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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Pakistani stabbed in Patong
PATONG: A Pakistani gang member has been arrested for the October 5 stabbing in Patong of a Pakistani businessman who refused to pay a protection fee to a local racket, said Pol Maj Bundit Kaosutham. Marmoon Igbal Butt was returning to his car after attending a party when he was confronted by Ram Nagar Raygarn, 38, said Maj Bundit.Ram told…
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Pedestrian run down, killed
RAWAI: A 10-wheeled truck mowed down and killed a pedestrian walking on a sidewalk on Saiyuan Rd last at about 3 pm Thursday afternoon, said Pol Lt Col Sanguan Muangtham of the Chalong Police.“When police arrived on the scene they found the body of the man underneath the truck. The victim was male aged 40 to 45 years old. He…
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Not-so-lucky yacht sinks
KOH PHI PHI: A sailing yacht sank in Ton Sai bay, off Koh Phi Phi Don around 2 pm on October 7. The unfortunate vessel, named Lucky, departed from Phuket on October 6 and anchored in Ton Sai bay in Krabi.According to Pol Lt Col Somchart Supawut, inspector of Krabi Marine Police, on the same day, the yacht raised its…
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Vegetarian festivities underway
PHUKET CITY: Thousands of people gathered at Chinese shrines around Phuket today to participate in pole-raising ceremonies before for the Vegetarian Festival, which starts in earnest tomorrow. Permanent Secretary for Interior Pongpayom Wasaputi joined the crowds dressed in white at Jui Tui shrine to place squares of gold leaf on the bamboo poles before they were raised at the auspicious…
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Regional Police HQ coming to Phuket
MAI KHAO: The Royal Thai Police Region 8 command headquarters, currently in Surat Thani, will be moving to Mai Khao, where a 150-rai parcel of Treasury Department land has been put aside for the project.Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit chaired a meeting on the move at Phuket Provincial Hall on October 9. He told the meeting that the upcoming moved reflected…
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Three youths no longer suspects
PHUKET CITY: Three youths previously arrested for the fatal stabbing of Norwegian Simen Sparre Knudsen in Rawai on September 23 are no longer under suspicion for the murder, the police officer in charge of the investigation has revealed.Phuket City Police Inspector Pol Lt Col Somkid Boonrat, assigned to investigate the case by Phuket Provincial Police, today said that questioning of…
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Five presidents keep office in OrBorTor elections
PHUKET: A turnout of 72.93% of 54,878 eligible voters cast their ballots at the Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) presidential and council elections held across across eight tambons October 7.Counting the votes took election officials until midnight last night. Islanders were voting for eight OrBorTor preisdents and 120 councilors.Of the winners of the OrBorTor presidential elections – all men – five…
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Proposed site for ICEC finally selected
PHUKET: Investment group ING Funds (Thailand) has chosen a 350-rai plot of Treasury Department land in Mai Khao as the preferred site for the Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC).The announcement came during a meeting of the project’s siting committee chaired by Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit at Phuket Provincial Hall on Thursday.In announcing its conclusion, ING Funds (Thailand) Managing…
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Drug bust nets over 5,000 ya bah pills
PHUKET CITY: A police drug bust on Wednesday resulted in two arrests and the seizure of 5,394 ya bah pills (methamphetamine), 41 kilograms of marijuana and over one million baht in cash and gold jewelry. Police are still looking for one more suspect in the case.The operation was led by Pol Lt Col Teeranat Kademee, Inspector of the Phuket Provincial…
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OrBorTor elections force alcohol ban
PHUKET: Starting tomorrow at 6 pm, sale of alcohol will be banned in all eight tambons holding elections on Sunday for tambon administration organization (OrBorTor) representatives.The ban will last until midnight on Sunday.The eight affected tambons are Chalong, Koh Kaew, Cherng Talay, Mai Khao, Srisoonthorn, Thepkrasattri, Sakoo and Kamala.A representative at the Phuket Election Commission (PEC) confirmed to the Gazette…
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Korean-guide saga rolls on
