Phuket

  • Phuket NewsMotorbike mayhem: Monkey wreaks havoc on bike seat in Phuket

    Motorbike mayhem: Monkey wreaks havoc on bike seat in Phuket

    A large monkey at Khao Rang (also known as Monkey Hill) in Phuket Town tore apart the seat of a parked motorbike, prompting an assistant village headman to issue a warning for locals and tourists to be cautious around the monkeys. Suriyan Mai-on, the assistant village headman for Thalang district, shared a video of the incident online today, September 9,…

  • Phuket NewsTourists rescued after ignoring red flags at Phuket beaches

    Tourists rescued after ignoring red flags at Phuket beaches

    Emergency services in Phuket rushed to rescue two tourists who nearly drowned after ignoring red flag warnings at Kata and Karon beaches. The tourists, from Russia and China, were successfully resuscitated with CPR before being taken to Chalong Hospital for further treatment. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sanya Suksawat of Karon Police Station received notification from the Karon Radio Centre about the…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket noodle shop fire scrambles safety after gas blunder

    Phuket noodle shop fire scrambles safety after gas blunder

    A blaze erupted at the ‘Reua-bai’ noodle shop on the Chalong-to-Kata road yesterday after a Myanmar worker accidentally left the gas on while cooking an egg dish. Police were alerted around 3.30pm, yesterday, September 8, prompting a swift response from officers and firefighters from Chalong Municipality. The fire caused substantial damage to the shop’s kitchen, located next to Mini Big…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket motorcycle taxi driver warned for harassing passenger

    Phuket motorcycle taxi driver warned for harassing passenger

    A motorcycle taxi driver in Patong has been identified and warned by police following allegations of sexually harassing a female passenger. A social media post under the heading “Patong Taxi Drivers Are Very Horny,” surfaced yesterday, September 7, describing the driver’s suggestive and harassing behaviour towards female passengers. This post caught the attention of Patong Police officers. The post did…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket pickup truck crash kills two teens, another one critical

    Phuket pickup truck crash kills two teens, another one critical

    Tragedy struck in the early hours of this morning as two teenagers lost their lives and a third remains in critical condition following a horrific high-speed crash on Thep Krasattri Road in Phuket. The white Isuzu D-Max pickup truck they were travelling in veered out of control and smashed into a palm tree, leaving devastation in its wake. Emergency services were…

  • EventsMind the gap: Industry leaders and execs steal the spotlight in Phuket

    Mind the gap: Industry leaders and execs steal the spotlight in Phuket

    The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit dedicated to a brighter future for Phuket, teamed up with award-winning hospitality consultancy C9 Hotelworks to host a dazzling array of the industry’s most inspiring female execs, entrepreneurs, and diversity leaders at last week’s Mind the Gap: Women & Diversity in Hospitality event in Phuket. Taking centre stage was Pranapda Phornprapha Chirathivat, the trailblazing…

  • Phuket NewsTeeing off comeback: Laguna Phuket at the heart of tourism revival

    Teeing off comeback: Laguna Phuket at the heart of tourism revival

    Laguna Phuket, a luxurious 2,500-rai resort complex, is at the heart of Phuket’s tourism resurgence. After the pandemic’s brutal hit to the travel industry, Laguna Phuket Vice President Paul Wilson shares how this iconic destination has not only weathered the storm but emerged stronger than ever. “Laguna Phuket’s prime location in Cherng Talay, with its luxury hotels, 18-hole golf course,…

  • Thailand NewsKoh Kaew residents still waiting for paved road and electricity

    Koh Kaew residents still waiting for paved road and electricity

    Residents of Koh Kaew have been stuck in limbo for years, living with an unpaved road and no electricity supply. However, after a tense meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday, there’s a glimmer of hope. The meeting, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, was convened by the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office following complaints from the residents. A group…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket outcry after drunk foreigner drives SUV into Bangla Road

    Phuket outcry after drunk foreigner drives SUV into Bangla Road

    Thai netizens condemned a foreigner who, while drunk, drove an SUV into a crowd of Thai and international visitors on Bangla Walking Street in Phuket. Some netizens have suggested that the driver might not actually be of foreign nationality. The Phuket Times shared pictures of an MG light blue SUV parked on a zebra crossing in the middle of Bangla…

  • Phuket NewsEvidence found in Russian man’s death in Phuket suggests suicide

    Evidence found in Russian man’s death in Phuket suggests suicide

    Police reported yesterday that they have gathered multiple pieces of evidence and information from the wife of a Russian man, whose body was discovered on Karon Beach in Phuket, suggesting that he may have committed suicide. The body of the Russian man, Ilia Orlov, was discovered near Karon Beach in Phuket on Tuesday, September 3. The 27 year old had…

