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 City initiates public consultation for new waste incinerator
Phuket City Municipality, in its quest to deal with the growing issue of solid waste, has initiated the first public consultation on its plan to build a brand new incinerator at the Saphan Hin waste disposal site. The meeting was led by Deputy Mayor Orapailin Trakulpriphon and took place at the meeting room of the Phuket Provincial Waste Disposal Center…
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Phuket teenager triggers trouble with museum shooting
The Phuket authorities apprehended a 17 year old boy yesterday after he allegedly shot a 16-year-old boy near the Phuket Mining Museum. The incident was reported to the police around 1.35am, when the young victim was targeted whilst riding his motorcycle. An unidentified man in a white pickup truck approached him and fired a shot, hitting the teenager in his…
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Chalong police bust major drug operation in Rawai, Phuket
A swift operation by Chalong police in the sea gypsy village of Rawai, Phuket, led to the apprehension of three individuals and the confiscation of a significant quantity of drugs. The stash included over 1,700 methamphetamine tablets, colloquially known as Yaba, and more than 600 grams of crystal meth, or ya ice. The central figure in this Tuesday night raid…
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Foreign woman criticised for urinating on Bangla Road, Phuket
A viral video circulating on Thai social media captured a foreign woman, evidently intoxicated, urinating on the footpath of Bangla Road in Phuket on March 26. This incident prompted criticism from netizens directed at both the foreign woman and the Thai government. A Thai man shared a video of the foreign woman on Facebook yesterday, March 27. The 56-second video…
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Shooting and Molotov cocktails attack rocks Phuket Town
Phuket City police are currently investigating a violent incident on the outskirts of Phuket Town which resulted in a young man being shot in the foot, with accompanying reports of Molotov cocktails being hurled. The authorities were alerted to the event by the staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital, who reported a patient admitted with a bullet wound in his left…
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Russian graffiti vandals busted in Patong
The two Russian men on a graffiti rampage after a booze-fuelled escapade in Patong, Phuket, have been arrested. Police Major General Saranyu Chamnarnrat, Deputy Chief of the Provincial Police Region 8, revealed the arrest of the Russian vandals today. Identified as 23 year old Evgenii Egorov and 22 year old Oleg Shirshov, the spray-painting mischievous pair were nabbed from a dormitory…
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Lights out! Thalang Town braces for blackout blitz
The populous Thalang Town region in Phuket is set to experience a significant power outage on the upcoming Saturday. The announcement was made by the Thalang branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA Thalang), citing necessary repairs and maintenance to the high-voltage system in the area as the reason for the disruption. From 9am to 5pm, electricity will be suspended, affecting a…
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US ambassador Godec to address town hall meeting in Phuket
The US Ambassador to Thailand is set to visit Phuket next week for a town hall meeting. The event will address issues concerning consular services and other matters impacting US citizens residing on the island. The town hall with US Ambassador Robert F. Godec gathering is scheduled to take place at The Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa on Thursday, April 4.…
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Surfs up as Patong Beach launches safety sandbox for tourists
Phuket’s esteemed Patong Beach hosted a riveting safety demonstration for the Minister of Health, yesterday. The demonstration, which included surf life-saving techniques and appropriate medical responses to common injuries, was part of the grand launch of the Phuket Island Safety Sandbox scheme. This initiative is designed to reaffirm the island’s commitment to safety, thus reassuring tourists of a secure vacation…
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Russian man dies in Phuket motorbike crash
A fatal motorbike crash claimed the life of a 25 year old Russian man in Phuket’s Baan Don, Tambon Thepkrasattri last night. The unfortunate event, which took place yesterday, March 24, ended when the man’s vehicle collided with the wall of a house. Upon receiving the information about the accident around 10pm, Police Lieutenant Colonel Niwat Thimket of the Thalang…
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Foreigners condemned for spray-painting Phuket footpath (video)
Thai netizens condemned two foreign men for spray-painting graffiti on a footpath and several spots in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket. The Facebook page, โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (meaning so brutal, Phuket province), shared the 13-minute video of the two foreign vandals on March 23. “This completely dares the power of Patong police officers. Foreigners are not afraid of Thai laws. They…
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Tragic motorbike collision in Phuket leaves three dead, one injured
A devastating motorbike collision on Wiset Road, Rawai, in Phuket, resulted in the death of two foreign men and a Thai woman earlier today. An 18 year old Thai woman, another victim of the incident, was left injured and was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital. The tragic accident, which occurred at approximately 2.48am, was captured on CCTV footage. The…
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Chinese national’s lost gold Cartier bracelet found in Phuket
A valuable gold Cartier bracelet, worth approximately 750,000 baht, was reported missing by a Chinese national on Thalang Road in Phuket late on Thursday evening. The Chinese man, 45 year old Wang Lei, expressed his gratitude to the local police force for their quick action in locating and returning his lost property. Wang approached the Phuket City Police shortly after…
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Phuket gears up for alcohol-free Songkran at Limelight mall
The bustling town of Phuket is gearing up to host its annual Songkran celebration at the Limelight shopping mall, with officials confirming this year’s event will once again be alcohol-free. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat formally announced the official plans during a recent press conference. Scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 13, between 4pm to 10pm, the celebration will unfold…
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Hong Kong man arrested in Phuket for illegal tour operations
A 31 year old man from Hong Kong has been apprehended in the tourist hotspot of Phuket. The arrest occurred in a car park close to the iconic Phuket Big Buddha, officially known as Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakakiri, on Nakkerd Hill in the Mueang district’s Karon Subdistrict, yesterday around 5pm. The local tourist police disclosed that Wong Tsz Kin has…
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Fourth Russian woman nabbed for illicit sexual services in Phuket
