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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Gala dinner to celebrate HM The King’s Birthday
PHUKET CITY: The hottest ticket in Phuket next Friday night will be a lavish gala dinner being held to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 82nd birthday and commemorate his several visits to the island during the period from 1959 to 1973. The event will take place starting at 6pm at the Phuket Governor’s Mansion, a historic Phuket site and well-known…
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Police officers caught smuggling migrant workers
PHUKET CITY: Two police officers in Ranong were caught using a police truck to illegally transport migrant workers between jobs on December 6. Sen Sgt Maj Sombun Yita-amrit, 43, and Sen Sgt Maj Kasem Srisawai, 52, both squad leaders at Phato Police Station in Chumphon, were stopped at an army checkpoint in Ranong’s La-un District. In the back of the…
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Swedish man found dead on Koh Racha Yai
RAWAI, PHUKET: Chalong Police are investigating the case of a Swedish man found dead in his hotel room at a resort on Racha Yai Island in the early hours of Sunday morning. Lt Chana Suthimas of the Chalong Police identified the deceased as 36-year-old Jan Mirael Viltfors. Mr Viltfors’ body was discovered by police in his bed at the Ban…
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Mr India restaurant burns in Rawai
RAWAI, PHUKET: A fire at the ‘Mr India’ restaurant on Wiset Road last night caused an estimated 300,000 baht in damages and brought an abrupt end to the meals customers were enjoying. Chalong Police Inspector Chana Suthimas said it took a total of four fire trucks about 30 minutes to contain the blaze, which broke out in the two-unit shophouse…
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German and Czech shine at Laguna Phuket Triathlon
LAGUNA, PHUKET: 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medal winner Jan Frodeno took first place in a new course record and US$ 3,500 in prize money at this year’s exciting Laguna Phuket Triathlon.The South Africa-based superstar posted an overall finish time of 02:24:56, besting the previous record set by Richie Cunningham (AUS) in 2008 by over three minutes.Frodeno was followed home some…
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Barge damages coral at Racha Island
RAWAI, PHUKET: A barge carrying building material has seriously damaged a patch of coral reef off Koh Racha, according to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). Locals reported that the barge, allegedly belonging to Namchai Ocean Transport Company, was being towed ashore at Siam Bay on Koh Racha Yai. Prachuap Mokharat, a fisheries officer with the DMCR’s regional…
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Motorbike in Phuket pond: one dead, one injured
CHALONG, PHUKET: A woman drowned after crashing her salaeng (motorbike with illegal side-car) into a tin mining pond on Wednesday evening. The victim’s grand-daughter was also seriously injured in the crash. Another passenger, whose age and gender were not reported, escaped unharmed. Witnesses reported that at around 7:30pm, 56-year-old Wanna Rachathanarak lost control of the vehicle, which slid into a…
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Phuket City Park fisherman netted by cops
PHUKET CITY: A 26-year-old man faces up to three years in prison after being caught fishing in a public park. Khomsan Kaewkhampha, an unemployed Phuket City resident, set out for an early morning fishing expedition last Wednesday. When he arrived at the main pond in Rama IX Park (Suan Luang) in Phuket City, Mr Khomsan baited his hook with a…
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Plastic bag MoU signed in Phuket
PHUKET CITY: An agreement to charge a small fee for plastic bags was signed by most of the island’s major retailers, with Tesco-Lotus and 7-Eleven the only major holdouts. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony took place at Phuket Provincial Hall (Sala Klaang) at 2pm yesterday. The event was chaired by Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop. Also attending were new…
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Road closures for Laguna Phuket Triathlon
LAGUNA PHUKET: To ensure the safety of competitors at the 16th Laguna Phuket Triathlon tomorrow morning, traffic restrictions will be in place on certain roads around the resort and in other parts of Thalang District. The restrictions will begin at 7am on the roads immediately surrounding Laguna and continue until approximately 12:15pm. A traffic detour will be enforced for all…
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Seedlings planted in Phuket Town for HM The King
PHUKET CITY: Environmental activists and staff of the Royal Phuket City hotel came together yesterday morning to plant 82 seedlings in an empty lot downtown as part of celebrations for HM The King’s 82nd birthday today. Seedlings of the tree, Barringtonia asiatica, a mangrove species, were chosen for the project. Royal Phuket City hotel General Manager Jintana Trakulhoon chaired the…
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Nation unites in wishing beloved King a happy birthday
PHUKET: His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej turns 82 today. On the occasion of his birthday, His Majesty will grant an audience to his well-wishers at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace this morning. His Majesty will reach the Amarin Winit-chai Throne Hall at around 10.30am. Accompanying him will be HM the Queen Sirikit, HRH Crown Prince Maha…
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Turtles released in Phuket for HM The King
WICHIT, PHUKET: About 100 students, sailors and marine biologists gathered this morning to take part in a turtle release ceremony to mark the 82nd birthday of HM The King tomorrow.The release, chaired by Vice Admiral Chumnum Ajwong, took place at Cape Panwa, on the beach between the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) and the Royal Thai Navy Third Naval Area…
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Phuket residents protest destruction of ancient trees
MAI KHAO, PHUKET: Protesters who have blockaded roads to the West Sands resort project began allowing partial access to staff today, but continue to deny access to any large vehicles involved in construction at the site. The blockade began on Tuesday, when local villagers discovered eight pine trees had been felled with chain saws along the border of the project…
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Phuket shellfish release to mark HM THe King’s Birthday
WICHIT, PHUKET: More than 100 people took part in a marine animal release ceremony yesterday as part of celebrations for HM The King’s birthday tomorrow. The participants, mostly school children, gathered at Mudong Pier in Wichit for the event, which began at 10am. Released into the sea from plastic bags filled with seawater were 2.5 million tiny postlarval prawns and…
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Another man shot dead in Chalong
