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.
-
Sponsored Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
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....
-
Vachira Phuket Hospital sets new after hours fee, other public hospitals to follow
Vachira Phuket Hospital, Phuket’s largest public hospital, will charge non-emergency patients 100 baht for after-hours treatment. The new charge kicks in on May 1. The new 100 baht fee co-incides with a change in policy by the Thai Ministry of Health that has ordered all hospitals in the country to charge fees for non-emergency patients arriving for treatment outside normal…
-
Fox News fake news, Phuket gets a bullet
by Bill Barnett, C9Hotelworks.com As Phuket moves slowly into low season, a story published in the international media by the US-based Fox News about how tourists could face the death penalty over taking photos at the island’s airport is a highly flaw piece of sensationalist fake news. Clearly there is no likelihood that the Thai authorities will apply a legal maximum…
-
Fake news goes viral about ‘death sentence’ for Phuket airport selfies
International media are going crazy over a completely nonsense story. But, of course, one outlet posts the fake news and the others copy/paste. “Tourists who take selfies on notorious airport beach are threatened with the death penalty by Thai officials,” trumpets the headline in Daily Mail. (‘notorious’???) “Tourists taking beach selfies while planes take-off have angered airport chiefs in Thailand…
-
Woman arrested after stealing 2.3 million baht cash in Phuket
A woman has been arrested yesterday after stealing more than 2 million baht cash from her victim’s house in Phuket. She told her neighbour that she won on a lottery ticket. She also bought a new car. Anusara Kaewsopa filed a report to Chalong Police that a suspect had broken into a house in Soi Songkun, Chalong on April 4.…
-
Skinny ‘Real-life Dumbo’ filmed at Phuket Zoo performing tricks for tourists
PHOTOS: Moving Animals The Phuket Zoo has again been exposed as a below-standard attraction where the inmates appear to be often mistreated, defying modern international standards and conventions for zoos. A skinny looking baby elephant has been filmed as it was forced to dance and perform tricks for tourists in, what the Mail Online describes as, “heart-breaking footage”. It’s not…
-
Man arrested with over 30K methamphetamine pills in Phuket
A man has been arrested with 30,894 methamphetamine pills in Phuket. The Phuket City Police report that they arrested 23 year old Supot ‘Boy’ Numnuan over the matter. Police seized 30,894 of methamphetamine pills, a handmade handgun and 77 bullets. He has been charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 Drug, as well as gun and ammunition with intent to…
-
500 free helmets to be handed out to motorbike drivers before Songkran
FILE PHOTO: Patong Police Patong Development Foundation, along with Patong Police and Patong Municipality, will be handing out 500 helmets to motorbike drivers in Patong before Songkran Day under the campaign ‘Where’s your helmet’. Patong Police Chief Col Anothai Jindamanee says, “Many motorbike drivers have been injured and die in road accident. We want 100 percent of motorbike drivers and…
-
US Navy and Royal Thai Navy conduct maritime enforcement exercises – PHOTOS
The US Navy and Royal Thai Navy are joining annual maritime enforcement exercises ‘Guardian Sea 2019’ up to April 11 in the Andaman Sea around Phang Nga and Phuket. The Royal Thai Navy in Phang Nga and the Third Area Command based at Cape Panwa is responsible for maritime security along the Andaman coast. Joining the five-day maritime enforcement exercises…
-
Sacred waters begin their journey to Bangkok for Royal Coronation
PHOTOS: Phuket – Kritsada Meuanawong Thailand’s 76 provinces have taken part in a nationwide ceremony to draw sacred water from 108 water sources to be used during the Coronation of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn on May 4. The ceremony began in all provinces at the same time of 11.52am. The only exception was Bangkok where the same ritual will be held on April 12 at the Haw Sastrakhom, inside…
-
No foam parties for Songkran
