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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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...
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THAIGER TODAY Thursday, November 30
Bali airport re-opens to clear back-log | Government opens its budget pockets | Songkhla protesters released on bail | Army checks for Phuket beach-rules compliance | HM The King grants extension to viewing time at Royal Crematorium | Cheap jet for sale.
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THURSDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
Protesters released on bail All 15 activists involved in the protest against the proposed Thepha coal-fired power plant have been freed on bail as Songkhla Provincial Court allowed university scholars to use their civil-service status to guarantee their temporary freedom. However, the activists will still have to defend themselves in court as police had prosecuted them with four charges. On…
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Narathiwat floods – more rain and winds predicted for Phuket Thursday
Narathiwat’s provincial administration on Wednesday declared all 13 districts of the southern border province as flood disaster zones after torrential rains continued since Tuesday. Narathiwat Governor Surapol Prommool declared disaster zones covering two municipalities and 301 villages in 60 tambons in all 13 districts. The governor ordered the 13 district chiefs to urgently survey the damage and people’s needs so…
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The Boathouse reveals its stunning make-over
By Pattarawadee Saengmanee Anchored at the end of Kata Beach, the venerable Boathouse Phuket has been freshly refurbished as a boutique hotel and a base for cruise holidays. Extra-comfy beds, first-class hospitality and relaxing beach activities round out the inviting picture. The Boathouse opened in 1991 under the umbrella of the Montara Hospitality Group. This year it was transferred into…
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WEDNESDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
PHUKET FC hangs up its boots Phuket Football Club has hung up its football boots for the last time and announced its dissolution after getting sued by 3 foreign players for a total of 83 million Baht. The President of Phuket FC held a press conference yesterday announcing the club is being forced to disband. The 3 players, including Roland,…
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Super Full Moon this Sunday (but we may have too many clouds in Phuket)
The biggest Super Full Moon this year will occur on Sunday, December 3, and will be visible from 6pm onward in Thailand, a leading astronomer said on Tuesday. Saran Poshyachinda, the director of the National Astronomical Research Institute, said next month’s phenomenon will occur when the moon’s orbit is closest to the earth, and will be about 357,973 kilometres away.…
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End of an era – Phuket FC dissolves under burden of debt
The island’s local football team, Phuket FC, has announced its dissolution after being sued by 3 foreign players for a total of 83 million Baht. Today (November 28), at the Tourism and Sports Office, the President of Phuket FC, Pitipol Nukulpanichwiwat, alongside Phuket FC’s consultant, Sunanta Krajang, held a press conference to announce the dissolution of the Club. The 3…
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Charges levelled against 16 anti-power plant activists in Songkhla protest
All 16 activists arrested on Tuesday for protesting against the planned Thepa coal-fired power plant face four charges and will remain in detention at Songkhla Provincial Court, unless they are granted bail. Provincial Police Regional 9 acting commander Pol Lt-General Ronnasin Phusara disclosed that the 16 prominent anti-coal-fired power plant activists, who were currently in police custody, had been arrested…
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Maya Bay is Number 9. What is the World’s Best Beach?
And Maya Bay isn’t the only Tai beach included in the list. FlightNetwork.om rated the world’s best beaches. Thailand’s Maya Bay, on Koh Phi Phi Ley came in at #9. Maya Bay has been closed for rehabilitation since the middle of 2018 and is scheduled for limited re-opening some time in 2021. Tourists and boats will be limited to less…
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Phuket King’s Cup Regatta will be hosted at Beyond Resort Kata from December 2-9
The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is back this year at the Beyond Resort Kata with a particular focus on growing the sport of youth sailing in Thailand. The Opening Ceremony will be held on December 3, 2017 at Beyond Resort Kata. The Prize Giving Ceremony will be held on December 9, also at Beyond Resort Kata, part of Kata Group (rebranded…
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TUESDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Surin Beach vendors are revolting About 100 beach vendors and retailers gathered on Surin Beach yesterday calling for a long-term solution after 3 years of beach ‘management’ where they were promised, but still haven’t received, a venue to make a living. The group of locals filed letters of complaints, as well as suggestions, to the President of Cherngtalay OrBorTor, Thalang…
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Surin Beach vendors call for a management solution
About 100 beach vendors and retailers gathered on Surin Beach today (November 27), calling for a solution after 3 years of beach ‘management’ where they were promised, but still haven’t received, a venue to make a living. The group of locals filed letters of complaints, as well as suggestions, to the President of Cherngtalay OrBorTor, Thalang District Chief, Phuket’s Governor…
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Elephant attacks and kills mahout in Krabi
A 35 year old female elephant ‘Sao Nui’ has attacked her mahout, 50 year old Amorn Morakot, while they were walking in forests behind Krabi. A rescue team brought the body of Amorn out of the forest of Khao Panom district, Krabi, after his relatives found his body at the scene yesterday. “At about noon the mahout took his elephant…
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Marijuana valued at 2 million Baht – crackdown in Phang Nga
Phang Nga police have arrested 6 local fishermen with 456 kilograms of dry marijuana leaves. The 6 fishermen include 31 year old Boonkum Bohmuang, 27 year old Rachan Thong-Iad, 25 year old Sakrit Thong-Iad, 36 year old Thalerngsak Thanyupak and 37 year old Manoch Thintalay. After being informed about the drugs being transported by boat through the Andaman Sea, an…
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THAIGER TODAY Monday, November 27
Military cadet family want answers | Thai Airways open new Vienna route | Floods in south while Petchaburi clears | Shocking road death statistics | Miss Universe Thailand into final five.
