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
Is cannabis really safe? Here’s what you need to know
Thai society’s views on cannabis continue to change for the better as the industry grows. More and more people are starting to embrace the plant for its medicinal and holistic wellness benefits. But despite growing acceptance, some stigma and perception...
-
Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous 2018 – Raises the bar again
Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous 2018 (KRSR 2018) was, again, a leader in superyacht events in Asia. This year’s event has been hailed as an outstanding success both in terms of the strength of the yachting brands on display and the relaxed and productive business atmosphere. Over 350 invited personalities, including local and international VIP guests, major trend-setters in yachting and…
-
Two youths arrested over bag snatching in Phuket Town
Phuket Police have arrested two suspects after they snatched a bag containing cash and a mobile phone from pedestrian in Phuket Town. Phuket Police have arrested 19 year old Chanatiip ‘Lip’ Samartkit from Phuket and a 15 old boy from Nakhon Si Thammarat. They were both arrested at a rental room in Rassada, east of Phuket Town. The arrest follows…
-
Is the Kathu Temple involved in a zero dollar Chinese tour scam?
Hundreds of Chinese tour buses are clogging the tiny streets around ‘old Kathu’ on the northern side of Phra Phuket Kaew Road every day to drop the tourists off at the Kathu Temple. The temple now has a full commercial operation offering religious amulets, some of them selling for 20,000 baht and more. Tourists are guided around some of the…
-
US ambassador shares concerns about tourism in Phuket
The acting US ambassador has met with Phuket’s Vice Governor to discuss long-term tourism and environment issues whilst visiting the island. Peter Haymond, the acting US Ambassador, met with Phuket’s Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung at the Phuket Provincial Hall today. The Phuket PR Office reports that Vice Governor Prakob says, “The ambassador is interested in Phuket as it is an…
-
Phang Nga hotel ordered to stop holding weddings on the beach
PHOTOS: Manager Online The Damrongdhama Centre in Phang Nga Office has banned a ‘luxury’ hotel in Phang Nga for arranging a wedding event on Natai Beach after investigations over beach encroachment. After an inspection at Natai Beach in Kokkloi, Phang Nga officials, led by Phang Nga Governor Siripat Pattakun, found that a luxury hotel had put umbrellas and chairs on…
-
Fire destroys wooden house in Wichit
A fire has totally destroyed a wooden house and storage area in Wichit yesterday. The estimate value of damages is around 300,000 baht. Wichit Police were notified of the fire in Soi Thep Anusorn in Wichit at 2pm yesterday. Police and rescue workers, along with firefighters with two fire engines, arrived at the wooden house which was already well ablaze.…
-
Thanyapura hosts Phuket’s biggest cycling event
The fourth annual Classic Cycling Race took place at Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort on Sunday, 9 December 2018. The event is the biggest cycling race in Phuket with over 250 cycling professionals and enthusiasts arriving to test themselves on the challenging route mapped out by the resort. Cyclists had a choice of 2 distances: 45 km and 106 km. Both…
-
Officials warn motorists about road construction along Patak Road
PHOTO: The Phuket PR Office Phuket officials have followed up complaints after some motorists had been injured in various incidents on Road No 4028 (Patak Road). Signs in three languages and traffic lights have been installed to help warn motorists. Phuket’s Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung inspected along Patak road and the new warnings today. Vice Governor Prokob says, “Some motorists…
-
Governor joins Bike Un Ai Rak in Phuket
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR OFFICE The Phuket Governor Pakkapong Tawipat joined the ‘Bike Un Ai Rak’ yesterday afternoon. More than 5,800 had registered by the end of last week. The cycling started at 3pm from Narisorn Road in Phuket Town to Wat Chalong and returned back to the Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket Town with a total distance 27.1 kilometres.…
-
King leads the way in ‘Bike for Love and Warmth’ – PHOTOS
