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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Sponsored Top 5 luxury villas in Phuket and Koh Samui for your next holiday
Ask people to name the most beautiful places in Thailand, and you'll often hear Phuket and Koh Samui being mentioned. Who would disagree? One is renowned for its bustling nightlife, vibrant culture, and lively beach scene, while the other is...
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Russian woman attacked on Koh Phi Phi
FILE PHOTO Police Region 8 Commander, Pol Lt Gen Sorasak Yenprem, has ordered an urgent investigation and search to find the man who allegedly attacked a Russian woman on Koh Phi Phi on the New Year’s night. The 28 year old Russian woman (name supplied but not being made public) was celebrating the New Year’s Eve with her mother on…
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3 big drug dealers arrested in Mai Khao
Thachatchai Police, together with military officers, arrested three big drug dealers from a network called ‘Ann Power’. One of them also happened to be the head of the network. The force raided the targeted area, the Kok Pae Community, through five different spots around the community and arrested the three drug dealers, including 40 year old Paiboon Rattanapak aka ‘Ann…
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Phuket’s ‘seven days of danger’ results announced
This morning (December 4), Phuket Governor chaired a meeting at Provincial hall to announce the official statistics for Phuket from the ‘Seven Days of Danger reporting period. There were 7 accidents on the 7th day, January 3, with 7 injuries. For the whole period of 7 days, there was a total of 46 accidents with 46 injuries and 2 casualties.…
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UPDATE: 4 motorcycle thugs surrendered
The four members of a motorcycle gang who attacked 40 year old Romy Navio, who tried to stop them from hurting three other young men, have surrendered. Yesterday (December 3) at 2pm, the four, including 18 year old Nattawut ‘Fad’ Plighin, 18 year old Sarun ‘Yak’ Muenkla, 18 year old Panuruj ‘Tiw’ Sudpangyang and 18 year old Kajorn ‘Ben’ Raya,…
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THURSDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
Settling into the routine for 2018. Traffic was busy this morning, a sure sign we’re returning to work and doing our best to avoid the high-season tourist traffic. Here’s today’s main new stories… Thai auto industry getting behind electric cars The Thai automobile industry say they finished 2017 with sales rebounding reporting that a large number of new models helped…
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Dead body found floating near Koh Phi Phi
At about noon today (January 3), Koh Phi Phi police received a report about a dead body floating in the sea near Phi Phi in Lo Dalum Bay. Police say the body appears to be a western woman of about 30-35 years wearing jeans shorts and a blue bra. No trace of harassment or violence was found on the body.…
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Phuket ‘gangster’ arrest warrants to be issued
A group of motorcycle ‘gangsters’ who attacked local innocent residents in Yoo Sabai Village during the New Year night will be issued with arrest warrants soon. After a post by Facebook user Techa Tubthong, releasing a 3 minute footage of a group of motorcyclists attacking their opponents and harming the villagers who tried to stop the fight, one of the…
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Drunk female tourist refuses to pay bill at Jungceylon
A video has posted on a popular Phuket Facebook page that showed an altercation between a female tourist and several people outside a Fuji Japanese restaurant in Jungceylon. The video shows a woman, apparently from Europe (some say Norwegian), arguing with security as a crowd of shoppers gather. Amid claims that the tourist is drunk the poster of the footage…
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WEDNESDAY NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Sort of back to normal today, whatever that means. The news never stops and there’s plenty of it around today. Let’s see what news stories are in our inbox this morning… PM urges big effort on final day of reporting period PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha is urging officers to strictly enforce traffic laws and provide security for people on the…
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Governor visits Rassada Pier to inspect improvements
Phuket’s Governor, Norapat Plodthong, along with a team from the Provincial offices, visited Rassada Pier this morning (January 2), to encourage the staff and promising to upgrade the security and services at the pier. Rassada Pier is one of the most important piers in Phuket, apart from Chalong Pier and Ao Po Pier, and welcomes more than a thousand passengers…
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DAY FIVE REPORT: Phuket road accidents and casualties
FILE PHOTO Total accidents on fifth day of the ‘Seven days of danger’ campaign have been announced for Phuket. The total number of accidents for the first five days of the New Year season is 31, with 31 injuries and 2 casualties. Today (January 2), at the Provincial Hall, Phuket’s Governor Plodthong chaired a meeting on road accident reduction and…
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TUESDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
Another public holiday today. The Government announced last year that they’d add an extra day to the new year holidays this year in an effort to relieve the rush of traffic as people head home and back for the new year break. Police will be out in force today checking on drunk drivers at checkpoints around the island. Government offices…
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Happy new year in Old Phuket Town
The Amazing Thailand Countdown 2018 around Old Phuket Town was hosted by Governor Norapat Plodthong together with the Phuket Mayor Somjai Suwansuppana. There family-oriented festivities included a walking street with local food, clothing, accessories, street performances and a list of entertainment on stage before the crowd count down to the new year at the intersection of the old Standard Chartered Bank.…
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MONDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
PHOTO: The statue of Phra Buddha Navaratchabophit out of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration headquarters yesterday. Happy New Year! Patong’s new year celebrations drew unprecedented crowds to see in 2018. From midnight to 2am there was a gridlock with zero movement of traffic along the beach road (Thaweewong Rd) as revellers streamed off the beaches and back into the town. Police…
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6 missing men safely home
