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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Phi Phi National Park to punish illegal beach vendors
The Phi Phi National Park Office is set to punish businesses that put their signs and kayaks on the beaches. Following complaints about signs and kayaks on the Loh Dalum Beach of Koh Phi Phi, the Chief of Had Nopparat Thara Mu Ko Phi Phi, Worapot Lomlim, said that the National Park officers will strictly enforce the law. “However, there…
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“Cars not parked in normal parking spaces”, Phuket Airport
Phuket International Airport have commented on last weekend’s incident where two cars were scratched with a key or sharp object at the same spot in Phuket airport’s 5th floor parking. One of the owners also had a note warning that it was a VIP parking and that the spot wasn’t a normal parking area, left on his screen. The CCTV…
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Kayak and tour ad signs on Koh Phi Phi being moved off the beaches
The Krabi Tourism Association President, Wattana Rerngsamut, has commented following complaints from tourists in Krabi about the large amount of tour companies’ advertising signs and kayaks on the beaches of Koh Phi Phi. “Some beaches in Krabi have become like a crowded market. People who are making their own businesses there do not see the importance of management for all,…
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Phuket’s 233 Year Anniversary launched
The official opening ceremony for Phuket’s 233 year anniversary celebration was launched last night (April 25), chaired by the Phuket Governor, Norapat Plodthong, the President of Phuket Red Cross and the Vice Governors along with local authorities. The opening ceremony brought together a number dignitaries and business people from the local community, tourist industry, foundations, local clubs and associations. The…
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Governor visits Pakbang Canal after wastewater released into Patong bay
Phuket’s Governor, Norapat Plodthong, visited Pakbang Canal and set a meeting with Patong Mayor, Chalermluck Kebsup, about the wastewater solution for the canal after rubbish and waste had been left without dredging for 2 years. The water released into Patong beach after this week’s rains, from the canal, is foul and stinks. The Governor said after the survey at the…
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Truck crashes into a van and car – 8 in Chalong hospital
A 6-wheel truck transporting fabric was cut in front by a car and caused it to lose control. It flipped and hit a van that was transporting tourists, which resulted in 4 critical injuries and 4 others being taken to hospital with less severe injuries. The accident occurred on the main road to Chalong Circle. Chalong Police, Chalong Mayor and…
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Phuket luxury villa sales surging
Phuket appears to be on an upward swing in the property market following a few years languishing with slower sales. According to a recent report from CBRE Thailand, around 155 resort villas were sold in Phuket during 2017. CBRE, which opened an office on the island back in 2004, says the results last year represent a growth of 21 percent…
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UPDATE: Fire at Hollywood Studio Store clothes shop in Phuket Town
Forensic police believe that the fire at the Hollywood Studio Store started from an electric short circuit in the ceiling of the shop. The fire at the clothes shop on the ground floor of Paradise Multiplex, Ocean Shopping Mall, that destroyed much of the shop’s contents on the night of April 23 resulting in at least 2 million Baht damages,…
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77 baby turtles hatched at Ko Similan
77 Baby green sea turtles hatched at Mo Ko Similan National Park yesterday and about half have been released to the sea already after 55 days of hatching. The hatching rate is 71.29%, which is 77 eggs out of 108 eggs. This was the same eggs found on Miang Island on March 1. By the time the national park officers…
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ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Phuket
At 5.45am, Australians and New Zealanders, Phuket community representatives, crew members from the HMAS Anzac, local schools, friends and family members gathered at the Phuket Yacht Club in Chalong to commemorate the 102nd ANZAC day. Anzac Day is held on April 25 every year and commemorated by Australians and New Zealanders to remember those “who served and died in all wars,…
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Patong man arrested with methamphetamine
Border patrol police and narcotics control police arrested a local man, 36 year old Suriya Kijkla, with 88.94 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 4 methamphetamine pills along with a Thai Pradit pistol. He was arrested near Patong after they arrested another man, Arun Soison, with some methamphetamine. Arun told the police that he bought the drug from Suriya, who lives…
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Beach vendors raided on Koh Racha
Umbrellas and other beach vendors’ products have been seized during a beach management enforcement at Patok Bay on Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket. There were 6 vendors who were charged for breaking the law by renting umbrellas and mats while also selling other items on the beach area. Umbrellas, mats, floating devices, snorkeling masks, surf boards, waterproof phone bags…
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Phuket Town clothes shop blaze – 2 million baht in damages
A clothes shop ‘Hollywood Studio Store’ located in the ground floor of the Paradise Multiplex, Ocean Shopping Mall in Phuket Town, was on fire last night (April 23) and destroyed about 2 million baht worth of valuables. The team of Phuket authorities including Phuket’s Mayor, Somjai Suwansuppana, rushed to the scene with fire trucks The fire was inside of the…
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Three Kathu men arrested with drugs
Three local men have been arrested following the drug crackdown period between April 19-21 with a long list of drugs. The first two men, 42 year old Weerapan Intarakratok and 23 year old Thanapas Rakwet, were arrested after the police received a report from an undercover officer that Thanapas sold methamphetamine to juveniles in the Kathu area. Police lured him…
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Krabi drug dealer killed after shooting police
A 38 year old drug dealer in Krabi, Suriya Tokong, was killed by police after he tried to shoot them with a shotgun during the arrest. The shooting occurred in a rubber plantation in Nong Talay Sub-District. Suriya was shot 3 times in his chest and one time on his left arm. He was carrying a 9mm pistol and nearby…
