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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Phuket Town’s southern side to face major power cut tomorrow
A significant power interruption is set to impact a substantial portion of Phuket Town’s southern side tomorrow, as announced by the main branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority for Phuket (PEA Phuket). The power cuts, scheduled from 9am to 4.30pm, are part of routine maintenance works undertaken by the power authority. PEA Phuket has devised a strategy to lessen the…
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Phuket’s tram feasibility study on track for smooth ride ahead
The much-awaited tram project in Phuket, set to link Phuket International Airport with the Ha Yeak Chalong intersection, is advancing steadily as its feasibility study is on track to finish within six months. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed yesterday that the 41.7-kilometre tram system’s study is being carried out by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA), with intentions to present…
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Phuket van driver brandishes knife in road rage incident
An outbreak of road rage in Phuket yesterday saw a van driver brandishing a knife and menacing a taxi driver in the heart of one of the city’s busiest roads. The episode, which happened near the Central Phuket intersection of Chaloem Phrakiat Rama 9 Road, was promptly shared on social media by onlookers who captured footage of the irate driver…
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Outrage as man unlawfully removes wheel lock from bike in Phuket
A foreign individual sparked outrage on social media after he was caught on camera removing a wheel lock from his unlawfully parked motorbike in Phuket. The man, whose identity remains unknown, parked his bike outside the Kasikorn Bank on Phang Nga Road, an illegal parking area, around noon on April 26. This led to traffic police putting a wheel lock and…
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Phuket pickup truck road mishap kills three, injures seven
A tragic road accident occurred on Southern Road when a pickup truck travelling from Phuket to Nakhon Si Thammarat for a religious ceremony veered off the road and overturned, resulting in seven injuries and three fatalities. Early this morning, an unfortunate incident unfolded on Southern Road, Highway 44, near the entrance to the village of Ban Marueat, in the district…
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Phuket governor endorses special administrative status transition
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat openly endorsed the move for Phuket to acquire special administrative status. Governor Sophon conveyed his support during a speech at the 2024 Phuket Chamber of Commerce (PCC) Annual General Meeting, held at the Phuket Merlin Hotel. Sophon’s vision for the province’s future governance entails transitioning to a special administrative status, akin to those currently in place…
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Outrage as foreign couple crash car, leave injured rider in Phuket
Thai netizens are outraged at a foreign couple who crashed their luxury car into a motorcycle in Phuket but ignored the injured rider and focused only on the damage to their vehicle. The CCTV footage of the incident was shared widely on several social media platforms yesterday, April 25, showing a white Mercedes Benz sedan making a right turn without…
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Phuket firefighters avert potential disaster at fried ice cream shop
A potential disaster was averted in the wee hours of today when a fire, which could have engulfed a fried ice cream shop in Phuket, was swiftly contained by firefighters. The incident took place in Soi Paniang, Samkong, a neighbourhood in the bustling city of Phuket. Firefighters from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation branch at Phuket City Municipality…
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Israeli arrested in Phuket for illegal possession of 3 macaques
Police acted on a tip-off arresting an Israeli businessman at his home in Phuket yesterday for his illegal possession of three pig-tailed macaques. Officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, also known as Greencop, received information that a foreign business operator in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket was keeping protected monkeys at his residence in the Katu district. The…
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Phuket authorities bust illegal kratom operation targeting teens
Authorities in Phuket apprehended a 21 year old man for his involvement in the illegal production and trade of kratom juice targeting local teenagers in the Srisoonthorn area. The operation took place in a Village 5 property where the illegal substance was being prepared on Wednesday afternoon. Officials discovered a significant volume of kratom juice being prepared for distribution. Approximately…
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Phuket tattoo artist arrested for sexually assaulting minor
A prominent tattoo artist was finally apprehended at a Phuket lodging house today, in a raid by law enforcement marking an end to a nationwide manhunt. The charges against him included sexually assaulting a 13 year old girl, whose injuries were so severe that she had to undergo a hysterectomy. The harrowing ordeal began when the young girl visited the tattoo…
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Australians in Phuket gain easy access to visa services
From Monday, April 29, Australians residing in Phuket can access visa services and provide biometrics within the city, according to a statement released by the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Angela Macdonald. The service, which was previously only available in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, is now available in Phuket through the Australian Biometric Collection Centre, operated by VFS Global. “The Australian…
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Cable theft plunges Phuket Airport underpass into darkness
A daring act of cable theft at the Phuket International Airport underpass plunged the area into darkness, leading to system failures and heightened safety concerns. The busy junction at Phuket Airport on Thepkrasattri Road, where the underpass is located, is now a challenging commute for both residents and tourists. The incident has caused considerable disruption, with the underpass’s lighting system…
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Phuket crackdown on organised crime seizes over 500 million baht
Phuket became the centre of a significant crackdown on organised crime, as a Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) Special Operations Team seized more than 500 million baht (US$13.5 million) worth of illegal goods yesterday. The confiscated items included untaxed cigarettes, alcohol, and prohibited electronic cigarettes. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat unveiled the results of the operation at a press conference held…
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Truck’s brake breakdown turns car care into car scare in Phuket
A catastrophic brake failure led to a 10-wheeled truck crashing into a car care shop in Ratsada, Phuket, yesterday. The truck, which was on its usual route, first knocked down a traffic light pole before finally stopping its destructive path at the shop. The unfortunate incident was reported to the police at 11.27am. On arrival, officers discovered the scene of…
