Phuket News
-
Sponsored Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
-
Phuket: Pregnant whale met tragic end due to floating garbage
A pregnant whale was found dead on a Phuket beach, tragically suffocated by a stomach full of floating rubbish. The grim incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the devastating impact of marine pollution. The 2.24-metre-long female Dwarf Sperm Whale was discovered on Bang Tao Beach in Choeng Thalay subdistrict, Thalang district, yesterday, September 2. Experts from the Upper…
-
Karma’s a baht: Cheating Thai woman loses 78,000 to scammer
If karma indeed exists, then it worked its magic on a Thai woman in Phuket who cheated on her boyfriend. Subsequently, she lost 78,000 baht to a man she encountered on a dating app. The woman, whose identity remains concealed, informed the Phuket Times on Sunday, September 1, that she had lost her mobile phone before discovering that all 78,000…
-
Phuket hotels see steady service charges and rising room rates
Phuket’s hotel industry will see stable service charge income and rising room rates during the upcoming peak season, according to the Phuket Hotels Association (PHA). PHA President Bjorn Courage noted that employment levels in Phuket’s 95-member hotels have fully rebounded post-pandemic. Typically, service charges account for 10% of paid room nights and are distributed monthly among all staff members. With…
-
Patong motorbike taxi drivers investigated for Grab driver assault
Motorbike taxi drivers in Patong are under police investigation following a violent assault on a Grab motorbike taxi driver last night. The incident occurred on Phra Metta Road at approximately 9.08pm when Patong Police were notified of the attack. Police Major Chayakorn Tangsakul, upon learning of the assault, dispatched officers to the scene immediately. Patong Police Chief Chalermchai Hoernsawat was…
-
Major British drug dealer arrested in Phuket restaurant
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a major British drug dealer at a restaurant in Phuket yesterday after he escaped a life imprisonment sentence in the UK and fled to Phuket to live a life of luxury. The UK’s National Crime Agency requested cooperation from the Thai authorities in the arrest of the fugitive drug suspect, a 28 year old man…
-
Phuket’s road to relief: Green light at the end of the traffic tunnel
Phuket’s long-awaited new road linking Kathu and Srisoonthorn is finally getting the green light, thanks to generous land donations from three of the island’s most prominent families. Local bigwigs have confirmed the long-stalled project is now full speed ahead. The Ekwanich, Kulwanich, and Saksaktawee families have handed over the land needed for the ambitious 5.6-kilometre road, designed to ease traffic…
-
Phuket grease monkey scoops 30 million lottery
Phuket’s newest millionaire is none other than a humble chief mechanic at Anuphas Ford, who struck gold in the government lottery’s latest draw. Jirasak ‘Ton’ Saewun, who works at Anuphas Ford in Phuket, scooped a staggering 30 million baht after hitting the jackpot with five first-prize tickets. The winning numbers, announced by the Government Lottery Office, were 199606. Other lucky…
-
Tragic end to holiday: Saudi tourist found dead on Phuket beach
A Saudi tourist’s holiday in Phuket ended in tragedy yesterday evening when his body was discovered on Karon Beach. The grim find was made near the Naga Statue around 6.05pm, yesterday, September 1, prompting an immediate response from the emergency services. Karon Police Chief Khundet na Nongkhai and Deputy Chief Wiwat Chamnankit, along with rescue workers from Karon Municipality and…
-
Disabled woman’s fifth suicide attempt ends in tragedy in Phuket
A 39 year old Thai woman who resided at Baan Lipon complex in Si Sunthon village, Phuket was found dead at around 5.30am today. Police today, August 30, found the lifeless body of Sunanta Na Pattalung, leaning against the steel sliding shutters outside her home. Dressed in a blue tank top and shorts, Sunanta had tragically hanged herself using a nylon…
-
Pattaya Airways’ maiden flight set to revolutionise Thai logistics
Thailand’s skies witnessed a game-changing event as Pattaya Airways launched its inaugural cargo flight on August 21. Flight PTW822 soared out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 6am, touching down in Phuket by 8.15am. The aircraft returned to the capital just after midday, marking a significant milestone in Thailand’s logistics industry. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat rolled out the red carpet for…
-
