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 Siam Paragon celebrates 'A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2025'
Siam Paragon, in collaboration with KASIKORNBANK, is hosting a spectacular Lunar New Year celebration, Siam Paragon A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2025, from today until February 2, at Parc Paragon. This year’s event is inspired by the rich heritage of Dunhuang,...
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Dutchman arrested for office hold-up
PHUKET CITY: A down-on-his-luck Dutchman was arrested yesterday for the June 15 robbery of the management office at the Phuket Villa California residential development.The man, identified as Jeroen De Valk, 35, allegedly made away with 74,000 baht – but not before CCTV cameras recorded his motorcycle license plate number.On June 15, a man dressed in black walked into the offices of the…
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Cops nab office thief
PHUKET CITY: Provincial bureaucrats will sleep better at night, following the arrest of a man wanted for stealing valuables from government offices on the island.At a press conference yesterday, Phuket City Police Station Superintendent Col Nos Sawetalek presented 30-year-old Prayuth Kruakaew as the thief, along with four laptop computers, three mobile phones and cash in baht, US dollars and Chinese…
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High and dry
PATONG: Six days after it washed up on the south end of Patong Beach, the 38-foot sailboat Sultan remains high and dry after several unsuccessful efforts to dislodge and re-float her.The Sultan washed up on the south end of Patong Beach during a strong storm about 1 am on Tuesday.Skipper Michael Wilson of the UK, who was asleep on the…
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Dutch ambassador to visit Phuket
PHUKET CITY: Dutch ambassador Pieter Marres will hold a reception for Dutch nationals only at the Royal Phuket City Hotel from 6 pm to 7:30 pm on June 29. Netherlanders will have the opportunity to meet Amb Marres and his wife, Josee. Also, from 2 pm to 4 pm, staff from the Netherlands Embassy Consular Section will be available for…
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Thieves cash in on dark and stormy night
PHUKET CITY: While storm winds whipped through Phuket City on Tuesday night, thieves made off with about 90,000 baht in cash after breaking into a Christian foundation at Phun Pol Night Plaza.Lt Col Ampolwat Saengrueng, duty inspector of Phuket Police Station, told the Gazette, “Burglars broke into the New Life Foundation at 74/123 Phun Pol Night Plaza. They scaled a…
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Japanese hotel worker killed in crash
KARON: A Japanese circus entertainer from Club Med died after he was run over by a tuk-tuk on a hill near Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort at about 6 am on Tuesday.Lt Col Sanguan Muangtham, duty inspector of Chalong Police Station, identified the victim as Nakamura Masakazu, 41. Mr Masakazu was riding a rented Honda Dream motorbike in heavy rain…
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Beachcomber’s nightmare in Nai Thon
NAI THON: Police are hoping to establish the identity of a headless and badly decomposed human corpse discovered washed up on Nai Thon Beach late Tuesday morning. Sub Lt Thianchai Duangsuwan of the Tha Chat Chai Police Station told the Gazette the gruesome discovery was made at about 10:30 am on the stretch of beach in front of the Naithonburi…
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Beached Brit needs to float his boat
PATONG: Strenuous efforts by about 50 volunteers at high tide this morning failed to push the stranded 38-foot sailboat Sultan off Patong Beach. The boat’s cash-strapped British owner will now seek financial assistance from his embassy in an effort to re-float the vessel, which has drawn considerable attention from tourists visiting the beach.Sultan washed up on the south end of…
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Yacht beached after heavy storm
PATONG: The 38-foot sailboat Sultan washed up on the south end of Patong Beach about 1 am last night during a strong storm, waking owner Michael Wilson, who was asleep on the vessel when it hit the shore.Mr Wilson, from the UK, had sailed 17 days alone through stormy weather from Sri Lanka before reaching Phuket yesterday. Upon inspecting his…
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Health office warns of rainy-season dangers
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) yesterday issued a warning for people to be wary of five types of aliments that are more prevalent during the rainy season, which is now fully upon us.PPHO officer Arunee Suphanam warned people to take better care to avoid contracting diarrhea, infections in open wounds, colds and pneumonia, mosquito-borne diseases and conjunctivitis, also…
