Phuket News
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Search for missing boy at Nai Yang Beach resumes
A search for a missing boy resumed this morning with jet-skis and speedboats combing the shoreline and areas around Nai Yang Beach. Six boys headed into the water, but only up to their knees not far from the shore, yesterday afternoon. But the conditions were very rough with Nai Yang beach known for its rips dangerous surf at this time…
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Dead dugong found off Phang Nga
A 250 kilogram dugong, found dead off Phang Nga over the weekend, has been brought to Phuket for further examination. Officials from the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) were notified on Sunday that the body of the dugong was found by local fishermen in Phang Nga. The dugong has been brought back to Phuket for a full autopsy. It was a…
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UPDATE: Norwegian recuses two boys from surf while 11 year old remains missing
A Norwegian man has rescue two boys from strong surf at Nai Yang Beach. Three other boys managed to get back to the shore whilst other boy is still missing. Sakoo Police were notified of the incident around midday that five Thai boys had survived being washed into strong surf, and either being saved or getting back to shore themselves,…
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One missing in Nai Yang beach accident – Photos and video
PHOTOS: Tanakit Meebunkit/Facebook – Emergency Incident Phuket VIDEO: Wallop Jf Boonjun One child remains missing after a fun day to Nai Yang beach in the north end of the island’s west coast beaches, went wrong. The missing boy has been named as 11 year old Suphat Jampathong from the Wat Mongkolwararam School. The kids were playing in the shallows when a…
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‘Yanui’ the crocodile is probably from a crocodile farm
Experts believe that ‘Yanui’, the crocodile caught yesterday off Layan Beach, is not from the wild. The crocodile tried to return to land several times during its 12 days swimming in the sea along the west coast of Phuket, prompting croc experts to think it has been raised in captivity. Expert says that Yanui is a female crocodile which was…
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Croc breeders, you have until August 10 to register your crocodile – Phuket Governor
By Salinee Prab The latest crocodile-on-the-loose has been snared but Phuket’s Governor is now threatening to take legal action against crocodile owners who fail to register their animals by August 10. Norapat Plodthong says that only five owners had registered their reptiles since the order went out. Norapat says legal action would be taken against those failing to report by…
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Gotcha! Phuket’s crocodile caught at Layan Beach
Phuket’s elusive crocodile has finally been caught at Layan Beach. The ‘Yanui’ crocodile (named by local Phuket reporters after the original beach it was sighted) has been caught at Layan Beach early today after more than ten days of search operations, sightings, drone photos and lots of people pointing out to sea. The crocodile was eventually caught by the Surat…
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Kathu Street Festival, preserving culture and tradition
The tenth annual Kathu Culture Street Festival is on until Sunday night (July 29) and is being held on Wichit Songkhram Road, showcasing the cultural heritage of one of Phuket’s oldest and most vibrant communities. Vice Governor Snith says, “this is the second time that I am taking part in the Kathu Culture Street Festival. The festival is important to…
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Kathu Culture Street Festival until Sunday night
The tenth annual Kathu Culture Street Festival is on until Sunday night (July 29) and is being held on Wichit Songkhram Road, showcasing the cultural heritage of one of Phuket’s oldest and most vibrant communities. Vice Governor Snith says, “this is the second time that I am taking part in the Kathu Culture Street Festival. The festival is important to…
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Phuket’s croc watch takes to the skies over Layan Beach
Phuket’s latest crocodile escapee was spotted from a drone yesterday (July 27) afternoon near Layan Beach. The drone spotted the crocodile 200 metres from Layan Beach at 3pm yesterday. Cages have been set up along the beach and around rocks with chicken meat to tempt the hungry crocodile. The lone crocodile has been drifting with the current northwards along Phuket’s west…
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Body of missing Indian man washed up on Karon Beach
The Phuket Tourist Police have confirmed the discovery of the body of an Indian man who has been missing in the seas off Karon Beach since Wednesday (July 25). The man’s body was found at Karon Beach yesterday (July 27). Karon Police were notified at 5pm last Wednesday that a tourist was missing. Another Indian man had already been taken…
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Register your crocodile by August 10 – Phuket Governor
OK, all you closet-crocodile owners, it’s time to register your crocodile. And make it snappy! Owners of crocodiles in Phuket must register them with the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office before August 10, 2018, or they will face legal action. Phuket’s Governor says “The province has issued an announcement notifying crocodile owners who have yet to register to the Phuket Provincial…
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Croc tracks found on Bang Tao Beach
Traces of a crocodile claw footprints have been found at Bang Tao Beach today (July 26) as the crocodile search operation has struggled to find the shy reptiles citing strong wind and waves along the west coast. The crocodile search team claim they’ve found the croc-prints which, believed to be of the missing crocodile at Bang Tao Beach. The search…
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Search continues for missing Indian tourist at Karon Beach
A search is continuing for an Indian man who has been missing in the seas off Karon Beach since yesterday (July 25). Karon Police were notified at 5pm yesterday that a tourist was missing. Another Indian man had already been taken to hospital after being pulled from the sea. Karon Municipality is reporting that yesterday, lifeguards rescued one Indian tourist…
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Phuket’s tourism spotlight turns green – Asia’s biggest sustainable tourism event
The Phuket Hotels Association has announced a new annual international forum called PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism), which will be held on the island for the first time this September to support the region’s hospitality industry in its fight for a sustainable future. The PHIST Forum 2018 will take place on Monday, September 24 2018 at JW Marriott…
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New traffic conditions at the Chalong Circle roadworks
