Founded under the banner of Class Act Media, The Phuket News first rolled off the presses on March 4, 2011. Its arrival came at a time when Phuket’s English-language media space was already well established. Yet the new weekly set out with a clear ambition: to provide consistent, professional reporting that reflected the realities of life on an island that is both deeply Thai and unmistakably international.
Over the next decade and a half, that ambition would evolve into a multimedia network spanning print, digital, radio and video ‒ and into a newsroom that has reported on everything from tourism booms and busts to natural disasters, COVID-19, infrastructure battles, crime crackdowns, environmental concerns and the daily civic issues that shape life in Phuket.
FILLING A GAP, GROWING INTO A MEDIA HUB
When Class Act Media was established in 2009, Phuket was emerging from the global financial crisis and rebuilding tourism momentum. The island’s expatriate population was growing, Russian tourism was rising sharply, and international schools, hotels and service industries were expanding.
The launch of The Phuket News in 2011 was built around a simple principle: that Phuket required a trusted, locally based English-language publication capable of bridging communities ‒ Thai and foreign, public and private sector, residents and visitors.
Frank Dreist, Managing Director of Cape Sienna Phuket – Gourmet Hotel & Villas, says the paper quickly became part of the island’s fabric. “For me The Phuket News is important because it is a constant in the life of Phuket; it belongs and it is part of Phuket. It represents the foreign influence in Phuket and tells stories about how they are. For people who have been on the island for many years it reflects and showcases the development and highlights the engagement of people with Phuket.”
From the outset, the weekly print edition was supported by an expanding online presence ‒ allowing breaking news to be delivered in real time while the print edition provided depth and context.
What began as a weekly newspaper soon expanded into a broader media ecosystem. Under Class Act Media, the company expanded beyond print with the launch of Live 89.5 radio ‒ introduced four months before the Russian-language sister publication, Novosti Phuketa.
The addition of a dedicated Russian-language newspaper recognised the growing importance of Russian-speaking residents and tourists to Phuket’s economy. This was followed by video reporting through Phuket News TV, together establishing a cross-platform media presence that remains rare for a provincial publication in Thailand.
In 2017, the company further expanded with the launch of a Thai-language publication, Khao Phuket, reinforcing its role as a media bridge across communities.
Kongsak Khoophongsakorn, recently installed President of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, says foreign-language media plays a strategic role in Phuket’s development.
He describes Phuket as requiring a “media hub” capable of connecting government, private sector, tourists and expatriates ‒ and says The Phuket News has performed strongly in building trust among foreign readers through diverse, balanced and credible reporting.
He noted that comprehensive presentation of both positive and negative issues allows readers to make informed decisions, while suggesting future strategies could include expanding concise English summaries to further engage Thai readers and sharing readership insights with policymakers to support provincial planning.
“Ultimately, collaboration between the media, government, and the private sector is key to effective information dissemination and driving Phuket’s sustainable growth as a world-class tourist destination,” he said.
CRISIS AND CHANGE
Over 15 years, the newsroom has covered some of the most significant events in modern Phuket history. From maritime disasters that reshaped marine safety enforcement, to airport security developments, to the global shutdown of tourism during COVID-19 and the island’s ‘Sandbox’ reopening strategy, the paper has documented the island’s resilience in times of crisis.
That role ‒ particularly in communicating accurate information to foreign audiences ‒ has been widely acknowledged by authorities.
Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, Superintendent of the Phuket Provincial Police, said English- and Russian-language reporting is crucial in a province that ranks among the country’s top destinations for foreign visitors.
He praised the publication’s factual reporting and close coordination with police agencies, adding: “On the occasion of their 15th anniversary, congratulations! We hope The Phuket News will continue to serve Phuket province and provide beneficial news to both local residents and tourists.”
Pol Lt Col Ekkachai Siri, Senior Inspector of Tourist Police Station 1, Division 2, emphasised the importance of English-language media in communicating policies, procedures and offences to foreign visitors.
“Government publicity through local Thai-language media might not reach the international audience. English-language media is very helpful,” he said, adding that further collaboration between media and agencies could strengthen verification and policy dissemination.
He also highlighted the importance of promoting positive developments alongside crime and enforcement news, noting the speed at which negative stories can spread in the digital era.
CONNECTING COMMERCE
For Phuket’s business community, the publication has served as both watchdog and partner in building tourism confidence.
Bjorn Courage, General Manager of InterContinental Phuket and President of the Phuket Hotels Association, said, “Congratulations to The Phuket News on 15 years of informing, connecting, and supporting Phuket. As PHA president, I value your role in strengthening tourism confidence, the community voice and sustainable island growth.”
James Stewart, Managing Director of Vertigo Video Productions, described the publication as “an essential voice for both the local and international community”. “It gives businesses, residents and visitors a reliable source of information that helps the island function and grow,” he said.
Jazon Edouard, Founder and CEO of HeadStart International School, noted the strategic importance of multi-language reach. “Since opening in 2011, The Phuket News has been our trusted Media Partner on the island. Being able to reach Phuket’s diverse community in three languages through one convenient and efficient channel is a key part of our marketing strategy.”
COMMUNITY
Beyond business and tourism, community leaders credit the publication with strengthening civic engagement.
Simon Meredith, who serves as Head of School at British International School, Phuket, said, “In a place as international and dynamic as the island, having a trusted local voice that informs, challenges, and builds understanding is essential.”
Alex Longman, President of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach, commended the newspaper’s consistent support of charitable and community initiatives. “Through your coverage, many important causes have gained visibility and support that might otherwise not have been possible,” he said.
Tina Hall, Executive Director of Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation, highlighted the importance of factual reporting in an era of misinformation: “With so much misinformation and emotional reactions on social media, it’s more important than ever to have a trusted news outlet that provides accurate, factual reporting and information we can rely on.”
Kirsten Fletcher, Australian Consul-General in Phuket, described the milestone as “a huge” one, adding, “The Phuket News plays a vital role in bringing our diverse community together and keeping everyone informed about what’s happening locally, across Thailand, and around the world.”
A MULTILINGUAL GATEWAY
Phuket Airport Immigration Chief Pol Col Rassarin Thiraphatthanakun said the publication’s three-language model ‒ Thai, English and Russian ‒ allows diverse audiences to access credible information.
“The content is credible because the media verifies and investigates the facts of various news stories, presenting information from all angles,” she said, suggesting the future addition of Chinese-language content could expand reach even further.
Patong Mayor Lalita Maneesri echoed that view, describing multilingual reporting as essential in an international tourism city and likening it to being a good “host” for visitors.
Piyanoot Hongsyok, Deputy Managing Director of Anuphas & Sons Co Ltd and Honorary Consul of Estonia in Phuket, described the newspaper as “the window through which the world sees our island’s global distinction”.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
Fifteen years on, The Phuket News stands not only as a publication but as part of Phuket’s institutional landscape ‒ a platform through which government agencies clarify policy, businesses build confidence, charities raise awareness and residents debate the island’s future.
The challenges facing media today are significant: rapid digital change, social media misinformation, economic pressures and shifting reader habits. Yet the fundamental mission remains unchanged ‒ to report accurately, fairly and independently on the issues that matter.
As Phuket continues to grow as a tourism and residential destination, the need for credible, multilingual local journalism remains as vital as it was in 2011.
With The Phuket News next Wednesday marking 15 years of service to the island, for many across Phuket’s public, private and international communities, the message is consistent: the publication has become more than a newspaper. It has become part of Phuket’s story.