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 tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
-
Search continues for four missing fishermen off Phang Nga
The search continues off the coast of Phang Nga for four fishermen after their boat overturned last Tuesday (September 4). A search team from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phang Nga Office and the Royal Thai Navy have continued the search for the four missing men since the reports came in that they hadn’t returned. The four missing…
-
Wet weekend on the way for many parts of the country
The Thai Meteorological Department is warning people around the country to prepare for some heavy rains through the weekend. The department says the heavy rains are being fueled by a moderate high-pressure pressure system from China that has spread over upper Laos and Vietnam. At the same time, a monsoonal trough lies across the lower north, the Upper Central, the…
-
Driver lucky to escape serious injury in gas cylinder truck accident
PHOTOS: Community Television Phang Nga Volunteers / Newshawk Phuket A refrigerated pickup truck driver, who has admitted to being asleep at the wheel, has sustained minor injuries after colliding into the back of a parked truck which was carrying gas cylinder tanks in Phang Nga this afternoon (September 7). Phang Nga rescue workers were notified of the accident in Takua…
-
Thai pull direct Phuket to Hong Kong flights
PHOTO: Planespotters.net Thai Airways are cancelling the popular direct Phuket to Hong Kong (HKT-HKG) flights from October 28. Any existing bookings beyond this date will be funneled through Bangkok (BKK) instead. Despite the tortured English in the advisory, the Thai national airline is informing all existing bookings of the cancellation of the direct flights and re-routing. A few emails to…
-
Divers invited to join International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 15
PHOTO: Go Eco Phuket Go Eco Phuket ‘diving for the environment’ club is inviting volunteer divers for a massive underwater cleanup as well as volunteer to join them to clean Phuket’s beaches. This is the club’s commitment to International Coastal Cleanup Day activities for the island. Go Eco Phuket is inviting scuba divers from anywhere in the world to join…
-
Launch of Integrated Green Urban Transport Plan for Phuket and southern islands
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office The Integrated Green Urban Transport Plan has been launched. The launch was held at the Pullman Acadia (Nai Thon) Hotel led by Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Minister of Transport who is part of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). Joining him was outgoing Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong and other officials. Khun Arkhom says, “The Integrated Green Urban Transport…
-
Police hunting for thieves after break-ins at Phuket shops
Police are hunting for thieves who broke into three shops in Suan Luang Market in Phuket Town this morning. The Phuket City Police were notified about incidents at the Suan Laung Market on Wirat Hongyok Road in Phuket Town around 8.30am. 60 year old Somboon Kleawkla, a food shop owner, says, “I was going to open the shop at 4am…
-
Drug suspect dies after Thalang police return fire
A Thalang drug suspect has died after being shot when he opened fire on Thalang police before trying to escape yesterday afternoon (September 5). The Thalang Police were notified of the incident in front of a restaurant in Thepkrasattri Road, southbound through Thalang. Thalang Police arrived to find a man who was later identified as 34 year old Pisit Boonsing…
-
Phase 2 of the Phuket Old Town underground cabling pushes out to March 2019
The Phuket City Municipally is pushing to complete the Phuket Old Town underground cables installation in Phang Nga Road and Rassada roads. The Phuket City Municipality Mayor Somjai Suwansuppana says, “We believe that the construction is unlikely to be completed as in the original schedule. The project manager has extended the construction 230 days more until the end of March…
-
Urgent notice issued to tattoo operators in Patong
The Patong Municipality has issued a notice to tattoo operators in Patong to strictly follow health regulations. The notice stated that ”Many media have reported about four people dying from alleged infections from a tattoo shop in Bangkok. The investigation is underway.” “For health protection with tattoo customers Patong Municipality is requesting tattoo operators to follow these guidelines.” “1. Tattoo…
-
Darasamut Underpass closed for maintenance today
The Phuket Highway Officereminds us that the Darasamut Underpass (adjacent to Central Festival) is closed today from 9am to 3pm (September 5). Mr Somwang says, “Both the northbound and southbound lanes through the underpass are temporary closed. Workers are carrying out maintenance, repairs and replacing water pumps and light bulbs from 9am to 3pm today.” “We apologise for any inconvenience during…
-
Six arrested in Phuket loan shark crackdown
Officers have arrested six suspects in a loan shark crackdown in Chalong. At 6.30am yesterday morning, officers raided a house in Chalong after the the Phuket Provincial Court has issued 21 arrest warrants for six suspects over offences relating to the Excessive Interest Rate Prohibition Act. They were… 28 year old Somkiet Boonpeng from Chanthaburi in 5 arrest warrants. 23 year…
-
Koh Payu monkeys have a fruit feast
PHOTOS: Pongchart Chouehorm A team of officers from the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre headed out to Koh Payu where monkeys were released to their new home over two months ago. The visit was to check on their welfare and give them some fruit treats. On June 21, 80 monkeys, which had already been sterilised, were released onto Koh Payu, off…
-
Husband and wife tourists pulled out of the Nai Harn surf
PHOTOS: Aroon Solos/ Newshawk Phuket At 10.30 am this morning (Tuesday) two Egyptian tourists (husband and wife) were rescued from surf by lifeguards at Naiharn Beach. The male tourist, who was aged over 60 years old, claimed he felt very weak and was taken to the Chalong Hospital for observation. Conditions were very poor for swimming this morning along the…
-
Ao Por Pier introduces the use of Flowlow wristbands – Video
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Chaiwut NBT.KRABI / Newshawk Phuket Flowlow wristbands have been introduced in Phuket and are currently being used for trips departing Ao Por Pier in Palkok since Saturday (September 1). Ao Por Pier has introduced Flowlow wristband that includes travel insurance from the Southeast Insurance Company Limited for every visitor who passes the Ao Por Pier from September 1.…
