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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Sponsored The real cost of being a digital nomad in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for digital nomads, known for its affordable living, lively culture, and modern facilities. With its warm climate, great food, and friendly communities, it's an ideal place for remote workers to balance work and travel. However,...
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Phuket paves way for new visa for parents of international school students
Phuket officials are paving the way for a new visa category, aimed specifically at parents of children studying in international schools. However, this new visa provision is not without its safeguarding measures. The approval process will include a thorough criminal background check, an effort to keep individuals with a criminal past from residing in Phuket under the guise of their…
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Double trouble no more: MMA Askhabov twins emerge unscathed from torture conspiracy charges
Renowned MMA fighter Khusein Askhabov, and his identical twin, Khasan, have been released unscathed following charges of conspiracy to torture and extortion. The Askhabov brothers’ release was broadcast on a Russian-language social media platform, as verified by the sports channel Red Fury MMA. The charges originated from an incident involving the alleged invasion of an Italian man’s villa by three Kazakh…
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Rescue mission swiftly saves sailors after catamaran hits rocks off Thailand
A maritime accident off the coast of Thailand’s Krabi province led to a swift and successful rescue mission by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and Koh Lanta National Park officials last Thursday. The incident involved a Phuket-based sailing catamaran called Lady Miya, which hit a rocky outcrop on Koh Ha island, jeopardizing the safety of its six passengers. The alert…
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Drunk driving crackdown: Patong police launches bold initiative
An innovative approach to combat drunk driving has been launched by the Patong Police Station in Phuket. Tourists who are unable to drive back to their accommodation due to intoxication can now reach out to local police officers for assistance. This new measure, aimed at enhancing safety, was announced through a series of posts on the police station’s official Facebook…
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Chalong’s ex-mayor resists pressure to close popular Suksamran Market
Former Chalong Mayor Samran Jindapol is standing his ground against formal charges, refusing to shut down the popular Suksamran Market on Chao Fa East Road, despite pressure from Chalong Municipality. The market, which has been functioning without disruption for nearly ten years, is still bustling with residents and vendors, who continue to back Samran staunchly. The ex-mayor, fondly known by…
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Phuket: Luxembourg family demands justice after fatal road accident
A tragic accident in Phuket has left the family of a young woman from Luxembourg seeking answers. Nineteen-year-old Schintgen Cey-lan was killed in a road collision earlier this month, along with her American boyfriend, 21 year old Nickolas Joseph Ayoub. The two were riding a motorbike when a car, driven by Russian national Irina Pustovalova, hit them from behind. The…
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Holiday horror: American tourist’s idyllic adventure turns tragic near Phuket’s Khai Nai Islands
A 75 year old American tourist met a tragic end during what was supposed to be a blissful day trip to the Khai Nai Islands near Phuket. Police Lieutenant Colonel Weerayuth Thansirisukvorakul of Phuket City Police received a call from Phuket Provincial Hospital at 11 am on November 22, revealing the demise of Danny G Liu. The picturesque Khai Islands,…
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Phuket seminar highlights fight against gender-based violence
The city of Phuket recently played host to a seminar aimed at combatting violence against women, children, and the LGBTQ+ community. Organised by the Phuket Provincial Prosecutor’s Office and the local branch of the Baan Sri Chumphaban Foundation, the event saw over 100 people gather to engage in meaningful discussions on the topic. The seminar, titled Equality between genders to…
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Taxi cooperatives dispute: Phuket vice governor urges calm
Tensions have been simmering amongst taxi cooperatives in Phuket, as a recent meeting saw the island’s vice governor pleading with drivers to keep their emotions in check when dealing with mobile app taxi drivers. Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan’s plea comes in light of a series of confrontations and issues that have been escalating on the island’s roads. The gathering took…
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Phuket motorbike mayhem: Tourist Police send clear message on green book ownership
