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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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, September 19
Two men arrested in Buri Ram over molestation of 9 year old girl | Some of Phuket’s troublesome monkeys on the move | Thai PM visiting central Thailand for talks with locals | Mega drug crackdown has netted astonishing amounts of drugs in 2017 | Big win for the Big Mango in the Business Traveller Awards 2017.
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Phuket’s monkeys being moved to their own island
A meeting yesterday (September 18) between Phuket’s Governor and wildlife officials discussed the management of Phuket’s monkeys. Following many reports from locals and tourists about problems caused by Phuket’s monkeys, the meeting agreed on a possible sustainable solution. “There are 7 spots where monkeys live in Phuket including Rang Hill, To Sae Hill, Soi Thanun, Soi Ginggaew 9 in Koh…
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Trang drug network infiltrated – dealers arrested
Police announced today (September 18) that they’ve arrested Sakorn “Mam” Soithong, a drug dealer from a Trang network, with 36,400 amphetamine pills worth 910,000 Baht. Police initially arrested a first drug dealer, 36 year old Aekkachai Suanya, in Kathu with about 70 grams of meth amphetamine on September 12. Aekkachai implicated Somying “Ja-Ying” Poo-Ngern, who is the wife of a…
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Shooting ‘no accident’ – Kathu Police
Police believe a fatal shooting in Kathu was not an accident A woman was shot dead early today (September 18) in Kathu, allegedly by her friend. Piamsiri Tharadonpipat, the girlfriend of 30 year old Kanchalee Sriwirot, the gunshot victim, says that they were in the room with a friend, Boonsoong “Doi” Rakchat who brought out a revolver and ‘accidentally’ shot…
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Aussie woman dies after swimming at red-flagged Kamala Beach
Yesterday afternoon (September 17), Kamala Beach lifeguards rescued 65 year old Barbara Fistrovic from the sea after she went swimming in the red flagged zone part of the beach. She was swept by a big wave and disappeared before her husband, 75 year old Ivan Fistrovic, rushed to call for help. The lifeguards provided CPR and first aid and send…
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UPDATE – Phang Nga gang rape case
Two more men have been arrested yesterday (September 16) after Phang Nga Provincial Court issued 3 additional arrest warrants after 8 of them were issued earlier over the Phang Nga rape case. The village has also been found to play an important part in transporting various drugs to Phuket, according to police. Phang Nga police, led by Pol Maj Gen…
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The Thai Canal – cutting through the project’s hype
(Photo from mothership.sg) September 11, 2017 was the latest gathering of minds related to the challenges in establishing the much-discussed Kra Canal (now referred to as the Thai Canal) in Bangkok. The canal, if it happens, would slice a new shipping canal through the the slimmest section of the Malay Peninsula, anywhere from Chumpon to south of Phuket. The Thai…
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UPDATE – Landslides, potholes and budgets. Aftermath from Phuket’s floods.
Today (September 16) a team from Phuket Provincial Highway Office has closed and is fixing Bangpae Bridge, which is on Tharua road, on the way towards Baan Para in Thalang, after the bridge collapsed due to the flood. The bridge is expected to be finished by 8pm. Another team led by Vice Governor, Siriporn Chuasawad, also visited and helped the…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, September 15
Flooding around Phuket whilst Typhoon ‘Doksuri’ slams into Vietnam | Patong Tunnel underway next year – maybe | Bomb attacks in Yala kill two | And Thais welcome the ‘departure’ of the TM6 Immigration Form.
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UPDATE – Phuket town and Karon Beach also flooded
In Phuket town, areas along the Bypass Road (in front of Vinich House), in front of the Super Cheap store on the lane towards Koh Kaew, in front of the Muslim Wittaya School in Koh Kaew on the lane towards Phuket Town, Yaowarat Road in Soi Paniang and Dibuk Road, Old Phuket Town – at the beginning of Soi Rommanee…
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Wet feet at Patong Police Station again – Photo essay
Patong traffic police are warning people to avoid traveling on Patong’s roads following the floods and small landslide across the road to Kalim after a sustained downpour. The Patong Police station has been inundated by 60 cm of water. The roads affected include Phra Metta Road in front of Patong Hospital up to Banzan Market, Rat Uthit 200 Pee Road…
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4 year old Chinese boy drowned in Patong Beach
Family and friends assist The Rawai Municipality Rescue Team at Nai Harn in another near-miss yesterday One drowning and two other ‘near misses’ in the past 24 hours. A 4 year old Chinese boy, Wu Muyang, was taken to hospital from Patong beach last night (September 14) after he was washed into the rough seas by a big wave near…
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‘Boonrod’ – the only survivor of the Racha Island turtle hatching
After the first turtle hatched on Racha Island last week, STORY HERE, officers have now found the other 86 eggs, which unfortunately didn’t make it. After the first hatch on September 8, officers from Marine Endangered Species Unit (MESU) and locals on Racha Island have waited for four days but there was no sign from the other baby turtles. The MESU…
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Tiger Muaythai instructor dies from an apparent electric shock
Last night (September 13), Chalong police found 37 year old Nipon Jaiwangchana (Taweesak Sit-O) dead in his room in Soi Nakok on Chaofa West Road. He was found laying down next to a small rice cooker wearing black and orange Muaythai pants with the Tiger Muaythai logo. Police initially checked his body and assumed that he had died at least…
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Patong tunnel to start April/May next year
Looks like the island’s long-awaited tunnel through Patong Hill might actually be becoming a reality. Authorities say it will be the first of its kind in Thailand. The Daily News is reporting on the progress of the Patong tunnel project which, it is hoped, will eliminate much of the carnage and delays experienced by drivers on the hill everyday. Sutthisak…
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1200 athletes heading to the Laguna Phuket Triathlon
