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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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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4-month breathing space – DNP officially closes down Maya Bay
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has officially announced that Maya Bay in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park will not allow visitors during a much-needed four-month rejuvenation period from June 1 to September 30 this year. The DNP announced at a press conference held on May 15 that access to Maya Bay will…
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Video of pregnant whale shark caught by fishermen goes viral on social media
PHOTOS AND VIDEOS: Go-Eco Phuket Facebook user ‘Go-Eco Phuket’ local conservation group yesterday (May 18) posted a video clip with 1.11 minutes long with a message read “#RIP whale shark mother at Phuket. Why catching small fish. Catching a big fish is better with its babies. Cr.Aqua centre.” The video clip shows a whale shark being hung on the side of…
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Airport warns of taking photos of landing aircraft at Nai Yang Beach
A meeting was held yesterday (May 17), led by the Phuket International Airport General Manager Petch Chancharoen, to discuss a YouTube post. The meeting follows a ‘youtube’ channel user, ‘donprozento’, posting a video on March 10. The video shows tourists taking photos of an aircraft landing. The aircraft was landing on the runway 09. The meeting was to address measures to…
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900,000 baht to move ‘some’ monkeys
Phuket’s Governor Norraphat says, “We have studied all the possibilities and issues, such as food and water, to move some monkeys to islands off the coast of Phuket – Koh Ngam, Koh Pa Yu, Koh Mali, Koh Pae and Koh Tanan.” “From previous public hearings we have found that the most critical areas for monkey mischief is at Baan Yamu…
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New Kusoldharm rescue office branch launched at base of Patong Hill
An opening ceremony was hosted by Phuket’s Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok for the new Kusoldharm Office Kwuan Yang branch on Patong Hill. The President of the Kusoldharm Foundation Benjawan Tampanuwat says, “Kusoldharm Foundation was officially established in September 27, 1976. The foundation’s main office remains on Poonpon Road in Phuket Town. We have established Kusoldarm rescue office braches in three…
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Seven arrested in Phuket loan shark crackdown
Phuket Provincial Deputy Commander Col Sermpan Sirikong says, “We’ve arrested four male and two female suspects in a loan shark crackdown on May 15 and 16.” “The five male suspects are 41 year old Adiraek Henghoo, 21 year old Ratanapon Haemtong, 26 year old Taechit Eakkanaprat, 23 year old Chawankorn Sukpan and 38 year old Kittisak Wongsamai. Two female suspects are…
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Three suspects arrested over April arson
A team of Phuket police and soldiers have arrested 18 year old Wiwat Singkaha, 19 year old Purachart Jitchamnan and a 52 year old woman known as ‘One’. Wiwat and Purachart were arrested at different houses in Mai Khao while ‘One’ was arrested at a house in Sakoo. Wiwat and Purachart were charged with arson while ‘One’ was charged with…
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Two vehicles catch fire after collision with power pole
Officials of the Phuket Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in Rassada were notified of an incident in front of Baan Kuku School in Rassada on Thursday (May 17) at 5am. Firefighters with three fire trucks arrived at the scene to find a Nissan car ablaze. Behind the Nissan police found an Isuzu pickup truck. Official at the Phuket Provincial…
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Phuket’s Governor inspects coral area in Paklok – Marina proposed
The issue of potential damage to coral reefs has been raised after local residents near Koh Hei, in the Ao Kung area of Paklok, has been brought up with the Phuket Governor today. Along with conservationists, they worry that there will be damage to the coral if construction of a marina is started along with the dredging of a channel…
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Three escape burning vehicle in Wichit
Officials from the Phuket Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM Phuket) were notified of an incident near Laem Chan Intersection on Chao Fa East Road in Wichit this morning at 7.20am. Firefighters with two fire trucks along with Wichit Police arrived at scene to find a Toyota car ablaze. It took about 30 minutes to control the fire. The…
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Phuket hosts Andaman marine rescue ‘brainstorm’
This morning (May 17) Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong joined in a brainstorming meeting at Pavillion Queen’s Bay Ao Nang in Krabi whilst working on a marine rescue centre project for the Andaman provinces. Joining him were officials from Krabi, Phuket, Phang Nga, Ranong and Trang. Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chatchai Salikanlaya was present to suggest ideas and to hear from…
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Five ‘Monkey Islands’ to be established
Five uninhabited small islands off Phuket have been chosen as possible monkey colonies. Public hearings for the plan to release wild monkeys from various provinces that are overcrowded with monkeys to these small islands will be held later this month. “Surveys show there are five islands off Phuket that should be able to serve as monkey colonies. These islands have…
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Pete & Abbie’s holiday goes wrong – Go Fund Me campaign raises funds for medical bills
PHOTOS: ‘Pete & Abbies Journey’ Facebook page A British travel agent was left ‘unable to move’ after the taxi she and her partner were in was in a head-on smash with a truck heading to Khao Lak. The incident happened back on May 9. The couple were forced to rely on family and a Go Fund Me campaign to raise…
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Access to Maya Bay, from the front, permanently closed
The closure of Maya Bay has come about after profound changes by chiefs of Thailand’s marine national parks. It’s been revealed that, far from being a knee-jerk reaction, the plan to close the famous tourist magnet is just the start of an entire new approach to marine conservation. The closure is seen as an entry point for new tourism management…
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60 million baht budget to solve perennial flooding on Thepkasattri road
At a meeting held yesterday (May 16) at the Governor’s House, the perennial flooding around Thalang on the main morth/south road was discussed. The meeting was chaired by Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong. Governor Norraphat says, “We have received a 60 million baht budget for the year 2019 to solve flooding problems in three areas on the main Thepkrasattri Road (No…
