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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Phuket Gazette World Sports: Webber to end F1 career
Mark Webber to quit Formula 1 at the end of season Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Red Bull’s Mark Webber will quit Formula One at the end of the season for Porsche’s new sportscar programme, the Australian announced today. The 36-year-old spent 12 years in Formula One, winning nine races and twice finishing third in the championship. Lotus driver Kimi…
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Phuket officials stage pre-emptive strike against canal-clogging flower
PHUKET: Acting early to prevent the flooding, and stagnant water, that plague the Ban Yai Canal area in Srisoonthorn every year, officials took action yesterday to remove the culprit: water hyacinths that grow rampant in the canal. “Local residents complain every year that the hyacinths block water flow and cause flooding and bad-smelling water,” said Somjit Limpattawong, Municipal Clerk of…
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Teenager found hanging in parents’ Phuket home
PHUKET: The body of a teenager was found hanging from a support beam of her parent’s house in Kathu on Tuesday.Police tentatively suspect that the 19-year-old Burmese woman committed suicide because of a breakup with her boyfriend.Thung Thong Police and Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers arrived at the scene at about 11:30am to find the body of Ms Lat already laid…
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Phuket Police turn to Skype to catch criminals
PHUKET: In a move to catch criminals faster, officers across Phuket are to use Skype so victims and witnesses can relate their descriptions of suspects directly to police artists in Surat Thani.Under the Royal Thai Police project called “Sketch on Skype”, experts from Forensic Science Region 8 in Surat Thani arrived in Phuket on Tuesday to explain the program to…
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Phuket FC slay the Ratchaburi ‘Dragon’ in Thai FA Cup
PHUKET: The Islanders caused a Thai FA Cup upset last night knocking out Thai Premier League (TPL) side Rachaburi Mitrphol 2-0 at their home ground, Surakul Stadium in Phuket Town. The first half started brightly with both sides adopting an attacking style but the end-to-end football was quickly replaced by caution. Phuket FC started the match against the Dragons, who…
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Phuket Airport Bus can start July 15, says bus owner
PHUKET: The soonest the airport bus can start running is July 15, the owner of the bus company, Prakob Panyawai, told the Phuket Gazette on Tuesday. “I wish the bus could roll on July 1 as the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) chief demands,” he said, “but we’re just not ready [story here].” “All the buses have been checked at…
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Phuket marks International Day against Drug Abuse
PHUKET: Phuket top officials yesterday marked the International Day against Drug Abuse with a mass swearing off drugs and a vow to eliminate drugs in Thailand before the Asean Economic Community (AEC) trade regulations come into effect in 2015.On stage at the Phuket City District Office, Phuket Vice Governor Sommai Prijasilpa read out a national message from Prime Minister Yingluck…
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Phuket tuk-tuk drivers protest illegal taxis
PHUKET: A protest by about 100 tuk-tuk drivers today won the drivers a crackdown on illegal taxis, which the tuk-tuk clan says are stealing their jobs. After staging a convoy from Kathu, the protesters parked their tuk-tuks at Sanam Chai, across the street from Provincial Hall in Phuket Town (map here). “We do not have enough money to pay the…
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Phuket beaches roped off after deadliest weekend
PHUKET: After Phuket’s deadliest drowning weekend, sections of Kata and Karon Beaches have been closed for the first time in the island’s history. “This is the first time we have ever had to hang ropes up across the beach to prevent people from entering dangerous sections of the water. Some of the rip currents run strong across 20 to 30…
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Singaporean tourists saved at Phuket’s Surin Beach
PHUKET: Amid the spate of drownings over the weekend that saw four tourists drown within four days (story here and here), a dramatic rescue by Phuket lifeguards saw two Singaporean tourists being pulled from heavy surf to safety at Surin Beach. Red “no swimming” flags were flying at Surin Beach, with ocean conditions remaining rough and dangerous despite the sunny…