Yesterday’s Bike Un Ai Rak event proved again that Thai’s love getting onto their bikes and joining in a royally-sponsored cycling campaign. The event was held yesterday, in the capital and provinces. Hundreds of thousands of people across the country took part in the “love and warmth” cycle rides. The main event was held in Bangkok where the ride was…
-
Missing man found dead at Thalang dam
A missing man, who disappeared after heading out on a fishing trip, has been found dead at the Bang Neow Dum reservoir in Thalang. Police and rescue divers arrived at the reservoir yesterday morning to find a fishing net, a pair of shoes, clothes and motorbike keys near the reservoir. The wife of 40 year old Pharit Daorueang told police…
-
Tha Chin Canal gets a volunteer clean up
by Salinee Prap Over 200 residents and tourists rolled up their sleeves and joined forces yesterday (Sunday) collecting garbage that has swept into Khlong Tha Chin tambon Rassada of Phuket’s Muang district. Klonh Tha Chin is the waterway that separates Koh Sirae from the rest of Phuket, linked by a 80 m bridge. The volunteers, including local fishermen and members…
-
Phuket King’s Cup regatta wraps up
With good winds of about 15 knots returning for the final day of the 32nd Phuket King’s Cup Regatta yesterday, some exciting racing was held off the south-western tip of the resort island as one of Asia’s biggest sailing events came to a close. With almost 90 keelboats and multihulls as well as 107 dinghy sailors, the waters of the Andaman…
-
More than 6,000 cyclists expected in Phuket’s Bike Un Ai Rak event today
“All roads along the route will be closed from 2pm to 5pm today.” More than 5,500 Phuketians registered to participate in the Bike Un Ai Rak national cycling event on today. According to organisers, people can still register at the event today, but there will not be official T-shirts for them to wear (as you needed to register earlier to…
-
No wind for the big boats, but plenty for the smaller ones – VIDEO
PHOTO: Chanokchon Wangsuk and Piyaporn Khemkaew in 420 Class Day 5 – Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Conditions were more suitable for water-skiing than sailing on the Andaman Sea off the south-western tip of Phuket on Friday with the lack of wind leaving the large fleet of keelboats and multihulls unable to race. After being almost becalmed for three hours with…
-
Young dolphin died from natural causes
PHOTOS: ThaiWhales No plastics were found inside the injured Striped Dolphin found at Nai Yang Beach last week. The young dolphin died Wednesday following efforts to save it. Read more about the sad death of this small dolphin HERE. ThaiWhales is reporting that both Thais and foreign volunteers were working 24 hours a day to save the dolphin which was named…
-
Man arrested with drugs at Phuket Checkpoint
A man has been arrested at the main Phuket Checkpoint with 60,000 methamphetamine pills and one kilogram of crystal methamphetamine. The Tha Chat Chai Police and Phang Nga Provincial Police arrested 28 year old Kitti ‘Uat’ Pueanrak from Phang Nga on Tuesday. Police seized 60,000 methamphetamine pills and one kilogram of crystal methamphetamine at the Tha Chat Chai Checkpoint at…
-
Two workers’ camps go up in flames within four hours
PHOTOS: Newshawk Phuket, Khun Patong8144 and The Thaiger There have been two separate fires today, in different areas in Phuket. At this stage The Thaiger believes that both were Burmese workers’ living accommodation, or work camps. There has been no immediate reaction from police about any connection between the two fires, both at workers camps within four hours of each other.…
-
Fire destroys workers’ camp in Kathu
A fire completely destroyed a workers’ camp in Kathu this morning. No injuries were reported. Kathu Police were notified about the incident at a the accommodation in Soi See Kor at 7.10am. Police and rescue workers, along with firefighters with four fire engines, arrived at the two storey building where there were 40 rooms, to find the building well ablaze.…
-
Boon Rawd – the reluctant sea turtle
A sea turtle, a sole survivor from a cluster of 87 sea turtle eggs found at Koh Racha last year, is a hesitant swimmer and reluctant to return to the sea. Yesterday officials and veterinarians from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resource (DMCR) Phuket Office and the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) brought the sea turtle to Koh Racha…
