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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Phuket Police pounce on booze ban violator
PHUKET: Police discovered one shop in Phuket Town illegally selling alcohol during the celebration of Makha Bucha Day. The bust yesterday was made by Phuket City Police, who arrested two other vendors for trading after hours, said Phuket City Police Superintendent Sermphan Sirikong. “We apprehended three local shop owners: one in Phuket Town near Surin Circle at 11pm and two…
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Déjà vu for Phuket Passport Office
PHUKET: The Phuket Passport Office had a false start this week as it re-opened its doors for service on Monday, just to close them again on Friday. Protesting has forced the second closure of the Passport Division in Bangkok, the first of which closed the Phuket office for nearly a month (story here). The headquarters in the capital terminated its…
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Thailand tied with Hong Kong after first Davis Cup matches
PHUKET: Thailand and Hong Kong are now tied, one win each, following the opening matches of the Davis Cup (Asia/Oceania region group 2) at Thanyapura yesterday. The first match of the day saw Thailand’s Warit Sornbutnark (ranked number 1,258 in the world for singles) lose three straight sets to Hong Kong’s Phillip King (2-6, 6-7, 3-6). However, Thailand’s players redeemed…
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Phuket City Police arrest two men brandishing illegal firearm
PHUKET: Two men arrested on Thursday for brandishing a firearm at Phuket City Police officers and attempting to flee the scene were not charged for attempted murder. First reports alleged that the two 18-year-olds, Weerasak Bangroy and Chaiyuth Siriboon, had been hired to make a pre-Valentine’s Day hit by an ex-girlfriend. Tinnakorn Suwan, 21, reported the duo to police after…
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Volcanic ash forces Australia-Phuket flight cancellations
PHUKET: Ash fall from a volcano that erupted late last night on the heavily populated Indonesian island of Java has forced an Australian airline to cancel flights to Phuket, Denpasar, Christmas Island and Cocos Island today.“We are sorry for the inconvenience. However, the safety of our customers is our highest priority,” Virgin Australia airline said in a statement on their…
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Patong Bay’s brown water is safe, says Phuket expert
PHUKET: Despite its brown color and stench, Patong Bay is clean and safe, Suppakorn Meekaew, Patong Municipality’s Sanitation Department Chief, told the Phuket Gazette on Tuesday. “People swimming and enjoying the beach should not panic about the color of the water. They can swim as usual – it will not affect their health,” Mr Suppakorn said. “The brown color doesn’t…
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Four Saturday night Phuket booze bans in sight as elections loom
PHUKET: Phuket will see four Saturday night alcohol bans in coming months, as polls open for senator and MP selection in March and April. The four dates selected for voting, March 23 and 30 for the senator election and April 20 and 27 for the MP election, fall on Sundays. In accordance with the law, alcohol bans will begin at…
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All invited to save the ocean with Laguna Phuket’s 20th annual Sea Turtle Release
PHUKET: There comes a point in life when it’s time to let go… of some turtles. To help you do that, Laguna Phuket is hosting the 20th Sea Turtle Release event at XANA Beach Club next Friday from 4:30 to 6:30pm. There will be 80 juvenile green sea turtles available for release (first come, first served). To release a sea…
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Phuket Governor continues stampede of visits to support agricultural strategy
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut’s charge into the province’s agricultural tourism sector led him to an elephant ranch Wednesday morning. “The inspection of this elephant ranch is a continuation of our inspection of a pineapple garden (story here), goat farm (video story here) and vegetable farm. We are visiting them to raise awareness of Phuket’s potential for agricultural tourism,” Gov…
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Nothing as sweet as incentives for Phuket pineapples
PHUKET Governor Maitri Inthusut has underlined his commitment to developing the island’s pineapple industry, having confirmed a budget of 1.1 million baht to train local farmers and expand the available growing area in Thalang. On January 31, Governor Maitri led officers on an inspection tour to harvest and sample pineapples from the plantation of Wichai Saetun at Baan Bang Roang…