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MONDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
All your main news stories to get you ready for your Monday… Family demands answers The family of the dead teen cadet Phakhapong Tanyakan is demanding that the military bring to justice the people who committed whatever crimes that led to their son’s death after an autopsy indicated that he probably didn’t die from cardiac arrest. Phakhapong’s parents and his…
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SUNDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
26 Chinese tourists have a lucky escape Police are speaking with the bus driver and witnesses as emergency service volunteers clean up the mess from last night’s bus fire in Koh Keaw. 26 Chinese tourists had a lucky escape after their tour bus burst into flames as they were headed southbound along Thepkasatri Road around 6pm last night, just opposite…
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26 Chinese tourists escape bus fire without injury
26 Chinese tourists have had a lucky escape after their tour bus burst into flames as they were headed southbound along Thepkasatri Road around 6pm tonight, just opposite the Isuzu Showroom. The group was returning from a trip to the islands off Phuket and headed for their hotel. The tour group only arrived in Phuket last night. The driver…
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More than 100 take part in Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand 2017 @ Thanyapura
Over 100 young athletes were greeted with perfect race weather at Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort in Phuket on Saturday 25th November, 2017, as they competed in the second edition of the Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand. A total of 140 children took part in the event, which was broken into four age categories; 6-8 years old, 9-10 years old, 11-12 years…
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SATURDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Welcome to Saturday. The forecast promises a 100% chance of rain but we’re sure there will be plenty of sunny breaks. Here’s this morning’s briefing.. Deputy PM apologises Two senior military officers have been transferred out of the Thai Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School in the wake of a scandal surrounding the death of an 18 year old cadet on…
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THAIGER TODAY – Friday, November 24
Phetchaburi inundated | PM defends his Deputy’s comments about dead cadet | Seven youth arrested over drugs bust in Paklok | Airport getting ready for high-season influx | Navy FC Chairman threatens the players in the alleged match-fixing scandal.
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THAIGER TODAY – Thursday, November 23
National taxi crackdown… again | Four confess to football match-fixing | Phang Nga woman arrested over Erawan Shrine bombing | US says Rohingya crisis IS ‘ethnic cleansing’ | Bruno Mars coming to BKK.
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Domestic terminal opens another section for the high season
Phuket International Airport will open the domestic terminal on the north side of the old terminal to welcome travellers during Phuket’s tourism high season starting November 28. The south section, which is currently used as the domestic terminal, will be closed down for renovation. The opening will offer more convenience to the passengers, both departures and arrivals, with a wider…
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Thalang Police uncover 400+ kilos of drugs
Last night (November 23), Thalang police arrested 7 alleged drug dealers with 20,000 amphetamine pills alongside 220 kilograms of kratom leaves, 2 guns and bullets. The 7 suspects were arrested in the Paklok area. Police received a report about drugs being sold in the area and found juveniles, including Kacha Kuekkong and Anuchit Khamsee, who were outside their room but…
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Phang Nga mother in court as suspected accomplice in Erawan Shrine bombing
Wanna Suansan, accused of facilitating the 2015 Erawan Shrine bombing, appeared in Bangkok Military Court on Thursday morning to apply for her first 12-day detention period. She is one of 17 suspects in the bomb attack that killed 20 people and wounded 163 others. Wanna, 29, was taken into police custody at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Wednesday evening as she…
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Thursday Morning Briefing – everything you need to know in 3 minutes
The Thai woman implicated in the deadly Erawan Shrine bomb attack is now in Thai police custody. Phang Nga resident, Wanna Suansan was arrested when she walked off a plane at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday. She was taken to the National Police Office headquarters where she was interrogated. Wanna is among suspects wanted over the fatal explosion that rocked the Erawan…
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Thailand hosts ASEAN Environment Conference in Phuket
The Reducing Marine Debris in ASEAN Region 2017 hosted by Thailand is being held at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa today (November 22). The meeting gathers the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), Kasetsart University and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with about 200 participants from many sectors in order to find solutions to reduce marine…
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Driver wraps pick-up around Thalang pole, killing one
A pick-up truck has lost control and smashed into a lamp post after driving at high speed during early morning rain resulting in one death and another in Thalang Hospital in critical condition. Just after midnight today (November 22), at the intersection of Thepkasattri Road (in front Wat Phra Nang Sang), a white pick-up truck driven by 31 year old…
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THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, November 22
Big rains in Hua Hin | Horrible crash in Thalang overnight | Football game-fixing exposed | Huge methamphetamine pill haul in Samut Prakhan | 5 of the 20 escapees caught in Songkhla.
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Wednesday Morning Briefing – everything you need to know in 3 minutes
How many methamphetamine tablets!? PHOTO: The Nation The Kathu Police Station Superintendent is heading to Patong to be the acting Patong Police Station Superintendent. This follows the transfer of several officers over the ongoing bribe scandal including former Patong Superintendent, Pol. Col. Tassanai Oladirek. Pol. Col. M.L. Pattanachak Chakrabhan will move from Kathu Police Station to be acting Patong Police…
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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