by Suriya Patathayo, Jessada Chantharak Songkran foam parties are being banned this year in the interest of public safety. The announcement today from the national police deputy commissioner Pol General Chalermkiat Srivorakan.Chalermkiat says there had been several deaths and injuries by electrocution at foam parties during previous Songkran festivals. Police have also been instructed to provide security at Songkran celebration…
-
Russian tourist rescued off Patong Beach
PHOTOS: Patong Surf Life Saving A Russian tourist has been rescued after getting into difficulty while swimming at Patong Beach this morning. Patong Surf Life Saving report that around 10.45am at Patong Beach a Russian tourist was spotted in the water, choking and fighting to stay afloat after being hit by a breaking wave. Lifeguards dived in and brought him…
-
Phuket’s Songkran ‘seven days of danger’ safety campaign is on again
Phuket officials are preparing for the annual ‘Seven Days of Danger’ Songkran safety campaign that will this year runs from April 11 to April 17. The official Songkran day (Thai New Year) is on April 13. Phuket Governor Phakkapong Tavipattana says, “Road safety is being emphasised for drivers who are over speed limit, ghost riders, running through a red light,…
-
Motorcyclist dies after slamming into power pole in Wichit – VIDEO
A male motorcyclist has died instantly after trying to overtake a minivan and colliding with a power pole in Witchit this morning. Wichit Police report that they were notified of the incident in Soi Thep Anusorn, Wichit at 5.45am this morning. Police and emergency responders arrived to find the body of a man who was later identified as 26 year…
-
Man drowns after being washed off rocks in Rawai
A man’s body has been washed up on Nai Harn Beach today after going fishing near the windmill in Rawai. Chalong Police were notified at 10am this morning that the body of the man was found floating near Nai Harn Beach. Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the body on the beach where lifeguards had already…
-
Phuket launced GPS and ‘Bus Beam’ for local buses
The Phuket Land Transport Office has launched the Global Positioning System (GPS) and ‘Bus Beam’ application for local Phuket buses; Pink bus (Po Thong) and blue bus (Song Thaew). The Chief of the Phuket Land Transport Office Banyat Kantha says, “The Po Thong Bus is a Phuket symbol which was launched since 1967 (52 year ago). Many tourists still love…
-
Motorbike passenger dies after being crushed by bus in Kathu – VIDEO
A motorbike passenger has died at hospital after being crushed by the rear wheel of a bus in Kathu yesterday. Kathu Police were notified of the incident at Seekor Intersection on Phra Phuket Kaew Road in Kathu at 9.25 am yesterday. Emergency responders arrived to find the damaged motorbike along with the driver, 19 year old Sahassawa Churat. He had…
-
Luxury beachfront suites at The Bay & Beach Club
The Bay & Beach Club boasts luxurious beachfront accommodation in the heart of Patong. Situated right on the soft sands of the beach in an area lined with palm trees, the resort is just a few steps away from the clear waters of the Andaman Sea. The Bay & Beach Club offers luxurious accommodation all designed with the finest contemporary…
-
16 Chinese nationals arrested in Phuket over stock market scam
16 Chinese nationals have been arrested in Chalong for allegedly operating an online speculative stock market scam. Their victims are also Chinese. Immigration Bureau Chief Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn came down from Bangkok to a house on Khwang Road in Chalong where officers arrested the 16 Chinese nationals. During the raid they seized 18 computers, 68 mobile phones, more than…
-
Man drowns in Kathu lagoon, Phuket
PHOTOS: Kusoldharm Foundation A man has drowned while fishing in a lagoon in central Phuket yesterday. Kusoldharm rescue workers were notified of the incident at a lagoon in Kathu before noon. Rescue workers arrived to find a body of a man lying on the ground near the lagoon. There were no signs of a struggle on his body. The man was identified…
-
Police raid illegal Chinese call centre in Chalong, Phuket
FILE PHOTO A total of 16 Chinese nationals, 13 men and 3 women, have been arrested in Chalong, over the alleged operation of a call centre scam which targeted Chinese victims. Officers believe that the operation started sometime in the middle of March. The 16 were arrested at a housing estate on Moo 1, Chalong, southern Phuket, yesterday morning. “We were…
