Phuket News
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Phuket crowds throng to revel in free Naresuan epic
PHUKET: Hundreds of people turned out at major cinemas throughout Phuket yesterday to enjoy a free screening of The Legend of King Naresuan 5. The latest cinematic installment recounting the insurmountable odds overcome by the famed king who laid the foundation for Thailand as a nation was shown free of charge at cinemas throughout the country under the “Return Happiness…
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Russian tourist dies after overshooting curve on wet Rawai road
PHUKET: A Russian tourist was thrown from his vehicle and died last night after overshooting a curve and crashing into a wall on Wiset Road. Chalong Police were called to the scene at about 11:30pm. “When we arrived, we found a badly damaged Toyota Fortuner lying on its side in the middle of the road. On the side of the…
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Heavy weather continues: Two Phuket drivers escape injury as wind levels trees
PHUKET: A motorist narrowly escaped injury last night when a falling tree toppled power poles onto the road, tearing off the driver’s rearview mirror, but leaving the rest of the car undamaged. Worawut Trisook, 32, was driving along the Baan Sakoo-Nai Yang Road at about 8:30pm when a rubber tree fell, striking power lines and pulling down five utility poles.…
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Mother denies rumors that pregnant daughter raped by twins committed suicide
PHUKET: The mother of the pregnant woman who was raped by twins earlier this year has stepped forward to dispute rumors that her daughter had committed suicide. The mother, who cannot be named to protect her daughter’s identity, pleaded for people to stop spreading the rumors, which she learned of through Facebook, the online chat application Line and word of…
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Phuket Police hunting boyfriend after woman slashed, beaten
PHUKET: Police are searching for the boyfriend of a woman who was repeatedly slashed and beaten in Thalang yesterday. Amporn Parawech, 23, suffered a deep cut in the neck and had multiple cuts and bruises on her back when she arrived at a shop near her house pleading for help, said Lt Col Sanit Nookong of Thalang Police. Rescue workers…
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Police raid gambling den near Phuket Airport
PHUKET: Police arrested 10 suspects for gambling after an impromptu raid on an abandoned house south of Phuket International Airport on Saturday afternoon. The raid, in Sakoo, took place at about 4pm after patrol officers noticed a large number of cars parked in front of the home, said Tah Chat Chai Police Deputy Superintendent Teerawat Liamsuwan. “Officers also saw several…
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Pick-up avoiding motorcyclist flips onto rocky Kalim shore
PHUKET: A pick-up truck avoiding a motorcyclist on the Kalim-Kamala Road last night flipped over onto the Kalim shore. The driver suffered only minor injuries. Preecha Hachaiboon, 37, was headed from Patong to Kalim at about 11pm on a road slick with rain and spray from large waves when a motorcyclist allegedly cut in front of him. Mr Hachaiboon swerved…
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Tourists told to avoid speedboat trips as weather warning issued
PHUKET: The Thai Meteorological Department has warned tourist against joining speedboat day trips, as a small boat warning is now in effect in Phuket due to big waves and high winds. “Wave heights are at 2-4 meters, and we will have wind speeds of up to 45k/h,” said Santhad Panbanpeaw, director of the Thai Meteorological Department’s Phuket Office. “All small…
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Lifeguards beg beachgoers to stay safe as waves become deadly
PHUKET: Phuket lifeguards are imploring beachgoers to respect the dangerous ocean conditions and stay out of the water as the annual southwest monsoon season comes into full swing. Phuket Lifeguard Club President Prathaiyut Chuayuan issued the plea this morning. “Please do not go into the sea, especially at Kata and Karon. I have also received reports of heavy, high waves…
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Messi strike lights up Maracana as Argentina sink Bosnia
PHUKET: Lionel Messi finally made his mark on the World Cup and lit up the Maracana with his first goal in the finals for eight years as Argentina were forced to battle for a 2-1 win over debutantes Bosnia in their opening Group F match on Sunday. Messi, four-times world player of the year and Argentina’s best footballer since Diego…
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Rumors fried: Phuket KFC certified halal
