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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Duty-free zone hits bureaucratic speed bump
PHUKET: The committee responsible for drafting a plan to establish a duty-free zone in Phuket has postponed its October meeting in order to give new members time to review the details of the scheme.No date has been set for the next committee meeting.The delay follows the latest reshuffle in Thailand’s bureaucracy, during which key members of the committee were transferred…
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Thaksin, Badawi tackle border issues
LAGUNA PHUKET: In two hours of consultation yesterday, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi discussed progress on initiatives aimed at improving bilateral ties and improving security in the troubled region along the border between the two countries. The initiatives, laid out in the nine-point Joint Development Strategy (JDS) Action Plan signed by the…
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Jeab murder suspect escapes to Belgium
PATTAYA: Sam Van Treeck, the 24-year-old Belgian tour leader accused of the brutal stabbing murder of Phuket-based dive instructor Chompoonut “Jeab” Kobram, is now back in his home country after fleeing Thailand while out on bail. The Belgian Consul in Bangkok, Hilde Van Inthoudt, confirmed that Van Treeck arrived in Belgium on Friday, but denied emphatically that the embassy had…
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THAI offers cut-rate Bangkok-Phuket flights
PHUKET: Thailand’s national airline, THAI, is slashing the price of flights between Phuket and Bangkok by nearly 1,000 baht for two months from November 1.The special fare of 1,700 baht one-way will be available for passengers who book “e-tickets” over the Internet and fly between November 1 and December 31. The full one-way fare is 2,625 baht.In a promotion called…
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Phuket Airport revenues soar
PHUKET AIRPORT: Phuket International Airport recorded almost 30% more revenue last year than in the previous year.Figures released this week during celebrations marking the airport’s 16th anniversary, show it brought in revenue of just over 1 billion baht between October 1 2003 and August 31 this year, compared to 785 million baht over the same 11 months in 2002 -2003.The…
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Patong businesses threaten “mob’ action
PATONG: After two weeks of unsuccessfully petitioning the government to compromise on operating hours, members of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) said in a meeting at Patong Hospital on Friday night they would have no alternative but to demonstrate if a last-ditch appeal to PM Thaksin Shinawatra is ignored.PEBA President Sompetch Moosophon said, “We will send the final petition…
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Inter Milan soccer clinic for Phuket
PHUKET CITY: A soccer clinic affiliated to top Italian side Inter Milan and featuring former Thai national players will be held in Phuket from December 4 to 6.Pimkamol Prasertwongse, Managing Director of Inter Campus Thai, a soccer academy set up by Inter Milan, said, “We expect that the island will be at the center of the sport’s development in southern…
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Top triathletes sign up for Laguna event
BANG TAO: Some of the world’s top triathletes will once again compete in the 11th Thai Airways International Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT), which will be held at the Laguna Phuket Resort on November 20.Some 500 athletes from more than 32 countries are expected to vie for prize money totaling US$20,000.Athletes already confirmed in the men’s category include: Australians Simon Thompson,…
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Thaksin to meet Malaysian PM in Phuket
PHUKET: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will hold his annual meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket next Wednesday.Yesterday, Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura called a meeting with the heads of government departments in Phuket to prepare for the mini-summit, during which cabinet ministers from both sides will also meet for talks.The governor…
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Bokhin offers glimmer of hope for bars
PHUKET CITY: Phuket’s bars and entertainment venues may be allowed to open later again, if their owners can convince the authorities that they are seriously taking action against under-age patrons, drugs and drunk-driving.Bhokin Balakula, Interior Minister, told the Gazette today that the entertainment laws must be enforced. But, he added, “There is a possibility the rules might be re-considered, if…
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It’s official: the rainy season’s here
PHUKET: The Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast) today issued an advisory suggesting that hotels and the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office inform tourists (in case they hadn’t noticed) that it is now the rainy season.Heavy showers in the 24 hours to 7 am today dumped 67.7 mm of rain on the island.Vichit Phuangsombat, Director of the center, told the…
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Top boxing bouts moved to Patong
PATONG: Due to continuing rainy conditions, the three boxing matches scheduled to be staged at the Nong Harn Public Area along Karon Beach today have been moved to the Patong Boxing Stadium on Soi Kepsup 2, next to the Rock ‘n Bowl Bowling Alley.The action will get underway at 3:45 pm this afternoon. Admission is free. The main event will…
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American dies in motorbike accident
PATONG: A 43-year-old American tourist was killed when the motobike he was riding overshot a bend on the Patong-to-Kamala road early yesterday morning.The dead man has been named by police as Marko Lislie Balfour. Mr Balfour had been staying at the Marine Inn, Patong Beach. The accident happened at approximately 1:30 am on Thursday. Pol Maj Chaiyaphot Laorhumwirog of Kathu…
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Olympic heroes head for Phuket
PHUKET: People in Phuket have a chance to see and maybe chat with Thailand’s most successful Olympic team ever, when the athletes come to Phuket as part of a three-day victory tour of the Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.The tour is yet another of the rewards heaped on the 60-strong squad, plus support staff, for their efforts in Athens –…
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Patong delegation upbeat after talks
PATONG: The entertainment industry in Patong is keeping its collective fingers crossed that Interior Minister Bhokin Bhalakula will be sympathetic to its plight after the recent imposition of earlier closing times.A three-man delegation from Patong emerged in optimistic mood from a meeting this afternoon in Bangkok with Pichet Sathirachawal, The ruling Thai Rak Thai party’s Chairman of Candidate Selection for…
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Swede dies in road accident
