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 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...
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Blue Tree Phuket appoints hospitality ace as GM
Blue Tree Phuket has announced the appointment of Michael Ayling, a veteran of Phuket’s hospitality scene, as its general manager. Having worked in a consulting capacity on the project for the past 24 months, Mr Ayling now takes the reins to lead the development, beginning with its opening to the public in early 2019. The UK-born leisure industry professional brings…
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Beachgoers banned from swimming at Phuket beaches until crocodile is caught
Swimmers have been banned on all beaches in Phuket while the crocodile hunting operation is still in operation. Phuket is preparing to announce urgent crocodile registration measures in order to keep track of all known crocodiles in the area in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act. Governor Norraphat Plodthong says, “We are preparing to announce registration for all…
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Marine talkfest to ensure better marine safety in Phuket
A meeting was held this morning (July 23) at the Chalong Pier. The meeting was led by Navy chief of staff Admiral Pichet Tannaset who was determined to follow through with measures that would ensure marine safety – better controlling tour boats in Phuket in order to prevent marine accidents. Admiral Pichet says, “We don’t have direct power to enforce…
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Tourism operators suggest visa-fee waiver to counter cancelled bookings
As the cancellations of accommodation and tour bookings from Chinese tourists continue to rack up, local tourism operators are urging the Government to be pro-active in trying to restore confidence. Vichit Prakobkosol, the President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents is calling for the Thai government to waive visa fees in a bid to lure back the Chinese tourists.…
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Crocodile hunters move to Paradise and Patong beaches
Phuket’s elusive west-coast crocodile was last seen last night (July 23) at Tri Trang Beach. Today, crocodile hunters are focussing their attention around the waters of Paradise and Patong Beach where the crocodile is believed to be heading. Yesterday morning (July 23) the crocodile appeared off Tritrang Beach in Patong Bay. Locals say that they spotted the crocodile of Tritrang Beach…
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Should Phuket’s beaches be closed until the crocodile is captured?
The crocodile’s location, search and capture attempts appear to be completely random and uncoordinated. Daren Jenner from the International Surf Life Saving Association says Phuket’s west coast beaches should be closed until it’s captured. Tim Newton reports… https://www.facebook.com/thethaigernews/videos/1801892163221937/
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A man was fished out of the Surin Beach surf today – whilst on-duty lifesavers watched
PHOTOS: Pavida Anantarasmi Witnesses at Surin Beach today watched in bemused confusion when a man, who was in difficulty whilst swimming off Surin Beach today, was helped back to shore. But not by one of the lifeguards on duty at the beach who stood at the shore and watched the rescue take place. The incident happened around 11am when a…
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Four Dubai tourists pulled out of the Nai Harn surf
Four male tourists were dragged from the surf off Nai Harn beach after getting into difficulty in waves last night (July 22). Nai Harn lifeguards rescued four Dubai male tourists at 7pm last night (Sunday). The head of Nai Harn Lifeguards, Jula Nontree, says, “The incident happened at 7pm (just after sunset) after we had finished our official working hours…
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Search for Phuket’s elusive reptile continues – Crocodile sightings off Karon Beach
A “crocodile catching operation centre” has been set up at Karon Beach on Phuket while the professional crocodile catchers from Surat Thani are still battling with strong winds and waves to find the elusive reptile. Beachgoers have been walking along the beach instead of being allowed to go into the water. The crocodile was last officially seen early yesterday morning…
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Body of Phuket jet-ski staffer found in Phang Nga Bay
The body of the jet-ski staffer who disappeared in a Phuket storm around the Naka Island area last Tuesday (July 17) was found today (July 22) in Phang Nga Bay. A staff member of a jet ski business disappeared after he was hit by a wave near Koh Naka, off Ao Po in Pa Khlok at 3pm on Tuesday. Read the…
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Global Green Hotel Report – the third annual edition launched
by Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com The Green Lodging Trends Report 2018 (the third annual report) has been launched and will remain open until August 10, 2018. To participate, which is free, hotels need to sign up using the link HERE. Given the current influx of tourism to Phuket and all resort markets across Southeast Asia, this is a invaluable tool…
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Going north – Elusive Phuket crocodile avoids capture again
Phuket’s latest elusive crocodile escaped catch this morning off Karon Beach. It was first sighted off Yanui and Nai Harn beaches from Wednesday this week when a fisherman said it tried to chase him. Since then the crocodile has been taunting officials and professional crocodile catchers and making a slow track north long the island’s west coach beaches – yesterday…
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Phuket crocodile discovered on Kata Noi Beach
The crocodile was last seen resting on the shoreline of Kata Noi Beach early this morning (July 21). Swimmers have been banned from going into the water while the capture operation continues. Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos reported yesterday afternoon that the crocodile was heading to Kata Beach after spending two days taunting officials and professional crocodile hunters in the sea…
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Surat Thani croc-hunters to the rescue
(cue dramatic music and slow-motion shot of team walking down Nai Harn Beach, probably with their shirts off) The ‘Crocodile Hunters of the Tapi River Basin’ have arrived in Phuket to save the day as they help track down a 1, 2 or 3 metre reptile that’s been getting a lot of media and local authority attention but, so far,…
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Water Park Wars – Phuket wettest battlefield
by Xinyi Liang-Pholsena of ttgasia.com ttgasia.com is reporting that the water park battle in Phuket is getting very intense as new players enter the marketplace. Among them Blue Tree Phuket, poised to open its doors early 2019 as an upscale family entertainment and lifestyle complex. The sprawling 22.5ha development, located around Cherngtalay, is the result of a joint venture comprising…
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Love Rawai FB page captures the actual crocodile, on video
https://www.facebook.com/loverawaicom/videos/2116049662007848/ Like and follow the Love Rawai Facebook page HERE. Rawai is the southern end of Phuket. Crocodiles are EXTREMELY rare (no swimmers have ever been attacked in Phuket), usually long sunny days with great beaches.