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PM Srettha reveals ‘Phuket Model’ to boost tourism and safety
Srettha Thavisin unveiled the Phuket Model which aims to revolutionise tourism management and social security in the tourist hotspot. Addressing a gathering of consular mission heads and law enforcement officials from 12 countries, PM Srettha highlighted the urgent need to prevent Phuket from descending into a haven for safety tourism. “Phuket was the first province I visited after taking office…
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Phuket model: Thai govt’s innovative approach to tourist safety
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the acting Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police, Police General Kittirat Panphet, convened with local consuls to discuss the Phuket Model – an innovative approach to law enforcement. The meeting took place yesterday at the Banyan Tree Hotel in Phuket. The Phuket Model, a comprehensive strategy aimed at safeguarding the interests of tourists, was unveiled…
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British tourist’s beach blunder lands him in trouble
A British tourist found himself in a sticky situation after driving onto the sidewalk and getting trapped in the sand on Kamala Beach on Monday. The mishap led to police intervention and hefty fines for the Brit’s reckless escapade. Officers from the Kamala Police Station, Phuket Province, launched an investigation into the baffling trend of tourists driving onto the sidewalk…
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Phuket Airport runway disruption due to faulty aircraft
Phuket International Airport experienced significant disruptions to inbound and outbound flights yesterday due to a faulty aircraft that remained immobile on the runway. The aircraft‘s hydraulic steering system malfunctioned, preventing it from being moved off the runway without the aid of a pushback tractor. Phuket Air Control Tower promptly communicated the issue to the ground crew at 10.32am. The incident…
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Drunk driver strikes police officer in early morning Patong collision
A drunk driver in Patong, Phuket, collided with a police officer on patrol early this morning. The incident occurred near Patong Hospital at the intersection of Phra Mettha Road and Sai Nam Yen Road. Patong Police Station officers were informed of the incident around 4.30am, today, April 23. The drunk driver was identified as 21 year old Amornlak Bunsiri from…
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Phuket seeks special administrative zone status for tourism boost
Phuket’s Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) Region 11 branch, led by Wirintra Paphakityotphat, has made four formal requests to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The topmost request is to elevate Phuket to a Special Administrative Zone. The requests were submitted to PM Srettha during his visit to Phuket on Friday, April 19. The purpose of these requests, presented at the Heroines…
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Russian to respect: Phuket hospital calls for law-abiding visitors
Vachira Phuket Hospital called upon the Russian community in Phuket to respect Thai laws and hospital regulations following a string of incidents involving Russian nationals. Recent episodes include a Russian man refusing to settle his medical bills, and a woman threatening hospital staff with a baseball bat. A man of Russian nationality was arrested on April 19 for intimidating the…
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Phuket anticipates one million Chinese tourists post-Songkran
The popular tourist resort island of Phuket is gearing up to welcome an additional influx of 1 million Chinese tourists this year. This forecast comes in the wake of a targeted tourism promotion that took place across three Chinese cities. Anupab Vejwanichsanong, who occupies the role of the vice president for the Phuket Administration Organisation, revealed today, April 22, that the roadshow’s…
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Phuket hotel boob: Portuguese guest’s topless strut causes chaos
A Portuguese woman yesterday left guests gobsmacked by walking around a Phuket hotel with her boobs out and reportedly refused to settle her accommodation bill. The Phuket Times, yesterday, April 21, issued a warning to accommodation operators in the province to be aware of the 31 year old Portuguese woman Nadiya Serivna Varshawa. “Warning for hotels in Phuket! Beware of this…
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Thai man dies in motorcycle crash near Chalong school
A Thai man died in a tragic motorcycle crash in Chalong shortly after midnight today. The accident, which involved a single vehicle, occurred in front of Ban Chalong School on Chao Fa West Road, a notoriously dangerous intersection. The Chalong Police Station and the Ruamjai Phuket Foundation were alerted of the incident around 12.45am. Upon reaching the scene, they found a…
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Motorbike taxi driver stabs colleague in Phuket over passenger
A motorbike taxi driver in Phuket Town is currently on the run after allegedly stabbing a colleague during a heated argument. The violent dispute occurred yesterday, April 22, at the fresh market on Ranong Road. The victim, a 65 year old known as “Thiwa Lo Phuket,” was discovered by officers from the Phuket City Police Station, still seated on his…
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Teenager detained following stabbing at Patong’s OTOP Market
A 17 year old man is in police custody following a stabbing incident at OTOP Market in Patong that left a 20 year old injured. The event took place just past 1am on April 19. The 20 year old victim, Ariyath Kaewnao, suffered an abdominal injury during an altercation between two local youth groups. Immediately after the incident, Ariyath was…
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PM Srettha visits Phuket Airport
PM Srettha paid a visit to Phuket International Airport, spearheading a mission to revolutionise the region’s infrastructure. The Thai premier inspected the second phase of the airport’s expansion and a novel solution to traffic woes. Srettha pledged prosperity without the pain for locals. A meticulous strategy, executed with precision by all agencies, has already yielded impressive results in just six…
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Fatal Ducati motorbike crash adds to Phuket road fatalities
A fatal accident involving a Ducati motorbike and a roadside barrier claimed the life of a 29 year old man yesterday in Kalim, north of Patong on the scenic Phuket coastal road. The unnamed victim, a resident of Moo 7, Mai Khao, suffered catastrophic head trauma in the collision, leading to his untimely demise. The crash was reported to Police…
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Phuket man escapes major harm as car collides with electricity pole
A Thai man narrowly avoided significant harm when his car collided with an electricity pole and subsequently caught fire in the early hours of this morning in Phuket Town. Phuket City Police received notification of the accident, which occurred close to the juncture of Phang Nga Road and Surin Road, at 1.55am today, April 19. On arrival at the scene,…
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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