RAWAI: A 43-year-old Swedish resident of Rawai, named by police as Hans Ingemar, died in a motorcycle accident on Saiyuan Rd on Saturday night. His Thai girlfriend, who was riding pillion, was seriously injured when the motorbike collided with a pickup truck at around 11:30 pm.Mr Ingemar was taken to Wachira Phuket Hospital after the accident but was pronounced dead…
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Australian expertise sought for Chalong marina
PHUKET: Australian experts are being sought to help with developing the master plan for the proposed public marina project in Chalong Bay, Vice-Governor Niran Kalayanamit has told the Gazette.The vice-governor met with Ian Davey, Commercial Consultant for the Australian Embassy in Thailand, on Friday. V/Gov Niran told the Gazette that Mr Davey promised him that a professional consultant would be found…
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Post Office plans to solve mail problems
PHUKET: Mail is to be transported direct from Chumphon to Phuket as one of a series of measures aimed at improving speed of delivery and reducing the amount of misplaced or undelivered mail.The new system, to be implemented in January, will replace the existing one, whereby the post bounces through several southern provinces on its way to Phuket.Phuket Postmaster Visal Pongtiwattanakul…
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Bird ‘flu measures tightened up
PHUKET: Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura has ordered all state agencies to cooperate in eradicating bird ‘flu, after the reappearance of the disease in parts of Thailand this year.On Thursday, Gov Udomsak called a meeting of heads of state agencies in Phuket to ensure the island remains free of the disease.This meeting followed one the previous day in Bangkok, during which Prime…
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OrBorJor sets budget at B405m
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor) has set a budget for 2004-2005 of 405 million baht.Members met on September 30 and voted unanimously for the budget, which is 42 million baht – 11.6% – higher than the one for 2003-2004.Almost a quarter of the budget is earmarked for promoting Phuket as a tourist destination, and educational projects and programmes…
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Service sector suffering skills shortage
PHUKET CITY: Phuket is facing a recruitment crisis, with a shortage of workers who have the experience and foreign language skills required by the island’s service sector, the head of the Phuket Provincial Labour Protection and Welfare Office, Patom Phetmanee, warned yesterday.Speaking at Phuket City Hall, K. Patom said, “There is a great need for labor, especially in the hotel…
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Bus station shopkeepers finally evicted
PHUKET CITY: After five months of resisting an order to leave their premises at the Phuket City bus terminal, six shopkeepers have finally been evicted and their stores leveled to make room for more parking space for sorng taew.Teerayuth Prasertphol, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Transportation Office (PPTO), told the Gazette yesterday that the long-awaited court order, filed on May…
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New company to run city buses
PHUKET: Phuket City’s buses are to be run by a new company after the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) decided not to renew its contract with Andaman Trans Thai, which expired on September 30.The new contractor is Lucky General Transport, though the company will not take over the running of the bus services for two months.In the meantime, the bus…
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Patong night venues threaten protest
PATONG: Sompetch Moosopon, President of the Patong Entertainment Association, today said that owners of Patong entertainment venues will “take action” if their request for an extension to closing times is not granted.“If our request for Patong to be designated a special entertainment area – which will be proposed to Interior Minister Bhokin Bhalakula and Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Maleenont –…
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Phyathai revival to cost around B800m
PHUKET CITY: An estimated 800 million baht will be needed to renovate the abandoned Phyathai Hospital and open it as an annex of Wachira Phuket Hospital, Wachira Phuket director Dr Jessada Chungpaibultatana said today.Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gave the go-ahead for the refurbishment plans – put forward by Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura – during his visit to Phuket on August 25…
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Gambling stays top of arrests league table
PHUKET: In September gambling was once again the crime for which more people were arrested than any other, according to the latest crime statistics from the Phuket Provincial Police.A total of 166 people were arrested for gambing between September 1 and 25, 28 more than during the same period last year.There were 62 arrests for possession and/or use of illegal…
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Warning on fireworks during festival
PHUKET CITY: Government and law enforcement officials have warned the public to refrain from using large firecrackers and other explosive devices during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival, which starts October 14. Phuket City Police Superintendent Pol Col Paween Pongsirin warned that anyone using dangerous fireworks would be prosecuted. Only low-charge, ceremonial firecrackers in strips will be permitted, he said. Col…
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Tough measures cut road deaths
PHUKET: Measures taken to reduce the number of fatalities on Phuket’s roads appear to have been a success, with just seven people being killed in road accidents on the island in five weeks, compared with the “normal” average of 10-15 a month.Metha Mekarat, Chief of the Phuket Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (ODPM), said the reduction was due to…
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Gov fires new salvo at high-flying investigators
PHUKET CITY: Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura today enlarged on his tough criticism of the investigation team from Bangkok, led by Crime Suppression Division (CSD) Chief Pol Maj Gen Kosin Hintao, who inspected land plots on Phuket, Koh Racha and Koh Hei on Wednesday last week.“The police just stayed in their helicopter and pointed at developments on beautiful plots of land…
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Pongsaklek title defense called off
PHUKET CITY: WBC world flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam’s October 8 title defense against 15th-ranked challenger Carlos Bouchan was called off after the Mexican challenger suffered a training injury.The Asian Boxing Council (ABC), an affiliate of the WBC, has instead organized a non-title fight on the same date, featuring Pongsaklek against Randy Mangubat of the Philippines.On the same fight card, to…
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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