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.
-
Sponsored This Christmas, give the gift of health: essential options for expats in Thailand
The holiday season is here, bringing warmth, joy, and a chance to reflect on the year gone by. As an expat in Thailand, this Christmas is a great time to invest in something that truly matters: health. Whether for you...
-
Urgent measures ordered to protect marine animals
The Provincial Government are pressing all the right buttons and saying all the right things in the wake of the whale shark fiasco. A whale shark was caught in a fishing net last Friday. Video of the whale shark being lifted from the water and the fishermen trying to free it from the net by hauling the shark up on…
-
Locals in Rassada agree with monkey birth control and moving to nearby islands
Today (May 22) a public hearing was held with the Tha Chin community in Rassada led by Director of the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre at Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area in Thalang Pongchart Chouehorm. More than 180 locals joined in the public hearing to discuss the monkey problem in the area. Five suitable islands off the coast of Phuket…
-
‘Stargazer’: Helping to create a stronger future for our Thai community
CC’s Hideaway in Kata proudly presented its fourth annual Phuket talent contest “Stargazer” on April 21, 2018. The contest brought together Phuket’s expat and Thai communities to experience a unique contest which brought together a wide range of singers, bands, dancers, acrobats and actors, but also to support the work of the Life Home Project Foundation. CC’s Hideaway is committed to support…
-
Romeo, Romeo. What can you do for Ride4Kids?
What does it take to make the hair on your arms stand up? The goose bump moments; with all the hair standing at attention inspired with passion and hope. Meet Romeo, a 13 year old boy, who is a living breathing testament to living a life of hope and passion. The term ‘boy’ is draped rather loosely. Do not confuse his…
-
One man, three boys arrested with crystal meth and hundred of methamphetamine pills
A team of the Phuket City Police led by Capt Teerasak Narasri have arrested 29 year old Anucha ‘X’ Damyang. Police sized 0.39 grams of crystal methamphetamine. He was charged with possession of Category 1 drug. The arrest came after police saw Anucha sitting on the side of the road in Soi Rassada Ramluek in Rassada. He looked suspicious. Police…
-
Captains to face more charges in whale shark incident
The captain of the ‘Sang Samut 3’ fishing boat, Somsamai Meejom (the fishing vessel at the centre of last Friday’s whale shark catch) says, “We did not realise that the whale shark was caught in fishing net. Boat crews pulled the fishing net up and could feel that it was very heavy. We thought that we had caught a log.”…
-
Open letter: Phuket Lifeguard Crisis – from The International Surf Lifesaving Association
Heading into this year’s monsoon, the issue of safety along Phuket’s west coast comes sharply into focus. The role of lifeguards on our beaches has been pivotel to saving lives and providing a safer environment for foreign swimmers who are not in tune with the wave conditions and rips (many of them can’t even swim!). The negotiation games played each…
-
Whale shark search starts off Phuket
Yesterday (May 20) a team of officials led by Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) Director-General Jatuporn Burutpat went in search of the whale shark that fisherman claim was alive after they freed it from their fishing nets. The searching covered 40 kilometres between Koh Lon, Koh Hey and Koh Bon. Binoculars, drones and echo sounding devices have been used…
-
DMCR officials inspect the coral areas in Paklok
Last week locals spoke out against the establishment of a new marina near Koh Hei in the Ao Kung area of Paklok (in between Ao Po and Boat Haven marinas). Conservationists and locals are worried that there will be damage to the coral if construction of a marina is started along with the dredging of a channel for boats to…
-
Phuket community supporting Ride 4 Kids V2.0
Ride 4 Kids V2.0 for 2018 is in full swing. The event will run from from June 11 – 16. 20 riders and crew will be jumping in the saddle and riding 700 kms all in the name of charity – Phuket-Phang Nga-Krabi-Surat Thani-Khao Sok-Khao Lak-Phuket. Three charities will once again be supported this year, The Good Shepherd, Phuket Has Been…
-
Motorbike thief arrested in Cherng Talay
