Phuket
- Phuket News
Whale of a time: Holidaymakers treated to rare sea spectacle near Phuket
Holidaymakers on a leisurely boat tour around the Racha Islands, located south of Phuket, yesterday were privy to a thrilling spectacle: the rare sight of a whale in its natural habitat, a relatively unusual occurrence in these parts. The Star Sailing Club’s head, Ilya Saldaev, captured and shared footage of the majestic creature breaking the water’s surface on social media.…
- Phuket News
Seven-coloured lobster launch: Phuket’s splashy conservation effort
Halfway between Cape Panwa and Koh Lone, on the small island of Koh Thanan under the jurisdiction of Wichit, a conservation effort unfolded yesterday. The Phuket Fisheries Office, alongside local farmers and fishing groups, released a staggering 700,000 larvae of a local delicacy, the seven-coloured lobster, along with 500,000 black tiger shrimp into the waters off Phuket, Thailand. This massive…
- Phuket News
Phuket man found dead in apparent suicide, mental health issues suspected
The tranquillity of a peaceful neighbourhood in Kathu, Phuket was shattered in the early hours of yesterday as a gunshot echoed through the narrow lanes of Soi Si Kor, Moo 6 and a Thai man was found dead. The victim was identified as a 62 year old former school janitor from Patong. His lifeless body was discovered in a two-storey…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s Safety Sandbox: Island paradise prepares for full-scale safety drill
Phuket, a tropical paradise best known for its white sandy beaches, is gearing up for a comprehensive safety drill. Dubbed the Safety Phuket Island Sandbox, the exercise is slated for November 26 and will unfold in three different locations across the island. The initiative will showcase the readiness of emergency services while providing hands-on experience for the island’s emergency responders.…
- Phuket News
Phuket blood shortage plea: Paradise in peril seeks tourists’ rescue
The tropical island paradise of Phuket, usually a favourite destination for tourists and expats alike, now urgently calls for their help. As the high tourism season kicks off, the island is faced with a critical blood shortage, particularly for the RH-Negative type, prompting an island-wide blood donation drive throughout this month. The plea for blood donations was made public by…
- Sponsored
How Phuket’s once tourism-reliant Greater Bangtao is tranforming into an international ‘Gold-Coast’ community
Phuket’s once-quiet beachside west coast community of Bangtao is experiencing an unparalleled surge in real estate development. According to new research from C9 Hotelworks, there are currently 7,842 condominium units (click to see upcoming project map). Added to the supply influx are just over 2,400 upscale and luxury homes, which equate to a pipeline of more than 10,000 residential units…
- Things To Do
Top 5 beaches to visit in Phuket
One of the best things about visiting Thailand is, indeed, its beaches, which are some of the most beautiful in the world. Phuket, in Thailand’s south, is one of the most popular areas to be a beach bum. Located off the Andaman Sea, the islands surrounding it provide day trips galore. But, a few of those beaches seem to provide…
- Phuket News
Phra Mettha Road in Phuket reopens after four-month closure
Phuket’s Phra Mettha Road, which had been sealed off for approximately four months, once again welcomed the hustle and bustle of traffic on November 1. The artery of Patong, this road spans 1 kilometre behind the Jungceylon shopping mall, stretching from Soi Banzaan to Soi Nanai Ruamjai. The closure, which began on June 20, was necessary for the construction of…
- Phuket News
22-wheeled truck mayhem: Woman’s lucky escape in Phuket smash
An early morning encounter between a car and a 22-wheeled truck resulted in a shocking crash in the Samkong Underpass, in Phuket today. Miraculously, the car’s driver, a woman, managed to avoid grave injuries despite her vehicle being severely crushed in the accident. Phuket City Police, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Udom Phetcharat, received the distress call at 4.15am. On…
- Phuket News
Phuket police’s drug sweep bags 49,000 meth tablets and 4.43 grammes of crystal clear success
In a sweeping crackdown against narcotics in Phuket Town, the Phuket Provincial Police successfully confiscated a hefty amount of illegal drugs, totalling over 49,000 methamphetamine tablets and 4.43 grams of crystal meth. The street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be more than 800,000 baht. This operation targeted various drug dealers across the city and resulted in multiple…
- Phuket News
Phuket advances new road project to ease traffic and boost disaster resilience