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Phuket crackdown on wastewater pollution in the works
PHUKET: The director of the Regional Environmental Office has warned Phuket businesses and housing developments to comply with legal requirements in the treatment and release of wastewater – or face the consequences.Dr Pornsri Suthanaruk told the Phuket Gazette she will be enforcing Section 80 of the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act BE 2535.“Business owners must have a…
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Helmeted motorbike driver survives Phuket hill crash
PHUKET: A helmeted motorbike driver was non-responsive but alive after crashing his motorbike into a drainage ditch while descending Patak Road toward Chalong this morning.Ruamjai foundation rescue workers quickly arrived at the scene and placed the man, Surat Udompol, 53, in a neck brace before loading him into an ambulance and rushing him to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.“At…
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Australian dies at hospital after leap from Phuket balcony
PHUKET: The Australian Embassy has contacted the relatives of a 25-year-old Australian man who succumbed to his injures around midnight last night after having plunged from the third floor of a Patong building.A food shop vendor along Soi Kepsap 2, off Sai Nam Yen Road, contacted Lt Col Jongserm Preecha of the Patong Police when she saw the Australian, Joshua…
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Russian drug smuggler wanted by Interpol arrested in Phuket
PHUKET: Responding to a written request from the Russian embassy in Bangkok, Phuket Immigration last night arrested a Russian national wanted in his home country for “illegal transportation of drugs, committed on a large scale”.The request stated that Anatoliy Gural had been wanted by Interpol since November 2011, and provided details of a false passport he was using to travel.“Mr…
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Senator sets sights on Army to resolve Phuket land encroachment
PHUKET: A member of the Thai Senate is looking to call in the armed forces to wage war against the “big guys” behind land encroachment in Phuket.Pol Col (Rtd) Sontaya Sangphow was in Phuket on Friday to arm himself with information in order to pitch his suggestion to fellow senators in Bangkok.“We are concerned that District Officers are ‘unable’ to…
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Drunk, loaded and arrested: Man brandishes loaded pistol, nunchucks in Phuket Town street
PHUKET: Phuket City Police this morning arrested a man for brandishing a loaded pistol at local residents in Soi Paniang near Samkong, Phuket Town. Maj Rattaket Munmuang of the Phuket City Police – with about 30 other officers – arrived at the scene at about 8:30am to find that the man had exchanged the loaded gun for nunchucks. The 46-year-old…
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Mercedes-Benz driver runs over man on busy Phuket road
PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of an unidentified man who was hit and killed instantly last night by a Mercedes-Benz as he was crossing Phuket’s busy Thepkrasattri Road.By the time police arrived at the scene, near the Srisoonthorn Municipality offices, the driver of the Mercedes-Benz sedan, Virat Aumarat, 56, was already en route to Thalang Police Station.“Mr Virat asked…
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Phuket surf leaves Russian tourist in coma
PHUKET: A Russian tourist in Phuket lies comatose in intensive care today after being pulled from the dangerous surf at Karon Beach yesterday afternoon. The tourist, named by Patong Hospital as Kho Khay Gym, 31, was pulled from the water by beach vendors at about 4:30pm. “He was rushed to Patong Hospital, and later transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in…
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Phuket temple visit postponed after car bursts into flames
PHUKET: Two women on their way to Phuket’s famous Chalong Temple escaped from their car on Chao Fa East Road shortly before it burst into flames.Police responded to a 5:30pm call to find 31-year-old Kesara Thongnop, the driver of the car, and a friend siting in shock by the side of the road next to a burned out white Toyota…
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Giorgi heads Phuket FC back to fifth
PHUKET: It was an exciting weekend for the Thai Sports world, especially for Thailand’s professional and semi-professional football leagues. Phuket FC seized back their 5th place ranking in the 18-team Yamaha League One (division 1) with a much needed 0-1 win on the road to Rayong United on Saturday evening. The match’s only allowed goal was scored by Georgian import…
