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.
-
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...
-
Fire in an unused classroom in Krabi
Fire fighters and fire trucks arrived at a class room on the third floor at a school in Krabi yesterday (May 15). Teachers and students were trying to put out the fire with fire extinguishers and buckets of water. Krabi Police were notified of the fire at the Krabi Provincial Administartive Organisation (OrBorJor) School in Krabi City at 1pm .…
-
Woman talked down from pedestrian bridge in Thalang
Thalang Police were notified of an incident on Thepkrassattri Road in front of the Thalang District Health Office at 11:50 last night (May 14). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find an emotional woman standing on the iron guard of the 5.5 metre bridge during heavy rain. The woman was later identified as a 38 year old…
-
Rescue workers help mother give birth in Krabi
Rescue workers were notified that a woman was about to give birth at a house in Klongthom, Krabi last night (May 14). She was was later identified as 39 year old Chamaiporn Intasar was found in end-stage labour pain and poised to give birth. Rescue workers from the Krabi Pitak Pracha Rescue Foundation assisted Ms Chamaiporn to give birth to…
-
Bon voyage – Phuket prepares to move monkeys to islands
Phuket’s Governor Noraphat Plodthong says “Long-tailed macaque and Southern pig-tailed macaque are disturbing local residents and tourists. We are planning to move monkeys to islands that have been provided as a long-term solution. A public hearing will be held this month to discuss all the options.” “Officials have surveyed and found that there are seven main areas that have monkey…
-
1.5 tonne whale shark caught up in a fishing net in Krabi
A whale shark was found caught up in a fishing net at Ao Nang between Koh Phi Phi and Koh Khaew (Green Island) by ‘Kietwarin 3’ fishing boat over the weekend. The whale shark was 5 metres and weighed around 1.5 tons. The owner of the fishing boat, 48 year old Udon Boonsuk, who is also a boat captain says…
-
Bangkok Airways to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket
Bangkok Airways is looking to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket this November. This according to Bangkok Airways’ regional airline vice president, Varong Israsena. Myanmar National Airlines started operating a direct flight between Yangon and Phuket last month and are looking to increase frequency of the flights from Myanmar’s largest city to Phuket. “I see great potential in Myanmar.…
-
Krabi drug dealer tries to bury over 10,000 methamphetamine pills
On Saturday (May 12) Krabi Police arrested a woman, 43 year old Surat ‘Rat’ Sansatan. Police seized 10,700 methamphetamine pills (ya bah). She was charged with possession of Category 1 drug with intent to sell. The arrest follows police receiving a tip-off that a big drug deal was going down at a house in Klongtom, Krabi. Police headed to the house…
-
Vanranyu cruises to victory at Singha Laguna Phuket Open
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij savoured his first professional victory in front of his family after closing with an even-par 70 to win by six shots in the final round of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open yesterday (Sunday). The 21 year old Thai displayed great form all week as he traded two birdies against as many bogeys on Sunday to secure his…
-
Man killed, murderer arrested in Rassada
The Phuket City Police have been notified of an incident in front of a house in Soi Malipan, Rassada on Saturday (May 12). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of a man who was identified as 30 year old Peerasit Saelim surrounded by a pool of blood on the ground. A kitchen knife was…
-
Female drug dealer arrested in Phuket Town
Border Patrol Police this week arrested 24 year old Saranya ‘Palm’ Arjmongkon at a condominium in Phuket Town. Police seized 29.51 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) and 355 methamphetamine pills (ya bah). She was charged with possession with Category 1 drug with intent to sell. The arrest follows police receiving a tip-off that Saranya was selling drugs on the street. On…
-
Phuket’s Governor inspects lifeguards at the northern beaches
The Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong has had his first inspection of lifeguards at Mai Khao Beach. There are now five lifeguards at Mai Khao Beach, the long stretch of beach along the northern end of Phuket’s west coast. Three more lifeguards will be hired. Governor Norraphat says “Currently there are no beach lights, CCTV camera or tourist service centres at Mai…
-
Barbed wire fence erected around the offices of the Emerald Development Group
A barbed wire fence has been erected around the main offices for the Emerald Development Group and two signs erected in the front of the property. “This is a personal land plot which does not belong to the Emerald Development Group Co.,Ltd. Outsiders are not permitted or else legal action will be taken. Tel: 085 886 7456” The erection of…
-
Taxi catches fire outside Cassia Laguna Hotel – No injuries
Officials at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) stationed in Cherng Talay were notified of an incident in front of Cassia Hotel in Laguna, Cherng Talay at 9:05pm last night (May 11). Fire fighters with two water trucks arrived at the scene along with the Cherng Talay Police. At the scene they found a burnt white Toyota taxi…
-
Varanyu holds commanding lead at Singha Laguna Phuket Open
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphaibulkij maintained his position at the top with his second round of nine-under-par 61 at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open on Friday. The 21-year-old Thai carded a flawless round with seven birdies and one eagle to lead the field by seven strokes on a 17-under-par 123 total at the 2 million baht (approx. USD64,000) event co-sanctioned by the…
-
Andaman Hub Medical Network launched in Phang Nga
An opening ceremony was held today (May 11) at the Andaman Hub Medical Network in Takua Pa, Phang Nga. The launch was hosted by Public Health Minister Doctor Piyasakol. Beach safety and marine accident rescue drills were being held. Doctor Piyasakol says, “We have developed public health services for 23 coastal marine provinces. Health Premium Service and Maritime Emergency Care Systems…
-
Chinese delegation visit Patong lifeguards and had some suggestions too