The working group tasked with overseeing the proposed new road project linking Kathu and Srisoonthorn in Phuket confirmed that it will proceed with the required surveys and inspections. The group will also create maps delineating the land boundaries, thus paving the way for the road’s construction. The working group, led by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan, convened at Phuket Provincial…
- Phuket News
Court sentences man to 27 months for defamation against former Phuket governor
A 27-month jail term has been handed down to Aiya Phetthong by the Phuket Provincial Court, following his guilty verdict for defamation. The charges stemmed from his online posts alleging that former Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew was involved in an illegal operation smuggling Muslims into Phuket in 2021. The formal complaint against Phetthong, who is a registered resident of the…
- Phuket News
Phuket City gears up for debut of Chartered Walking Street market
Phuket City Municipality issued an advisory to residents and visitors alike, informing them of the forthcoming closure of Phang Nga Road this coming Sunday, November 5. The thoroughfare will be shut down from 1pm to midnight to pave the way for the debut of the Chartered Walking Street Market. The Chartered Walking Street Market’s geographical footprint will extend along Phang…
- Phuket News
Phuket drivers protest against new baht bus service threatening livelihoods
Around 50 tuk tuk and taxi drivers swarmed the Patong Municipality offices in Phuket yesterday to express their discontent about a proposed baht bus circular service that could potentially disrupt their livelihoods. Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, along with other officials, received the formal complaint as the officers of the Patong Police maintained order. The complaint predicted a significant impact on the…
- Press Room
As Phuket tourism market recovers, a potential “carmageddon” infrastructure crisis looms
Phuket hotels experienced promising momentum for the first half of 2023, which has set an optimistic path for the remainder of the year. At the mid-year juncture, international and domestic flight volume was already up 75% over total flights in 2022. Russia and China led the way as the two top tourism source markets in the first six months of…
- Phuket News
Foreign man found dead with 4 stab wounds at hotel in Phuket
A maid discovered the dead body of a foreign man with stab wounds to the neck in a hotel room in Phuket. There were no signs of theft or struggle. A substance similar to crystal meth was found in the bathroom. The hotel maid reported her shocking discovery to officers at Cheng Talay Police Station at around 9.30am yesterday, October…
- Thailand News
6 overstaying foreigners clash violently with Thai cops in Phuket
More than 30 Thai police officers clashed violently with six overstaying foreigners at a luxury villa on Bang Tao Beach in Phuket during an arrest operation. Four Thai officers were injured in the incident. Four officials from the Phuket Provincial Immigration Office, accompanied by officers from the Cheng Talay Police Station, conducted a raid on a luxury villa armed with…
- Thailand News
Roaring opportunity: Phuket zoo seeks lionhearted caretakers
Phuket Zoo has two vacancies for lion caretaker positions, giving priority consideration to applicants with experience in lion or tiger care, according to a recent post on the Phuket Work Facebook group. The job advertisement quickly garnered attention and sparked a wave of online speculation, with many netizens questioning what had happened to the previous lion caretakers and where one…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s spirit sobered: 24-hour alcohol ban for Wan Org Pansa holiday
Popular Thai tourist destination Phuket will observe a strict 24-hour ban on alcohol sales starting from midnight on Saturday, as part of the country’s observance of the Buddhist religious holiday, Wan Org Pansa. This event, which takes place on Sunday, October 29, marks the culmination of the three-month season known as the Rains Retreat, often referred to as Buddhist Lent.…
- Phuket News
Patong Baywatch resumes night patrols, enhancing safety at popular Thai beach
Patong Surf Life Saving has re-initiated the nighttime beach patrols to boost the safety measures at Patong Beach. Despite the details of the resumption of nighttime patrols still being under wraps by Patong Municipality and the Patong Development Fund, the initiative named Patong Baywatch has been put back into action. The precise number of night watchmen designated for the beach…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s waste crisis and eco-tourism plans discussed by Pita Limjaroenrat
