Phuket News
Phuket news, politics, business, tourism, and nightlife—stay updated with breaking stories, events, and expat updates from Thailand’s top island destination. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Phuket news source.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Whale shark sighted off Koh Racha
A healthy looking whale shark was sighted off Koh Racha, south of Phuket, yesterday. Videos of the whale shark have been shared widely in social media with a message reading “a whale shark is near Koh Racha and swimming near a tour boat.” A tour guide of Nikorn Marine company, Mali Boondanpai, who recorded the video says, “the tour boat…
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New Phuket governors and a bad case of deja vu
OPINION “Andrea Kotas Tammathin, who is to be officially appointed as Switzerland’s honorary consul for Phuket on Friday… Mrs Tammathin will be joining a group of honorary consuls from Europe who have asked questions for the past two years about scams among jet-ski operators on Patong beach and the continuing high fares demanded by Phuket tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.” –…
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Phuket’s underwater neighborhood gets a pre-high season clean
More than 300 volunteers, including divers and local volunteers, joined the cleaning activities held yesterday around Phuket. Rawai Mayor Arron Solos says, “There are many beautiful diving points in the Andaman Sea. In addition, from May to October every year, it is the monsoon season or ‘Green Season’ which can cause some strong wind and waves.” “Garbage and broken fishing…
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Dead Australian visited shooting range three times – Police
Following the death of the Australian 25 year old, who shot himself at a Sakoo shooting range on Friday, police have concluded their initial investigation. The man died at Vachira Hospital on Friday night. Police checked CCTV footage in the shooting range and have spoken to witnesses. Police have announced that Jayden Antony Cook had come to the shooting range…
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Central Floresta releases a statement following Tribhum ‘volcano’ fire
Central Floresta has spoken out after a fire almost destroyed a theme park under construction but stressed that the incident hadn’t affected other costumer services at the new shopping centre. The cause of fire is being investigated and a statement will be made after a full check of all systems and interviews with workers on the site, and the new…
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Bangkok and Phuket on the list of the World’s ‘Top City For Visitor Spending’
According to Mastercard’s annual Destination Cities Index, Bangkok has earned the position as the world’s most visited tourist destination once again in 2017. Phuket also got into the Top 10 list of tourist money magnets. The Thai capital attracted over 20 million visitors over the past year, more than both London (19.83 million) and Paris (17.44 million). But despite scoring…
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25 year old Australian, who shot himself in Sakoo, dies
The young Australian man who shot himself in the right temple at a Sakoo shooting range yesterday afternoon, has died as a result of his injuries. The man shot himself at the Asian Shooting Range, just south of the Phuket International Airport. The man, 25 year old Jayden Antony Cook, had arrived in Phuket on September 25 for a month’s…
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Official travel warnings about Phuket issued by the Chinese Embassy
“The embassy reminds Chinese tourists to follow the rules while in Thailand and to stay out of the water when authorities put red flags on beaches, indicating the marine situation is dangerous.” The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok is telling travellers to take particular care in Thailand’s southern resort provinces of Phuket, Phang-Nga and Krabi. The embassy has issued an official…
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Thai mothers caving to superstition or private hospital wishes when having babies
by Kornwaree Panyasuppakun and Tim Newton “Many babies in Thailand are born to suit ‘auspicious days’ or the Obstetrician’s golf plans.” The expectant mother reported to the private hospital in Phuket where she and her husband had decided to have their first baby. When she walked in for her appointment with the Obstetrician the first question was when she wanted to…
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40,000 meth pills hidden in model cars
Phuket police have seized 40,000 methamphetamine pills, crystal methamphetamine and heroin from model cars sent via parcels in the post. The three suspects arrested are 29 year old Thai national John Marako Viccos, 29 year old Tipparat Prompramoon and 44 year old Udom Rattanamanee. Police seized 39,820 methamphetamine pills, 18.80 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 0.18 grams of heroin. Police…
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Australian tourist shoots himself at a Sakoo shooting range
A 25 year old Australian tourist has sustained serious injuries following a gunshot at a shooting range in Sakoo today. Sakoo is a Tambon near the Phuket International Airport. The Phuket Tourist Police report that they were notified from the Sakoo Police at 2pm that a male Australian tourist, later identified as Cook Jayden Antony, used an automatic handgun to…
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Drunk Phuket Tuk Tuk driver charged after running red lights
PHOTO/VIDEO: Nicky phukettour / Newshawk Phuket The drunk driver’s behaviour was bad enough. The police pursuit also poses questions…. A drunk Tuk Tuk taxi driver has been charged after running through red lights in Patong. Patong Police report that a Tuk Tuk taxi driver has run through red lights at 4.45pm from the traffic light near Bangla road, Jungcelon Department…
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Snap for Stray exhibition @ Limelight Avenue
The Soi Dog Foundation has mounted the ‘Snap for Stray’ Photo Exhibition which will run until September 29 at Limelight Avenue in Phuket Town. The exhibition gathers 40 beautiful photographs from contestants of the Snap for Stray Photo Contest held earlier last month. The exhibition aims to change peoples’ attitude about stray dogs, showing them that strays can be lovely,…
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Foreigner sets fire to his house then tries to jump off cliff
A foreign man, who set fire to a house he was living in with his Thai wife, tried to jump off a cliff in Rawai this morning. Firefighters were notified about the incident at a house in Rawai earlier today. When firefighters arrived at the scene, the house was already well ablaze. It took half an hour to put out…
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Police hunting for Phuket coffee shop thief
Phuket police are hunting for a thief who has broken into a coffee shop in Thalang this week. Thalang Police were notified of the incident at the coffee shop inside PTT gas station on Thepkrasattri Road, northbound in Thalang. Panada Molee, a coffee shop staff member, told police that she had closed the coffee shop at 8pm on Tuesday night…
