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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Weather warning issued for Phuket, Andaman
PHUKET: The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its second weather warning in 24 hours for Phuket and other provinces along the Andaman coast, advising the public to beware heavy rain, rough seas and possible flooding. The latest advisory, issued by the Southern Meteorological Center at Phuket Airport at 11am today, repeated the TMD’s warning of “abundant rain to very…
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“It’s a huge challenge…”
“It’s a huge challenge – probably the biggest I have ever undertaken, especially in such a short timeframe”. PHUKET: The 34-year-old former England cricketer, Andrew Flintoff, has been training with boxing legend Barry McGuigan and his son Shane McGuigan in preperation for his boxing debut on November 30. The popular 6’4 cricket legend is yet to announce his heavyweight opponent…
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ASEAN in Phuket: Australians to assist handling of Rohingya landings in Thailand
PHUKET: The Commissioner of the Thai Immigration Bureau announced yesterday that immigration officials from Australia will assist Thai officials in their handling of ethnic Rohingya refugees who enter Thai territorial waters illegally.“They have a serious problem with Rohingya and Sri Lankans illegally entering their country,” Lt Gen Wiboon Bangphamai explained to the meeting of ASEAN immigration chiefs held at the…
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Phuket Police bust heroin dealers in Cherng Talay
PHUKET: Police in Phuket yesterday arrested a heroin dealer from Narathiwat, in Thailand’s troubled Deep South, seizing more than 80 grams of the drug as well as a stash of dried marijuana from one of his agents.The arrest was announced at a press conference led by Cherng Talay Police Superintendent Jirasak Siangsak yesterday morning. Col Jirasak presented to the press…
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Vachira Phuket Hospital staff scrub up
PHUKET: Staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital yesterday staged a hand-washing contest and other fun activities to highlight the importance of basic hygiene in combating the transmission of infectious diseases.Hospital Director Dr Jessada Chungpaibulpatana presided over the event, dubbed “Clean Hand Project II”.The project was held to remind all staff of the hospital, the largest on the island, about the importance…
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Phuket Live Wire: Wait until Christmas
PHUKET: Last week I talked about the direction the computer industry is headed as we barrel along toward the Christmas season. If you’re thinking about buying any new electronics – computer, tablet, phone, maybe even a TV – it would be worthwhile to stay on top of developments between now and Christmas. Some of the stuff coming down the pipe…
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Weather advisory for Phuket, Andaman Coast
PHUKET: The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory for the six Andaman Coast provinces of Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun.Southwest monsoonal conditions prevailing over the west coast will bring wind gusts and heavy to very heavy rain in some areas. Flash flooding may occur in risk areas; people are advised to proceed with caution. Wind-driven…
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Phuket poll: Have you ever cheated on your partner?
PHUKET: Results of the annual international sex survey by condom manufacturing firm Durex reveal Thai couples to be among the most promiscuous on the planet. The results have stirred up controversy, denials and debate throughout the country. To get a local angle on all this alleged infidelity, the Phuket Gazette online asks its own esteemed readers whether they have ever…
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DNA tests confirm French tourist as Tiger Disco fire victim
PHUKET: The Royal Thai Police Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bangkok has confirmed that the fourth – and last – victim to be identified from the Tiger Discotheque fire in Phuket on August 17 is that of French tourist Emmanuel Becard, aged 30. Friends of Mr Becard reported him as missing the day after the fire, which killed four people.…
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All silent on “insecticide’ causing deaths of Canadian sisters
PHUKET: A spokesperson at the forensic laboratory at Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok today declined to confirm or deny reports that insecticide containing DEET had been identified as the cause of death of Audrey and Noemi Belanger. The sisters, Audrey, age 20, and Noemi, 25, from Quebec, Canada, were found dead in their hotel room on Phi Phi Island on June…
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Hunt continues for suspect in Phuket Police shooting
PHUKET: Chalong Police continue to search for a suspect who remains at-large following the June shooting of an on-duty officer in a live music venue in Phuket. Lt Col Boonlert Onklang of the Chalong Police told the Phuket Gazette today (September 4) that his officers are still searching for Phiromchai “Un” Tuaktham, the only one of five suspects wanted in…
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French tourist killed, another comatose in Phuket motorbike crash
PHUKET: One French tourist is dead and another remains in a coma after the motorbike they were riding crashed on the beach road in Karon before dawn yesterday.Chalong duty officer Boonlert Onklang said that police were informed of the accident, at a curved section of the beach road near the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort, at 3.40am. Arriving at the scene,…
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Flood takes steam out of Tiger Discotheque extension inquiry
PHUKET: The investigation into whether or not the alleged “extension” to the ill-fated Tiger Discotheque in Patong was legal fell flat last week after Patong Municipality admitted that it had lost the original plan to the building in a flood nearly a decade ago. The investigation was launched after four people died in the lethal blaze at the club, located…
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“…but I do believe there is an issue here.”
