Phuket News
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How much travel insurance should cost you in Thailand (By trip length)
When planning a trip to Thailand, travel insurance is a smart investment that can save you from unexpected costs. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost luggage, or trip cancellations, the right coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection against...
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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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AirAsia introduces Phuket-Khon Kaen route
Esan here we come AirAsia is strengthening its Phuket base with a new route from Phuket to Khon Kaen, designed to stimulate local regional tourism. Mr. Arun Lilapantisitti, AirAsia’s Station Head for Phuket, said that Phuket is one of AirAsia’s main airport hubs as it offers a variety of routes both domestic and international and has continued to grow steadily.…
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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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Phuket prepares for the visit of HRH Princess Sirindhorn
FILE PHOTO: HRH Princess Sirindhorn HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is scheduled to pay a visit to Phuket on November 12 and 13 to Chair the 11th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA). Phuket authorities met today at a meeting chaired by Governor Noraphat Plodthong to prepare a respectful welcome the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The meeting discussed…
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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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THAIGER TODAY Monday, October 30
Royal Relics delivered to their final resting place | Body found in Chalong hills | Criminal case against Yingluck is over | Road Toll during Royal Cremation very low | Design gaff at Phuket International Airport.
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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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Storm forming over South China Sea and heading our way
The forecast path for the tropical storm A new storm is forming in the South China Sea and expected to move westwards across the Gulf of Thailand and hit the southern sections of Thailand next week. The storm warning came from the Thai Meteorological Department yesterday. The storm is forming as a result of a low pressure in the South…
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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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Taxi driver versus Police in Patong
A taxi driver in Patong released a video clip of him getting a warning from two traffic police not to park in prohibited parking spots. The video shows the man complaining to the two police officers that there were many cars parked in the same area but none of them were caught by the police, only him who happened to be…
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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…
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Park chief says they have proof that dugongs are being hunted
Rangers in a no-hunting area have filed a complaint regarding illegal hunting with police after a dugong’s skin and body-parts were found hanging in a mangrove tree on Koh Libong in the Trang province. But local villagers say the find is a “set-up” by the officers. The National Parks chief last week claimed that dugongs were being hunted and killed…
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Corpse found in a Koh Siray mangroves
At approximately 10am this morning (October 23), Pol. Maj. Akkaradet Pongprom, from Phuket Police Station, received a report that a corpse was found floating in a mangrove before the monkey viewpoint, on the way towards Koh Siray, east of Phuket Town. At the scene, the police found the body of a man who did not have any documentation or items…
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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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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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Tour company van crashes into electric pole
A van from a tour company hit an electric pole on the Bypass Road, opposite McDonalds on the way to towards the Samkong Underpass intersection. The driver, who was only named “Pu” or “Fu” sustained injuries to his left leg and some scratches. He was stuck in the van before an ambulance from Siriroj Hospital was able to rescue him…
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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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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…
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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