PHUKET: The fiery spat between the Phuket Guide Association (PGA) and Korean tour operators has reignited after the Korean tour operators’ representatives were barred from overseeing the Korean-language proficiency test being taken by Thai guides.Kim Tae Woen, chairman of the Korean Association, voiced his concerns about the testing arrangements, saying that only two people, handpicked by PGA President Panompol Thummachartaiyom,…
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One dead, one injured in karaoke brawl
KATHU: Police have arrested youths, including a 16-year-old boy, for stabbing one man to death and seriously injuring another during a brawl at a karaoke bar just after midnight on Tuesday morning. Tung Tong Police Station Investigator Sub Lt Pattapee Srichay told the Gazette that his station received a report of a fight at the Dowrueng Restaurant and Karaoke on…
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Phuket needs foreign blood
PHUKET: Vachira Phuket Hospital’s blood bank is in need of new donors and Phuket’s foreign residents with Rhesus-negative blood are being called on to sign up as donors before the coming high season. The blood bank is joining up with Phuket Red Cross to collect the contact details of people living in Phuket with Rh-negative blood who can then be…
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TOT moves ahead with Phuket line expansion
PHUKET: TOT is expanding its coverage in Phuket with the addition of 11 telephone exchanges, switchboards that connect calls, this month, together providing 5,400 new phone lines for the island.Copper cabling across Phuket will also be upgraded to support high-speed ADSL Internet access and improve the quality of services offered.Many Phuket residents have been complaining about problems with telephone lines…
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“Visa extensions’ for dependents allowed – for now
PHUKET: Following news reports last month that the Immigration Bureau will no longer issue “permit to stay” extensions for spouses and families of holders of retirement visas, Phuket Provincial Immigration Office (PPIO) Superintendent Pol Col Ittipon Atchariyapradit has told the Gazette he will will continue issuing such extensions until he receives an order to stop doing so.“We are still issuing…
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Knudsen murder suspects arrested
CHALONG: Two teenagers arrested by police have reportedly confessed to the stabbing murder of 53-year-old Norwegian Simen Sparre Knudsen on September 23, along with several other armed robberies of foreign tourists driving motorbikes alone late at night.A source from Chalong Police, who requested that his name not be printed, identified the two suspects as 18-year-old Narongsak “Sak” Tongviset and his…
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Vegetarian Festival 2007 parade routes announced
PHUKET CITY: Traffic Police have co-ordinated with representatives from the nine major Chinese shrines in Phuket City that will stage parades during the upcoming Vegetarian Festival, to be held from October 11 to 19, in order to announce the parade routes for each shrine.Lt Col Theerawat Liamsuwan explained that the nine major shrines staging parades are:– Kuan Te Kun Shrine…
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Patong announces trash-sorting initiative
PATONG: Residents of Patong should get ready to start sorting their trash, as Patong Municipality plans to improve its waste management system by distributing plastic garbage bags in 10 colors, each designated for a particular category of waste.The scheme, developed jointly with the Thai Industrialist Development Forum (TIDF), was announced at a press conference hosted by Patong Mayor Pian Keesin…
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Governor calls for parental punishments
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit has called for stricter punishments to be enforced on the parents of unruly teenagers who consistently break the law, after a spate of robberies by a gang of youths.At a Security Committee Meeting at Katina Hotel on Thursday, Phuket Provincial Police Superintendent of General Staff Pol Col Peerayut Karajedee reported to Governor Niran on the…
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Insurers start paying out air-crash claims
PHUKET: In addition to payouts due from the Thai Social Security Office and One-Two-Go airline, relatives of 31 deceased victims of flight OG269 collectively stand to receive more than 45 million baht in compensation from 15 Thai insurers. Some of the firms have already begun paying out claims.Phuket Provincial Insurance Office Chief Suwimon Saelim on Thursday said her office had…
