Phuket economy

  • Property NewsThe Phuket southern shift: More than just real estate

    The Phuket southern shift: More than just real estate

    Over the past two years, Phuket’s real estate market has experienced a remarkable surge, with rising prices and growing demand. As tropical islands evolve over time, certain areas mature and develop, and much of the recent focus has been on the northwest, particularly the Bangtao area. For property buyers, location is often influenced by proximity to key amenities such as…

  • Phuket NewsMaking waves: Phuket water projects dive deep into billion-baht territory

    Making waves: Phuket water projects dive deep into billion-baht territory

    The Phuket Provincial Water Resources Subcommittee delved into water projects exceeding 1 billion baht yesterday and made quite a splash. The meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall and chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Norasak Suksombun, saw a flood of attendees from various government agencies. The discussion navigated through the island’s rainfall patterns, water levels in its three main reservoirs, water…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket undeterred by Expo bid loss, invests in 5.1 billion baht project

    Phuket undeterred by Expo bid loss, invests in 5.1 billion baht project

    Phuket’s development as an International Medical Hub remains steadfast and promising following the unsuccessful bid for the World Specialised Expo 2027/28. Phuket, a top tourist destination, is undeterred and continues with its ambitious government-backed project to carve a niche as an ‘International Medical Hub’. Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri showed optimism for Phuket’s development amidst the loss, articulating gratitude on behalf…

  • Phuket NewsThings looking up in Phuket following return of international tourism

    Things looking up in Phuket following return of international tourism

    Provincial officials on the southern island of Phuket say the return of tourists has raised income levels and created more jobs. According to a Bangkok Post report, the return of international tourists has started to revive the island’s economy and reduced unemployment across Phuket. Data shared by Phuket governor, Narong Wunciew, reveals that since the launch of the Phuket sandbox…

  • Phuket NewsFormer Phuket prison to transform into spooky tourist attraction

    Former Phuket prison to transform into spooky tourist attraction

    An old Phuket prison no longer housing inmates is now set to become a spooky tourist attraction, providing visitors with a “Twilight Zone” experience. Phuket Prison was built in Phuket Town about 120 years ago, and Phuket officials now plan to turn it into a ‘live museum’ to teach both tourists and locals about its history. In addition to the…

  • Phuket NewsAnother Phuket event to draw tourists will have mini hot air balloons

    Another Phuket event to draw tourists will have mini hot air balloons

    Phuket officials plan yet ANOTHER event to draw in tourists and rake in cash for locals devastated by the government’s reaction to Covid-19. This upcoming event, called “Phi Muang Nong’s House” will be held Friday through Sunday, April 22-24, from 5pm onwards, at Sarasin Bridge… the 300 metre bridge which connects mainland Phuket and Phang Nga. What’s the event’s main…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket introduces new seafood and gastronomy “Tastival” festival

    Phuket introduces new seafood and gastronomy “Tastival” festival

    Following Phuket’s Roi Rim Lay seafood festival last weekend, the island’s officials have come up with another seafood and gastronomy festival for the first time yesterday. The festival is called “Phuket Tastival Seafood and Gastronomy: Roi-Yok-Lo”. It will run until Monday, April 4. Phuket Deputy Governor Anupap and several other officials attended the opening at Saphan Hin, the huge public…

  • Phuket NewsUpcoming seafood festival at Nai Yang Beach this Friday and Saturday, Phuket

    Upcoming seafood festival at Nai Yang Beach this Friday and Saturday, Phuket

    Phuket’s Roi Rim Lay seafood festival will be hosted at Nai Yang Beach this coming weekend on Friday and Saturday. The festival will start at 4pm on Friday, and end at 11pm on Saturday, March 25-26. The festival will host over 100 food stands, live ‘Luk Thung’ Thai folk music, and cooking competitions with chili paste and grilled seafood. The…

  • Phuket NewsClub Med Phuket reopens after over 2 years

    Club Med Phuket reopens after over 2 years

    After closing its doors for over two years since the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Club Med Phuket is now back in business. The resort reopened yesterday following efforts to clean up the area and bring back tourists. The island province’s Vice Governor Pichet, who attended the reopening, said the reopening should help Phuket’s disheveled tourism economy. “Club Med is known around…

  • Thailand TravelTAT says Phuket is ready for boat tourists

    TAT says Phuket is ready for boat tourists

    After four Indonesian tourists arrived in Phuket on a yacht on Tuesday, the Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket says the island is ready to welcome back boat tourists. The people who arrived on Tuesday were the first tourists to arrive in Phuket under Test & Go’s new extension for sea tourists, which started on March 1. Under the policy, sea…

  • Thailand TravelPhuket boat tour business begs government to stop fuel price spike

    Phuket boat tour business begs government to stop fuel price spike

    A speedboat tour company in Phuket is begging the government to not allow fuel prices to spike. The company, Nikorn Marine Tour Phuket, offers tourists group boat trips, as well as private trips. It also offers beach parties, but its main services require boats. The company’s CEO told The Phuket News yesterday that after Covid-19 had already hit marine tourism…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket’s tuna industry falling behind, Phuket VP calls to train fishermen

    Phuket’s tuna industry falling behind, Phuket VP calls to train fishermen

    In a meeting yesterday, Phuket’s Vice Governor Pichet said the provincial government wants fishermen to develop stronger skills with tuna and tuna fishing practices. He said strict fishing laws have already lowered the number of tuna caught in the province. Another issue is that Thailand doesn’t have proper tuna fishing boats. VP Pichet said amendments to current laws on which…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket tourism operators banking on 5 billion baht recovery fund

    Phuket tourism operators banking on 5 billion baht recovery fund

    Businesses on the resort island of Phuket are counting on a 5 billion baht fund to revitalise the decimated tourism sector. Thanet Tantipiriyakit from the Phuket Tourism Council says tourism operators on the island are pinning their hopes on the fund being created. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the fund will materialise. With the money, we can breathe a…

  • Tourism NewsGovernment pledges help for Phuket tourism industry

    Government pledges help for Phuket tourism industry

    As Phuket’s tourism industry continues to fight for survival amid ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the PM is ordering an advisory team to finish work on recovery proposals received from the private sector and submit them to the government’s Covid-19 task force for approval. Danucha Pichayanan, from the National Economic and Social Development Council, says this is expected to happen shortly, as…

  • Phuket NewsPM to visit Phuket on Monday as island’s economy lies in tatters

    PM to visit Phuket on Monday as island’s economy lies in tatters

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is to arrive in Phuket on Monday, where he will meet with local business leaders and discuss proposals for reviving the southern island’s devastated tourism sector. It’s understood a representative of Phuket’s Old Town area is to put forward an idea for promoting the historic centre as a tourist destination. Since borders were closed in late March,…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket to host Cabinet meeting to review proposals for reviving local economy

    Phuket to host Cabinet meeting to review proposals for reviving local economy

    Government officials are to hold a Cabinet meeting in Phuket on November 2 and 3, when they will meet with local authorities and business owners to hear their suggestions on re-igniting the province’s decimated economy. Phuket has been hit particularly hard by the country’s borders being shut since late March, with the absence of international tourists dealing a hammer blow…