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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Sponsored 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Phuket joined the Life Saving World Championship 2018 in Australia
Athletes who were heading to the Life Saving World Championship, in Australia over the past week, met with the Phuket Governor Pakkapong Tawipat before heading to the event. The President of the Phuket Association, Anupohn Arunrat, led athletes, who have been competing in the Life Saving World Championship 2018 at Glenelg, Adelaide from November 19 to 26, to meet with…
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Dead dugong found in Trang sent to Phuket
PHOTOS: DMCR A dugong has been found dead in the sea off Trang province. The body was sent to Phuket for further examination. Jatupohn Burutpat, director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal says, “the dead dugong was found in the sea near Koh Libong in Trang.” “It was a female dugong, 2 metres long and weighing 250 kilograms. No…
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Kata Rocks celebrates its fourth anniversary in grand style
Kata Rocks’ fourth anniversary was yet another celebration of the finer things in life, with guests enjoying a lavish Champagne Brunch Pool Party. Kata Rocks GM Somjai Tungkoo, said the fully-booked champagne brunch pool party on Saturday, November 24 was the resort’s best anniversary celebration to date. “It is truly gratifying how much people look forward to our anniversary parties…
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Phuket Police push a broken down bus out of peak hour traffic
PHOTOS: Traffic Report Cherng Talay Police got together to help push a broken down bus to the side of the road to avoid a traffic jam in Cherng Talay this morning. The Cherng Talay Police Chief Col Serm Kwannimit says, “The incident happened at 8.30am while we were standing in front of the Cherng Talay Police Station for the national…
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DENGUE: Mosquito 1 – Garry 0
‘Waking The Thaiger’ host Garry Holden was back on air this morning on The Thaiger 102.75 FM after two weeks of Dengue hell. He has some useful warnings.
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Drunken Aussie tourist admits he wasn’t robbed at gun point in Phuket
An Australian tourist, who had claimed he was robbed at gunpoint after being dropped off by a taxi, finally admitted that he was drunk and lost his belongings. On Saturday an Australian male tourist, 19 year old Terrance John White from New South Wales, notified the receptionist at a hotel in Nai Yang where he was staying that he had…
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Burmese baby killed in Phuket Town road accident
A four month old Burmese baby girl died after a motorbike collided with a tour bus yesterday. Phuket City Police were notified of the accident on the main Phuket Road in Phuket Town at 5pm. Police and rescue workers arrived to find the tour bus parked on the side of the road. Nearby they found a motorbike. Behind the bus…
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Marine Department halts construction of Karon retaining wall
PHOTOS: DMCR Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources have paused the Karon Beach retaining wall construction project this week. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources report that officials found that the project was originally aimed at improving the outlook near the Nong Harn Swamp at Karon Beach and to prevent soil running into the sea. The construction…
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Airbnb launches ‘Airbnb Plus’ in Bangkok and Phuket
Airbnb, the community-driven travel platform, welcomes its next stage of growth in Thailand with the launch of Airbnb Plus in Bangkok. Come December, Airbnb Plus will also be available for bookings in Phuket, Asia’s number one resort destination. Airbnb Plus is a selection of homes of the highest quality offered by hosts with great reviews and attention to detail. As…
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Phuket’s largest Loy Krathong festivities – PHOTOS
Phuket’s largest Loy Krathong parade was held in Phuket Town last night while police ramped up security for the island’s busiest celebrations in Saphan Hin. The Parade was hosted by the Phuket City Municipality and started at 6pm heading along the Phuket Town Road to Saphan Hin. Teachers, students and officers dressed in Thai traditional costumes took part in the…
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Drive Thru Immigration service officially launched
The Phuket Immigration Office yesterday officially launched a Drive Thru Service to help solve crowding problems in the main offices and the lack of parking spaces. The acting chief of Immigration, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn and the Phuket Immigration Office Chief Col Kathathorn Kamthieng led the officially launch ceremony for ‘Immigration Drive Thru Service’ yesterday. Col Kathathorn says, “The number of foreigners…
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‘Phoenix’ investigation to wrap up within seven days
Officials say it will take up to seven days to understand the full cause of the Phoenix sinking while evidence continues to be collected. Yesterday the Royal Thai Police Deputy Commander Gen Rungroj Saengkram, acting chief of Immigration, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn and the Deputy Chinese Consul-General in Songkhla and Director of the China Consulate-General in Phuket Li Chun Foo…
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Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort and Laguna Phuket win at 2018 Asia Sports Industry Awards
More than 400 attended the Oscars for Asia’s sports industry. Sports industry professionals from around the world walked the 2018 SPIA Asia – Asia’s Sports Industry Awards & Conference red carpet yesterday (November 20) and at a lavish Awards Gala attended by more than 400 VIPs, federations, rights holders, agencies and brands, Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in 20 award…
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Region 8 Police pre-Loy Krathong crime blitz
The Region 8 Police have seized more than 3 million methamphetamine pills and more than 100 firearms during a week of drugs and crimes crackdowns before Loy Kratong, from seven provinces. Detail were revealed at a press conference at the Region 8 Police headquarter in Mai Khao. From November 13-18, before the Loy Kratong festivities tomorrow, police arrested a total…
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12 drug suspects arrested with crystal meth and pills
12 drug suspects have been arrested with a total of 1,964.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ice) and 137 methamphetamine pills in Phuket. Officer first arrested two suspects and later arrested the other 10. On November 18 officers arrested three drugs suspects, 27 year old Suwat Tongtoe, 27 year old Wittaya Seesakrom and 29 year old Keerati Yodpanya. Officers seized 57.25…
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The Phoenix is now high and dry at Rassada shipyards
