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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Brazilian national’s reckless car chase in Patong leads to multiple collisions
A reckless high-speed car chase on the streets of Patong resulted in the capture of a Brazilian national. The man’s careless actions not only caused multiple collisions but also sent a van carrying foreign tourists careering off the road. Early this morning, a report came into the local police station about a hit-and-run incident near the Government Savings Bank Intersection…
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Phuket transport twist: Anytime car caught in green-plate pickle, faces regulatory roadblock
Bright and early yesterday morning, representatives from the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) descended upon Patong. Their mission? To probe into an Anytime car-sharing vehicle found parked in a spot earmarked for green-plate taxis and tourist rental vehicles. This inspection was initially reported by the Phuket Info Center. It was noted that the PLTO, in conjunction with police and other…
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Phuket Airport’s rain-check: Dampening floors lead to a slip-up
Phuket International Airport, managed by Airports of Thailand (AoT Phuket), recently experienced a minor slip-up. A leaky roof in the arrivals hall of the domestic terminal led to some disruption, leading the airport to extend a public apology and caution to those visiting the terminal about the possibility of a dampening experience on the floor. The apology from AoT Phuket…
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Patong: Boosting tourist safety on Bangla Road with new STC project
Major General Saksira Phueakam, Commissioner of Tourist Police, recently embarked on a tour of the bustling Bangla Road in Patong, a hotspot for tourists, as part of a new initiative aimed at enhancing safety and security for visitors in the forthcoming high season. This came on the heels of Maj. Gen. Saksira’s launch of the Strong Tourism Community (STC) project,…
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Water supply timeout: Phuket residents set for thirst quenching pause
Residents in Phuket’s Bang Jo area are bracing themselves for a disruption in their water supply. The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) of Phuket declared a temporary halt in the water supply from the evening of November 9 to the early hours of November 10. The shut-off is a result of repair work that needs to be carried out in the…
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Phuket man found dead in apparent suicide, mental health issues suspected
The tranquillity of a peaceful neighbourhood in Kathu, Phuket was shattered in the early hours of yesterday as a gunshot echoed through the narrow lanes of Soi Si Kor, Moo 6 and a Thai man was found dead. The victim was identified as a 62 year old former school janitor from Patong. His lifeless body was discovered in a two-storey…
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Phuket’s peace shattered: 36,000 methamphetamine pills ‘Yabandoned’ by arrested suspect
The tranquillity of Phuket‘s streets was shattered when local law enforcement apprehended a single suspect, seizing a staggering 36,000 pills of methamphetamine, colloquially known as Yaba. The main protagonist in this unexpected drama was Chanaphon Bamrungwong, also known as Suea, a 36 year old resident of Moo 7, Ratsada. Phuket’s Provincial Police reported his arrest yesterday evening, after intercepting him…
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Phuket’s Safety Sandbox: Island paradise prepares for full-scale safety drill
Phuket, a tropical paradise best known for its white sandy beaches, is gearing up for a comprehensive safety drill. Dubbed the Safety Phuket Island Sandbox, the exercise is slated for November 26Â and will unfold in three different locations across the island. The initiative will showcase the readiness of emergency services while providing hands-on experience for the island’s emergency responders.…
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Foreign national arrested for overstaying visa launching Crime Free Phuket year two
A foreign national was taken into custody at the weekend at Phuket International Airport for overstaying his visa by 80 days. This event marks the launch of the second year of the Crime Free Phuket initiative run by the local Immigration Bureau. The past year has seen the arrest of 188 individuals, with overstaying visas accounting for 66 of these…
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Safety in numbers: Phuket’s Tourist Police gathering gears up for high season
A remarkable gathering took place yesterday in the bustling epicentre of Phuket Town. The assembly, spearheaded by Tourist Police Commissioner Major General Saksira Phueakam, was a formidable display of dedication towards ensuring the safety of tourists during the impending high season of tourism. The meet-up took place just ahead of the grand opening of the inaugural Chartered Walking Street market on Phang…
