Phuket News
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Phuket taxi drivers accused of threatening Grab driver
A fresh police complaint has been filed against a group of taxi drivers in Soi Cherng Talay 14, close to the Maya Beach Club, in Phuket. The drivers stand accused of intimidating a legally operating Grab taxi driver who was stationed to pick up passengers from the club. The complaint was lodged by 42 year old Jakkree Thummee, a resident…
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Phuket passenger van drivers’ brawl sparks public outrage
A violent altercation between two passenger van drivers erupted at the Ratsada Pier exit in Phuket. The incident, which was captured on video, circulated rapidly on social media yesterday, February 18, sparking widespread outrage. The video footage revealed a heated exchange between the drivers that eventually escalated into a physical brawl. One driver was seen being kicked while he lay…
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Phuket boat operators nabbed for unlicensed fishing
At the heart of Phuket’s pristine waters, two boat operators found themselves ensnared by the law on a fateful day earlier this week. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Marine Police, in a display of concerted action, apprehended the duo for carrying out commercial fishing activities in a restricted zone and for steering an unlicensed fishing vessel. The incident…
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Phuket aims to become a low-carbon green city
The popular tourist destination of Phuket is on course to become a low-carbon green city, thanks to a recent collaboration between Energy Absolute Public Company Limited (EA) and the Federation of Thai Industries Phuket (FTI Phuket). Both organisations have agreed to make this transformation a reality, and Governor Sophon Suwannarat witnessed their commitment at an event held on February 17.…
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Phuket tour boat operators arrested for safety breaches
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Marine Police Region 8 yesterday arrested two tour boat operators in Phuket for a series of breaches. The authorities detailed their infractions in an online post, including operating boats with expired registrations, failing to provide adequate life rafts and overloading their vessels with passengers. The routine check-up led to the arrests on Klong Tha Jeen,…
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Phuket Airport taxis inspected as Thailand legalises three more apps
Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) officials yesterday initiated inspections of taxi services at Phuket International Airport. These checks occurred ahead of the PLTO’s announcement that three new app-based taxi services, including Maxim, are now considered legal in Thailand. These inspections took place at Phuket Airport from 4pm to 6pm. In their online statement, the PLTO said the checks were a…
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High stakes: Phuket police weed out illegal marijuana trade
Phuket Provincial Police is intensifying its efforts to halt the illegal marijuana trade on the tropical paradise island. The move arrives in response to public grievances about foreigners unlawfully importing cannabis flowers and hosting impromptu gatherings. Heading the charge is Phuket Provincial Police Commander, Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum, who recently convened with the Phuket Cannabis Association to strategise methods…
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British man killed in triple vehicle collision in Rawai, Phuket
Tragedy struck in Rawai, Phuket, when a fatal collision involving three vehicles claimed the life of a British man in the early morning hours yesterday, February 15. The incident occurred outside the Patak Road branch of a local 7-Eleven store, according to local police sources. The scene was first attended by Police Lieutenant Colonel Retired Somrak from Chalong Police Station…
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Soaring travel costs to Phuket spark tourist backlash
The soaring cost of air travel to Phuket has sparked a backlash from local tourists, with low-cost carriers reportedly charging up to 14,000 baht (US$388) for a round trip from Bangkok. Despite making bookings weeks in advance, some travellers reported paying 5,000 baht (US$138) for a one-way ticket. The president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA),…
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Paws unite: Happy Doggo & Soi Dog tackle Asia’s strays
Happy Doggo and Soi Dog Foundation have joined forces to tackle Asia’s stray animal crisis head-on with a colossal campaign. Aimed at putting an end to the suffering of homeless animals across the continent, this ambitious initiative promises to revolutionize the fight against the stray population. Animals 24-7, jaded by seeing grandiose claims in appeals and media releases a zillion…
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Phuket celebrates Valentine’s Day with mass weddings and LGBTQ+ inclusivity
Phuket celebrated Valentine’s Day with a sprinkle of love and a dash of tradition as several couples took their vows and registered their marriages in various district offices across the city. In a nod to the significance of the day, officials showered the newlyweds with blessings and small tokens of appreciation, adding to the joyous atmosphere. In the well-known beach…
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Phuket gears up for annual Heroines Festival celebrating local legends
Phuket’s renowned Heroines Festival is gearing up for its annual celebration, set to take place between March 9 and March 23. At the heart of the event lies a tribute to the island’s celebrated heroines, Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Sri Soonthorn, locally known as Chan and Mook. These two figures are revered for their valiant efforts in leading the…
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Chinese woman arrested in Phuket for illegally housing lion cub
Phuket police apprehended a Chinese woman on the accusation of illegally housing a lion cub in her hotel room. She came under scrutiny following allegations of her showcasing the juvenile lion daily at her coffee shop. Authorities from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division (NRECD), along with local police and wildlife officials, inspected the coffee shop located in the…
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Phuket police launch safety initiative to curb rising youth crime
Phuket City Police Station yesterday buzzed with activity as officers from the Phuket Provincial Police convened for the inauguration of a new safety and anti-crime initiative set to run until February 22. The gathering was an imposing show of unity, with representatives from various sectors of law enforcement, military personnel, administrative officials, volunteers, and media personnel all present. Spearheaded by…
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Clean getaway: Woman nabbed for laundry shop theft in Phuket
The tranquillity of Phuket’s Phra Metta Road was shattered after a local laundry shop fell victim to an audacious theft. A 30 year old woman was apprehended by the Patong Police for pilfering a bag of laundered clothes from the TOKI WASH laundry shop. The arrest took place in a rented room on Soi Manee Thong, off Ratchapathanusorn Road, where…
