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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Six arrested at unlicenced beauty clinics in Rayong and Phuket
Police officers raided four clinics, arresting six individuals for employing unlicensed doctors in beauty treatments. In another case, an unlicenced Chinese medicine practitioner was detained for claiming ancestral knowledge. Police and health officials announced the results of two significant cases yesterday, August 28, at the Central Investigation Bureau. The first case involved searches of medical facilities, residences, and spa massage…
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Land encroachment scandal rocks Phuket Big Buddha
The Phuket Big Buddha Foundation is in hot water after the Forest Department accused its chairman of land encroachment. This follows a catastrophic mudslide that claimed 13 lives, predominantly Myanmar nationals, last week at Khao Nak Kerd, Phuket’s tallest peak. Officials from the Forest Department, along with the Phuket Buddhism Office, police, and local officials, carried out a rigorous inspection…
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9 houses damaged in recent Phuket landslide, no injuries reported
Another landslide hit the Ratsada sub-district of Phuket in the early hours of this morning leaving nine houses in the area damaged. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The landslide in the Kata sub-district of Phuket last week killed 13 people, most of whom were migrant workers, and affected more than 200 households in the area. Residents are not yet out…
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Saudia adds dreamliner flights to Phuket
Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is set to make your travel dreams come true with its latest addition to the flight network. The airline confirmed that from December 2 it will launch flights to the exotic island of Phuket, making it the second Thai city in its roster after Bangkok. This move is part of Saudia’s strategic…
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Phuket deadly landslide leaves officials scrambling for answers (video)
Government officials in Phuket are urgently consulting experts to investigate a mountaintop disaster where 13 people, including several foreign nationals, were tragically killed in recent landslides. Provincial Governor Sophon Suwannarat announced that the provincial office is reaching out to the permanent secretary of natural resources and environment to enlist expert help in probing the cause of the landslides and preventing…
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Son of former Phuket leader arrested in major drug trafficking bust
Police in Phuket arrested the son of a former local leader for his involvement in a major drug trafficking network. The raid uncovered a substantial amount of crystal methamphetamine, firearms, and ammunition. Colonel Somsak Thongkliang of Kamala Police Station reported the arrest of Jesdaporn to Major General Sinlert Sukhun, Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police. This operation followed an extensive investigation…
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Phuket landslide leaves 13 dead, 19 injured, 209 homes damaged
Rescue officials in Phuket concluded the search for missing individuals following a devastating landslide. All 13 missing persons have been found dead and the disaster has left 19 injured and impacted 209 households. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwann announced the end of the search operation after the bodies of all 13 missing individuals were located. The landslide occurred in the Kata subdistrict…
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Patong leaders back legalising sex work for safety and health
Patong’s key figures unanimously support the legalisation of sex work, asserting that it will enhance safety and health protection for sex workers and their clients. President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) Weerawit Kreuasombat highlighted the current paradox of Thailand’s stance on its renowned sex industry. “Thailand is known for its sex industry, yet maintains a hypocritical stance towards…
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Thailand on track to invest 77 billion baht in new light rail systems
Plans are underway for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to introduce a light rail system in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phitsanulok, with an overall budget of 77 billion baht. MRTA Deputy Governor Wittaya Phanmongkol revealed that the estimated costs of the projects are 35 billion baht for Phuket, 30 billion baht for Chiang Mai, 7…
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1 killed and 4 injured in flash flood and landslide in Phuket (video)
A devastating flash flood and landslide struck the popular holiday resort of Phuket near Kata Temple in the Mueang district, killing one person and injuring four others. Thai government officials made it known that people were reported missing but their identities have not yet been made public. Prachachat news agency reported that heavy rain hit many areas of Phuket at…
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Foreign man caught standing naked in cannabis shop in Phuket
A picture of a naked foreign man proudly showing off the family jewels inside a cannabis shop in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket went viral on Thai social media. The reason for his nakedness is still under investigation. The Phuket Times shared the picture of the naked foreigner yesterday, August 21, with a caption that read, “Free visa! Drunk foreign man…
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Kyrgyzstan boxer wanted for raping Thai sauna worker in Phuket
Officers at Chalong Police Station in Phuket are searching for a Kyrgyzstan boxer after he allegedly raped a 19 year old Thai worker at a sauna near his boxing gym. The 19 year old Thai victim filed a complaint at Chalong Police Station yesterday, August 21, immediately after the sexual assault took place. She explained that the mixed martial arts…
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Viral dugong sighting stuns Phuket
A video of a rare dugong swimming near the bustling Rawai Bridge in Phuket has taken social media by storm, sparking calls for immediate action from local officials. The 41-second clip, posted on the Phuket Info Centre’s Facebook page, shows the elusive sea creature gracefully navigating the waters of Rawai Beach, a popular tourist destination. Filmed yesterday morning, August 20,…
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Taxi to the danger zone: Driver stabbed in Phuket passenger showdown
An airport taxi driver stabbed a fellow driver outside a hotel in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket yesterday after a dispute over passengers. Officers from Patong Police Station investigated the stabbing outside Novotel Vintage Park Resort and arrested the attacker, 55 year old Raphiphan Saelor, at the scene. The injured victim, 40 year old Apinan Boonpha, was rushed to hospital…
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Thai women fight Kuwaiti tourists in Soi Bangla, Phuket (video)
Netizens have called on Patong Police Station officers and Phuket administrative officials to intensify their efforts in safeguarding the province’s reputation, following yet another physical altercation on Soi Bangla. Reports indicate that the incident involved Thai women and Kuwaiti tourists. The news Facebook page, โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (translated as “So Brutal, Phuket Province”), shared a video today, August 21, showing Thai…
