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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Patong tuk tuk driver fined after aggressive road confrontation
Patong tuk tuk drivers are again under scrutiny after an alarming confrontation between a driver and a resident in traffic. The incident, captured in a 51-second video, ignited a wave of criticism and concern among Phuket residents. A resident, who has been living in Phuket for eight years, documented the encounter and posted the video on the Facebook page Driving…
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Debate ignites over van-car collision in Patong Hill, Phuket (video)
A collision between a van and a car at the intersection of a hotel driveway in Patong Hill, Phuket, sparked a heated debate over road rules and responsibilities. Video footage of the incident, shared by the NewshawkPhuket Facebook page, shows a white car exiting a hotel on Phra Baramee Road in Kathu district and being hit by an oncoming van.…
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Phuket enforces 48-hour alcohol ban for Buddhist holidays
Patong police announced a 48-hour ban on alcohol sales in bars and restaurants as Thailand observes the Buddhist holidays Asarnha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa this weekend. Violating the alcohol sales ban could result in up to six months in jail or a fine of up to 10,000 baht, according to the notice issued by Patong Police. Officers informed bar…
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Wichit conducts major tsunami evacuation drill in Phuket
Phuket’s Wichit Municipality conducted a comprehensive tsunami evacuation drill and rescue exercise yesterday, July 18, aimed at bolstering disaster preparedness in Phuket. Wichit Mayor Kreetha Chotiwichpipat and Mueang Phuket District Chief Worasit Putjeeb led the drill, which involved multiple agencies in a Table Top Exercise (TTX). The simulation was designed to test the municipality’s ability to respond to a tsunami…
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Irish footballer fights for his life after bike crash in Thailand
An Irish footballer from Cork, in the Republic of Ireland, is battling for his life after a catastrophic cycling accident in Thailand. The horrific crash on Saturday, July 13, left the Tramore Athletic Football Club goalkeeper with severe injuries, prompting an outpouring of support that has raised over 46,000 euros (around 1 million baht) in just hours. Rushed to Phuket…
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Foreign man caught on viral video urinating on Phuket road (video)
A viral video shared on a news Facebook page showed a foreign man urinating in the middle of the Patong Beach Road in Phuket during a traffic jam, despite many motorists staring at him. The Facebook page, 1วันพันกว่าเรื่อง ภูเก็ต (meaning over 1,000 things happen in a day), shared a video of the foreign man, whose identity was not disclosed, yesterday,…
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Phuket police seize 188 Yaba pills in drug bust
Police in Phuket apprehended two individuals in Baan Phru Somphan, Moo 8, Thepkasattri, following local community complaints about drug-related activities. The Provincial Defence Office reported that the arrests took place at approximately 6.35pm on July 16. The names of the suspects were not disclosed. The first suspect, referred to as Accused No.1, was found in possession of 175 methamphetamine pills,…
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Transport Ministry execs visit Phuket to boost economic development
Senior executives from the Ministry of Transport gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, engaging in a two-day study tour aimed at boosting economic development in the region through transportation initiatives. This initiative, part of a broader training programme organised by the Ministry of Transport, targets government officials and employees from state enterprises. Running from May 27 to August 16, the…
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Tourist mugged near Big Buddha Viewpoint in Phuket
A tourist was mugged near the Big Buddha Viewpoint in Phuket, prompting Karon Police to launch a manhunt for the assailant. The incident took place yesterday, July 16, at approximately 6.22pm near the Nak-Kerd Seaview Cafe, according to police reports. A Thai man, identified only as Wirat, witnessed the mugging while driving towards Chalong. He immediately alerted the police by…
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Fire ravages Karon Night Plaza, damages exceed 43 million baht
A devastating fire at Karon Night Plaza over the weekend ravaged 20 shops, causing damage exceeding 43 million baht, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee confirmed. The blaze erupted early morning on July 13, primarily affecting seafood and clothing stalls. Firefighters were alerted to the scene at approximately 11.40pm on July 12 night and continued battling the flames into the early hours…
