Phuket News
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Phuket fishing vessels cleared of forced labour, trafficking concerns
A comprehensive inspection of fishing vessels near Phuket has confirmed the absence of forced labour or human trafficking, according to officials. This development is considered a positive advancement for Thailand’s labour rights reputation within the marine industry. The inspection, conducted on July 31, was orchestrated by a multi-agency task force under the guidance of the Phuket Provincial Labour Protection and…
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Phuket sand fence project launched to combat coastal erosion
A stunning move to preserve Phuket’s natural beauty is underway, with a major investment to combat coastal erosion. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on has launched an ambitious project to combat the relentless coastal erosion threatening Phuket’s shores. Sirinat National Park has been tasked with the implementation of sand fences at Sai Kaew Beach in the Maikhao subdistrict of…
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Etihad’s A321LR brings luxury to Phuket flights
Etihad Airways has just upped the ante in luxury air travel, launching its first commercial flight of the all-new A321LR to Phuket. Etihad Airways has officially launched its all-new A321LR, marking a new chapter in luxury short and medium-haul flights. Flight EY414, which departed from Zayed International Airport yesterday, August 1, heralded the arrival of the aircraft designed to provide…
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Phuket’s Srisoonthorn Road upgrade gains massive public backing
A major road upgrade is on the horizon in Phuket, and locals couldn’t be more excited. With a 420 million baht budget, the plan to revamp Srisoonthorn Road is gaining traction, promising smoother, safer travel for everyone. Srisoonthorn Road, one of Phuket’s most important routes, is set to undergo a much-anticipated upgrade, following strong public support at a recent hearing.…
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Armed man busted en route to Phuket gang showdown
A 25 year old man has been arrested in Krabi after allegedly attempting to smuggle a loaded handgun into Phuket, with police suspecting he was preparing for a violent clash with rival youth gangs. Identified only as Natthaphong by Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers, the suspect was stopped during a routine checkpoint operation on Phetkasem Road in Ao Luek district,…
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Truck slams into cars in Phuket underpass horror
Terrified drivers in Phuket watched chaos unfold in seconds after a semi-trailer truck ploughed into multiple vehicles inside the Darasamut Underpass this morning, leaving three people injured, including a young girl. The collision, which occurred at 10.44am today, August 1, near Central Festival Phuket, sparked immediate panic as rescue teams scrambled to the scene. Police and emergency responders from the…
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Cement truck flips in dramatic crash near Phuket café
Lunchtime diners at a trendy Kathu café were left shaken yesterday when a cement mixer truck overturned, smashing through an elevated walkway before landing upside down just metres away. The terrifying crash occurred at approximately 12.30pm yesterday, July 31, near the Coffee In Farm café on Route 3030, a busy road connecting Koh Kaew and Kathu. Eyewitnesses described hearing a…
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600-million-baht Phuket projects face scrutiny
Six high-stakes government projects worth over 600 million baht are under the microscope—but progress remains a mystery. The Phuket Provincial Governance Committee has launched a round of field inspections aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and public benefit from major infrastructure and development projects slated for 2025. Led by Ruenwadee Suwanmongkol, Chief Inspector General of the Prime Minister’s Office for Inspection…
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Phuket taps run dry: 12-hour water cut hits Rawai
The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) has warned residents and businesses in Rawai, Phuket, to prepare for a full-day water outage tomorrow as essential pipework shuts down the supply for 12 hours. The disruption will run from 10am to 10pm tomorrow, August 1, and affects a large section of Rawai, including Soi Mittraphap, Saiyuan 1, Soi Laem Ka, Soi Wirachot, Soi…
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Massive road revamp to shake up Phuket traffic flow
The Phuket Highways Office has announced plans for a massive 420-million baht overhaul of Srisoonthorn Road, one of the island’s busiest and most vital thoroughfares. Residents, business owners, and commuters are invited to weigh in at a public meeting scheduled for today, July 31. The meeting will run from 9am to midday at the Chalermprakiat 84 Pansa Building, located at…
