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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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Illegal Chinese workers busted in Phuket construction raid
Thalang police arrested four Chinese nationals caught working illegally at a construction site in Thepkrasattri, Phuket, after a dramatic raid on the premises. Acting on a tip-off received on Monday, March 3, officers stormed a warehouse in Village 9, Thepkrasattri, yesterday morning, March 5. Upon arrival, they found the warehouse door open, with the sounds of construction echoing from inside.…
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Phuket court jails foreigners for passport forgery
A group of Afghan and Kazakh nationals caught using forged passports in Phuket have been sentenced to prison after a court found them guilty of attempting to deceive Thai immigration officers. The Phuket Provincial Court delivered its verdict yesterday, March 5 at 11am, ruling on six criminal cases, numbered Tor 144/2568 to Tor 149/2568. The Phuket Provincial Public Prosecutor led…
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Body of foreign tourist found on Kata Beach, Phuket
A grim discovery cast a shadow over Kata Beach in Phuket yesterday, as the lifeless body of a female foreign tourist, believed to be in her 50s, was found face down in the sand. The solo traveller’s body was unearthed near the Karon subdistrict municipal office yesterday, March 5, leaving officials stumped and scrambling for answers. With the cause of…
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Phuket officials probe ‘extra-large’ condo scandal
A major investigation is underway in Phuket as officials probe two controversial condominium developments in Cherng Talay. The projects, described as “extra-large,” have raised legal and environmental concerns, prompting high-level scrutiny from the Ministry of Interior. Leading the charge is Supoj Rotruang Na Nongkhai, Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Interior, who is conducting a two-day inspection on the island.…
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Phuket taxi driver’s dash after runaway Russian fare dodgers
A Thai taxi driver chased after a Russian couple who allegedly fled without paying their fare upon arriving at their destination in Phuket. The couple still refused to settle the bill after the driver caught up with them. The Phuket Times shared pictures and a video of the argument between the Russian couple and the Thai taxi driver today, March…
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Fast & felonious: Patong car thief caught after high-speed chase
A brazen thief who stole a car from Patong beachfront on Sunday night was caught just hours later in Chumphon province following a high-speed police chase across multiple jurisdictions. The 32 year old Thai suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was arrested at 1.10am on Monday, March 3 at the Baan Phala checkpoint in Chumphon. His capture was the…
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Phuket cracks down on deadly road accidents with safety workshop
Phuket officials are stepping up their fight against dangerous road accidents with a new strategy aimed at reducing fatalities and making roads safer. With alarming accident statistics continuing to rise, officials gathered for a high-level road safety workshop to analyse crash causes and implement life-saving measures. The Phuket Road Safety Centre hosted the event yesterday, March 4, at Phuket Provincial…
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Search continues for missing American tourist in Patong Bay
Patong police have confirmed that they are continuing the search for a missing American tourist, despite reducing the scale of operations since her disappearance five days ago in Patong Bay. Nina Ng, a 38 year old New Yorker, was last observed removing her life jacket and entering the water from a hired jet ski approximately 1 kilometre from Patong Beach…
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Phuket Heroines Festival to feature epic historical drama
Phuket is gearing up for an unforgettable Heroines Festival 2025, with Thai actresses Anyarin “Tubtim” Terathananpat and Kessarin “Nui” Ektawatkul set to take centre stage in a dramatic re-enactment of the island’s most legendary battle. The two leading ladies were officially announced at a press conference on March 2 at the Chartered Bank intersection in Phuket Town, presided over by…
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Phuket loan sharks busted for 50% interest rate scam
Two men running an illegal loan shark operation in Phuket have been arrested after allegedly extorting desperate borrowers with sky-high interest rates. Their arrests come as part of a nationwide crackdown on unlawful debt practices and predatory lending. Phuket Immigration officers, working alongside the Immigration Bureau’s Crime Suppression Division 8 and Immigration Bureau 6, swooped in last Thursday, February 27,…
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Phuket kindergarten teacher cleared in child injury case
A Phuket kindergarten teacher accused of injuring a five year old boy has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation concluded that the child’s wounds resulted from rough play among classmates. The case sparked public outrage when the boy’s parents filed a police complaint, prompting a full-scale inquiry led by Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri. A special committee, including…
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Phuket locals demand action against foreign beggars targeting tourists
Locals in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket demanded official action against foreign beggars asking for money from tourists, fearing a negative impact on the province’s reputation. Newshawk Phuket shared a video yesterday, March 3, showing one of two foreign women asking a foreign man for money. The page reported that the incident took place in the Patong area of Phuket…
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Russian man found dead in Phuket, police investigate possible drug link
Phuket City police are investigating the death of a 41 year old Russian man whose body was discovered at a residence in Koh Kaew. Police Lieutenant Saruta Phumduang, the Deputy Chief of Investigation at Phuket City Police, was informed of the incident around 8pm, yesterday evening, March 2, prompting the deployment of officers to the location. Forensic experts from Vachira…
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Mentally ill Phuket man attacks mother, slits local’s throat
A mentally ill man in Phuket attacked his mother before attempting to slit another man’s throat with a box cutter in east Phuket Town on February 28, leaving locals in shock. The incident occurred near a local mosque. According to reports, the suspect, 35 year old Sansern Sa-at, first attacked his mother before turning his aggression toward 64 year old…
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Phuket monkey steals French tourist’s phone, takes selfie (video)
A French tourist shared a hilarious TikTok video of a monkey in Phuket snatching her mobile phone and taking a selfie video. Fortunately, some Thai locals successfully helped them retrieve the phone. The French TikTok user @justinefortemps shared the video on Friday, February 28, with the caption “Monkey Hill Attack.” The footage showed a monkey, believed to be a young…
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2 foreign couples exposed for dine and dash at Phuket restaurants
