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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

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

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

Authorities in southern Thailand have issued a navigation warning after two drifting containers were spotted near the Similan Islands, a popular destination for daily excursions from Phuket. The alert was released on March 29 by the regional maritime security center ThaiMECC 3. According to the report, local fishermen first noticed the containers on March 27. Potential maritime hazard Both containers are approximately 20 feet in size and are partially submerged, drifting free

The expat community in Phuket has launched an urgent appeal for blood donors with type O-negative to help save the life of a foreign tourist seriously injured in a road accident. The call for help began circulating on March 29 across Russian- and English-speaking Facebook groups. The patient, identified as Gert Geers, is currently awaiting surgery at Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Critical shortage of rare blood type The hospital relies on supplies from the regional Red Cross blood

Authorities in Phuket are stepping up measures to keep consumer prices under control as increasing fuel costs begin to affect the local market. The Phuket Provincial Commerce Office has urged businesses to raise prices responsibly, only when justified by actual cost increases, and to avoid unjustified markups. At the same time, officials are expanding support programs aimed at easing the financial burden on residents. Monitoring and transparency According to Provincial Commer

Thailand has officially introduced standardized sobriety tests that allow shop and bar staff to assess whether customers are intoxicated before selling alcohol. Although selling alcohol to intoxicated individuals has long been prohibited in the country, only recent amendments to the Alcohol Control Act have clearly defined how such checks should be carried out in practice. The Ministry of Public Health published the official guidelines on March 28, and they have already come

A Thai driver was seriously injured in a late-night crash on Phuket’s main highway after losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a tree. The accident occurred around 11:40pm in the northern part of the island, on a section of Thepkrasattri Road near the entrance to the Supalai Bella residential area. Initial reports suggest a possible discrepancy in the date, with the incident likely taking place on March 27. Emergency responders arriving at the scene found a heavily