The Phoenix was hoisted up on land this morning. It is now sitting on the hardstand at Rattanachai Shipyard in Rasssada as importance evidence for forthcoming court cases. Nong Sakunsim, the manager of Rattanachai Shipyard says, “The boat has been brought up this morning when it was high tide. Officers will now start their investigation of the boat.” No entry…
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Man kills wife and holds two children hostage in Krabi
A man allegedly strangled his wife to death then held his two children hostage in Krabi yesterday. Khao Panom Police were notified about the incident at a house in Khao Panom yesterday morning. Police, soldiers and rescue workers arrived to discover an angry and upset man, 34 year old Prateep Cueaput. He was locked in his house with his 4…
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Chinese-speaking local guides take to the streets
More than 100 Chinese-speaking Thai tour guides have today protested and filed an official complaint to tour companies to stop supporting illegal tour guides. The complaints have become a regular fixture in the PR game between tour guides and the provincial officials. This morning about 100 Chinese-speaking Phuket tour guides protested by walking along the road in Wichit and handing…
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World-renowned Buddhist scholar officially opens Mindfulness Centre at UWC Thailand International School
On Sunday, November 18, world-famous Buddhist Scholar Dr. B. Alan Wallace took time out of his two-day seminar to officially open UWC Thailand’s on-campus Mindfulness Centre. His visit attracted more than 300 participants, and underpins UWCT’s perspective that mindfulness is integral to a 21st-century education. The UWCT Mindfulness Centre is used daily for secular mindfulness practice by classes ranging from…
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Man arrested over murder of woman in Mai Khao
The Tha Chatchai Police have arrested a man who has admitted to killing his ex-girlfriend in Mai Khao. A man stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death in Mai Khao on November 7 before escaping. Police believe the violent act was brought about over jealousy. The two had been together for only three months. Read more about the original reports of the…
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Phoenix design failures – Forensic probe begins
Now that Phoenix has been hoisted, successfully, from 45 metres below the surface of the Andaman Sea, the next phase begins as forensic experts, engineers and naval architect pour over the wreckage to find clues and prepare reports for the forthcoming court cases. The Tourism and Sports Minister, who has been in Phuket all weekend overseeing the operations, along with…
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Phoenix under high security at Rassada Pier
The Phoenix is now under 24 hour security guard at the Rassada Pier while waiting for a suitable tide to bring it up into the shipyard. The boat eventually broke the surface just after 3pm on Saturday. Read more about the Phoenix’s journey back to Phuket yesterday, HERE. Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr.Weerasak Kowsurat, Royal Thai Police Deputy Commander Gen Rungroj Saengkram,…
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Phoenix returns to Phuket. But will the Chinese travellers return?
SCREENCAPTURES: Kritsada Mueanawong The vessel, that is at the centre of Thailand’s dramatic drop in Chinese tourists, will arrive back at a boatyard in Rassada today. Back on July 5 it headed out for a day of diving near Koh Hei, south west of Phuket. The day was mostly fine although there had been warnings from early in the morning…
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Return to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
By Mark Louie Maycong Phuket is one of the Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations and continuously booming. There are so many attractions and activities that you can enjoy. One of them is visiting the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Visiting this place is heaven on earth specially for animal lovers. You get to know the elephants and their back stories and learn…
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The Phoenix rises to the surface
PHOTOS: Facebook/สุรเชษฐ์ หักพาล The yacht sank late afternoon on July 5 in a short, sudden storm. Most boats would have quite capable of withstanding the wind squal and waves on the day. But Phoenix capsized and sank, taking with her 47 Chinese tourists. The full reasons are stilll being investigated. Today, the actual yacht rose from the depths of the…
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Korean man ran over by truck in Phuket accident
A Korean man has died after colliding with a six wheeler truck in Kathu yesterday The Kathu Police were notified of the incident on Wichit Songkram Road, Kathu around 4.30pm. The motorbike driver was identified by Kathu Police as 39 year old South Korean male Keewoong Lee. He was taken to Siriroj Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. A…
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Laguna Phuket Triathlon. Kicks off today, main event tomorrow.
PHOTO: Laguna Phuket Triathlon In 2018, Laguna Phuket Triathlon celebrates the events’s 25th anniversary – Asia’s longest running triathlon. The event will be held this weekend. The event features the best international pro triathletes including world champions vying for the US$ 20,000 prize money purse. Amateur age group also have a chance to measure themselves with the world’s best or strive…
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Chinese tourists still number one visitors to Phuket
The Deputy Director of the Phuket Tourism Authority of Thailand, Montri Manator, says, “Numbers of Chinese tourists visiting Phuket in tour groups have been continuing to decrease after the Phoenix sinking on July 5 this year.” “On the other hand, Chinese tourists who are visiting Phuket by themselves, called FIT groups (Free and Independent Travellers), has not decreased. They are…
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Marine activity banned around the charred remnants of yacht off Patong
The Phuket Marine office has banned marine vessels from going near the area where the ‘Soraya’ was destroyed on Wednesday evening. The announcement states… “The ‘Soraya’ caught fire on Wednesday night 400 metres off Patong Beach. Some parts of the yacht are still on the water surface and some parts under water. “For the best chances of navigation and to…
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Boats still banned around the Phoenix salvage zone
The Phuket Marine office is warning boats to be careful when navigating around the area where the Phoenix salvage operations are still underway of Koh Hei, south-west of Phuket. “The Phoenix salvage operations are underway south off Koh Hei at 7º42’14.6″ North, 98º23’06.9″ East. Boats must be careful when travelling from November 16 – 20 near the area.” The announcement…
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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