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 Riot: Drug tests come back negative
PHUKET: Post-mortem urine tests on the suspected drug dealers whose deaths caused the Thalang police station riot have come back negative. “As has already been mentioned, doctors have confirmed that the deaths of the two men were caused by the collision during the police chase. There were no signs of additional violence,” said Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat, who was…
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33 arrest warrants issued for Phuket rioters
PHUKET: A total of 33 arrest warrants have been issued for alleged instigators of the Thalang Police Station riot, which saw more than 20 police officers injured and more than 6 million baht in damages done. A further 14 arrest warrants are expected to be issued today, confirmed Region 8 Police Commander Tesa Siriwato. Early on in the investigation Provincial…
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Phuket red-light runner killed, son injured
PHUKET: A Koh Yao man was killed and his 4-year-old son injured after they ran a red light in Phuket Town yesterday. Rakchart Koondee, 36, and his son Chinnapat Koondee, who was riding passenger in front of him, were turning right onto Korjan Bridge in Phuket Town when they failed to stop at the traffic light, explained Maj Sakon Krainara…
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Phuket prepares for “Bike for Dad’ [video]
PHUKET: Qualified cyclists will soon be chosen to participate in the first-ever ‘Bike for Dad’ event in honor of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 88th birthday. A total of 100 Phuket cyclists will have the chance to ride to Bangkok, along with cyclists representing other provinces in the Kingdom to pay tribute to HM The King. It is not yet known…
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Gov calls for peace as second riot rumors swirl
PHUKET: The Phuket governor this weekend squared off against rumors that another riot will strike the island due to suspicions over the fairness of the investigation into the deaths of two suspected drug dealers earlier this month. “As the Phuket Governor who has taken responsibility for the riot, I plead with you, the people of Phuket, especially those who are…
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Governor denies rumors of transfer over Phuket riot
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada yesterday denied that he would be transferred from the province due to the Thalang riot. “Due to the recent rumor that I will be transferred from the island, which is confusing people, I would like to assure you that I have yet tor receive such an order,” Governor Chamroen wrote on his Facebook fan page.…
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Video Report: Millions watch Krabi man rescue stuck-in-the-mud Norwegians
KRABI: A man’s act of kindness went viral on Friday after he rescued a Norwegian photographer and his partner from the mud along the banks of the Krabi River. Chat Ubonjinda, 44, spotted the tourists stuck knee-deep in the mud, unable to free themselves. Arild Hagen had originally waded into the muck for a photograph and had become stuck. Yanxiang…
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Five dolphins arrive in Phuket for new tourist attraction
PHUKET: Five dolphins and two seals for the highly-contested Nemo Dophinarium have already arrived in Phuket, confirmed Pitsanu Na-Anan, chief of the Phuket Fisheries Office. “The company has 60 days from issuance of the import permits to inform us that the animals are settled into the new facility and are ready for a final check,” Mr Pitsanu told the Phuket…
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Battling mob mentality
PHUKET: Though blockades, protests and other forms of mob rule appear to be an effective way for local Phuket villagers to kick-start official action, justice eventually catches up with the instigators, says Teenachat Jindangen, Commanding General of the 41st Military Circle. The commander’s comments come fast on the heels of an unprecedented riot and attack on the Thalang Police Station…
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Police mum on rioters’ arrest warrants
PHUKET: Police officials are still playing mum on the distribution of arrest warrants for those who instigated last weekend’s riots at Thalang Police Station. Deputy National Police Chief Chalermkiat Srivorakarn paid a visit to the island yesterday to commend officers for their patience and hard work over the last week, and to offer support to those who were injured. “I…
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Aussie attacked by Phuket tiger returns to Kingdom
PHUKET: The Australian tourist who was mauled by a Phuket tiger last year returned to Tiger Kingdom yesterday to visit the big cats. “This is my first time on the island since the last visit twelve months ago. My leg is good… it healed well,” said Paul Goudie, who immediately set off for Tiger Kingdom with his wife Jennifer and…
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Video Report: Haze doesn’t hamper Aussie’s fight against child abuse
PHUKET: As part of his battle against child abuse, Damien Rider successfully circumnavigated Phuket on his standup paddle board (SUP), despite the dense Indonesian haze leaving him lost at sea earlier this month. Mr Rider, a victim of child abuse, first caught the media’s attention with Paddle Against Child Abuse (PACA) when he completed an 800 kilometer prone paddle through…
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Island View: Tradition of bouncers beating punters
PHUKET: The tradition of bouncers beating punters more than likely goes back to the first brewers and distillers. The first confirmed creation of fermented beverages dates back to 6,650 BC. However, it is widely believed that humans were brewing beverages as early as the Neolithic period (10,000 BC), which very likely indicates a long history of those protecting their fermented…
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Free trolly tour offered for Veg Fest
PHUKET: Phuket municipality has launched a new trolly service for those wanting to see Old Phuket Town during the Vegetarian Festival. The free service will provide tours on a set route through Thalang, Krabi, Satun, Dibuk, Rassada, Phang Nga, Phuket and Montri Road. The service, which will be offered until October 21, will begin at the 72nd Anniversary Queen Sirikit…
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“Heartbroken’ Polish expat found dead
PHUKET: A Polish expat was found dead in his Cherng Talay rental home yesterday, about one week after the Thai woman he was seeing left him, said police. Leszek Jerzy Warzynski, 57, was found hanging by his neck near a fishpond behind the house. Police believe Mr Warzynski had died two days before his body was discovered. “There were empty…
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Paragliding temporarily banned in Rawai