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Ranong border remains open
RANONG: Although protests across Myanmar have been met with violent crackdowns by the Burmese military, it’s business as usual for immigration services at Ranong, Pol Lt Col Parinya Pinpak, deputy superintendent of Ranong Immigration Office, has told the Gazette. “The only effect is that fewer Burmese will come to Thailand. However, commercial traffic will continue as usual. People can still…
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Monk-stabber to walk free
PHUKET CITY: A man arrested Thursday for stabbing a monk at a Phuket temple on Wednesday will walk free without being charged, as police believe him to be mentally unstable.Pol Capt Atthapol Wannasaengthong of the Phuket City Police told the Gazette that about 4 am Wednesday, Uthen “Pra Pinnateepo” Ronnarit, 52, was in his living quarters when he heard a…
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Air crash claims another life
PHUKET (Gazette, Nation): A 22-year-old Welsh woman being treated at Bangkok General Hospital in Bangkok after surviving the crash landing of One-Two-Go flight OG269 was confirmed dead today as a result of severe burns.Bethan Jones, 22, received severe burns to 50% of her body in the fire that followed the crash and was flown from Phuket to Bangkok on September…
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Chalong Police pressured over Knudsen murder
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police expect the investigation into the stabbing murder of Norwegian Simen Sparre Knudsen to end in arrests soon.Knudsen, a resident of Phuket for 20 years, was stabbed and left for dead on a dark, hilly roadside in Rawai on September 23.He later died in hospital, despite a valiant effort by a German man to save his life.…
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Last air-crash victims identified, repatriated
PHUKET CITY: The bodies of all 89 victims of One-Two-Go flight OG269 have been identified and the last three corpses, all Iranian, being kept at Phuket International Airport (PIA) were flown out yesterday afternoon.Phuket Vice-Governor Worapoj Ratthasima announced the news at a special meeting chaired by Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit at the Phuket Public Health Office yesterday afternoon.He also reported…
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One-Two-Go crash probe points to wind shear, pilot decision
BANGKOK (Nation): The probe into the crash of One-Two-Go flight OG029 points to wind shear and the pilot’s decision to land despite weather warnings as likely causes, the air crash investigation committee has announced.“The initial finding, which encompasses the weather conditions at the time of the accident, communications between the tower and the crashed plane’s pilot as well as other…
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Reinard sets Phuket cycling record
PHUKET: Luxembourg national and local environmental activist Marco Reinard completed his 24-hour solo bike ride around Phuket at 6 pm on Saturday, arriving at Yoonique Stone bar, Nai Harn, the same place he had set off from the day before at 4.30 pm.Marco’s pedal-powered ride to promote environmental awareness covered a record 522 kilometers, clocking an average speed of 22kmh.…
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Police hunt for Knudsen’s killer
RAWAI: Police say they have suspects in mind but are collecting more evidence to submit to Phuket Provincial Court when they apply for arrest warrants in the case of Norwegian Simen Sparre Knudsen, who was stabbed to death on September 23.Mr Knudsen, 47, was stabbed and left for dead on the road from the Kata Viewpoint to Rawai at about…
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Norwegian dies after knife attack
RAWAI: Police are investigating the murder of a Norwegian man who was stabbed on the road from the Kata Viewpoint to Rawai just after midnight early Sunday morning and later died in hospital.Chalong Police Superintendent Col Chalit Kaewyarat identified the victim as Simen Sparra Knudsen, a Norwegian who had lived in Phuket for more than 20 years.Col Chalit said two…
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Reinard rides again
PHUKET: Luxembourg national and local environmental activist Marco Reinard is due to complete his 24-hour solo mountain bike marathon ride around Phuket at 4 pm today, arriving at Yoonique Stone bar, Nai Harn, the same place he set off from yesterday.Marco’s ride for environmental awareness is part of his continuing campaign to create awareness of pollution and environmental issues facing…
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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