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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12Go introduces Japan Rail Passes to enhance travel accessibility for international travellers
For those who have travelled throughout Thailand, 12Go is a well-known provider of various trips, though the platform itself has a much wider reach. Ranging from buses to planes, 12Go is undoubtedly a leading booking platform for travel throughout the...
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Fatal multi-vehicle collision disrupts morning traffic in Phuket
A chaotic accident unfolded as dawn broke over Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket, when an MG sedan fatally crashed into a power pole, following a series of collisions that began around 6.50am today (January 10). The string of events took place just 50 metres away from the Bang Chak petrol station at Baan Lipon, Srisoonthorn, within the vicinity of Moo 5.…
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Jungceylon invites you to explore an adventure with bubbly dinosaurs
Jungceylon Shopping Center, Patong, Phuket, is launching Jungceylon Kids Day 2024: Dino in Balloon Park. they invite all little ones and family to join this adventure through the realm of dinosaur balloons, featuring various species like Parasaurolophus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and T. Rex. The event’s highlight includes beloved giant dinosaur balloons, especially the towering “Brontosaurus,” a gentle, long-necked dinosaur standing over…
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Phuket tour boat industry rallies for enhanced safety measures
Phuket’s tour boat industry is taking decisive action, following the tragic accident where a five-year-old Russian girl lost her life in a tour speedboat crash at Koh Maiton. A collective movement is emerging among industry leaders, to bolster safety measures and prevent such incidents from recurring. The initiative is led by prominent figure Shaun Stenning, CEO and Founder of 5…
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Kindee Phuket fair to spotlight local cuisine and music
The culinary and musical delights of Phuket are set to take centre stage at the upcoming Kindee Phuket fair, scheduled from January 19-21 at Sapan Hin. This exciting event, organised by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), comes hot on the heels of the successful Red Cross’s Dee Phuket fair that concluded just a fortnight ago. The spotlight of the…
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Tragic suicide of young Myanmar woman in Phuket sparks investigation
In the small town of Kamala, Phuket, a tragic incident unfolded as a teenage Myanmar woman, merely 19 years old, took her own life. This heartbreaking event came to light after local authorities were notified about the incident on a quiet Saturday night. Kamala Police’s Police Lieutenant Peeymanat Dinkameen received the distressing news of the young woman’s demise at around…
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Phuket governor proposes 191 million baht infrastructure and digital modernisation plan
It was a bustling day at Phuket Provincial Hall last Friday as local government office chiefs and private sector representatives gathered to confirm a series of new infrastructure developments to be proposed at the upcoming mobile Cabinet meeting in Ranong on January 22-23. At the helm of this ambitious endeavour is Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, who intends to seek approval…
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Phuket’s air quality under threat as haze season approaches
Grey skies are looming over Thailand’s popular tourist destination of Phuket despite the air quality remaining at a moderate level during the first week of January. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has already flagged concerns as predictions suggest the annual haze might arrive earlier than expected this year. According to the World Air Quality Index project (AQICN), the concentration of hazardous PM2.5…
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Chinese tourist drowns in tragic incident at Similan Islands
A calamitous event unfolded on the serene Similan Islands last Friday morning, January 5, when a Chinese tourist was abruptly swept away in a drowning incident. The incident was later relayed to the public by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) 3rd Area Command. As of yet, the current state of the victim remains unknown. The incident occurred within the confines…
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Spaniard arrested for stealing handbag at Patong nightclub
A Spaniard found himself in hot water as he was arrested on the night of January 6, in Patong for allegedly pilfering a handbag from a Mongolian woman at the Illuzion nightclub, a popular hotspot on Bangla Road. The incident unfolded when Patong Police Station officers were alerted to a theft complaint from a Mongolian woman. The crime was reported…
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Phuket: British and South African tourists clash in street brawl on Bangla Road