CHALONG, PHUKET: A drinking session outside a mini-mart ended in the drive-by shooting murder of a Nakhon Sri Thammarat man early this morning. At 6:30am Chalong Police were notified of a shooting near the entrance to Chao Fah West Soi 55. Arriving at the scene, across from the Infinity Car Finance Shop, investigating officers including Chalong Police Superintendent Chinnarat Rittakananond…
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King’s Cup work permit crackdown rumors are false
PHUKET CITY: Rumors of an imminent crackdown on foreign sailors taking part in the King’s Cup Regatta over work permit violations are untrue, the head of Phuket Immigration has confirmed. A thread on the popular Thai Visa web forum yesterday started with the post: “Latest from Phuket Town… raiding King’s Cup regatta tomorrow for professional sailors without work permits….” As…
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Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Day 3: Pryde pulls a fast one
PHUKET: Neil Pryde could be on course for another victory in the Racing Division after exchanging first places with Full Metal Jacket on day three of the 2009 King’s Cup Regatta.Hi-Fi finished the first race of the day in pole position while Full Metal Jacket with America’s Cup helmsman Chris Dickson in charge had to settle for second.Roles were reversed in the…
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New Phuket lifeguards next year
PHUKET CITY: The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) wants to improve the provincial lifeguard service and have a new contractor running it by the start of the new year.Lifeguard services ended on November 18 with the expiration of a five-month contract awarded to service provider LP Laikhum Company in mid-June.The PPAO is still waiting for the firm to return all…
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Phuket holds activities for the disabled
PHUKET CITY: Phuket yesterday held early activities to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, held annually on December 3.More than 200 disabled people attended the event, which began at 10am at Phuket Rajabhat University Convention Hall.Activities included an exhibition aimed at informing disabled people of their rights, a legal consulting service, job application assistance and even free haircuts.There was…
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Desperately seeking Simone in Phuket
PHUKET CITY: Where is Simone? An English artist who has been traveling to Thailand for holidays with her family for over 15 years is trying to contact ‘Simone’, a Soi Bangla ladyboy, to let her know that a painting of her was recently voted into the ‘Top 50 Favorite’ paintings on the world-famous Saatchi on-line art gallery. Artist Lisa Andrews…
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Phuket PTT attendant returns foreigner’s purse
WICHIT, PHUKET: Cynics take note: Like chivalry, honesty is not yet totally dead in Phuket. A gas station attendant returned a purse containing 10,000 baht (approx US$300) in cash and other valuables to a British woman who had accidentally dropped it while filling up on Sunday morning. English expat Kathleen (‘Katie’) Gooch-Firmin pulled into the PTT filling station on Chao…
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Phuket King’s Cup Day Two: Hi Fi takes lead
PHUKET: Neil Pryde’s Hi Fi is leading the way in the Premier Class after the second day of racing at the 2009 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.Chris Meads on Full Metal Jacket came second and Pryde’s perennial Asian Yachting Grand Prix rival Ray Roberts settled for third on Evolution Racing.Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban looks set to run away with the IRC1…
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Dive boat sunk for Phuket artificial reef project
RAWAI, PHUKET: In the latest bid to create an artificial reef in Phuket waters, an old dive boat was sunk off Koh Racha Yai on Saturday morning. The aging vessel Harruby was donated to the Department of Marine Coastal Resources (DMCR) for the project by The Racha Resort. Following a religious ceremony and speeches by a number of officials, the…
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Phuket King’s Cup: Full Metal Jacket beats favorites
PHUKET: With over 110 yachts and 18 dinghies entered in 15 different classes, this years Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is shaping up for another bumper season. The fleet contains a healthy contingent of old adversaries as well as some new contenders.Ray Roberts on Evolution Racing and Neil Pryde on Hi-Fi were expected to set the running in the Racing Class…
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Phuket’s Amy Jacobs recovering from car crash
PHUKET CITY: The condition of television actress Ameria ‘Amy’ Jacobs continues to improve and she is conscious and breathing on her own. A mass-circulation Thai-language daily newspaper yesterday quoted staff at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok as saying that Amy has been taken off a respirator and was responding to verbal commands. Her father Jan Jacobs confirmed this, telling the Gazette…
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Brits encouraged to sign up with tracking system
PHUKET CITY: British Ambassador to Thailand Quinton Quayle is encouraging all British subjects who live or travel to Phuket or other parts of Thailand to register their presence here using a new on-line service set up by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Click on this link! campaign encourages British Nationals to use LOCATE, an online system, to register…
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Phuket toy boy murder suspect: ‘I acted alone’
PHUKET CITY: The 21-year-old man suspected of murdering elderly Japanese citizen Yukiho Yamada and burning his body in Phuket continues to insist he acted alone, but police remain skeptical. Suwit Maengsri told police his 50-year-old lover Tubtim Saehak – Mr Yamada’s wife – was not involved in either the killing or the disposal of the body. Mr Suwit said he…
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Tourist found dead off Phuket beach
PHUKET CITY: The body of a man presumed to be a foreign tourist was pulled from the sea off Karon Beach earlier today.Chalong Police were notified of the body’s discovery by staff at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort around noon today.Phuket Ruamjai Kupai Foundation workers used one of the resort’s boats to recover the floating body, which was discovered about…
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HM The King’s birthday celebrations cut back
The Royal Household Bureau announced today that His Majesty the King has ordered the indefinite postponement of many functions relating to his birthday celebrations.The Trooping the Color, scheduled on December 2, and HM the King’s birthday speech on December 4 have been indefinitely postponed.HM the King will still grant an audience to royal family members, the cabinet and Members of…
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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