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Dozens of fish saved from entangled net at top Phuket dive destination
PHUKET: Divers saved dozens of reef fish trapped in an enormous fishing net draped over one of Phuket’s most popular dive sites: marine conservation area, Shark Point. “We had just spent five or six minutes watching a leopard shark swimming around us, and then, as we came around the corner, we saw a blanket of net covering a large amount…
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Phuket crepe vendor’s livelihood up in flames
PHUKET: A longtime vendor of Thai mini-crepes saw his sidecar shop burned to a crisp after a gas leak yesterday afternoon.It took firefighters 20 minutes to put out the fire, near Muang Municipal School in Phuket Town.“I’ve been selling mini-crepes (kanum tokyo) to Muang Phuket School students every evening for a long time,” said the 44-year-old owner of the stand,…
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Flying Carpet freak accident unavoidable, says chief
PHUKET: The freak accident that sank a liveaboard dive boat to a depth of 75 meters just outside the popular dive destination of Similan National Park was unavoidable, said the Regional Marine Office chief this week.MV The Flying Carpet based out of Ranong and operated by Aladdin Dive Safari had its propeller partially ripped out between Koh Bon and Koh…
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Phuket booze ban keeps Cupid’s arrows flying straight
PHUKET: A nationwide ban on the sale and purchase of alcohol will be in effect this Valentine’s Day in celebration of Makha Bucha Day, one of the four annual religious holidays in Thailand. “By law, alcohol sales and purchases are banned throughout the country in order to respect the holy day,” Deputy Commander of Phuket Provincial Police Peerayuth Karajedee told…
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Phuket Civil Defense Volunteers feted at 60th Anniversary
PHUKET: A celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Civil Defense Volunteers was hosted by Governor Maitri Inthusut on Monday. Civil defence volunteers help law-enforcement officers fulfill a wide range of duties, such as manning checkpoints, monitoring election stations, administering urine drug tests and providing security for government buildings. At the ceremony, which took place at the…
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Third dive boat’s final plunge sparks fire-safety awareness efforts
PHUKET: The revelation of the sinking of a third dive boat in the Andaman Sea within the last month has sparked concerns over fire safety issues on all Phuket tour boats. On February 2, the Phuket-based Bunmee I sank in Koh Lanta National Park after an electrical short circuit caused a fire to erupt in the engine room. Less than…
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Phuket hosts meeting on safe handling of radioactive materials
PHUKET: Representatives of 15 countries are meeting in Phuket this week to discuss the safe management of used radioactive materials and the potential threats they present if mishandled. The United States, a producer and exporter of radioactive substances, sponsored the conference to discuss the handling of materials after they have been used by industry and hospitals, the Office of ‘Atoms…
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Electrical short started fire on Phuket’s MV Blue Star, says chief
PHUKET: The fire that caused the liveaboard dive boat MV Blue Star to sink in Myanmar waters was started by an electrical short circuit in the engine room, confirmed Ranong Marine Office Deputy Chief Pramuan Thessana this morning. “The dive boat left from Thap Lamu Pier in Khao Lak on January 29,” Mr Pramuan said. “It took the tourists on…
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Phuket Marine Office offers B10,000 reward for pictures of oil-dumpers
PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Office is offering a 10,000 baht reward for photographs of people dumping oil into the sea.It is illegal to release oil into the sea, said Phuket Marine Office chief Phuriphat Teerakulpisut.“But we can only arrest suspects if we have enough proof or catch them in action. In the past, we have been too late, and the…
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One Phuket student killed, two injured in motorbike accident
PHUKET: One Phuket teenager died and two were seriously injured after the motorbike they were driving slammed into a pick-up truck early this morning.The three friends had left school together to pick up supplies for a scout camping trip.Police and Kusoldharm Rescue Workers were called to the scene, in front of Baan Suan Neremit housing estate near the Heroine’s Monument…
