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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The Great American Smokeout, held this year on November 17, is a nationwide event that encourages smokers to take their first steps towards a smoke-free life. If you’re an expat in Thailand, this day could be a timely reminder to...
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PGTV News Wednesday 13th September 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News today features stories about young tour guides, benzene prices which are now the same as diesel, a 21 country agricultural meeting, and Beach Sports. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, today’s show features a documentary about sailing in Phuket. PGTV, produced by the Phuket Gazette, is aired daily on the Gazette Website…
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On-arrival visas: 90 days and you’re out!
PHUKET: Phuket’s Immigration Chief has confirmed that Thailand will crack down on foreigners working illegally in the country by ending its policy of issuing an unlimited number of consecutive “visas on arrival” – tourist visas that allow the holder to stay a maximum of 15 or 30 days.The crackdown is intended to stop foreigners – typically bar owners and other…
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PGTV News Tuesday 12th September 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News today features stories about the new Visa clampdowns on tourists wishing to extend their VOA (visa on arrival), new legislation on coastal fishing and hypermarkets,and the Nai Harn mini-marathon. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, today’s show features a interview with local author Jim Newport. PGTV, produced by the Phuket Gazette, is aired daily…
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Four teens arrested in Phi Phi murder
PHI PHI ISLAND: Four teenagers allegedly involved in the murder of a 24-year-old Belgian man after a fight have been arrested, police report.The man, Gregorey Vandervaeren, had been on the island only three days when he was shot early Sunday morning. Police said that Mr Vandervaeren was in a fight with the teens before one of them used a gun.…
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Hotels facing major staff shortage
PHUKET: The island’s tourism industry faces a shortage of labor in the coming high season and the Phuket Provincial Labor Office (PPLO) has warned that new hotels opening in Phang Nga are likely to draw more workers away from Phuket.PPLO Chief Decha Preukpatanarak told the Gazette, “We’re chronically short of labor in the high season, with hotel occupancy so high…
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Tuk-tuk driver denies tourist rape
PATONG (Gazette, Kom Chad Luek): A tuk-tuk driver arrested yesterday afternoon has denied raping a 20-year-old female Australian tourist in the early hours of Thursday morning.Pol Col Teeraphol Thipjareon, Superintendent of Kathu District Police Station, today told the Gazette, “The suspect has admitted that he took the woman back to her hotel on the night in question but he denies…
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PIWC calls for Gala Ball sponsors
PHUKET: Cindy Ratcliffe, President of the Phuket International Women’s Club (PIWC), has called for businesses and island residents to sponsor, donate prizes and attend the PIWC’s annual fund-raising Gala Ball, this year to be held at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Beach Resort & Spa on November 18.“We intend to make this event a glittering evening of revelry and fun. To…
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Poor people get solar power
PHUKET CITY: Solar power generation systems have been installed in the homes of 351 poor families in Phuket as part of a nationwide project to bring power to areas not yet connected to the main grid.Announcing this at a meeting at the Thavorn Grand Plaza hotel on September 4, Prawat Siripatrodom of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEC), said that a…
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PGTV News Tuesday 5th August 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News today features stories about the Jungceylon opening date, Phuket police transfers, Central Phuket’s second anniversary and Koh Sirey’s colony of wild monkeys. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, today’s show features an interview with Phuket’s German Honourary Consul Dirk Naumann. PGTV, produced by the Phuket Gazette, is aired daily on the Phuket…
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Italian tourist dead in blaze puzzle
CHALONG: Mystery surrounds the death of Italian tourist Marco Oniga, 44, whose charred remains were found on the bed of his apartment in Chalong on the afternoon of September 1. At about 4:30 pm, Mr Oniga’s naked body was discovered by one of the apartment building’s maids. As she was making her daily rounds, the maid smelled smoke coming from…
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Robber too quick for police
WICHIT: A man armed with a pistol robbed a gold shop in broad daylight on Saturday, making off with 705 grams of gold valued at about 470,000 baht.Pol Lt Somsak Thongklieng, Deputy Inspector with the Royal Thai Police, (Forensic Science Area 44 Office), based at Muang District Police Station, told the Gazette that shopowner Thippawan Limthongnopakhun, 31, and her employee…
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PGTV News Monday 4th August 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News today features stories about the flooding and landslides caused by recent rain, the Phuket boatshow in Bangkok, and an update on both Airport and crime statistics. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, today’s show features a interview with local author Jim Newport. PGTV, produced by the Phuket Gazette, is aired daily on the Phuket…
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Jungceylon to open “by December 1′
PHUKET CITY: The long-awaited Jungceylon project will open for business by December 1, a top executive for project owner Phuket Square Company Ltd told the Governor today.Prawit Janyasittikul, Deputy CEO of Phuket Square, visited Phuket Provincial Hall this morning to brief Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura on the progress of the project, located on Rat-U-Thit 200 Phi Rd in Patong.Jungceylon, originally…
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Surge in petty crimes sees 30 police officers transferred
PHUKET: As the island seems to be suffering from a major surge in petty crimes, some 30 police officers have been approved for transfer out of the province in the upcoming annual round of promotions and transfers, on October 1. The main reason put forward by the officers for the transfers: “overworked”.At his monthly meeting with chief officers on Wednesday,…
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Tax revenue up more than a quarter
PHUKET: The Phuket Area Revenue Office (PARO) expects to have raised 5 billion baht in taxes by the end of this fiscal year on September 31, an increase of a billion baht from last year. PARO Chief Pensri Passakul said at Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura’s monthly meeting with Provincial Office Chiefs on August 30, that between October 1 last year and…
