Phuket News
Phuket news, politics, business, tourism, and nightlife—stay updated with breaking stories, events, and expat updates from Thailand’s top island destination. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Phuket news source.
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Father offers B100,000 reward for kidnapped British girls
PHUKET: Police on Phuket continue to scour the island as the father of two young girls abducted by their mother in Pattaya last month offers a 100,000-baht reward for information leading to their safe return. Robert Day, the British father, has publicized his search for the girls on Thai TV and in newspapers throughout the nation in the hope of…
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Argentina, Belgium through after extra-time drama
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Argentina, Belgium through after extra-time drama Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Argentina scored in the 118th minute to beat Switzerland and Belgium clung on to defeat the United States in another heart-stopping period of extra time to reach the World Cup quarter-finals amid more extraordinary drama…
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Human traffickers removed from Phuket’s migrant-labor supply chain
PHUKET: Human-trafficking brokers operating on the island are to be cut out of the migrant-labor supply chain under a new system being put in place at the Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO). “If any business in Phuket needs more Cambodian laborers, for example, they can apply at the PPEO and we will contact offices in Sa Kaeo, Surin, Trat and…
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Gunpowder found in car of Phuket cop suspected of drive-by killing
PHUKET: Police have ordered a forensic investigation after finding gunpowder in the car of a police officer suspected of playing a role in a fatal Phuket drive-by shooting in May. The officer, who police have declined to name, denied any involvement in the incident the morning after the killing (story here). The gunpowder; the suspect’s private firearm, a 9mm handgun;…
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Weather warning: Tourists cautioned about small boat tours from Phuket today
PHUKET: A small boat warning has been issued until tomorrow due to expected big waves caused by the annual southwest monsoons. “My biggest concern is for small boat operators, especially tour boats carrying a lot of tourists. Wave heights are expected to reach three meters today. Boat operators must be very cautious and check the forecast regularly,” said San Jantharawong,…
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Not satisfied with Patong massage, man robs masseuse
PHUKET: A Pattani man enjoyed a three-hour massage in a Patong hotel room last night, then robbed his masseuse and fled, but was quickly caught by police. Police were alerted by staff at the Patong Sub Inn at about 7:30pm that a woman had been tied up and had called for help, said Patong Police Deputy Superintendent Khunnadet Nanongkhai. The…
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All World Cup matches to be aired: NBTC
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community All World Cup matches to be aired: NBTC The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) yesterday reassured bleary-eyed football fans that all remaining World Cup matches would be telecast on Army-run Channel 5, state-run NBT and Thai PBS after two…
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Germany and France end African hopes, Suarez sorry
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Germany and France end African hopes, Suarez sorry Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Germany and France snuffed out African hopes and reached the World Cup quarter-finals on Monday with hard-won victories over Algeria and Nigeria, while Uruguay striker Luis Suarez broke his silence to apologise for…
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Phuket first: Vegetarian Festival twice in one year
PHUKET: For the first time in its history, the world famous Phuket Vegetarian Festival will occur twice in one year. This year will see twice the number of 9th lunar months in the Chinese lunar calendar and twice the number of visits from the gods. However, maybe not twice the amount of celebrating. “According to the Chinese lunar calendar there…
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Beached whale found dead off island south of Phuket
PHUKET: An autopsy on a Cuvier’s beaked whale that was found dead on a beach south of Phuket yesterday morning revealed that the mammal had died of a disease that afflicted its lungs and kidneys. A marine officer on a routine survey of the Koh Li Bong coastline in Trang Province found the whale’s body on the beach at about…
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Police decline to investigate drive-by shooting until victims file complaint
PHUKET: Police will not investigate any further into a drive-by shooting that injured four people in Thalang early yesterday morning until the victims file a police complaint. The shooting, a single shotgun blast, took place at about 1am in front of a house near the Tah Reua Shrine on Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew. “The victims told us that they…
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Swede arrested for Phuket property fraud, buyers out B22mn
PHUKET: Police arrested Russian-born Swedish national Vladimir Antochvili, 29, in Bangkok over the weekend on charges of defrauding Phuket property buyers in deals totalling more than 20 million baht. Officers arrested Mr Antochvili at an apartment in Soi Ramkhamhaeng, in the Hua Mak area of Bang Kapi, at about 12:45pm, Maj Tienchai Chomphu of Phuket Immigration told the Phuket Gazette.…
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Phuket Police tracing human trafficking network back to Cambodia
PHUKET: The Army has ordered Phuket police to trace the human trafficking network that led a group of Cambodians into debt-trapped servitude in a Phuket Town clothing store (story here). The owner of the shop, Pasita Sangsakul, from Bangkok, defended her purchase of the staffers when she was questioned by Phuket City Police at Phuket Provincial Hall. “I purchased the…
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Phuket tourist lad lost on Bangla quickly reunited with family
PHUKET: An Australian eight-year-old boy lost in the wilds of Soi Bangla early this morning was reunited with his anxious family within 30 minutes, thanks to the help of the Phuket Tourist Police. It was about midnight when an Aussie family – mother, father and boy – tearfully informed tourist police volunteers that they had lost their fourth family member.…
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World Cup hosts Brazil aim for quarter-final spot
PHUKET: Hosts Brazil aim to become the first team to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Saturday by maintaining their superb recent record against opponents Chile. Uruguay, reeling from the loss of suspended striker Luis Suarez, meet in-form Colombia in Saturday’s other second round match which again pits two South American rivals against each other. Seeking a sixth…