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New fees and regulations established for Phuket pier
PHUKET: The new regulations to access Chalong Pier, a popular Phuket jump-off point for surrounding islands, will take effect on February 15. Local boat handlers on Saturday demanded unrestricted access to boats moored along the pier (story here). Government officers did not bow to the demands, but rather offered a compromise of a new fee-system for motorbikes, sidecars and boats.…
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All safe after Phuket dive boat sinks off Myanmar
PHUKET: Everyone has been safely rescued from a Phuket dive boat that sank in Myanmar waters, said the Managing Director of Chalong Sea Sports, Pekka Torri. However, the cause of the fire that erupted aboard the MV Blue Star and led to its sinking has yet to be confirmed. Mr Pekka declined to reveal any details about the incident, other…
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Argument leads to fatal fight outside Phuket karaoke bar
PHUKET: A violent argument in a Phuket karaoke bar on Saturday ended in the death of a fisherman.The unidentified man was drinking with friends at Nong Man Karaoke bar on Sri Sena Road when they began arguing with four fisherman at a nearby table, witnesses told police.“They started fighting outside the karaoke bar,” said Capt Udom Petcharat of the Phuket…
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Phuket Passport Office re-opens despite protesters
PHUKET:The Phuket Passport Office opened its doors today despite the fact that Provincial Hall remains closed due to anti-government protests. The office closed last month after the Passport Division in Bangkok terminated its server connection with provincial passport offices as a precaution during protests in the capital (story here). Many of the people who queued for service today were turned…
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One at large after drug dealers open fire on Krabi Police
PHUKET: One suspect is still at large after a gunfight broke out between Krabi Police and two drug dealers on Saturday.“Their car approached the Khao Phanom-Nua Khlong Road checkpoint at high speed just after midnight. We ordered them to stop, but instead of slowing down, they sped up and started shooting at officers,” Sen Sgt Maj Krit Kaewsrion said.“Police returned…
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Phuket United ready for futsal season opener
PHUKET: Get ready for one of the most exciting indoor team sports in the country – the Futsal Thailand Premier League (FTPL) kicks off this weekend, with the island’s pro five-a-side squad, Phuket United to host CAT FC in their season opener on Sunday night. To be played at Saphan Hin’s two-year-new 4,000-seat Indoor Gymnasium, the match will kick off…
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Phuket FC give local expats a lickin’ – soccer superstars get ready
PHUKET: Following their epic 1-1 draw with Thai Premier League powerhouse Chonburi FC last weekend, (click here for video highlights), the island’s pro soccer outfit Phuket FC had a much easier pre-season friendly work-out this past weekend, squashing local expat team Pluto Ice Cream in a 5-1 drubbing at Surakul Stadium. With only several scattered pockets of supporters turning out,…
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Russian tourist, 42, drops dead while chatting with friends
PHUKET: Police have yet to determine why a Russian tourist died suddenly in a Phuket hotel room early yesterday morning.Timur Ivanov and his two traveling companions were eating fruit and drinking a hot beverage together at a hotel at Bang Tao Beach when he suddenly passed out. The friends called hotel staff for help, and rescue workers were summoned to…
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German man, 70, found dead with sex drug
PHUKET: The discovery of a 70-year-old German man who appears to have died after taking a generic version of Viagra has prompted public health officials in Phuket to issue a warning about such drugs.“People should take care when taking erectile dysfunction drugs, especially if they are older and have underlying medical conditions,” said Orachorn Atthaveelarp of the Phuket Provincial Health…
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Owners of abandoned Phuket resort refuse to give way
PHUKET: Owners of an abandoned resort in the foothills of Patong have refused to take down part of their structure to re-open access to the land behind it. The land in question, valued at 40 million baht per rai because of its panoramic view of Patong, cannot be developed without access, said landowner Utaiwan Van-Zandt, who has been fighting to…
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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