During the Governor’s Meet Press event yesterday (September 13), the annual Laguna Phuket Triathlon race updated its progress before the big race day on November 19. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Laguna Phuket this year, Laguna Phuket has arranged the 1st Laguna Phuket Tri Charity Fun Run on the day before the triathlon. The charity run will feature a…
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US Ambassador Glyn Davies gives his support for this weekend’s beach clean
US Ambassador to Thailand, Glyn Davies Phuket’s biggest beach clean up is on this weekend with hotels around the island hosting many of the beach cleaning efforts along with locals and expats. You’re invited. Keep Phuket Clean “ภูเก็ตสวยด้วยมือและใจเรา” has been initiated by the Phuket Hotels Association’s Environmental & Sustainability Working Group members and supported by Phuket’s Governor and TAT Phuket:…
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Kalasin man arrested over hotel room robbery
Patong police have arrested 28 year old Aekkapan Ketna from Kalasin province (north east Thailand) yesterday (September 13) after he stole a room keycard from 50 year old Australian Donna Lee and used it to sneak in and steal valuables from her hotel room on Patong’s beach front. Her keycard was stolen on Patong Beach while she was swimming in…
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Khao Phra Theao – Phuket’s new eco-tourism destination
Phuket’s Governor, Noraphat Plodthong, has announced today (September 13), that after surveying the non-hunting area of Khao Phra Theao, he has planned to make it a destination for eco-tourism and a nature study route. The 22.28 square kilometers of lush rainforest mountain features a long list of wildlife such as gibbons, mouse deer, wild boar, wild fowl, green pit viper…
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Share-bike comes to Phuket Town
Phuket’s Governor chaired a meeting with Phuket City Development (PKCD), the Phuket Municipality and two bicycle companies who are sponsoring the initiative, aiming to launch the bicycle sharing project on September 20. The project hopes to help reduce the crowded traffic and parking space issues around Phuket Town. “The project is organised by PKCD, a joint venture between government and…
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Sai Yuan crash – a flipped car and one motorcyclist injured
Last night (September 12), at Soi Saiyuan in Rawai, a Russian man named as 35 year old Julian Ranmer crashed his Honda Jazz into the back of a car parked on the side road before flipping it and hitting a motorcycle riding in the opposite lane. The injured, 36 year old Ampa Noo-on who rode the bike, was found with…
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17 year old using BB gun to rob locals and tourists
Last night (September 11), Phuket police arrested a 17 year old from Had Yai, Songkhla, in Soi Hongyok-Utit, Phuket Town. He’d already committed 4 or 5 robberies and claimed that he robbed people after taking drugs. At the scene police found a black BB gun, a red plate, green and grey Yamaha motorcycle, a helmet, two mobile phones, a shoulder…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, September 12
32 year old in custody after seizure of 200 Kg of Kratom in Had Yai | ‘Fight of God’ video game ‘disrespectful’ | UN claim ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Rohingya crisis | 6,000 chicken dead in Krabi | 500 students protest in Phuket Town.
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27 gamblers arrested with 8,000 Baht cash
Early this morning (September 12), military and police teams searched a 2-storey house in Soi Sansuk 1 in Phuket Town and arrested 27 gamblers, including 11 men and 16 women. The place was used as a gambling house. 70 Wooden chips, used as money, cards and a gambling table were also found at the scene with 8,810 Baht in cash.…
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AusCham brings together local marine and hotel industries
The Australia-Thailand Chamber of Business (AustCham) held a seminar on Phuket’s Marine & Hospitality Industry Outlook at the Phuket Boat Lagoon last Friday, September 8, 2017. The seminar hosted over 60 guests and was moderated by Harry Usher from Lady Pie. The panelists were Michael Owen from Beacon Sky Hospitality, Wicky Sundram from Phuket Boat Lagoon, Scott Bradley from Precision…
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Ironman 70.3 Thailand returns to Phuket
Triathletes from around the world are heading to Phuket for a weekend of swim-bike-run where 1,500 competitors from more than 60 countries are expected to compete in the Foremost IRONMAN 70.3 Thailand on November 26, and up to 300 youngsters in the Foremost IRONKIDS Thailand. Built on the belief that Anything is Possible®, IRONMAN – the original triathlon brand –…
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Chicken deaths make Krabi villagers nervous
Krabi locals are scared of an epidemic after finding 6,000 chickens dead. The villagers of Klong Kamao sub-district reported the incident to the Krabi Livestock Office before the officers were able to get rid of the remaining chickens that could possibly be infected. However, the cause of death of such a large amount of chickens hasn’t yet been ascertained, making…
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Countdown to the big clean-up
The countdown is on for this Saturday’s mega beach clean-up around the island of Phuket. The activities kick off at 8am at different venues around the island. The Phuket Hotels Association have been active in investing in the island’s future. They have developed long-term environmental and educational programs to provide the foundation for ongoing development and sustainable success. The PHA…
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THAIGER TODAY Monday, September 11
Myanmar Government rejects cease-fire | Bomb explodes in Petchabun killing one | Two suspects in Phang Nga rape case test positive for drugs | Founder of Asian Elephant Foundation resigns | ‘ET’ dies at 58 | Thai tourism expects 3 trillion Baht revenue in 2018.
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Seven turned themselves in, five detained – Phang Nga Rape Case.
Seven men have now turned themselves into police in Phang Nga to deny any wrongdoing in the alleged gang rapes of a 15 year old schoolgirl over a period of six months on 2016. Five were immediately detained because the Phang Nga Provincial Court had approved arrest warrants for them. Previously, three other suspects have been arrested. Their trials will…
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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