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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British woman reunited with birth mother decades later in Phuket
PHUKET: A British national, born to an Aussie mining-site manager and a Thai woman in 1960 and then given up for adoption six months later, was reunited with her birth mother in Phuket after 54 years apart. Kimberley Ferreira, 54, was able to hold her 79-year-old mother, Yoklern Jankaew, in her arms for the first time yesterday due to the…
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Norwegian Dokset, on trial for Phuket murder, faces verdict in January
PHUKET: Stein Harvard Dokset, a retired car dealer from Norway and long-term Phuket expat on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Rungnapa Suktong, will have his verdict handed down after the New Year. The news came today after Mr Dokset testified in court. “Mr Dokset today gave his own testimony as a defense witness,” said the public prosecutor involved…
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Central Group opens its first learning center in Phuket
PHUKET: Central Group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, opened Phuket’s first learning center last week at Baan Sapam Mongkol Wittaya School. Built and equipped with 3 million baht in funding donated by the Central Group, the new Chirativat Community Learning Center is part of the mall developer’s nationwide plan to build such centers in all 77 of Thailand’s…
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Video Report: Muay Thai starts swinging for the Olympics
PHUKET: The head of the two leading sports associations representing the Thai national martial art Muay Thai submitted a formal request on Tuesday for the sport to be included in the next edition of the Asian Games, to be held in Indonesia in 2018. The ultimate goal is to see the sport included in the Olympics, explained Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan,…
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No change in Rohingya policy as new top Navy brass takes charge in Phuket
PHUKET: Though their has been a change of top brass at the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Area Command, based in Phuket, the official policy for managing the overwhelming flow of refugees and illegals escaping violence in their home countries remains unchanged. The recently transferred Vice Admiral Sayan Prasongsamrej, now Commander of the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Area Command, told the…
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Asian Beach Games: China makes its move
PHUKET: Thailand were given a scare yesterday when their grip on the Asian Beach Games crown was loosened by a strong surge from reigning champions China, who scooped nine golds to leapfrog into second. At press time, the hosts lead the medal charge with 34 gold, 25 silver and 28 bronze medals, with China on 14 golds. Thai athletes enjoyed…
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Welding sparks blamed for Phuket quarry facility fire
PHUKET: Sparks from a welder fixing a roof are believed to have set a quarry building on fire in Baan Yamu, on Phuket’s east coast, late last night. Two teams of firefighters arrived at the quarry at about 11:20pm. They brought the blaze under control within about 30 minutes. “One of our staff was welding on the roof,” said 49-year-old…
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Two men injured after losing control of truck on notorious Phuket curve
PHUKET: Two men in a pick-up truck sustained minor head injuries after the driver lost control on a wet Phuket highway and slammed into a local shop on the side of the road. The driver, 62-year-old Somsak Jamjan, and his co-worker in the passenger seat, who police have yet to publicly identify, were travelling southbound on Thepkrasattri Road when Mr…
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AMCHAM forum to tackle Phuket’s critical marine tourism issues
PHUKET Registration is building for the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Thailand’s special forum focusing on the future of Phuket’s marine tourism industry, to be held tomorrow evening (click here). “Many people have expressed great interest in the joining the forum and we’re looking forward to a large turnout from people who have concerns to be addressed and ideas…
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Two men nabbed in Phuket for posing as monks, begging for “alms’
PHUKET: Patong Police arrested two men yesterday for posing as monks after their odd behavior aroused suspicion and gave the charlatans away. Manit Keawsen, 33, and Sod Nhamjaidee, 49, both from Suphan Buri, were arrested in front of a 7-Eleven store on Sainamyen Road, while they were begging for “alms” from passersby. “I saw them just before noon while I…
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Krabi officials on watch for Rohingya
PHUKET: Officials on Koh Lanta, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, are on the lookout for any suspicious boats that may be carrying refugees after Myanmar identity cards were found discarded on the island. “We are now keeping watch for Rohingya and any people of other nationalities [sic] who may land on Koh Lanta,” said Pornpoj Pandaeng, chief administrative officer…
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Police hunt for Phuket teen motorbike gang after two men assaulted, robbed
PHUKET: Police are hunting down a teen motorbike gang after two men were kicked off their motorbike, beaten and robbed in Phuket on Tuesday night. Police received a report that there had been an assault and snatch-and-run case near Baan Ya village in Srisoonthorn at about 11:30pm, said Capt Narong Malavaechan of the Thalang Police. The two victims, Sattawat Pohab,…
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Asian Beach Games: Thailand eyes overall prize
PHUKET: Thana Chaiprasit, chef-de-mission of the Thailand athletes’ delegation in the 4th Asian Beach Games, currently being contested in Phuket, expressed his confidence that the Thai athletes will capture more gold medals than the 40 they had initially targeted. Thailand currently leads the medal tally with 71 medals, comprising 29 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze. Japan is second place…
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Phuket woman in “miracle’ survival of juggernaut hit-and-run
PHUKET: A 55-year-old woman’s escape from serious injury has been hailed as a miracle after her motorcycle with sidecar (saleng) was struck by an 18-wheeled semi-trailer and dragged 20 meters along Thepkrasattri Road before the saleng was struck by a second vehicle. Wanna Damnadee, 55, was admitted to Thalang Hospital late yesterday afternoon with minor scratches and a swollen left…
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Asian Beach Games: Thailand lands 12 of 14 gold in single day
PHUKET: Hosts Thailand flexed their muscles to haul in 12 of the 14 gold medals up for grabs yesterday to stay atop the overall standings with 60 medals – including 25 gold – in the 4th Asian Beach Games being hotly contested in Phuket. Thailand made a clean sweep of both golds on offer in the beach petanque yesterday, with…
