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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Cricket and tax
PHUKET SPORTS – Quote of the day: “The ACG (Alan Cooke Ground) will in a small way do for cricket what the reduction in boat tax did for marine tourism.” Alan Cooke MBE in a small way underestimates the value of his legacy to Phuket cricket and sport. — Neil Quail
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Phuket developers shine at int’l property awards
PHUKET: Phuket based developers have won top honors in the Asia Pacific Region division of the International Residential Property Awards. Since the inaugural awards in 1995, the competition has established itself as one of the premiere programs recognizing excellence in the field of residential property development. The 2011 Asia Pacific Awards set a new participation record with 21 countries taking…
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New Phuket hospital opens its doors
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) Hospital opened today with more than 200 people registering as patients. “The purpose of the hospital is to reduce the workload of other government hospitals. The OrBorJor bought the land and the Phyathai Hospital building and renovated it under a budget of 845 million baht,” explained OrBorJor Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Manop Leelasuthanon.…
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Phuket Survivor: Man recounts murder ordeal
PHUKET: The man who allegedly survived an attack in which his wife and another man were killed has said the trio were attacked by a group of men. Sanit Choocheun, a 54-year-old construction contractor from Krabi, said he survived the attack by playing dead. The bodies of Mr Sanit’s wife, Urai Limsakul, 50, and the other man, named only as…
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Phuket Survivor: Man survives slaughter by “playing dead’
PHUKET: Phuket police are investigating the murder of a man and woman whose bodies were discovered thrown off a cliff along a coastal road in Thalang this morning. The key witness, a man who apparently escaped the same fate by playing dead, is now in police custody and under heavy guard. Tah Chat Chai Police were notified of the deaths…
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Crisis? What Crisis?
PHUKET SPORTS – Quote of the day: “Crisis? What Crisis? There is no crisis in football.” Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, confirming his delusions as to the state of world football. — Neil Quail
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Phuket discharge: Officials confirm wastewater release “safe’
PHUKET: Wastewater discharged into the sea at Karon and Kata beaches is safe, a review committee headed by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha was told yesterday. Environmental engineer Siripong Pasari of Southern Thai Consulting Co Ltd was called in to explain to Gov Tri what exactly caused the discharge filmed by a German TV crew in Phuket earlier this month. The…
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Phuket gets first dedicated cricket ground
PHUKET: Construction of Phuket’s first dedicated cricket ground, to be called the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG), will start on June 27. News of the development, announced on the ACG website, adds that the 10-rai site in the lakes area of Baan Lipon, will be called the ACG Cricket and Sports Ground. The sports facility will be mainly for cricket, but…
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Fans fury forces FC Phuket coach to quit
PHUKET: Sompong Wattana from Rajvithee FC will be the new coach of FC Phuket. The news was released at 5pm today, ahead of a scheduled sanctioned press release tomorrow. A fourth straight game without a win for FC Phuket incensed the team’s distraught fans yesterday and led to a blockade of Surakul Stadium by angry fans, known as the “Hulks”.…
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Two more candidates register for Phuket polls
PHUKET: Two more people on Saturday signed up as candidates to contest the Phuket 1 constituency in the July 3 national election. The last-minute registrations came on the last day the Phuket Election Commission would accept applications for candidacy. In the morning, Weerasak “Ko Sak” Woranetiwong registered as a candidate representing the Thaen Khun Phaendin Party, which is listed as…
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The Phuket International Rugby 10s is a great tournament
Phuket Rugby 10s: “The Phuket International Rugby 10s is a great tournament and is certainly helping youth rugby in Thailand move from strength to strength.” Matthew Oakley MVO MBE – International Rugby Board (IRB) West Asia Project Manager and the 2011 Rugby 10s Referee’s Manager, commenting on the value of the 10s for the future of rugby in Thailand. —…
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Contest to decide name for Phuket Town shortcut
PHUKET: Phuket City Municipality will hold a contest to see who can think up the best name for the new road that connects Saphan Hin with Chao Fa East Road, with 10,000 baht going to the winner. The 50-million-baht road was officially opened in late December last year. It has thus far kept its uninspiring name Phang Muang Sai Khor…
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Phuket stray sends Koreans plowing into power pole
PHUKET: Two Koreans were fortunate to escape serious injury when their car crashed into a power pole in Phuket early yesterday morning. Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers were called to the scene just after midnight. Arriving at the crash site on Thepkrasattri Road southbound in Srisoonthorn subdistrict, they found the two Koreans – identified only as the driver Mrs Songjer and…
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Royal Thai Police secure Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10s
Phuket Rugby 10s: In a thrilling final played on Sunday evening at Karon Stadium, a robust Royal Thai Police (RTP) team stole the title from last year’s winners, Kriel Roosters by a score of 31 – 5. The game was full of big tackles and charging runs to the try line. The first half ended with RTP holding a 12…
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Singapore Centaurs take the U15s title
Phuket Rugby 10s: Spectators at Karon Stadium were treated to a fine display of youth rugby when Singpore Centaurs defeated Phuket Lomas in the under 15 Cup Final. Centaurs’ fly-half, Alex Ducourneau broke through the Lomas’ defense to score after just two minutes. No reply from the Phuket Lomas gave the score as 5 – 0 at half-time. A tense…
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Welcome to finals day at Karon Stadium
