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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Sponsored Infinito helps hotels in Thailand with revenue management
Maximising revenue and profit–isn’t that the ultimate goal for every business in the hospitality industry? If you run a hotel, you might have heard that revenue management is an effective way to boost your top-line revenue. It involves using data...
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Koh Yao Noi locals return missing smartphones
PHUKET: Honest Koh Yao locals were prompt in returning two smartphones lost by tourists on Koh Yao Noi last week. “In Koh Yao Noi, we are all segments of our society – police, locals, tour operators and hotel operators cooperate to take care of tourists and each other,” said Koh Yao Police Superintendent Jirasak Lamsak. The first phone was recovered…
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Phuket Marine Police train speedboat crews in safety, rescue
PHUKET: Marine Police launched safety and rescue education courses in Phuket following the death of a French snorkeller, who was killed by a speedboat earlier this month (story here). The campaign, entitled ‘Safety is the heart of tourist’, aims to have all crew working with tourists on the island to be trained within in two months. By January 15, more…
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Phuket man takes bullet in the groin
PHUKET: A Phuket man on a motorbike was hit twice during a drive-by shooting on Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket late last night. Rawi Suksamran, 34, suffered a bullet wound to his groin area and lower back, confirmed a Kusoldharm Foundation rescue worker who arrived at the scene in Srisoonthorn. “According to witnesses, Mr Rawi was heading straight through the Thalang…
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Dirty dozen picked up in mass Phuket raid
PHUKET: A large task force swept up twelve suspects wanted for a series of crimes ranging from illegal drugs and firearms, to their role in the Thalang Police Station riot (story here). “The joint mission on Sunday saw 120 officers from local police forces, Thalang District and the Royal Thai Navy make 12 arrests with 12 search warrants,” said Phuket…
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A Decade Ago: Invaders of the nude variety
PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette‘s page one story a decade ago was about water supplies being enough to keep Phuket’s thirst quenched for the high season. However, the juicy part of the January 14-20 issue was the ‘Inside Story’: Are nudists itching to invade Thailand? The Tourism Authority of Thailand had called on Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura to see if the…
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Myanmar national crushed by cement truck in Phuket
PHUKET: A Myanmar national was killed after he fell off his motorbike and under the wheel of a cement truck in Thalang yesterday evening. Named on his identification card as ‘Mr Tengsor’, the 39-year-old man was crushed by the truck after he allegedly over took it and collided with another motorbike, said Lt Suporn Muangkhai of the Thalang Police. “The…
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Park chief kills Koh Yao Noi climbing
PHUKET: A new national park chief has banned rock climbing on a number of internationally popular limestone outcroppings in areas under his jurisdiction, ruling the sites as unsafe. “Climbing is an extreme sport and a risky activity. Even though there are safety regulations, and well-tested equipment is being used, there is still the possibility of someone falling and dying,” said…
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Austrian woman in Phuket ICU after falling unconscious
PHUKET: An Austrian woman remains in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Bangkok Hospital Phuket after she fell unconscious while swimming at Patong Beach yesterday. Annemarie Gusenbauer, 63, was rushed to Patong Hospital and later transferred to the better equipped Bangkok Hospital Phuket, after her friends pulled her from the water. “We immediately called for an ambulance and administered CPR…
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Many Phuket tourism venues illegal, says government
PHUKET: Almost 50 per cent of private tourist attractions on Phuket have been operating illegally, confirmed Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul. The in-depth investigation into animal shows and other tourism hot spots, including ATV adventures, shooting ranges and go-kart tracks, was initiated following a tourist being bitten on the nose by a snake show python after she kissed the serpent…
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Phuket flyovers given second chance to take off
PHUKET: The plans for flyovers at two key locations that were shot down by locals last year, will be tabled again in an effort to solve traffic troubles on Phuket. The flyovers were planned for the u-turn at the first set of traffic lights just north of Thalang Town and the Baan Koh Kaew Tha Ruea u-turn in front of…
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Armed meth dealer busted in Phuket
PHUKET: Police arrested an armed drug dealer in Phuket on Thursday. Saichon Taengkliang, 37, was caught with about 235 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and 331 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine), as well as a firearm and ammunition, confirmed Lt Col Prawit Engchuan of the Phuket Provincial Police. “We received a tip-off that Mr Saichon was dealing meth to…
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Hedonist thieves captured via CCTV
PHUKET: Police arrested two suspected thieves and their accomplice on Wednesday, after collecting evidence from nearby CCTV cameras. Chaiprasit Boonyok and Thiradet Chotika, both 23, confessed to two robberies that took place last week, confirmed Thung Thong Police Superintendent Chaowalit Petchsripia. “They told us that they had committed the crimes just to have some extra cash to ‘have a good…
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British expat found dead at Kamala home
PHUKET: A British expat was found dead in front of his home in Kamala this morning. A neighbor discovered Thomas Robert Putnam, 52, hanging by his neck from a beam in his front yard. “We received a call from Mr Putnam’s landlord, Jarin Sattaman, whose father found him hanging in front of the house,” confirmed Lt Navin Petchjan of the…
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Resort employee beat by taxi driver for hailing tuk-tuk
PHUKET: Police arrested a taxi driver Wednesday after he was caught on CCTV cameras assaulting a Holiday Inn Resort Phuket employee in Patong on Tuesday. Officers used the footage to identify Chamni Khaiduang, 50, who was seen viciously attacking Human Resources Director Tawatchai Kwanchum, 37, after he hailed a tuk-tuk for hotel guests. “Mr Tawatchai flagged down a tuk-tuk at…
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Police hunt driver in fatal hit-and-run
PHUKET: Police are hunting the driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a woman in Paklok this morning. Obrom Daengprapai, 68, was dropping her 5-year-old granddaughter off at school when her motorbike was hit by a car while changing lanes, confirmed Lt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police. “Witnesses told us that Ms Obrom attempted to change from the…
