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 Buon Natale: Italasia opens its latest branch in One Bangkok
Italasia, a longstanding and reputable importer of Italian products, led by Managing Director Chakrit Benedetti and Fa Benedetti, executive management and hospitality director of Italasia Group, hosted the grand opening party to celebrate the official unveiling of Italasia One Bangkok. [caption id="attachment_840519" align="alignnone" width="800"] Fa...
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Phuket police arrest ‘Red Hat Robber’ chef in phone shop heist
Police in Phuket have apprehended a suspect, known as the “Red Hat Robber,” involved in a robbery at a mobile phone shop. The suspect, a 29 year old chef named Ranjatharit Ngamtharanakit, allegedly committed the crime to repay his car loan. The incident took place at a mobile phone shop in Ban Ao Makham, near the oil depot in Wichit…
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Thai transwomen fight over foreign client on Phuket’s Bangla Road
Another physical fight broke out between Thai transwomen on Soi Bangla in Phuket last night, reportedly over a dispute to win the heart, and wallet, of a foreign client. Local news outlet Phuket Times reported on the incident, which occurred on the yesterday, November 26. “Ladyboys! Violent altercation! Bangla Road, Patong. Fighting over a foreign client. Ignoring repeated warnings. Locals…
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Senate chiefs praise Phuket’s visionary anti-corruption strategy
Phuket took centre stage yesterday as the Senate Committee on Independent Organisations visited the island to evaluate its anti-corruption drive and roadmap for sustainable growth. The high-profile meeting yesterday, November 26, at Phuket Provincial Hall, led by Police Major General Chatchawan Saengphet, highlighted the province’s ambitious efforts to clean up its act and secure a greener future. Phuket Vice Governor…
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Fire breaks out at Patong hotel sauna, no injuries reported
A fire erupted in the sauna room of the Patong Yorkshire Hotel & Spa, situated on Soi Taipan in Patong yesterday morning. Quick action by emergency services ensured that the blaze was contained without causing injuries or widespread damage. The Patong Police received notification about the fire at 11.39am yesterday, November 26. Responding promptly, police officers and firefighters from the…
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Phuket motorists warned of road closure for power pole relocation
Motorists in Phuket have been advised to steer clear of Soi Cherng Talay 16 today, November 27, due to a planned closure for essential infrastructure work. The Cherng Talay Police issued a warning to avoid the area as power poles are scheduled to be relocated, impacting traffic flow throughout the day. The Thalang branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA…
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Two arrested after brandishing shotgun in Patong traffic bust-up
A terrifying road rage incident shook Patong yesterday when two men allegedly brandished a shotgun at a fellow driver after a heated traffic dispute. The shocking confrontation unfolded around 11.50am, yesterday, November 25, on Phra Metta Road, leaving locals and tourists alarmed. The victim, 23 year old Paphangkon Chithong, reported to police that the clash began when he was abruptly…
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Pot luck: British dad’s £100k cannabis bust ends in jail sentence
A British dad of three has been sentenced to two years behind bars for an audacious attempt to smuggle nearly £100,000 (4.4 million baht) worth of cannabis from Thailand. The 42 year old British man, gripped by grief and desperation after the death of his girlfriend, confessed he took the illicit gamble in hopes of using the cash to reunite…
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Step up to stop abuse: Phuket rallies against domestic violence
In a powerful stand against abuse, thousands of people filled Saphan Hin Public Park at dawn on Sunday, November 24, participating in a walk-run campaign to raise awareness and call for an end to violence against women, children, and family members. The impactful event, organised by the Phuket Juvenile and Family Court, marked the International Day for the Elimination of…
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Shore thing: Foreign couple shamed by locals for public sex on Phuket beach
Another foreign couple faced criticism from locals in Phuket after they were caught engaging in sexual activity on Kata Beach yesterday. A picture of the foreign couple, whose nationalities remain unidentified, was shared by the Phuket Times. The page posted the image for its followers today, November 25, with a caption that read… “It’s windy and chilly. Foreign tourists were…
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Patong’s traffic issues persist due to private road ownership