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The usual suspects
PHUKET: Crime statistics for August, released by the Phuket Provincial Police, show that the usual two crimes – gambling and drugs – yet again topped the list of offenses committed in the month.A total of 181 people were arrested on gambling charges during the August 1-25 reporting period. Eleven of these were held for their involvement in the underground lottery.Of…
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Prepare for October floods – Governor
PHUKET: Following the recent downpours that caused minor floods and landslides around the island, Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura yesterday warned officials to prepare at-risk areas for potential floods and landslides in October, when more heavy rains traditionally deluge the island.The unusually heavy rain in Phuket in August has led forecasters at the Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast), based at Phuket…
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PGTV News Thursday 31 August 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News today features stories about the Ao Phuket project, a new slaughterhouse for Phuket, Norwegian fish farming methods adapted to snake-head fish and an update on the flooding and landslides caused by recent rain. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, today’s show features a documentary about Volunteers in Phuket. PGTV, produced by the Phuket Gazette, is…
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Eerie hush over stolen tsunami money
PHUKET CITY: Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura has warned that government officers must shoulder the burden of responsibility of their positions and accept the “sharp thorns” of a government career.He was referring to the lingering police investigation into whether Apichart Nooprod was involved in the theft of 2.05 million baht in tsunami funds on February 15 last year.K. Apichart, Chief of…
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PGTV News Wednesday 30th August 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News today features a story about the recently amended dive regulations, a look at scholarships to China, information about a tax hike at Thai airports and we discover a Phuket street that aims to to have the cleanest and tastiest food. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, today’s show features a documentary about Thai kickboxing.…
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Modern slaughterhouse on the way
PHUKET CITY: Phuket City Municipality has announced plans to build a new high-standard slaughterhouse to replace the current one near Ruam Phun Pol Bridge.Chaiyapreuk Phanpreuk, Deputy Mayor of Phuket City Municipality, said that the move is necessary because the Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), which owns the land where the current slaughterhouse is, informed him that the contract for the use…
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Lucky Complex to become science center
PHUKET CITY: The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) has failed to secure funding for the proposed redevelopment of the Lucky Complex at Saphan Hin and will instead use the vacant six-story building for office space and a “Science Learning Center”, OrBorJor President Anchalee Vanich-Thepabutr announced at a media party at the Phuket Merlin Hotel on August 15.“The investors, the Royal…
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OrBorJor signs up 7th school
PHUKET CITY: The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) has added a seventh school to its portfolio in its drive to promote educational excellence in Phuket.At a ceremony at The Metropole hotel on August 23, OrBorJor President Anchalee Vanich-Thepabutr signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Baan Nabon School, whereby the OrBorJor will help the school to build on its record…
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PGTV News Tuesday 29th August 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News today features news about the recent amended dive regulations, a look at an association that is dealing with mental health and we find out about how and why wine awards are given. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, today’s show features a documentary about the Art scene in Phuket. PGTV, produced by the Phuket Gazette,…
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PGTV News Monday 28th August 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News today features an update on the missing tourist in Phang Nga, an announcement that Phuket is rabies free and a visit to a The Phra Tong Buddha. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, today’s show features an interview with Phuket’s German Honorary Consul. PGTV, produced by the Phuket Gazette, is aired daily on the Phuket…
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Dive regulations signed
PHUKET CITY: The new regulations governing Phuket’s dive industry have now been signed by Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura and will come into effect on September 1. Aekachai Soonthorn, secretary to Provincial Chief Administrative Officer Nivit Aroonrat, told the Gazette that the new regulations were signed by the Governor at 4.30 yesterday afternoon.A draft of the regulations has been under review…
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US consular services in Phuket
KARON: Officials from the Consular Section of the American Embassy in Bangkok will visit Phuket on September 15 to provide consular services to US citizens.The following services will be available from 8 am til noon in the Similan Room of the Phuket Hilton Arcadia Resort & Spa:– Passport renewal applications (US$67 or 2,680 baht for adult passports);– Insertion of additional…
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Police continue hunt for abductor
CHALONG: Police are still searching for the second man allegedly involved in the abduction of Jitra Soonsud, 35, who was found handcuffed and drugged in a house in the Phuket Country Home estate, on Chao Fa East Rd, on May 29.“We know who he is and we have had a warrant issued for his arrest, but I don’t want to…
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Missing tourist believed found
PHANG NGA: A woman’s body, believed to be that of missing Scottish tourist Shenaz Kapoor, has been found near the Song Phraek waterfall in Phang Nga. Miss Kapoor has been missing for nine days following a white-water rafting accident on August 15. (See earlier story here.) The body was found in the water at around 6am today by a police…
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Beer bottles bombard cop shop
PHUKET CITY: A gang of teenagers, possibly angry with the police for setting up roadblocks to crack down on motorcycle gangs, launched an attack on Phuket City Police Station in the early hours of yesterday morning, lobbing beer bottles at the building.Pol Lt Theeradet Jiraksa told the Gazette, “While I was on duty, a teenager stopped his motorcycle on 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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