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Phuket motorbike crash claims the life of young foreign tourists
A tragic motorbike crash unfolded in the early hours of yesterday morning, in Rawai, Phuket, resulting in the untimely death of two young tourists; a 21 year old American man and a 19 year old woman from Luxembourg. The pair were on a motorbike when a car, reportedly, crashed into them from behind on Wiset Road. The news of the horrifying…
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Russian tourist’s iPhone odyssey: Close call on Phuket taxi
A Russian tourist had a close call when he inadvertently left his iPhone in a taxi on his way to Phuket International Airport last Friday. The tourist, whose identity remains undisclosed, was able to retrieve his phone in a nick of time before his flight back to Russia took off, all thanks to the combined efforts of the Phuket Tourist…
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Urak Lawoi sea gypsies celebrate traditional Loy Reua festival in Phuket
Sweeping waves gently nudged a hand-carved boat off the coast of Koh Siray, east of Phuket Town, marking the culmination of the week-long Loy Reua festival. Celebrated by the Urak Lawoi sea gipsies, the festival is a time-honoured tradition where a boat, brimming with offerings, is set adrift as an offering to the spirit of the sea in hopes of…
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How Phuket’s once tourism-reliant Greater Bangtao is tranforming into an international ‘Gold-Coast’ community
Phuket’s once-quiet beachside west coast community of Bangtao is experiencing an unparalleled surge in real estate development. According to new research from C9 Hotelworks, there are currently 7,842 condominium units (click to see upcoming project map). Added to the supply influx are just over 2,400 upscale and luxury homes, which equate to a pipeline of more than 10,000 residential units…
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Phuket town resident scoops 24 million baht in government lottery
Luck has smiled warmly on a 48 year old Phuket Town resident who recently became an instant millionaire. On Wednesday, November 1, Duangjai Inrod won a staggering 24 million baht in the Government Lottery. The Talad Neua Subdistrict resident didn’t spare a moment in stepping forward to claim her substantial winnings. With her winning lottery e-tickets in hand, she arrived…
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Phra Mettha Road in Phuket reopens after four-month closure
Phuket’s Phra Mettha Road, which had been sealed off for approximately four months, once again welcomed the hustle and bustle of traffic on November 1. The artery of Patong, this road spans 1 kilometre behind the Jungceylon shopping mall, stretching from Soi Banzaan to Soi Nanai Ruamjai. The closure, which began on June 20, was necessary for the construction of…
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Phuket governor launches safety campaign by Volunteer Defense Corps for peak tourist season
Governor Sophon Suwannarat has recently initiated an ambitious safety campaign on the verdant island of Phuket. Yesterday, an official ceremony marked the commencement of a project that will mobilise the local branch of the Volunteer Defense Corps, locally known as OrSor, to boost security measures and clamp down on criminal activities during the peak tourism season. The role of Governor…
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Phuket police’s drug sweep bags 49,000 meth tablets and 4.43 grammes of crystal clear success
In a sweeping crackdown against narcotics in Phuket Town, the Phuket Provincial Police successfully confiscated a hefty amount of illegal drugs, totalling over 49,000 methamphetamine tablets and 4.43 grams of crystal meth. The street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be more than 800,000 baht. This operation targeted various drug dealers across the city and resulted in multiple…
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Phuket advances new road project to ease traffic and boost disaster resilience
The working group tasked with overseeing the proposed new road project linking Kathu and Srisoonthorn in Phuket confirmed that it will proceed with the required surveys and inspections. The group will also create maps delineating the land boundaries, thus paving the way for the road’s construction. The working group, led by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan, convened at Phuket Provincial…
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Phuket: 3 billion baht for pipeline to solve water issues and boost tourism
Phuket officials announced plans to yet again request a budget exceeding 3 billion baht for the construction of a water supply pipeline from Phang Nga to Phuket, aiming to resolve ongoing water issues and bolster tourism in the region. The budget request confirmation emerged during a meeting led by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat at Phuket Provincial Hall. The meeting highlighted…
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Court sentences man to 27 months for defamation against former Phuket governor