Phuket taxi driver tussle turns streets into a brawl zone (video)
The streets of Phuket resembled more like a battle scene today than a picturesque holiday resort after a furious brawl broke out between local taxi drivers and foreign tourists, raising fresh concerns about visitor safety. What started as a squabble quickly spiralled into a full-blown fight, drawing a large crowd of shocked onlookers. Wichit Police stepped in today, August 30,…
-
Foreign driver damages Thai woman’s car during dispute (video)
A Thai woman is taking legal action against a foreign man for damaging her car during a heated traffic dispute on a road in Phuket yesterday. The Thai woman, whose name remains undisclosed, shared the details of the incident with the Phuket Times today, August 29. She explained that the foreign motorist, whose nationality was unknown, followed her from an…
-
Six arrested at unlicenced beauty clinics in Rayong and Phuket
Police officers raided four clinics, arresting six individuals for employing unlicensed doctors in beauty treatments. In another case, an unlicenced Chinese medicine practitioner was detained for claiming ancestral knowledge. Police and health officials announced the results of two significant cases yesterday, August 28, at the Central Investigation Bureau. The first case involved searches of medical facilities, residences, and spa massage…
-
Land encroachment scandal rocks Phuket Big Buddha
The Phuket Big Buddha Foundation is in hot water after the Forest Department accused its chairman of land encroachment. This follows a catastrophic mudslide that claimed 13 lives, predominantly Myanmar nationals, last week at Khao Nak Kerd, Phuket’s tallest peak. Officials from the Forest Department, along with the Phuket Buddhism Office, police, and local officials, carried out a rigorous inspection…
-
9 houses damaged in recent Phuket landslide, no injuries reported
Another landslide hit the Ratsada sub-district of Phuket in the early hours of this morning leaving nine houses in the area damaged. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The landslide in the Kata sub-district of Phuket last week killed 13 people, most of whom were migrant workers, and affected more than 200 households in the area. Residents are not yet out…
-
Saudia adds dreamliner flights to Phuket
Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is set to make your travel dreams come true with its latest addition to the flight network. The airline confirmed that from December 2 it will launch flights to the exotic island of Phuket, making it the second Thai city in its roster after Bangkok. This move is part of Saudia’s strategic…
-
Phuket deadly landslide leaves officials scrambling for answers (video)
Government officials in Phuket are urgently consulting experts to investigate a mountaintop disaster where 13 people, including several foreign nationals, were tragically killed in recent landslides. Provincial Governor Sophon Suwannarat announced that the provincial office is reaching out to the permanent secretary of natural resources and environment to enlist expert help in probing the cause of the landslides and preventing…
-
Son of former Phuket leader arrested in major drug trafficking bust
Police in Phuket arrested the son of a former local leader for his involvement in a major drug trafficking network. The raid uncovered a substantial amount of crystal methamphetamine, firearms, and ammunition. Colonel Somsak Thongkliang of Kamala Police Station reported the arrest of Jesdaporn to Major General Sinlert Sukhun, Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police. This operation followed an extensive investigation…
-
Phuket landslide leaves 13 dead, 19 injured, 209 homes damaged
Rescue officials in Phuket concluded the search for missing individuals following a devastating landslide. All 13 missing persons have been found dead and the disaster has left 19 injured and impacted 209 households. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwann announced the end of the search operation after the bodies of all 13 missing individuals were located. The landslide occurred in the Kata subdistrict…
-
Patong leaders back legalising sex work for safety and health
Patong’s key figures unanimously support the legalisation of sex work, asserting that it will enhance safety and health protection for sex workers and their clients. President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) Weerawit Kreuasombat highlighted the current paradox of Thailand’s stance on its renowned sex industry. “Thailand is known for its sex industry, yet maintains a hypocritical stance towards…