-
Wastewater still flowing into Mudong Canal in Chalong
Officials from the Environment Office Region 15 in Phuket, along with Chalong municipal officials, have inspected the Mudong Canal. Water in the canal flows through villages and markets in Chalong and Wichit before getting to the open sea. Local villagers were complaining that the untreated water caused fish to die and that there was a bad odour all the time.…
-
Patong tourist attackers remain in custody – investigation continues
PHOTO: Patong Police Six Patong taxi and tuk tuk driver suspects remain in custody following the assault of a middle eastern tourist. Two video clips of taxi drivers attacking the tourist in Patong went viral in social media last week. Read more about the attack HERE. Six suspects were arrested by Opting Police last week. Read more about their arrests HERE. Patong…
-
Patong lifeguard wins first prize in the Thai lottery, 30 million baht
“I will continue doing my job as a lifeguard. I love my job and I am happy with it.” 32 year old Nara Nalack, Patong lifeguard, has won first prize in the bi-weekly national lottery, receiving a prize of 30 million baht. The Thai lottery is announced twice each month (the 1st and 16th of each month). The first prize ticket…
-
Pickup truck crashes into power pole in Wichit, causes five hour blackout
PHOTOS: PEA A pickup truck accident in Wichit has caused a blackout for over five hours. The Phuket Provincial Electric Authority (PEA) reports that at 10.20pm last night the pickup truck ran into the pole, pulling down the high voltage pole. The accident caused a blackout in the area around Soi Bang Yai (behind Big C Super Centre) for over…
-
Man arrested with 10,000 methamphetamine pills in Thalang checkpoint
A man who was driving a pickup truck has been stopped at a routine checkpoint in Thalang over the weekend where he was found with 11,110 methamphetamine pills along with a gun. Police have arrested 44 year old Pisak Rodpai from Trang, south of Phuket. Police seized 11,110 methamphetamine pills, a handgun and seven bullets from his vehicle. The arrest…
-
Female motorbike driver dies in Bypass Road crash
PHOTOS: Kusoldharm Foundation A female motorbike driver has died in a motorbike crash on Chalerm Phrakiet Rama 9 Road (Bypass road) early this morning. Kusoldharm rescue workers headed to the accident scene on the Bypass road in Rassada at 3.30am today. At the scene they found a damaged motorbike. Nearby they found Wilai Jamjan lying on the road. She had…
-
Kudo Beach Club in Patong charged after allowing under-age entry
A lawyer of a night club in Patong and a representative of an event organiser yesterday presented themselves to police to face charges after allowing customers younger than 20 years of age to enter the venue. The incident was highlighted by the Spotlight Thailand’ Facebook page. At Patong Police Station last night, the lawyer for the ‘Kudo Beach Club’ and…
-
New airport duty free bid split into two
The Government has insisted that the AoT rejig its awarding for the concession of duty-free shops at its airports. Up to now King Power Duty Free has had a monopoly on the lucrative duty free concessions. So the Board of the Airports of Thailand Company has now decided to split the concession to operate airport duty-free shops into two contracts – one for Suvarnabhumi…
-
Roll out the water trucks – Phuket’s water runs low
by Salinee Prap Many areas of Phuket have suffered a shortage of tap water, with inconsistent or no flow, prompting business operators and residents to buy water from the private sector. Phuket as an island, is usually self-sufficient with its water supply, with three large catchments on the island serving locals, expats and the 12 million annual tourists. Phuket governor…
-
70 year old Austrian man dies after jumping from 14th floor of Patong hotel
A 70 year old Austrian man has died after jumping from the 14th floor at a hotel in Patong today. At 11am today Patong Police were notified that a foreign man had fallen from a hotel in Patong. Police and emergency responders arrived to find the body of a man who was later identified as 70 year old Austrian man…
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.
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.