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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Kata landslide inquiry faces delays, further interviews planned for March
The inquiry into the landslide in Kata that resulted in 13 fatalities and numerous injuries in August last year has encountered delays. Karon police require further interviews with victims and witnesses due to the significant damage. Officers have arranged additional questioning for March 5, with witnesses also expected to provide more statements. Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekkasak Kwanwan, Senior Inspector (Investigation)…
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Phuket tightens immigration checks amid illegal work, drug concerns
Phuket, in collaboration with international consulates, is intensifying its immigration checks and efforts to combat illegal activities due to a rise in drug-related offences and the presence of foreigners working without proper documentation on the island. Last year, 194 foreigners had their visas revoked, and 998 faced deportation in Phuket for activities primarily linked to drugs and working without valid…
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Phuket to host Thailand Biennale 2025, showcasing global art
Phuket is set to become a global art hotspot as the Thailand Biennale 2025 gears up to showcase a fusion of contemporary creativity and natural beauty. The Ministry of Culture officially launched the event’s first group of participating artists during a press conference at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on Thursday, February 27. With the theme Eternity, the international…
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Patong road rage: Pickup driver brutally attacks motorist
A shocking road rage incident in Patong has sparked outrage after a viral video captured a pickup truck driver launching a brutal attack following a minor collision. Patong Police have launched an investigation after footage of the assault spread across social media, drawing widespread condemnation. The disturbing clip, shared by Facebook user Pooja Pooja, shows a white covered pickup truck…
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Chinese couple busted at Phuket condo for illegal business
A Chinese couple was arrested yesterday in a dramatic raid at a luxury condominium in Kathu, Phuket for allegedly operating an illegal business in Thailand. Phuket Immigration, working with the Investigation Unit of the Crime Suppression Division 3 and Region 8 Crime Suppression Division, swooped on the couple’s lavish hideout at 11.30am, yesterday, February 27, catching them by surprise. The…
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Phuket petrol station refuses rider’s coin payment
A delivery rider in Phuket encountered a surprising situation at a petrol station when his attempt to pay with coins was rejected. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต highlighted the incident yesterday involving a rider named Bob, who faced refusal from an older attendant while trying to refuel his motorcycle. The rider expressed his frustration, stating he regularly refuels at the…
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Search underway for missing American woman in Phuket
A jet ski rental operator on Patong Beach in Phuket contacted the police yesterday after an American woman went missing, leaving the rented jet ski floating in the sea. The operator reported the incident to Patong Police Station at approximately 11.25am, yesterday, February 27, stating that the foreign woman, later identified as 38 year old American citizen Nina Ng, disappeared.…
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Phuket Airport to boost flight capacity to 35 per hour
The Thai Ministry of Transport has instructed the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Company Limited (AEROTHAI) to enhance Phuket Airport’s flight handling capacity. By 2025, the aim is to increase from 25 to 35 flights per hour. Deputy Minister of Transport Monaporn Charernsri announced yesterday, February 27 that AEROTHAI is examining methods to boost Phuket Airport’s efficiency, one of Thailand’s busiest…
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Phuket crackdown: 11 arrested in nominee business scam
Phuket Immigration has launched a major crackdown on illegal nominee businesses, leading to the arrest of 11 foreigners and the seizure of substantial evidence. The coordinated raids targeted 15 suspected businesses across the island, exposing a network of foreign nationals allegedly using Thai nominees to operate prohibited enterprises. The large-scale operation was led by Police Colonel Kriangkrai Ariyaying, head of…
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Phuket officials under fire: Ombudsman probes corruption claims
Allegations of corruption and negligence are rocking Phuket as Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the Ombudsman, Khanitnan Aphicharn, arrived to investigate a series of complaints against local officials accused of turning a blind eye to illegal activities. The explosive allegations were discussed at a high-stakes meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday, February 24, chaired by Phuket Vice Governor…