PHUKET: A furor among local Muslims over whether the fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) serves halal food, which Islamic law permits to be eaten, has been resolved – yes it does. Rumors were circulating on Facebook and Thai forums that KFC’s food was not halal because the chain does not display a “halal approved” sign on its shops, Komol…
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One still missing after wave on Phuket’s deadliest beach sweeps six into deep water
PHUKET: Two foreigners and four others were caught by a single wave and dragged away from shore at Phuket’s deadliest beach this afternoon. Lifeguards were able to immediately save five of them. One is still missing. “Apisit Songkert, 13, went missing at about 5:50pm,” said Uten Singson, chief lifeguard Kata-Karon Beach. Mr Apisit, a Karon local, was at the beach…
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Phuket police suspect B900k armed robbery was inside job
PHUKET: Phuket City Police officers are questioning employees of the gas station whose staff were robbed at gunpoint of more than 900,000 baht in cash yesterday morning. Police hope to determine whether or not the armed robbery was an inside job, Phuket City Police Superintendent Sermphan Sirikong told the Phuket Gazette today. “Police believe that the suspects might have relations…
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Red flags up on Phuket’s deadliest beach
PHUKET: Lifeguards on Phuket’s deadliest beach have put out red flags to warn of strong surf. The warnings have been set up on Kata Beach and Karon Beach. Eight people drowned at Karon Beach between October 2012 and September 2013, making it the deadliest beach in Phuket (story here). “There have been strong, high waves lately. I would like to…
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Body of newborn found in Phuket rubber plantation
PHUKET: Police are hunting for the mother of a newborn baby found dead in a Phuket rubber plantation this afternoon. Patong Police were notified of the body at about 12:30pm today by a resident who had gone to the Baan Kaen Lek plantation on Phetchakut Road to pick mushrooms. “The man told officers that he smelled something bad, followed the…
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Road divider to feature lights and landscaping
PHUKET: A road divider to improve safety and relieve traffic congestion on Chao Fa East Road is expected to be finished in two months. “We’re building it because of the number of accidents and traffic jams that occur on this stretch,” said Phuket Highways Office Director Samak Luedwonghad. People making u-turns on the road pose a particular danger, Mr Samak…
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Land slip near Patong Hill Road, expected rainfall bring warnings from officials
PHUKET: Phuket officials are scrambling to repair land near the Patong Hill road which slid as a result of heavy rains last week. “We have inspected the road already and have determined that the landslide will not affect residents in the area, as no one lives near the site,” said Phuket Highways Office Director Samak Luedwonghad. The area – to…
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Officials clear vendors from four Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Officials yesterday gave vendors at four popular tourist beaches in Cherng Talay just seven days to vacate their plots or face forced eviction and legal action. Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada and Cherng Talay Mayor Ma-ann Samran, supported by about 50 officers, informed the beach vendors of the deadline in the morning. “More than 100 businesses are operating along…
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Gun-toting Aussie re-arrested with drugs while on bail
PHUKET: Mark Robert Coutelas, 53, was arrested again for drug possession last night, while the Australian was out on bail waiting for his trial to be heard on previous drug and illegal handgun charges. Patong Police arrested Mr Coutelas on May 27 after finding him in possession of 530mg of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), a handgun and ammunition (story here).…
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All World Cup matches to air live on free TV
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Free World Cup telecast The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: In a bid to live up to its motto of “Bringing happiness back to Thai people”, the junta yesterday managed to pull off a deal for the live telecast of all World Cup 2014 matches on…
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Governor outlines new transport plans, with Kata-Karon as model
PHUKET: With illegal taxi booths cleared out from west coast beaches, Governor Maitri Inthusut plans to initiate a public transportation system and conduct a major taxi service overhaul, starting in Kata-Karon. “After we have cleared all illegal taxi booths from Karon and arrested all the people who behave like mafia, it’s time to set up a new plan for public…
