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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Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Tourists rescued after ignoring red flags at Phuket beaches
Emergency services in Phuket rushed to rescue two tourists who nearly drowned after ignoring red flag warnings at Kata and Karon beaches. The tourists, from Russia and China, were successfully resuscitated with CPR before being taken to Chalong Hospital for further treatment. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sanya Suksawat of Karon Police Station received notification from the Karon Radio Centre about the…
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Bus-tling arrival: Baby born on board Khon Kaen-Phuket route
A woman travelling from Khon Kaen to Phuket on a bus unexpectedly gave birth while on board, assisted by a nurse who happened to be a fellow passenger. This marks her fourth child, and she was unaware of her pregnancy. The incident occurred today, September 9 at 8am, when Wiroj Srisang, Mayor of Simamokhon subdistrict, Klangdong, Pak Chong district, Nakhon…
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Phuket noodle shop fire scrambles safety after gas blunder
A blaze erupted at the ‘Reua-bai’ noodle shop on the Chalong-to-Kata road yesterday after a Myanmar worker accidentally left the gas on while cooking an egg dish. Police were alerted around 3.30pm, yesterday, September 8, prompting a swift response from officers and firefighters from Chalong Municipality. The fire caused substantial damage to the shop’s kitchen, located next to Mini Big…
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Phuket motorcycle taxi driver warned for harassing passenger
A motorcycle taxi driver in Patong has been identified and warned by police following allegations of sexually harassing a female passenger. A social media post under the heading “Patong Taxi Drivers Are Very Horny,” surfaced yesterday, September 7, describing the driver’s suggestive and harassing behaviour towards female passengers. This post caught the attention of Patong Police officers. The post did…
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Sparks fly as electricians and ceiling installers clash in Phuket
A violent brawl erupted in Patong between three ceiling installers and eight electricians, all subcontractors working on adjacent rooms in the same building. The incident, involving knives and resulting in multiple injuries, prompted an immediate police response. Investigative officer Pongpipat Kamchumphu received a report yesterday, September 6, of the brawl at a construction site near the fire station intersection on…
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Phuket art festival: Thai dancers to take over Venice canals
In an unprecedented cultural spectacle, Thai dancers commandeered Venice’s iconic gondolas, leaving locals and tourists in awe as Phuket stakes its claim as the next global art hotspot. Thailand’s Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, under the Ministry of Culture, held a press conference in Venice, Italy, on Monday, September 2 to promote the Phuket Biennale 2025. Modelled after the…
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Phuket pickup truck crash kills two teens, another one critical
Tragedy struck in the early hours of this morning as two teenagers lost their lives and a third remains in critical condition following a horrific high-speed crash on Thep Krasattri Road in Phuket. The white Isuzu D-Max pickup truck they were travelling in veered out of control and smashed into a palm tree, leaving devastation in its wake. Emergency services were…
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Teeing off comeback: Laguna Phuket at the heart of tourism revival
Laguna Phuket, a luxurious 2,500-rai resort complex, is at the heart of Phuket’s tourism resurgence. After the pandemic’s brutal hit to the travel industry, Laguna Phuket Vice President Paul Wilson shares how this iconic destination has not only weathered the storm but emerged stronger than ever. “Laguna Phuket’s prime location in Cherng Talay, with its luxury hotels, 18-hole golf course,…
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Aussie buyers lose millions in Phuket condo scam
Two Australian men have filed a fraud complaint against the company behind The Peaks Residences project in Phuket after shelling out over 5 million baht for a dream condo that never materialised. Despite winning a civil court case, they are yet to see a single baht in compensation, sparking outrage and calls for justice. On September 4, the Central Investigation…
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Phuket outcry after drunk foreigner drives SUV into Bangla Road
Thai netizens condemned a foreigner who, while drunk, drove an SUV into a crowd of Thai and international visitors on Bangla Walking Street in Phuket. Some netizens have suggested that the driver might not actually be of foreign nationality. The Phuket Times shared pictures of an MG light blue SUV parked on a zebra crossing in the middle of Bangla…
