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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Phuket Special Report: Slavery on the high seas
Workers in Thailand’s fishing industry often find themselves living a violent nightmare with no escape in sight and no help. Meanwhile, human rights experts and local organizations look for ways out.SPECIAL REPORTPHUKET: The next time you sit down to a seafood dinner in Phuket, think of Min, a Karen-Burmese migrant worker from Shan State.Min is one of countless migrant workers…
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Music idol Todd Tongdee wants to see ‘magic mix’ of Thais and foreigners at Phuket World Musiq Fest
PHUKET: One of the lead organizers of the World Musiq Fest to be launched tomorrow evening at Saphin Hin in Phuket Town says he wants to see the concert audiences reflecting the name and character of the festival itself. “It’s that magic mix of Thais and foreigners enjoying things together that generates the atmosphere and buzz to create a truly…
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Phuket’s well water drillers threaten blockade
PHUKET: Local groundwater well-drilling operators have threatened to blockade the Phuket office of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) if the office’s chief, Chaipadung Promsawadi, doesn’t start recognizing power of attorneys as an acceptable form of representation. Before approving permits for new wells to be dug, Mr Chaipadung wants to meet the owners of the companies that have…
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Phuket Reminder: US Embassy consular outreach today
PHUKET: The American Citizen Services section of the United States Embassy in Bangkok is at the Hilton Arcadia Phuket Resort and Spa in Karon this morning. Consular staff will be available to provide following services until noon: • Passport renewal applications • Notarial services • Embassy registration and/or address change for on-line information• Absentee ballot application and voting abroad information…
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Phuket “drug, rob and run’ woman arrested – again
PHUKET: Phuket police have arrested yet again one of six women charged in October with luring foreign tourists to hotel rooms, where they were drugged and subsequently robbed. Suspect Suchada Yusuk, 29, was arrested on Soi Bangla at 3:30am today. “We had an investigation team tailing her. When she started acting suspiciously while walking along Soi Bangla, the officers stopped…
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Phuket police warn junk shops over stolen water meters
PHUKET: Police in Phuket’s northern district of Thalang have warned owners of junk shops they will be charged with receiving stolen property if they are found in possession of any stolen water meters. The warning comes after police have arrested people in connection with six separate thefts of steel items in the past month, says Lt Col Weerayut Sittirattanakul. “We…
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IronKids want Thai kids for Phuket race this weekend
PHUKET: Triathlon events on Phuket are growing substantially every year both in numbers and in global reputation. The sport also has a positive impact on the lifestyle of those children and adults who become involved with this athletic pursuit. This year saw the very first IronKids junior triathlon event which was held at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC) with…
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Phuket Live Wire – You’ve got scam mail
PHUKET: Have you ever received a message like the following and wondered who sent it to you? I have a group of 24 people who will be traveling in your vicinity in December and we would like to book reservations at your establishment. We will pay for services, including tax and tips, in advance. Please advise what you have available…
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Superyachts return for Phuket Rendezvous
PHUKET: The annual Asia Superyacht Rendezvous, the exclusive international event for both motor and sailing superyachts, returns to Phuket on December 16-18. The annual event, one of the largest gathering of superyachts in Asia, welcomes sail and motor yachts over 100-feet long to the festivities taking place over three days on and off the waters of the Phuket and the…
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Phuket police launch manhunt, announce B50,000 reward for knife thief
PHUKET: Phuket police today announced a 50,000-baht reward for information that leads to the arrest of the man who robbed a Siam Commercial Bank money exchange booth near Karon Circle on Saturday night. Chalong Police Superintendent Krittapad Dej-intorrasorn today also released a composite sketch of the wanted man, drawn from descriptions by witnesses, in hopes that it will assist in…
