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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Newborn dumped, found dead in Phuket trash pile
PHUKET: A newborn baby boy with a rubber band twisted tightly around its neck was found dead in a pile of rubbish in southern Phuket beach area of Rawai yesterday afternoon.The baby, estimated to have been dead for over 24 hours, was spotted by Rawai Municipality trash truck driver Sutham Kansuwan on his regular route along Soi Suksan 1, said…
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Phuket teens in gang attack, motorbike theft
PHUKET: Police are urging motorists to exercise caution when travelling alone late at night in the Thalang area after a man was kicked off his motorbike while in motion and robbed of his motorcycle by a gang of youths late Thursday night. Chatmongkol Sukmak, 17, was riding home from Phuket Town at about 11pm when a gang of youths travelling…
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French Open: Powerful pair
PHUKET: When Serena Williams powered down three aces in the final game to beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-4 at Stade Roland Garros, she cemented her already legendary status in the game. The oldest winner – at 31 – of a Grand Slam in the modern era, the victory was, coincidentally, her 31st straight success. She has now won every Major…
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Schaefer takes over Muang Thong, Thailand play China
PHUKET: Winfried Schaefer quit his role last week as manager of Thailand’s national football team to replace Slavisa Jokanovic as manager of Muang Thong United. He lost his first game in charge 1-0 to Bangkok Glass last Sunday. Schaefer’s move to Muang Thong represents a solution to the headache suffered by the Thai Football Association as it sought to end…
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Phuket on the cards to host Thailand’s F1
PHUKET: The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has admitted Phuket could host Thailand’s lucrative Formula One race in 2015 due to strong opposition from Bangkok residents. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) put the skids on the F1 race being held in the capital by banning the use of the historic Rattanakosin Island. The move came after residents and business owners complained…
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VIDEO REPORT: European Union tackles Phuket tourism woes
PHUKET: Ambassadors from 17 European nations today brought to the Phuket Governor’s attention four critical issues plaguing Phuket’s tourism industry: road transport, boat safety, tourist security and jet-skis.“The meeting today was held to identify several key issues affecting European tourists to Thailand and to come up with solutions to these problems,” said European Union (EU) Ambassador to Thailand David Lipman,…
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Triathlon champs coming to Challenge Laguna Phuket
PHUKET: Reigning World Champion Pete “PJ” Jacobs has confirmed he will race the inaugural Challenge Laguna Phuket half distance triathlon on December 1 – setting up an intriguing contest with fellow Australian Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack, the defending title-holder and two-time world champion, for a slice of the race’s 25,000 euro prize purse. The elite pair will compete at Challenge Laguna…
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LPIM: Testing ground for evolution of species
PHUKET: Homo sapiens have evolved as persistence hunters. We are designed to go the distance, to plod along behind any quick footed antelope on the open prairie until the poor bugger, all sprints and no stamina, gives up the ghost – the Laguna Phuket International Marathon was a testing ground of our evolution. “We are a species of runners,” I,…
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Phuket security guard saved from suicide leap
PHUKET: A security guard sacked after two days on the job in Phuket was talked down from a four-storey building in Phuket Town yesterday after he threatened to jump. Police arrived at the Phoonphol Night Plaza just before 4pm, along with Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers and a medical team from Vachira Phuket Hospital. Officers were dispatched to the rooftop to…
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Mass tourism market blamed for degradation of Phuket
PHUKET: The Senate Standing Committee on Tourism yesterday highlighted a series of issues plaguing Phuket due to the rapid development of the province into a major center for mass tourism in Thailand.“The growth of the tourism industry in Phuket is the source of many problems at its natural tourist attractions. Land and beach encroachment, as well as air and water…
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Former male nurse confesses to at least 20 hotel room abortions
PHUKET: Police in Krabi province, across the bay from Phuket, raided a hotel room where they arrested a former nurse who was just about to perform an illegal abortion.Officers raided the small hotel in Ao Luek at about 12:30pm yesterday, finding Prapak Thiparat preparing to perform an abortion.The woman had already been prepared by Mr Prapak to undergo the procedure.…
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Asian junior wrestling takes hold of Phuket
PHUKET: The 2013 Asian Junior Wrestling Championships started today with dozens of bouts taking place this morning at Saphan Hin’s 4,000-seat Indoor Sports Complex; and will conclude on Sunday (click here for map). The Wrestling Championship will be the first time some competitors have competed since the World Wrestling Body (FILA) introduced changes to the point system last month. With…
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Heavy Phuket rains send snake slithering for shelter
PHUKET: A large python sought accommodation and food in a local Phuket woman’s home yesterday morning.“During heavy rain, pythons often come to find things to eat. My house has many chickens, which is good food for a snake,” said Kanittha Saechau.On spotting the snake, which stretched to about four meters long, Ms Kanittha contacted Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers.The rescue workers…
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Phuket flood, landslide warning issued as weekend deluges forecast
PHUKET: An island-wide flood and landslide warning has been issued as heavy rains continue to soak Phuket. The warning was issued to all local authorities across the island, San Jantharawong, chief of the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), confirmed to the Phuket Gazette this morning. “There has been heavy rain every day for days…
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Phuket ITU Triathlon cancelled
PHUKET: The Local Organizing Committee of the 2013 Phuket ITU Long Distance Triathlon Series event has announced the cancellation of the event set to be held in Patong on November 9-10. The weekend of triathlon activities was to include a series of triathlon events over two days, culminating in the first ever ITU Long Distance triathlon in Thailand. Part of…
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Phuket beach encroachment top concern of Senate tourism sortie