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Evidence found in Russian man’s death in Phuket suggests suicide
Police reported yesterday that they have gathered multiple pieces of evidence and information from the wife of a Russian man, whose body was discovered on Karon Beach in Phuket, suggesting that he may have committed suicide. The body of the Russian man, Ilia Orlov, was discovered near Karon Beach in Phuket on Tuesday, September 3. The 27 year old had…
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Swiss man walks free: Shocking gaps in prosecution exposed
In a sensational courtroom drama that gripped Phuket, Swiss businessman Urs Fehr aka David has been acquitted of assault charges after the Phuket Provincial Court found glaring inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. The owner of an elephant park, David, was accused of kicking Thai doctor Thandao Chandam on Yamu Beach in Thalang district on the night of February 24, but…
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Thai man’s tragic end: Suicide at Phuket resort after affair exposed
A Thai man yesterday committed suicide in front of his mistress at a resort in Phuket after his wife discovered his secret affair. Officers from Patong Police Station were alerted to the suicide of the 40 year old Thai man named Sajeecha yesterday, September 3, and attended the scene at The Natural Resort to investigate. The forensic team from Vachira…
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Phuket: 80 million baht study for new Sarasin Bridge underway
A feasibility study amounting to 80 million baht is currently in progress for the new Sarasin Bridge project, confirmed Somkid Kittisopit, the new Director of the Phuket Highways Office. Somkid revealed the update during a meeting with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday. He provided updates on five major transportation projects intended to enhance travel efficiency, reduce…
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Russian man found dead near Karon Beach, Phuket, murder suspected
A local discovered the body of a Russian man in a ditch near Karon Beach in Phuket yesterday afternoon. A fatal attack is suspected as the man had wounds all over his body. Officers from Karon Police Station were called to investigate the death of the Russian man, later identified as 27 year old Ilia Orlov, at around 12.50pm yesterday,…
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Swiss man acquitted in Phuket court for kicking woman doctor
A Swiss man charged with kicking a woman doctor on the steps leading down to a beach outside his villa in February was acquitted by Phuket Kwaeng Court yesterday. The court extended the benefit of the doubt to the 45 year old Swiss expat Urs Fehr, also known as David. Details of the court’s ruling remain undisclosed. David faced accusations…
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Phuket: Pregnant whale met tragic end due to floating garbage
A pregnant whale was found dead on a Phuket beach, tragically suffocated by a stomach full of floating rubbish. The grim incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the devastating impact of marine pollution. The 2.24-metre-long female Dwarf Sperm Whale was discovered on Bang Tao Beach in Choeng Thalay subdistrict, Thalang district, yesterday, September 2. Experts from the Upper…
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Karma’s a baht: Cheating Thai woman loses 78,000 to scammer
If karma indeed exists, then it worked its magic on a Thai woman in Phuket who cheated on her boyfriend. Subsequently, she lost 78,000 baht to a man she encountered on a dating app. The woman, whose identity remains concealed, informed the Phuket Times on Sunday, September 1, that she had lost her mobile phone before discovering that all 78,000…
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Phuket hotels see steady service charges and rising room rates
Phuket’s hotel industry will see stable service charge income and rising room rates during the upcoming peak season, according to the Phuket Hotels Association (PHA). PHA President Bjorn Courage noted that employment levels in Phuket’s 95-member hotels have fully rebounded post-pandemic. Typically, service charges account for 10% of paid room nights and are distributed monthly among all staff members. With…
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Patong motorbike taxi drivers investigated for Grab driver assault
Motorbike taxi drivers in Patong are under police investigation following a violent assault on a Grab motorbike taxi driver last night. The incident occurred on Phra Metta Road at approximately 9.08pm when Patong Police were notified of the attack. Police Major Chayakorn Tangsakul, upon learning of the assault, dispatched officers to the scene immediately. Patong Police Chief Chalermchai Hoernsawat was…
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Major British drug dealer arrested in Phuket restaurant