A brawl between a group of British and South African tourists on Bangla Road, Patong, Phuket, was reported to local police yesterday morning, January 5. Injuries were sustained by both parties and the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation was mobilised to send the injured individuals for treatment at Patong Hospital. Photos of the scene of the incident have been released, however, the…
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Phuket Rajabhat University launches entrepreneurial scheme for student innovation
The Phuket Rajabhat University in Thailand set in motion a pioneering scheme yesterday aimed at fostering entrepreneurial prowess amongst its students and sparking innovation within the community. This enterprising initiative, launched to nurture future business leaders, seeks to promote business designs born out of community innovation. The grand inauguration of the project was attended by dignitaries including Phuket Vice Governor…
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Phuket authorities step up anti-drug operations, apprehend two suspects
As Phuket’s officials are making moves to address drug use among boat operators, Thalang Police have concurrently stepped up their anti-drug operations. The outcome of these intensified efforts is the recent apprehension of two individuals, confirmed to be in illegal possession of methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba, with intentions to distribute. The Thalang Police Force made public the results…
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Street shootout shakes Phuket: Teen hospitalised, passerby catches stray bullet drama
A teenager yesterday was hospitalised after a tumultuous shootout on a street near Saphan Hin, Phuket. A passerby suffered a shoulder wound whilst the teen had a head injury. Phuket Police received a report of a shootout near the Phuket Marine police chief’s residence on Phuket Road yesterday, January 3, at 3.10am. Police found a damaged glass louvre in one of…
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Phuket continues promotion as timeless destination to boost tourism
Championed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s (TAT) local office, Phuket is set to continue its promotion as a timeless destination, void of an official low season. Director Lertchai Wangtrakuldee confirms this strategy following the significant triumph of last year when the resort province achieved its arrival and revenue targets ahead of schedule. By the end of November, the visitor…
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First fatal casualty reported in Phuket’s new year safety campaign
The bustling tourist destination of Phuket in Thailand reported its first fatal casualty amidst its annual Seven Days New Year safety campaign. The campaign, which began on December 29, aims to promote road safety until midnight on January 4. The fatality was acknowledged at the Day 5 briefing of the Seven Days safety initiative, which also highlighted the road accident…
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Russian upper class take over Phuket properties
Phuket has become a playground for Russia’s wealthy elite, causing property prices to skyrocket by 15 to 20%. Amidst Thailand’s tourism boom and the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, affluent Russians are making Phuket their long-term home, revealed Maetapong Upatising, president of the Phuket Real Estate Association. “Phuket’s allure lies in its world-class amenities, including an international airport, schools, golf…
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Leatherback turtle surprises Thai park officers with fifth nest of the season
A rare spectacle unfolded early this morning at the Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park in Thai Muang, Phang Nga, situated north of Phuket. Park officials stumbled upon a female leatherback turtle who had come ashore to deposit her eggs, marking the fifth such nest spotted this breeding season. Officers were engaged in their routine patrol, skimming the shoreline with…
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Surprise drug test at Phuket’s Ratsada Pier reveals shocking find
At the heart of Phuket‘s east coast, a pivotal marine tourism hub, Ratsada Pier, was the scene of a surprise drug testing operation today. The results revealed a shocking find – one out of the 18 boat captains and crew members tested had traces of drugs in their system. The harbour, also known as Rassada Harbour, is managed by Seatran…
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English national arrested in Phuket over violent tuk tuk altercation
A violent altercation involving a gun and a tuk tuk in Phuket led to the arrest of an English national. The incident, which occurred on the evening of January 1, involved the suspect, identified as 38 year old Jamie, hitting his co-passenger with a hidden firearm. The argument escalated within the tuk tuk while en route to a café in…
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Ko Mai Thon speedboat accident: Captain found drug positive
