All Articles

Police in Phuket have arrested a 36-year-old foreign national on suspicion of possessing cocaine for sale. According to a statement by Choeng Thale Police, the suspect was identified as a Nigerian citizen. Officers seized 7.3 grammes of cocaine along with packaging materials and other items during the operation. The suspect faces a charge of illegal possession of a Category 2 narcotic — cocaine — with intent to sell. The seized items included: 7.3 grammes of cocaine 257 plast

A 29-year-old Russian man died after his motorcycle collided with a Mercedes-Benz on Chalermprakiat Rama 9 Road in Phuket on November 5. Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash and have not yet determined who was responsible. Mueang Phuket Police Station received a report of the fatal accident at approximately 8:55pm and sent officers to the scene in Rassada. The motorcyclist, identified as Ilia Eid, was found lying on the road with multiple injuries. Police c

Phuket is looking to expand its cooperation with Singapore across tourism, trade, investment and urban development as the province seeks to strengthen its position as an international destination. The opportunities were discussed during a meeting between Phuket Governor Chodnarin Koedsom and Singaporean Ambassador to Thailand Catherine Wong Siow Ping at Phuket Provincial Hall on November 5. The talks covered tourism development, urban planning and disaster preparedness. Gover

Authorities in Phuket carried out an operation against illegal cannabis sales on November 4, raiding an unlicensed shop in the centre of Phuket Town and seizing more than 123,000 baht in cash. The inspection took place at approximately 3:15pm on Ratsada Road in the Talat Nuea subdistrict. The operation was coordinated by Deputy Governor Romdon Hayi-awa and Mueang Phuket District Chief Siwat Rawangkul, with the participation of district public health officials. The team inspec

Police in Phuket have arrested eight people suspected of stealing mobile phones and other electronic equipment worth more than 3 million baht from a cargo warehouse at Phuket International Airport. The arrests were announced on November 4 following an investigation into an alleged theft and resale operation involving shipments from China destined for Russia. Some of the suspects were employees of an international freight company. The case initially emerged when officers inspe

Phuket has introduced a new electric bus service linking Phuket International Airport with Rawai, giving residents and visitors another public transport option. Fares start at 40 baht. The route was officially launched on November 2 by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO). A fleet of 10 air-conditioned electric buses now operates under Route 8580, connecting the airport with the southern part of the island. Buses travel from Phuket International Airport al

A Chinese tourist who could not swim was rescued at sea off Phuket after her canoe overturned and drifted away from the shore on November 3. A passing fishing boat spotted her clinging to the overturned vessel and brought her safely back to land. The incident happened at around 5:40pm near the southern tip of Koh Man, off Rawai in Mueang Phuket district. The woman, believed to be in her 20s, had reportedly set out from Ya Nui Beach in a canoe. Waves subsequently overturned th

Phuket International Airport has announced plans to remove tour operators’ reception desks from the international arrivals hall, where companies have traditionally used temporary counters to meet organised groups of tourists. The issue has sparked objections from representatives of the tourism industry, particularly companies serving the Russian market. Following complaints and media coverage, reports emerged that the airport had agreed to postpone the removal for 30 days. Ho

Foreign adult content creator Youssef Khelil, better known online as Gattouz0, has received further recognition from Phuket residents after taking part in a charitable event at a local temple and previously helping motorists caught in floodwaters. Khelil, whom Thai social media users have nicknamed “P’ Tao”, attended a merit-making ceremony at Wat Phithak Samanakit in Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket, on November 1. During the event, he helped distribute rice, dried food and other es

Buddhist temples across Phuket have begun holding annual Kathin ceremonies, during which laypeople present new saffron robes and other offerings to monks following the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat, known as Vassa. Vassa is a three-month period during the rainy season when monks traditionally remain in one place and devote themselves to religious practice. The Kathin season begins after the retreat ends, with each temple holding its ceremony once a year. The first Kathin

Police in Phuket have arrested a man suspected of attacking a 23-year-old woman who was riding home from work late at night. The assailant allegedly struck her on the head with a wooden stick in an attempt to rob her. Despite being injured, the woman managed to escape and seek help. The incident occurred at approximately 2:50am on November 1 on Mueang Chao Fa Road in Vichit, near the Phuket campus of Prince of Songkla University. The woman was struck once on the head with a w

Police in Phuket have launched investigations into businesses connected to an international school in Rawai and a property company allegedly controlled by a French national as part of an ongoing crackdown on the use of nominee shareholders. In the school-related case, investigators are examining two companies linked to the International School of Phuket (ISP). According to police, their ownership structures may have been used to conceal foreign control of the businesses. Offi

A motorcycle rally promoting safer driving took place across Phuket on November 1 as part of a campaign to reduce road accidents and fatalities. The event was organised by the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), with Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsom leading the start of the rally. The governor joined the ride on a black Ducati Scrambler as motorcyclists set off from Phuket Provincial Hall. The campaign was held under the slogan “Phuk

Tourism activity on Phuket is gradually returning to normal as weather conditions improve following recent heavy rainfall. However, the risk of thunderstorms and renewed flooding remains, prompting authorities to continue monitoring vulnerable areas. On October 31, clearer skies and occasional sunshine brought Thai and international visitors back to Patong Beach in Kathu district. Tourists were seen relaxing along the shore and enjoying water activities, restoring a more vibr

A 44-year-old Russian man living in Cherng Talay, Phuket, has been fined 10,000 baht after driving a pickup truck across Bang Tao Beach. The incident prompted complaints from residents and an investigation by local police after footage circulated online. The incident reportedly took place on October 28 near the Dusit Thani hotel in Cherng Talay, Thalang district. Videos shared on social media showed a Phuket-registered pickup driving back and forth across the sand, drawing cr

Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has arrested a Chinese woman on Phuket over allegations that she operated businesses illegally through Thai nominee shareholders. Investigators say the woman controlled at least two companies, while a Thai shareholder allegedly acknowledged that she had acted as a nominee. The suspect, identified in police records as Ms Lin, was arrested under a warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court. The investigation included searches at two locations in

Her Majesty Queen Suthida is scheduled to visit Phuket on November 11 to attend the opening ceremony of the Global Wellness Summit 2026. The international event will take place from November 10 to 13 at Angsana Laguna Phuket, within the Laguna Phuket resort complex. Preparations for the royal visit are already underway. An organisational meeting was held at the hotel on October 27, chaired by Air Chief Marshal Phakdi Saengchuto, Assistant Principal Private Secretary to His Ma

Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul has instructed relevant agencies to assist visitors affected by flooding on Phuket, where heavy rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides, damaging properties and forcing evacuations in Patong. Speaking on October 29, the minister said he had directed the Phuket Tourism and Sports Office, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Tourist Police to help affected visitors, prioritise their safety and coord

With weather conditions on Phuket gradually improving, Patong Beach is preparing to host the three-day Phuket Beach Life 2026 festival from October 30 to November 1. The event will feature live music, sporting competitions, creative workshops, water sports and a range of beachside activities. Admission is free. Phuket Beach Life is part of the Amazing Multi-Racing Festival 2026, a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) initiative taking place in three coastal destinations. Songk

A woman from Myanmar was killed in a road accident involving two vehicles in Chalong on the evening of October 27. She was crossing the road when a pickup truck struck her, throwing her into the path of an oncoming SUV. According to the police report, the accident occurred between 9pm and 10pm in front of a SuperCheap store on Chaofa East Road, south of Robinson Chalong shopping centre. Police used CCTV footage to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision. The footag