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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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 a fruit-fest – LOTS of bananas. Today (September 20), 80 monkeys, which had already been sterilised and released onto…
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Seven arrested with illicit drugs
The Phuket City Police have arrested 7 drugs suspects with quantities methamphetamine and kratom leaves this week. The seven unrelated cases were all aged between 20 and 63 years old. • 63 year old Sanom Netsawang was arrested with 19 of methamphetamine pills. • 24 year old Kosin Daman and 20 year old Wirat Nookun were arrested with 1,250 millilitres of…
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Celebrate The Melbourne Cup in style – Phuket charity event
The Good Shepherd Phuket and Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation are thrilled to be hosting the Melbourne Cup 2018 again on Tuesday, November 6 from 9am-2pm. Join us the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort for an exceptional day. Guests will be treated to 5 hours free flow of food and beverages including bubbles, white, pink, red wine and…
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Canada/Australia consular service share in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga
Canada and Australia have added Phuket, Krabi and Phrang Nga, to the Canada-Australia Shared Consular Services Agreement. Shared Consular Services are now found in 30 consular missions around the world. The Canada and Australia Consular Services Sharing Agreement dates back to the principles that were agreed to by both countries in 1986, recognizing the similarities of our philosophies underlying the…
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Chinese tourist in coma after being rescued from surf at Mai Khao Beach
PHOTOS: Kusoldharm rescue workers/Mai Khao rescue workers / Newshawk Phuket A Chinese tourist remains in a coma after being pulled out from the surf at Mai Khao Beach today (September 19). Kusoldarm rescue workers headed to the scene on the incident at 12.20pm. Rescue arrived at the scene to find a male Chinese tourist who had already been pulled out…
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Motorbike rider dies in Phuket road accident
A motorbike rider has died after colliding with a pole in Paklok last night (September 19). Thalang Police were notified about the accident in Soi Bang Ga in in Paklok at 8.35pm. Rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of a man who was later identified as 30 year old Bancha Sangsawang from Nong Khai. His body…
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Police commander follows up on shooting of a man who ran a checkpoint
The Phuket Provincial Police Commander has followed up the case where a Thai man was shot after breaking through a police checkpoint. The Phuket man, who ran a Phuket City Police checkpoint in Rassada yesterday morning, died after attempting to open fire on police in Cherng Talay very early yesterday morning (September 18). Read more of the story HERE. The Phuket Provincial…
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DNA tests reveal Phuket’s Yanui is a….
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office The DNA tests are in and it reveals that Yanui is a saltwater crocodile. The Phuket Fisheries Office Chief Kowot Kaoeian says, “Yanui is a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).” “The crocodile has been reacting well to treatment. No microchip was found on the crocodile. Scratches were found on its tail, legs and mouth. One tooth…
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70 monkeys back home at Khao To Sae after sterilisation
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office 70 monkeys have been released back at Khao To Sae. Five days ago they were captured on the popular tourist hill overlooking Phuket Town and taken for sterilisation. This is Stage Two in a program by Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation officials to reduce the number of Macaques living in areas around Phuket…
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Man dies after breaking through checkpoint and threatening to shoot police
A Phuket man, who broke a Phuket City Police checkpoint, has died after attempting to open fire on police in Cherng Talay very early this morning (September 18). Cherng Talay Police were notified that a pickup truck broke through the Phuket City Checkpoint at 1.30am today (September 18). Emergency responders arrived on Srisoonthorn Road in Cherng Talay to find a…
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Israeli tourist injured after attack by Krabi man
An Israelian tourist has sustained head injuries after being hit with a glass bottle by a young Thai man last week, allegedly over an issue of ‘jealousy’ in Krabi. You guessed it, over a love-interest. Koh Phi Phi Police were notified of the tourist’s injuries following last week’s attack. Police arrived at a restaurant to find an injured male tourist…
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Body found hanging on the side of the road in Thalang
A dead body has been discovered the side of the road in Thepkasattri Road in Thalang. The body was discovered by a motorist passing by this early morning (September 17). Thalang Police were notified of the incident at 5.30am on Thepkrasattri Road, northbound. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find a body of a man age around 45-50 year…
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Central apologises for damage to the new overpass walkway
PHOTOS AND VIDEO: Newshawk Phuket The management of the Central shopping centre has apologised to Phuketians following a storm that battered part of the new building yesterday (September 16). Sunday afternoon wind and rain storms caused damage on some of the fixings to the new overpass structure. No one was injured. “We apologise to every costumer that was faced with…
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780kg of kratom seized at Phuket Checkpoint in separate incidents
Three people have been arrested with a total of 780 kilograms of kratom. That’s a LOT of kratom leaves! Three suspects have been arrested in two separate cases with 780 kilograms of kratom seized at the Phuket Checkpoint during the weekend. On Saturday (September 15), a team of officers at the Phuket checkpoint arrested 38 year old Wichan Kraikaew from…
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Bus driver charged with reckless driving in Patong bus incident
PHOTOS: Kusoldharm Foundation A tour bus driver has been charged with reckless driving after steering his tour bus, carrying 23 Vietnamese tourists, through the roadside barriers on the side of the road yesterday (September 16). You’ll never guess what the excuse was… (roll the drums)… Brake failure. Kathu Police were notified of the incident just after the hairpin turn, heading…
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Tourists rescued from tour boat stranded off Koh Phi Phi