Phuket‘s Tourist Police issued a stern reminder to foreigners purchasing motorbikes, emphasising the importance of having the green registration book in their name. This advice follows a recent dispute between a Russian tourist and a local motorbike rental shop that refused to return his vehicle key. The disagreement came to light on November 18, when the Phuket Tourist Police were informed…
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Phuket’s Quick Win: PM’s health initiative rolls out free flu vaccines for locals and tourists
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s public health initiative in Phuket, the Quick Win policy, has been launched, offering free flu vaccines for both locals and tourists alike. The Phuket News clarified that this service is available to anyone involved in the tourism industry, either as a Thai national or a foreign worker with a valid work permit. There was an earlier…
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Rising Zika virus cases alarm health officials in Phuket
Phuket’s Provincial Health Office (PPHO) sounded the alarm over rising cases of Zika virus, particularly in Rawai, Phuket. The warning was triggered by a long-standing expatriate, expressing alarm over the increasing number of infections in the Saiyuan area. In response to these concerns, the Rawai Municipality took swift action, testing all occupants of one house. The expatriates detailed their efforts.…
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3D-printed coral islands to rejuvenate Phuket’s degraded reefs
The coastal waters of Racha Yai Island, south of Phuket, are about to witness a groundbreaking ecological restoration project. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) initiated a project to install 88 sets of 3D-printed coral larvae islands at Siam Bay, to restore the severely degraded coral reef in the area. At the helm of this inaugural installation was…
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Phuket police issue prohibitions for upcoming Loy Krathong Festival
Phuket’s Provincial Police force issued a stern reminder of the prohibitions in place for the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival celebrations. These regulations, originally announced by Region 8 Police on Monday, November 20, were communicated by Region 8 Police Commander Lieutenant General Surapong Thanomjit. Situated at the top end of Phuket, Region 8 Police headquarters oversees law enforcement activities across seven…
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Phuket: Scheduled power outage by PEA Thalang in Mai Khao area
The Provincial Electricity Authority‘s Thalang branch (PEA Thalang) in Phuket made public its plans for a scheduled power outage in the expansive Mai Khao area tomorrow (Thursday, November 23). The interruption to the power supply, which is set to last from 9am to 5pm, is a necessary measure to allow maintenance workers to conduct repair works on high-voltage cables within…
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Thai man arrested at Phuket Airport over computer crime charges
A 33 year old Thai man, accused of computer-related crime, was apprehended while attempting to depart from Thailand through Phuket International Airport. The arrest took place around 10.30pm on November 20, in the international departures hall, according to immigration officers stationed at the airport. The individual was sought after under arrest warrant No. 197/2566, issued by the Sisaket Provincial Court…
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Phuket police launches anti-crime campaign ahead of Loy Krathong Festival
Phuket City Police Station was a buzz of activity as it marked the initiation of an intensive seven-day anti-crime campaign, aimed at ensuring safety during the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival. The campaign, spearheaded by Region 8 Police Deputy Commander Police Major General Nipon Rattanasirisaengchot, kicked off yesterday, November 20 and is set to run until November 26. The Loy Krathong…
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Southern Thailand: Illegal waste dumping threatens Ratsada’s mangrove forests
Garbage dumping within the mangrove forests near the Soi King Kaew community in southern Thailand is causing concerns and disrupting the harmony of the ecosystem. Local authorities have started investigations led by Ratsada’s Mayor, Nakarin Yosaengrat who has pointed out a potential culprit and initiated legal action. Mayor Nakarin, along with an entourage of officials from the Ratsada Municipality executive…
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Inferno consumes Chevrolet Aveo in Phuket, arson not ruled out
A Chevrolet Aveo sedan was consumed by an inferno late last night in Soi Thanuthep, Chalong, Phuket. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation, with local authorities yet to confirm whether it was an accident or a deliberate act of arson. The police were notified about the incident around 10.30pm. Lieutenant Charat Lemphan of the Chalong Police Department…
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Swedish embassy appoints Honorary Consul in Phuket to boost Thai-Swedish relations
An Honorary Consul has been appointed in Phuket by the Swedish embassy in Thailand, aiming to amplify Thai-Swedish relations on the popular tourist island. To date this year, there have been 110,000 Swedish tourists in Thailand. Anna Hammargren, the Swedish Ambassador to Thailand, was warmly received by Deputy Governor of Phuket, Amnuay Pinsuwan at the City Hall, during her official…
