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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Local artists protest coal plant
KRABI: Twenty artists gathered at Krabi Provincial Hall to stage a peaceful protest on Thursday morning against a coal power plant slated to be built in the Nua Khlong District. Vasan Sitthiket, an artist and activist who is part of the group, painted landscapes depicting how locals in the area would be affected by the plant. “We went to the…
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Cockfighting purse largest in Thai history
PHUKET: Two veteran roosters in Samui’s cockfighting ring drew the largest bets in Thailand’s history yesterday. Cockfighters from Chumporn, Ranong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Samui circled around the Baan Lipa Yai ring yesterday afternoon, cheering and placing more than 2 million baht in bets. The headlining fight, between an eight-month-old gamecock from Chumporn named Hua Pok, and a…
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New Phuket governor arrives
PHUKET: Newly appointed Phuket Governor Dr Chokchai Dejamornthan and his wife Raweewan Dejamornthan, who is the new president of the Phuket Red Cross, received a warm welcome on their arrival in Phuket this morning. About a hundred people from both government and the private sector showed up to welcome the couple at Phuket airport at 10:30am. In keeping with tradition,…
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Samkong Underpass to be closed for maintenance, completion pushed to October end
PHUKET: The Samkong Underpass is to be closed from 10pm today until 4am tomorrow for electrical maintenance and installation. Motorists are only allowed to use the road above the underpass during this time slot. “We have also installed signs at the junction to notify motorists,” said Chalermpol Wongkiattikun, the project engineer from the Department of Highways. “The underpass is expected…
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Phuket Airport Road: Landslide plan to be revealed next month
PHUKET: A plan to prevent landslides along the road running parallel to the runway at Phuket International Airport is expected to be completed by next month. The need for a plan came about when continuous rains on August 31 loosened the earth on the 141-meter-tall hill (Khao Bo Sai), and caused a landslide that spilled onto the road (story here).…
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Task force shuts down illegal gambling ring in Krabi
KRABI: A joint task force arrested 66 suspected gamblers and confiscated over half a million baht worth of gambling paraphernalia during a raid of a local gambling den in Krabi yesterday. More than 30 officials from Nua Khlong Police, along with 16 military personnel, marched into the middle of a rice field at Pakasai sub-district of Nua Khlong District, where…
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Patong Swimmer stung by Portuguese Man of War
PHUKET: Lifeguards at Patong Beach helped a swimmer on Monday who had been stung on one of her legs by a Portuguese Man-of-War. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the lifeguards said they had helped remove the siphonophore from the victim after she was stung. The swimmer, who wished to remain anonymous, said the sting was small but painful. The…
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Floating officials visit flooded village
KRABI: Villagers in Ao Luek district have been using boats to get to and from their houses after torrential flooding has left their neighborhood under water for the past month. Following complaints filed with the Ao Luek Administration Organization (OrBorTor), Ao Luek District chief Chaiwut Buathong examined the site on Tuesday. Approximately 300 meters of roadway have been flooded in…
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Arrest warrants issued for ATM hackers
PHUKET: Police issued two more arrest warrants on September 26 for Russian suspects wanted in connection with the nation-wide ATM fraud that ripped off over 12 million baht from Government Savings Bank (GSB) ATMs. The group of foreigners travelled around the country using specially-engineered credit cards to overcome safety precautions and empty ATMs in Phuket, Phang Nga, Surat Thani, Phretcha…
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Phuket Gazette Radio is here, launched at 0500 today
PHUKET: It’s here, and it’s on a mission with news all day. News remains the Gazette’s reason for being, just as it’s always been, since 1993. Our flagship show, ‘The News Room’, takes you deep inside the local news, issues and events that matter to Phuketians. Here you’ll also get the important regional and international stories that the island’s cosmopolitan…
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First wedding planner’s congress in Asia coming to Phuket
PHUKET: Wedding planners from across the world will descend on Phuket for a global conference this Spring, the Ministery of Tourism and Sports announced last week. The Destination Wedding Planners Congress (DWPC) is hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and is scheduled to be held at Laguna Golf Phuket in May of 2017. “Destination-themed weddings are a big…
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Teenager killed in “double hit-and-run’
PHUKET: A teenager was killed and another man injured in a ‘double’ hit-and-run collision at about 1:15am today on Thepkasattri Road. The victim, Noppadol Yaprajan, 19, was riding pillion with his friend Sirichai Witsuma, 20, when the accident occurred. “Mr Sirichai told us that an 18-wheeled truck hit their motorbike in front of the Democratic Party Office, causing Mr Noppadol…
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Portuguese Man-of-War back at the beaches
PHUKET: Sirinath National Park chief Kitiphat Tharapiban said today that ‘water activities’ have been suspended at Phuket’s Nai Thon, Layan and Nai Yang beaches after blooms of Portuguese Man-of-War siphonophore were spotted in the national park area on Friday (September 23). “Stings from the Portuguese Man-of-War can be fatal so we have closed the beaches and posted warning notices where…
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Road Rage: Teen shoots at truck in Phuket Town
PHUKET: A teenage motorcyclist was arrested on Saturday evening for shooting at a 6-wheeled truck in the heart of Phuket Town. The 18-year old reportedly shot at one of the truck’s wheels in anger after, he claims, it nearly ran him over. “We had a report about the shooting on Srisana Road in Phuket Town at 4pm,” said Phuket City…
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New Phuket Air Terminal: Transport Minister acknowledges barrage of angry complaints
PHUKET: A stream of harsh complaints about the new terminal at Phuket International Airport prompted a visit by Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith on Saturday. Long lines, delays, the lack of essential equipment, insufficient and confused personnel, and angry passengers have all marred the opening days of the new facility (story here). Mr Arkhom acknowledged that airport staff were dealing with…
