Phuket News
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Phuket police race donated eyes to airport for transplant
Traffic police in Phuket escorted donated eyes from a local hospital to the airport for an emergency transplant operation in Bangkok, ensuring timely delivery. Phuket City Traffic Police carried out a high-speed medical escort yesterday, October 9, to ensure the safe and urgent delivery of donated eyes from Vachira Phuket Hospital to Phuket International Airport. The life-changing operation was part…
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Tourist rescued from Ratsada boat mishap, unlicensed captain held
A foreign tourist was rescued by marine police after falling off a tour boat in Phuket, prompting the arrest of the unlicensed captain operating the vessel. Officers from the Phuket Marine Police sprang into action on Tuesday, October 7, after a foreign female tourist fell off a tour speedboat in Ratsada, on the island’s east coast, narrowly avoiding serious injury. The incident occurred at around 10.30am while…
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Thief at large after stealing speedboat and abandoning it at see off Phuket
Police are searching for a thief who stole a speedboat from a travel agency and later abandoned it at sea off Nai Yang Beach in Phuket. The company asked local news page Phuket Times to report on the stolen speedboat, named Kantee, yesterday, October 8, in hopes of finding clues to its whereabouts. The boat was stolen at around 11.40pm…
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Phuket MP slams outdated booze ban laws and calls for reform
A Phuket MP criticised Thailand’s alcohol laws after a religious holiday ban caused confusion over who can sell booze, calling for urgent legal reform. Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee has criticised the country’s alcohol laws for causing confusion and chaos, particularly during religious holidays, and called for urgent reform to support Thailand’s tourism and nightlife industries. Chalermpong blasted the long-standing Entertainment…
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Navy aircraft blocks Phuket Airport runway after landing gear malfunction
A Thai Navy aircraft blocked the runway at Phuket International Airport today, October 8, after experiencing a landing gear malfunction during landing. No injuries were reported. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) The incident occurred at 11.14am, prompting airport authorities to issue an urgent announcement and temporarily close the runway to ensure…
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Nine arrested in Phuket for illegal cockfighting and gambling
Nine individuals have been detained in Phuket following a crackdown by officials on an unlawful cockfighting and gambling operation in Koh Kaew. The Phuket Provincial Administration Special Operations Unit targeted a migrant worker camp located in Moo 4, Koh Kaew, at 4pm on October 5. The intervention was prompted by reports of illegal cockfighting, gambling, and drug use disrupting the…
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Phatthalung student drowns at Bang Tao Beach in Phuket
A 16 year old girl from Phatthalung drowned while swimming at Bang Tao Beach in Phuket yesterday afternoon, October 6. The victim, identified as Wimonrat Yang-aphai, was swimming about 50 metres from shore with a friend, Kasakorn Prayot, when both were caught in strong waves at around 4pm. Resort security guards and locals rushed to assist and contacted emergency services.…
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Foreign man scams Phuket exchange shops with fake pound banknotes
Several money exchange shops in Phuket collectively lost nearly 40,000 baht to a foreign man who exchanged counterfeit banknotes. The Phuket Times Facebook page reported that it received multiple alerts from exchange shops across the island and issued a warning to the online community today, October 6, to prevent further victims. A photograph of the foreign suspect was included in the…
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Myanmar national fatally stabbed in Patong altercation
In Patong, a Myanmar national was fatally stabbed during a confrontation on October 3. Patong Police were alerted to a rental room in an alley off Soi Klong Bang Wat, Ratchapathanusorn Road, at 7.02pm. They discovered 38 year old Zaw Min Win outside his accommodation, suffering from severe stab wounds and lying in a pool of blood. Rescue workers from…
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Phuket urges October blood donations to honour Thai kings
Phuket’s regional blood centre is urging residents and tourists to donate blood this month in honour of Thailand’s revered monarchs and special events. The Phuket Regional Blood Centre (PRBC) has released its full schedule of mobile blood drives across Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi, urging locals and tourists to donate throughout October. The campaign honours the legacies of King Chulalongkorn…
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Phuket pub stabbing suspect turns himself in to police
A southern politician’s grandson surrendered to Phuket police after allegedly stabbing a young man during a late-night confrontation at a local pub. The grandson of Phatthalung Town Mayor Kraiwat Thammapetch, surrendered to police yesterday, October 3, after being accused of stabbing a 25 year old man at a local pub on Wednesday, October 1. Thirayut Thammapetch, accompanied by his lawyer,…
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New Phuket governor kicks off term with youth unity project
The newly appointed governor of Phuket headed to a neighbouring province to join a youth event promoting unity, culture, and leadership through shared experiences. Phuket Governor Saransak Srikruanetra travelled to Phang Nga on Thursday, October 2, to join more than 100 youths from Thailand’s southern border provinces as part of the 45th San Jai Thai Su Jai Tai project. The…
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CCTV captures foreign thief stealing laptops and wallet in Phuket
A Thai man is seeking clues to the identity of a foreign suspect who allegedly stole two laptops and a wallet from accommodation in the Bang Tao area of Phuket on Wednesday, October 1. The victim, Ferosh “Eve” Suriya, posted CCTV footage of the alleged thief on his Facebook account yesterday, October 2, urging netizens to provide any information if…
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Russian man found dead in Phuket pool villa
A Russian man was found dead at a villa in Phuket after being pulled from a pool, prompting police to launch an investigation into the circumstances. The 58 year old tourist was discovered lying face-up and wet on a bed inside his private accommodation in a housing estate in Rawai. Police were alerted to the scene at 11am yesterday, October…
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Mayor’s grandson wanted after jealous stabbing at Phuket pub
Police in Phuket are searching for a man accused of stabbing a rival inside a popular pub during a violent altercation believed to be motivated by jealousy. Police are on the trail of a suspect wanted for a vicious stabbing at a pub in Phuket Town, with the attacker identified as the grandson of a prominent southern politician. The attack,…
