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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Sponsored A World Kindness Day: Spread kindness, prevent illness - Get your 10% discount
With World Kindness Day just two days away on November 13, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how empathy and care can make a real impact, not just in our relationships but in our health, too. This day is...
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Dengue fever alert in Rassada
Rassada Municipality is warning residents about the high potential for Dengue Fever this wet season following a recent spike in cases and discussions with relevant health officials. Officers of Rassada Municipality say, “There are many ways to prevent dengue fever by getting rid of their breeding grounds – close water containers and clear up any areas where water has pooled.…
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Former American police officer found dead
A body of a former American policeman has been found dead at a house in Koh Kaew yesterday (June 26). Phuket City Police were notified of the situation at a house in Koh Kaew at 2.30pm. Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the body of 58 year old Ronald Lee Barfield, an American national from Florida, on…
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Phuket Prison escapee surrenders in Trang
A male prisoner, who escaped from hospital custody on Monday night (June 25), has surrendered himself to the Kan Tang District Chief in Trang. The Phuket Provincial Prison Commander Somkid Kammang filed a report with the Phuket City Police on Monday (June 25). Commander Somkid says, “The male prisoner 23 year old Prawit Pitak from Trang has escaped from Vachira…
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Saudi Arabian dies after trip to Koh Naka
A Saudi Arabian citizen has died following a trip to Koh Naka yesterday (June 25). Thalang Police were notified by staff at the Thalang Hospital last night. A body of a man, identified as 56 year old Alanazi Ali Awad M from Saudi Arabia, was at Thalang Hospital when police arrived. 38 year old Sarawut Denser, a tour guide, told police…
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Motorbike driver dies after collision with power pole
A man has died following an accident in Koh Kaew last night (June 25). The Phuket City Police were notified of the incident at 10.30pm near Bansapam Mongkolwittaya School in Koh Kaew. Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a Honda motorbike at the base of the power pole. Police found traces of the collision on the…
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Phuket Police hunt for the thief of the heroine statue sword
A thief has stolen a sword which was part of a statue of the Phuket’s Heroines which was in a temple in Thalang. Read more HERE. Khun Prasong, who was a previous Thepkrasattri Mayor, says, “Muang Gomarapat Temple is an important place for Phuket people. This is a place where the annual ‘Thalang Victory Day’ is being held every March.…
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Woman dies in Phuket Town road smash
A woman is reported dead following an accident in Phuket Town this morning (June 26). The Phuket City Police were notified of the incident at 5.30am at an intersection in front of Phuketthaihua Asean Wittaya School on Wichit Songkram Road in Phuket Town. Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a damaged motorbike, a car, a van…
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Phuket airport’s domestic terminal officially launched
Phuket airport’s domestic terminal renovation was officially launched yesterday (June 25). The opening ceremony was held at the Phuket International Airport and hosted by the Airport of Thailand (AOT) president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn. Khun Nitinai says, “The Phuket International Domestic Terminal upgrade project is now complete with new facilities and world standard security services. The airport is now available to service up to…
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Thief steals heroine statue sword
A thief has stolen a sword which was part of a statue of Phuket’s Heroines in a temple in Thalang. A facebook user ‘Prasong Trairat’ posted a photo on his personal Facebook yesterday (June 24) with a message reading “The sword of the grandmothers (reference to the heroines’ name by locals) disappeared last night. The thief is not aware of…
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Man found dead in Thalang bathroom
A Thai man has been found dead inside the bathroom of his house in Thalang yesterday (June 24). The Thalang Police were notified of the incident at a house at the Prompan Housing estate in Paklok yesterday afternoon. Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of a 27 year old man lying on the floor.…
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Phuket Surf Series 2018
The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket office, in collaboration with Surfing Thailand and the Phuket Surfing Club, is hosting the Phuket Surf Series 2018 from June to October this year. A media briefing was held yesterday at SurfHouse Phuket in Patong in spectacular sunshine. Just across the road, at Patong Beach, the monsoon surf was surging into the west coast…
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Phuket: Andaman Hotelier and Tourism Fair 2018
The event is being held on June 22-24 from 10am to 9pm at the Central Festival Home Work’s side under the concept Green and Innovation. The event was officially opened on June 22 by Phuket Vice Governor Thawornwat Kongkaew and Deputy Director of the Phuket Office of Tourism Authority of Thailand Montri Manator. They say the Fair aims to support and…
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How much would you pay for a plastic amulet?
The shenanigans at the Kathu Temple, where Chinese tour buses are arriving daily in their droves to purchase ‘lucky’ and ‘magic’ amulets, continues. This time two Dutch tourists, interested to visit a temple and check out the alleged lucky amulets, were horrified by what they discovered. The two, who have asked us not to publish their names, visited the temple…
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Soi Dog – Going, going green!
