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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Phuket medical staff assist Ayutthaya flood victims
PHUKET: Emergency medical staff from Phuket have joined the flood-relief efforts in the devastated province of Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok. Led by Dr Weerasak Lorthongkham, the first Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) from the Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) reached the disaster zone on October 5 for a 10-day assignment, said PPHO deputy director Dr Wiwat Seetamanotch. They arrived as…
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World’s largest solar-powered boat to arrive in Phuket
PHUKET: The Turanor, the first solar-powered boat to attempt a circumnavigation of the globe, is scheduled to moor at Phuket’s Ao Po Marina, on Phuket’s east coast, at about 7:30am tomorrow. The stunning piece of technology and craftmanship, will remain in Phuket until Wednesday and will be visited by a delegation from the Swiss embassy in Thailand on Tuesday. The…
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Road reopens after Phuket bus crash
PHUKET: Police have reopened one traffic lane on a section of Patak Road where a Phuket tour bus overturned on the Chalong-Kata Hill earlier this morning, killing at least one person. “They are allowing traffic to pass in one direction at a time to ease the tailbacks on the hill,” said one bystander. “Emergency workers are trying to recover the…
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Phuket Breaking News: Bus overturns on Chalong-Kata hill
PHUKET: A tour bus overturned on a steep section of Patak Road in Chalong this morning, resulting in multiple injuries and at least one fatality. A female Chinese tourist in her 60s has died in the accident, Chalong Police confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. A nurse at the scene said that at least 26 people were injured. The bus overturned…
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Matthieu Ricard in Phuket for Buddhist talk tomorrow
PHUKET: The Thanyapura Mind Centre (TMC) is welcoming back world-renowned academic-turned-Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard for an exclusive visit and discussion tomorrow. Venerable Matthieu Ricard will deliver a talk entitled “Towards an education based on co-operation and the cultivation of fundamental human values”. The French-born academic left his distinguished scientific career in 1972 to concentrate on Buddhist contemplative practice. He has…
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Phuket tourist stabbed at Phi Phi beach party
PHUKET: A British backpacker is recovering in Bangkok Hospital Phuket tonight after being stabbed at a beach party on Phi Phi Island. Nicholas Palmer, 22, was rushed to Phuket by speedboat at about 1am today after he was stabbed twice in the middle of a crowded party at Ton Sai Bay. Mr Palmer, from Worcestershire in England, underwent an operation…
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Officials fear Phuket kids “eating themselves dumb’
PHUKET: Poor diet is hampering Phuket children’s mental development, a seminar attended by Phuket school directors and health officials was told this week. “According to research by the Department of Mental Health, poor diet is already causing problems, with many children suffering stunted growth or being under- or overweight,” said Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Chaiwat Taephee. “And it…
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Phuket policeman spared Senate corruption probe – for now
PHUKET: Cleared of allegations of corruption by an internal police investigation just last week, Chalong Police Duty Officer Boonlert Onklang today received another reprieve – the inquiry he also faces by the Senate Standing Committee on Tourism has been postponed until next month. The internal investigation, conducted by the Royal Thai Police Committee on Justice and Police Affairs, ruled that…
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Phuket cricket round-up
PHUKET: Cricket may not be a sport familiar to many Thais, or expats for that matter, but local school children in Phuket have taken to this skilful pursuit thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers from the Phuket Cricket Group. The youth development officer for the Phuket Cricket Group, Bill Stahmer, and his coaching unit visit local schools around Phuket…
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Kiteboarding lifts off at Phuket King’s Cup Regatta
PHUKET: Organizer’s of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta have announced that the 2011 event will include an invitation-only exhibition of kiteboarding hosted by Kiteboard Tour Asia (KTA). The introduction of such an exciting sport to this year’s event is part of the Regatta’s 25th anniversary celebrations and in recognition of kiteboarding’s development and popularity as a sailing discipline. Kevin Whitcraft,…
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Phuket Media: The Phuket Gazette joins the Big Blue Wave
PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette and the Phuket Bulletin, operators of mega-station Blue Wave 90.5 FM, have entered into a partnership to carry Gazette content throughout the Andaman region, with Phuket, Krabi and Phang-nga at its epicenter. The new wave starts rolling on Monday morning (October 24). Blue Wave was established in 2006 and is the Andaman’s largest English-language broadcaster. All…
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Please, Sir, can I have a trial?
PHUKET: “The dream of making it at United isn’t over.” Max Lonsdale, an 18-year-old from Macclesfield, decided to knock on Sir Alex Ferguson’s door to ask for a trial, and was accepted by the Manchester United manager. Lonsdale had just been released by his former club and after three unsuccessful visits to the Ferguson household, Sir Alex opened the door…
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Phuket resort wins one, loses one
PHUKET: A 98-room resort in Phuket will face legal action for building an access road over a small waterway – even though the resort had written permission from the Patong Mayor. Yet the same Phuket resort has been given a reprieve for operating without a hotel license. The news came during an inspection visit to the APK Resort & Spa…
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Ãngel at Amari
PHUKET: One of Spain’s greatest sports heroes, Ángel Nieto, was in Phuket recently enjoying a break and a good meal at La Gritta at the Amari Coral Beach in Patong before traveling to commentate for Spanish TV on the Sepang Moto GP in Kuala Lumpur. Ángel is one of the most successful motorcycle racers of all time, with 13 Grand…
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Champagne Run with ACYC
PHUKET: The Royal Langkawai International Regatta will be held from January 9 to 14, 2012 and as a lead into the event the Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) is inviting an expression of interest for the all new “Champagne Run”. The ACYC in conjunction with the Royal Langkawai Yacht Club are organizing an overnight sailing race leaving Chalong Bay on…
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Swiftlet sorrow in Phuket Town
PHUKET: The tenant of a building in Phuket Town has been given 15 days to remove an illegally added fourth floor built as an aviary for swiftlets, the birds that cough up the key ingredient for bird’s nest soup. Phuket officials yesterday investigated an anonymous complaint filed last month about a commercial building located behind the DTAC office on Montri…
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Phuket Poll: Are our roads killing us?