Patong’s traffic woes continue to frustrate local government agencies as Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri highlights the challenges faced due to private ownership of Soi Saensabai. The notorious Phuket street is known for traffic congestion and safety hazards and has seen several pedestrian injuries, including those involving foreign tourists. The inability of Patong Municipality to impose any regulations or initiate improvements on…
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Man accidentally shoots himself cleaning gun in Phuket
A man accidentally shot himself while cleaning his gun, leading to a critical situation as he lay in a pool of blood. His girlfriend, initially thinking a hairdryer had exploded, discovered the true cause upon turning around. The incident occurred at 5pm yesterday, November 24. Police Lieutenant Somchai Nuboons, an investigator from Kathu Police Station in Phuket, was alerted to…
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Wichit, Phuket set to face water supply outages
A significant water supply outage is set to impact a large area of Phuket on Thursday, November 28. The outage, scheduled from 9am to 11.30pm, is necessary to facilitate essential repairs to a 400mm HDPE water supply main in key areas. The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Phuket urges residents and businesses in the affected areas to take the following precautions.…
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Overloaded truck in Phuket sparks road safety concern (video)
A pickup truck in Phuket overloaded with what appeared to be water tanks caught the attention of many when a video showcasing its precarious state was posted online. The clip sparked a discussion about road safety and law enforcement on social media. A Facebook user shared a 33-second video on the เหตุด่วนเหตุร้าย ร่วมด้วยช่วยกัน ภูเก็ต V.2 (Emergency Incidents, Help Together Phuket…
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Daring climb: Belarusian tourist seriously injured in Phuket hotel fall
Early this morning, a 23 year old Belarusian tourist was rushed to Patong Hospital with two broken legs and other serious injuries after an attempt to climb up to her hotel room ended disastrously. Rescue workers and Patong Police arrived at the hotel on Nanai Road around 4am, today, November 22, to find the tourist conscious but clearly in agony,…
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Arab tourist accused of assaulting ladyboy in Patong, Phuket
A troubling incident unfolded in Patong, Phuket, where a 35 year old ladyboy from Songkhla was allegedly assaulted by an Arab tourist. This incident, which took place outside a massage shop on the bustling Bangla Road, has sparked an investigation by local police. The altercation occurred around 2.30am yesterday, November 20, near Benz Massage on Soi Bangla. According to a…
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Phuket and Indonesia strengthen ties to support local community
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat recently welcomed Suarganana Pringganu, the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, to discuss strengthening cooperation and support for the Indonesian community in Phuket. This meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall, underscored the importance of nurturing bilateral relations and addressing significant issues such as the welfare and repatriation of Indonesian citizens. During the discussions, Pringganu acknowledged…
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Thai beauty influencer named first Phuket tourism ambassador
Thai social media influencer, Sasisom Phadungkingtrakul, also known as Mook, has made history as she takes on the role of the first-ever Phuket Tourism Ambassador of Thailand. The accolade, awarded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) under the Amazing Thailand initiative, designates Sasisom as the island’s cultural and promotional representative until the end of 2025. The announcement was made…
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Flight chaos: Air India passengers twice-stranded in Phuket
Over 100 passengers on an Air India flight to New Delhi found themselves stranded in Phuket for over 80 hours, enduring a string of delays due to persistent technical issues with their aircraft. The saga began when the flight, initially scheduled for departure on the night of November 16, was postponed by six hours, with the airline citing technical faults…
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CCTV footage captures fatal fall of British man into Phuket sewer
CCTV footage yesterday showed footage of a British man jumping into an uncovered sewer on a footpath in Phuket before he was later found dead in the drain. Officers from Patong Police Station and rescuers from the Kuson Dham Phuket Foundation were called to investigate the discovery of the body of a foreign man in a drain outside a motorcycle…
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Phuket goes green: Old town steps up for carbon-free tourism
Phuket Old Town took centre stage on Monday, November 18, as the Department of Tourism unveiled its bold initiative to promote low-carbon tourism routes, marking a milestone in sustainable travel for the 2024 fiscal year. Local leaders and media gathered for the showcase event in the historic heart of Phuket, which spotlighted eco-friendly travel practices and the charm of the…