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Phuket cleanup in full swing after storm wreaks havoc
Teams of workers are diligently clearing debris across Phuket after a severe storm struck the island overnight. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that the storm brought intense rain and winds reaching up to 68 kilometres per hour, causing significant disruption. The municipalities of Wichit and Thepkrasattri confirmed that several trees were uprooted, minor flooding occurred, and there was damage…
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Overloaded truck blocks Patong Hill, causing long delays (video)
A truck overloaded with hay bales blocked traffic over Patong Hill last night, causing extensive delays. The incident occurred when the truck struggled to climb the steep hill, before ultimately coming to a halt near its base. The video, shared on Facebook by Newshawk Phuket, recorded the truck at 11.25pm, yesterday, July 15, as it struggled and eventually stopped. The…
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Tourist brutally attacked by taxi drivers in Phuket (video)
Motorbike taxi drivers brutally assaulted a tourist, rendering him unconscious outside a prominent shopping mall in Patong Beach. A video clip shared on Facebook by Phuket Info Centre revealed the attack, sparking outrage and criticism from netizens. The incident took place today, July 15, at approximately 3am, when a group of motorbike taxi drivers attacked a tourist outside the Central…
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2 men & 1 women wanted by cops for sex on Patong beach (video)
Police are searching for two men and a woman, whose nationalities remain undisclosed, after they engaged in sexual activities on Patong Beach in Phuket yesterday, July 14. The Facebook news page, โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (meaning Phuket is so brutal), shared a picture of three people having sex on the beach yesterday. The picture was reported to be a screenshot from two…
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NZ brothers return home after 4 months in Thai custody for assault
Two New Zealand brothers, who were detained in Thailand for nearly four months following an assault on a police officer in Phuket, have returned home. Hamish and Mattson Day had faced multiple charges after a disagreement over a speeding violation on March 16 escalated into violence. A passerby captured footage of the incident, showing 38 year old Mattson Day attacking…
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Motorbike taxi speeds along Patong Beach, alarming tourists (video)
A motorbike taxi was seen speeding along Patong Beach in Phuket, causing confusion among the many tourists relaxing on the shore. Lifeguards attempted to intervene but were unable to catch the rider. A video showing a motorbike taxi riding on Patong Beach in Kathu district, Phuket, was shared by Monsoongarbage Thailand and Newshawk Phuket, causing a stir on social media.…
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Viral Phuket motorcycle breast groper arrested
Chalong Police in Phuket apprehended a drive-by breast groper after his attack and the chase of a woman in Rawai earlier this month garnered significant public attention. Chalong Police Chief, Police Colonel Ekarat Plaiduang, announced the arrest today, July 12, confirming that officers detained a 23 year old Myanmar national Aung Ko Phyo yesterday. The arrest followed a thorough investigation.…
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Power outage to hit Kathu, Phuket for maintenance tomorrow
Phuket will experience a significant power outage affecting a large section of Kathu tomorrow to allow for essential maintenance work on the high-voltage network. The Provincial Electricity Authority for Phuket (PEA Phuket) announced that the outage would occur from 9am to 4.30pm. A map provided by PEA Phuket highlights the affected area, stretching from in front of Sam Burger shop…
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Phuket vendors warned over price gouging during inspections
Police in Phuket yesterday conducted an inspection at Malin Plaza Patong Market and Banzaan Fresh Market, warning vendors against price gouging. The investigation, led by Pathumphon Yamkerd of the Phuket Provincial Commercial Office, took place yesterday, July 10, at the two markets, aiming to ensure fair pricing and enhance Phuket’s tourism reputation. Some vendors were found not displaying prices, a…
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Phuket vies to host 2025 InterPride World Conference
Phuket is gearing up to compete for the opportunity to host the 2025 InterPride World Conference, with local officials affirming the island province’s readiness. Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a ceremony for the Pride & Equality Phuket memorandum of understanding alongside representatives from both public and private sectors. The agreement, aimed at promoting gender equality, includes raising awareness about gender inclusivity,…
