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.
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Airport throughput up in July
PHUKET: Heartening news again for the low season comes with the latest monthly figures issued by Phuket International Airport. These show an 8.69% rise in passengers using the airport in July, compared with July 1999. The statistics show that 267,436 passengers went through the airport in July of this year compared with 246,062 in the same month last year. The…
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Police station wins top prize again
PHUKET TOWN: Phuket Town Police Station has beaten 60 other police stations in seven southern provinces to win first prize in the “Police Station for People” competition for the second year in a row. Pol Col Chalit Thinthanee, the police station’s superintendent, explained that the competition covered police stations across Region 8, which comprises Surat Thani, Chumphon, Ranong, Phuket, Nakhon…
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Burmese man stabbed to death
PHUKET TOWN: A Burmese fisherman was found murdered near Rassada Port on Sri Sena Rd early yesterday morning. Pol Lt Col Weerawat Jantarawichit of the Phuket Town Police told the Gazette that at around 10 am yesterday, officers received a phone call from someone living in the area informing them that the body of a man had been found near…
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Crime statistics for July released
PHUKET: District patrolmen and crime suppression officers arrested more than 300 people for various crimes during the month of July. Gambling once again topped the monthly crime statistics released today by Phuket Provincial Police. 202 people were arrested for gambling in the course of 109 raids. Narcotics arrests were next on the list, with 129 defendants arrested in 106 cases.…
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Tropical Storm Graeme rattles Phuket
PHUKET: Amorn Chantanavivate, Director of the Southwestern Regional Meteorological Center, told the Gazette today that the heavy downpours in southern Thailand over the last four days were being caused by a southwesterly monsoon named Tropical Storm Graeme. TS Graeme was created when a low-pressure system from the South China Sea developed into a depression, causing heavy rains and strong winds…
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Live grenade found at Karon Beach
KARON: A grenade with the trigger held locked only by a rusty wire was found behind Wat Karon near Karon Beach on Saturday. Chalong police informed officers from the provincial Special Duties Squad just after midnight that an M-67 grenade had been discovered behind Wat Karon, which is on the Karon Beach road. Pol Sgt Maj Thongsook Thongchang, leader of…
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Torso found on Kamala Beach
KAMALA: The torso of an unidentified man was found on the beach in front of the Muslim cemetery in Kamala this morning. Pol Capt Boonlert Onklang of Kathu Police station said police were summoned by a villager who owns a restaurant in the area, and who found the torso. “The body was completely rotten and the arms, legs, and head…
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Phuket Gazette under investigation
PHUKET TOWN: Investigators from the Tourist Police and the Phuket Provincial Employment Service Office (ESO) spent this afternoon at the offices of the Phuket Gazette, probing into an allegation that the newspaper employs numerous foreigners without work permits. The allegation was made in a letter to the Tourist Police signed by “Jobless Graduate”. The writer complained that he or she…
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Robbery gangs stab two
PHUKET TOWN: Two Thai men were stabbed and nearly died in separate robbery attempts by teenage gangsters early yesterday morning. The incidents both occurred between 2 and 3 am, one in Saphan Hin, and the other in Koh Sirei port. Police said that in the first incident Chaiyot Mookdasakulpiman, 18, was walking along the Bangyai canal near his home in…
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Dramatic increase in HIV infection
PHUKET TOWN: Phuket has recorded a horrifying increase in the number of AIDS cases this year. Dr Boonrieng Chuchaisangrat, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Health Office – which has been tracking AIDS infection in Phuket since 1989 – said that between December last year and June this year the number of recorded HIV and AIDS patients in Phuket has risen…
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Blue suede dudes
BANGKOK (AFP): The largest-ever gathering of Thai Elvis impersonators rocked a packed auditorium here last night in a sign of the growing popularity of “The King” in Bangkok, 23 years after his death. During a five-hour show, Thai Elvis impersonators, including one who has been performing since the late 1950s, sang tunes ranging from standards such as “Jailhouse Rock” to…
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Swede dies after stabbing
PATONG: Stig Gustaf Mörk, 57, a Swede living in Patong, died on Friday morning of massive blood loss, after being stabbed the evening before. Pol Col Kokiat Wongvorachart, superintendent of Kathu police Station, said that Mr Mörk was stabbed by his girlfriend, Ranthom Namyoo, 37, from Supan Buri. Col Kokiat said that according to a confession Ranthom made to the…
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Police raid bars and clubs
PHUKET TOWN: Police launched a series of raids early this morning, aimed at catching bars and clubs breaking various laws. Pol Lt Col Teeraphol Thipjaroen, deputy superintendent of Phuket Town Police Station, told the Gazette that 120 officers were sent out on the raids, targeting bars and clubs that allow entry to people under 18 years old, that stay open…
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Government pressured to resign after corruption verdict
BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand’s stunned government came under pressure today to call an early election in the wake of the corruption verdict against powerful former interior minister Sanan Kanchornprasart. Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai of Sanan’s ruling Democrat Party should quit as prime minister and call new elections to take responsibility for Sanan’s actions, said Adisorn Piangket, an opposition MP. “The Democrats…
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Ladies-only bus service set up
PHUKET TOWN: A local company has started a bus service exclusively for women on the long distance route between Phuket and Bangkok. Phuket Travel plans to do 14 trial runs of the “ladies bus” during the month of August. The company has provided this service for the past two months, but few people know that it is available. However, most…