Two Thai restaurant owners took to social media to expose two foreign couples for committing dine and dash offences at their establishments in Phuket last week. A female Thai restaurant owner, Narissara O OOp, shared a post on her Facebook account on February 28 condemning two foreigners for their fraudulent act and warning other restaurants to be cautious of the…
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Phuket tightens immigration checks amid illegal work, drug concerns
Phuket, in collaboration with international consulates, is intensifying its immigration checks and efforts to combat illegal activities due to a rise in drug-related offences and the presence of foreigners working without proper documentation on the island. Last year, 194 foreigners had their visas revoked, and 998 faced deportation in Phuket for activities primarily linked to drugs and working without valid…
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Phuket to host Thailand Biennale 2025, showcasing global art
Phuket is set to become a global art hotspot as the Thailand Biennale 2025 gears up to showcase a fusion of contemporary creativity and natural beauty. The Ministry of Culture officially launched the event’s first group of participating artists during a press conference at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on Thursday, February 27. With the theme Eternity, the international…
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Patong road rage: Pickup driver brutally attacks motorist
A shocking road rage incident in Patong has sparked outrage after a viral video captured a pickup truck driver launching a brutal attack following a minor collision. Patong Police have launched an investigation after footage of the assault spread across social media, drawing widespread condemnation. The disturbing clip, shared by Facebook user Pooja Pooja, shows a white covered pickup truck…
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Netizens condemn foreign motorists for reckless driving in Phuket
A Thai man took to TikTok to condemn foreign motorists for reckless driving after a foreign motorcyclist collided with another foreigner’s hatchback on a road in Phuket. The Thai motorist shared dashcam footage of the accident on his TikTok account, @ram_cream, yesterday, February 27. In the video caption, he criticised the foreign motorists and government officials. “#WakeUp. When will Phuket…
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Phuket petrol station refuses rider’s coin payment
A delivery rider in Phuket encountered a surprising situation at a petrol station when his attempt to pay with coins was rejected. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต highlighted the incident yesterday involving a rider named Bob, who faced refusal from an older attendant while trying to refuel his motorcycle. The rider expressed his frustration, stating he regularly refuels at the…
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Search underway for missing American woman in Phuket
A jet ski rental operator on Patong Beach in Phuket contacted the police yesterday after an American woman went missing, leaving the rented jet ski floating in the sea. The operator reported the incident to Patong Police Station at approximately 11.25am, yesterday, February 27, stating that the foreign woman, later identified as 38 year old American citizen Nina Ng, disappeared.…
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Phuket Airport to boost flight capacity to 35 per hour
The Thai Ministry of Transport has instructed the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Company Limited (AEROTHAI) to enhance Phuket Airport’s flight handling capacity. By 2025, the aim is to increase from 25 to 35 flights per hour. Deputy Minister of Transport Monaporn Charernsri announced yesterday, February 27 that AEROTHAI is examining methods to boost Phuket Airport’s efficiency, one of Thailand’s busiest…
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Man seeks identity of foreign motorcyclist after hit-and-run in Phuket
Yesterday, February 26, a Thai man was a victim of a hit-and-run by a foreigner in Phuket as he was making a U-turn. The man took to social media to seek the identity of the foreign motorcyclist, urging those in the area to share their dashcam footage if possible. The Thai man urged the Facebook news page Newshawk Phuket to…
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Phuket officials under fire: Ombudsman probes corruption claims
Allegations of corruption and negligence are rocking Phuket as Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the Ombudsman, Khanitnan Aphicharn, arrived to investigate a series of complaints against local officials accused of turning a blind eye to illegal activities. The explosive allegations were discussed at a high-stakes meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday, February 24, chaired by Phuket Vice Governor…
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Phuket hotel project halted after environmental concerns raised
A controversial hotel project in Cherng Talay’s Pasak Soi 6 has been halted after outraged residents pressured officials to review its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), citing concerns about transparency, zoning violations, and environmental damage. The proposed Nebu Hotel, set to be a seven-storey building on a small 1,200-square-metre plot, was planned in a Yellow Zone designated for low-density residential use.…
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Justice served: Phuket grants over 900k to crime victims
The Phuket Provincial Justice Office has approved 911,913.25 baht in financial compensation for 15 victims of crimes committed against them. The decision was made during a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday, February 24, chaired by Poolsuk Phengsang, the newly elected Provincial Attorney for the Protection of Rights, Legal Assistance and Enforcement. The meeting was the second session of…
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Billion-baht business bust: 2 Chinese arrested in Phuket
In a massive crackdown on illegal business operations, two Chinese nationals were arrested in Phuket for using Thai nominees to conceal ownership of multiple lucrative ventures, including restaurants, international schools, hotels, car rentals, condominiums, and luxury villas. The duo’s investments were valued at approximately 1 billion baht, with 4.1 million baht in cash seized during the arrests for further investigation,…
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Washed up: Garbage crisis floods Phuket’s Sirinat National Park
Sirinat National Park on Phuket’s northeast coast is drowning in garbage, sparking serious concerns among officials and locals. The mounting waste problem has reached alarming levels, with 200 to 300 kilogrammes of trash generated daily but left uncollected due to limited resources, according to Park Chief Siriwat Suebsai. The shocking revelation emerged during a visit by the House of Representatives…
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Tourists attacked on Bangla Road, police hunt for security guard
A wild night on Bangla Road turned violent when two foreign tourists were brutally assaulted by at least one security guard, leaving them injured and shaken. The shocking incident occurred in the early hours of today, February 25, prompting a swift response from Patong Police who are now hunting for the attacker. The two victims were identified as 24 year…
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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