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AI company invests 350 million baht in SE Asia – opens office in Phuket
Invacio, an artificial intelligence company, are busy setting up their operations in Thailand as part of their global operations. They are investing up to 350 Million baht in south east Asia Invacio Research Analytics, a group subsidiary of Invacio founded by William J D West, has launched in Thailand, led by Linleeya West (Thai/Swiss educated) Linleeya West felt this was…
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Crocodile catchers waiting for conditions to moderate at Nai Harn beach
A specialist crocodile searching team from Surat Thani today (July 20) has joined the crocodile search operation along the shores of Nai Harn and nearby beaches, while battling with strong winds and waves. Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong paid a visit to the crocodile search operation centre at Nai Harn Beach this morning. The crocodile search team from Surat Thani is…
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Man arrested with 19,800 methamphetamine pills at checkpoint
Tha Chatchai Police have been conducting a crackdown on drugs at the Phuket Checkpoint and scored a major haul, arresting a man with 19,800 methamphetamine pills. The police arrested 37 year old Peerawat ‘Joke’ Bualoy from Pattalung. Police seized 10 packages of methamphetamine pills, a total of 19,800 pills at the Phuket Checkpoint while he coming through the road entry…
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Nai Harn crocodile playing hard to get
Phuket’s latest, and as yet unnamed crocodile, is doing a good job of evading officials, fishermen and capture, so far. Officers from the Phuket Fisheries Officers and lifeguards at Yanui and Nai Harn Beaches are patrolling and warning beachgoers about the recent sightings of a crocodile in the rough seas off the beaches. Red flags and signs have been put…
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Stray dog adoptions on the rise
Phuket is seeing a positive trend in the number of adoptions from locals and Thai citizens over the years; encouraging as Thai people used to be only interested in pure breeds, sometimes even choosing dogs that are not comfortable in the climate of Thailand (like Huskies). Meet Kittipong Tongwon, nicknamed K. Aof, who recently adopted an 8 week old puppy…
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Belgian motorcyclist found dead on Wiset Road, Rawai
Chalong Police arrived at the Chalong underpass roadworks construction control office on Wiset Road in Rawai at 6am this morning to find the body of a foreign man who was later identified as 39 year old Belgian Frederik Maes on the ground. Two serious wounds were found on his stomach, knees and left leg. Blood was found coming from his…
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Rawai Mayor confirms 3 metre crocodile off Nai Harn beach
Red flags have been put up on Nai Harn and Yanui Beaches to warn tourists of a crocodile in the water. Locals and Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos have been patrolling the southern beaches trying to locate the crocodile that was first reported yesterday morning by a local fisherman. Watch the video HERE. Mayor Aroon says, “I can confirm that there…
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30 tourists stuck at Koh Racha Yai call for help to get back to Phuket
The Phuket Marine Police were called today (July 19) to fetch about 30 tourists back to Chalong Pier from Koh Rach Yai, following another day of strong winds and high seas. At 6am today the Phuket Marine Police were notified that there were 6 Thais, 15 Chinese, 2 Russians and 7 New Zealanders that were stuck at Koh Racha Yai…
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Thais, Chinese and Burmese arrested over Phuket’s 13 million baht ‘call centre’ gang
“Police seized 8 laptops, 4 wi-fi routers, 150 mobile phones, 4 iPad tablets, one money counting machine, 135 credit cards, 6 ATM cards, 52 SIM cards, 13,568,570 baht in cash, 3,800 yuan cash and one new Mercedes Benz CLA 200.” Representatives of the Tourist Police Bureau, based in Bangkok, have arrested 2 Thais, 22 Chinese and 1 Burmese who were…
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Live hand grenade found in Phuket
A live M26 hand grenade was found on Patak Road in Karon today (July 18). Karon Police were notified that an object, similar to a hand grenade, was on Patak Road at 5am this morning. Experts from Phuket’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit were called immediately to the scene to find the M26 hand grenade near a rubbish bin in…
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60 tourists stuck at Koh Racha
The Royal Thai Navy were called today (July 18) to bring about 60 tourists back to the Phuket’s Deep Sea Port following another day of strong winds and high seas. At about noon (July 18) Rawai’s Mayor Aroon Solos was notified that about 60 tourists were stuck at Koh Racha Yai as they are unable to leave the island due…
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“Serenata” recovered as evidence in the July 5 boating tragedy in Phuket
The boat “Serenata” has been recovered from the waters to the south-west of Phuket and is now sitting as a falorn figure in the Boat Lagoon hard stand area. The boat has been recovered as part of the ongoing investigation into the two boats that sank back on July 5 resulting in the death of 47 Chinese tourists who drowned.…
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“Phoenix might have reduced safety standards to save costs” – Surachate Hakparn
In the ongoing investigation into the sinking of ‘Phoenix’, it’s emerged that the boat may have cut back on safety equipment in efforts to save costs. We now know that the ‘Phoenix’ is owned by TC Blue Dream, with 26 year old Thai Woralak Rerkchaikan as its biggest shareholder. She is now in detention after Phuket Provincial Court denied her bail…
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Search for a jet-ski operator missing off Ao Po
A staff member of a jet ski business has disappeared after he was hit by a wave near Koh Naka in Pa Khlok at 3pm yesterday (July 17) while a search continues today (July 19). The Thalang Police were notified that the staff member was hit by a wave while riding on a jet-ski between Koh Naka Yai and Koh…
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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