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Phuket Tourism Association elects new president
PHUKET TOWN: The Phuket Tourism Association (PTA) has finally elected a new president at a meeting held Tuesday evening at the Phuket Merlin Hotel. Sombat Atiset, managing director of Kata Thani Hotel & Beach Resort, was elected by the majority of eligible voters. K. Sombat said that the first issue the PTA will address is the hotel tax, which will…
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Three die in motorcycle accidents
PHUKET TOWN: Three people were killed in three separate motorcycle accidents early this morning. Pol Capt Pairin Jamjumrat of the Phuket Town police station told the Gazette that the accidents all occurred during heavy rains at around 4 am. The first crash occurred in front of the Tourism Authority of Thailand office on Phuket Rd. Sompornrat Pinprasert, 16, and Mala…
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Victim’s friend confesses to Saphan Hin murder
PHUKET: The police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of a long-tail boat driver in Sapan Hin last week. Santi Prachumchai, 29, a construction worker, was arrested for the murder of Chin Lueyot on Sunday at his friend’s home at 8/7 Amphur Rd, Phuket Town. The police made the arrest after speaking with friends of K. Chin…
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OrBorJor to take over local bus service
PHUKET TOWN: Dr Prasit Koysiripong, President of Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), announced last week that the OrBorJor has decided to take over the operation of a new local bus service. In May, PB Holdings pulled out of the venture as the company believed it could not survive with passenger fares restricted to 10 baht. The restriction was stipulated in…
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Sapan Hin murder victim identified
PHUKET: The identity of a man who was found dead in Saphan Hin on Saturday evening, July 29, has now been established. The murder victim has been identified as Chin Lueyot, 33, a Phuket-based long tail boat driver. Last week, Tanakarn Wareethip, a construction worker from Tambon Rasada and a friend of Khun Chin, saw a picture in a local…
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Village chief smoked out by police
CHALONG: Sema Adhan, a village headman in Chalong, was arrested for possession of marijuana at his home yesterday. Pol Capt Chana Suthimas of Chalong Police Station said an informer told police yesterday that there was marijuana hidden in a house in Chalong. In the process of acquiring a search warrant, police investigators found that the house belonged to Sema, who…
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Drugs spreading rapidly into southern Thailand
HAT YAI (AFP): Amphetamine addiction, which has caused havoc in Thailand’s cities and been named its top national security threat, has now spread to the rural south, the army says. “I believe that more than 50 percent of the villages in the south already have a drug problem,” said Lieutenant General Narong Denudom, the commander of Thailand’s Fourth Army which…
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Tourist guide nabbed for passing phoney bill
CHALONG: After arresting Viroj Chookrue, a Thai photographer, on counterfeiting charges three days ago, Chalong police arrested the man who they suspect gave the money to him. Porramet Thongton, a 28-year-old tourist guide, was arrested yesterday on counterfeiting charges after Viroj told police that Porramet had given him a phoney $50 bill. Pol Capt Sanae Panmee of Chalong Police Station…
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Abandoned baby found in field
KATHU: A baby boy, estimated to be only three days old, was found abandoned in a field used by a driver’s training school in Kathu yesterday morning. Pol Capt Theerarat Choychanchaikul, of Thung Thong Sub-District Police Station, said the baby was found wrapped in a towel inside a black leather bag. The bag had been placed on the ground next…
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Chinese minister to visit Phuket
PHUKET: Chen Changzhi, Vice Minister of the ‘Ministry of Inspection’ of The Peoples Republic of China, will arrive in Phuket tomorrow for a personal visit. Mr Chen and his entourage will stay at the five-star Le Meridien Phuket on Relax Bay. Scheduled excursions for the group include Krabi and Phang Nga Bay National Park. They also plan to visit Phuket…
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Phuket parents don’t want sex bags in schools
PHUKET: Phuket is trying to bolster its defense against AIDS by increasing education and stepping up the distribution of condoms. But the province faces stiff resistance from the local population. According to Dr Boonrieng Chuchaisangrat, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, the reason Phuket has the second highest rate of AIDS infection in southern Thailand is that both…
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PPEA announces blackouts for August
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) has announced scheduled blackouts for the month of August. The PPEA will be clearing tree branches and adding covers to the electric lines in these areas. On all days listed, the blackout will extend from 9 am to 4 pm. August 3: from Phuket Town Municipality to SU Garage, including Surin Rd; some…
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Murder victim found in Saphan Hin
PHUKET: A man was found murdered in Saphan Hin, Phuket Town, on Saturday evening. Police have not yet been able to confirm whether he is Thai or Burmese. Police said the victim died of blood loss from stab wounds to his face. Other wounds on his body indicated that he had been involved in a fight. Pol Capt Pin Inmak…
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THAI plan to ground “unsexy’ stewardesses slammed
BANGKOK (AFP): A top labor union representative today slammed plans by Thai Airways International (THAI) to ground older stewardesses not sexy enough to meet its hostess profile. THAI is planning to replace older stewardesses with younger, sexier models, labour union president Jaemsri Sukchotesri said, by moving over-45s to ground staff positions. “THAI is not selling sex. We are simply selling…
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20 die in traffic accidents
PHUKET: Twenty people died in traffic accidents between May 20 and June 20, according to statistics from the Wachira, Thalang and Patong government hospitals. Ampaipan Pawawattananusorn of the Phuket Provincial Health Office reports that 18 of the victims died while on motorcycles, while one was in a car and one was riding a bicycle. In the same period, 84 people…
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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