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Phuket Festival returns to kickstart tourism season this December
Patong City Municipality officially announced the return of the annual Phuket Festival, set to take place from December 8 to 10, marking the kick off of the island’s bustling tourism season. The 38th Phuket Tourism Festival, themed Phuket Memories of a Lifetime, was revealed during a press event held on Patong Beach yesterday, November 19. The event was led by…
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Phuket succuessfully tests new mobile emergency alert system
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), and the Phuket Provincial Office, successfully trialled the Cell Broadcast mobile emergency warning system. The trial, conducted yesterday, November 19, at the Chao Fah Meeting Room in Phuket Provincial Hall, was led by Vice Governor Adul Chuthong and witnessed by key figures, including Nattapol Natthasomboon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital…
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Rivalry turns bloody: Phuket guard stabbed in grudge attack
In the early hours of yesterday morning, a security guard’s night turned to terror as he was brutally attacked by knife-wielding assailants at Saphan Hin, Phuket. Police suspect the violent assault, occurring around 2.13am, yesterday, November 18, at the city’s Indoor Stadium, may be rooted in a personal feud with old rivals. Officers and Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers rushed to the…
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Man slashed in head after row with fisherman in Phuket park
A late-night attempt to enter Phuket’s Chalermprakiat Park took a violent turn for one intoxicated man, who ended up with a head wound after clashing with a fisherman. The incident, which unfolded around 4.40am yesterday, November 18, saw 37 year old Ekkaphan Phuthi reportedly trying to enter the closed park gates near Suan Luang Rama IX. In his inebriated state,…
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Foreign man fined 500 baht for physically assaulting Thai restaurant worker
Police fined a foreign man 500 baht for physically assaulting a Thai restaurant worker in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket. The foreign attacker also issued an apology to both the victim and the restaurant owner. Pictures of the incident, showing the foreign man in all-white clothes attacking the Thai man outside a restaurant in Phuket, were shared by the news…
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Patong punch-up: Foreign man swings at loud restaurant worker
A foreign man physically assaulted a Thai restaurant worker in the Patong area of Phuket, reportedly due to annoyance at the worker loudly inviting customers into the restaurant. The Phuket Times shared screenshots from CCTV footage of the physical assault today, November 18. However, the exact date of the incident has not been reported. “A foreign tourist acts like a…
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Phuket rescue drama: Autistic boy, relative saved from deadly well
In a rescue drama fit for the big screen, a ten year old autistic boy and his would-be saviour found themselves ensnared in a nail-biting predicament yesterday afternoon in Phuket. The daring rescue unfolded at a construction site in Wichit, near Naka Weekend Market, where a mundane renovation turned into a life-or-death situation. The chaos kicked off when the youngster,…
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Thai transwoman and foreign man clash on gender misunderstanding in Phuket
A brawl erupted between a Thai transwoman and a foreign man at a hotel in Phuket after the foreigner refused to pay upon discovering her gender. A source, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported the altercation between the Thai transwoman and the foreign man to the local news Facebook page, Phuket Times, on November 18. The page shared a post.…
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Phuket’s tourism set to earn 500 billion baht this year
Phuket’s tourism industry is poised for a financial boom, with anticipated earnings reaching an impressive 500 billion baht this year. The island’s strategic focus on attracting visitors through sports tourism, even during the traditional off-season, is driving this growth, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Phuket office. Director of TAT Phuket, Lertchai Wangtrakuldee highlighted that the island effectively…
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Burmese man drowns retrieving coins during Loy Krathong in Phuket
A tragic incident unfolded in Phuket as a Burmese man drowned while attempting to retrieve coins from floats in a reservoir during the Loy Krathong festivities. This unfortunate event took place in Thalang, with police confirming the man’s death in the early hours of November 15. The Loy Krathong festival, celebrated at the Bang Ma Ruan reservoir in the Sri…
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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