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Phuket drowning in rubbish: Mayor vows not to quit
Mayor Suphot La-ongphet of Phuket City is standing firm as the island faces a mounting waste management crisis, with garbage piling up faster than it can be processed. On Tuesday, July 29, at 5.30pm, the mayor visited the Phuket Central Waste Disposal Centre to assess the worsening situation. He was joined by Director of the Engineering Office Yutthana Kanchanaphak to…
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Armed gang brawl erupts at Phuket’s Saphan Hin fest
A fiery clash between rival youth gangs turned Phuket’s Parn Hin festival into a crime scene late last night, with weapons seized and three suspects in custody after a confrontation involving firecrackers, knives, and even a homemade gun. The incident erupted around 10.30pm yesterday, July 29, near the central stage at the Saphan Hin fairground, where witnesses reported two groups…
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Late-night raids in Kamala and Patong net drug suspects
Phuket’s nightlife came under fire this week as authorities launched surprise raids in Kamala and Patong, arresting suspected drug users and pushing deeper into local trafficking networks. As part of the national No Drugs, No Dealers campaign, officials from the Kathu District Office carried out surprise inspections at nightlife venues in Village 3, Kamala, near Soi Pa Jak, on Monday,…
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Aeroflot flight drama: Phuket return sparks hacker rumours
An Aeroflot flight bound for Novosibirsk was forced to return to Phuket International Airport yesterday morning just minutes after takeoff, following what was reported as a technical malfunction, but speculation is swirling after the airline confirmed a cyberattack just one day earlier. The Airbus A330, operating as flight SU637, took off at 9.53am local time, around 30 minutes behind schedule. But…
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Missing jet ski operator found dead on island off Phuket
A routine day on the water turned tragic after a young jet ski operator vanished off Koh Naka Yai; his body was pulled from mangroves two days later. The body of 22 year old Jessadawut Hom, also known as Bass, was discovered yesterday afternoon, July 29, tangled in mangroves along the shore of Koh Naka Yai, off Phuket’s east coast.…
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2 suspected drug dealers nabbed in Bangla Road raids
Tourists out for a wild night on Patong’s Bangla Road were unknowingly partying alongside drug dealers, until a swift crackdown by local officials brought the party to a halt. Two suspected dealers were arrested in separate sting operations on Monday, July 28, as part of Phuket’s aggressive No Drugs, No Dealers campaign, a sweeping initiative aimed at clearing narcotics from nightlife…
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Search continues for missing jet-ski operator off Phuket coast
Efforts continue to search for a 22 year old jet-ski operator who fell into the sea off Naka Yai Island on July 27. The man, Chetthawut Hom from Pa Khlok, went missing after the incident. Chetthawut was reported missing at 7.10pm, having fallen overboard while operating a jet-ski near Naka Yai Island, located off the east coast of Phuket. At…
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Private photos leaked after phone repair at Phuket shopping mall
A Thai woman accused six employees at Studio 7 in Central Phuket of allegedly stealing private photos from her phone and distributing them via the Telegram application. The 22 year old victim shared the details of her case on the Facebook page Rose to Universe to raise public awareness in the hope of obtaining justice. The incident reportedly took place…
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French drug trafficking suspect captured in Phuket
A 22 year old French national, sought in France for drug trafficking, has been apprehended in Phuket after evading capture for several weeks. Phuket Immigration Police confirmed the arrest of the suspect, known only as Bachir, with assistance from the Crime Suppression Division of Immigration Bureau 6. Bachir is wanted in connection with a significant international drug trafficking network and…
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Phuket motorcyclist killed in crash with drunk driver on Thepkrasattri Road
A 19 year old motorcyclist lost his life in a collision on Thepkrasattri Road, Phuket, on July 25. The accident occurred when a drunk driver lost control of her sedan, crossed the central median, and collided head-on with the teenager’s motorbike. Thalang Police were informed of the incident at 12.10am, and upon arrival at Moo 3, Srisoonthorn, they discovered a…