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Phuket’s waste warriors launch innovative ‘waste bank’ to tackle trash troubles
Phuket City Municipality forged ahead with innovative steps to navigate the growing waste management crisis, introducing the Samakkhi Samkong Community Waste Bank scheme. The Mayor of Phuket Town, Saroj Angkhanapilas, underscored the necessity of proficient solid waste management during the announcement of this community-centric initiative. He hailed the inauguration of the community waste bank as a remarkable stride in the…
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Swift action by Wichit firefighters prevents neighbourhood disaster
A blazing inferno swept through a small residence in Wichit, Phuket at the weekend leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Thanks to the swift action of local firefighters, the flames were kept from spreading to nearby buildings, saving the neighbourhood from a potentially catastrophic domino effect. Upon receiving word of the fire, located in Soi Thep Anusorn 6…
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The White Lotus season 3 to welcome Blackpink’s Lisa
Blackpink’s Lisa is poised to make waves in the world of Hollywood as she gears up for her acting debut in the acclaimed American series, The White Lotus. The K-pop sensation will follow in the footsteps of her bandmate Jennie Ruby Jane, stepping onto the HBO stage and igniting excitement amongst fans worldwide. According to Variety’s latest report, Lisa will…
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Phuket café’s lion cub sparks police and wildlife officers manhunt
A lion cub, used as a tourist attraction at a café in Phuket, set off a manhunt by Thai police and wildlife officers. The cub was made available to the public for photographs at The Glass House Café and Space, located north of Phuket Town. This unusual situation ignited a wave of online controversy, primarily from individuals deeply concerned about…
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Phuket governor calls for probe into Freedom Beach vendors
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat recently instructed the local branch of the Royal Forest Department to prepare a comprehensive report to detail why vendors have been permitted to ply their trade at Freedom Beach, and also to account for any revenues collected from these vendors. This directive emerged from a meeting convened at the Phuket Provincial Hall, after an inspection of…
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Tuk tuk tango: Phuket driver fined for tourist’s dance debacle
A tuk tuk driver in Phuket’s bustling Patong district found himself on the wrong side of the law recently when he was slapped with a fine. The tuk tuk driver’s offence? Allowing a tourist to dance atop his vehicle while it was caught in the snarl of traffic on Patong Beach Road. The incident, captured in a video which quickly…
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Soi Ta-iad’s traffic woes: Tiger Muay Thai urges govt intervention
Traffic congestion woes have hit the bustling Soi Ta-iad in Chalong, with Watchara Jaruriyanon, the Managing Director of Tiger Muay Thai training facility, urging authorities to intervene. The street, albeit petite, is a hub of activity, largely due to the parked cars lining both sides of the road. Watchara voiced his concerns during a meeting aimed at backing the government’s…
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Phuket Valentine’s Day blood drive to replenish medical reserves
A Valentine’s Day blood donation drive has been announced in Phuket, a collaboration between Vachira Phuket Hospital and Limelight Phuket. The event, scheduled for February 14, is an open invitation to locals and tourists alike, to replenish medical blood reserves. The blood donation drive will be held at Limelight Phuket, a frequent host to Vachira Phuket Hospital’s special blood donation…
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Phuket residents urged to conserve water amid dry season
A water conservation plea has been issued to Phuket residents by Udomphon Kan, the Director of the Phuket Provincial Office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), in an attempt to prevent shortages amid the ongoing dry season. Udomphon Kan, while confident about the current water reserves, voiced his concerns about the diminishing water levels in the island’s…
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Phuket fraud suspects arrested over mule bank account scams
A recent operation led by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) resulted in the apprehension of two fraud suspects in Phuket. They were allegedly involved in creating mule bank accounts for scam gang operators. One of the individuals detained, referred to as Chaiphong, was arrested at a Patong residence. It was not disclosed when the…
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Phuket fraudster’s hotel booking scam leaves 40 victims high and dry
A man from Phuket has been apprehended in Mae Hong Son for allegedly duping over 40 unsuspecting victims in an elaborate hotel booking scam. With damages estimated to be a staggering 800,000 baht, this cyber criminal’s web of lies has left a trail of frustrated tourists in its wake. The Phuket Express reports that the Cyber Crime Police recently made…
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British man arrested for counterfeit euro scam in Phuket
Police in Phuket apprehended a British man for his involvement in a counterfeit euro exchange scam across various locations in the province. The alleged suspect, 33 year old British national Tobias Drew was reportedly found in possession of a large sum of counterfeit currency and has been charged under Thai law. A 50 year old Thai woman, Janjira Laowlang was…
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Sea-change agenda: Phuket sets sail for luxury ship entry
Senate Tourism Committee Chairman General Thanasak Patimaprakon and his delegation visited Phuket yesterday to discuss transforming the popular holiday resort island into a point of entry for small luxury ships. The visit was in response to plans to develop Phuket Deep Sea Port at Ao Makham to serve as a home port for small cruise ships. This move aims to…
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German airline Condor to operate direct flights to Bangkok and Phuket
German airline carrier Condor unveiled plans to revitalise travel to Asia by introducing non-stop flights from Frankfurt to Bangkok and Phuket starting in September. Condor is gearing up to spread its wings with a thrilling new route expansion. The airline is set to add seven weekly flights to Thailand. Frankfurt to Bangkok flights will operate four times a week while the…
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Fare play: Chinese man fakes theft complaint after Phuket taxi fracas
A Chinese man filed a fake theft complaint against a Thai motorbike taxi rider with the police in the Patong area of Phuket because he was angry over the fare he was charged by the rider. The fake Chinese victim, 38 year old Xing Jingwei, asked a local in the area to report an opportunity snatching to Patong Police Station…
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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