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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Patong Beach ceremony marks World Oceans Day, urges marine protection
In honour of World Oceans Day (yesterday), a ceremony took place at Patong Beach, Phuket, with officials urging increased efforts to protect the marine environment. The event was presided over by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan and attended by Wissanu Jaengjai, Director of the Region 10 Office of Marine and Coastal Resources, Sanakorn Kisin, Deputy Mayor of Patong, and representatives…
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Phuket’s diarrhoea disaster: An unpleasant dose hits over 70 students and residents
More than 70 students and residents across Phuket fell victim to an unpleasant dose of diarrhoea yesterday. The Phuket Provincial Public Heath Office suspects the cause of this distressing episode could be attributed to the drinking of contaminated drinking water and ice procured from nearby factories. It is believed that a stomach bug, possibly the notorious norovirus, managed to infiltrate…
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Phuket vies for Specialised Expo 2028, boosting health and medical tourism
As the final presentation and vote for the Specialised Expo 2028 approaches, many Thai citizens are eagerly awaiting the decision, hoping that Phuket will be chosen as the host city. The Thai delegation is set to present their case to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on June 21, highlighting the southern resort island province’s potential as a host location.…
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New Na Klang-Ao Jik road links Phuket and Phang Nga, boosting tourism
The newly completed Na Klang-Ao Jik road, which connects Phuket and Phang Nga, is set to provide a boost to local tourism and cross-provincial transport. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has invested approximately 282.8 million baht (US$8.5 million) in the 4.2-kilometre road, which is part of a city expansion project in Phang Nga’s Thai Muang district. The concrete road…
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Kazakhstani gunman caught after shooting Russian in broad daylight in Phuket
Phuket International Airport authorities arrested the Kazakhstani gunman who shot a 44 year old Russian national in broad daylight. Artur Legey, the 49 year old suspect, was apprehended at the Phuket International Airport while preparing to flee. The victim was left critically injured in the incident that occurred outside a cafe in Thalang district, Phuket, yesterday. The Russian man, Dmitri Aleynikov,…
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Phuket bar raided for illegal operation, underage drinking and restricted hours
A crackdown on illegal entertainment venues in Phuket Town continued as a bar was raided by authorities in the early hours of yesterday. Muang Phuket District Chief Pairote Srilamoon led a team of officers from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) in the raid on the ‘At Five’ bar at 1.30am. They were joined by Danai Jaikaeng, Deputy District Chief from…
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Phuket shooting: Russian restauranteur targeted in daylight attack
The idyllic streets of Phuket were rocked today by a brutal act of violence as a man, believed to be a Russian restaurant owner, was shot inside his car outside a cafe. The incident unfolded in broad daylight, sending shockwaves through the peaceful neighbourhood. Police rushed to the scene on Boat Avenue in Cherng Talay, where they discovered a blue…
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Two killed in Patong motorcycle crash near De Coze Hotel
A tragic road accident near De Coze Hotel in Patong claimed the lives of a foreign man and an unidentified woman yesterday evening. Patong Police are currently investigating the case. The collision between a car and a motorcycle occurred on Phra Metta Rd, also known as Phang Muang Sai Kor Rd. Upon arriving at the scene, Lt Col Chayakorn Tangsakul…
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Missing Phuket fisherman found dead amid weather alert
The lifeless body of a 59 year old Pa Khlok resident was discovered floating in the sea by a local fisherman yesterday. Prachoen Thammawong had gone missing after failing to return home from his fishing routine the previous day. Upon receiving the news, Thalang Police Station officers and rescue workers arrived at the scene, where they found the body of…
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Moo-ving miracle: Driver escapes unharmed after car ‘meets’ wandering cows in Phuket
A driver managed to walk away unscathed after his car collided with a group of wandering cows on Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket in the early hours of this morning. The driver, identified only as Bancha, was travelling in his white Toyota Veloce car around 4.30am when ten cows suddenly appeared out of nowhere and ran onto the road. Unable to…