  • Thailand NewsSwiss man walks free: Shocking gaps in prosecution exposed

    Swiss man walks free: Shocking gaps in prosecution exposed

    In a sensational courtroom drama that gripped Phuket, Swiss businessman Urs Fehr aka David has been acquitted of assault charges after the Phuket Provincial Court found glaring inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. The owner of an elephant park, David, was accused of kicking Thai doctor Thandao Chandam on Yamu Beach in Thalang district on the night of February 24, but…

  • Phuket NewsVilla thrill-a: Russian buyers drive Phuket’s 2024 villa surge

    Villa thrill-a: Russian buyers drive Phuket’s 2024 villa surge

    Phuket’s villa market has seen a remarkable surge in the first half of 2024, surpassing the total launches for the entirety of 2023. For the first time in 15 years, the value of new villas has exceeded that of condominiums, driven primarily by robust demand from Russian buyers. Phattarachai Taweewong, director of the research department at property consultancy Colliers Thailand,…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket: 80 million baht study for new Sarasin Bridge underway

    Phuket: 80 million baht study for new Sarasin Bridge underway

    A feasibility study amounting to 80 million baht is currently in progress for the new Sarasin Bridge project, confirmed Somkid Kittisopit, the new Director of the Phuket Highways Office. Somkid revealed the update during a meeting with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday. He provided updates on five major transportation projects intended to enhance travel efficiency, reduce…

  • Phuket NewsRussian man found dead near Karon Beach, Phuket, murder suspected

    Russian man found dead near Karon Beach, Phuket, murder suspected

    A local discovered the body of a Russian man in a ditch near Karon Beach in Phuket yesterday afternoon. A fatal attack is suspected as the man had wounds all over his body. Officers from Karon Police Station were called to investigate the death of the Russian man, later identified as 27 year old Ilia Orlov, at around 12.50pm yesterday,…

  • Thailand NewsSwiss man acquitted in Phuket court for kicking woman doctor

    Swiss man acquitted in Phuket court for kicking woman doctor

    A Swiss man charged with kicking a woman doctor on the steps leading down to a beach outside his villa in February was acquitted by Phuket Kwaeng Court yesterday. The court extended the benefit of the doubt to the 45 year old Swiss expat Urs Fehr, also known as David. Details of the court’s ruling remain undisclosed. David faced accusations…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket on high tide alert: 49 areas in flood zone

    Phuket on high tide alert: 49 areas in flood zone

    Phuket Town is now on the flood watch radar alongside 48 other vulnerable areas, according to the Mineral Resources Department. The popular tourist hotspot is bracing itself for yet another battering from severe weather. The department has listed 49 high-risk villages, with the Old Quarter and Chartered Bank community in the Mueang district topping the list. The department used cutting-edge…

  • Phuket NewsKarma’s a baht: Cheating Thai woman loses 78,000 to scammer

    Karma’s a baht: Cheating Thai woman loses 78,000 to scammer

    If karma indeed exists, then it worked its magic on a Thai woman in Phuket who cheated on her boyfriend. Subsequently, she lost 78,000 baht to a man she encountered on a dating app. The woman, whose identity remains concealed, informed the Phuket Times on Sunday, September 1, that she had lost her mobile phone before discovering that all 78,000…

  • Phuket NewsMajor British drug dealer arrested in Phuket restaurant

    Major British drug dealer arrested in Phuket restaurant

    Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a major British drug dealer at a restaurant in Phuket yesterday after he escaped a life imprisonment sentence in the UK and fled to Phuket to live a life of luxury. The UK’s National Crime Agency requested cooperation from the Thai authorities in the arrest of the fugitive drug suspect, a 28 year old man…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s road to relief: Green light at the end of the traffic tunnel

    Phuket’s road to relief: Green light at the end of the traffic tunnel

    Phuket’s long-awaited new road linking Kathu and Srisoonthorn is finally getting the green light, thanks to generous land donations from three of the island’s most prominent families. Local bigwigs have confirmed the long-stalled project is now full speed ahead. The Ekwanich, Kulwanich, and Saksaktawee families have handed over the land needed for the ambitious 5.6-kilometre road, designed to ease traffic…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket grease monkey scoops 30 million lottery

    Phuket grease monkey scoops 30 million lottery

    Phuket’s newest millionaire is none other than a humble chief mechanic at Anuphas Ford, who struck gold in the government lottery’s latest draw. Jirasak ‘Ton’ Saewun, who works at Anuphas Ford in Phuket, scooped a staggering 30 million baht after hitting the jackpot with five first-prize tickets. The winning numbers, announced by the Government Lottery Office, were 199606. Other lucky…