The 6 men, reported missing earlier yesterday (December 30), have been rescued by Royal Thai Navy Area 3 today (December 31). All safe and back home. This morning at 8.50 am, the Air Force from Royal Thai Navy Area 3 made an aerial servey around the area where the crew last had made their last contact and after an hour…
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2017 – Phuket’s year in review
2017. What a year. As the clock is about to click over into 2018 we look back at another busy year on the island. From scams to bus crashes, corrupt officials to shootings, boat crashes to lifeguard contracts, we remember the biggest news stories on the island for the past 12 months. January The year started with the first of…
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DAY TWO REPORT – Seven days of danger
A total of 92 people were killed and 1,107 were injured during the first two days of seven-day monitoring period for people travelling during the long New Year holidays. On Friday, which was the second day of the so-called “seven dangerous days” new year holidays, 576 road accidents happened, killing 49 people and injuring 609, said Karun Sakulpradit, permanent secretary…
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Thailand Yacht Show. Returns to Ao Po Grand Marina February 22 – 25, 2018
It is that time of the year where we make resolutions; promises about the year to come and how we will approach it. Rather than ploughing through a northern hemisphere winter to get to the gym or sourcing for fresh fruits during a juice cleanse, why not enjoy the best of the southern tropical lifestyle and head to the Thailand…
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Phuket Governor announces first casualty for new year period
At Provincial Hall this morning (December 30), Phuket’s Governor, Norapat Plodthong, chaired a meeting to follow up on the accidents for the first 2 days of the 7 days of danger over the New Year season. There were 10 accidents in total, with 9 injuries and 1 casualty in the past two 2 days (December 28 – 29). The ‘7…
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SATURDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
A weekend, a new year’s weekend and a long weekend with Monday and Tuesday public holidays this year. Welcome to your Saturday. The threat of rain is still there but enjoy the sunny bits in between. Here’s the main news stories circulating today… Extra public holiday on Tuesday This year the Thai Government has declared one extra day – next…
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Soi Dog to open one Saturday per month
Soi Dog will now open its door one Saturday per month, welcoming dog and cat lovers for an amazing experience around the shelter. Cannot join the fun weekdays from 8am to 5pm? You now also have a chance to visit the foundation one Saturday per month from 9.30am to Midday with a tour that starts at 10am. Not only will…
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Phuket’s Governor follows up on stray dog shelter renovations
Phuket’s Governor hosted a meeting with the Phuket Dog Shelter Management Committee today (December 29) at Provincial Hall in Phuket Town to follow up on the progress of its renovation, together with the Chief of Phuket Provincial Livestock Office and a representative of Phuket’s Soi Dog Foundation. “There are 460 dogs in the shelter by now and the shelter opens…
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Traffic routes for 2018 Countdown in Phuket Old Town
Phuket traffic police have announced roads closure and new adjustments around the Phuket Old Town area for the 2018 countdown event on December 30 – 31, from 4 pm – midnight which includes: At Thepkasattri / Tungka intersection, buses and lorries are not allowed. Alternative route is Damrong Road. At Thepkasattri / Dibuk intersection, the road will be closed down…
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Krabi Airport installs EDS weapon detectors
Krabi International Airport has just fitted new Explosive Detection Systems weapon detectors at each checkpoint scanner to improve security measure over the New Year period. The security measure by Department of Airports follows the safety 7-7-7 measure of the Ministry of Transport which targets 7 days before New Year (December 21 – 27), 7 days during the New Year (December…
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FRIDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
A super Full Moon, a new year, but a few more days to go first. A bit cloudy today as the remnants of tropical storm Tembin make their way across the island over the next few ays. The weather forecast predicts some rain over the weekend – we’ll keep you informed and up to date. Here’s today’s main news stories……
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Three more illegal tour guides arrested in Phuket blitz
Three more Chinese-speaking illegal tour guides have been arrested yesterday (December 27) and the day before following the illegal tour guide crackdown initiated by Phuket’s Governor. Yesterday in Soi Sakdidech, in Phuket Town, a team of Phuket provincial authorities along with representatives of Royal Thai Navy Area 3, Provincial Internal Security Operations Command and Volunteer Defense Corps checked a Chinese…
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Yala men arrested with drugs and materials for bombs
Talad Yai police from Phang Nga have arrested two men from Yala province (in the deep south on the Malaysian border). 25 year old Muhammad Hayeehayoh and 22 year old Muhamamsolin Jehlong were arrested. They tested positive for drugs before police extended the investigation to their house and found a number of potential bombs. At midnight (December 28), at Sam…
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THAIGER TODAY Thursday, December 28
New short cut from Kathu to Saphan Hin | Two arrested over suspicion of bomb preparation | Provincial Hall launches road & marine safety campaign | Krabi residents calling for action over pam oil plant waste water | Lowest death toll in 13 years – southern insurgency | Driver almost squashed by unsecured container.
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THURSDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Today is the start of the Seven Days of Danger, one of two periods during the year when Thais, expats and tourists die in preventable road crashes. In large numbers. It’s also the day when we’re told we’ll start to feel the effects of the weakening tropical depression Tembin which started off as a typhoon, killing 200 in The Philippines,…
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Krabi locals complain about waste water from palm oil factory
Plaipraya District locals from Krabi called for help today (December 27) after the water in their local canal has become increasingly filthy and black because of the wastewater from a palm oil factory in the area. Apart from the smell and colour of the canal, a number of fishes have also died in waterways a few kilometres around. The local…
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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