-
Phuket Governor warns of rain and traffic jams
PHOTO: The Phuket PR Office Following the rain that continued overnight, Phuket Governor, Norrapat Plodthong, is expressing his concerns about more rain and traffic jams across the island today. Governor Norraphat says, “According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reporting on the South West Coast, until Wednesday (September 5), there is a moderate monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea as well…
-
Tourist seriously injured in ATV accident
A Saudi Arabian tourist has sustained serious injuries after driving an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle – Dune Buggy) off the side of a 10 metre hillside yesterday (Sunday). Narenthorn Rescue workers were notified that two tourist injured in the accident on Nark Kerd Hill in Chalong at 4pm were taken to the Chalong Hospital. A male Saudi Arabian who has…
-
Bike rider killed near the Heroines Monument
PHOTO: Newshawk Phuket A female bicycle rider has died at the scene after colliding with a car in Thalang last night (September 1). The Thalang Police were notified of the accident at a U-turn near the Heroines Monument on Thepkrasattri Road southbound at 9.40pm. Rescue workers and Thalang Police arrived at the scene to find the body of a woman…
-
Phoenix salvage moves into its second month – Videos
PHOTO AND VIDEOS: The Phuket Marine Office It’s already been a month since the Phoenix salvage operation began. So far the wreck remains resting on the bottom of the Andaman Sea, 45 metres underwater. All attempts, so far, to bring the Phoenix to the surface and be used as critical evidence in the forthcoming court case, has failed with divers and salvage contractors…
-
Chinese tourist badly injured in hit and run
PHOTOS: Hamima Kahapana / Newshawk Phuket A Chinese tourist was hit by a pick-up after running onto the road near a hotel behind the Factory Outlet on ByPass Road, Phuket. The driver of the pick-up sped away even though it would have been completely obvious that they had hit the tourist, albeit an accident caused by the running tourist. A…
-
National police ask to be updated on death of German tourist on Koh Phi Phi
A top national police spokesman has commented on the, as yet, unsolved death of a German tourist found on rocks at Koh Phi Phi. The national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda has asked to be kept informed of any developments in the case. Daily News reports that 50 year old Markus Steinbach was found on Tuesday evening in a sandy crevice on…
-
British yacht catches fire – rescued off Phuket
Five boat crews on a British yacht have been rescued by Thai fishing boat after caught fire off Panwa Cape yesterday (August 30). The Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command (NAC 3) officers were notified from Sanit Woranut who was on the British national yacht Philkade which caught fire at 9pm yesterday (August 30) south-east of Cape Panwa. The Royal Thai Navy reported…
-
German tourist’s death remains a mystery – Koh Phi Phi police
Police are continuing their investigation into the death of a German tourist on Koh Phi Phi. They say they’re unsure whether he died after accidentally falling from rocks or if it was a suicide. The man was found dead on Wednesday evening. The body of 50 year old Markus Steibach was found lying near a rock formation on the beach…
-
Darasamut Underpass to close for maintenance
The Phuket Highway Office has issued an announcement that says the Darasamut Underpass (adjacent to Central Festival) will be closed from 9am to 3pm on Wednesday (September 5). Mr Somwang says, “Both the northbound and southbound lanes through the underpass will be temporary closed.” “Workers will be carrying out maintenance, repairs and replacing water pumps and light bulbs from 9am to…
-
PPHO Chief apologises for the hospital’s mistake over gauze left in body
Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) Chief has apologised over gauze being left in a woman’s vagina after the patient had given birth at a government hospital in Thalang. Two people have made official complaints about the Phuket government hospital in Thalang alleging malpractice. In one case, gauze was left in a woman’s vagina after the patient had given birth, whilst another…
-
Emergency water shut off hits Kathu
FILE PHOTO: PWA The Phuket Water Authority (PWA) says that water supply in some areas of Kathu will be shut off today (August 30) after mains pipes broke earlier this morning. The mains were shut off from 3.30pm until repair works can be completed. The PWA says that water supply in some areas of Kathu will be shutoff while work is being…
-
Complaints over gauze left in body, wrong injections at Phuket Hospital
FILE PHOTO Two people have complained about a Phuket government hospital in Thalang. Gauze was left in a woman’s vagina after the patient had given birth, whilst another had drug allergies following a nurse giving an incorrect injection. Reports have been filed to Thalang Police Ms A says, “I gave birth at a hospital in Thalang on June 18. I…
-
“It’s ok, it’s just a drill” – Phuket Airport
PHOTOS: Newshawk Phuket The Phuket International Airport is conducting an Emergency Plan Exercise: PEMEX, an annual, real-life practice drill today (August 30), from 10pm to 1.30am tomorrow. The Phuket PR Office says that the simulations involve a ‘Sabotage and Suicide Bomber in Domestic Passenger Terminal’ scenario. Some sections of the area for the practice drill will be closed. The Phuket…
-
Prince of Songkla University students send strong safe-sex message
In what has now become a regular event at the Prince of Songkla University campus in Kathu, Phuket, over 200 Thai and international students attended a Safe Sex Campaign. All students worked together to prepare thousands of safe sex packs with the aim of reducing HIV in Phuket and beyond. A total of over 30,000 packs were prepared during this…
-
The Nai Harn awarded for effective water management
The Nai Harn has received a Best Water Treatment Management award from Thailand’s Regional Environment office in Phuket. This latest green award follows recognition earlier this year when Thailand’s Department of Environmental Quality Promotion, part of the Ministry of Natural Resources, bestowed a “Gold Level” Green Hotel Award on The Nai Harn for its ongoing initiatives and eco-friendly operations. “It…
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.