-
Thailand on track to invest 77 billion baht in new light rail systems
Plans are underway for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to introduce a light rail system in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phitsanulok, with an overall budget of 77 billion baht. MRTA Deputy Governor Wittaya Phanmongkol revealed that the estimated costs of the projects are 35 billion baht for Phuket, 30 billion baht for Chiang Mai, 7…
-
1 killed and 4 injured in flash flood and landslide in Phuket (video)
A devastating flash flood and landslide struck the popular holiday resort of Phuket near Kata Temple in the Mueang district, killing one person and injuring four others. Thai government officials made it known that people were reported missing but their identities have not yet been made public. Prachachat news agency reported that heavy rain hit many areas of Phuket at…
-
Foreign man caught standing naked in cannabis shop in Phuket
A picture of a naked foreign man proudly showing off the family jewels inside a cannabis shop in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket went viral on Thai social media. The reason for his nakedness is still under investigation. The Phuket Times shared the picture of the naked foreigner yesterday, August 21, with a caption that read, “Free visa! Drunk foreign man…
-
Kyrgyzstan boxer wanted for raping Thai sauna worker in Phuket
Officers at Chalong Police Station in Phuket are searching for a Kyrgyzstan boxer after he allegedly raped a 19 year old Thai worker at a sauna near his boxing gym. The 19 year old Thai victim filed a complaint at Chalong Police Station yesterday, August 21, immediately after the sexual assault took place. She explained that the mixed martial arts…
-
Viral dugong sighting stuns Phuket
A video of a rare dugong swimming near the bustling Rawai Bridge in Phuket has taken social media by storm, sparking calls for immediate action from local officials. The 41-second clip, posted on the Phuket Info Centre’s Facebook page, shows the elusive sea creature gracefully navigating the waters of Rawai Beach, a popular tourist destination. Filmed yesterday morning, August 20,…
-
Taxi to the danger zone: Driver stabbed in Phuket passenger showdown
An airport taxi driver stabbed a fellow driver outside a hotel in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket yesterday after a dispute over passengers. Officers from Patong Police Station investigated the stabbing outside Novotel Vintage Park Resort and arrested the attacker, 55 year old Raphiphan Saelor, at the scene. The injured victim, 40 year old Apinan Boonpha, was rushed to hospital…
-
Thai women fight Kuwaiti tourists in Soi Bangla, Phuket (video)
Netizens have called on Patong Police Station officers and Phuket administrative officials to intensify their efforts in safeguarding the province’s reputation, following yet another physical altercation on Soi Bangla. Reports indicate that the incident involved Thai women and Kuwaiti tourists. The news Facebook page, โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (translated as “So Brutal, Phuket Province”), shared a video today, August 21, showing Thai…
-
Viral video captures playful water theft at red light in Phuket
A viral video has taken social media by storm, showing a young man on a motorcycle stopping next to a pickup truck at a red light and quenching his thirst with water from a cooler at the back of the truck. A TikTok user named Golfkador yesterday, August 19, shared the clip, which quickly became popular across various social media…
-
Foreign cyclist severely injured after being hit by Phuket Airport taxi
A foreign cyclist sustained a severe injury after being hit by an airport taxi while cycling along a road in Phuket. The Phuket Times shared pictures of the injured foreign cyclist and his damaged bicycle on August 18, with a caption describing the incident. “#PhuketRoad This incident occurred yesterday (August 18). Please avoid driving in the lanes designated for smaller…
-
Etihad Airways unveils luxurious flatbeds to Phuket in 2025
Etihad Airways is set to elevate the travel experience between Abu Dhabi and Phuket, unveiling plans to launch flights on the Airbus A321LR, featuring flatbed business class seats, from August 2025. The airline’s booking engine has already confirmed these details, showcasing its ambition to connect the UAE with the tropical paradise of Thailand in unprecedented comfort. The inaugural flight on…
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.
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.