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MOTS to complete ongoing projects this year
PHUKET: Officials aim to boost tourism this year by focusing on several projects that have been previously laid out. Santi Pawai, director of the Phuket Office of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS), revealed his plan to the public on Monday, noting that it is necessary to build up the island’s standards to ensure tourist quality and safety. “Our…
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Police continue to pursue riot suspects
PHUKET: Officials announced this week that they have apprehended 17 suspects wanted in connection with October’s Thalang Police Station riot that saw more than 6 million baht worth of damage to the station and nearby vehicles (story here). Region 8 Police Commander Tesa Siriwato confirmed that most suspects were arrested on unrelated drug charges and will be dealt with through…
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Helmet-less drivers to have bikes seized
PHUKET: In an effort to improve Phuket’s road safety, officials will soon be launching a new campaign that will see the motorbikes of helmet-less drivers seized on the spot. Offenders will be released and their motorbikes returned only after being escorted to the police station to view road-accident videos, to purchase a 99-baht helmet, and to pay the maximum fine,…
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Officials to mandate international driving licence for foreigners
PHUKET: Officials will soon require all foreign drivers on Phuket’s roads to be in possession of an international driving licence, confirmed Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat on Tuesday. In an effort to protect tourists, renters and business owners, as well as to lower road accidents and fatalities, Vice Governor Chokdee established a committee whose aim is to help monitor the…
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Phuket Governor declares war on trash
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada openly declared war on island rubbish in a meeting on Monday. “I would like to improve CCTV on the island to the point that we can use the footage to document people littering and charge them accordingly,” Governor Chamroen said. “In this fight against trash, members of the public must use social media to raise…
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Snake show halted pending municipality approval
PHUKET: Officials have shut down a snake show in Chalong this week after finding that it did not hold proper documentation from the municipality to operate. The show, held at the Phuket Bio Technology Co Ltd, came under fire on Saturday after a 2.5-meter-long python bit a Chinese tourist when she attempted to kiss it (story here). Chalong Municipality Deputy…
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View the ocean realm through the eyes of award-winning photographer Pete Atkinson
PHUKET: Escaping the rat race is the dream of many, but few achieve it. Award-winning, Phuket-based Getty Images photographer Pete Atkinson’s new book, Polynesia – An Ocean Realm, shows that with passion and determination anything is possible, even on a limited budget. Pete made ends meet by shooting pictures under water – using home-made acrylic camera housings – and writing…
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Suspects arrested in Finnish assault case
PHUKET: Police arrested two suspects yesterday wanted for attacking a female Finnish tourist and stealing her handbag on Saturday. Nat Roongrojchanakorn, 18, and Thanathip Siriwat, 19, confessed to the snatching as well as the assault on Mari Inkeri Ruohonen, noting that they were high on a kratom-based drink at the time. Ms Ruohonen was attacked and seriously wounded when she…
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Failed underpass company to continue project with hefty fines
PHUKET: Construction on the long awaited Samkong underpass will continue under its current contractor despite a 2 million baht-per-day fine. Wiwat Construction Co Ltd was given a December 21 completion date for the more than 800-million-baht project before the per diem fine was to be levied. However, due to mandatory closure during the Songkran and New Year holidays, a 30-day…
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Body found with throat slit off Phuket
PHUKET: The body of a man with his throat slit was found offshore Phuket by a local fisherman this morning. Police have yet to identify the corpse, which was found in Ao Makham Bay by 43-year-old Sayan Thanakarnjana. Wichit Moo 8 headman Sontaya Audsaha confirmed to police that the body wasn’t that of a local. “At this point, we presume…
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Tour bus flips north of Phuket
PHUKET: A tour bus carrying 18 Chinese tourists flipped in Phang Nga at about 10pm last night. The bus was on its way to Krabi International Airport when the driver reportedly “lost control” at a sharp curve. Zhang Shuai, a passenger on the bus who suffered head injuries, was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for treatment. However, hospital staff confirmed…
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Illegal Phuket tour guides to be deported, blacklisted
PHUKET: A Chinese national working as an illegal tour guide in Phuket will be the first to be deported and blacklisted in Thailand as the country takes a staunch stance on the ever-growing issue, confirmed officials. “Starting today, any foreigner caught working as a tour guide will be deported,” Santi Pawai, director of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS)…
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Boat Lagoon’s Children’s Day an event for all
PHUKET: To catch a wave and surf in Phuket, you’ll need some patience, with the windy ‘Surf Season’ a good couple of months ahead. But for the island’s businesses, the waves are always there waiting to be spotted and ridden to success. “It’s all about noticing a trend”, says Kanittha Prasopsirikul from By Kanittha, the company responsible for Boat Lagoon…
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Illegal gibbon touts spotted on Phi Phi again [video]
PHUKET: Officers are hunting more gibbon touts on Phi Phi Island after receiving a video of a man using the protected species as a photo prop for tourists. “The video was taken on Saturday, but we’ll send someone out to see if the touts are still there or not,” said Phi Phi Police Chief Jetsada Junphum. Though officers have struggled…
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Finnish tourist slashed while fighting off bag thieves
PHUKET: A Finnish tourist was seriously wounded when she attempted to fight off bag snatchers in Phuket on Saturday night. “Two men drove by on a motorbike and attempted to swipe the bag off the shoulder of Mari Inkeri Ruohonen, 31,” explained Karon Police Superintendent Sompong Boonrat. “However, when she resisted, they pulled a box cutter out and attempted to…
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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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