  • PropertyThe 5 reasons why Phuket remains a hotspot for real estate investment in 2024

    The 5 reasons why Phuket remains a hotspot for real estate investment in 2024

    Phuket’s charm is undeniable, and it’s easy to see why so many people are drawn to the idea of owning a piece of this paradise island. But is now the right time to invest in property here? The short answer is yes. According to the 2024 market insights by property portal FazWaz.com, the island’s property scene is thriving, with a…

  • Phuket NewsWarning issued for Patong beach after bluebottle jellyfish found

    Warning issued for Patong beach after bluebottle jellyfish found

    Officials in Phuket issued a warning for Patong beach visitors after dozens of venomous bluebottle jellyfish were found washed ashore. The Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (Upper Andaman Sea) reported encountering the jellyfish on the beach yesterday evening. Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and lifeguards from Patong Surf Life Saving quickly responded, discovering 40…

  • Thailand NewsDisabled woman’s fifth suicide attempt ends in tragedy in Phuket

    Disabled woman’s fifth suicide attempt ends in tragedy in Phuket

    A 39 year old Thai woman who resided at Baan Lipon complex in Si Sunthon village, Phuket was found dead at around 5.30am today. Police today, August 30, found the lifeless body of Sunanta Na Pattalung, leaning against the steel sliding shutters outside her home. Dressed in a blue tank top and shorts, Sunanta had tragically hanged herself using a nylon…

  • Thailand NewsPattaya Airways’ maiden flight set to revolutionise Thai logistics

    Pattaya Airways’ maiden flight set to revolutionise Thai logistics

    Thailand’s skies witnessed a game-changing event as Pattaya Airways launched its inaugural cargo flight on August 21. Flight PTW822 soared out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 6am, touching down in Phuket by 8.15am. The aircraft returned to the capital just after midday, marking a significant milestone in Thailand’s logistics industry. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat rolled out the red carpet for…

  • Phuket NewsBurmese worker’s grief sparks axe rampage at Phuket camp

    Burmese worker’s grief sparks axe rampage at Phuket camp

    A Burmese worker’s grief over a friend’s death led to a chaotic rampage at a worker’s camp in Phuket, where he damaged a journalist’s car with an axe. The incident followed a fatal stabbing involving a Thai man and another Burmese worker. Yesterday, August 28, police in Thalang, Phuket, received reports of a man running amok and attacking a journalist’s…

  • Phuket NewsSix arrested at unlicenced beauty clinics in Rayong and Phuket

    Six arrested at unlicenced beauty clinics in Rayong and Phuket

    Police officers raided four clinics, arresting six individuals for employing unlicensed doctors in beauty treatments. In another case, an unlicenced Chinese medicine practitioner was detained for claiming ancestral knowledge. Police and health officials announced the results of two significant cases yesterday, August 28, at the Central Investigation Bureau. The first case involved searches of medical facilities, residences, and spa massage…

  • Thailand NewsLand encroachment scandal rocks Phuket Big Buddha

    Land encroachment scandal rocks Phuket Big Buddha

    The Phuket Big Buddha Foundation is in hot water after the Forest Department accused its chairman of land encroachment. This follows a catastrophic mudslide that claimed 13 lives, predominantly Myanmar nationals, last week at Khao Nak Kerd, Phuket’s tallest peak. Officials from the Forest Department, along with the Phuket Buddhism Office, police, and local officials, carried out a rigorous inspection…

  • FoodAngsana Laguna Phuket launches the ‘Seafood Market’ restaurant

    Angsana Laguna Phuket launches the ‘Seafood Market’ restaurant

    Angsana Laguna Phuket proudly announces the grand opening of the Seafood Market restaurant, an exciting new addition to its esteemed dining options. This fresh take on seafood promises to redefine the dining landscape with a focus on sustainability and culinary artistry. Inspired by the traditional fishing communities of Phuket, this seafood dining venue features emerald green walls that echo the…

  • Thailand NewsSaudia adds dreamliner flights to Phuket

    Saudia adds dreamliner flights to Phuket

    Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is set to make your travel dreams come true with its latest addition to the flight network. The airline confirmed that from December 2 it will launch flights to the exotic island of Phuket, making it the second Thai city in its roster after Bangkok. This move is part of Saudia’s strategic…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket deadly landslide leaves officials scrambling for answers (video)

    Phuket deadly landslide leaves officials scrambling for answers (video)

    Government officials in Phuket are urgently consulting experts to investigate a mountaintop disaster where 13 people, including several foreign nationals, were tragically killed in recent landslides. Provincial Governor Sophon Suwannarat announced that the provincial office is reaching out to the permanent secretary of natural resources and environment to enlist expert help in probing the cause of the landslides and preventing…