Pita Limjaroenrat, the former Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, yesterday paid a visit to Phuket to assess some ongoing projects in the seaside resort and discuss the key issues with the residents and officials. The respected former MFP leader was accompanied by three local MPs affiliated with the MFP, namely Somchart Techathavorncharoen, Chalermpong Saengdee and Thitikan Thitipruekthikul. The first stop…
- Phuket News
Rain doesn’t dampen spirits at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, a grand spectacle of Chinese culture, witnessed another round of street processions today. Despite the heavy downpour, the processions, featuring devotees from the Sapam Shrine and the Bang Khu Shrine, kicked off with fervour. These processions were a part of the ongoing celebrations which have taken the streets of Phuket by storm. Photographs capturing the essence…
- Phuket News
Phuket shopping mall stages active gunman drill in preparation for Vegetarian Festival
Central Phuket shopping mall became the stage of an active gunman training emergency-response exercise spearheaded by officers from Region 8 Police yesterday before the mall opened its doors to the public. The joint leaders of the active gunman training response scenario were Police Lieutenant General Suraphong Thanomchit, the Region 8 Police Commander, and Police Major General Sermphan Sirikong, the Phuket…
- Phuket News
Phuket Vegetarian Festival begins with traditional Go Teng pole raising
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival kicked off yesterday with the traditional ceremony of raising the Go Teng poles at each participating shrine. The act is a symbolic invitation to the Jade Emperor and the Nine Emperor Gods to descend from the heavens and spend the subsequent nine days on Earth. The golden Go Teng pole was hoisted at the Guan Yu…
- Phuket News
Lost in Phuket: Stranded British man seeks help as wife takes passport and sails away
A stranded British man, faced with the loss of his passport and funds after a family disagreement, found himself stranded in Phuket. Assistance from the Tourist Police was sought after his wife, following the dispute, left with his travel documents and a portion of their belongings. The public became aware of the British man’s plight through a report by the…
- Phuket News
Phuket motorists urged to avoid roads for King Maha Vajiralongkorn tribute procession
Phuket City Municipality issued an appeal to motorists, asking them to steer clear of Phuket Road and its surrounding areas in Phuket Old Town next Monday. This comes in anticipation of a street procession set to pay tribute to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X). The street procession, honouring King Maha Vajiralongkorn, is not part of the traditional Iw…
- Environment News
Phuket’s deep cleanup: 800 kilogrammes of marine waste netted in underwater mission
An underwater cleanup operation near Racha Noi Island, Phuket, yielded 800 kilogrammes of discarded fishing nets and other marine debris last Friday. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) organised the cleanup after local divers alerted them about the marine trash accumulating on an artificial reef in Ran Gai Bay. The debris posed a significant threat to marine wildlife…
- Thailand News
Phuket car accident: Retired officer’s wife crashes into vegetarian festival stalls
A severe car accident in Phuket’s Talat Nuea district left one person dead and eight others injured. The incident involved a Mercedes Benz, driven by the wife of a retired senior police officer, who claimed she experienced dizziness and a blackout and mistook the accelerator for the brake, leading to the fatal crash. The Phuket car accident occurred on Ranong…
- Crime News
Phuket stabbing: Restaurant worker claims self-defence in fatal incident
A fatal stabbing incident unfolded in Phuket yesterday morning, resulting in the death of a 33 year old man. The 28 year old man, Arnon Thepsong, a restaurant staffer, has been arrested under charges of assault causing death and carrying a weapon in a public place without reasonable cause. However, he asserts that the act was committed in self-defence. The…
- Phuket News
Unsafe Karon stadium in Thailand dismantled for community redevelopment
The demolition of the Karon Stadium, a prominent structure at the southern end of Karon Beach for the past 28 years, is currently in progress. The Phuket Provincial Public Works Department declared the arena, officially known as the Thet Phra Kiat Nawamin Sports Stadium, unsafe to use, prompting this move, according to Karon’s Mayor, Jadet Wicharasorn. The stadium had been…
