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 This Christmas, give the gift of health: essential options for expats in Thailand
The holiday season is here, bringing warmth, joy, and a chance to reflect on the year gone by. As an expat in Thailand, this Christmas is a great time to invest in something that truly matters: health. Whether for you...
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Andaman Riviera set to ‘pave’ the way with final report in February
The ambitious Andaman Riviera project, a 50 billion baht (US$1.5 billion) initiative to construct over 600 kilometres of new roads along Thailand’s Andaman coast, is set to see its final report completed in February. The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OPT) confirmed the development yesterday, October 21. Chaiwat Sangkhaphak, OTP Division Director for Transport and Traffic System…
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Lucky seven ‘float’ to safety after Phuket longtail capsizes
All seven passengers were plucked to safety after a longtail boat capsized near Koh Rang Yai, just off Phuket’s east coast, late yesterday afternoon. The alarm was raised at 5.20pm yesterday, October 21, a mere ten-minute boat ride from the shore, and police dashed to the scene. Rescue teams sprang into action, racing from AA Marina Pier in Rassada, while…
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64 year old Thai man in Phuket arrested for abducting young girl
Police yesterday arrested a 64 year old Thai man in Phuket for abducting a 12 year old girl, missing from her home in Phang Nga province for 16 days. The family of the 12 year old Poonyanut “Sompoy” Kayankhai turned to social media platforms to search for her after she disappeared from her home in Phang Nga on October 5. The…
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Family feud turns fatal: Phuket man killed with pick axe handle
A man in Phuket was fatally attacked with a pick axe handle by a relative, leaving him dead at the scene. The attacker claimed the assault was in self-defence and awaited police to turn himself in. At 2pm yesterday, October 20, Weerayut Tanyasirisunwornkul, an investigator from Phuket City Police Station, received a report of a man being assaulted and killed…
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Phuket beach scare: Grenade-like object turns out to be lighter
Tension gripped a Phuket beach when locals reported spotting a grenade-like object in the backseat of a taxi, only to discover it was a lighter resembling an explosive device. Patong Police Station received a call at 1.30pm yesterday, October 18, from a concerned citizen about a suspicious object inside a taxi near Kalim Beach on Phra Barami Road, Patong subdistrict,…
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Knife-wielding man shot during Kathu standoff
A violent confrontation in Kathu escalated dramatically last night, October 17, when police were forced to shoot a 28 year old Thai man after a taser failed to stop his knife-wielding rampage. Naruphan Sosaphan, reportedly in a delirious state, charged at officers with a blade after they responded to calls about his erratic behaviour. The chaotic scene unfolded around 10pm…
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Rubbed the wrong way: New hire turns thief at Phuket massage shop
An owner of a massage shop in the Patong area of Phuket offered a job to an unemployed woman, who later turned thief and stole money and valuables from the shop on her second day of work. The owner took to social media to issue a warning to other shops and expose the thieving behaviour of her former employee. She…
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Thai fugitive’s train escape ends with Kathu condo arrest
A daring train escape in Nakhon Si Thammarat ended in the capture of a fugitive in Phuket. On the run after fleeing police custody, the fugitive, identified as Ekkachai, was finally nabbed at a swanky condo on Tuesday, October 15, bringing a thrilling two-week manhunt to a close. Ekkachai, originally detained on five arrest warrants for property crimes in Hat…
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Phuket hit-and-run: Foreigner leaves injured Thai man with 3,100 baht
A Thai woman is seeking justice for her husband after a foreign woman hit him with her car on a road in the Thalang district of Phuket on Tuesday, October 15, and fled the scene, leaving him with injuries and 3,100 baht in cash. The victim’s wife shared details of the accident with the news Facebook page, Phuket Times, today,…
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British woman injured by boat propeller on Similan Islands
A British woman sustained injuries from a boat propeller while diving near Island 7 on the Similan Islands. The accident took place during a tour organised by Siam Adventure World, according to a report from the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command based at Cape Panwa. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, October 15, was brought to the attention of…