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Woman rescued from lagoon in Srisoonthorn
Thalang Police were notified of an incident at Bang Maruan Lagoon in Srisoonthorn by 61 year old Amnuay Imurai, who is a local security man, yesterday afternoon (May 15). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a woman age around 35, apparently drunk. Mr Amnouy and people who were exercising at the lagoon were trying to stop…
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Fire in an unused classroom in Krabi
Fire fighters and fire trucks arrived at a class room on the third floor at a school in Krabi yesterday (May 15). Teachers and students were trying to put out the fire with fire extinguishers and buckets of water. Krabi Police were notified of the fire at the Krabi Provincial Administartive Organisation (OrBorJor) School in Krabi City at 1pm .…
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Woman talked down from pedestrian bridge in Thalang
Thalang Police were notified of an incident on Thepkrassattri Road in front of the Thalang District Health Office at 11:50 last night (May 14). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find an emotional woman standing on the iron guard of the 5.5 metre bridge during heavy rain. The woman was later identified as a 38 year old…
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Rescue workers help mother give birth in Krabi
Rescue workers were notified that a woman was about to give birth at a house in Klongthom, Krabi last night (May 14). She was was later identified as 39 year old Chamaiporn Intasar was found in end-stage labour pain and poised to give birth. Rescue workers from the Krabi Pitak Pracha Rescue Foundation assisted Ms Chamaiporn to give birth to…
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Bon voyage – Phuket prepares to move monkeys to islands
Phuket’s Governor Noraphat Plodthong says “Long-tailed macaque and Southern pig-tailed macaque are disturbing local residents and tourists. We are planning to move monkeys to islands that have been provided as a long-term solution. A public hearing will be held this month to discuss all the options.” “Officials have surveyed and found that there are seven main areas that have monkey…
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1.5 tonne whale shark caught up in a fishing net in Krabi
A whale shark was found caught up in a fishing net at Ao Nang between Koh Phi Phi and Koh Khaew (Green Island) by ‘Kietwarin 3’ fishing boat over the weekend. The whale shark was 5 metres and weighed around 1.5 tons. The owner of the fishing boat, 48 year old Udon Boonsuk, who is also a boat captain says…
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Bangkok Airways to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket
Bangkok Airways is looking to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket this November. This according to Bangkok Airways’ regional airline vice president, Varong Israsena. Myanmar National Airlines started operating a direct flight between Yangon and Phuket last month and are looking to increase frequency of the flights from Myanmar’s largest city to Phuket. “I see great potential in Myanmar.…
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Krabi drug dealer tries to bury over 10,000 methamphetamine pills
On Saturday (May 12) Krabi Police arrested a woman, 43 year old Surat ‘Rat’ Sansatan. Police seized 10,700 methamphetamine pills (ya bah). She was charged with possession of Category 1 drug with intent to sell. The arrest follows police receiving a tip-off that a big drug deal was going down at a house in Klongtom, Krabi. Police headed to the house…
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Vanranyu cruises to victory at Singha Laguna Phuket Open
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij savoured his first professional victory in front of his family after closing with an even-par 70 to win by six shots in the final round of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open yesterday (Sunday). The 21 year old Thai displayed great form all week as he traded two birdies against as many bogeys on Sunday to secure his…
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Man killed, murderer arrested in Rassada
The Phuket City Police have been notified of an incident in front of a house in Soi Malipan, Rassada on Saturday (May 12). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of a man who was identified as 30 year old Peerasit Saelim surrounded by a pool of blood on the ground. A kitchen knife was…
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Female drug dealer arrested in Phuket Town
Border Patrol Police this week arrested 24 year old Saranya ‘Palm’ Arjmongkon at a condominium in Phuket Town. Police seized 29.51 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) and 355 methamphetamine pills (ya bah). She was charged with possession with Category 1 drug with intent to sell. The arrest follows police receiving a tip-off that Saranya was selling drugs on the street. On…
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Phuket’s Governor inspects lifeguards at the northern beaches
The Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong has had his first inspection of lifeguards at Mai Khao Beach. There are now five lifeguards at Mai Khao Beach, the long stretch of beach along the northern end of Phuket’s west coast. Three more lifeguards will be hired. Governor Norraphat says “Currently there are no beach lights, CCTV camera or tourist service centres at Mai…
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Barbed wire fence erected around the offices of the Emerald Development Group
A barbed wire fence has been erected around the main offices for the Emerald Development Group and two signs erected in the front of the property. “This is a personal land plot which does not belong to the Emerald Development Group Co.,Ltd. Outsiders are not permitted or else legal action will be taken. Tel: 085 886 7456” The erection of…
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Taxi catches fire outside Cassia Laguna Hotel – No injuries
Officials at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) stationed in Cherng Talay were notified of an incident in front of Cassia Hotel in Laguna, Cherng Talay at 9:05pm last night (May 11). Fire fighters with two water trucks arrived at the scene along with the Cherng Talay Police. At the scene they found a burnt white Toyota taxi…
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Varanyu holds commanding lead at Singha Laguna Phuket Open
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphaibulkij maintained his position at the top with his second round of nine-under-par 61 at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open on Friday. The 21-year-old Thai carded a flawless round with seven birdies and one eagle to lead the field by seven strokes on a 17-under-par 123 total at the 2 million baht (approx. USD64,000) event co-sanctioned by the…
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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