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Viral video captures playful water theft at red light in Phuket
A viral video has taken social media by storm, showing a young man on a motorcycle stopping next to a pickup truck at a red light and quenching his thirst with water from a cooler at the back of the truck. A TikTok user named Golfkador yesterday, August 19, shared the clip, which quickly became popular across various social media…
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Foreign cyclist severely injured after being hit by Phuket Airport taxi
A foreign cyclist sustained a severe injury after being hit by an airport taxi while cycling along a road in Phuket. The Phuket Times shared pictures of the injured foreign cyclist and his damaged bicycle on August 18, with a caption describing the incident. “#PhuketRoad This incident occurred yesterday (August 18). Please avoid driving in the lanes designated for smaller…
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Etihad Airways unveils luxurious flatbeds to Phuket in 2025
Etihad Airways is set to elevate the travel experience between Abu Dhabi and Phuket, unveiling plans to launch flights on the Airbus A321LR, featuring flatbed business class seats, from August 2025. The airline’s booking engine has already confirmed these details, showcasing its ambition to connect the UAE with the tropical paradise of Thailand in unprecedented comfort. The inaugural flight on…
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Phuket or leave it: Flooded roads sink travel plans to island airport
Flooding across Phuket is wreaking havoc on travellers bound for the island’s international airport, as waterlogged roads spark major disruptions. Local officials are urging passengers to rethink their travel plans, advising them to allow an extra three to four hours to reach the airport in these treacherous conditions. Phuket International Airport officials issued a public warning, strongly recommending the additional…
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Helmet on TikTok: Kamala cops go viral to keep heads safe in Phuket
Kamala police have launched an innovative campaign on TikTok to promote helmet use among road users in Phuket. The initiative has quickly gained widespread attention and praise for its creative approach to enhancing road safety. Kamala Police Chief Somsak Thongkliang stated that the campaign was developed following a directive from higher government officials to improve road safety measures. Recognising the…
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Local roti vendor hailed as hero after rescuing woman in Phuket
A local vendor is being hailed as a hero after he rushed across a busy street to rescue a young woman from being harassed inside a dental clinic. The incident occurred in Rassada, Mueang District, Phuket. A 35 year old man, identified as Pongsak, was arrested by Phuket City Police for indecent behaviour towards a 21 year old female customer…
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Singaporean tourists assault hotel guard at Patong hotel
A confrontation between two Singaporean tourists and a hotel security guard in Patong yesterday led to all three individuals being hospitalised. The incident took place at the Patong Bay Residence Hotel, where the tourists reportedly tried to leave without completing the mandatory check-out procedure. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongpipat Khamchumphu, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Patong Police Station, was alerted to the…
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Russian dad’s Phuket heartbreak: Wife bolts, leaves him penniless
A Russian man and his five year old son living in Phuket appealed for help after his Thai wife left him penniless and took his belongings. A Thai man, Ekkawit Suratwadee, shared the story of 57 year old Russian man Oleg Magdeev and his five year old son on social media, hoping to seek assistance for the foreigner. Magdeev wanted…
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Kuwaiti man assaulted in Phuket after insulting Thais (video)
Two Thai men physically assaulted a Kuwaiti man near Soi Bangla in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket after the foreigner allegedly insulted Thai people. Officers from Patong Police Station were alerted to the gang attack on the tourist at about 7.20am on Tuesday, August 13, and rushed to the scene, a road near Soi Bangla in the Kathu district of…
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2,000 debtors flock to Phuket fair for a chance to clear the air
Over 2,000 debt-ridden individuals yesterday turned out for the 55th Debt Relief Fair at The Pago Hotel in Ratsada, north of Phuket Town. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Justice’s Department of Rights and Liberties Protection and the Legal Execution Department, in collaboration with the Phuket Provincial Justice Office and other organisations, aimed to offer guidance on managing various…
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Thailand aims to host InterPride World Conference 2025
Thailand is reaffirming its commitment to LGBTQIA2S+ rights and preparing to bid for the InterPride World Conference in 2025, with further aspirations to host WorldPride in 2030. The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) held an event titled Thailand Announcement — Unity in Action: Thailand’s Next Steps in Equality to celebrate the passing of the Marriage Equality Bill and to…
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Phuket your plans: Steer clear of roadwork zones at night
Motorists are being urged to steer clear of Thepkrasattri Road, Dibuk Road, and Phuket Road in Phuket Town during nighttime due to ongoing construction work aimed at installing power cables underground. Phuket Town Mayor Saroj Angkhanapilas announced that this project, which started on November 14 last year and is set to conclude by November 7 this year, aims to enhance…
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Thai PM calls for tourist safety in Phuket ahead of high season
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin insists tourist safety in Phuket must be prioritised ahead of the upcoming high season. The Thai premier made these remarks during a meeting with tourism-related agencies in Phuket yesterday, August 12, to prepare for the high tourist season from September to February. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Royal Thai Police, Provincial Police Region…
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Woman injured by debris from grass-cutting operation in Phuket
A woman was seriously injured when debris from a roadside grass-cutting operation hit her eye while she was riding her motorcycle in Phuket. Local government officials and the responsible company have initiated discussions regarding accountability and compensation. The incident occurred yesterday, August 10, at 9am on Phatthana Road, Soi 3, Talat Nuea subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district. A police officer from…
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Self-harming woman hospitalised after rent dispute in Phuket
A 35 year old woman has been hospitalised after being found with self-inflicted knife wounds at a small guest accommodation in Patong, Phuket. Police responded to the incident at a hotel on Phra Mettha Road at 6.56am yesterday, August 11. Upon arrival, officers and rescue workers discovered the woman on a bed with stab wounds to her abdomen and a…
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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