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 A World Kindness Day: Spread kindness, prevent illness - Get your 10% discount
With World Kindness Day just two days away on November 13, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how empathy and care can make a real impact, not just in our relationships but in our health, too. This day is...
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Tourist boat capsizes off Phuket
A tour boat carrying 16 Chinese tourists and several Thais sunk off Phang Nga Bay on Sunday morning, as a mechanical issue was being repaired and large waves capsized the vessel, said Ao Phang Nga National Park chief Sarayuth Tansathien. A 29 year old Chinese tourist sustained bruises on her chest and arms while the rest of the passengers were…
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AoT airports increase traffic 6% in past 12 months
A total of just over 129 million passengers travelled through the six airports operated by the Airports of Thailand in 2017, a 7.73% increase from the previous year (September 2016 – September 2017). The six airports operated by the AoT are Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Mae Fah Luand in Chiang Rai. From September 2016 to…
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Supreme Court says Layan beachfront is ‘public land’
PHOTO: y Travel Blog Today the Phuket Gazette visited Layan Beach following the verdict in the Thai Supreme Court that confirmed that the land, where six beach restaurants and businesses continue to operate, was public land. The land in question spans the an entire 3 kilometre frontage including stretches of Layan and Laypang beaches and covering some 178 rai of…
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Loy Krathong attracts big crowds around Phuket and Thailand.
Around the country, provinces attracted crowds watching parades of giant floats representing government and private agencies, beauty pageant contests, and stage performances, while many sent off krathong floats onto rivers, lakes and ponds as an apologetic gesture to the Goddess of River. In Phuket all the major waterways had a big turnout with the predicted bad weather holding off. The…
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Phuket Smart Bus to launch start of 2018
Phuket Smart Bus, as a part of Phuket City Development (PKCD), is launching the first ten smart buses, thanks to an investment of 40 million Baht, aiming to develop Phuket public transportation. The route will be from Phuket International Airport straight to Phuket Town. “Phuket Smart Bus is one of the twelve Smart Growth projects we created for Phuket. The…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, November 3
Parts of Royal Crematorium now closed to visitors | Flights cancelled to Chiang Mai Airport | Bodyslam ‘Toon’ kicks off his 2,000 km charity run | Bad weather still being predicted | Big joint venture announced between Central and JD.com.
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Governor visits flooded areas and discovers clogged drains
After a flash flood occurred on October 31 following just an hour of rain, Phuket Governor with his team visited the concerned areas and found that the drains were clogged by trash (again!). A budget of 220 million Baht is being set aside as part of the solution. A team consisting several departments at the Provincial office visited Thepkasattri Road…
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Sun Sea Sand Colour! Patong Parade kicks off the 2017 Festival.
The Patong Parade kicked off the Patong Festival for 2017 under the banner ‘Sea Sun Sand’. The annual parade has never looked better with local businesses going to a lot of trouble. And the crowds certainly reacted with record turn-out of both locals and tourists (who probably had little idea the event was on). There were the usual delays as…
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Travelling to Thailand? Check your travel insurance.
A cautionary tale… 30 year old Australian Stacey Liddle is still holed up at Vachira Hospital after a traumatic road accident in Chalong caused a lot of damage to her leg which doctors are now trying to save. Whilst she had travel insurance her insurance didn’t cover this accident due to fine print in the contract. Speaking to news.com.au from…
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Bike crash kills a Chinese tourist instantly
At about 2 am this morning (November 1), Phuket police got a report of a bike crash on Chaofa East Road, just before the Dowroong Wittaya School intersection, where an Asian woman died instantly. At the scene, police found the damaged motorbike on the street with the rider, 31 year old Zhang Qimei, a tourist from China who appears to…
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Celebrate the third anniversary with a spectacular brunch at Kata Rocks
Kata Rocks is marking its third anniversary on Saturday, December 2 with a ‘Champagne Brunch of The Year’ Anniversary Pool Party that celebrates Phuket’s luxury lifestyle. The resort’s DJ-fuelled brunches are legendary for their stylish party atmosphere. This year’s event is centred around an enticing combination of excellent entertainment, delicious food and chilled ‘bubbles’ plus an exclusive fashion show next…
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Phuket ready to host Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand
Having hosted triathlons for more than 20 years, Phuket is in an enviable position as the leading triathlon destination in South East Asia and the island is set to bolster its sports tourism credentials further when it hosts the 2017 Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand, Sunrise Sprint and Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand on 25 and 26 November, 2017. “IRONMAN is a global…
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THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, November 1
Patong Parade tonight | Yingluck won’t get asylum status in the UK | HRH Princess Sirindhorn to visit Phuket | 210,000 fake sunglasses confiscated | Tropical depression still approaching Phuket.
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Clothes thieves caught on shop CCTV – Expo
A clothes shop in Expo named ‘Perdsakad’ had clothes stolen by two women pretending to be customers. The CCTV camera at the store clearly recorded their identity. The footage shows that two women entered the shop. One of them was talking to the staff while the other walked to the corner of the shop and grabbed 4 pieces of clothe…
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Happy Loy Krathong. Here are your kratong launching locations in Phuket.