PHUKET: The highways and byways of Phuket have been much in the news recently. It seems that as soon as authorities plan and build new roads, existing ones deteriorate. In the latest Phuket Gazette online poll, we ask our readers to what extent does the state of the roads in Phuket contribute to the number of accidents in the province.…
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Jurgen Zack gives training tips for the Phuket Triathlon
PHUKET: Coming to Phuket for the first time as an athlete 14 years ago had me quite excited. I did not have to worry about cold weather. I could leave my shoe covers and my arm and leg warmers at home. I could work on my physical fitness and my tan. Having been here for awhile, I now recognize the…
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Round-up of Phuket sporting action
PHUKET: The cricket season in Phuket got underway with a friendly between last year’s Island Furniture league champions, Patong CC, and new boys the Thanyapura Tigers (TT) at Cherng Talay. It was a baptism of fire for TT with Patong batting first and posting a score of 214 for 4 after 20 overs. In reply, TT scored 39 runs in…
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Phuket’s Jaray Jearanai made history at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii
PHUKET: Jaray Jearanai of Phuket has reached a new high in his athletic career after completing the pinnacle of endurance events, the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, in a time of just over 11 hours.This was an outstanding accomplishment for the Laguna Phuket marketing executive considering that it was his first attempt at the full Ironman course, and only weeks…
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Phuket gets its hooks, lines and sinkers at the ready
PHUKET: Phuket’s seventh International Sport Fishing Tournament has event organizers gearing up for another big catch of participants from around the world. The event takes place from November 23-26. The island’s premier fishing competition has already reeled in 80 fishing enthusiasts who comprise 20 teams, with entries still being accepted via the tournament’s website. The tournament practices “catch and release”…
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French rugby hits puberty
PHUKET: “Yesterday we had the same players out there as in Wellington against Tonga, except that they grew a big pair of balls.” Marc Lievremont, coach of the French national rugby team remarks on their performance after defeating England at the quarter final stage of this year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. A fortuitous France side will play home…
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Phuket Landslide Update: Patong Hill slides continue
PHUKET: Efforts by Phuket authorities to shore up Patong Hill road took a turn for the worse today, when the dirt foundation under a recently “repaired” section of road slid away, taking the breakdown lane with it. The latest slide, from beneath a section that had been covered with blacktop just days before, exposed more soil and increased the chances…
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Tonight: Phuket gets its comedy fix
PHUKET: Tonight, tonight, an Englishman, an Irishman and a Kiwi walk into a bar – and the punchline? The Punchline Comedy Club at the Holiday Inn Resort in Patong is hosting the geographically disparate trio this evening, with doors opening at 8pm – the laughs are scheduled to start at 8:30pm. Englishman Gorden Southern, Irishman Ian Coppinger and Kiwi Andre…
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Paris beckons Beckham
PHUKET: “I like Leonardo a lot, he is a great manager. I’m honored to know that he wants me to join PSG. It’s exciting, great things are happening in France. Leonardo has arrived, there’s a lot of money.”36-year-old David Beckham is being courted by French Ligue 1 side, Paris Saint Germain (PSG), as his contract with LA Galaxy will finish…
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Phuket tourism riding high despite Thai floods
PHUKET: While many broad areas across Thailand are suffering from serious flooding, tourists are still heading to Phuket in droves, with the island registering 8.2 million* passengers passing through Phuket International Airport since the beginning of the year. In announcing the news today, Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha said, “Many places in the country are suffering from serious flooding, but Phuket…
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Phuket’s new-look Sarasin Bridge already needs a clean-up
PHUKET: The popularity of the new-look Sarasin Bridge as a tourist attraction is forcing local authorities to address the growing number of mobile vendors who have set up operations at both ends of the span, in Phuket and Phang Nga. Officials are also planning to replace light bulbs at the site damaged by the recent storms. Conversion of the bridge…
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Aussie expat recovers from Phuket balcony fall
PHUKET: Australian national and long-term Phuket resident Rod Palmer has been released from the intensive care unit (ICU) and is now in a general recovery room at Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Mr Palmer fell off a balcony at his home in Rawai last week. He sustained three fractured vertebrae, five fractured ribs, a head injury and other cuts and abrasions in…
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Jet-ski operators, beach vendors to protect Phuket tourists
PHUKET: Patong Police plan to recruit beachfront workers as their eyes and ears in protecting Phuket tourists this high season, in addition to installing more closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) cameras. “Usually, there are a lot of robberies during the high season. We don’t really have enough officers to take care of all the tourists during peak season,” explained Patong Police Superintendent…
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Phuket protest wins residents landslide probe
PHUKET: A protest staged by about 100 residents on Friday has resulted in the Phuket Provincial Office spearheading an investigation into construction on a steep hill in Patong. The protest, held opposite the entrance to Phra Baramee Road Soi 4, came after the third mudslide hit the Kok Makham community since construction began at the site. “Three times mud, sand…
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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