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a major British drug dealer at a restaurant in Phuket yesterday after he escaped a life imprisonment sentence in the UK and fled to Phuket to live a life of luxury. The UK’s National Crime Agency requested cooperation from the Thai authorities in the arrest of the fugitive drug suspect, a 28 year old man…
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Phuket’s road to relief: Green light at the end of the traffic tunnel
Phuket’s long-awaited new road linking Kathu and Srisoonthorn is finally getting the green light, thanks to generous land donations from three of the island’s most prominent families. Local bigwigs have confirmed the long-stalled project is now full speed ahead. The Ekwanich, Kulwanich, and Saksaktawee families have handed over the land needed for the ambitious 5.6-kilometre road, designed to ease traffic…
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Phuket grease monkey scoops 30 million lottery
Phuket’s newest millionaire is none other than a humble chief mechanic at Anuphas Ford, who struck gold in the government lottery’s latest draw. Jirasak ‘Ton’ Saewun, who works at Anuphas Ford in Phuket, scooped a staggering 30 million baht after hitting the jackpot with five first-prize tickets. The winning numbers, announced by the Government Lottery Office, were 199606. Other lucky…
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Tragic end to holiday: Saudi tourist found dead on Phuket beach
A Saudi tourist’s holiday in Phuket ended in tragedy yesterday evening when his body was discovered on Karon Beach. The grim find was made near the Naga Statue around 6.05pm, yesterday, September 1, prompting an immediate response from the emergency services. Karon Police Chief Khundet na Nongkhai and Deputy Chief Wiwat Chamnankit, along with rescue workers from Karon Municipality and…
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Disabled woman’s fifth suicide attempt ends in tragedy in Phuket
A 39 year old Thai woman who resided at Baan Lipon complex in Si Sunthon village, Phuket was found dead at around 5.30am today. Police today, August 30, found the lifeless body of Sunanta Na Pattalung, leaning against the steel sliding shutters outside her home. Dressed in a blue tank top and shorts, Sunanta had tragically hanged herself using a nylon…
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Pattaya Airways’ maiden flight set to revolutionise Thai logistics
Thailand’s skies witnessed a game-changing event as Pattaya Airways launched its inaugural cargo flight on August 21. Flight PTW822 soared out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 6am, touching down in Phuket by 8.15am. The aircraft returned to the capital just after midday, marking a significant milestone in Thailand’s logistics industry. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat rolled out the red carpet for…
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Phuket taxi driver tussle turns streets into a brawl zone (video)
The streets of Phuket resembled more like a battle scene today than a picturesque holiday resort after a furious brawl broke out between local taxi drivers and foreign tourists, raising fresh concerns about visitor safety. What started as a squabble quickly spiralled into a full-blown fight, drawing a large crowd of shocked onlookers. Wichit Police stepped in today, August 30,…
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Foreign driver damages Thai woman’s car during dispute (video)
A Thai woman is taking legal action against a foreign man for damaging her car during a heated traffic dispute on a road in Phuket yesterday. The Thai woman, whose name remains undisclosed, shared the details of the incident with the Phuket Times today, August 29. She explained that the foreign motorist, whose nationality was unknown, followed her from an…
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Six arrested at unlicenced beauty clinics in Rayong and Phuket
Police officers raided four clinics, arresting six individuals for employing unlicensed doctors in beauty treatments. In another case, an unlicenced Chinese medicine practitioner was detained for claiming ancestral knowledge. Police and health officials announced the results of two significant cases yesterday, August 28, at the Central Investigation Bureau. The first case involved searches of medical facilities, residences, and spa massage…
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Land encroachment scandal rocks Phuket Big Buddha
The Phuket Big Buddha Foundation is in hot water after the Forest Department accused its chairman of land encroachment. This follows a catastrophic mudslide that claimed 13 lives, predominantly Myanmar nationals, last week at Khao Nak Kerd, Phuket’s tallest peak. Officials from the Forest Department, along with the Phuket Buddhism Office, police, and local officials, carried out a rigorous inspection…
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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