PHUKET: A fact-finding tour of Phuket’s top west coast tourist beaches yesterday identified encroachment by hotels, resorts and restaurants as the top concern among members of the Senate Standing Committee on Tourism. The tour of beaches began at about 8:30am, led by Phuket Senator Tunyaratt Achariyachai, who is also the chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Tourism. Joined by…
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VIDEO Report: Phuket officials unveil “drive-thru’ preview of Patong Tunnel
PHUKET: The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), commissioned to roll out the Patong Tunnel project, has released a video highlighting the preferred route the tunnel will take through the Phuket hills separating the Kathu valley from the beachside resort town of Patong. The preferred route was chosen after a panel of experts investigated three major factors in the selection process,…
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Phuket gold shop gives B170k to fiancee of slain man
PHUKET: The fiancee of the man shot dead trying to stop a gold shop robbery in Phuket in April received 170,000 baht from the shop owner on Monday. Surasak Wattananawin, owner of the C.P. Gold Master & Jewelry store, had promised to donate the money shortly after the murder of Apichet Choo-kliang, 32, and had already made one donation of…
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Phuket’s new Airport Bus slated for July 1 launch
PHUKET: The Phuket transport authorities today verbally agreed to launch the new Phuket Airport Bus service on July 1.The provincial transportation committee will meet again next Tuesday to ratify the decision in writing, Phuket Vice Governor and committee chairman Chamroen Tipayapongtada confirmed.Of the 29 government officers, airport officials and tourism and hotel industry representatives present at the meeting today, not…
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Phuket tour company robbed after staffer makes bank withdrawal
PHUKET: Police are searching for a thief who robbed a small Phuket tour company of almost 70,000 baht this morning.“We questioned all four of the staff at Nonthasak Marine Co Ltd,” said Phuket Provincial Police Commander Choti Chavalviwat.Pornpirom Junthong, a human resources staffer at the company, told police she went to a bank with a friend to withdraw 69,239 baht…
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Phuket Police suspect arson in three-truck fire
PHUKET: Three pickup trucks burned early this morning in a fire police believe was caused by a faulty liquid gas tank (LPG) tank or arson.Police responded to a report just after 1am that a vehicle was ablaze at a commercial building near the entrance to Wat Manik in Srisoonthorn, Thalang.Firemen took 30 minutes to put out the fire, which appeared…
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Long-awaited Patong Phuket Immigration office to re-open Thursday
PHUKET: The Patong Immigration office, scheduled to re-open almost a year and a half ago (story here), will open on Thursday, and provide limited immigration services in addition to general immigration information. The office, located on Thaweewong Road next to the Patong Tourist Police Volunteers office (map here), will provide 90-day resident reporting services. In addition, hotels will be able…
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Prison products to hit Phuket streets
PHUKET: The 10th annual Southern Prison Products Fair gets underway at Saphan Hin this evening and continues to June 17.The fair showcases products made by inmates in the 14 southern provinces.“There are many handmade products for sale at fair prices, including good quality furniture,” said Phuket Prison Chief Rapin Nichano.“The project is excellent for prisoners because 50 per cent of…
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Phuket Police find Swedish expat dead in Chalong
PHUKET: A Swedish expat was found dead in Chalong yesterday evening. The body of Aino Marianne Seppala, 57, was found lying on a couch in her living room. Ms Seppala’s right hand was heavily bandaged and a variety of medications were on the coffee table, said Wuttiwat Liang-boonjinda of the Chalong Police. There was no evidence of violence in the…
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Laguna Phuket International Marathon sees fun and fund-raising
PHUKET: Michael Page of the UK won the eighth Laguna Phuket International Marathon (LPIM) when the annual running festival took to the island’s roads over the weekend. More than 4,000 entrants of all ages and abilities from 45 countries competed on a variety of distance courses in an atmosphere of community fun and charity fund-raising. Page finished the 42 kilometer…
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Drunk looking German busted for meth in Phuket
PHUKET: A German national whose inebriated driving style caught police attention on Saturday was arrested in Patong after he failed a drug test and confessed to having drugs in his hotel room. The 44 year old was stopped by Phuket Immigration officer Capt Angkarn Yasanop at about 1:30am. “We were on patrol as usual,” said Capt Angkarn. “When we arrived…
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V for Thailand unmasks Phuket unrest
PHUKET: Thousands of Phuket residents donned white Guy Fawkes masks and joined anti-government group “V for Thailand” to protest the current administration’s running of the country. “We are not a mob, we have gathered to let the government know that their management of Thailand has failed,” said a statement issued under the name of V-Phuket to the media during the…
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Rainstorm drowns out Phuket FC
PHUKET: The rainstorm that swept over the island last night forced officials to abandon the football match between Phuket FC and PTT Rayong; the decision was made more than halfway through the 0-0 deadlock at Surakul Stadium. Attending the half-match last night were several VIP guests of Phuket FC President Pamuke Achiriyachai, including Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut, Mr Pedro Moreira,…
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UK’s Page wins Laguna Phuket Marathon
PHUKET: Michael Page of Great Britain won the Laguna Phuket International Marathon 2013 this morning, completing the 42km circuit in 2 hours 41 minutes and 2 seconds. Officials have yet to confirm the results, but according to the preliminary times posted by official timekeeper Championchip Thailand (click here), Page crossed the finish line 10 minutes ahead of Yasuhiro Saito of…
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Laguna International Marathon: 4,100 runners to conquer Phuket tomorrow
PHUKET: A total of 4,100 runners – aged 13 to 80 years old and representing 45 countries – have registered to compete in the five races of the 8th Laguna Phuket International Marathon (LPIM), with runners set to take their marks as early as 4am tomorrow. Speaking to the Gazette this afternoon, shortly after marathon registration closed, Roman Floesser of…
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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