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Pheu Thai Spokesman vows to take Phuket encroachment issue to Yingluck
PHUKET: In Phuket to hear complaints about corrupt government officials here was Pheu Thai Party spokesman and party list MP Prompong Nopparit who on Saturday vowed to raise specific instances of alleged land encroachment with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Mr Prompong is currently vice president of the parliamentary anti-corruption committee, which includes Phuket Democrat MP Raywat Areerob. At a public…
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Phuket ‘brand’ up for discussion at Wednesday’s AMCHAM meet
PHUKET: The Greater Phuket chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) will be holding its next meeting at the Anantara Resort in Mai Khao on Wednesday (November 30). “This meeting is a ‘must attend’ for those working in the hospitality, travel, property and hotel sectors,” says real estate guru Bill Barnett. “At a time when Phuket is making a…
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Phuket Leopards tamed by Tigers
PHUKET: The second match of the Island Furniture League 2011-2012 season saw the young guns of Phuket cricket, the Phuket Youth Development team (Leopards), take on newcomers the Thanyapura Tigers on Sunday, 20 November, 2011 at the Alan Cooke Ground. The ground was basking in sunshine with the pitch and outfield fast, so expectations were high of some big scores.…
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Three Phuket athletes bring home gold
PHUKET: Three athletes from Phuket earned gold medals at the 26th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Indonesia. Nitchaon Jindapol earned a gold medal with the Thailand women’s badminton team, who made hosts Indonesia settle for silver in the final bout. Maneepong Jongjitt also gave Phuket badminton a name, earning a bronze medal with Thailand’s mens’ team. Maneepong, with doubles partner…
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Living With The Tiger: film fights HIV stigma
PHUKET: Attitudes are changing as Phuket gets screenings of an acclaimed documentary about the children of Baan Gerda, an orphanage for HIV-infected kids cast out by their communities and families. What do you do when stuck alone in a small boat with a big, hungry tiger? In the novel The Life of Pi, the protagonist, Pi, comes to form a…
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FC Phuket draw with Saraburi in league restart
PHUKET: After a month-long league lay-off FC Phuket drew with Saraburi FC Warlords in a heated match on Saturday evening with a final score of 2-2 in their Division One encounter. The match was played in front of a crowd of 2,500 at the Saraburi Provincial Administration Organization M150 Stadium. Phuket went ahead in the 16th minute from a strike…
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Southern Thai football is charging ahead with Krabi and Pattalung
PHUKET: Southern Thai football is charging ahead with Krabi FC and Pattalung FC each prevailing at the top of their respective groups in the Thai Premier League (TPL) 2011 Division Two AIS League promotion playoffs. The playoffs, which began in October and are set to conclude in December, divide 12 fine finalists into two groups of six. Upon conclusion, only…
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AMCHAM meeting to focus on “Phuket’ brand
PHUKET: The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Greater Phuket chapter will be holding its next meeting at the luxury Anantara Resort in Mai Khao on Wednesday. “This meeting is a ‘must attend’ for those working in the hospitality, travel, property and hotel sectors,” said Real estate guru Bill Barnett. “At a time when Phuket makes a transition into a mass…
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Italian Cigana bags third Laguna Phuket Triathlon
PHUKET: Massimo Cigana from Italy successfully defended his Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) title today and celebrates an unprecedented third victory in the competition.The “Race of Legends” truly has a new legend in its record books after Cigana from Venice sauntered across the finish line in a time of 02:32:51 and adding the 2011 title to his 2010 and 2007 wins.Speaking…
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Russian tourist dies after Phuket beach rescue effort
PHUKET: A 57-year-old Russian tourist has died after being pulled from the water at Phuket’s Kata Beach this morning. Lt Tianchai Duangsuwan of Chalong Police named the victim as Uriu Varnakov. “He was on holiday in Phuket with his girlfriend and his girlfriend’s parents,” he said. Uten Singsom, head of the Phuket Lifeguard Club stationed at Kata Beach, told the…
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Phuket Opinion: Mob behavior not always necessary