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3 drownings in 3 days prompts Phuket plea to obey red flags
PHUKET: Following three tourists drowning at Phuket beaches within three days, the island’s authorities have issued a public plea for everyone to heed red warning flags, marking that the surf is too dangerous to swim. The plea follows the drowning death of Indian tourist Ramesh Chand Singhal, 49, at Kata Beach (map here) on Saturday. Mr Singhal, on holiday with…
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Multi-million baht Sea Gypsy center defunct before doors open
PHUKET: The long-awaited Sea Gypsy Cultural Center, slated to open at the end of 2012 at a budget that ballooned from 2 million to 5.4 million baht, has deteriorated into a derelict shell of a building that has become a shelter for the homeless. The promised library, exhibition spaces and native handiwork demonstrations highlighting the millennia-old culture of the Urak…
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Phuket cat burglar nabbed after Hat Yai holiday
PHUKET: The ex-con responsible for a string of robberies at Rock Garden Estate was arrested by police yesterday, after several days of high-living in Hat Yai with the proceeds from the fenced goods.“Weerapat Pikulthong, 36, robbed six houses in Rock Garden Estate after he was released from prison. He sold the stolen goods in Hat Yai,” said Phuket City Police…
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Case of mistaken identity causes drug dealer to give up drugs, submachine gun
PHUKET: A fender bender in Phuket Town sent a drug dealer fleeing the scene, leaving a large stash of drugs and a submachine gun behind. After the small collision in front of the downtown market on Ranong Road [map here], both drivers stepped out of their vehicles to negotiate. One of the drivers was still in his municipality uniform.“The drug…
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Man charged with trafficking Rohingya refugees may face rape charges
PHUKET: One of five Rohingya who escaped the Phang Nga Shelter for Children and Family is waiting for doctors to confirm her claims of being raped, for three consecutive nights, by the human trafficker that had promised to get her and her two daughters safely to Malaysia.The alleged rapist, Koreemura Ramahatu, 26, is only facing human trafficking charges so far,…
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Young sailors get own Raceweek
PHUKET: Talented young sailors are getting anxious to show their seniors how sailing is done, with an inaugural Junior Phuket Raceweek to be held on the day before the 10th anniversary of the island’s premier Phuket Raceweek regatta concludes. Organized by Media Business Services (MBS) and co-hosted by Regent Phuket Cape Panwa and Panwa Beach Resort Phuket, the one-day youth…
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Wrestling action at Saphan Hin
PHUKET: The 2013 Asian Junior Wrestling Championship was held at Saphan Hin’s 4,000-seat Indoor Sports Complex last weekend. Nearly 400 wrestlers from 20 countries competed at Free Style, Greco Roman and Female wrestling. The event was open to 17 to 18-year-old wrestlers, but participants under the age of 17 could compete if organizers received written permission from their parents. Thailand…
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Wimbledon: Prestige and drama
PHUKET: RAFAEL Nadal’s blistering return to tennis from injury means that the top four male tennis players in the world will compete at Wimbledon this year – Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer.Rafael Nadal enters Wimbledon playing some of the best tennis of his career. The Mallorcan spent seven months out with a knee injury and watched…
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Body of tortured, executed man dumped near Phuket school
PHUKET: Police are trying to establish the motive behind the torturing and execution of a man whose body was found in Koh Kaew, north of Phuket Town, yesterday morning.Col Sien Kaewthong of the Phuket City Police named the victim as Niwat Si-urai, 37.Police believe Mr Niwat was killed eight hours before his body was found by 52-year-old local resident Chalerm…
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VIDEO REPORT: Officials confirm high-flying monk not on Buddhist business
PHUKET: If renowned monk Luang Pu Nenkham is in Phuket, it is not on temple business, the Phuket Gazette confirmed yesterday.Luang Pu Nenkham is wanted for questioning after being filmed on board a private jet while sporting brand-name sunglasses and a Louis Vuitton bag. Chatpawit Jinapong, Director of the Phuket branch of the National Office of Buddhism, told the Gazette…
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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