by Sitthichai Sikhawat Officials from the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park in Krabi province and a private boat operator helped 14 Spanish tourists – including four children – return ashore after their boat engine broke down in rough sea between Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Le yesterday afternoon (Saturday). The Marine Department’s Krabi office…
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Trash Hero Phuket in World Beach Cleanup Day
Trash Hero Phuket held their weekly beach cleanup on this year’s World Beach Cleanup Day. Trash Heroes started at 9am at the north end of Karon beach with a group of 220 volunteers. Many individuals and also local resorts in association with the PHA (Phuket Hotels Association), like Le Meridien and Centara Grand Resort, got their staff involved. Lots of…
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Maya Bay – closed for one extra month
FILE PHOTO It won’t open to tourists now until November 1. A one-month extension to the four month closure of Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi is to better allow the full recovery of coral reefs, mangrove areas and the general ecosystem, as well as to protect tourists from strong winds and high waves during the period. The Hat Noppharat…
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JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa supports International Coastal Clean Up Day
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa supported the Annual International Coastal Clean Up 2018 on the #suituptocleanup campaign to cut down the amount of plastic and garbage entering the ocean for oceans worldwide. This global action began in 1986 by Ocean Conservancy Organisation to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the world’s ocean conservancy. The clean up happened on Mai…
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Phuket monkey sterilisation Stage Two underway
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office Southern long-tailed macaques, captured at Khoa To Sae have been sterilised today. 129 macaques were captured yesterday (September 13) at Khao To Sae in Rassada as part of Stage Two in the capture/steralise/release program. Read more about the capture of the monkeys HERE. A total of 250 monkeys at Khao To Sae and Khao Rang have been…
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Injured sea snake found on Patong Beach
PHOTOS: Nattakorn Ruengroj facebook / Kapook An injured sea snake has been found on Patong Beach. A Facebook user, Nattakorn Ruengroj, yesterday (September 13) posted pictures of the sea snake on his personal Facebook page stating that ‘this injured snake was found on Patong Beach’ Local fishermen say sea snakes are usually found in open seas and swimming on the water…
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Surf for Soi Dog at SurfHouse Phuket
Surf House Phuket Kata Beach is teaming up with Phuket charity Soi Dog Foundation for a pawsome day of surfing, with proceeds from their surfing sales being donated to help the suffering dogs and cats of the island and wider Thailand. Founded in 2003, Soi Dog Foundation cares for the stray dog and cats of Phuket and beyond, through its programs…
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No conclusion yet over Phuket hospital issue – police commander
Executives of Vachira Phuket Hospital have still not resolved a situation that got our control outside their emergency rooms this week. Several videos of the incident went viral on social media showing a man being prevented access to the hospital to be with a relative in the emergency area. A report was filed with police concerning the man’s behaviour whilst the…
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Phoenix might be raised today – VIDEO
PHOTOS AND VIDEO: The Phuket Marine Office Divers headed underwater again yesterday (September 13) to check attachments to Phoenix in readiness to bring the wreck up to the surface. The Phuket PR Office reports that… “a team of divers yesterday morning (September 13) went down 45 metres underwater again. The first diver team arrived at the boat at 10am to check…
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Two weather systems cooking up a storm, heading our way
It’s the wettest month of the year and we’re about to get plenty of moisture over the next five days, according to the Meteorological Department. “For most of Thailand, the wettest months are usually August-October. However, the Gulf Coast of the southern peninsula (e.g. Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan) is affected by the south-west monsoon which can lead to heavy…
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Warning for boats going to sea in Phuket
The Phuket Marine Office has made an official announcement for boats to be “careful when going to sea until September 18, due to Typhoon Mangkhut. The announcement was issued yesterday (September 12) stating that “the Typhoon Mangkhut in the Pacific Ocean is likely to move through The Philippines and Taiwan during the period from September 14-15.” “It will then move…
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Stage Two in ‘Project Monkey’ being rolled out in Phuket
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office Stage One to capture, sterilize and release some of the excess monkey population around Phuket has been a great success. Time now for Stage Two. Cages have been placed at the two main hills overlooking Phuket Town – Khao To Sae and Khao Rang – yesterday (September 12) to catch some more Phuket monkeys for…
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Vachira Phuket Hospital clarify a ‘failure to communicate’
Executives of Vachira Phuket Hospital have been forced to address the media following a video going viral on social media about a man being prevented access to the hospital to be with a relative in the emergency area. The Hospital explained the issue in detail saying that a patient’s relative was disappointed with the service and not being allowed to…
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Officers and locals join in Phuket Provincial Hall fire drill
PHOTOS: The Phuket PR Office Phuket today (September 12) held a fire drill evacuation at the Phuket Provincial City Hall. The drill was led by the Phuket Vice Governor Sanith Sriwihok, government officers and local residents. Vice Governor Snith says, “the fire evacuation drill is aimed at preparing for any emergency fire situations for officers, staff and local residents. We should…
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3 metre king cobra caught in Thalang
PHOTOS: Kusoldharm Foundation/ Newshawk Phuket A three metre king cobra has been caught by rescue worker in Thalang. Kusoldharm rescue workers stationed at Mueang Mai in Thalang were notified by local residents that the king cobra was found opposite the PTT gas station on Thepkasattri Road. Rescue workers arrived near a rubber plantation to find the three metre king cobra. 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.
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