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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Phuket gears up for international tourism event
Phuket is readying itself for a monumental moment in global tourism. The Joint Public and Private Sector Committee for Economic Development of Phuket Province met yesterday, September 12, to fine-tune plans for the upcoming International Tourism Island City Conference (ITICC). The Pullman Phuket Karon Beach Resort will host this prestigious event from September 24 to 27, drawing industry heavyweights, experts,…
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Phuket’s overtourism: Is Thailand’s holiday hotspot ruined?
Phuket, Thailand’s stunning island getaway, has claimed the dubious title of the world’s most overcrowded destination. Once a serene beach paradise, Phuket now sees tourists outnumbering locals by a staggering 118 to one, turning the tropical dream into a crowded chaos. Overtourism has become a hot topic since travel bounced back post-Covid. Eager holidaymakers have returned in droves, overwhelming many…
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Phuket takes the lead in fight against corruption
Phuket’s anti-corruption champions are making waves across Thailand. The Phuket Provincial Governance Committee and the Phuket Chamber of Commerce bagged the prestigious White Space Network Model Award for the fiscal year 2024, in recognition of their tireless work to combat corruption. The award ceremony, hosted yesterday, September 11, at the Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel in Nonthaburi, saw key…
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Foreign pickup driver flees after crashing into Thai woman in Phuket
A Thai woman took to social media in a bid to search for a reckless foreign man who crashed his pickup into her in Phuket and fled the scene. The Thai victim, whose name remains undisclosed, shared details of the accident with the Phuket Times today, September 12. She stated that the incident occurred a few days ago, but the…
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Big Buddha boss charged with illegal land grab in landslide scandal
Suporn Wanichkul, the chairperson of the Phra Phuttha Ming Mongol Sattha 45 Foundation, which oversees Phuket’s iconic Big Buddha, has landed in hot water. Accused of illegal forest encroachment, Suporn now faces serious charges connected to the deadly landslide that rocked the region last month. Suporn was formally charged yesterday, September 11, at Karon Police Station by Police Lieutenant Colonel…
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Phuket vendors demand extended hours and free parking
Vendors from Phuket City Municipality Fresh Market 2 in Phuket Town gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, September 10 to request officials to waive parking fees and extend the operating hours of the soon-to-open Go Wholesale fresh produce mall nearby. The formal request was submitted by the vendors, accompanied by members of the Kon Noom Team, to Monchai Sae-Lao, Director…
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Thai ladyboy steals motorbike key in Phuket home invasion
A woman in Phuket experienced a frightening encounter when a ladyboy, apparently under the influence of drugs, entered her home uninvited and demanded the key to her motorbike. When she refused, the individual stole the key and, after a confrontation with a group of young males, fled the scene. The incident gained public attention after Facebook user Earn PhimPhattha shared…
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Police nab three with meth and motorbikes on Bangla Road
In the early hours of this morning, Patong Police swooped to arrest three suspects on Bangla Road with a stash of 55 methamphetamine pills (Yaba) and nearly 5 grammes of crystal meth (Ice). The drug bust took place at around 3am today, September 10, as officers patrolling the area noticed the suspects acting suspiciously near a group of foreign tourists.…
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Finnair boosts flights to the Middle East and Asia, including Phuket
Finnair is giving winter travellers more ways to escape the cold, with a major expansion of its flight schedule to the Middle East and Asia. Starting this November, Finland’s flagship airline will increase its flights to popular warm-weather hotspots like Phuket and Dubai, responding to growing demand from European sun-seekers. From November 2, Finnair will operate daily flights from Helsinki…
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New marine route to slash travel time between Phuket and Krabi
To revolutionise marine transport, the Thai Marine Department has been urged to speed up the construction of four piers that will form a new Andaman marine ring route, dramatically cutting travel time between Phuket and Krabi by a staggering 90 minutes. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri said this push aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s vision to improve infrastructure and…
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Drunk foreign men reportedly fight over Thai woman in Phuket
Two drunken foreign men have become famous in Phuket after videos went viral of the pair fighting over a Thai woman outside an entertainment venue in the Rawai neighbourhood. Footage and images of the altercation on Saturday night, September 7, between the two foreigners were shared by the news Facebook page Phuket Times on September 8. “Farang boxing show! It…
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Phuket fib flops: Gambler’s robbery tale unravels with a busted alibi
A man in Phuket reported a robbery by five individuals but ended up being charged himself after admitting he fabricated the story to hide gambling losses from his wife. CCTV footage did not support his claims. On the night in question, law enforcement was alerted at 10.30pm about a reported robbery near Bangla Mosque in Thalang, Phuket. The complainant, identified…
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Phuket launches road safety initiative for children
The Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) kickstarted an initiative to boost road safety awareness among the island’s children and youths. The project, titled Safe Transportation Under the Royal Grace, was organised to commemorate His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua‘s 6th cycle birthday, celebrated on July 28. An official event report highlights the activities held at the Honda Safety Riding…
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Motorbike mayhem: Monkey wreaks havoc on bike seat in Phuket
A large monkey at Khao Rang (also known as Monkey Hill) in Phuket Town tore apart the seat of a parked motorbike, prompting an assistant village headman to issue a warning for locals and tourists to be cautious around the monkeys. Suriyan Mai-on, the assistant village headman for Thalang district, shared a video of the incident online today, September 9,…
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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 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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Patong boosts public safety in Soi Bangla and Soi Lao crackdown
Patong officials are stepping up efforts to improve public safety and cleanliness in the bustling tourist area, particularly focusing on Soi Bangla and the notorious Soi Lao. This initiative aims to tackle ongoing issues in the area, including drug-related activities, illegal street vending, and misuse of public spaces. A team of officials, led by Kathu District Chief Thammarong Chuay-akson and…
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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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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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Koh Kaew residents still waiting for paved road and electricity
Residents of Koh Kaew have been stuck in limbo for years, living with an unpaved road and no electricity supply. However, after a tense meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday, there’s a glimmer of hope. The meeting, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, was convened by the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office following complaints from the residents. A group…
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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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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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Villa thrill-a: Russian buyers drive Phuket’s 2024 villa surge
Phuket’s villa market has seen a remarkable surge in the first half of 2024, surpassing the total launches for the entirety of 2023. For the first time in 15 years, the value of new villas has exceeded that of condominiums, driven primarily by robust demand from Russian buyers. Phattarachai Taweewong, director of the research department at property consultancy Colliers Thailand,…
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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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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 on high tide alert: 49 areas in flood zone
Phuket Town is now on the flood watch radar alongside 48 other vulnerable areas, according to the Mineral Resources Department. The popular tourist hotspot is bracing itself for yet another battering from severe weather. The department has listed 49 high-risk villages, with the Old Quarter and Chartered Bank community in the Mueang district topping the list. The department used cutting-edge…
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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