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Police in Phuket are investigating the fatal shooting of a motorcyclist on Thepkrasattri Road after the incident was initially mistaken for a road accident. The emergency call came at around 8:10pm on September 17, reporting that a motorcyclist had fallen near the tunnel and the turn-off toward Phuket Airport. Rescue workers arrived at the airport tunnel junction and began resuscitation efforts, initially treating the incident as a traffic accident. The situation changed when

Emergency services across Phuket have been placed on heightened alert as the province prepares for heavy rain, possible flash floods, landslides and dangerous sea conditions in the Andaman Sea. The Phuket provincial office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) issued an urgent order to district authorities, municipalities and relevant agencies to prepare for deteriorating weather conditions. The document, marked “maximum urgency”, was dated September

Thailand is moving forward with the first phase of the Phuket Expressway, a major infrastructure project designed to improve the connection between Kathu and Patong and provide an alternative to the existing road. The Kathu–Patong route is expected to reduce travel time between the two areas from around 30 minutes to approximately five minutes. The project is also intended to ease congestion and improve access to key tourism and economic areas of Phuket. Deputy Government Spo

Authorities in Phuket have launched an urgent inquiry following allegations that officials operating a late-night drug-testing checkpoint in Thalang demanded money from detainees in exchange for their release. Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit instructed the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) and Phuket authorities to establish what happened, identify those involved and examine evidence related to the allegations. Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom was

A fire broke out at an Arab restaurant in central Patong on the evening of September 14. No one was injured, while authorities continue to investigate what caused the incident. According to Patong Police, an emergency call was received at around 8:55pm. Fire crews from the local municipality were dispatched to Al Yemen Al Saeed restaurant on Soi Sansabai, across the road from Bangla Road. Firefighters brought the blaze under control before it could spread to other parts of th

A suspected burglar in Rawai, Phuket, was captured on CCTV after allegedly breaking into a home, searching through the property, taking valuables and behaving unusually before leaving the scene. The incident reportedly took place at around 3:04am on September 3. CCTV images were not published until September 15, when the Phuket Times Facebook page shared four still photographs in an apparent effort to warn local residents and help identify the man. According to the report, th

An Australian tourist has received a refund after a Phuket taxi driver reportedly charged him 3,500 baht for a journey that should have cost around 800 baht. The case has sparked criticism from Thai residents, who questioned whether returning the excess fare should be enough to resolve a possible legal violation. The incident was reported by several local news outlets over the weekend. The 26-year-old Australian was visiting Phuket for the first time and arrived through Phuke

Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has rejected claims that a new regulation allows foreigners to operate hotels, restaurants and tour businesses without a licence, describing the reports circulating online as fake news. The regulation removes the licensing requirement under the Foreign Business Act of 1999 for eight specific services divided into three groups. Online posts had incorrectly claimed that the measure covered seven businesses closely linked to Thai livelihoods, includi

A female ride-hailing driver in Phuket was taken to hospital after suddenly developing dizziness, weakness and breathing difficulties while transporting four foreign passengers in Patong on September 12. The woman said she believed the group may have sprayed an unidentified substance on her and suspected an attempt to drug her. The incident was reported by the Phuket Times Facebook page on September 13. According to the report, it happened at around 9pm while the driver was t

Thai police have arrested a 52-year-old Chinese national wanted by authorities in China after he overstayed his permitted stay in Thailand by 2,823 days — nearly eight years. The suspect, identified as Mr. Yong, was apprehended at around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, near a residence on Chao Fah Road in Phuket Town. Officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) and Phuket Provincial Police acted on information provided by the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok,

Provincial authorities in Phuket conducted a late-night inspection of the “Sod” entertainment venue in Talad Nuea, Muang District, following complaints about loud music and alleged drug use. The operation began at around 11:30 p.m. over the weekend and was led by Apichat Chantrawong, Chief of the Muang District Security Division. During the inspection, officials conducted narcotics tests on employees and randomly selected patrons. A total of 54 people were screened, and all t

Phuket Governor Chotnirin Kerdsom has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the operations of Chabad Patong, giving relevant agencies seven days to report their findings. The review will examine land ownership and use, building permits and construction approvals, as well as commercial licences connected to the organisation. Authorities will also examine shareholder records to determine whether there are links between Chabad Patong and a company involved in a proposed for

Thailand is set to experience more heavy thunderstorms and rainfall, with the Meteorological Department warning of heavy to very heavy rain across dozens of provinces, particularly in Bangkok and surrounding areas and parts of the South. The Meteorological Department said the increase in rainfall is being driven by the southward movement of the monsoon trough, a strengthening southwest monsoon and a strong low-pressure system over the South China Sea. Isolated very heavy rain

A planned Rosh Hashanah dinner at the Chabad Center in Patong was reportedly cancelled on September 11 after Israeli security officials raised concerns about the situation surrounding the event and hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the centre. According to Israeli media reports, registered guests received messages announcing the cancellation only hours before the dinner was due to begin. Organisers reportedly cited recommendations from Israeli security personnel, who

Phuket Andaman FC has held its traditional pre-season press conference, officially confirming the club’s readiness for the 2026/2027 BYD DOLPHIN LEAGUE 3 season and calling on Phuket residents to support their local team. The event took place on September 10 at Robinson Lifestyle Thalang. Journalists were introduced to the club’s updated kit and key players and had an opportunity to ask questions of the management and coaching staff. The club has not yet published a final lis

A video circulating on Thai social media shows a foreign tourist sticking out his tongue at a motorcycle rider during a dispute over a 40-baht fare for a ride booked through a ride-hailing app. According to the Facebook post that shared the footage, the rider completed the trip and took the passenger to his destination as usual. However, when it was time to pay, the tourist allegedly refused to hand over the fare. The post claims that the rider spent about an hour trying to p

Phuket Immigration police have arrested a 48-year-old American man wanted in Texas after US authorities alerted Thai officials to his presence in Thailand. The man, identified only as Brad, was arrested outside his residence in Talad Nuea, Phuket, by a special operations team led by Acting Police Major Adisorn Boonchum of Phuket Immigration. His permission to remain in Thailand had already been revoked under the country’s Immigration Act following a formal request from the US

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued a warning for 71 provinces and Bangkok over the risk of flash floods, forest runoff, landslides and flooding through September 13. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast in many parts of the country, prompting authorities to urge people living in vulnerable areas to closely monitor weather conditions, rainfall and water levels and prepare for possible emergencies. The alert covers all provinces in

A Jewish New Year celebration planned by Chabad Patong will go ahead tomorrow, September 11, despite calls from a Phuket residents’ group to cancel the event over concerns about possible violence and security risks. The decision follows a petition submitted by the Protect Phuket Land Group, which had urged provincial authorities to stop the celebration at Chabad House Patong and a hotel in the area. The group expressed concern that the gathering, originally expected to attrac

A Phuket residents’ group has called on provincial authorities to cancel a planned Rosh Hashanah celebration in Patong, warning that security concerns and tensions surrounding the event could lead to protests and possible unrest. Members of the Protect Phuket Land Group, led by Saichon Nuchet, submitted a letter to the Phuket governor at Phuket Provincial Hall at around 10am on September 8. The petition objects to a Jewish New Year celebration planned by Chabad Patong for Sep