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Thailand and Mexico celebrate 50 years of friendship in Phuket
Diplomats, officials and guests gathered in Phuket to celebrate five decades of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Mexico at a gala dinner event. Hosted at the elegant Silk Restaurant at Andara Resort & Villas in Kamala, the event was organised by Natthakanya Sangpho, Honorary Consul of Mexico in Phuket. The evening welcomed an illustrious gathering of guests, including dignitaries, diplomats,…
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Phuket’s new governor vows to fix traffic and boost tourism
Phuket’s newly appointed governor took office, pledging to tackle traffic, infrastructure and sustainable development to improve life for residents and tourists. Phuket officially welcomed its new governor, Saransak Srikruanetra, who took office yesterday, October 1, with a promise to tackle the island’s most pressing problems head-on. The 57 year old Udon Thani native pledged to focus on infrastructure, traffic congestion,…
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Phuket bids warm farewell to outgoing governor Sophon
Phuket’s outgoing governor was honoured with a farewell ceremony at Provincial Hall, where officials, community leaders and residents gathered to pay tribute. At 9am yesterday, September 30, Sophon and his wife, Busadee, President of the Phuket Red Cross Society, began the day by paying homage to sacred objects enshrined at the front of the hall. The ritual, a longstanding tradition,…
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Russian driver injures Thai woman and 8 year old boy in Phuket car crash
A Russian man in Phuket crashed his sedan into the motorcycle of a Thai woman and her eight year old grandson on September 25, leaving both victims in critical condition. The boy reportedly remains in intensive care. The assistant to a Phuket Member of Parliament, Udomsak Samran, took to an online community to seek clues about the foreign driver involved…
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Phuket MP blasts visa-free policy over ‘bad tourist’ surge
A Phuket MP has urged the government to review Thailand’s visa-free policy, warning it fuels unruly tourist behaviour and harms the nation’s reputation. Chalermpong Saengdee, MP for Phuket, submitted a formal request urging the government to review the policy, which currently allows travellers from several countries to enter Thailand without a visa. While the measure has boosted arrivals and revenue,…
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Phuket splashes 48 million baht on tunnel revamp to boost safety
Phuket officials have launched a multimillion-baht project to enhance lighting in key underpasses, aiming to improve safety and reduce accident risks at night. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat made the announcement during a provincial committee meeting held on Monday, September 29, at Provincial Hall. He confirmed that contracts for the project were signed earlier this week, and work is set to…
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Indian getaway: SpiceJet adds daily Phuket flights
India’s domestic airline SpiceJet has announced new daily non-stop flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Phuket, giving Indian travellers more options for short-haul international holidays. SpiceJet has announced new daily services linking Delhi and Mumbai to Phuket, one of Thailand’s most popular holiday hotspots. The flights are timed to coincide with the busy winter travel season. According to the airline,…
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Debt and despair: Man dies from shotgun wound in Wichit
A man has died from a self-inflicted shotgun wound at his family home in Wichit, prompting a police investigation into the tragic incident. Wichit Police said they received a report at about 10.50am on Sunday, September 28, and arrived at the two-storey house in Village 8, Wichit, shortly after. The 30 year old man, a local, was found dead in…
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Phuket boosts hospital upgrades with 45.8 million baht investment
Phuket authorities have rolled out a 45.8 million baht plan to upgrade three hospitals across the island in a bid to modernise services and reduce patient transfers. On September 26, Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob officially handed over the funds to the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO). The budget will be split…
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Historic Phuket temple hall demolished for safety despite local upset
Residents of Thalang District in Phuket have expressed their dismay following the unexpected demolition of the main ordination hall at Wat Phra Nang Sang, an ancient temple with a history spanning over 250 years. The building, known as the Ubosot, was central to religious ceremonies and rituals. The Ubosot, adorned with murals depicting local history and legends, was a symbol…
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Californian man found dead in Patong hotel room
An American tourist was found dead in his Patong hotel room, prompting police to launch an investigation into the cause of death. Police have launched an investigation after a 31 year old American man was found dead in his hotel room on Nanai Road in Patong, Phuket. The tourist, who had travelled from California and checked into the hotel alone,…
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Patong’s promenade revamp drags on with no end in sight
A major promenade upgrade in Patong has fallen behind schedule, with only partial progress made and no confirmed completion date. The long-awaited redevelopment of the Thaweewong Road promenade in Patong has hit a major snag, with only 30% of the work completed, well past its deadline and with no firm end date in sight. Kittisak Morasilp, Director of Patong Municipality’s…
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Russian pickup driver surrenders over viral sex video in Phuket
A Russian man surrendered to police today, September 26, admitting that he was the driver of the black pickup truck featured in the viral sex video in Phuket. The explicit footage, showing 23 year old Russian national Georgii and a 42 year old Thai woman engaging in sexual activity on the moving vehicle along Phuket Bypass Road, to the ire…
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Naked tourist dances on Soi Bangla, sparks online backlash
A foreign tourist shocked partygoers after stripping naked and dancing on a busy Phuket nightlife street, drawing criticism and concern from netizens. A video, lasting just 21 seconds, was shared on Facebook and quickly went viral. It shows a man undressing and dancing to loud music, completely oblivious to the stunned onlookers around him. He is later seen picking up…
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Chinese woman accuses Phuket taxi driver of sexual assault attempt
A Chinese woman sought help from locals on a roadside in Phuket after accusing a Thai app-based taxi driver of attempting to sexually assault her yesterday, September 25. Residents who assisted the woman shared details of the incident on the Phuket Times Facebook page yesterday. The incident reportedly occurred at around 2am in the Patong area of Phuket. According to…
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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