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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Seventh arrest made over Phuket “Pla-wan’ stabbing
PHUKET: Phuket Police have arrested another suspect in connection with the assault of Sri panwa resort general manager Vorasit ‘Pla-wan’ Issara and an arrest warrant has been issued for an eighth suspect in the case. Phuket Provincial Police Commander Chonasit Wattanavrangku yesterday updated the media about progress in the investigation, which must be concluded and forwarded to the court within…
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Man blames Phuket hospital for mother’s death
PHUKET: A complaint was filed today against the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (OrBorJor) Hospital for “unethical practices” leading to the death of his mother. Narongphon Suwanmosee, 44, claims that hospital administrators allegedly refused to allow his mother to be transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for treatment for the sake of an outstanding 100,000 baht medical bill. Mr Narongphon filed the…
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Former Phuket-based home vendors wanted by Aussie authorities
PHUKET: Australian authorities are investigating the ongoing practices of a Gold Coast man who allegedly fled to Phuket in 2010 and set up an office so he could continue to sell “kit homes” in Australia. The news comes after Nick Nichols, business editor at the news website GoldCoast.com.au, posted a story today highlighting the recent launch of US-based business Nair…
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Truck driver charged over Phuket horror crash
PHUKET: The driver of the truck involved in the horrific road accident that claimed the life of an Indonesian woman and her unborn son in Patong yesterday has been charged, police told the Phuket Gazette today. Lt Col Chaowalit Neamwadee of Patong Police told the Gazette that truck driver Aroon Bunnaburi was held at Patong Police Station overnight and released…
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DTAC to refund Phuket customers for service glitch
PHUKET: Mobile phone service provider DTAC has announced that it would waive a 48-hour service fee for 1.8 million customers in Phuket and six other southern provinces, after the second service interruption in less than three weeks. Dtac Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Dr Darmp Sukontasap announced the waiver after a three-hour service interruption on the evening of January 5 that…
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Services to Phuket Sports
PHUKET: Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC) has been awarded the Phuket Gazette’s inaugural Services to Sport title. The purpose of such an award is to identify and recognize individuals, teams or organizations whose contributions to raise the profile of sport on Phuket has been outstanding throughout the year. A panel of Gazette Editors deliberated over a selection of exceptional…
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Pregnant woman killed by Phuket cement truck
PHUKET: A woman seven months pregnant was run over and killed by a speeding cement truck in Patong yesterday. Hours later a man died in a high-speed motorbike collision on the Old Airport Road on Phuket’s west coast. A report in Siangtai Daily named the woman in the Patong accident as 31-year-old Indonesian national Erna Dahlan. Police arrived at the…
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Pheu Thai to investigate Phuket encroachment case
PHUKET: The spokesman for the ruling Pheu Thai Party today announced he will travel to Phuket soon to investigate the alleged encroachment of 65-rai of protected mangrove forest. According to a report in the Manager Online, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit says the alleged encroachment is in Muang district, on land which the Phuket Gazette understands to be located…
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Phuket Football: Saved by Muang Thong Utd!
PHUKET: Despite losing at home 4-1 to Bangkok FC last night, FC Phuket and their supporters left Surakul Stadium in jubilation knowing that the the team’s future is now secure: Thai Premier League (TPL) powerhouse side Muang Thong United has promised to support the team in the 2012-2013 campaign. The good news, delivered before the start of play, was made…
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‘Wrong place, wrong time’: Phuket axe victim’s parents say
PHUKET: The parents of stabbing victim Vorasit “Pla-wan” Issara held a press conference yesterday to explain that their son was simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time” and lucky to survive multiple wounds inflicted by staff in a vicious attack at the Rachada Pub early Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, police will widen their investigation and question additional witnesses –…
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Storms strip Phuket wrecks of markers
PHUKET: Recent storms have again made two wrecks in Chalong Bay a hazard to mariners. Markers attached to the wrecked boats by the Phuket Cruising Yacht Club had until recently made both of the wrecks visible to sailors. However, recent weather has stripped away the markers, making both wrecks invisible during high tide. “Please exercise caution when maneuvering close to…
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Phuket Computer Clinics head for midweek
PHUKET: With Phuket Gazette Live Wire columnist Woody Leonhard hunkered down writing Windows 8 All-In-One For Dummies, the long-standing free Phuket Computer Clinics are taking a new turn. Until Woody emerges with a new 860-page book under his arm, around May or June, compatriot IT guru Seth Bareiss will hold free computer sessions on alternating Wednesday afternoons, from 1pm to…
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Alien landing in Phuket tonight, and other events
PHUKET: Today will be packed with fun events across the island, as the Phuket high season for tourism hits full stride. Over in Patong, people who think they have seen just about everything Bangla Road has to throw at them might want to stop by Seduction disco at about 10pm, when a half-alien, half robotic being is widely rumored to…
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Phuket PDL Darts: Week 10 wrap-up
PHUKET: It was a lethargic start to the new year by both Hemingways sides, the heavy Christmas sessions obviously taking their toll. There were plenty of tons and some 140s this week, but no 180s. Even with a strong line up, Shakers found themselves 6-0 down before getting on the scoreboard, when newcomer Nik (Shakers) held his own against curly-haired…
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Phuket “Pla wan’ stabbing: “I’m sorry,’ says pub owner
PHUKET: The owner of the Rachada pub in Phuket Town yesterday apologized in person to Vorasit “Pla-wan” Issara, General Manager of the Sri Panwa Resort, for the attack that led to him being stabbed in the stomach and hacked in the neck with a makeshift axe. “I am very sorry about what happened. I will call my staff together and…