A fourth Russian woman has been arrested in Wichit, Phuket for providing illicit sexual services. The suspect, only identified as 22 year old Marina, a Russian national, was nabbed on Monday, March 18, during a clandestine operation at a local hotel. According to reports from Wichit Police, as relayed to the Phuket Express, the arrest was prompted by concerned citizens…
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Phuket cops raid gambling den, 4 Russians and Ukrainian arrested
A gambling den in Ratsada, north of Phuket Town, was raided by the Phuket Provincial Police and Phuket City Police in the early hours of today, resulting in the arrest of four Russian nationals and a Ukrainian. The operation, which was executed following an insider tip-off, occurred at a site on Thepkrasattri Road in Moo 6, Ratsada, in the vicinity…
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Phuket gardener sought for murder after drunken dispute
Phuket law enforcement officers are on a manhunt for a 55 year old gardener who is suspected of murdering his 48 year old colleague from Sisaket following a drunken disagreement in Wichit yesterday evening. The incident took place in a makeshift dwelling on Soi Thep Anusorn 4, in Moo 2, Wichit, with police alerted to the scene around 11.15pm. Upon arrival,…
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Phuket police crack down on foreign-run businesses
A crackdown on foreign-operated car and bike rental businesses suspected of using nominee shareholders has been initiated by police in Phuket. The campaign was inaugurated with a raid on a rental enterprise in Moo 7, Srisoonthorn, yesterday, March 19. This operation, led by Region 8 Police Commander, Surapong Thanomjit, saw more than 100 vehicles confiscated. Surapong Thanomjit revealed that five…
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Thai cops uncover British man’s drug stash in Phuket
A British man is facing a lifetime behind bars after Thai cops swooped on his hotel room and reportedly found a significant stash of illegal drugs. The British man, Stephen Mullady, was arrested on the spot for suspected cocaine dealing. The father of one, who had been socialising with friends, was arrested by Thai police who allegedly uncovered various illegal…
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American arrested for violating Foreign Business Act in Thailand
An American citizen was apprehended by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for violating the Foreign Business Act. The arrest occurred following allegations of illegal profit redirection from a luxury villa estate developer. The individual in question, referred to as David, was taken into custody at the entrance of Jomtien Hospital in Chon Buri, around 11am last Thursday, as per…
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Thai Teen surrenders, confesses to Phuket petrol station murder
The teenager suspected of murdering another Thai man at a Phuket petrol station voluntarily surrendered to the Cherng Talay Police Station yesterday. Kiattisak “Gus” Thawornphon was immediately apprehended and questioned by the police. The 18 year old was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court for the alleged murder of 21 year old Teerapat Suksrimuang,…
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Chalong resident hits 30 million baht jackpot in national lottery
Champagne corks popped for a resident of Chalong, Phuket, after she hit the jackpot, winning a colossal 30 million baht from the National Government Lottery. Naranun Ruchichaiyapat revealed her good fortune yesterday, March 17, upon receiving the hefty cash prize from Panthawat “Not” Nakwisut, the CEO of the lottery ticket application, Lottery Plus. The 44 year old woman, who is…
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New Zealanders in hot water after assaulting Thai officer in Phuket
Two New Zealanders, who physically assaulted a Thai police officer on Chao Fah East Road in Phuket on Saturday were charged with five offences and face a lifetime ban from entering Thailand. The incident occurred when a traffic officer from the Chalong Police Station, Somsak Noo-iad, asked two foreign men, later identified as 36 year old Hamish Day and 38…
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Third Russian woman nabbed in Patong for illegal sex services
Phuket Immigration arrested a third Russian woman at a Patong hotel for providing sex services illegally. The operation unfolded following a tip-off about illegal activities involving Russian prostitutes in the area. The undercover sting operation orchestrated by the police targeted the woman, who had been discreetly advertised on an undisclosed website. Going by the moniker Linda Agency on WhatsApp, the Russian…
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DSI to probe Phuket businesses over potential labour law evasion
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has disclosed that a rigorous probe will be undertaken into nine Phuket-based businesses suspected of employing Thai nominees to evade labour laws limiting specific industries to Thai nationals only. Among these organisations is the Green Elephant Sanctuary Park, managed by Urs Fehr, a 45 year old Swiss national known for an incident last month…
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Phuket mayor guarantees drought-proof supply for dry season
The Phuket Town mayor confirmed that the Phuket City Municipality has a sufficient water supply to sustain residents throughout the remainder of the dry season. However, he is encouraging residents to be mindful of their water consumption. Currently, the municipality’s water reserves are 80% full, according to Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas. This supply is anticipated to be ample for producing tap…
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Patong businesses deny service refusal to Thai nationals
The vibrant tourist hotspot of Patong in Phuket has come under scrutiny amid allegations circulating on social media platforms. Claims suggest that certain local businesses have been denying service to Thai nationals. In response to these allegations, Weerawit Kreuasombat, the President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA), has stepped forward to speak on behalf of the businesses in question.…
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Phuket ramps up tourist security measures ahead of visa-free travel
The national commander of the Tourist Police, Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueakam, and Police Major General Manat Sriwongsa, Deputy Commander of the Immigration Bureau, arrived in Phuket yesterday in a bid to enhance the safety and convenience for tourists visiting the popular holiday destination. The visit saw them accompanied by Police Major General Phopphon Chakkaphak, Commander of Tourist Police Division…
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Thai police hunt Tajik suspect in Russian man’s murder in Phuket
Thai police identified a Tajik man as a suspect in the murder of a Russian man at a cannabis farm in Phuket. The accused foreigner already left Thailand on March 12. A 34 year old Thai man, Burin, filed a report on the missing Russian man, 42 year old Artur Mkhitarian, at Chalong Police Station yesterday, March 13. Burin explained…
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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