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Miraculous twist: Kazakhstan tourist presumed drowned in Phuket found alive, in coma
A tourist from Kazakhstan, initially reported to have drowned at Kata Beach in Phuket, is alive but in a coma. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan provided the updated information, clarifying that earlier reports of the tourist’s death were incorrect. The tourist, Artur Iskakov, was rushed to the hospital following a drowning incident in tambon Karon on Thursday, June…
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Phuket immigration issues yellow cards to Thai landlords and foreigner
Last month, Phuket Immigration Bureau reported that five Thai landlords received yellow cards while only one foreigner was given a warning. Twenty-three foreigners were arrested during the same month for various violations classified under Group 4, which pertain to offences against the state. Additionally, nine landlords or property managers were arrested for failing to register their foreign tenants, as required…
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Phuket Woman injured by falling tree amid severe weather warnings
A 44 year old Phuket woman was left unconscious after a tree fell on her motorcycle during heavy rain and strong winds in Phuket yesterday. Police were notified of the incident at around 10.30am. The incident took place on a small road leading to the sea gypsy village on Koh Siray, The Phuket News reported. The woman, identified as Duendem…
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Foreign man hospitalised due to Phuket boat propeller injury
A foreign man injured by a boat propeller was hospitalised in Phuket on Thursday. The incident was reported on Friday, but no details have been released regarding the circumstances that led to the injury, according to The Phuket News. Emergency medical workers were alerted to the incident at around 4.45pm, according to a report by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation…
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Russian tourist drowns in Phuket after ignoring beach red flags
A Russian tourist tragically drowned at Naithon Beach in Phuket, despite lifeguards’ warnings and red flags prohibiting swimming in the area. The incident occurred yesterday, marking the fourth drowning in Phuket within the past week and the second involving a Russian national, The Phuket News reported. The man entered the water around 4pm, ignoring the red flags signalling dangerous conditions.…
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Aussie couple busted in Phuket for stealing 2.5 million from Chinese victim
In Phuket, an Australian couple was busted after allegedly stealing 2.5 million baht in a scam on May 31. Gao Jianjia, a 35 year old Chinese national, reported the incident to the Phaholyothin Police on May 29. He had posted online that he was interested in purchasing digital money through Binance, and a suspect contacted him via the Telegram application…
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Thai Navy plants trees in Phuket to honour Queen’s birthday
In honour of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana’s upcoming birthday, officials from the Royal Thai Navy organised a tree-planting event in Phuket yesterday. The ceremony took place at Muang Thalang School, followed by the planting drive at nearby Bang Khanun Forest Park. Vice Admiral Apakorn Youkongkaew, Commander of the 3rd Naval Region, presided over the event. Representatives from the Naval…
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Fatal disregard: Kazakhstani tourist ignores red flag warnings, drowns at Phuket’s Kata Beach
A Kazakhstani tourist reportedly ignored red flags warning against swimming and as a consequence tragically drowned at Kata Beach in Phuket. Karon Police were alerted by a lifeguard at Kata Beach yesterday afternoon and discovered the body of the tourist, identified as 24 year old Artur Iskakov from Kazakhstan. Lifeguards informed the police that they had been notified of the…
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Phuket declared Thailand’s first rabies-free province by DDC
Phuket has been declared the first rabies-free province in Thailand by the Department of Disease Control (DDC). The announcement was made by Phuket Vice Governor Danai Sunantharod, who revealed that DDC Director General Tanet Kratsanaitawiwong praised the province’s successful efforts in preventing and controlling rabies in both animals and humans. This achievement comes after a steady decline in rabies-related deaths…
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Fugitive in Phuket tourist murder returns to Norway
There’s been a new development on an international fugitive wanted on an Interpol Red Notice for the murder in Phuket. The fugitive, Roger Bullman, is wanted for the murder of British tourist Amiptal Bajaj at a Phuket resort in 2019. Bullman has returned to his home country of Norway, The Phuket News reported this morning. Bullman had been on the…