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New Phuket Police chief to tackle drugs, traffic woes
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police Superintendent Chonasit Wattanavrangku today met Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha to formally introduce himself and to deliver a New Year’s gift basket. At the 11:30am meeting at Provincial Hall, Maj Gen Chonasit said his priority since he started work as the Phuket Provincial police chief on December 29 has been to ensure the safety of the public…
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Phuket expat, 74, faces deportation over loan sharking
PHUKET: A 74-year-old American man and a woman from the Philippines are facing being deported to their home countries after being arrested and charged in Phuket with working without a work permit and overcharging interest on private loans. Lt Col Somkid Khaosang, Duty Officer at Thalang Police Station, said that Anthony Thomas Granata, 74, and Ressel Alostor Alpay, 39, were…
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FC Phuket coaches step down
PHUKET: FC Phuket’s worries continue with the announcement from club director Soranan Sanae that Sompong “Rock Rhino” Wattana resigned as head coach yesterday. Director Soranan said “Coach Sompong still has responsibilities with the Port Authority of Thailand and hasn’t had much time to train the players. We have asked Coach Apichart “Mo” Mosika to caretake for tomorrow’s game in his…
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Phuket prepared for Indian weddings in 2012
PHUKET: The island is prepared to host a number of lavish wedding ceremonies for Indian couples tying the knot in 2012, with top Phuket officials offering their help to smooth the way for wedding parties. Among those planning to hold ceremonies were the parents of one couple who met with Phuket Governor and head of the local Tourism Authority of…
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Phuket tourists dive in to help Methee’s grieving parents
PHUKET: A man who has asked to remain anonymous has contacted the Phuket Gazette in response to the story covering the unfortunate death of Methee Khunsuinhu, who died as a result of a drowning accident at a lagoon near Nai Harn Beach on New Year’s Day. The man, a foreigner who lives and works in Phuket, expressed his deep condolences…
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Swede NATO officer dies in Phuket crash
PHUKET: A 48-year-old Swedish man who reportedly worked for NATO died in a motorbike accident on Phuket’s west coast early this morning. Pol Capt Somnerk Dumkewa of Kamala Police told the Phuket Gazette that his officers received a call reporting the accident at about 2:30am. At the scene, on the street leading to the Kamala Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor), officers…
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Phuket Governor predicts investment boom in 2012
PHUKET: The new year is shaping up to be a golden one for investment and tourism in Phuket, says Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha. In an exclusive interview with the Phuket Gazette, Gov Tri said the island’s continued attractiveness to foreign investors could see growth figures for 2012 surpass those of 2011. “Thai and foreign investors are continuously coming to invest…
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Phuket’s Seven Days of Danger claims six lives
PHUKET: The final toll for the “Seven Days of Danger” road safety campaign in Phuket is six dead and 80 injured in 75 reported accidents, all higher than last year’s figures. The final day of the campaign yesterday saw 10 people injured in nine reported accidents, none involving foreigners. During the 2010-2011 New Year campaign four people died and 74…
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FC Phuket fans say cheers for lifting the ban
PHUKET: FC Phuket fans will be allowed to cheer during the team’s final home match of the season on Saturday evening against Bangkok FC, the club’s secretary has confirmed today. The latest development comes after an unprecedented ruling by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) that the club’s final home match could be played at Surakul Stadium on the condition…
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Phuket Live Wire: Don’t lose that number
PHUKET: In the past few Live Wire columns I’ve tried to answer some of the questions I hear frequently about computers, phones, tablets and TVs in Phuket. Here’s the next common question – and, surprise, it has a good solution. “Woody, I want to get a 3G phone (or I want to get 3G service on my current phone), but…
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No sale! FC Phuket still on the market
PHUKET: Football fans in Phuket will definitely have at least one local professional team to root for this year, and possibly two, the FC Phuket’s club secretary told the Phuket Gazette this morning. The news follows online reports asserting that FC Phuket has been sold to Bangkok premier outfit Muang Thong United and will move to the capital under a…
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Phuket resort GM ‘safe’ after stabbing attack
PHUKET: The well-known general manager of a luxury resort in Phuket is out of danger following emergency surgery for stab wounds sustained in a brawl outside a Phuket Town nightclub early yesterday morning. The victim, 30-year-old Vorasit “Plawan” Issara, was stabbed twice in the abdomen outside the Rachada Pub in the Phun Pol area of Phuket Town at about 4am…
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Foreigner saves drowning toddler at Phuket beach
PHUKET: Just a day after 7-year-old drowning victim Methee Khunsuinhu succumbed to injuries and passed away at Vachira Phuket Hospital, quick action by a foreign tourist today spared a toddler of a similar fate at the same beach. Pawanrat Suetrong, age one year and seven months, was on a family outing to the swimming lagoon near Nai Harn Beach this…
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FC Phuket to play at Surakul on Saturday, but no cheering allowed
PHUKET: An appeal by FC Phuket to be allowed to play their last home match of the season at Surakul Stadium has been approved by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), but only under the bizarre proviso that home-side fans not be allowed to cheer their team in any way. “Fans will only be allowed to sit still. There can…
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Methee, 7, passes away at Vachira Phuket
PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette is sad to report that Methee Khunsuinhu, the seven-year-old boy pulled unconscious from a lagoon near Nai Harn Beach on New Year’s Day, has died. Inquiries have revealed that Methee died in the intensive care unit at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town at 7:15am yesterday. He was put on life support after his rescue on…
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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