Happy Loy Krathong. That one day of the year where you can celebrate with fireworks, sky lanterns and sparklers. But this year authorities are saying ‘only floating Krathongs thanks’, and preferably no polystyrene or steel pins. Bangkok’s Governor Aswin Kwanmuang is quoted as saying that only “polite celebrations” should be organised for this year’s festivities. He alluded to the timing…
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Phuket prepares for heavy rains, expected later this week
Following the weather forecasts predicting downpours and strong waves from today (October 31) until the end of the week (November 3), Phuket Governor Plodthong chaired a meeting today involving all departments to get ready for possible flooding, especially in the areas prone to regular flooding when there’s heavy rain. Phuket Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office Chief, Prapan Khanprasaeng, assured the…
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Stab-and-run assailant arrested at the Thachatchai check point
Early today (October 31), just after midnight, police received a report of a man from Nonthaburi province, Ananchai ‘Good’ Yim-On, who was stabbed to death in front of his rented house in Kathu by Tunya ‘Toom’ Jinda, from Trang province, after a brief fight. Ananchai was stabbed in three places around his body and was sent to Patong Hopital but…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, October 31
New King, new coins | Thai PM issues ‘thanks’ to flood victims | Qatar Airways introduces new direct flights to Pattaya | The world’s most ‘stressed’ cities | Phuket drugged-up bus driver to lose license.
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Farang ‘possessed’ during Masong ritual at Vegetarian Festival
PHOTO: Facebook/Nanny Zaa Pk On the night of October 28, the final night of this year’s Phuket Vegetarian Festival, a Facebook user by the name of ‘Nanny Zaa Pk’, also known as Sutthicha Sutthakorn posted a 30 second video showing a western girl shaking her head with her eyes closed, in a similar fashion Masongs act when they claim they’re…
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Two cars and two motorbikes – Accident on Thepkasatri Road
This morning’s car and motorbike accident on Thepkasatri Road, southbound, just after 7.30am out the front of Boat Lagoon. Black car comes flying out of Soi, on opposite side of the road, hitting two cars and two motorbikes. Thanks to Rod for sending us the video. Please be VERY careful out on Phuket’s roads. To our best knowledge, only one…
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Concrete truck falls 30 metres off cliff
The concrete truck was driven by 31 year old Suriya Pattasri fell off a 30 metre cliff yesterday (October 29), after he was unable to change the gear and the truck slipped backwards to the cliff near the deep-sea port in Wichit. Luckily, the driver jumped clear of the truck before it fell although he received some minor injuries in…
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12 months of mourning finishes tonight (Sunday)
After a year and two weeks, Thailand completes it’s 12 months of official mourning following the passing of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on October 13, 2016. A year of black mourning clothes, displays, artworks, ceremonies, events and grief – allowing the Thai people time to contemplate the passing of the ’father of modern Thailand’ as well as ‘what comes…
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Human bones found on hills overlooking Chalong
Human bones were found yesterday (October 28) by a local who was looking for wild jungle products. Local Toi Kerdsomboon found the skull under a big tree. The bones were about 230 metres up a hill nearby the dam and behind Luang Pu Supha temple. A team from Chalong police and Vachira Phuket Hospital inspected the bones but but were…
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Drugged-up driver trying to harm Rawai tourists
Late yesterday afternoon (October 27), a bus driver from a tour company, 35 year old Suthon Klasamuth, went ‘crazy’ after allegedly taking methamphetamine and tried to harm tourists and others gathered around the windmill viewpoint in Rawai overlooking Nai Harn Beach and the Andaman Sea. After being contacted, Rawai Municipality officers did their best to try and calm him down.…
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Dead body of a deputy mayor’s brother found in Saphan Hin
The dead body of 53 year old Sanit Kumban was found floating in the sea of Saphan Hin, approximately 300 – 500 metres away from the shore today (October 27). The team of water police and Kusoldham Phuket brought him back to land and found a brown leather bag and a clothes bag with the body. The man was wearing…
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Sacked: The police officer who allegedly drove Yingluck to the border
Yep. That’s the car he drove. Pol Colonel Chairit Anurit of the Metropolitan Police, who allegedly drove former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to Sa Kaew province during her flight on August 23, will be dismissed from duty. This follows a police fact-finding committee’s ruling that the officer committed a grave disciplinary offence. The police colonel had also committed a lesser…
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Fire Walk at Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town
One of the most astonishing rituals of the annual Vegetarian Festival is ‘Goi Hoi’, or fire walk. The event was arranged last night at the Jui Tui Tao Bo Keng Shrine in Phuket Town. About a hundred Masong gathered to participate in the event. At the ritual ground about 2,000 locals in white costume attending the vegetarian festival, as well…
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Phang Nga trips to Similan Islands cancelled on October 26
Wow Andaman Pier in Phang Nga which is the pier tourists, especially Chinese and Europeans, use to go to Similan Islands, announced today (October 25) they will be closed tomorrow, the Royal Cremation Day, to allow their staff to join the ceremony as attendees and volunteers. “We would like to announce to all tourists that Wow Andaman, will close for…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, October 24
Dugongs being hunted | Mourners ‘camping out’ for good location | Local Phuket preparations | Three media outlets have passes revoked | Man still on the run for shooting four in Phuket Town yesterday.
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HM King Bhumibol’s art exhibition at Saphan Hin
Phuket Art Club is presenting an art exhibition showcasing the works of HM the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Tin Mine Monument of Saphan Hin park in order to pay respect and express grief for the late King. Phuket’s Governor, Norapat Plodthong, chaired the opening ceremony of the exhibition yesterday (October 23). There are 11 artworks featuring 26 artists…
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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