PHOTOS: Watcharapon Thaveesin The Phuket Highway Office has announced that the roundabout is closed and traffic is diverted around the construction site, effective until November 18. The new traffic plans will make the underpass construction faster by diverting traffic away from the actual circle area. The contractor is rushing the work schedule during this period, especially over the low season as…
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Chinese teenager rescued from Nai Harn surf
A Chinese boy and two other Chinese tourists were dragged out of the surf off Nai Harn beach after getting into difficulty in waves yesterday (July 25). The head of the Nai Harn Lifeguards, Jula Nontree, says, “The incident happened yesterday at about 4.30pm. A 13 year old Chinese boy and his two relatives went into the water while red…
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14 tourists and four Thai pulled out of Nai Harn surf
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Phuket Naiharn Surf Lifesaving Club Ten Russian tourists, four Chinese and four Thais were dragged from the surf off Nai Harn beach after getting into difficulty in waves yesterday (July 24). Nai Harn lifeguards rescued 18 swimmers in total yesterday afternoon. Pictures and videos have been put on Nai Harn Lifeguard facebook page yesterday with a message…
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One million sea shrimp released to mark HM The King’s birthday
One million sea shrimp have been released in Rawai to celebrate His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s birthday which comes up this Saturday on July 28. The release was led by Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung, the Phuket Fisheries Office Chief Kowit Khaoeian and Rawai’s Mayor Aroon Solos. Vice Governor Prakob says, “Marine releases and cleaning activities have been conducted every…
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More than 3,000 volunteers join event to mark the King’s birthday
More than 3,000 registered volunteers joined a big cleaning event in Phuket Town as a mark of respect to celebrate HM The King’s birthday on July 28. A n official launch of the day’s activities ceremony was conducted in front of a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun led by Grand Chamberlain Lt Gen Sakonket Chantra. All volunteers have swore to…
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Police raid Thalang houses, seize 207 kilograms of drugs
Police raided four target areas in Thalang over the past week in a continuation of their crackdown on drugs. They seized 207 kilograms of kratom, crystal methamphetamine and methamphetamine pills. A team of The Thalang Police arrested 19 year old Weerachai ‘Bub’ Jitjamnong from Phuket at a rented room in Thalang. Police seized a small quantity of crystal methamphetamine. He…
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Phuket’s beaches deserve world standard lifesaving
By Daren Jenner, Marine Safety Officer, International Surf Lifesaving Association The Phuket governor’s plan to turn over what little funds are being provided for critical marine lifesaving services to the Or Bor Tors will only perpetuate the current deadly cycle of inexperienced, non-certified lifeguards, low salaries, fragmented service, and lapses in coverage. All of these factors will in turn contribute…
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Pattani man arrested in Phuket motorbike theft
Police have arrested a man from Pattani wanted over a stolen motorbike that was parked at a music school in Phuket Town yesterday (July 24). Phuket City Police have arrested 33 year old Tuanbudeeman ‘Tuan’ Tanamae from Pattani at a rental room in Phuket Town. Police also seized the stolen Honda motorbike. The man was taken to the Phuket City…
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‘Phoenix’ salvage ordered while investigation continues
The director-general of the national marine department has ordered the salvage of ‘Phoenix’ – the tour boat that sank on July 6 resulting in the drowning of 47 Chinese passengers. The investigation into official negligence is also being conducted. Director general of the Marine Department Jirut Wisanjit says, “We issued an order for the ‘Phoenix’ boat owner on to organise…
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Beachgoers banned from swimming at Phuket beaches until crocodile is caught
Swimmers have been banned on all beaches in Phuket while the crocodile hunting operation is still in operation. Phuket is preparing to announce urgent crocodile registration measures in order to keep track of all known crocodiles in the area in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act. Governor Norraphat Plodthong says, “We are preparing to announce registration for all…
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Marine talkfest to ensure better marine safety in Phuket
A meeting was held this morning (July 23) at the Chalong Pier. The meeting was led by Navy chief of staff Admiral Pichet Tannaset who was determined to follow through with measures that would ensure marine safety – better controlling tour boats in Phuket in order to prevent marine accidents. Admiral Pichet says, “We don’t have direct power to enforce…
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Tourism operators suggest visa-fee waiver to counter cancelled bookings
As the cancellations of accommodation and tour bookings from Chinese tourists continue to rack up, local tourism operators are urging the Government to be pro-active in trying to restore confidence. Vichit Prakobkosol, the President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents is calling for the Thai government to waive visa fees in a bid to lure back the Chinese tourists.…
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Three arrested with 12,000 methamphetamine pills at checkpoint
Tha Chatchai Police have been conducting their latest crackdown on drugs at the Phuket Checkpoint and scored another major haul, arresting two men and one woman with 12,000 methamphetamine pills yesterday (July 23). The police arrested 36 year old Pratueang ‘Bang Hed’ Kanuengkarn, a 39 year old woman Saitip ‘Mae’ Boonjan – both are from Phuket – and 27 year…
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Should Phuket’s beaches be closed until the crocodile is captured?
The crocodile’s location, search and capture attempts appear to be completely random and uncoordinated. Daren Jenner from the International Surf Life Saving Association says Phuket’s west coast beaches should be closed until it’s captured. Tim Newton reports… https://www.facebook.com/thethaigernews/videos/1801892163221937/
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A man was fished out of the Surin Beach surf today – whilst on-duty lifesavers watched
PHOTOS: Pavida Anantarasmi Witnesses at Surin Beach today watched in bemused confusion when a man, who was in difficulty whilst swimming off Surin Beach today, was helped back to shore. But not by one of the lifeguards on duty at the beach who stood at the shore and watched the rescue take place. The incident happened around 11am when 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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