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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5 metre python found in Phuket Town
This afternoon (October 23), a sleeping five metre python was found under a sign of the local educational service office, Region 7. The team from Kusoldham weren’t able to put the python in the sack they were provided with as it was too big. They had to use a large cage instead. It took about 10 minutes to capture the…
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Four injured after a shooting in Phuket Town
Four people have been shot – one remains in critical condition – in a house near Saphan Hin in Phuket Town. It all started from a conflict between a local man, 23 year old Kacha Keukkong, and a group of four locals, who all ended up injured after visiting him at his house near Saphan Hin and were shot before…
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Ammonia leaks from ice-factory in Rawai
An ammonia gas leak has been discovered from an ice and drinking water plant located behind the Rawai Temple. About 300 residents living within 500 metres were asked to evacuate. Rawai Mayor, Arun Solos, got a report about the leak last night at about 9pm. Controlling the leak took longer than expected and a strong smell was present around the…
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THAIGER TODAY Monday, October 23
Junior world Badminton Champ | Van plows into ByPass Road pole | Rama 9s Grand-Daughter leads final rehearsal for this week’s Royal Funeral | Surprise visitor on Pattaya Beach | Jellyfish invasion long Gulf beach | Vets ‘apologies’ for not being able to save young elephant.
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Updated information on tomorrow’s cremation
Dresscodes If you are attending any official Phuket services for the Royal Cremation or Funeral, this is what you will be required to wear. Women • Respectful black shirt with sleeves and collar. No skin-tight, gym-slip or tube top and avoid laces. • Black skirt or sarong that is longer than knee level and polite black shoes. No jeans and…
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Free share-bike extended to the end of the year
The operators of the Ofo and Obike share-bike scheme have agreed to extend the free service from the end of this month to the end of the year to provide more time for Phuketians and tourists to get used to the share-bike system. The extension was announced during a press conference yesterday (October 20) to explain about the public share-bike…
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Shooting at a Thalang rubber plantation
40 year old Danudech Maliwan from Phang Nga, a worker at a rubber plantation in Thalang, has been shot on his left arm by an anonymous shooter driving a white car. Police found a .357 bullet left at the scene. The rubber plantation is located at the entrance of the Tonsai Waterfall in the Thepkasattri sub district. Danudech told the…
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2017 Phuket Vegetarian Festival Calendar
October 20 Official start of the Vegetarian Festival Every day from October 23 – 28 There’s a ritual paying respects to Chinese guardian angels (Ko Gun) at Bangniew Shrine and from October 22, the ceremonies can be seen at Jui Tui Tao Bo Keng Shrine and Ta Rua Shrine as well. October 23 A ritual to pay respect to ancestors…
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Kicking off Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Phuket’s annual vegetarian festival kicked off last night with religious rituals happening at the main Chinese shrines of the island with a large number of attendees including Phuket’s Governor, authorities, locals and tourists. The big ritual of Koteng lantern pole raising was held at Juitui Tao Bo Keng Shrine, the ancient Chinese shrine in Old Phuket Town. Apart from Juitui…
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DSI claim ‘powerful people’ interfering in Krabi land-deed corruption case
Krabi Forest – File Photo The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has said local powerful people are behind a delay in revoking an illegal land deed involving forest lands in Krabi. Saengrawee Bongkotmas filed a complaint with DSI on Thursday calling on the body to investigate delays in revoking an illegal land-deed registration for a forested area. She said that…
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UPDATE: Got a drone in Thailand? Here’s what you need to know.
The days of you flying your drone carefree in the skies above Thailand are over. Last week, the Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) announced that all drones in Thailand need to be registered. The NBTC said the move came after only 350 drones out of an estimated 50,000 had previously been registered in Thailand. Owners have until January…
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Minesweeper relic taken to Phang Nga
The minesweeper found just offshore at Nai Yang Beach two weeks ago is said to be safe and has been taken to Phang Nga. The EOD team checked the suspected minesweeper device for explosive powder and found that the inside of it is empty and safe. After identifying the mystery object – which was found submerged at low tide 30…
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Another Russian tourist drowns at Karon Beach
Another Russian tourist has drowned in the seas off Karon Beach today (October 18), while swimming in a red flag zone. This time the man was swimming at the far southern end of Karon Beach. 53 years old Evgenii Erdlei was rescued from the sea by local beach vendors and officers from the Marine Safety Unit of the Royal Thai…
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Guns, loan contracts seized in Phang Nga raid
A large amount of weapons and some loan contracts were seized during a raid by police, army and administrative officials on a snooker club in Phang Nga’s Muang district today (October 18). Provincial police chief Pol Maj General Boonthawee Toraksa led the team to search the club in Tambon Tham Nam Phud, which belonged to 35 year old Piyawat Khanpakdee.…
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Three vehicles in a crash in Thalang kills one, injures another
At the scene, a car, motorcycle and truck had collided. The motorcyclist died in the collision. Police presume that the cause of accident that killed the motorcyclist, 32 year old Thongmai Chairat, and injured his passenger, Natthawut Chaikham, was that they were trying to pass through the traffic jam by riding in the middle of two lanes when they hit…
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THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, October 18
From Bangla Road… What’s happening with dead fish washing up on Hua Bin beach? | Mark Zuckerberg heading to BKK | Bangkok needs long-term drainage strategy | Huge half tonne haul of drugs.