A 27-month jail term has been handed down to Aiya Phetthong by the Phuket Provincial Court, following his guilty verdict for defamation. The charges stemmed from his online posts alleging that former Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew was involved in an illegal operation smuggling Muslims into Phuket in 2021. The formal complaint against Phetthong, who is a registered resident of the…
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Phuket’s nightlife venues to stay open till 4am boosting tourism and economy
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat called upon local authorities to prepare themselves for the island’s nightlife venues, which remain open until 4am. This directive was issued during a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall, where officials were instructed to identify the precise areas or zones where the late-night operations would be applicable. The urgency for Phuket’s officials is palpable. Deputy Prime Minister…
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Phuket City gears up for debut of Chartered Walking Street market
Phuket City Municipality issued an advisory to residents and visitors alike, informing them of the forthcoming closure of Phang Nga Road this coming Sunday, November 5. The thoroughfare will be shut down from 1pm to midnight to pave the way for the debut of the Chartered Walking Street Market. The Chartered Walking Street Market’s geographical footprint will extend along Phang…
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Phuket drivers protest against new baht bus service threatening livelihoods
Around 50 tuk tuk and taxi drivers swarmed the Patong Municipality offices in Phuket yesterday to express their discontent about a proposed baht bus circular service that could potentially disrupt their livelihoods. Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, along with other officials, received the formal complaint as the officers of the Patong Police maintained order. The complaint predicted a significant impact on the…
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Foreign man found dead with 4 stab wounds at hotel in Phuket
A maid discovered the dead body of a foreign man with stab wounds to the neck in a hotel room in Phuket. There were no signs of theft or struggle. A substance similar to crystal meth was found in the bathroom. The hotel maid reported her shocking discovery to officers at Cheng Talay Police Station at around 9.30am yesterday, October…
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Stroke awareness: Phuket’s Sang Nam Jai fun run sets record turnout
Thousands of participants laced up their running shoes in the early hours of yesterday morning at Saphan Hin and Kamala Beach, Phuket, as they gathered for the 9th annual Sang Nam Jai Thai Nation fun run. The event, which is part of a nationwide series, aims to uplift awareness about strokes and their potentially life-altering impacts. The Sang Nam Jai…
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Omura’s whale spotted in Thailand’s Surin Islands for first time
A sightseeing trip in Thailand’s Surin Islands took an unexpected turn when tourists spotted a rare Omura’s whale, a species only identified in the wild eight years ago. The sighting was confirmed by the national park officers at Mu Ko Surin National Park through an online post on Thursday, October 26. The online post featured a video of the whale…
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Phuket: Proposal to extend nightlife venues operating hours to promote tourism
The proposal to extend the operating hours of nightlife venues in Phuket for a trial period of three months has been put forward by local tourism operators. Phuket Tourist Association president Thaneth Tantipiriyakij stated that the move to extend nightlife venue hours could potentially increase tourism revenue by an estimated 30%. The extension of hours would cater to the influx of…
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Police intensify search for Sia Paeng accomplice after unsuccessful house raid in southern Thailand
Police recently surrounded the house of an individual known as Jakkree Pannoi, or Big, but failed to locate him. His wife was detained and questioned to establish links to the Chaowalit Thongduang case. Jakkree’s wife denied any involvement. Meanwhile, Jirawut Chumsri, or Boy, an associate of Sia Paeng, agreed to surrender today. Jakkree is believed to be an accomplice of Chaowalit,…
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Phuket MP urges swift action on delayed Patong Tunnel
Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee recently took the floor in the House of Representatives, using his platform to challenge the ongoing delay in the construction of the much-anticipated Patong Tunnel. The Speaker of the House and the Deputy Minister of Transport were present to hear his concerns. With a reputation as a renowned tourist hotspot, Patong’s economic health is largely reliant…
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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