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 Infinito helps hotels in Thailand with revenue management
Maximising revenue and profit–isn’t that the ultimate goal for every business in the hospitality industry? If you run a hotel, you might have heard that revenue management is an effective way to boost your top-line revenue. It involves using data...
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International Sports: Euro 2020 plan lauded in cash-strapped continent
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Sports news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community UEFA’s Euro 2020 plan lauded in cash-strapped continent Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: UEFA’s decision to host the 2020 European Championship across the continent rather than in one or two host nations has been greeted with enthusiasm as countries battle the crippling financial crisis. European football’s…
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“Meet me halfway’ says Phuket Governor on Paris Hilton beach party
PHUKET: The Phuket Governor today called on Sydictive Element, organizers of the monster New Year party touted to be held on Surin Beach, to scale down the party so it can be approved. “The best way is for the organizers and locals to meet halfway. If the two sides can come to a compromise, then I have nothing against the…
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Phuket murder suspect Moshe David re-enacts Reisz killing
PHUKET: Moshe David, the prime suspect in the murder investigation of his former business associate Peter Reisz, this morning re-enacted the sequence of events that led to the death of Mr Reisz. As with all public appearances since his arrest, Mr David was silent in front of reporters. However, Provincial Police Region 8 Commander Gen Yongyuth Charoenwanith announced to the…
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Thailand’s development as a sailing nation with the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta
PHUKET: Kevin Whitcraft, owner and crew member of Wan Marang and president of the King’s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee talks about the development of Thailand as a sailing nation, and one truly classic regatta. Who is the skipper of your boat this year?Our skipper, Jaray Tipsuk, is a sailor who has won two silver medals in the SEA Games, and…
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Phuket Sports: New Brazilian unveiled by Phuket United
PHUKET: Phuket United unveiled their new Brazilian signing, Jardel de Andrade Apolonio, a defensive player from the Liga Futsal League of Brazil, this week. The 29-year old player will wear the number 29 shirt. In an interview with the Phuket Gazette Jardel describes his thoughts on the eve of his first match with the Andaman Pearl: “I like Phuket and…
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Phuket tsunami film ‘The Impossible’ drawing crowds, but no criticism
PHUKET: Although initially thought by some as insensitive, The Impossible, which recounts a Spanish family’s survival and struggle to be reunited in the wake of the devastating 2004 tsunami, is drawing crowds, but no criticism, in Phuket. The blockbuster film starring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor was shot at a variety of locations in Phuket, with many extras being chosen…
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Police add Thai suspect to Phuket murder manhunt
PHUKET: Moshe David, prime suspect for the murder of Hungarian businessman Peter Reisz in Phuket, was presented to the press today after his arrest in Bangkok yesterday. During a press conference in Surat Thani, home to the popular tourist island Koh Samui, Provincial Police Region 8 Commander Gen Yongyuth Charoenwanit announced that officers were now searching for a Thai man…
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Nepal’s former crown prince shipped to Bangkok: Phuket Police
PHUKET: Nepal’s former crown prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev was transferred to Bangkok on December 4 to face charges at Thonglor Police Station, the Phuket Gazette was told. A senior officer involved in the case, who asked not to be named, told the Gazette that Mr Shah was transferred to Bangkok at 10pm on Tuesday. “He was sent to…
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Kata Reef roped off for swimmer, diver safety
PHUKET: A local contingent of marine safety officials and conservationists have installed a “reef line” around the North Kata Reef to protect swimmers, scuba divers and snorkelers from boat traffic and to prevent damage to the reef. Staff from the Marine Safety Center and volunteers from the environmental conservation organization, Go Eco Phuket, joined forces with local government agencies to…
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Laguna Phuket issues statement over baby elephants