Phuket Rugby 10s: Final group stages of the 2011 tournament were played this morning and the semi-finalists have now been determined. Favorites after yesterday’s performances are the Kriel Roosters and Thai Legends. Results below: Emirates Flying Muppets 19 Al Ain Amblers 0 Bedhoff Kings RFC 17 INSEAD Barbarians 5 Rebel Dubai Dragons 0 Qantas Koalas 24 Dubai Exiles 24 Bangkok…
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Sunday’s knockout games decided
Phuket Rugby 10s knockout stages begin at 8.30am with the Emirates Flying Muppets meeting the Al Ain Amblers in Bowl B. Games follow every twenty minutes leading to the main final at 5.40pm. See below for today’s end results: Bucket Brigade 0Phuket Vagabonds 12 Dubai Exiles 14 Qantas Koalas 10 Bangkok Bangers Colts 0 Rebel Dubai Dragons 19 Taipei baboons…
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Dragons and Barbarians through to the cup round
Phuket Rugby 10s: Asian Japanese Dragons defeated INSEAD 21-0, and will join Singapore Barbarians who beat Al Ain Amblers 5-0, into the cup rounds.All photos by Dean Noble — Neil Quail
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Group stages draw to a close
Phuket Rugby 10s: Group stages of the 10s have reached their conclusion. The next round sees the determination of finalists. Asian Japanese Dragons 5 Taipai baboons 21 INSEAD 0 Rebel Dubai Dragons 7 Bangkok Bangers Colts 7 Bucket Brigade 0 Emirates Flying Muppets 0 Qantas Koalas 7 Moorabbin Rams 26 Sinagapore Barbarians 0 Al Ain Amblers 7 San Miguel Wanderers…
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Testing police for drugs doesn’t work: Phuket poll
PHUKET: A strong majority of Phuket Gazette readers feel that the Phuket Provincial Police drug testing of all its officers is not effective in ensuring police are free of drugs, the results of a recent readers’ poll reveal. Readers were asked to reply to the question: The Phuket Provincial Police have announced that all officers under their command will be…
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Great day, great atmosphere and great rugby
Phuket Rugby 10s: Mid-day round-up. Royal Thai Police 38 INSEAD 0 Bedhoff Kings RFC 10 Bangkok Bangers Colts 10 Thai Legends 12 Emirates Flying Muppets 0 Dubai Exiles 12 Moorabbin Rams 19 Kriel Roosters 31 San Miguel Wanderers 0 All photos by Dean Noble — Neil Quail
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Kriel Roosters strut and Royal Thai Police give arresting performance
PHUKET: Phuket Rugby 10s with a combined score of 70 points from their first games, the Royal Thai Police and the Kriel Roosters are proving to be the teams to beat. Rebel Dubai Dragons 0 Royal Thai Police 32 Bucket Brigade 14 Bedhoff Kings RFC 5 Qantas Koalas 0 Thai Legends 14 Singapore Barbarians 0 Dubai Exiles 10 Al Ain…
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Phuket Property Review on news stands now
PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette is pleased to announce that its Phuket Property Review is now available as a free 16-page supplement to the May 28 issue, on sale at newsstands around the island today. The Phuket Property Review analyzes market trends in five parts of the island: North, South, East, West and ‘Inland’, and provides additional advice on such topics…
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Phuket International Rugby 10s is invaluable to the Asia Center Foundation.
PHUKET: “Phuket International Rugby 10s is invaluable to the Asia Center Foundation. Support and donations from all involved with the tournament gives over 100 children the opportunity for a better life.” Roelien Muller, Director of the Asia Center Foundation, explaining the importance of the Phuket Rugby 10s. Donations are always welcomed for this worthy cause.
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Abhisit launches Democrat election campaign in Phuket
PHUKET: Caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva arrived in Phuket this afternoon ahead of a rally at Saphan Hin in Phuket Town tonight to mark the launch of the Democrat Party campaign for the July 3 national election. Top of his agenda was to inspect the site of the Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Center in Mai Khao, while accompanied by…
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Phuket Viagrabonds into the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers Cup
PHUKET: Phuket 10s Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers competition finished its qualifying stages , with home favourites Phuket Viagrabonds reaching the cup final due to be played on Sunday at Karon Stadium. All results from the semi finals are detailed below: Cottesloe Pirates 5 Arabian Gulf Legends 24 Selangor Old Dog 5 Asian Japanese Dragons 0 Bedhoff Kings 5 Bucks Stags…
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Phuket ‘hashers’ mourn three fallen comrades
PHUKET: Two more members of the Phuket Hash House Harriers died this week following the death of a “hasher” in a motorcycle accident on Monday. The most recent was Ruurd Jansen, 66, who died after the roof of his house collapsed on him on Wednesday. Mr Jansen and his wife ran a beach-side restaurant called “Som” (“Orange”) near the Laguna…
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Phuket final reminder to catch the UEFA Champions League Final
PHUKET: Wembley Stadium will play host to the best in European football this Saturday, when English champions Manchester United face off against Barcelona. The UEFA Champions League Final will kick-off at 8:45pm Central European Time (1:45am on Sunday in Phuket), and is expected to serve up a scintillating display of football with both teams vying for their fourth title. Pundits…
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Phuket Rugby 10s kick off today
PHUKET: The 13th Phuket International Rugby 10s kicked off today with Phuket’s own Vagabonds intent on providing stiff opposition for the challengers in the event. Karon Stadium again plays home to the hugely popular tournament, and after recent rains the surface is in ideal condition for rugby. For information on the tournament and updates on games as they are played,…
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Phuket Rugby 10s at Karon Stadium hots up for the semis!
PHUKET: The Phuket Rugby 10s Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers Cup moves into the final group matches with the results at the Karon Stadium being: Stray Cats 0 Taipei Silverbacks 12 Cottesloe Pirates 0 Bedhoff Kings 10 Hong Kong Bulls 5 Cottesloe Old Gulls 17 Selangor Old Dog 5 Wanderers Jagermeister Wrinklies 7 Asian Japanese Dragons 7 Old Bangkok Bangers 10…
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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