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Darasamut Underpass to close temporarily for repairs
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 Thursday (September 27). The announcement says, “Both the northbound and southbound lanes through the underpass will be temporary closed.” “Workers will be carrying out maintenance, repairing water pumps and fans from 9am to 3pm on September…
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Two injured in By Pass road roll-over
PHOTOS: Jao Blue Car 2299 / Newshawk Phuket Two people have been injured after an SUV careered off the side of Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Road (Bypass Road) last night. Rescue workers were notified of the accident on the By Pass Road, southbound, around 11pm. They arrived at the scene to find an SUV rolled over on the roadside verge. Inside the…
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Two motorists died in Phuket road accident
PHOTOS: CITY LAW 201 / Newshawk Phuket Two motorists havedied in a road accident on Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Road (Bypass Road), southbound this morning. The Phuket City Police were notified of the accident at 5.45am this morning. Emergency responders and police arrived at the scene two find one deceased female and one deceased male. Two identification cards were found with their personal…
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Seven Phuket police questioned, more evidence collected
PHOTO: The pursued pickup slams through motorcyclists at a traffic light in Rassada. Seven Phuket police today have been called to acknowledge the charge of intent to murder. More evidence has also been collected. At the Cherng Talay Police station today a team of investigators, including police, prosecutors and representative from the lawyers council, have spoken to the seven police.…
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Tourism stakeholders commit to plastic-free future at PHIST
PHIST – Phuket Hotels for Island Sustaining Tourism Forum 2018 Leading hotels and tourism groups have signed the “Phuket Pledge” at Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism Forum 2018 (PHIST) establishing a model for the future development of islands throughout Asia that embraces sustainability as a core and sets urgent goals for long-term change. The Phuket Pledge is a commitment…
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Seven Phuket police charged with intent to murder
Seven Phuket police have been charged with intent to murder after a man was shot dead after breaking through a checkpoint. A Phuket man, who broke the Phuket City Police checkpoint, was shot and died after allegedly attempting to open fire on police in Cherng Talay very early on (September 18). Read more about the man running the checkpoint and…
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A ‘pawsome’ Sunday with Surf for Soi Dog at SurfHouse Kata Beach
Soi Dog Foundation, teaming up with Surf House Phuket, had a ‘pawsome’ day of surfing yesterday. The proceeds from the surfing tickets were donated to contribute to the work of Soi Dog on helping to relieve the suffering of dogs and cats across Thailand and Asia. The charity surfing session took place from midday until 6pm and was attended by…
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Seven Phuket police transferred off the island after man shot dead
Seven police officers have already been transferred out of Phuket while investigations continues after a man was shot dead by police following the man breaking through a checkpoint in Phuket Town last week. The Phuket man, who broke a Phuket City Police checkpoint, died after ‘attempting’ to open fire on police in Cherng Talay early on September 18. Read more…
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Foreign man rescued after drifting out to sea
PHOTOS: Mam 5828 H 117 / Newshawk Phuket A European man has been rescued after he was floating off Patong Beach for almost two hours over the weekend. Kusoldharm Rescue were notified about the incident at 8.35pm on Saturday night. Divers from Kusoldarm Foundation searched for the man for two hours while Patong lifeguards were on standby on the beach. Luckily…
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Phuket Tourist Police stop to help at a road accident
PHOTOS: The Phuket Tourist Police / Newshawk Phuket Lt Col Milin Peanchang and Capt Eakkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police were on the way to meet the Phuket Governor, Norraphat Plodthog. But it wasn’t going to be a normal drive to meet the Governor today. Lt Col Milin Peanchang ordered his team to stop and help a man injured…
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Kata Rocks ends the use of plastic straws
Kata Rocks has launched its new sustainability and social impact initiative as it moves to eliminate single-use plastics in the luxury resort which has already started and will reach its broader goal within one year. Guests staying at Kata Rocks are increasingly eco-conscious and are a driving force behind the shift in demand for sustainable travel options. The decision to…
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More sea snakes sighted along Patong Beach
PHOTOS: ได้หมด ถ้าสดชื่น / Newshawk Phuket Many sea snakes have been found along the shores of Patong Beach this morning (September 21). About five sea snakes were caught by boat operators, Patong lifeguards and locals in the early hours of Friday. Local fishermen say sea snakes are usually found in open seas and swimming on the water surface. Their food is…
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Big Bike rider dies in Phuket road accident
PHOTO: Kjnine999 / Newshawk Phuket A motorbike rider died in a road accident in Kathu early this morning (September 21). Rescue workers were notified about the accident on Phra Phuket Kaew Road, heading from Kathu to Patong near the Bang Chak gas station at 2.10am. Rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of a man who was…
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Anatomy of a photo
PHOTO: หญิง’ โลนลี่ / ¥.OunG.¥ / เหยี่ยวข่าว ภูเก็ต Yesterday a dramatic photo of an approaching storm front was a big hit, being shared many thousands of times. It was taken at the Phuket International Airport at 14.39, according to the time stamp. The photo was taken by members of the Newshawk news team in Phuket, news partners with The Thaiger.…
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Russian tourist stung by ‘fire jellyfish’ at Patong Beach
PHOTOS: Patong Lifeguards / Newshawk Phuket A female Russian tourist has sustained a painful sting on her leg from a ‘fire jellyfish’ at Patong beach today (September 20). Patong lifeguards are warning of jellyfish known locally as the ‘fire jellyfish’ at Patong Beach. Fire Jellyfish or Morbakka fenneri can be discovered in tropical watersa. The physical appearance of this jellyfish…
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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