PHUKET: Paragliding at Phuket’s iconic Promthep Cape has been temporarily banned, confirmed Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos. The ban follows earlier complaints of paragliders blocking public land and telling visitors to get out of their way during takeoffs (story here). “We held a meeting last week about the issue,” Mr Aroon told the Phuket Gazette. “Paragliding is temporarily banned until further…
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British expat found dead by friends
PHUKET: A British expat was found dead in his Thalang home by concerned friends this morning. Friends of Daniel Burke Whittington, 51, went to check on him after he failed to show up at work at Laguna Holiday Club where was a sales and marketing assistant manager. Police believe that Mr Whittington died three days before his body was discovered.…
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Police silent on rioters “fleeing’ Phuket
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police Commander Patchara Boonyasit declined to confirm or deny rumors that some of those wanted for instigating the violent attack on Thalang Police Station had already fled the province. “Police are working on the case. I prefer not to talk about what progress has been made,” Maj Gen Patchara told the Phuket Gazette this afternoon. Thalang Police…
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Expert to fix Phi Phi national park
PHUKET: A special adviser will set up his office within Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park to review the national treasure’s policies and developments, as the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) continues to investigate hundreds of millions of baht disappearing during the collection of national park fees over the last three years.…
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Phuket shrine members demand financial transparency
PHUKET: As swords are drawn and firecrackers thrown for the Vegetarian Festival, a very different procession yesterday saw dozens of members of the Pud Jor Shrine marching to the Muang District Office to file a complaint against the shrine’s president. The group requested that the office investigate the financial transactions of the shrine and that complete transparency be put in…
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Myanmar national brutally beats friend to death
PHUKET: Police arrested a Myanmar national in Phuket Town yesterday for brutally beating a man to death with a metal bar in Chalong. After being apprehended, Lek, 39, confessed to police that he had become angry with fellow Myanmar national Keng, 35, and beat him to death. Earlier that day, officers were called out to a home office on Chao…
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Phuket riot damage totals more than B6mn
PHUKET: Initial estimates of the cost of damage caused by the riot at the Thalang Police Station amount to more than 6 million baht, confirmed Thalang Police Superintendent Chanuchan Cholsuwat. “However, this is just how much it will cost to repair the vehicles set on fire and the damage done to the building,” Col Chanuchan said. “We are keeping a…
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Three men arrested with baby gibbons on Phi Phi
PHUKET: Three gibbon touts were arrested in front of the Andaman Resort on Phi Phi Don as they attempted to cajole tourists into using the protected species as a prop for photographs last weekend. “The police did a great job. They have finally improved their efforts on cracking down on these animal touts,” said Suwat Suksiri, chief of the Thung…
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Phuket Riot: Police deny planting drugs
PHUKET: Provincial Police Commander Patchara Boonyasit this morning denied that officers planted drugs on the bodies of the two men killed in a police chase on Saturday. Patomwat Panarak, 22, and Teerapong Srisamut, 17, allegedly refused to be searched at a checkpoint and fled the scene. They were brought to a stop after their motorbike and a police vehicle collided.…
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Phuket bouncers’ conduct to be reviewed after brutal beating
PHUKET: President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association Weerawit Kurasombat has called on representatives from nightlife venues in Patong to gather tomorrow to review policies concerning the conduct of bouncers. “I plan to implement strict rules about the use of violence by security,” Mr Weerawit said. “If any bouncer at any club is violent with a tourist, the club will…
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Phuket Riot: Cause of motorists’ deaths confirmed, intent under investigation
PHUKET: The cause for the two men’s deaths that was the catalyst for the Phuket riot has been confirmed. However, Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat will continue his investigation for the Ministry of Interior on whether or not the officers who crashed into the men’s motorbike were using excessive force. “A doctor has verified that Patomwat Panarak, 22, and Teerapong…
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Bangkok Airways’ Phuket-Hat Yai route launched
PHUKET: Bangkok Airways officially launched its daily direct flights between Phuket and Hat Yai on Sunday. Bangkok Airways will serve daily flights between Phuket and Hat Yai, on a 70-seat ATR72-500/600, with flights from Phuket to Hat Yai departing at 7:25am and arriving in Hat Yai at 8:30am and Hat Yai to Phuket departing at 9:10am and arriving in Phuket…
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Go Teng poles raised, Phuket Vegetarian Festival underway
PHUKET: Vegetarian Festival participants raised Go Teng poles at every Chinese shrine in Phuket at sunset yesterday to allow the Jade Emperor, one of the Nine Emperor Gods, to descend from the heavens – marking the start of the 2015 festivities. Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada was one of hundreds of white-clad observers who attended the pole raising at the Jui…
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One dead as mob blockade delays rescue efforts
PHUKET: A Phuket rescue worker believes that the rioters who attacked Thalang Police Station and blockaded Thepkrasattri Road (story here) might have played a role in the death of a patient who was being transferred from a hospital in Krabi to a better equipped Phuket hospital. “An ambulance from Krabi was blocked from going to Bangkok Hospital Phuket by the…
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Violent Phuket rioters to be hunted down
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada today swore to bring to justice the rioters who attacked Thalang Police Station on Saturday night. “I am sorry for the deaths of the two men; they were Phuket people. However, anyone who breaks the law must face justice. The people who set fire to the cars will not escape,” Governor Chamroen said. The investigation…
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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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