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Teenage musician Rattikan "Nene Royal" Amlai from Phuket has received official recognition from the Thai government as she prepares to compete in the next round of America's Got Talent (AGT). On the morning of July 14, Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, introduced the young performer to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during a meeting at Government House in Bangkok. The gathering highlighted the government's intention to support talented

Phuket will host another auction of Thailand’s highly sought-after special vehicle registration plates this weekend, giving motorists the opportunity to bid on lucky number combinations while supporting road safety initiatives across the country. Unlike in many countries, the sale of premium license plates in Thailand is conducted through an official government auction. The proceeds are directed to the Road Safety Fund, which finances traffic safety projects and provides assi

A 16-year-old musician from Phuket has captured international attention after earning unanimous approval from the judges during her audition on America’s Got Talent, moving one step closer to her ambition of becoming a globally recognized artist. Rattikarn "Praew" Amloy, who performs under the stage name Nene Royal, is well known to visitors of Naka Night Market, where she regularly plays with her rock band, Ozone. The group has become a familiar attraction for both Thai resi

Residents of Phuket are being encouraged to donate blood throughout July as the Phuket Regional Blood Center (Phuket RBC) and the Blood Bank of Vachira Phuket Hospital continue efforts to maintain adequate blood supplies for hospitals across the province. In addition to regular donation opportunities at their permanent facilities, both organizations have scheduled numerous mobile blood collection events at shopping malls, hotels, businesses, government offices, and other loca

A Phuket taxi driver has received widespread praise after offering three foreign visitors a complimentary ride to Wat Chalong when they admitted they could not afford the fare. The touching encounter took place on June 29 and was later shared on Facebook by user Pichaiphorn Chanproong. The video, filmed near the Pearl Circle roundabout in Patong, quickly gained attention across social media. According to the footage, the three tourists stopped the taxi and explained that they

Phuket concluded its month-long Pride celebrations on Saturday, June 27, with the Phuket Pride 2026 Grand Parade through the streets of Phuket Old Town. More than 2,000 people took part in the event, making it one of the largest Pride gatherings held on the island. Held under the theme "We are ONE – Together in Love," the parade served as the highlight of this year's Pride program, which had begun ahead of June with a series of events in Patong. Participants included represen

Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), in partnership with Laguna Phuket, has released young sea turtles and bamboo sharks into the Andaman Sea as part of an ongoing effort to restore marine biodiversity. The conservation event took place on June 20 and featured the release of 25 juvenile green sea turtles and 10 bamboo sharks. The animals had been raised at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) on Cape Panwa before being returned to their natural

Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) has opened registration for the second event in its "3 Districts, 3 Lakes" community running series. As with the previous race, participation is free and includes an event T-shirt and refreshments, although the number of available places is limited. The first run took place on May 30 around Bang Wad Reservoir in Kathu. Despite rainy weather, hundreds of participants of all ages and fitness levels completed the six-kilometre

The three-day X Planet Fruit Road 2026 festival attracted large crowds to Sri Sunthorn in Thalang district from June 12 to 14, continuing the success of last year’s popular countryside event. Held near the rubber plantations at the foothills of Khao Phra Thaeo, the festival once again showcased local culture, food, and community traditions. Visitors enjoyed a wide selection of food stalls, traditional fairground games, friendly competitions, and nightly live music performance

Phuket joined the global celebration of World Blood Donor Day on June 14 with a series of special events aimed at recognizing blood donors and promoting voluntary blood donation across the island. Commemorative donation drives were organized at the Phuket Regional Blood Centre (Phuket RBC) and at Limelight Phuket shopping mall, while an annual awards ceremony honoring outstanding donors and organizations supporting blood donation took place at The Pago Design Hotel. Although

Phuket is marking World Blood Donor Day with a week-long blood donation campaign, encouraging residents to help replenish vital blood supplies while recognizing the contribution of volunteer donors across the island. Although World Blood Donor Day is officially observed on June 14, the Phuket Regional Blood Centre (Phuket RBC) has been celebrating the occasion throughout the week. From June 8 to 14, all blood donations made at the center are dedicated to the international eve

Phuket reinforced its reputation as an inclusive international destination with the opening of the Phuket Pride Festival 2026 on June 7. The celebration began with a vibrant parade through Patong, bringing together residents, tourists, and members of the LGBTQIAN+ community in support of equality, diversity, and human rights. The procession was led by Acting Phuket Provincial Chief Administration Officer Naphat Em-on, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security Advisor

Phuket is hosting a week of Pride celebrations as the Phuket Pride Festival 2026 takes place in Patong from June 1 to June 7, bringing together residents and visitors in support of equality, diversity, and social inclusion. Organized under the theme “From Visibility to Equality,” the event aims to strengthen Thailand’s reputation as an inclusive destination while promoting tourism and encouraging broader acceptance of diverse communities. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ployta

Phuket United FC, a newly formed football club built largely around players under the age of 21, has completed its debut campaign in the Thai Semi-Pro League. Due to the small number of teams competing in the Southern Division, the club played a total of six matches during the season — three at home and three away. The team finished fifth in the standings, collecting five points from one victory, two draws, and three defeats. While the final position may seem modest, the club

Phuket marked the 48th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Suthida on June 3 with a series of commemorative activities, including the release of young sharks and sea turtles into the Andaman Sea as part of a marine conservation initiative. One of the province’s main volunteer events took place at a Royal Thai Navy base at Cape Panwa, adjacent to facilities operated by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). The center is responsible for breeding and raising marine sp

Buddhists across Thailand are celebrating Visakha Bucha, one of the most important religious holidays in the Buddhist calendar. Morning ceremonies were held at temples nationwide, while candlelit processions are expected to take place later in the evening. Visakha Bucha commemorates three key events in the life of the Buddha — his birth, enlightenment, and passing into Nirvana. According to Buddhist tradition, all three events occurred on the full moon of the sixth lunar mont

Phuket continued to outperform much of Thailand’s tourism sector during the first four months of 2026, welcoming nearly 4.9 million visitors and generating 186.9 billion baht in tourism revenue despite growing global economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Figures released by the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) show that the island recorded an average hotel occupancy rate of 81.85% between January and April, highlighting the destination’s continued pop

Thailand’s Immigration Bureau and other government agencies will suspend operations on June 1 and June 3 in observance of national holidays. June 2, however, will remain a regular working day. The additional holiday on Monday, June 1, was granted because Visakha Bucha Day falls on Sunday, May 31 this year. Visakha Bucha, also known internationally as Vesak, is considered one of the most important Buddhist celebrations. Observed on the full moon of the sixth lunar month, the h

Phuket is set to introduce a new public attraction as work on the redevelopment of the former provincial prison site enters its final stage. The future Phuket Old Prison Park is now more than 80% complete and is expected to officially open to the public in late August. The project is being overseen by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO), which aims to transform the once-restricted area into a green public space for both residents and tourists. The new park

Thailand’s Marine Department has issued a warning for marine operators in Phuket, including a temporary ban on small boats leaving coastal areas due to worsening weather conditions expected through early June. The notice was released by the Phuket regional office of the Marine Department and later circulated by MCOT radio. The order follows a weather advisory from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), which warned of deteriorating conditions caused by the strengthening so