Phuket Life | The Phuket News

VOLLEYBLL: Thailand ended the first week of the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League 2026 without a win as they lost to the Czech Republic in three sets in the fourth and final Pool 3 match in Nanjing, China yesterday (June 7).

Monday 8 June 2026 01:00 PM

Nerveless Antonelli continues record run with Monaco GP win

FORMULA ONE: Teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli continued his record-breaking drive to glory yesterday (June 7) when he became the youngest winner of the Monaco Grand Prix and the first Italian to win five consecutive races since 1952.

Monday 8 June 2026 09:32 AM

The Rise of the Phuket Talent Factory

FOOTBALL: The video link is characteristically patchy, a flickering digital window connecting a rainy evening in Phuket to a balcony in Bangkok. Sitting on screen is Kunanon Sittikarn, his slight, teenage frame clad in a blue Cruzeiro jersey, dwarfed by a pair of framed Brazilian football shirts hanging on the wall behind him. He looks exactly like what he is: a schoolboy. Yet, just days ago, this 15-year-old stepped onto a senior men’s pitch and entirely rewrote the script of local football.

Saturday 6 June 2026 10:00 AM

Thai sports stars honoured

ALL SPORTS: Weightlifter Weeraphon Wichuma and teqball player Jutatip Kuntatong were named the best male and female amateur athletes of 2025 respectively by the Sport Writers Association of Thailand (Swat) yesterday (June 4).

Friday 5 June 2026 02:00 PM

Phuket hosts Taekwondo Open

TAEKWONDO: The “Phuket Sports City Taekwondo Open 2026” took place last Sunday (May 31) with more than 1,000 top athletes from the southern areas of Thailand participating.

Friday 5 June 2026 10:00 AM

Global club rugby still looking for answers

RUGBY: Despite the crowded playing calendar, rugby needs to keep promoting itself. Finance is a global problem for clubs at all levels. Salaries are too high. Crowds are not high enough, and the gap between the professional game and the community game is widening.

Thursday 4 June 2026 02:00 PM

Thai spikers get Nations League campaign underway

VOLLEYBALL: Thailand began their FIVB Women’s Nations League 2026 campaign with a 0-3 loss (24-26, 22-25, 19-25) to European powerhouses Serbia yesterday (June 3).

Thursday 4 June 2026 11:30 AM

Patong hosts Beach Volleyball Open

BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Patong played host to a major beach volleyball competition last weekend as part of this year’s Phuket Pride celebrations.

Wednesday 3 June 2026 10:30 AM

Tirawat fires red-hot 62 to retain title

GOLF: Tirawat Kaewsiribandit fired a 10-under-par 62 during the final round to win the B3 million Singha All Thailand Championship 2026 by two strokes at the Suwan Golf and Country Club in Nakhon Pathom on Sunday (May 31).

Tuesday 2 June 2026 12:30 PM

Phuket set for Toyota badminton comp

BADMINTON: Phuket is gearing up to host the Toyota Phuket International Challenge 2026 badminton tournament, which runs from June 9-14.

Tuesday 2 June 2026 09:36 AM

Hudson eyes shocks in group of doom

FOOTBALL: Thailand head coach Anthony Hudson admitted his team face a tough challenge after the draw for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup placed them in Group F with four-time champions Japan, title-holder Qatar and Indonesia.

Monday 1 June 2026 10:11 AM

New stadium proposed for King Rama IX park

ALL SPORTS: The construction of a multi-sports stadium has been proposed at King Rama IX Commemoration Park in Talat Nuea as Phuket gears up to host the National Youth Games, officials have announced.

Friday 29 May 2026 10:00 AM

French glory, Irish dismay

RUGBY: Europe’s two elite club rugby competitions, the Challenge Cup and the Investec Champions Cup, saw French teams demolish Irish opposition last weekend.

Thursday 28 May 2026 11:41 AM

Mexico says will host Iran during World Cup

FOOTBALL: Mexico will allow Iran to be based in the country during the 2026 World Cup so its players can avoid US visa restrictions, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday (May 25).

Wednesday 27 May 2026 10:59 AM

Thais stage walkout, lose World Cup takraw final

SEPAK TAKRAW: Thailand’s bid for a third successive ISTAF Sepak Takraw World Cup ended in chaos on Saturday (May 23) when the men’s team regu, the on-court trio, staged a dramatic walkout in Kuala Lumpur, handing hosts Malaysia the trophy amid furious protests over refereeing decisions.

Tuesday 26 May 2026 10:30 AM

Four in a row for Antonelli after victory in Canada

FORMULA ONE: Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli continued his spectacular early-season romp yesterday (May 24) when he claimed his fourth straight win for Mercedes to extend his lead in the drivers world championship to 43 points in a thrilling Canadian Grand Prix.

Monday 25 May 2026 01:32 PM

Ratchanok wins Malaysia Masters

BADMINTON: Ratchanok Intanon turned back the clock as the Thai star claimed her third Malaysia Masters title in Kuala Lumpur yesterday (May 24).

Monday 25 May 2026 01:04 PM

Law changes and innovations to look out for at the World Cup

FOOTBALL: In 1970 it was the introduction of yellow and red cards. In 2018 VAR made its World Cup debut, while in Qatar in 2022 a FIFA directive to referees led to huge extensions to the amount of stoppage time played in games.

Sunday 24 May 2026 03:00 PM

Alcaraz withdraws from Wimbledon