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Phuket hotel project halted after environmental concerns raised
A controversial hotel project in Cherng Talay’s Pasak Soi 6 has been halted after outraged residents pressured officials to review its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), citing concerns about transparency, zoning violations, and environmental damage. The proposed Nebu Hotel, set to be a seven-storey building on a small 1,200-square-metre plot, was planned in a Yellow Zone designated for low-density residential use.…
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Justice served: Phuket grants over 900k to crime victims
The Phuket Provincial Justice Office has approved 911,913.25 baht in financial compensation for 15 victims of crimes committed against them. The decision was made during a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday, February 24, chaired by Poolsuk Phengsang, the newly elected Provincial Attorney for the Protection of Rights, Legal Assistance and Enforcement. The meeting was the second session of…
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Phuket meeting targets land disputes and environmental issues
Phuket’s top officials gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, February 25, to confront the island’s escalating land disputes and environmental challenges. The high-stakes meeting, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, aimed to tackle the complex issues of land encroachment, overlapping claims, and environmental degradation, all of which threaten the island’s sustainability. The meeting was attended by heavyweights in the…
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Washed up: Garbage crisis floods Phuket’s Sirinat National Park
Sirinat National Park on Phuket’s northeast coast is drowning in garbage, sparking serious concerns among officials and locals. The mounting waste problem has reached alarming levels, with 200 to 300 kilogrammes of trash generated daily but left uncollected due to limited resources, according to Park Chief Siriwat Suebsai. The shocking revelation emerged during a visit by the House of Representatives…
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Tourists attacked on Bangla Road, police hunt for security guard
A wild night on Bangla Road turned violent when two foreign tourists were brutally assaulted by at least one security guard, leaving them injured and shaken. The shocking incident occurred in the early hours of today, February 25, prompting a swift response from Patong Police who are now hunting for the attacker. The two victims were identified as 24 year…
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Eight Chinese nationals arrested for illegal work in Phuket
Thai police yesterday apprehended eight Chinese nationals illegally working as contractors at a construction site in Thalang district, Phuket. The operation, carried out by the Immigration Bureau in collaboration with local security forces, followed a tip-off from a concerned citizen. Upon arrival at the construction site in Thep Krasattri subdistrict, yesterday, February 24, police encountered over 10 foreign people. When…
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3 Thais, 1 foreigner arrested for kidnapping 2 Vietnamese men
Police arrested three Thai men and one foreigner after the gang attempted to kidnap two Vietnamese men for ransom on Kho Simbi Road in Phuket at the weekend. Officers from Mueang Phuket Police Station were alerted to the kidnapping at 11.46pm on Saturday, February 22, by a friend of the Vietnamese victims. The two Vietnamese nationals, 40 year old Van…
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Foreign man walks naked in Phuket, ignoring bystanders’ shock
A foreign man was seen walking naked outside a convenience store in Phuket last night shocking bystanders and drawing hilarious comments from Thai netizens. The Phuket Times shared pictures of the naked foreigner yesterday, February 24, with a caption that read, “This foreign man walked naked in Soi Ta-iad, Phuket. He does not care about anyone and does not feel embarrassed.”…
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Hiss-terical escape: King cobra slithers into chaos during Kamala transfer
An encounter with a king cobra swiftly spiralled into chaos when the slithery reptile made a daring escape during its transfer to a new container in Kamala. The incident triggered an urgent and tense effort to recapture the elusive serpent on Saturday, February 22. The king cobra had been captured earlier that day at a hotel in Kamala by Kusoldharm…
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Phuket taxi driver threatened, suspects identified by police
Cherng Talay police officers identified two men accused of threatening a metered taxi driver after he picked up two foreign passengers at Boat Avenue, Phuket, earlier this month. The legal status of the aggressors remains undetermined. Phudit Sa-atphan, a legally registered metered taxi driver, publicly urged the police to intensify their efforts following his formal complaint on February 8. The incident…