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Phuket man caught using fake red license plates to avoid loan payments
Phuket Highway Police apprehended a man using counterfeit red license plates on his vehicle, following his admission that he was unable to keep up with his car loan payments. The black Toyota Vios, sporting the dubious license plates, was first spotted by officers at a Highway Police rest stop. The car was parked near a restroom, its licence plates bearing…
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Gunshots shatter the rhythm on Phuket’s Bangla Road boulevard
The heart of Phuket’s nightlife on Bangla Road was jolted awake early this morning with the sharp echo of gunshots ringing through the air. In the aftermath, the President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA), Weerawit Krueasombat, swiftly took to social media to clarify the incident and dismiss the circulating rumours. In a detailed Facebook update, Weerawit lambasted the reports…
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Phi Phi islands: Tourist boat sinking prompts safety concerns
A startling incident unfolded on the serene waters surrounding Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands when a longtail boat, tasked with ferrying six tourists to Bamboo Island, sank. The boat sinking mishap has triggered an urgent call from the chief of the Phi Phi Islands National Park, Yutthaphong Damsrisuk, for all boat operators to step up their safety measures. The alarm bells…
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Thai-MECC rescues Phang Nga student from perilous waters
A dramatic rescue operation unfolded yesterday in the swift waters between Phuket and mainland Thailand. A student from Phang Nga, who was seen jumping off the Sarasin Bridge, was rescued by a local fishing boat and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (THAI-MECC). The THAI-MECC, stationed at the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command in Cape Panwa, received word of…
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Forest faux pas: Illegal loggers caught in the act as DSI turns the spotlight on hidden tree mischief in Thailand
An unsanctioned logging operation, hidden deep within Thailand’s Bang Khanun protected forest, was inadvertently exposed during a routine inspection by officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Conducted in conjunction with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and forest protection officials, the group stumbled upon the illegal exploitation yesterday. Vice Admiral Suchart Thammapitakwet, the commander of the RTN’s Third Area…
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Phuket’s Patong beachfront to host air-sea rescue exercise
The beachfront of Patong in Phuket is set to become a stage for an elaborate display of emergency preparedness. The impending air-sea rescue exercise, initially slated to take place later this month, is part of a series of events aimed at showcasing the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of tourists, announced Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat yesterday. The mock disaster scenario…
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Patong Hill road set for major safety makeover in Phuket
The notorious Patong Hill road in Phuket is set to undergo a significant makeover aimed at enhancing safety and reducing the frequency of accidents, particularly on its steep slopes. This development comes as a response to mounting concerns and complaints from local inhabitants about the hazardous condition of the frequently used road. The plan was unveiled after Phuket Governor Sophon…
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Phuket police apprehend duo for vandalising Russian tour buses
The tranquil island of Phuket was shaken as two men were seized by police for allegedly vandalising Russian tour buses. The duo was said to be receiving a bounty of 1,000 baht for each vehicle they damaged using a slingshot and ball bearings. They managed to wreak havoc on ten buses before their arrest. The arrests were made following a…
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Burglary busters: Thalang police nab duo, bringing relief to southern Thailand’s crime-weary community
In a series of successful home burglary crackdowns, Thalang police apprehended two suspects in Thepkrasattri, in southern Thailand. This recent breakthrough in the investigation came as a relief to the local community, which had been plagued by a spate of break-ins and robberies. The two men, 41 year old Anon “Nont” Somphet, a resident of Moo 4, Thepkrasattri, and 44…
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Down under dilemma: Australian arrested at Phuket Airport with cocaine stash hidden in passport
A 26 year old Australian national found himself in hot water upon his arrival at Phuket International Airport. The arrest came about after a small quantity of cocaine was discovered hidden within his passport by vigilant immigration officers. The young man, whose name was conspicuously absent from the first reports released by the Phuket Immigration Checkpoint officers, was apprehended in…
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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