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Saudi tourist found dead after Bang Tao Beach disappearance
A 22 year old Saudi tourist, Dhaher Suhayb Mohammed S, who went missing while swimming at Bang Tao Beach on July 26, was found dead near Layan Beach in Cherng Talay today, July 28. Lifeguards discovered his body early in the morning near the southern end of Sirinat National Park, wearing only swimming trunks. Cherng Talay Police, along with rescue…
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Van crash in Phuket leaves driver seriously injured
A 25 year old van driver sustained serious injuries after his vehicle collided with a power pole in Koh Kaew, Phuket, during the early hours of July 26. He remained trapped in the wreck for nearly 30 minutes. The incident occurred around 3.30am on Thepkrasattri Road near the Bangkok Bank Koh Kaew branch, heading towards Phuket Town. The Narendhara Andaman…
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Body of missing swimmer found at Nai Thon Beach
The body of a 23 year old man, Nianus Salae, has been discovered near the rocks at Nai Thon Beach after he was swept away by waves while swimming. Rescue workers have taken the body for forensic examination before it is returned to his family for religious rites. Nianus, who worked in Phuket but hailed from Pattani province, was swimming…
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Phuket police arrest 43 in anti-drug raids across 26 sites
Phuket law enforcement agencies have apprehended 43 people following a series of coordinated raids across 26 sites on the island over the past week. These actions are part of the ongoing NO Drugs NO Dealers campaign aimed at eradicating drug-related activities in the province. Between July 22 and July 25, police arrested 24 people for serious drug offences and 19…
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Artists flock to Phuket for Asia’s biggest sketch fest
Phuket is gearing up to welcome an international crowd of artists, art lovers and cultural travellers for the Asialink Sketch Walk Phuket 2025, a major arts event aimed at boosting creative tourism and rebranding the island as a year-round cultural hotspot. Scheduled for August 14–17, the event was officially announced at a press conference held at Limelight Avenue Phuket, led…
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Weed stench driving tourists away, claims Phuket MP
A Phuket MP has lit up controversy by claiming that the smell of cannabis on local beaches is driving away big-spending tourists and damaging the island’s reputation. Yesterday, July 25, Chalermpong Saengdee, an MP for Phuket from the People’s Party, issued a fiery statement slamming the lack of cannabis regulation and the government’s “careless” visa-free policy, warning that Thailand’s top…
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Thai police ends child predator’s reign of terror in Phuket
A 53 year old man, accused of heinous crimes against a child, was apprehended in Phuket by the CIB’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division, ending a terrifying ordeal. The incident began when the child revealed to her mother that the suspect, Anan, had allegedly abducted her and taken her to Langu district, Satun province. Swift and decisive action by officers at Langu…
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Phuket unshaken by border conflict fears
As artillery fire shakes the Thai–Cambodian border, Phuket officials have stepped forward to squash growing fears that the island’s world-famous tourism is at risk. In a rare bilingual statement issued yesterday, July 24, Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat reassured tourists and locals that the island remains “safe, calm, and completely unaffected” by the ongoing military conflict hundreds of miles away. “Phuket…
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Vodka vroom: Drunk Russian wrecks Thai woman’s car in Phuket
A Thai woman is seeking accountability from a Russian man who crashed his car into her two parked vehicles while driving under the influence in Phuket on Tuesday, July 22. The victim, Atiya Sharon, took to social media to request assistance from netizens in locating the Russian suspect. She posted details of the drink-driving incident along with CCTV footage showing…
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AC unit blamed for fire scare at Karon hotel spa
A fire broke out last night at the Karon Phunaka Resort & Spa in Phuket, sending staff into emergency mode just before guests were due to arrive. The blaze, which erupted in the spa lounge’s reception area, is believed to have been sparked by a faulty air conditioning unit. Police were alerted to the incident around 6.30pm yesterday, July 23,…
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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