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Authorities in Phuket have dismantled a large-scale methamphetamine supply network that used household appliances to smuggle drugs onto the island. Nearly 200,000 meth pills were seized, and two suspects were taken into custody. At a press briefing on April 4, Provincial Police Commander Sinlert Sukhum revealed that the investigation began after officers intercepted a shipment of 19,892 pills in Satun province on March 30. The drugs had been concealed inside evaporative air c

The Phuket branch of the Red Cross has announced a special blood donation campaign in celebration of Songkran. Donors are invited to give blood from April 7 to April 15 at the regional blood center, Phuket RBC, as well as at various mobile donation units across the island. As a token of appreciation, participants will receive commemorative T-shirts—perfect for joining in the traditional water festivities during the Thai New Year. The main donation center operates on the follo

A vibrant three-day kite festival has kicked off on Karon Beach in Phuket, bringing color, entertainment, and family-friendly activities to the island. The Phuket Kite Festival opened on April 3 and will run through April 5 at Nong Harn Park, located near the lake in the northern part of the beach. At the same time, the Kata Karon Season Sound fair has begun in the same area, offering visitors a lively mix of shopping, food, and entertainment. The event program features a wid

Phuket officials carried out an inspection at a restaurant near the Big Buddha in Chalong after online discussions raised concerns about a Hebrew-language sign displayed at the entrance. The inspection took place around 5:30 p.m. and involved district authorities, local leaders, municipal officers, and volunteer defense personnel. Their goal was to verify that the business complies with all legal and regulatory requirements. According to officials, the restaurant is properly

A new electric bus route will begin operating in Phuket on May 15, expanding the island’s growing eco-friendly public transport network. The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) announced the upcoming launch earlier this week, highlighting that the initiative comes at a time of rising fuel prices across Thailand. Like the three existing routes, the new line will be fully served by electric buses. The route is being introduced as a “school line,” connecting Phu

Fuel prices in Thailand have surged dramatically over the past month, with diesel and gasoline costs rising by nearly 50% compared to early March. The latest increase took effect on April 2, following a government-approved adjustment. According to official figures, diesel prices have climbed by approximately 48% since March 2, while gasohol E10 has risen by around 42%, bringing overall retail fuel costs close to one-and-a-half times higher than a month ago. The decision was f

Transport costs for sea travel from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi are set to rise starting April 5, as ferry and speedboat operators received approval to increase fares in response to higher fuel expenses. The decision followed a meeting on April 2 between Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn, officials from the Provincial Marine Department, and local transport operators. During the discussion, companies explained that they had been covering rising fuel costs for some time and could

Authorities in Phuket have detained six foreign women following an inspection at a kindergarten catering to Russian-speaking families in the Rawai area. The facility, known as Litti Kids, was among several businesses checked during a broader operation targeting companies suspected of using Thai nominees to bypass restrictions under Thailand’s Foreign Business Act. However, the arrests were primarily linked to possible violations of labor regulations rather than ownership stru

Electricity prices in Thailand are set to increase slightly beginning in May 2026, with the adjustment kept at a modest 1.8% compared to current rates. For residential consumers, the new tariff for the May–August period will be fixed at 3.95 baht per kilowatt-hour. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) reached this decision after reviewing public feedback and ultimately selected the least impactful option among three proposed scenarios. The approved structure includes a fuel

Authorities in Phuket have reported a major success in their fight against drug trafficking after seizing a large quantity of narcotics during a coordinated operation. According to Provincial Chief Officer Rungreung Thimabutr, the case began on March 31, when Phuket’s special operations unit received intelligence from officials in Thalang district about a planned drug transaction in Kathu. Acting on this tip, officers launched an undercover operation to verify the information

Authorities in Phuket have stepped up enforcement against so-called nominee business structures, carrying out coordinated raids across multiple locations on the island as part of a wider national initiative. The operation was overseen by Sinlert Sukhum, who presented the results during a press briefing attended by officials and media representatives. In total, eight sites were inspected, including businesses in sectors such as car rentals, property services, and childcare. Th

Immigration officers in Phuket have detained a Chinese national wanted for fraud after receiving a request for assistance from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand. The arrest took place on April 1 following an investigation into the suspect’s whereabouts. The man, identified as 32-year-old Wang, was believed to have been hiding in the province. Authorities eventually tracked him down to a condominium in the Patong area of Kathu district, where he was taken into custody. According

A charity running event will take place in Phuket on May 1, organized to support Chalong Hospital. The initiative was announced by the provincial office of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, with the event scheduled at Bang Wad Reservoir. The run is timed to coincide with Labor Day, which in Thailand is observed as a public holiday and is traditionally marked by nationwide activities highlighting workers’ rights. Details about the “May Day Run” were shared on Ma

His Majesty Maha Vajiralongkorn has officially endorsed a new cabinet proposed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The approved list of ministers was published in the Royal Gazette on March 31. The newly formed administration, often referred to as the “second cabinet of Anutin,” is scheduled to be sworn in on April 6, which coincides with Chakri Day. The government is expected to present its policy agenda to parliament the following day. Observers have noted an unusually h

Police in Phuket have arrested a suspected drug trafficker after intercepting a large quantity of methamphetamine at a checkpoint. The operation took place in the early hours of March 31 at the Tha Chatchai checkpoint, a key control point on the island. Officers stopped a suspicious vehicle and carried out a search. During the inspection, authorities discovered 3,981 methamphetamine tablets hidden inside the car. In addition to the drugs, police seized a Toyota C-HR and an iP

Tourist police in Phuket have arrested a French national who had overstayed his visa, using facial recognition technology to identify the violation. The arrest took place on March 30 on Bangla Road in Patong. According to authorities, the 27-year-old man had remained in Thailand 42 days beyond his permitted stay. Police reported that the suspect was detected through a mobile AI-powered camera installed on a patrol vehicle. While officials did not specify the exact type of veh

The Phuket Provincial Police has issued a warning to motorists, announcing a tougher approach to traffic law enforcement starting April 1. Authorities explained that March 31 marks the end of a nationwide “leniency phase,” during which officers were encouraged to issue warnings instead of fines whenever possible. Although it remains unclear how consistently this policy was applied in Phuket, officials have confirmed that stricter enforcement will now take effect across the is

Thailand’s Minister of Culture, Sabeeda Thaised, has praised the outstanding success of the Thailand Biennale held in Phuket, highlighting its major contribution to both the cultural and tourism sectors. According to official figures, the event attracted more than 2.4 million visitors and generated over 28.9 billion baht in economic activity. This includes spending by international tourists, domestic travelers staying overnight, and day visitors, demonstrating the event’s bro

Thai authorities have issued a public warning after a large concentration of venomous “fire jellyfish” was discovered in the waters around Koh Aeo in Phuket. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin announced the alert on March 30, urging residents, tourists, and marine operators to exercise caution and avoid contact with the jellyfish. High concentration detected According to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR

Phuket Airport immigration authorities have rejected accusations that staff were charging passengers for fast-track services during long queues at passport control. The statement came on March 29 after social media users criticized the situation on March 28, claiming that travelers were being encouraged to pay 200 baht for expedited processing. Cause of the delays According to the Immigration Bureau, the congestion in the international departures area was caused by a temporar