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Phuket police break open multi-million-baht drug network
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police yesterday presented four suspects arrested for dealing millions of baht of drugs that were delivered from Bangkok by bus. Presented as evidence at a press conference today were more than 19,000 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) and 120 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), as well as two illegal firearms and two cars. Phuket Provincial Police…
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Phuket beach town leaders shine light on umbrella rumor
PHUKET: Vice Governor Chamroen Tippayapongtada today re-confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that tourists are not allowed to bring their own umbrellas or sun loungers to Phuket beaches. The confirmation from one of the island’s top-ranking officials follows a news report claiming that the ban – made public by a Gazette report on Saturday (story here) – had been lifted. “I…
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Man killed while electrofishing in Phuket pond
PHUKET: A man was found dead in a Phuket pond this morning after he was killed while electrofishing. Suchart Chanaprasit, 36, was found dead at about 8:45am with the electric cable still in his hand, Capt Wittaya Sincharoen of the Thung Thong Police told the Phuket Gazette. “He was still gripping the electric cable he had been using to stun…
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Asian Beach Games: Muay Thai masters target medal takedown tonight
PHUKET: The opening rounds of the Muay Thai competitions for the Asian Beach Games get underway on Patong Beach, near the end of Soi Bangla. At 5pm, Hoang Duc Le of Vietnam will enter the ring to take on Eugene Tan of Singapore in Bout 1 of the quarterfinals of the Men’s 48kg-Light Fly division. Meanwhile, Chan Kai Tik from…
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Phuket beefs up Ebola security with specialized laboratory
PHUKET: Vachira Phuket Hospital has opened the first Designated Receiving Area (DRA) in Southern Thailand in response to the recent Ebola outbreak worldwide and the increasing number of visitors to the island. The DRA is a laboratory fully-equipped to quickly and accurately diagnose patients who show symptoms of highly infectious diseases, such as the Ebola virus. “This outbreak has alarmed…
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Drunk man stabs himself, calls for mother
PHUKET: An unemployed Phuket man stabbed himself with a kitchen knife several times last night after a bout of heavy drinking with a group of friends. The incident occurred at the Karn Keha housing estate in Rassada at about 7pm, Lt Preecha Rakjan of the Thalang Police told the Phuket Gazette. “We received a call and arrived on the scene…
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Bull elephant beats handler to death in Phuket
PHUKET: A bull elephant beat his handler to death as the man attempted to unchain the animal to carry tourists visiting a Phuket elephant camp today. The 23-year-old elephant, Plai Por, was allowed to carry tourists at Phuchada Safari in Rawai yesterday, but was showing signs of musth, so was then locked up, Lt Chollada Chokdeesrijun of Chalong Police told…
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Phuket Town snatch thief caught within two hours
PHUKET: Police arrested a man who caused a woman to crash her motorbike after he ripped a gold necklace off her neck on the outskirts of Phuket Town yesterday. Pongchai Wongwan, 29, was caught walking around Koh Sireh, on the east side of Phuket Town, after selling the necklace to a gold shop for 16,200 baht. Police caught up with…
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Asian Beach Games: Thailand leads medal charge
PHUKET: Hosts Thailand plundered more gold in the 4th Asian Beach Games yesterday, sealing crucial victories to maintain their commanding lead in the medal tally. Despite another searing day in the seaside resort, crowds of Thai spectators and tourists braved the sun to watch the fun-packed competition on Phuket’s beaches and venues at Karon, Patong, Nai Yang and the Saphan…
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Phuket van driver returns cash-stuffed laptop case to Russian
PHUKET: A van driver returned almost 5,000 euros cash to a Russian tourist who forgot his bag full of valuables after arriving in Patong from Phuket International Airport last night. “I saw that he had left his computer bag in the back of the van, so I contacted my company’s headquarters right away,” 32-year-old Kritsana Buaked told police when he…
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Phuket Police call for priority for Asian Beach Games buses
PHUKET: Police are calling for motorists driving over Patong Hill to give extra room to buses carrying Asian Beach Games athletes, officials, support teams and spectators, as such buses have been given immunity to the large-vehicle ban on the deadly road during rush hours. A bus crash that killed two tourists and injured many more last year (story here) led…
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Phuket Immigration warns of Education Visa crackdown
PHUKET: Any foreigners staying in Phuket on an education visa but do not attend classes will have their permits to stay revoked and they will be deported, the Phuket Immigration chief warned today. “We are now keeping a close eye on people staying on education visas,” said Phuket Immigration Superintendent Sunchai Chokkajaykij. “We have to make sure that those people…
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Fire at Toyota showroom in Phuket causes B100k damage
PHUKET: A fire that broke out in the main workshop at the Toyota showroom on the Dowroong intersection, south of Phuket Town, yesterday afternoon caused more than 100,000 baht in damage. “Luckily no-one was injured in the blaze,” said Lt Kraisorn Pakaaree of the Phuket City Police, who was notified of the fire at 2:50pm. Firefighters soon arrived and attempted…
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More than B120mn set aside to improve Phuket’s waste problem
PHUKET: Officials have revealed a 127-million-baht budget to improve Phuket’s environment with plans to destroy nearly one million tonnes of trash at the landfill in Saphan Hin and overhaul the island’s drains. Governor Nisit Jansomwong led a meeting at the landfill and incinerator site at Saphan Hin last week to discuss ways to relieve the overwhelmed site where trash has…
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Asian Beach Games: Minister Kobkarn eyes Thailand to host World Beach Games
PHUKET: Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul has revealed that hosting the 4th Asian Beach Games in Phuket may be a precursor to Thailand having the potential to soon become a candidate country for hosting major sports competitions that will help boost tourism. “In the ANOC [Association of the National Olympic Committees] General Assembly in Bangkok earlier this month, a…
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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