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Thongchai seeks major breakthrough at US Open
PHUKET: Asian Tour legend Thongchai Jaidee steps into his fourth US Open appearance this week eager to finally stamp his mark on the Major stage. The decorated Thai star, the only man to win three Asian Tour Order of Merit crowns, arrives at Pinehurst No 2 with his confidence sky-high after securing a play-off victory at the Nordea Masters over…
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No mention of crisis as Blatter opens FIFA Congress
PHUKET: FIFA president Sepp Blatter made no reference to the various crises surrounding world soccer’s governing body when he opened the annual FIFA Congress on Tuesday with a short welcoming speech to delegates from 209 countries. The 78-year-old Swiss made no mention of the allegations and investigation into corruption surrounding the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups or…
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Airport Express Bus sets sights on Kata-Karon; seeks security from violent taxi attacks
PHUKET: The owner of Phuket’s Airport Express Bus is ready to extend his route into Kata-Karon as soon as the safety of his staff and customers can be guaranteed. “I’ve always wanted to run my buses into Kata-Karon,” Prakob Panyawai told the Phuket Gazette today. “Though I have just started talking to the Phuket Land Transport Office, police and officials…
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Phuket taxi operators no-show at own media event, fear assembly ban
PHUKET: Taxi operators were no-shows at the media conference they scheduled for themselves at Loma Park yesterday. The operators had called the meeting in order to publicize how the destruction of their booths by police had affected their livelihoods (story here). About 20 reporters showed up at Loma Park for the 6pm meeting, but no taxi drivers appeared. After about…
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Cause of Phuket wall collapse that killed three still unknown
PHUKET: Police still have not determined the cause of a wall collapse at a construction site yesterday that killed three Myanmar nationals. The accident occurred at the Crystal Wild Resort, a property under construction on the Ao Yon-Khao Khad Road, at about 4:30pm, said Lt Jarus Lempan of the Wichit Police. “The wall at the entrance to the hotel, which…
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What it takes to stay safe while snorkelling in Phuket waters
Special Report The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says that about 80 per cent of visitors to Phuket plunge into the Andaman Sea with snorkelling gear to explore Thailand’s treasures below the surface. At least eight of those tourists have died while snorkelling within the last 16 months. The Phuket Gazette‘s Chutharat Plerin and Saran Mitrarat dive into the issue.PHUKET:…
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No late openings in Patong for World Cup
PHUKET: The key representative for Patong’s nightlife industry today confirmed that bars in Patong have not requested extended trading hours so that tourists could enjoy World Cup matches live on television. “We haven’t considered asking for extended trading hours as we don’t think the extra hours are worth it,” said Weerawit Krueasombut, President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association. “We…
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![“Fake cops’ not fake, but no extortion say Patong Police [video] | Thaiger](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0naHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmcnIHZpZXdCb3g9JzAgMCAzODYgMjIwJz48L3N2Zz4=)
“Fake cops’ not fake, but no extortion say Patong Police [video]
PHUKET: Three plainclothes officers thought to be impersonators attempting to extort money from a local business yesterday have been verified as new members of the Phuket Provincial Police, said the Patong Police chief. The owner of La Boucherie in Patong submitted CCTV footage to the Phuket Gazette yesterday that showed three men who claimed to be Patong Police officers entering…
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Patong taxi drivers plan gathering to ‘express their views’
PHUKET: Patong taxi operators and beach vendors will stage a media conference this evening to express their opinion about the police-led destruction of taxi booths in the beach town last Friday (story here). “We just want everyone to hear our views and to understand what effect the destruction of our booths has had on us,” said one of the organizers,…
![“Fake cops’ not fake, but no extortion say Patong Police [video] | Thaiger](https://thethaiger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1_201461017230718_VnfgltGqGJFPYfOXgpwcYmTzlqlcugifJGMlPJvc_jpeg.jpeg)
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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