Cherng Talay Police arrested 39 year old Tookta Prapaimuang at a house in Soi Layan Hill Estate in Srisoonthorn last Wednesday night. Police seized a brown-black Honda Wave motorbike from her. The arrest came after a 29 year old Surasak Saksri filed a report to police that his motorbike, with a Nakhon Sri Thamarat registered license plate, parked in front…
-
‘It is not the whale shark’s baby’ – Fishing boat captain
On Saturday (May 19) officials at the Phuket Fisheries Port In-Port Out Control Centre (PiPo) says, “There were 13 boat crews on Sang Samut 3 fishing boat on which Somsamai Meejom is the captain. They departed from the pier on May 11 and scheduled to return on May 22.” “We were informed that the boat will be back early on…
-
PHAB 2 raises 4.5 million baht for local scholarships
The Phuket Hotels Association recently hosted a hugely successful benefit evening and raised a total of 4.5 million baht for young hospitality professionals in Phuket. On April 28 the “Phuket Hotels Association Benefit 2 (PHAB 2) – Glam, Glitz and Glitter” event was held at Latitude Laguna. This marked the second annual edition of the benefit, following the inaugural event…
-
Five years of commitment to keep Phuket’s beaches clean
Phuket’s Clean the Beach Boot Camp (CBBC) has been cleaning the island’s beaches for five years. Each two weeks, on a Saturday morning, volunteers assemble for a free beach workout from island fitness leader Krix Luther and then, in return, they put on their gloves, grab a big bag and pick up rubbish on the beaches. Yesterday the team assembled…
-
Trawler captains face fines after catching whale shark
By Pratch Rudijanarom and Salinee Prab The captains of two trawlers accused of having fished an endangered pregnant whale shark off the coast of Phuket potentially face a heavy fine of up to 3 million baht and confiscation of their vessels, according to authorities. Fisheries Department and Marine and Coastal Resources Department yesterday promised to take swift action against the…
-
Maya Bay – let the healing begin
By Piyaporn Wongruang – The Sunday Nation It was around 10 in the morning. There was peace and tranquility at Maya Bay and its beach with just a few speedboats docking in front of the bay. The crystal clear deep blue turquoise sea water filled the vision of Plianprasop Khaonual, a long-time park ranger and among the first who explored…
-
Official report filed to police about the whale shark caught by fishermen
In relation to the video of a whale shark caught up on a fishing boat net just off Koh Racha yesterday, Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong says, “Officials from the Phuket Fisheries Port In-Port Out Control Centre (PiPo) have filed a report to the Phuket City Police. The owner of the fishing boat is being accused of an offence to the…
-
Investigation ordered over the Phuket whale shark caught by fishermen
Video of a pregnant whale shark caught by fishermen has gone viral and caused outrage on social media. Read the story and watch the video HERE. Lt-General Jaruwat Waisaya, Chief of the Office of Legal Affairs and Litigation says, “I have ordered officials to question every person involved in the incident. If they are found guilty, legal action must be taken.…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Phuket airport launches ‘Take off HKT ready for ASQ’ event
An event was launched today (May 18) at the The Slate Phuket Hotel in Thalang, hosted by the Phuket International Airport General Manager Petch Chancharoen (between fixing the air-conditioning at the domestic terminal). The event was aimed to present the readiness of the airport to join the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) of Airport Council International (ACI) for airport ranking. Phuket Airport is…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Phuket teacher turned away in Penang applying for visa
PHOTO: TielandtoThailand.com According to a British EFL teacher based in Phuket, officials in Penang are requiring a criminal background check from Thai police when applying for a Non-immigrant B visa associated with teaching. As reported in a Facebook post on the morning of May 17, Jay (who asked we omit his surname) stated the first thing embassy staff asked was,…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Marine rescue training for tour guides
Training, run by the Department of Tourism, was launched at the Royal Phuket City Hotel yesterday (May 16). More than 70 participants joined in the training aimed specifically at marine safety. Siriwan Pohnlertwiwat, Head of Tourism Business Development says, “This training aims to prepare staff for tourist safety. Tour guides and tourism officials from Andaman provinces (Krabi, Phang Nga and…
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.
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.