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Phuket landslide victims to receive 9,000 baht compensation soon
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat assured that compensation from the central government to victims and survivors of the landslide in Kata will be delivered soon. The amount, 9,000 baht per person, will be paid directly into claimants’ bank accounts, Governor Sophon told reporters. He was speaking at the site of the landslide following a merit-making ceremony to support those who suffered…
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Drone and steady: Phuket police ready for flood and storm aid
Phuket Provincial Police announced their readiness to assist residents during floods and storms, employing modern equipment such as drones to aid those in need. Phuket Provincial Police Commander Sinlert Sukhum emphasised the importance of these preparations in an official report released yesterday, October 16. Sinlert detailed that local police stations across Phuket have implemented various measures to ensure public safety…
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Knife-wielding gang on the run after Patong attack horror
Patong’s popular Bangla Road turned into a crime scene early this morning as police launched a manhunt for a gang behind a brutal knife attack. Chaos erupted today, October 16, in Soi Sea Dragon when a 33 year old man, Sarawut Booniai, was chased down and stabbed by a group of unidentified assailants. Two brave bystanders, who stepped in to…
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German man found dead in Patong hotel after fever and dizziness
A German man was found dead in his hotel room in Patong today after experiencing fever and dizziness. The incident prompted police to request a medical examination to determine the cause of death. Patong police were alerted to the situation at approximately 6am, today, October 16, and arrived at the hotel on Phra Mettha Road. Upon investigation, officers found no…
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Phuket taxi driver hits foreign man on airport zebra crossing
A Thai taxi driver hit a foreign man on a zebra crossing at Phuket International Airport yesterday leaving the man with serious injuries. The Phuket Times reported the accident yesterday, October 15. “An airport taxi with a green registration plate hit a foreign tourist on a zebra crossing at Phuket Airport. The foreigner lost consciousness and had a bloody wound…
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Lost Italian tourist rescued after night in Phuket jungle
An Italian tourist thanked local officials for their efforts after launching a search to find him when he got lost in the jungle near Nai Yang Beach, Phuket. Tomas Garcia Martin, a 34 year old Italian national, found himself disoriented during a fishing trip on October 13. Realising his predicament, he contacted the Pullman Naithon Hotel, where he was staying,…
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Phuket police crackdown on illegal Chinese tour guides ahead of High Season
Phuket Tourist Police initiated a crackdown on illegal Chinese tour guides in preparation for the upcoming tourism High Season. Yesterday, October 14, Phuket Tourist Police, in line with orders from Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am, Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, began efforts to combat illegal activities threatening the tourism industry. This directive was shared in a report posted by…
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Love triangle turns deadly in Phuket with fatal point-blank shooting
A fatal shooting over a love triangle occurred outside Katu Police Station in Phuket on Sunday, October 13, when two men and one woman arranged a meeting to resolve the matter. Officers at Katu Police Station followed a white pickup belonging to the gunman, later identified as 32 year old Thitipong, who fled the scene after the shooting. Police managed…
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German tourist nabbed for drugs and overstaying in Phuket
Patong police yesterday dramatically swooped on a 29 year old German tourist, arresting him on charges of drug use and overstaying his visa in Thailand. The bust went down at 2.30pm, yesterday, October 13, right in the comfort of his hotel room on Prachanukroh Road. According to insider info from the boys in blue, the unnamed German traveller was whisked…
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Phuket couple face charges after daughter suffers fractured skull
A couple in Phuket is facing serious charges after their two year old daughter was discovered unconscious with a fractured skull, the result of a horrific beating. Investigating officers revealed that both parents tested positive for drugs, adding to the grim nature of this tragic case. A concerned neighbour, alarmed by the ongoing abuse, called emergency services to the family’s…
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Phuket faces fire risk from unspent firecrackers after festival