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, October 17
Sting nets 52 overstayers, skimmers and scammers | Huge road subsidence near Chiang Mai | Chinese tourist dies whilst snorkeling | 7/11 closing on October 26.
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Young dolphin washes up on Kamala Beach
Officers from the Rare Sea Animal Division of the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) have revealed today (October 17) that the dead dolphin found on Kamala Beach washed up ashore yesterday was a young Fraser’s Dolphin, which is rare in the Andaman Sea. The body is 2 metres long and weighs approximately 70 kilograms. The body was still fresh when…
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THAIGER TODAY Monday, October 16
A drowning and near-misses at Phuket beaches | Royal rehearsals in Bangkok | Crocodiles escape in Petchabun floods | Myanmar Army about to release a report about alleged atrocities.
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Three locals arrested for drugs and gun’s in Chalong.
Yesterday afternoon (October 15), Chalong police arrested Panya Chidchiew and Kwanjai Kaewbamrung in Soi Chalermprakiet 6 with 351 amphetamine pills and 6 grams of meth amphetamine. Police found that they are connected to another bigger drug dealer who lives in Soi Koktanod in the same area and, after an investigation, police arrested Nopporn Rawanghet on the same day with a…
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Dress code for local ceremonies on October 26
Many people have been asking for a guide to appropriate clothing if they wish to attend any of the ceremonies on October 26 around Thailand. Anyone will be welcome to attend the Cremation or Royal Flower ceremonies around Phuket on the day but will need to respect the dress code. The dress code for participating to King Bhumibol Adulyadej Rama…
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Russian tourist drowns at Karon red-flagged beach
A 42 year old Russian tourist, Parshukov Ole, drowned at Karon Beach this afternoon (October 15). The area of the beach the man was drowning was designated with red flags, deemed unsafe for swimming with big waves and rip currents. Patong Hospital say that the man was sent to hospital after he was swept by strong waves near Karon Circle.…
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Russian tourists in trouble swimming off Karon Beach
Karon Municipality Tourist Centre saved six foreigners off red-flagged Karon Beach this afternoon (October 14). There were initially two Russian tourists drowning 50 metres ashore. The team from the Royal Thai Navy Area 3 and officers of the Phuket Marine Security Centre used jet-skis and speedboats to fetch the duo and return them to shore safely. A little while later,…
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Dead whale and dolphin washed up on Koh Lanta
Sub Lieutenant Nitikorn Chankham from the Royal Thai Navy Area 3 revealed yesterday (October 13) that local fishermen found a dead whale washed up on Had Nui Beach, in Koh Lanta, Krabi. Five navy officers were sent to the scene alongside agents from the Rare Sea Animal Division of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre. The officers presumed that the whale…
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The 60 million Baht scam. Police make arrests in Bangkok.
A 45 year old Taiwanese man wanted for a high-profile electronic card information theft linked to a “call centre scam” has been arrested in Nakhon Ratchasima. Suspect Chi Min, wanted on a Sikhiu Court-issued arrest warrant since September, was arrested at a Muang Nakhon Ratchasima restaurant late on Thursday afternoon. Police also seized 270,000 Baht in cash, five bank account…
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Patong shooter surrenders – assisting Police with investigation
34 year old Manas Pongsuppakij, who lives in Patong, surrendered himself to Patong police today (October 13) after getting pressure from the police to report to them as soon as possible. Following a shooting at Hollywood nightclub in Bangla Road, injuring the victim 27 year old Pongwarit Thiptara, to his leg and back, the police were able to track down…
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Baggage handler caught stealing from luggage
Airport baggage handler, 27 year old Abdullah Hayee Mayeh, was arrested with a bluetooth speaker on October 12 after his robbery was recorded on video. CCTV cameras caught him trying to open the luggage of a passenger of Jetstar Airways flight on October 10 at Bay 15 at Phuket International Airport while loading luggage onto the aircraft parked on the…
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It’s not a torpedo. It’s not a bomb. It’s a….
The mysterious object found in the sea of Nai Yang Beach has been revealed as “Oropesa”, a buoy from a naval minesweeper from World War II. The object is not harmful. The team from the Mine Squadron and Explosives Ordinance Division of the Royal Thai Army Area 3, Phang Nga base officers visited the scene this morning (October 12) to…
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THAIGER TODAY Thursday, October 12
Pheu Thai and investors welcome election date confirmation | Owners with drones have 90 days to register, or else | Soi Cowboy in BKK told to close down | More flights from Thai Airways | An 84 year old academic being indicted over a famous Thai 16th century battle.
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Chalong police arrest two with 100 kilograms of Kratom leaves
Two men, 28 year old Thanachai Ngakaew and 18 year old Ratthapong Tingnui, have been arrested with 42 kilograms of Kratom plants and 60 kilograms of fresh Kratom leaves on October 10. The two were arrested at their rented house in Chalong area after police tracked them for a while after they had allegedly traded the drugs to 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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