“I want to apologize for the timing of my comments but I do believe there is an issue here.” Oscar Pistorius has apologized for his outburst after he lost the final of the 200 meters at the Paralympic Games in London. South African Pistorius, known as Blade Runner, was beaten to the post by Alan Oliveira in a shock result,…
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Phuket to host ITU World Triathlon Long Distance Series opener
PHUKET: Next year, Phuket will host one of the eight prestigious events of the ITU Long Distance World Triathlon Series. The event will be held in Patong on May 4-5, 2013. The news was delivered today by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha, accompanied by Bryan Lunt, chairman & CEO of title sponsor Absolute World Group. Joining them at a press conference…
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Phone call ends suicide drama atop Phuket billboard
PHUKET: A troubled man, who this afternoon climbed atop a billboard opposite the Central Festival Phuket shopping complex, has climbed down to safety and is now in police protective custody. Phuket City Police Superintendent Sermphan Sirikhong identified the man as Sathien Promsang, originally from Trang province. “Mr Sathien told us that he had come to Phuket to find his wife…
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Phuket Sports: Islanders almost bag the Cat
PHUKET: The Islanders maintained their 10th place standing in the 18-team Yamaha Division One football league thanks to a 1-1 home draw against Nakhon Ratchasima FC on Saturday evening. The match, played under clear skies at Phuket FC’s Surakul Stadium, drew a crowd of about 2,500 fans, including dozens of Korat “Swat Cat” fans who travelled all the way from…
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Landslide win for Phuket’s Pian Keesin – the Mayor of Patong
PHUKET: Pian Keesin was re-elected to a third consecutive term as Patong Mayor yesterday, with members of his “Rak Patong” party winning 17 of the 18 seats contested to give him an unassailable majority in the new city council. Turnout for the polling, which ran from 8am to 3pm, was 63.5% of 12,831 eligible voters. There were 217 spoiled ballots…
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Gov orders crackdown on firecrackers, food prices for Vegetarian Festival
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has expressed his concern over the overzealous use of firecrackers and the skyrocketing prices of vegetables during the upcoming Phuket Vegetarian Festival, this year to be held from October 15-23. The news came at a meeting between Governor Tri and other senior officials and the Phuket Vegetarian Festival committee at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday. Among…
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Phuket Airport expansion finally underway
PHUKET: Wing Commander Pratheep Wichittho, Deputy Director of Airports of Thailand (AOT) Public Co Ltd, today announced that the long-awaited 5.7-billion-baht expansion project at Phuket International Airport is finally underway. Mr Pratheep was joined at a press conference at the Royal Phuket City Hotel by Phuket Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham, who said that the expansion project would not adversely affect…
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Election alcohol ban in Patong this weekend
PHUKET: All alcohol sales in Patong are banned tonight and tomorrow due to the elections for Patong Mayor and the municipal council being held in Phuket’s busiest tourism town. In accordance with the Election Act, the alcohol ban will be in effect from 6pm tonight through to midnight tomorrow night. “Retail shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and convenience stores are prohibited…
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DEET in lethal “party cocktail’ killed Canadian sisters: Autopsy
PHUKET: Krabi Provincial Police are now investigating where Canadian sisters Audrey and Noemi Belanger were possibly given a lethal cocktail containing kratom leaves and cough syrup, which may also have contained the insect repellent compound DEET. The sisters, 20-year-old Audrey and Noemi, 25, from Quebec, were found dead in their hotel room on Phi Phi Island on June 15. Police…
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Phuket FC Coach: “Anything can happen’ tonight against Korat
PHUKET: Fans of Phuket FC are confident that their side will not walk away without at least a point in tonight’s home football match against a slightly better-ranked, yet tired and injury-riddled Nakhon Ratchasima FC side. To be played at Surakul Stadium in Phuket Town, the 25th fixture of the season will kickoff at 6:30pm. The Islanders’ Head Coach, Narong…
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Phuket Sports: Futsal soon “United’; World futsal cup draw
PHUKET: The island’s professional futsal (five-a-side indoor football) team Phuket United is set to begin pre-season training for the Thailand Futsal League (TFL) 2012-2013 season, scheduled to kick off unofficially by next month. Speaking on the phone from Bangkok, the team’s secretary, Samak Rattanatilok na Phuket, informed the Gazette that the team has finally received confirmation from the TFL about…
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Forensic test results delay trial of Nong Som’s killer
PHUKET: The delay in receiving test results from the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police General Hospital in Bangkok has resulted police having to defer bringing to trial the killer of 17-year-old Sunisa “Nong Som” Saiyoy. Nong Som was killed by an intruder in her family home in Chalong on July 10 while her parents were still tending to their…
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Pedal power from Deep South arrives in Phuket
PHUKET: A sortie of 130 cyclists from Narathiwat arrived in Phuket this afternoon, pedaling their way from the troubled province in Thailand’s Deep South to Phuket Provincial Hall in just three days. There to welcome the cyclists was Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) Chief Dr Sak Tanchaikul. “This bike rally was a cooperative effort between the Phuket Public Health Office…
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Once in a Blue Moon
PHUKET: The National Astronomical Research Institute (NARIT) has announced that the rare lunar event, known as a ‘Blue Moon’, is scheduled to occur tonight. NARIT Deputy Director, Dr. Sarun Posayachinda elaborated that a Blue Moon refers to the second full moon within a given month. A full moon generally takes place once a month. This occurrence happens approximately once every…
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Phuket Sports: Football season in its infancy
PHUKET: Last weekend was the second week of the new football season and even though it is still early, a familiar pattern seems to be emerging. Manchester City and Liverpool played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Martin Skrtel the hero and villain of the game. The Slovakian international defender opened the scoring for Liverpool, but all his good work…
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Chalong Mayor gets cooking at Phuket food, entertainment festival
PHUKET: The first annual “Chalong Food and Entertainment Festival” kicked off in Phuket last night, and will continue to offer a wide variety of food and beverage options, as well as staged entertainment through to Monday night. The five-day event is open from 4pm to midnight in the field opposite Wat Ladthi Wanaram (“Wat Tai”), on Chao Fa East Road…
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Cristiano Ronaldo: “It is the most difficult group in my opinion
PHUKET: “It is the most difficult group in my opinion and I think that’s the same for most people. But we are champions of Spain and we are ready to compete with everybody.” After the draw for the Champions League Group Stages the Real Madrid midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo admitted his team face a daunting task in Group D with Manchester…
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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