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Shrimp gets ahead with “blue flag’ promotion
PHUKET: In order to help the island’s suffering shrimp farmers, the Phuket Provincial Internal Trade Office (PITO) yesterday set up a “Blue Flag Shrimp Festival” to sell the tasty crustaceans directly to consumers for just 99 baht per kilogram until the end of September. PITO Chief Somphot Sangkhapong told the Gazette that some 1,500 kilograms of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus…
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Gold shops get cheaper insurance
PHUKET: Gold shop owners on Phuket have agreed to increase their security measures in exchange for discounted insurance premiums from the Ministry of Commerce’s Department of Insurance.Phuket Gold Shop Association Chairman Chaiyoot Prayoonyong stated that the slowdown of the economy has increased the risk of robbery nationwide and that gold shop owners have agreed to upgrade their security, by installing…
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Korea pushes for more Thai tourists
PHUKET CITY: The Bangkok office of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), Korean Air and Sun Moon Tours & Travel joined forces to promote Thai tourism to Korea with an industry event at The Metropole Hotel on Thursday.Kang Sung-Ghil, Director of the KTO’s Bangkok Office said, “Phuket is one of our main markets for MICE [meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions], especially…
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Heavy rains forecast for the weekend
PHUKET: The Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast) issued a regional weather warning for Southwestern Thailand at 10 am today as the southwest monsoon weather takes hold over the Andaman Sea. The office warned of heavy rains in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket and Trang today and tomorrow, with a risk of flash floods. All ships are advised to proceed with caution…
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Laguna Marathon road closures
CHERNG TALAY: The Phuket International Marathon, starting at 5 am tomorrow, will result in road closures in and around the Laguna resort complex from early morning until noon. More than 4,000 participants, including 1,500 runners, are expected to take part in the second annual event, which will be broadcast live on TV to some 50 countries around the world.The announced…
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Policeman accused of Koh Kaew shooting gets promoted
KRABI: The Phuket Provincial Police officer accused of the shooting death of Koh Kaew teenager-Worawut Samarnmit, which sparked a mob and a four-hour blockade of Thepkrasattri Rd on April 18, has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major. Following the incident, which is still under investigation, Sgt Prasarn Chuayman was transferred to Krabi. On Monday he was promoted. Sgt…
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Tesco-Lotus junction claims another victim
RASSADA: The Tesco-Lotus junction, officially dubbed the “Samkong Intersection”, claimed another victim early Tuesday morning, when a man riding a motorbike through the junction and a Toyota Hilux Vigo collided at high speed. The motorbike rider died at the scene. His passenger suffered serious injuries. Pol Lt Akekarat Plaiduang, duty inspector at Phuket Police Station, identified the deceased as Manas…
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Gangster linked to Phuket murder shot in South
NAKHON SRI THAMMARAT: A man described by police as a notorious gangster was in critical condition on Tuesday night after a drive-by shooting at his house that left one dead and five injured.Police say the man may be wanted in connection with a murder carried out in Phuket.Lt Col Chaiyan Bundit, Inspector for Investigation at Pakphanang Police Station, told the Gazette that a pickup…
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Kajonkietsuksa School steps up security
WICHIT: In response to several calls by parents concerned about stepped-up security at Kajonkietsuksa School on Chao Fa West Rd, the Gazette is happy to report that the new measures are purely precautionary – and not in response to any imminent threat to security at the school.Nunthiya Lohitchan, a teacher at the school, explained that parents arriving to pick up…
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Cable car idea left dangling
PATONG: Investors hoping to build a hillside cable car as Phuket’s newest tourist attraction received a lukewarm response during a June 8 meeting with Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit, who told them to come back when they had more a more specific plan.The would-be investors were Malaysian Rodin “VJ” Adi-hilmi of Mesira Investment and his Thai partner Pornlert Wongsirin, Managing Director…