A speedboat collision off Mai Thon Island near Phuket on New Year’s Eve claimed the life of a five year old Russian girl, with others facing life-threatening injuries. The tragedy took a bizarre turn as reports surfaced, revealing that the 41 year old captain, currently on life support, tested positive for an amphetamine-related substance. Phuket authorities are now under scrutiny,…
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Phuket boat crew tested for drugs after tragic speedboat accident
The tranquil morning at Chalong Pier in Phuket was disrupted yesterday as a swarm of officials descended on the scene. Their mission is to conduct drug tests on a group of 23 boat operators and crew members. This action was triggered by a tragic speedboat accident that occurred at Koh Maithon the previous day, resulting in the death of a…
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Phuket welcomes 2024 with soaring tourist numbers and an 8 billion baht boost
Thailand’s famed island paradise of Phuket has just witnessed an impressive upswing in tourist numbers over the new year break. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office has confirmed that the island has welcomed a remarkable 265,000 visitors, contributing more than 8 billion baht to the local economy. The head of the TAT Phuket office, Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, provided these…
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Heavy traffic in Phuket forces travellers to allocate extra time
Phuket International Airport is once again reminding those scheduled to fly out of the island to factor in additional travel time to reach the airport. This advice, which was initially issued for the new year period, has been reiterated due to persistent heavy traffic on the island’s main roads. This renewed call for travellers to allocate an extra two to…
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Russian tourist child dies in tragic Phuket speedboat accident
Tragedy struck on the last day of 2023 when a speedboat carrying seven Russian tourists, including a five year old girl, crashed into rocks at Koh Maithon while returning to Phuket from Phi Phi Island. The young girl, Liza Pak, sadly lost her life in the incident. The speedboat, named Apirak 89, was believed to be leaving Koh Maithon and…
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Woman assaulted in attempted robbery at Patong currency exchange
A shocking incident unfolded in the early hours of today when a woman was assaulted during an attempted robbery at a currency exchange on Phra Barami Road, Patong. The Patong police are now on a manhunt for the assailant. The incident occurred near Dolphin Circle at the west end of Phra Barami Road. Police were alerted to the situation around…
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Russian teen arrested in Phuket for brutal attack on mother
A chilling event unfolded in Phuket, Thailand, as an 18 year old Russian national was arrested for attacking his mother in a brutal incident on December 29. Nikolaev has since been transferred from Thalang Police Station to Phuket Provincial Court for further proceedings. The victim, Elena Nikolaeva, survived the harrowing assault, in which her son, Aleksandr Nikolaev, reportedly slashed her…
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Phuket governor tours checkpoints to boost New Year safety
Phuket, a vibrant island in Thailand, buzzed with activity as Governor Sophon Suwannarat and Udomphon Kan, the head of the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM-Phuket), toured major checkpoints around the island. The visit, which took place during the New Year’s holidays, served as a morale booster for the officials working hard to ensure safety and law enforcement.…
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Unidentified male body found floating off Koh Maithon
In a startling discovery, a male body was found floating in the waters off Koh Maithon, a small island located just over 8 kilometres southeast of Cape Panwa, late on November 29. The body was spotted by the crew of a local tour boat. The tour boat’s staff waited for about an hour and a half. However, as daylight began…
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Phuket: Russian tourist’s water slide nightmare sparks urgent safety probe
A 42 year old Russian tourist found himself at the centre of a harrowing ordeal at a renowned water park in Phuket. His quest for aquatic thrills turned into a nightmare, resulting in severe injuries and a subsequent complaint filed with the Consumer Protection Committee. On November 10, Fedor Kondrakov’s day of fun took a perilous turn as he encountered…
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Fatal stabbing casts shadow over Patong’s vibrant nightlife
As the first light of dawn broke over Patong, a grim discovery was made on the streets of this bustling tourist hotspot. A staffer from a local karaoke venue, named Itthinan Khola, was found lifeless on the footpath outside a similar establishment on Phra Metta Rd. The 24 year old victim, originally from Nong Bua Lamphu, had suffered a fatal…
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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