PHUKET: The hundreds of Baan Kho En villagers who formed a mob and commandeered the southbound lanes of Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket last week all knew one thing: they had been down this road before. The tragic, avoidable deaths of Anupong Sae-Yu and his aunt Malai Kaewkluan were only the latest deaths on the notorious stretch of road, known locally…
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Knife-wielding robber makes off with B2mn from Phuket currency exchange
PHUKET: Two staffers at a currency exchange kiosk in the popular Phuket tourist area of Karon Beach were bound and gagged and robbed at knife point of mixed currencies with a total value of about 2 million baht last night. Amnard Ponpramun, 27, told the Phuket Gazette that he and his colleague Wilaiwan Khao-ong, 22, were closing up the Siam…
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Laguna triathletes inspire Phuket swim safety program
PHUKET: Organizers of the 18th Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) officially opened proceedings and also launched Laguna’s Swim Survival Program (LSSP) at a press conference this afternoon.Guest speakers at the event held at the Dusit Thani Laguna Resort were led by Paiboon Upatising President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor).Paiboon expressed his delight with the success of this year’s event…
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Phuket King’s Cup Regatta offering “Parties for Smarties’
PHUKET: The organizers of the King’s Cup Regatta are calling for volunteers to help officials on the water on race days. “We’re looking for Phuket-based volunteers to help on the water. They must be available for the entire Regatta week, and yachting experience is required,” says Duncan Worthington, one of the organizers of the regatta. Volunteers are needed primarily to…
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Phuket police nab “serial thieves’
PHUKET: An investigation into a spate of robberies in northern Phuket has led to three arrests, but police believe the break-and-enter gang’s ringleader is still at large. Thalang Police Superintendent Witun Kongsudjai, yesterday, presented the three suspects charged with being “sneak thieves” and receiving stolen property. The suspects were Subandit “Bee” Boonsit, 27, Kittisak Wongsaard, 36, and Somyot Taweesaeng, 44,…
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Athletes flock for Laguna Phuket’s 18th international triathlon
PHUKET: Over 1,000 competitors are descending on the island for the 18th Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) which officially begins today with race registration and a press conference at the Dust Thani Laguna Phuket.Registration numbers have smashed all previous records from the 17 year history of this prestigious Southeast Asian athletic event.Master of ceremonies Whit Raymond will introduce several guest speakers…
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Police confirm handover of 95 Rohingya near Phuket to Thai Army
PHUKET: Police in Kuraburi, Phang Nga province, have confirmed that 95 Rohingya landed on the island of Koh Phra Thong on Thursday morning. The island lies in the Andaman sea about 110km north of Phuket. “We received a call from local villagers on the island saying that a boat full of Rohingya people had landed on the shore there, but…
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Phuket business owners at Karon Beach win reprieve from street clearing
PHUKET: Business owners in the chaotic street of “Soi Centara“, formerly known for years as “Soi Islandia Resort“, in Phuket’s tourist-popular Karon Beach area, have won a reprieve from having structures on their street demolished. Adam Simone, owner of Bershat Guesthouse and a resident in the area for more than 12 years, told the Phuket Gazette, “Two days ago we…
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Phuket Sports – FC Phuket to battle Warlords in Saraburi on Saturday
PHUKET: FC Phuket returns to action tomorrow evening when they meet ninth-placed Saraburi FC. Set for a 6pm kickoff at the Saraburi Provincial Administration Organization stadium, the match follows a 41-day hiatus from league play – a relief period that allowed several footballers, including Phuket’s Sarach Yooyen, to compete in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia as well as…
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Phuket jet-skis on the rise
PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Office has decided to take it easy on jet-ski rental operators who haven’t registered their jet-skis, the quarterly meeting of Phuket’s honorary consuls was told at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday. “Since we started managing jet-ski rental operations in 2007, we have had 219 jet-skis registered in Phuket. We are still trying to control the number of…
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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