-
Bangkok #2, Phuket #11 – World’s most popular destinations
“Phuket rank 11th with about 11.9 million tourist arrivals this year, higher than last year’s 11.6 million arrivals making it Thailand’s most important economy outside Bangkok.” Bangkok has come in second place in the list of the world’s top cities for tourism. The list has been compiled by Euromonitor International. Their Top 100 City Destinations 2018 report has just been…
-
“Plastic, the Material that Binds the Planet” – Talk in Phuket
by Ocean Recovery Alliance Join us for a deep dive talk on plastic pollution and some of the global activities underway to slow the flow of pollution to our waters. Speaker, Doug Woodring, was recently awarded the Prince’s Prize for Innovative Philanthropy from Prince Albert of Monaco for his work on this topic, and he is a leading global thought…
-
Many fish caught at Nai Harn Beach – normal phenomenon
Lots of Torpedo Scads have being caught at Nai Harn this week is a normal phenomenon, which happens twice in a year. About 10 local Kata fishermen caught ‘Torpedo Scads’ (Hardtail scad, Finny scad, Finletted mackerel scad, Cordyla scad), about 3,000 – 4,000 on Sunday night. Many people were worried that this was abnormal or a portent of disaster. Suchart…
-
Eight Phuket monks defrocked after testing positive for drugs
Eight monks from three temples in Phuket have been defrocked after posting positive drug tests. Phuket officers raided three temples in Mueang Phuket and Kathu district – Samkong Temple, Kathu Temple and Thepnimit Temple – after locals complained about drug in the temples. Officers conducted urine drug tests on the monks. The drug tests show that one monk from Samkong Temple…
-
Injured dolphin from Nai Yang Beach still in critical condition
The injured dolphin found at Nai Yang beach last week is still in critical condition. A laser treatment is being used as part of the healthcare for the dolphin. The dolphin was found on Friday. Read more about last week’s rescue HERE. At the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) veterinarians and volunteers are now taking care of the dolphin 24 hours a…
-
Two races on Day One of Phuket King’s Cup
The 32nd Phuket King’s Cup Regatta was off to a flying start yesterday with a strong breeze of up to 17 knots, allowing race organisers to hold two races in all classes off the southern part of Phuket. In the top flight IRC Zero Class – for the slick, stripped down racing keelboats – Australian Ray Roberts and his crew…
-
TAT grapples with real numbers in the wake of the Chinese tourism slump
“Tourist arrivals in Phuket have increased by 10%, with more visitors from India though Chinese arrivals have not picked up since the Phoenix tourist boat tragedy in mid-July.” This summary from Kanokkittikar Kritwutthikorn, director of the Phuket office of the TAT. Last week the local tourist body was quoting a 20% increase as the island’s tourist chiefs appear to be unable…
-
Karon locals follow-up on blocked public access
Local residents in Soi Lookpor (Soi Patak) in Karon are following up on a complaint about public access in Karon. They’ve been trying to get the attention of the local municipality but nothing is being done to address the issue. Karon locals, led by Ammara Thepkaew, came to the Phuket Reporters Association after a complaint had already been filed to…
-
Alert to avoid Phuket King’s Cup Regatta area
The Phuket Marine Office has issued a warning for boats to avoid areas where the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is being held in and around Kata Bay this week. The event started today. The warning states that, due to the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta being held from December 2 to December 8 in Kata Bay, from 8.30am to 7.30pm each…
-
1,000 riders join dress rehearsal for next week’s ‘Bike Un Ai Rak’
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office The Phuket Governor Pakkapong Tawipat along with more than 1,000 riders joined the dress rehearsal for next week’s ‘Bike Un Ai Rak’ yesterday. His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has graciously granted permission to the Bangkok government to organise the “Love and Warmth at Winter’s End” festival at the Royal Plaza and Sanam Suea Pa in…
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.