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New look for Laguna Phuket Triathlon
PHUKET: This year’s Laguna Phuket Triathlon has a new look and a new bike course for the international athletes heading to the island to compete in a 1.8-km swim, 50-km bike ride and 12-km run at the Laguna Phuket resort on Sunday, November 20. The organizers celebrated the triathlon’s 23rd anniversary by unveiling its fresh new look for participating athletes…
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Woman flips car to save jay-walking dog
PHUKET: A woman was charged with reckless driving after she smashed into an electric pole on Chao Fa West Road, trying to avoid a jay-walking dog on Saturday. “Chuangkwan Pantanakitvibun, 24, was on her way from the Land & Houses apartment complex to Phuket Town at about noon, when she saw the dog crossing the street and swerved left to…
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Teen thief nabbed for Phuket Town car break-ins
PHUKET: Police arrested a 16-year-old boy yesterday who they allege is behind a string of car break-ins and robberies in Phuket Town. On August 27, the suspect reportedly smashed the window of a Chevrolet and stole about 50,000 baht in cash and other belongings from inside the car. Another car was broken into and 6,000 baht cash was stolen from…
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New bridge to Koh Lanta approved
KRABI: Construction of a bridge linking Koh Lanta with the mainland in Krabi has been approved by the central government, it was announced last week. The new 1.5km bridge is to stretch from Hua Hin Pier on the mainland to Klong Maak Pier on Lanta Noi. The crossing will facilitate the approximately five million tourists visiting the island annually, who…
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Three injured in Yamu boat fire
PHUKET: Three men were injured when their speedboat caught fire off Yamu Pier in Pakhlok at about 9:15 this morning. One of the men sustained serious injuries, including a broken leg and burns across 40-50 per cent of his body, according to emergency responders. The three-engine speedboat, registered to CC Blue Marine, reportedly caught fire while the three crew members…
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New British Ambassador makes first visit to Phuket
PHUKET: British Ambassador Brian Davidson made his first official visit to the island today. The ambassador met with Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat this morning at Phuket Provincial Hall. At the meeting with provincial officials, Ambassador Davidson highlighted concerns over public safety in Phuket, raising his worries over the island’s jet-ski operators, taxi mafia, the lack of public transportation and…
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Local airlines ban use of Samsung Galaxy note 7
PHUKET: Several international and domestic carriers, including Thai Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion air, Bangkok Airways and Air Asia, have banned the use of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 mobile phones on board their aircraft, following reports of the device ‘exploding’ surfaced after its launch last month. Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), which operates the Kingdom’s major airports, including Phuket International…
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Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2016 schedule announced
PHUKET: The controversial Phuket Vegetarian Festival, one of the most widely-celebrated events in Phuket each year, is being held from October 1-9 at various shrines and locations throughout the island. Held in the ninth month of the lunar calendar, the festival features a host of events and draws large crowds to Phuket each year (story here). The Phuket City Municipality…
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Australian schools to lure Phuket students
PHUKET: The Australian Education Assessment Services (AEAS) and CETA Worldwide Education are hosting the ‘Australian Boarding and Day Schools Exhibition 2016’ at The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa on October 2. The exhibition will showcase at least six Australian schools, including Avalon College, Billanook College, St Catherine’s School, St Leonard’s College, Trinity Grammar School and Wesley College. The event…
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Police hunt for Phuket Town thieves
PHUKET: Police are hunting for suspects who broke into a car and stole 6,000 baht cash in Phuket Town early Sunday morning. Supawat Owas, 30, the owner of the car, reported the incident to Phuket City Police the same day. “Ms Supawat says she was at Mahanakhon bar in Phuket Town. She left the bar at about 3am to find…
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Boat operator rescued after fierce waves capsize longtail
PHANG NGA: A longtail boat operator was pulled from Phang Nga Bay yesterday after his longtail boat capsized in the heavy surf. Sawek Wansadee, 32, left the pier at Hat Noppharat Thara, Phi Phi National Park, at about 9am. He told the Phuket Gazette that he quickly found his little low-profile longtail taking a beating from waves of about two…
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Ya bah-peddling duo arrested in Krabi
KRABI: A ya bah (methamphetamine) peddling duo was arrested at a palm tree plantation in Krabi yesterday. Lamthap Police officers had been keeping an eye on Nakhon Promsaeng, 37, and Thongkan Duangkaew, 33, since the beginning of this month, due to suspicions that they might be selling drugs to teenagers. “We arrested the duo with 54 ya bah pills at…
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Clampdown coming on zero-dollar tourism
PHUKET: The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) has promised to clamp down on ‘zero-dollar tourism’ following an inspection tour of several touristic venues in Phuket on Tuesday. CNTA chief Wang Chiao Fong and an entourage of Chinese officials were accompanied by Ministry of Tourism and Sports Phuket Office Director Sirawee Waloh as they visited jewelry stores and tourist spots. The…
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Families to cash in on anti-noise spending
PHUKET: Representatives of more than 400 families in Baan Mak Prok gathered at Nurool Ebadeyah Mosque to meet with airport officials on Tuesday, to discuss how the budget for noise reduction will be used. Last week, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith announced that Thailand’s Cabinet had approved a 3 billion baht budget to spend on anti-noise pollution measures for the new…
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Same-same but different at new terminal
PHUKET: Long lines, delays, non-existent essential equipment, a lack of personnel and confused travellers have all marred the opening days of the Phuket International Airport’s new terminal. Phuket airport officials admitted the new terminal’s immigration systems are not working, even after test flights from China and the terminal’s official September 16 opening by Thailand’s Prime Minister (story here). Somsak Pakdeerak,…
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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