PHUKET: The management at Laguna Resorts & Hotels, which operates the five-hotel resort complex on Phuket’s west coast, have issued a statement about the baby elephant “Joey”, which was seized in raids in Phuket in February. Ziya Birkan, Deputy Managing Director at Laguna Resorts & Hotels, wrote in the statement: “We’re very pleased the authorities have resolved the question of…
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Phuket King’s Cup Regatta gives spectacular tribute and racing
PHUKET: The entire Phuket King’s Cup Regatta fleet took part in an inspiring sail pass close to Nai Harn Bay yesterday, before the start of the third day of racing. Royal Thai Navy yachts led the procession of Regatta boats from around the world, as they sailed past three Royal Thai Navy ships positioned off Nai Harn Bay. This spectacular…
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Alleged killer of Hungarian businessman caught in Bangkok
PHUKET: Police arrested Israeli-Hungarian dual national Moshe David at a shopping mall in Bangkok today for the killing of Hungarian businessman Peter Reisz, whose body was found hidden with hands bound in a rubber plantation on Phuket on November 29. “We are now searching for another suspect in the case,” Phuket Provincial Police Commander Choti Chavaviwat told the Phuket Gazette.…
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Phuket honors HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 85th birthday
PHUKET: A host of special ceremonies are being held across Phuket today to honor and celebrate HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 85th birthday, as well as Father’s Day. The ceremonies kicked off at 6:30am with Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut and a host of other public dignitaries leading the offering of alms to 86 monks as part of a blessing ceremony to…
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Nationwide manhunt for alleged killer of Hungarian businessman
PHUKET: A nationwide manhunt was launched for the alleged executioner of Hungarian businessman Peter Reisz, whose body was found hidden with hands bound in a rubber plantation on Patong Hill on November 29. “We have contacted every local police station on the island, and immigration offices nationwide, with information about the arrest warrant for dual Israeli-Hungarian national Moshe David,” said…
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Phuket residents urged to support Christmas blood drive
PHUKET: As the Christmas and New Year festive season draws closer, Phuket’s residents are being asked to donate blood to ensure an adequate supply is available for hospitals to deal with emergencies. The Phuket Regional Blood Center (PRBC) mobile donation clinic will be out and about during December to collect blood donations from the public. “We need all blood types,…
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Krabi police seize 9 cars, M16 as meth ring crumbles
PHUKET: Police believe they have broken a major local drug network with the arrests of 13 suspects and the seizure of more than 6 million baht in drugs in Krabi province, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket.During the raids, police also seized more than 5mn baht in assets, including nine cars and five firearms, Krabi Provincial Police Commander Nantadech Yoinuan…
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International Cricket: Ponting given honor guard for final innings
PHUKET: Ricky Ponting’s test career came to a close with an anticlimactic innings of eight runs to leave Australia, chasing an improbable 632 for victory, struggling at 110 for three at lunch on the fourth day of the third test against South Africa today. The loss of David Warner for 29 and Shane Watson for 25 brought the former Australia…
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Aldhouse denies Phuket murder charge
PHUKET: British national Lee Aldhouse, charged with the murder of former US Marine Dashawn Longfellow in Phuket in 2010, has confessed to police to stabbing Mr Longfellow, but has denied any intention to kill him. Mr Aldhouse was extradited from the United Kingdom on Friday to stand trial in Phuket. He arrived at Phuket Airport on Saturday and was taken…
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Flames engulf Phuket dive shop
PHUKET: A newly constructed scuba diving shop and bar near the Kamala beachfront went up in flames early Sunday morning, causing an estimated one million baht in damage. It took the Kamala Fire Department about 20 minutes to dowse the flames that had engulfed Sunset Scuba and Snorkeling Center, but by that point the entire building had been gutted, Kamala…
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EPL: Swans fire 2 past Gunners as they blank; Weekend’s action review
PHUKET: Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League after an extraordinary 4-3 victory at Reading on Saturday in which all seven goals arrived in the first 34 minutes of the match. Defensive manuals were ripped up as United trailed 1-0 and 3-2 but once again they showed their trademark resilience as two goals from…