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Phuket aims for 500 billion baht in tourism revenue this year
Phuket is set to bring in a tourism revenue of 500 billion baht this year, as outlined by the Provincial Governor, Sophon Suwannarat. Last year’s tourism revenue was deemed successful, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reporting that over 13.14 million tourists visited, generating at least 497 billion baht. Sophon highlighted this year’s goal of 500 billion baht, noting…
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Phuket officials tackle drug issues in Rawai sea gypsy community
Officials from Phuket Mueang District Office are intensifying their efforts to address drug-related concerns within the sea gypsy community in Rawai. The goal is to implement initiatives that will bring about long-term positive effects. Mueang Phuket District Chief Pairoj Srilamul led a community forum at the village on February 20, accompanied by Rawai Deputy Mayor Thiraphong Thaodaeng, government officials, local…
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Phuket scam victims rise to 5,500, losses hit 413 million baht
Over 5,500 people in Phuket were victims of scam calls and online fraud last year, with losses escalating to 413 million baht, as confirmed by Police Colonel Kritsada Manawongsakun, Director of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) Region 5. Pol. Col. Kritsada stated that while the trend has been rising since 2022, there was a significant increase in scam calls…
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British man drops cocaine at Phuket Airport and causes a scene
A British man caused a scene at Phuket International Airport on February 18 after allegedly dropping a bag of cocaine while rolling on the floor in a frantic outburst. The suspect, who had arrived from Shanghai on Juneyao Air flight HO 1323, reportedly began shouting and rolling on the ground, drawing the attention of immigration officers. Footage shows him lying…
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Phuket police arrest 13 Chinese tourists in illegal gambling raid
Phuket Provincial Police arrested 13 Chinese tourists involved in an illegal gambling operation in Phuket Town, supported by locals. The raid, led by Police Colonel Ekkalak Boonsangcharoen, occurred at the Phuket Poker Sports Club in Soi Poonphol at 11pm on February 20. The gambling venue, managed by a Thai national, was secretly catering to Chinese gamblers. During the operation, police…
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Australian couple arrested for snatching belongings from Phuket tourists
Police today arrested an Australian couple for snatching the belongings of two foreign tourists in the Rawai area of Phuket on Wednesday, February 19. The first victim filed a complaint at Chalong Police Station at around 9.30pm, today, February 21, stating that two thieves on a motorcycle snatched her bag while she was outside a convenience store on Soi Samakkhi…
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Foreign tourist jumps from moving tuk tuk in Phuket (video)
A foreign tourist jumped out of a moving tuk tuk on a road in the Patong area of Phuket yesterday, February 20. Details of his injuries and the reason behind his actions have not been reported. Phuket Hotnews shared dashcam footage of the unexpected jump yesterday. The incident occurred as a red tuk tuk travelled from the Patong area towards…
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Thai woman fined for letting foreigner drive tuk tuk in Phuket
A Thai woman faces a fine for allowing a foreign tourist to drive her tuk tuk in Phuket yesterday, February 20. The Facebook news page Phuket Times yesterday shared pictures of a foreign man driving a light blue tuk tuk along a Phuket road, accompanied by a caption criticising the foreigner for allegedly working illegally in Thailand. The caption read……
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Firefighters battle wildfire at Laem Krathing, Phuket
Firefighters in Phuket are continuing efforts to control a wildfire that erupted at Laem Krathing in Rawai late last night, February 20, impacting approximately five rai of land. The blaze, which began at 8.20pm, rapidly spread over 500 metres of hillside terrain, challenging firefighting teams due to the difficult location. Emergency responders faced hurdles as fire trucks and large machinery…
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Phuket hosts Deep South youth for cultural exchange
Phuket is gearing up to host disadvantaged youth from Thailand’s Deep South as part of the San Jai Thai Su Jai Tai project, an initiative designed to bridge cultural gaps and provide life-changing experiences for young people from conflict-affected regions. Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer, Thiraphong Chuaychu, announced the initiative at a meeting held at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, February…
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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