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All eyes on Foxy Lady for Phuket Raceweek (video)
PHUKET: Hot off a win at the Samui Regatta last month, Bill Bremner’s Foxy Lady VI will be looking to kickstart their campaign to retain the crown as AsianYachting Grand Prix (AYGP) champions at the Phuket Raceweek Regatta from July 16. Foxy Lady scored a two-second win in the last race at Samui to be crowned the 2013/14 Asian Yachting…
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Expert demonstrates power of rip current at Phuket’s deadliest beach
PHUKET: It’s that time of year, when the dark moisture-laden clouds tumble into this island paradise and the sea turns into frothing, churning mayhem. But that doesn’t stop people from jumping in for a little dip and next thing they know the beach has dropped out from beneath their feet and constant pounding waves start to wear them out. Such…
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Thai society, Phuket struggle to survive a bender
Special Report Thailand consumes more than twice as much booze as the average Southeast Asian country, and faces the multitude of problems that come along with it, according to the World Health Organization and Phuket experts. Here, the Phuket Gazette‘s Chutharat Plerin investigates. PHUKET: A barrage of statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its “2014 Global report…
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Australian embassy extends best wishes for Ramadan
PHUKET: The Australian Ambassador to Thailand, James Wise, has issued a special message to all Muslim Australians, who will begin celebrating the holy month of Ramadan within the coming days. Amb Wise echoed the Ramadan message by Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, issued in a statement on Friday, noting that Thailand’s Muslim community made a vibrant contribution to Thai society.…
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Swedish cyclists bound for Phuket delayed at Iranian border
PHUKET: Despite visa delays, the team of bold Swedish cyclists peddling their way from Northern Europe to Phuket to raise funds for a post-tsunami orphanage (story here) are on target to arrive before the 10th anniversary of the 2004 tsunami that devastated the region on Boxing Day. As of yesterday, the team was just 35km from the border of Iran…
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Phuket’s German honorary consul to retire after 12 years of service
PHUKET: Dedicated German Honorary Consul for Phuket Dirk Naumann will retire next month, after 12 years of service on the island. Mr Naumann will hand the honorary baton over to his daughter, Anette Jimenez Hoechstetter. “My last day will be July 18. That same day, my daughter will take over the position of German honorary consul for Phuket,” Mr Naumann…
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Quicksilver catches breaks at Kata Beach to re-brand Phuket low season
PHUKET: National surf pros glided into Phuket for Quicksilver’s official opening of the Phuket surf season at Kata Beach today. “We used to have our surf event in September, but this year… we just kicked it off to let people know our surf season is starting in Phuket now,” said Surached Mungthong, QS Retail (Thailand) Ltd general manager. “We are…
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Phuket Police arrest first suspect in gang murder of hotel staffer
PHUKET: Police have arrested one suspect involved in the fatal stabbing of a Karon hotel employee last weekend in Phuket Town. Sudjai Treerat, 29, confessed to driving the motorbike spotted in CCTV footage taken after the attack, Lt Col Somsak Thongkliang of the Phuket City Police told the Phuket Gazette. “Mr Sudjai has been charged with gang murder,” Col Somsak…
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Breaking News: Debt-trapped Cambodians rescued in Phuket from human trafficker
PHUKET: Officers accompanied by armed soldiers today descended on a clothing store in the heart of Phuket Town to safely recover two Cambodians who were trafficked to Phuket to work for 90 baht a day. The Cambodians, a husband and wife, were taken to Phuket Provincial Hall, along with three other Cambodian women found working in the shop Lai Sua…
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Phuket tour bus driver charged with hit-and run slaying of Kamnan Winai’s son
PHUKET: Police have charged a driver from local bus company Phuket ARS Tour for the hit-and-run accident that killed Kiattisak Chidchiew, the 19-year-old son of Winai Chidchiew, late Wednesday night. Mr Kiattisak was riding his motorbike home along the Karon beachfront road when a bus approached him from behind, caused him to fall off his bike, and then ran over…
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World Cup over for Suarez after record ban for biting
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World Cup over for Suarez after record ban for biting Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Uruguay’s Luis Suarez was hit with the biggest ban imposed at a World Cup on Thursday as FIFA threw the book at one of soccer’s most talented but controversial players for…
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Ronaldo misfires as Portugal and Ghana bow out
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Ronaldo misfires as Portugal and Ghana bow out Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of the World Cup but crucially wasted several other good chances in Portugal’s 2-1 win over a haphazard Ghana on Thursday that sent both sides home. The…
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Officials plan future for Phuket’s beaches
PHUKET: Top officials from Phuket’s most popular beach towns gathered at Provincial Hall today to sift through the sands and dream up a new look for the island’s coastline. “We will clear all beach chairs, umbrellas and establishments that do not meet provincial standards from all of Phuket’s beaches,” said Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada, who spearheaded the meeting. Provincial…
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Breaking News: Phuket taxi mafia kingpin suspects out on bail
PHUKET: Karon’s “Big Four” taxi mafia kingpin suspects have all been released on court bail, despite Phuket police insistence that they were all to be denied bail (story here). The four high-ranking officials – Kata-Karon Deputy Mayors Ithiporn Sangkeaw and Sompong Dabpetch, Director of the Kata-Karon Municipality Engineering Division Wanchai Sae-Tan and the Kata-Karon Municipality Chief Administrative Officer Weerasak Anekwongsawat…
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Long-term Phuket Police volunteer passes away
PHUKET: Swedish expat Lars Goran Dikander, 66, passed away on Monday in Chon Buri surrounded by his family. He will be missed by many, said Wal Brown, head co-ordinator of the Royal Thai Police Region 8 volunteers on the island. “Lars had been here [in Phuket] and helping people for years – since the tsunami,” Mr Brown noted. “He was…
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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