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Visa crackdown in Phuket: Over 1,000 foreigners nabbed for overstaying
A crime-free initiative in Phuket has seen significant success, with over 1,000 foreigners caught for overstaying their visas. This achievement is credited to the collaboration between the Phuket Immigration Office and 800 accommodation providers on the island, who have adopted crime-free measures that enable them to report any suspicious activities involving their foreign guests. Phuket’s immigration chief, Thanet Sukchai, revealed…
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Australian man arrested in Phuket for damaging van mirror in road rage incident
Phuket police apprehended an Australian man for causing damage to a passenger van in a road rage incident, specifically targeting the vehicle’s rear-view mirrors. The man, identified only as Navale, was taken into custody following a complaint received by Wichit Police yesterday morning, The Phuket News reported. According to the police report, Navale and an individual named Haider from Dubai…
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Phuket MP warns teachers of jail time for hitting students
Phuket‘s Move Forward MP-elect for Constituency 1, Somchart Techathavorncharoen, has issued a warning to teachers that hitting students is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of up to 40,000 baht or up to two years in prison, or both. Somchart made the announcement on his official Facebook page, reminding the public that the Ministry of Education had abolished corporal…
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Phuket sees Covid-19 surge, lax prevention and booster shot issues
Thailand’s island province of Phuket has experienced a concerning surge in Covid-19 infections over the past month, according to the Provincial Public Health Office. Deputy Chief Dr Muanprae Boonlorm highlighted that Vachira Phuket Hospital has seen a rise in Covid-19 patients since the Songkran holiday in mid-April. The number of hospitalisations due to pneumonia and Covid-19 related fatalities have also…
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Brawl erupts between foreigners and Thai driver on road in Phuket (video)
A Thai minibus driver filed a complaint at Chalong Police Station yesterday after some foreigners broke two side view mirrors of his vehicle during a dispute on the road in Phuket. The Thai minibus driver, Monnaphan Makaraphan, told police that he was involved in a dispute with the foreign drivers and passengers of a red Toyota Yaris hatchback. He admitted…
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Alcohol ban in Thailand on June 3 for Visakha Bucha and royal visit
A nationwide alcohol ban will be enforced in Thailand this Saturday, June 3, in observance of the Buddhist holiday Visakha Bucha. The ban coincides with a royal visit to Phuket by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, celebrating Her Majesty’s birthday. Visakha Bucha commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Prince Siddhartha, which all occurred on the same date,…
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Car slams into streetlamp, driver faces reckless driving charge
A car accident occurred on a bypass road in Phuket, resulting in a streetlamp being knocked down. The incident took place today in the early hours of the morning, near a PTT petrol station on the southbound lanes of the road. The vehicle involved was a white MG sedan with red license plates from Samut Sakhon. The car sustained significant…
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Russian man tragically drowns off Patong Beach
A tragic incident occurred yesterday off the coast of Patong Beach when a Russian man drowned while swimming in the sea. The drowning was reported to the Patong Police Station at 7.55am, Bangkok Post reported. Rescue workers, lifeguards, and Patong Hospital personnel attempted to save the man. Despite their best efforts to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the man could not be saved.…
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24-hour alcohol ban in key Patong areas during councillor election
A 24-hour alcohol ban is set to take place in key areas of Patong, Phuket, as local residents prepare to vote in a councillor election on June 11. Patong Municipality Election Director Wipa Chanthong confirmed the ban, which will be in effect throughout Patong Municipality Constituency 3 from 6pm on June 10 to 6pm on June 11. Constituency 3 is…
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Phuket police arrest man with over 5,000 methamphetamine pills
Phuket police have apprehended a man in Ratsada who was found to be in possession of over 5,000 methamphetamine pills, also known as ya bah. The arrest occurred yesterday afternoon as part of an ongoing campaign targeting drug users and dealers, led by Phuket Provincial Police Chief Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong and other senior officers on the island. The suspect,…
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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