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McCormack wins Ironman 70.3 Laguna Phuket
PHUKET: Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack made up for his poor showing at last weekend’s Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) by winning this morning’s Laguna IronMan 70.3 in a time of four hours and four minutes. He fended off the challenge of LPT winner Reudi Wild to mark his debut with a win. In the women’s event, Melissa Hauschildt won her second title,…
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Aldhouse back in Phuket
PHUKET: Accused murderer Lee Aldhouse arrived back in Phuket tonight at 8:11pm, on Flight 221 from Bangkok.Dressed in a black t-shirt and carrying his personal belongings in a large, clear plastic sack, the shaven-headed Aldhouse looked defiant and focused.He was accompanied by a large contingent of police officers, including members of the Tourist Police and Special Operations Unit. Aldhouse was…
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Go Eco Phuket brings students, community together for Kata cleanup
PHUKET: Go Eco Phuket, known on the island for staging the world’s biggest reef cleanup earlier this year, are gathering again with fellow community members, Kata Municipality workers, Hilton staff and an estimated 500 students from local schools for a Kata-Karon Beach and reef cleanup. Participants in the event will target both the beaches and the associated reefs that are…
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Police tentatively identify body found in Phuket rubber plantation
PHUKET: Phuket Police tentatively identified the man murdered execution style and left in a rubber plantation on Patong Hill as Hungarian businessman Peter Reisz, 47. A missing person complaint was filed with the Koh Samui Tourist police stating that Mr Reisz had gone missing from a rented room in Phuket on November 23, Phuket Police Commander Choti Chavaviwat said. “The…
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Father appeals to Phuket public to help locate missing son
PHUKET: A distressed father is appealing to the Phuket public for help in finding his 43-year-old son who failed to make connection flights home to the US on Wednesday.Wayne Bean expected his son to arrive back in Los Angeles on November 28.However, after checking with the airlines it became obvious that his son, Brett Bean, had not made his 8:25am…
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Unidentified foreigner found tied up, dead in Patong Hill rubber plantation
PHUKET: The body of an unidentified foreigner was found in a rubber plantation on Patong Hill tied up and wrapped in a black plastic bag yesterday afternoon. “The body was that of a Caucasian man. A plastic bag covered the top half of his body and he was found face down on the ground. His face had obviously been struck…
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Phuket Sports: Futsal – Capitals outshine Pearl
PHUKET: The island’s professional five-a-side soccer club fell 3-5 to Bangkok FC, in an intense match-up in Phuket Town last Saturday. Played in front of nearly 1,000 spectators at Phuket’s 4,000-seat Indoor sports complex in Saphan Hin, the game was both sides’ third match of the 30-fixture, GMM Sport Thailand Futsal Premier League (TFPL) 2012-2013 season. Marking the Andaman Pearl’s…
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Phuket Sports: Tiger would like more major success
PHUKET: Twelve months after ending a two-year victory drought at the tournament he hosts, Tiger Woods is excited about his prospects for 2013 as he prepares to defend his World Challenge title this week. His one-shot triumph over fellow American Zach Johnson at last year’s World Challenge set the tone for a successful 2012 PGA tour campaign highlighted by three…
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Second suspect arrested in Danish abduction, robbery
PHUKET: Phuket Police arrested on Wednesday a second suspect associated with the abduction and robbery of a Danish woman in the designated Patong Safety Zone on November 26.Diana Muller, 37, reported that on November 26 at about 9:30pm she had been abducted, threatened at knife point and robbed by two men, Patong police said.She told police that the pair had…
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Phuket busts nab heroin, cocaine suspects
PHUKET: In a busy two days for drug law enforcement officers in Phuket, a woman was arrested in possession of cocaine at Phuket International Airport on Wednesday and five men with heroin were arrested at an address south of Phuket Town just 24 hours earlier. Lt Col Suthirat Tojumpa, chief of the Phuket branch of the Narcotics Control Board, told…
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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