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Chiang Mai teenager arrested after robbing Burmese woman in Phuket
A Chiang Mai 18 year old has been arrested after robbing and attacking a Burmese woman in Phuket. Wichit Police arrested 18 year old Saranyoo, from Chiang Mai, with a gold necklace, a gold bracelet and 1,000 Baht in cash after he robbed and physically attacked a Myanmar woman. The victim, San Thidar New, who is a house keeper of…
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Body found 500 metres offshore from Saphan Hin, Phuket
A man’s body was found today floating in the sea behind the canals near Wat Sansuk near Saphan Hin. At this stage police are unsure who the person is or what was the cause of his death. There was no ID found on the man when he was discovered. Local villagers spotted the body earlier and alerted police. Foundation volunteers…
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National weather alert
The Thai Meteorological Department is warning people in all regions, including Bangkok, against summer thunderstorms during the period April 24-27. The TMD has issued warnings saying that in the period April 24-27, a high pressure system from China will extend to cover upper Thailand and meet with hot weather conditions over Thailand, causing summer thunderstorms. Outbreaks of thunderstorm, thunderbolts and…
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Krabi drug suspect killed in police shootout
FILE PHOTO A drug suspect has been shot dead late last night (Saturday) in a shootout with police in Krabi province. Police identified the suspect as 38 year old Suriya Thokong who had walked out of jail just two years ago after serving a jail term related to drug charges. An ongoing investigation suggested that Suriya may have returned to…
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Government donates money to the family of Chinese road accident victim
Phuket’s Governor, Norapat Plodthong together with the Vice Governor, Sanit Srivihok, have passed on a grant of 50,000 Baht to the father of the Chinese man, Li Jing, who died as a result of injuries from a road accident on the Kamala – Patong route on April 14. He was one of two people dying in Phuket from road related…
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Did ‘The Beach’ vandalise the beach at Maya Bay?
A judgment is expected to be handed down in July after the Civil Court’s environmental division has finished hearing evidence from the Thai plaintiff and the US defendant over the controversial filming of Hollywood movie The Beach. The film starred Leonardo DiCaprio and was partly filmed at Krabi’s Maya Bay in 1998. (Phuket’s On On Hotel was used as the…
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The Brunei woman who drowned in Krabi is not from Brunei’s Royal Family
The 60 year old woman from Brunei, PG HJH Jamilah PG HJ Othman, who drowned near Gai Island in Krabi (story HERE) was reported as being a member of Brunei’s Royal Family. Since that report the Royal Thai Police’s deputy spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen clarified that the woman was not member of the royal family of Brunei Darussalam as…
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4 Men arrested with more than 1,400 amphetamine pills in Kathu
As part of the Phuket police crackdown on drugs on the island, Kathu police have arrested 4 drug dealers with more than 1,400 methamphetamine pills. The first man arrested was 34 year old Isara Plaikaew with 4 amphetamine pills. He was arrested in Soi Petch Lohlien on April 17. The following men were arrested in the same house in Soi…
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Krabi wedding parade carries 2 million baht dowry
A parade of 6 trucks and trailers to celebrate the wedding of a local couple in Lamtab District, Krabi, drew a lot of attention from people in the area. The groom is 32 year old Tharapong Srisuk, who is a former sub-district chief and the bride is 27 year old Pitchaya Boonmuang. The trailers decorated with flowers carried the groom,…
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Big drug crackdown in Thalang
Thalang police have arrested a local drug dealer, 24 year old Saowarak ‘Tah’ Oamsin, with 4,548 amphetamine pills and 136.55 grams of crystal methamphetamine. She was arrested in a house in Paklok after police received a report from undercover officers in the area that she was selling drugs to local juveniles regularly. At the house, police found the drugs, a…
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Soi Dog mobile clinic at Nai Harn Lake
Rawai’s Mayor visited Soi Dog’s Phuket mobile clinic at Nai Harn Lake Park today (April 18) to observe the work and progress of sterilisation and vaccination programs for the area. The mobile unit has been operating since April 9 until April 27 and it’s still not too late to bring your dogs and cats to be sterilised and vaccinated at…
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Phuket airport runway to be closed for maintenance
Phuket International Airport Director, Petch Chancharoen, has announced that some runways and taxiways will be closed from April 27 – May 8 for 6 hours each day for cleaning and maintenance. The closing time of the runways and taxiways will start 30 minutes after midnight – 06.30am on each of the repair days. Also, the taxiway “P” will be closed…
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Pervert cameraman scares woman in Krabi
A 37 year old woman, Parinda Asapa, contacted Ao Nang Police after she discovered a man taking a video of her taking a shower. She said that she lives in a rented flat in Ao Nang and at about 10.15 pm last night (April 17), she was taking a shower and noticed a man standing behind the wall of the…
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Rassada phone robbers arrested – 31 phones recovered
The two phone shop robbers have been arrested today (April 18) after robbing more than 60 phones. The phone shop in Rassada named ‘No.1’ was robbed on April 10 by 38 year old Chok-Anan Chaisongkram and his brother-in-law, Leng Permthong. They got in through the ceiling of the shop and removed the server of a CCTV camera. However, one of…
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Songkran’s colour splash man arrested
A construction worker, 29 year old Payak Samniangmai, who works in the nearby area where the cars were splashed with acrylic paint on April 13, has been arrested today (April 18). There were a total of 9 cars splattered with the hard-to-remove colour paint. Original story HERE. Most of the victims mentioned that their cars got the colour paint throw…
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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