To celebrate the World Environment Day on June 5, 2018, the Soi Dog Foundation implemented a series of actions to reduce its carbon footprint as well as improve its Corporate Social Responsibility and ‘best practice.’ While the core mission of the Foundation remains the same, Soi Dog now goes one step further by measuring the impact of its work within…
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Saleng driver escapes side-car gas bottle fire
A saleng (motorbike side car) has caught fire after a cooking gas leak today (June 22) in Kathu. Officers at the Kathu Municipality were notified about the incident on Phra Phuket Kaew Road near the Bang Chak Gas Station around 11am. Kathu Police and fire fighters arrived at the scene to find a Honda and its side car (saleng) on fire.…
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Two motorbike taxi drivers arrested in public transport drug crackdown
A team of officials led by the Provincial Police Region 8 Police have conducted drug and alcohol tests in a campaign at the new Phuket Bus terminal in Rassada yesterday (June 21). The campaign ran from 3-5pm. Sarawut Pakdee, a law enforcement officer of the Provincial Police Region 8 says, “Phuket’s Governor Norraphat Plodthong is very concerned about public transport safety…
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Man drowns in Phuket jet-ski accident
A man has died after falling off from a jet-ski at a lagoon in Thalang yesterday (June 21) Thalang Police were notified about the incident at a lagoon on Srisoonthorn Road near the Valley Housing estate in Thalang at 4.30pm. Phuket Marine Police, diving rescue workers and the Thalang Police were involved in the search for the body. The search was…
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Cheap plastic chairs being used on Krabi-Phi Phi ferry
There is no doubt a lot of infrastructure is at critical ‘overload’ stage where tourist attractions are struggling to cope with the sheer number of tourists and visitors coming to the region. This applies to the transport infrastructure getting people here and there as well. While there has been an announcement about new ferry services linking the golden tourist triangle…
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Motorbike driver dies exiting Bang Khu underpass
A 43 year old Thai man died in a motorbike accident when he was driving out of the Bang Khu Underpass in Koh Kaew yesterday (June 21). Police were notified of the accident at Bang Khu Underpass on Thepkrasattri Road at 3.40pm. They arrived at the scene with rescue workers to find a man who was later identified as 43…
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Fake goods seized at a Patong warehouse
Yesterday afternoon (June 21) police raided a warehouse at SB Plaza market in Patong and seized counterfeit goods valued at many hundred thousand Baht. A team of officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD), together with a search warrant, raided the warehouse. Police found counterfeit goods including fake brand name bags and clothes. Officers arrested a man named ‘Bobby…
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Monkeys released at Koh Payu – video and photos
Yesterday morning (June 21) 80 monkeys were released at Koh Payu, off the coast of Phuket. This island covers 26 rais plot of land. Water tanks were also installed on Koh Payu last week. Read more HERE. Pongchart Chouehorm, the Director of the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre and his team released 80 monkeys on their new home on Koh Payu.…
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Persistent Python vs Dog
https://www.facebook.com/kim.white.98/videos/10216374574019569/
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Sansiri launches THE BASE Central – Phuket
Sansiri launched another one of their ‘BASE’ branded condos with the launch of ‘THE BASE Central Phuket’. Quoting from their media release, “The design is influenced by an enchanting lifestyle where the native people and Chinese from across the seas come together to create the Peranakan culture under the new concept ‘MARK MY BASE’.” Poomisak Julamaneechot, Vice Managing Director of…
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Phuket to hold Digital Innovation Summit 2018: Big Data
Digital Innovation Summit 2018. The event will be held on June 29-30 from 10am to 6pm at Central Festival Phuket East (Home Works ground floor) The main purposes of the event is to build awareness and to drive more understanding about the digital economy and smart city projects in Phuket and nearby. The keynote speaker is Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister of…
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Clear the streets! Bangkok Airways Phuket Half Marathon – August 5.
The streets are cleared, the roadways barren of traffic, all is ready. The Bangkok Airways Phuket Half Marathon 2018 coming up on August 5 is more than just a race. It is a chance to observe the local way of life and appreciate the area’s landmarks and Sino-Portuguese architecture from a different perspective in busy Phuket town – from the…
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Dead dolphin washed ashore at Surin Beach
A dead dolphin, 1.26 meters long, has been found on Surin Beach this morning (June 20). Officials at Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) were notified that the dolphin had been washed up on Surin Beach in Cherng Talay. MaAnn Samran, chief of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor) headed to Surin beach to head the inspection with officials. Khun…
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Monkey update: Rassada locals say returned monkeys happy to be home
Tha Chin locals in Rassada say they’re satisfied with the way the monkeys were captured last Friday (June 15) while locals say sterilised monkeys at Soi King Kaew in Rassada can get back into their groups now that they’re been released into their area. Yesterday (June 19) Pongchart Chouehorm, the Director of the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre at Khao…
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French expat rescued off Phuket, jet-ski and parasail ban remains in force today
A French expat on a dinghy has been rescued in Ao Yon, Wichit yesterday (June 19) while the Phuket Marine Office has announced that jet-skis and parasails will remain beached until today (June 20). Maj Eakkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police was notified at 1.30pm yesterday that a French man, 78 year old Claude Gasca, had been rescued off…
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Kratom use on the rise in Phuket
Drug arrest statistics have shown that the use kratom is on the rise in Phuket followed closely by methamphetamine pills and crystal methamphetamine. Phuket’s Vice Governor Snith says, “We have found that kratom is the number one drug seized in Phuket. Even though our officers are strictly enforcing the law, arresting suspects and seizing this drug in large quantities, kratom…
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Phuket: Thailand Amazing Durian and Fruit Festival
Jungceylon Patong yesterday (June 18) hosted the launch of ‘Thailand Amazing Durian and Fruit Festival’ which will last until June 24. Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung and Deputy-director of Department of Internal Trade Chatchai Saksinchai presided over the opening ceremony. Khun Chatchai says, “The Ministry of Commerce has supported building businesses together with tourism. The festival is being launced 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.
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