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Phuket woman assaulted on motorcycle, prompts police action
A man on a motorcycle harassed and assaulted a woman in Phuket, prompting calls for police action. The event, which occurred late at night, saw the assailant grab the victim’s chest, almost causing her to fall from her bike. The incident, which occurred on July 1 near the Super Cheap Road in Soi Khok Makham, Rawai, Phuket was reported by…
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Thai man wanted for groping woman’s breasts on motorcycle
A Thai woman urged netizens to help her locate a man who groped her breasts while she was travelling on a motorcycle with her friend in Phuket on Tuesday. The victim took to social media to share the story, saying it happened around 9.30pm on Tuesday, July 9, near the SuperCheap grocery store in Soi Kok Makham, Rawai sub-district, Phuket.…
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Phuket to become Asia’s wellness tourism hub with health expo
Phuket is set to make waves in the wellness tourism industry with the launch of the Phuket Health Expo later this month. Provincial officials, led by Governor Sophon Suwannarat, announced the event during a press conference at the Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, July 9. The expo, scheduled for July 24 to 28 at Central Festival Phuket, aims to catapult the…
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New bus routes from Phuket Airport to major tourist hotspots
A new agreement between Airports of Thailand (AoT) and state-run bus operator The Transport Co, better known by its Thai initials BorKorSor (บขส), will introduce new bus services from Phuket International Airport before the year ends. BorKorSor Acting President, Atthawit Rakjamroon, announced yesterday, July 9, that this initiative will see buses operating directly from three key airports managed by AoT:…
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Patong Police hunt Thai man after knife attack on Indian tourist
Patong Police are actively searching for a Thai man who attacked an Indian tourist with a knife, resulting in a head wound. The incident occurred late Sunday night, July 7, when the Thai man blew cigarette smoke into the Indian tourist’s face, Patong Police were alerted around 11.10pm. Upon arrival, officers found 37 year old Aneesh Kumar Nikathithara Purushan, with…
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Russian DJ arrested in Koh Pha Ngan for last year’s hit-and-run
Police arrested a Russian DJ at a rented room in Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, for crashing an SUV into a motorcyclist last year. A Thai motorcyclist, whose identity was not disclosed, was severely injured in an accident on Koh Pha Ngan on July 30 of last year. A white Toyota Fortuner SUV…
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Foreign man escapes hospital, steals van, and crashes in Phuket
A foreign man escaped from a hospital at the weekend, stole a van parked at a petrol station, and crashed it into another vehicle on Khao Patong Road in Phuket. Officers from Patong Police Station were alerted to an accident on Baramee-Khao Patong Road in the Kathu district of Phuket on Saturday, July 6. Police then requested the Kusoldharm Phuket…
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Illegal streaming site administrator arrested in Phuket
Police from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) have arrested the administrator of the illegal movie streaming website dolphin4k in Phuket for copyright infringement. The suspect, 33 year old Supakrit was apprehended along with various items used in the illicit operation, including 16 Android signal boxes pre-installed with applications for viewing pirated movies, one flash drive, a computer, and a…
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Thai woman arrested in Chalong for bank scam involvement
A woman in Chalong has been arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) for her involvement in a scam operation with the illegal creation of a false bank account. Law enforcement officials apprehended Cantida at her residence in Chalong on Wednesday, July 3. The charges against her fall under the Computer Crimes Act, focusing on fraud by entering false data…
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Phuket gunman currently at large for shooting teenage neighbour
Phuket police are actively searching for a 63 year old gunman, for his involvement in a shooting of a teenager in Srisoonthron, Phuket after a prolonged dispute between the two, who share over a 40 year age gap. Thalang Police Station officers received reports of the shooting at 6.39pm yesterday, July 4. Officers and rescue workers from Srisoonthorn Municipality arrived…
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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