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Phuket authorities have stepped up enforcement against hookah lounges as part of the nationwide Operation 90 Days anti-drug campaign, carrying out two consecutive raids that resulted in the seizure of hookah equipment and tobacco worth approximately 630,000 baht. The inspections targeted entertainment venues in Ratsada and Rawai after officials said they had received complaints from local residents. In both operations, undercover officers conducted test purchases before autho

A Swedish national sought under an Interpol Red Notice on fraud-related charges was arrested in Phuket on August 4 after immigration officers located her on the island. According to police, the suspect, identified only as Felicia, is accused of participating in a large-scale fraud scheme together with more than 14 accomplices. Investigators allege that, in early 2022, the group impersonated representatives of banks and financial institutions, making more than 163 fraudulent p

A 41-year-old British traveler, Zakir Mahood, was discovered deceased in his Patong hotel room on his scheduled departure date. The discovery occurred after hotel personnel entered the room, where a "Do Not Disturb" sign had been displayed continuously for several days. Mahood had been residing in the accommodation independently since July 24 and was set to check out on August 3. According to hotel employees, housekeepers last serviced the room on July 27, after which the gue

Trail runners from Phuket and across Thailand are preparing for Phuket Trail 2026, with this year's event expected to attract more than 1,000 participants. The Phuket round of the Southern Thailand Trail Series 2026 will take place on September 12–13, offering courses for both experienced ultrarunners and first-time trail enthusiasts. Despite the range of distances available, organisers note that the shortest 7-kilometre Fun Trail traditionally sells out first. Seven race dis

Firefighters quickly brought a morning fire under control after flames engulfed a three-storey restaurant building in Phuket's Kata area. Officials confirmed that no one was injured in the incident. According to emergency services, the fire broke out at around 7:00 a.m. on August 3 at a restaurant located next to a hotel in Kata. Fire crews from the Karon Subdistrict Administrative Organization, supported by fire engines and water tankers, responded immediately. The blaze was

Phuket has officially launched the 11th Phuket Lobster Festival, inviting visitors to enjoy special lobster-inspired menus and exclusive promotions at restaurants across the island throughout August. The festival opened on July 31 in Chalong during the Hlong Long Do Fair and the Chalong Agricultural Festival. The month-long culinary celebration will continue until August 31. This year's theme, "From GI to Global Gastronomy," highlights Phuket’s famous seven-colored lobster, a

Phuket authorities have stepped up efforts to improve road safety and public security, with Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom overseeing inspections of tunnel infrastructure, traffic safety measures, and surveillance systems at Sarasin Bridge. The inspection brought together officials from the provincial transport office, highway authorities, and public health agencies to review ongoing projects aimed at easing congestion and reducing road accidents across the island. According to t

A young spinner dolphin was rescued after washing ashore alive on Patong Beach, with marine authorities in Phuket launching an emergency operation to save the rare animal. The rescue involved coordinated efforts between beach security personnel, the Kusoldharm Foundation, and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) Upper Andaman Sea Center. According to the DMCR, the stranded dolphin was a juvenile female measuring 158 centimeters in length and weighing about 25

A woman has been arrested in Phuket after allegedly killing her mother-in-law during a violent domestic dispute at their home in Chalong on the morning of August 1. Police were called to the residence in Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, at approximately 9:25 a.m. after neighbours reported a fatal incident. Officers found the victim, 74-year-old Chantra, dead inside the house. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Sri, was discovered in the bathroom after neighbours had restr

Bangkok Hospital Group has officially inaugurated the Bangkok-Phuket Cancer Institute, marking a new stage in the development of oncology services on the island. The opening ceremony was held on July 30 at Bangkok Hospital Phuket, according to The Phuket News. The institute does not represent the launch of cancer treatment services from scratch. Instead, it brings together the existing oncology capabilities of three BDMS network hospitals—Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Bangkok Hosp

The Phuket Regional Blood Centre (Phuket RBC) has released its schedule of mobile blood donation campaigns for August, with 16 donation events planned across the island. Residents will be able to donate blood at shopping centres, hotels, Phuket International Airport, and corporate offices. The mobile donation programme will cover Thalang, Phuket Town, and Kathu. In addition, a special blood donation event will be held at the Phuket Red Cross office on August 12 to mark Thaila

Phuket’s tourism industry recorded more than 329 million baht in revenue during Thailand’s recent three-day public holiday, driven by strong domestic travel and a series of cultural celebrations across the island. The holiday period, held from July 28 to 30, marked the birthday of His Majesty King Rama X, as well as the Buddhist holidays Asalha Bucha and Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent). According to Sirivan Siharach, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Offi

Police in Phuket have arrested a Myanmar national after discovering she was allegedly performing duties that were not permitted under the conditions of her work permit. The woman was detained in Chalong on July 30 after officers received information that a migrant worker was working as a shop assistant at a grocery store, handling sales, receiving payments, and serving customers despite being authorised for a different occupation. To verify the report, officers conducted a te

Authorities in Phuket have initiated legal proceedings against the operator of a condominium in Wichit after inspectors allegedly discovered the property was being used for daily accommodation without the required hotel licence. The inspection was carried out on July 29 following complaints from residents about the building. During the operation, officials found that units were being rented to short-term guests on a daily basis, which may violate Thailand’s Hotel Act. Officia

Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom has presented a certificate of recognition to nine-year-old Pavin "Pace" Pattanavekin after the young student claimed two championship titles at the International STEM Olympiad & Coding Olympiad 2026 in Rome. According to True Coding School Phuket, the governor congratulated Pace on becoming a Global Champion and finishing at the top of the worldwide rankings in competitions held on the Codementum programming platform. Pace was among the youn

A Thai ice cream vendor has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a Ukrainian tourist near Kata Beach in Phuket. Police later reported that the suspect tested positive for illegal drugs following his detention. The incident occurred on the morning of July 29 along a roadside in Karon, Mueang Phuket district. It first came to public attention after the Newshawk Phuket Facebook page published details at around 11:20 a.m. Footage widely shared on Thai social media shows a man

Thailand marked the 74th birthday of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn on July 28 with ceremonies and public events held nationwide, including a series of commemorative activities across Phuket. The day’s celebrations on the island began early in the morning at Phuket Provincial Hall and in front of the main government complex on Tha Kraeng Road. Provincial officials, local leaders, and members of the public gathered to present alms to Buddhist monks and take part in merit

Emergency crews swiftly contained a chlorine tank explosion at the Phuket Municipal Waterworks in Phuket Town on July 28, with officials confirming that the city’s water supply remains unaffected. The incident occurred at approximately 1:15 p.m. at the municipal water treatment facility on Damrong Road. Provincial and local authorities immediately responded, including Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom, Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office chief Worath S

Police have identified a Russian national as the suspect behind the theft of cash from a currency exchange booth in Phuket, revising their initial assumption that the offender might have been a Thai citizen disguised as a foreigner. The robbery took place on July 19 at a currency exchange counter inside a shopping mall in Wichit. The theft occurred shortly before closing time, while staff only discovered the missing money when they returned to open the business the following

Lifeguards at Bang Tao and Surin beaches have received a new set of remotely operated rescue buoys as part of Phuket’s ongoing efforts to improve water safety. The equipment was officially handed over on July 27, two days after World Drowning Prevention Day, observed annually on July 25. The delivery forms part of the multi-agency Cherngtalay Smart Beach’Cop 4.0 initiative, which combines water safety measures with road safety improvements. The launch ceremony was attended by