Phuket City Municipality officials are addressing the fire hazard posed by unspent firecrackers at the landfill in Saphan Hin following this year’s Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Large quantities of firecracker waste were collected after daily street processions and shrine activities during the festival, according to Phuket City Deputy Mayor Suphot La-ongphet. When strips of firecrackers were ignited, not all detonated, leaving…
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Thousands of dead fish wash ashore in Patong, alarming locals
Beachgoers in Patong were met with a shocking scene yesterday, October 11, as thousands of dead fish washed ashore, prompting immediate concern among locals, tourists, and officials. Various species of fish were scattered along the beach, driven in by strong winds and waves. The sudden die-off has left officials scrambling to identify the cause of this marine disaster. Locals quickly…
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Phuket to hold ceremonies for mudslide victims next week
Phuket will collaborate with local agencies to host ritual ceremonies next week, aiming to build morale and honour those who perished in the recent mudslide tragedy. Sophon Thongsai, director of the Provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, stated that the event is set to commemorate the victims of the catastrophic mudslide that struck on August 23 at 5am in…
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Phuket marine police seize illegal jet skis, arrest two operators
Marine Police in Phuket seized four illegal jet skis and apprehended two operators who were preparing to offer services to tourists without the necessary licences. The arrests were made yesterday, October 10, during routine patrols at a pier in Koh Kaew, as part of an ongoing initiative to clamp down on unlawful activities in the area. The operation was spearheaded by…
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Overdrawn: Bungling burglar caught cracking into bank in Phuket
Police yesterday apprehended a man after he attempted to break into a bank branch and managed to forcibly open a passbook updating machine in Baan Lipon, Srisoonthorn, Phuket. An automatic security alarm alerted the police to the break-in at the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in Baan Lipon, Moo 7, Srisoonthorn, at 11pm. Thalang police responded promptly, arriving to…
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South Korean TikToker alleges sexual harassment by Phuket man
A South Korean TikToker is seeking justice, claiming that a Thai man sexually harassed her while she and her friend were working in Phuket. The Phuket Times shared the story of the South Korean TikToker, known as DD, today, October 11. The page stated in the caption… “Another scandal! Foreign TikToker sexually harassed in Phuket.” In the comment section, the…
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Phuket employer charged for illegal hire of Sri Lankan worker
Phuket Immigration officers charged the employer of a Sri Lankan man for illegal employment at a construction site in Wichit. The Sri Lankan national, identified by police as K. Piyaralala, was apprehended while working on a house extension project at Ao Kham Beach in Wichit on Wednesday, October 9. Piyaralala faces charges for being an alien working without permission, a…
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Tourist trap: Russian national caught peddling illegal tours in Phuket
Police in Phuket are investigating a Russian national accused of illegally selling tours to tourists at a kiosk in Karon. A 23-second video posted online sparked outrage, with netizens criticising foreigners for allegedly taking jobs from Thai citizens. “The tour sales profession has been taken away by foreigners. Please ask the page to tell the relevant agencies to help investigate.…
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Dam full: Phuket’s reservoirs overflow as Bang Niew hits 103%
Phuket’s reservoirs are bursting at the seams, with Bang Niew Dam in Srisoonthorn now at a staggering 103% capacity. The island is bracing for more rain and potential flash floods through to Saturday, as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns of continued downpours. Bang Niew Dam currently holds a whopping 7.39 million cubic metres of water, surpassing its official capacity…
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Big Buddha Phuket charged with encroachment after deadly landslide
Police have charged the Big Buddha Phuket Phraphutthamingmongkhol Sattha 45 Foundation and its president, Suporn Wanichakul, with forest encroachment and unauthorised construction following a deadly landslide at the site. Karon police announced the charges related to forest destruction and have referred the case to public prosecutors. The landslide, which occurred after heavy rain on August 23, struck Nak Koet Hill,…
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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