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City fresh market vendors to relocate
PHUKET CITY: Vendors at the fresh market on Ranong Rd, in the heart of Phuket City, will relocate to a temporary market set up for them on Wirat Hongyok Rd from June 17.The temporary market, opposite Suan Luang Park, has been set up by Phuket City Municipality to minimize inconvenience for shoppers while the municipality builds new market buildings at…
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Gamblers top police crime figures
PHUKET: Gambling remains Phuket’s top illegal pastime with 306 arrests made from May 1 to May 30, according to statistics released by Phuket Provincial Police.There were 108 people arrested in drug-related cases, of which 49 involved ya bah (methamphetamine): three for importing, five for selling, 26 for possession with intent to sell, 13 for possession and two for use. A…
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Bang Tao fishermen gunned down
CHERNG TALAY: Two teenage fishermen from Bang Tao were gunned down while riding their motorbikes from Heroines’ Monument to Cherng Talay early Sunday morning.Both died from their injuries.Deputy Investigation Inspector Pol Capt Sanit Nu-Kong of Thalang Police told the Gazette, that police received a report that the men had been shot about 1:25 am.Officers arrived at the scene near Baan…
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Anchalee’s husband loses Supreme Court land case
BANGKOK: (The Nation, Gazette) The Supreme Court yesterday upheld an Appeal Court ruling that ordered Tossaporn Thepabutr and his associates to vacate 98 rai of land near the Kata Viewpoint.The Supreme Court yesterday morning read its verdict on the lawsuit between the Provincial Land Reform Office (PPLRO) and Tossaporn, husband of Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) President and former Democrat Party…
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Karaoke hostess murdered
PHUKET CITY: A karaoke bar hostess was found murdered in her apartment off Montri Rd early yesterday morning. Police are searching for the victim’s live-in boyfriend, who is the prime suspect in the case.Phuket City Police Duty Inspector Pol Lt Col Sien Kaewthong identified the victim as 28-year-old Kanchana Aonpleng, from Pathum Thani province.About 12:45 am yesterday, police received a…
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Mala Seafood murder suspect surrenders
CHALONG: After two months on the run and wanted for the shooting murder of Karon restaurateur Mala Peng-iam, Suban Pon-iamsaen handed himself in to Chalong Police Station on Tuesday. A reward of 100,000 baht had been offered for information leading to his capture.About 7 pm March 27, Mala, owner of Mala Seafood restaurant, was shot three times in the face…
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PPEA to move head office
PHUKET CITY: The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) will move its main office in Phuket from its current location on Thepkrasattri Rd to downtown Phuket City.The new office will be located west of the Honda dealer on the north side of Phang Nga Rd, near where the old “Chatuchak” weekend market was located.The new office will open for business Monday…
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New airport terminal ready for business
PHUKET: The expansion of the international passenger terminal at Phuket International Airport has been completed and is expected to be open for the upcoming high season, Phuket International Airport Director Sq/Ldr Pornchai Eua-aree told the Gazette today.The 120-million-baht expansion started in April 2004 and the building was completed earlier this year, he said.The ground floor of the new wing features check-in…
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Dead red frog crabs “probably poisoned’
MAI KHAO: Hundreds of red frog crabs, or phu jakkajan, and other species of crabs and sea urchins were found washed ashore on Sai Kaew Beach on Sunday evening. Many of the sea animals were dead, possibly poisoned by fishermen, said Somkiet Khokiettiwong of the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC). “We’re not sure how many red frog crabs and other…
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Ian Rush-es through Phuket
WICHIT: Former English Premier League star striker Ian Rush was among a group of famous footballers who conducted a short football clinic in the parking lot of the Tesco-Lotus supercenter this morning.Rush, a Welshman, is best remembered as Liverpool’s leading scorer with 346 goals for the club between 1980 and 1996.Some 60 lucky youths from three local schools attended the…
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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