A meeting was held yesterday (May 10) at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phuket Office (DDPM-Phuket) with the Consul-General for Thailand Zhou Guangxi, Counsellor Li Chunlin, Chinese Consulate-General in Phuket Ma Cui Hong and Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung in attendance. Vice Governor Prakob says, “We are paying a lot of attention to tourist’s safety these days. The Phuket Provincial…
-
Motorbike driver died after running into garbage truck in Thalang
Thalang Police were notified about an accident in front of the Thalang Police Station on Thepkrasattri Rd southbound at 7:20pm last night (May 10). Police, together with rescue workers, arrived at the scene to find an orange garbage truck was parked beside the road. The truck driver 51 year old Somboon Tonglueng was waiting for police at the scene. A…
-
Phuket Property Awards for Export 2018
PHOTO: The Regent Bang Tao “We have received some good ideas from the Phuket Governor to make a good image for condominium investors in Phuket and to improve confidence and credibility for both Thai and Foreign customers. Many condominium project complaints have been filed at the Damrongdhama Centre.“ This from the President of the Phuket Real Estate Association (P-REA), Boon…
-
Police search for truck battery thief in Krabi
A condominium general manager in Ao Nang Kanchit Chotkosit says, “We’ve discovered that on Tuesday (May 8) a thief stole two batteries from water trucks which were parked inside the condominium compound. Those two batteries cost more than ten thousand baht. “CCTV footage shows that the thief was wearing a full face helmet. He was driving a white Yamaha motorbike.…
-
Bangkok Airways Phuket Half-Marathon announced
A press conference was held at Limelight Avenue hosted by the Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen, Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung and Deputy Director of the Phuket Office of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Montri Manator. The media gathering was called to announce the Phuket Half-Marathon to be held on August 5. The marathon is part of Bangkok Airways…
-
The Blue Horizon World Corporate Golf Challenge, Thailand
The WCGC Thailand roared back into action in 2018 with a new Title Sponsor ‘Blue Horizon’ at the helm of the event, and a new scoring system. With a title sponsor on board it enabled the entry fees to be lowered significantly from last year helping the event double participation on last year event with over 150 teams taking part…
-
Volunteer training to get ready for school-term traffic snarls
“There are many schools and educational institutions in Phuket. This will definitely affect the island’s traffic, especially in Phuket Town, when they’re arriving and departing.” Yesterday (May 9) at the Phuket City Police Station, the Phuket City Police Chief Col Sompong Tiparpakun and the Phuket City Traffic Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Pongpop Prasoppichai lunched the training for volunteers to…
-
Investors continue buying up Phuket development projects, land prices increasing
President of Phuket Real Estate Association (P-REA), Boon Yongsakul says, “Real estate investment in Phuket is continuing to grow. We are sure that this year’s investment is growing more than last year.” “Phuket has a very beautiful natural environment and Phuket local people are very nice. More foreign tourists continue to visit Phuket. Investors, both Thai and foreigners, are continuing…
-
Officials raze illegal plantations in Krabi
Yesterday (May 9) the Chief of the Hat Nopparat – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Worapoj Lomlim raided a plantation in Krabi to demolish rubber, durian and stink bean trees which are aged around seven to ten years. Nearly 100 officials attended the raid to assist in the razing of the illegal crops. The Chief claims that more than 2,000 trees were encroaching on…
-
Paklok community release new marine life to counter over-fishing in the region
The Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong attended activities yesterday (May 8) at the Baan Para Pier in Paklok at 4pm. Joining him were the Chief of the Phuket office of the Department of Fisheries, Kowit Kaoean and others. Mr Kowit says, “Our marine resources are being degenerated and decreased as illegal fisheries equipment continue to be used and there are many fisheries…
-
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa appoints new GM Matthias Y. Sutter
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is delighted to announce the appointment of Matthias Y. Sutter as the General Manager who brings with him a wealth of knowledge and 18 years of luxury hospitality expertise. In this role, he will be primarily responsible for managing the hotel operations and maintaining the exceptional services of the 265-room keys luxury Phuket resort…
-
Nigerian man arrested with cocaine in Thalang
A team of the Thalang Police today (May 9) have arrested a 32 year old Nigerian man, Emeh Tobechukwu Kyran. He was arrested at a checkpoint on Thapkrasattri Road southbound in front of Thalang Police Station at 2.30am this morning. He was found cocaine with totaling 44.7grams. The arrest came after Kyran, who was driving a car, was stopped by…
-
Chalong Hospital ‘phase one’ expected to be ready this November
The first section of the Chalong Hospital is expected to be fully operational in time for this year’s high-season. Chalong Mayor Samran Jindaphol says, “There are many tourists visiting Chalong along with the expats living there. It is very important to have a fully operational hospital in this area. Nearly one hour is needed for the transportation from the Chalong…
-
Swedish man dies after allegedly jumping from 8th floor of a Phuket hotel
A Swedish man has died after allegedly jumping from the balcony of a Patong hotel. Patong Police were notified of the incident at 3:35pm yesterday (May 8). Together with rescue workers and Patong medical staff, they arrived at the hotel on Rat Uthit 200 Pi Road in Patong. At a parking area near the building they found the body of a…
-
Changes to visa applications at the Thai Consulate-General in Penang
The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Penang has announced changes to its acceptance and delivery of visas. Penang, Malaysia, has been a popular destination for expats and tourists to head to, particularly from Phuket. There is an entire visa-run industry heading out of the island each day heading for Penang with hotels, restaurants and taxis all ready for the daily hordes…
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.
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.