as Alessandro Stefano Cugurra Rodrigues, “Coach Teco” was born on July 25, 1974 in Rio de Janeiro, and has been involved with Thai professional soccer since 2010. As a football manager and former…
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Thief ransacks Chinese tour guide’s Phuket home, steals 100,000 baht cash, Rolex
PHUKET: A Chinese tour guide withdrew 80,000 baht from her bank account yesterday and by this morning it had been stolen from her house, along with her boyfriend’s Rolex watch valued at 300,000 and 20,000 baht she already had stashed in the house. When police responded to the 9:30am call at Phuket Villa Daorung, they found a ransacked living room…
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Phuket Poll: Public transport preferred to new Chalong underpass
PHUKET: More than one-third of respondents to a Phuket Gazette online poll have voted to have an effective public transport system that reduces the volume of traffic on Phuket’s roads, instead of building an underpass costing hundreds of millions of baht at the busy Chalong Circle junction in the south of the island. Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut last month unveiled…
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Cola wars: which one passes the Phuket taste test?
PHUKET: Since the launch of the cola soft drink “est” into the Thai market late last year (story here), local companies have been competing with global giants, vying for consumer allegiance among expats, Thais and tourists across the island. Est producer Serm Suk Co, which until recently bottled and distributed Pepsi across Thailand, is aiming to achieve 8 billion baht…
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Phuket blaze guts bedroom in Patong apartment
PHUKET: Police suspect a spark from an electrical socket near a bed set ablaze a third-floor apartment at the Baan Chalika complex in Patong early yesterday morning. The fire caused an estimated 30,000 baht in damage. No injuries were reported. Officers were called to the the four-storey apartment block, in Soi Prasertsub 2 on Ratchapatanusorn Road (map here), at 12:45am…
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Mass Phuket beach rescue, five tourists pulled from water – one pronounced dead
PHUKET: Lifeguards at Karon Beach, on Phuket’s southwest coast, staged a mass rescue of five tourists this afternoon after a large wave nearly swept a group of men out to sea.Two of the men were able to struggle back to shore without assistance, while the other five needed the help of local lifeguards.One of the men was pulled from the…
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Phuket FC lose another coach after draw
PHUKET: A minor yet vocally active segment of Phuket FC’s supporters got their way yet-again, highlighted by a public announcement on Facebook last night by now-ex Head Coach Paniphon “Tu” Kerdyaem, that he was resigning his post with immediate effect. The announcement follows Saturday night’s close yet disappointing 1-1 league draw with lower ranked Thai Tobacco Monopoly (TTM) FC at…
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Road collapse at Krabi Airport domestic terminal
PHUKET: Authorities have closed the ramp road to the domestic terminal at Krabi International Airport after heavy rain over the past week washed away the earth underneath a retaining wall, causing the road to subside.The damage was reported by a tourist at 9:30am on Saturday, Krabi Airport Director Sunyaluk Kraiboot told the Phuket Gazette.“The retaining wall collapsed, causing about 10…
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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