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Five boat crew members have been arrested after testing positive for illegal drugs during a police operation at one of Phuket’s main piers. The inspection was carried out by the Phuket Marine Police as part of a broader crime prevention campaign focused on the island’s ports and marine tourism areas. The initiative is intended to improve public safety and reinforce confidence among tourists using Phuket’s maritime transport services. During the operation, officers conducted r

Phuket authorities have reaffirmed that Freedom Beach will remain freely accessible to the public following a large-scale inspection aimed at protecting public land and improving access for both residents and tourists. The inspection took place on June 24 and brought together officials from several government agencies. The operation was led by Phuket Deputy Governor Pol. Lt. Col. Khetarat Chansilp, Mueang District Chief Siwatch Rawangkul, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Po

Authorities in Phuket have clarified the cause of the unusual black discoloration observed along parts of Patong Beach, confirming that the phenomenon is the result of a natural plankton bloom rather than wastewater pollution. According to the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center, laboratory analysis identified two species of phytoplankton — Chaetoceros sp. and Peridinium sp. Specialists emphasized that neither species produces toxins, meaning the event does not pose

A British tourist has been charged with drunk driving after crashing his SUV into traffic barriers at one of Phuket’s busiest intersections, prompting renewed concerns over road safety on the island. The incident occurred at Chalong Intersection, where CCTV footage and videos shared on social media showed a white Toyota Fortuner travelling at high speed before ploughing into several plastic traffic barriers surrounding the clock tower in the middle of the junction. According

An Icelandic tourist has been detained by police in Phuket after allegedly attempting to steal a handbag from a female taxi driver during a trip from Patong to Wichit. The incident was reported to Patong Police Station by 39-year-old taxi driver Phitchapa at around 7pm. According to her statement, she picked up a European passenger outside Patong Hospital at approximately 9:50am and was driving him to a hotel in Wichit, located in Phuket’s Mueang district. During the journey,

Police in Phuket have uncovered a significant drug trafficking operation after discovering one kilogram of crystal methamphetamine concealed inside the roof of a vehicle during an inspection at the Tha Chatchai checkpoint in Thalang. The breakthrough came after officers stopped a Surat Thani-registered vehicle at the checkpoint on Monday, June 22. During the initial search, authorities seized 2,900 methamphetamine pills and launched an investigation into a suspected drug dist

A woman has been hospitalised after being bitten by a cobra in Phuket as the rainy season drives more snakes into residential areas, prompting renewed warnings from local authorities. According to local reports, the incident occurred on the evening of June 17 in the Mai Khao area, where a cobra entered the home of an elderly woman and bit her. The victim's son said he arrived in time to help his mother, killed the snake, and rushed her to hospital. He later shared details of

A 30-year-old woman from Kazakhstan was injured after allegedly causing a series of traffic incidents in Phuket, including blocking major roads, fleeing from police and later crashing into a motorcycle and a van. The incidents attracted widespread attention after videos circulated on Thai social media showing an SUV repeatedly driving in circles and obstructing traffic at an intersection on Thep Kasattri Road in Mai Khao, Thalang district, on Saturday, June 20. Witnesses repo

Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) has carried out a series of coordinated operations across southern provinces, dismantling major online gambling and fraud networks with combined financial activity and damages approaching one billion baht. Speaking at a press conference held on June 21 at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, Deputy Commissioner Pol. Maj. Gen. Tinnakorn Rangmat said the nationwide operation resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects and the seizure of asse

A member of Thailand’s National Police Policy Committee has called on the government to launch a comprehensive “Reset Phuket” strategy, warning that the island’s structural problems could undermine investor confidence and damage Thailand’s international reputation. Assistant Professor Nopadol Kannika, a civilian representative on the National Police Policy Committee, presented the proposal as authorities continue expanding their crackdown on suspected nominee business network

Authorities in Phuket have intensified their campaign against illegal foreign nominee networks, uncovering land holdings worth an estimated 231 million baht that are suspected of violating Thailand’s Land Code. The operation forms part of the third phase of the Royal Thai Police’s nationwide crackdown on nominee business structures in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga. The initiative focuses on identifying companies that allegedly use Thai nationals as proxy shareholders to concea

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has launched the third phase of its campaign targeting foreign nominee networks in the Andaman provinces of Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga, stepping up efforts to combat illegal business operations and concealed foreign ownership. The latest operation was officially launched at Mueang Phuket Police Station and brings together the Royal Thai Police, Immigration Bureau, Department of Lands, and several other government agencies in a coordinated enforce

Fuel prices in Phuket have continued to decline, with diesel falling below 38 baht per litre for the first time in more than three months. According to the Phuket office of Thailand’s Ministry of Energy, the latest price adjustment took effect on June 19 after major fuel retailers revised rates in response to more stable global oil prices. Gasohol prices also decreased. Gasohol 91 is now selling for less than 39 baht per litre, while Gasohol 95 has dropped below the 40-baht m

Senior representatives of Thailand’s Ministry of Interior have pledged a comprehensive “system reset” for Phuket, promising broad reforms rather than isolated solutions to the province’s most pressing problems. The announcement was made during a two-day visit by Polapi Suwannachawi and Warasit Liangprasert, the second and fourth deputy ministers serving under Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. According to officials, the initiative is intended to

Authorities in Phuket arrested 78 foreign nationals during a raid on a luxury villa construction site in Cherng Talay after receiving reports of suspected illegal employment. The operation was launched at around 10:00 a.m. by the Security Threat Suppression Command, with support from the 41st Military Police Battalion, the 1st Infantry Battalion of the 15th Infantry Regiment, and other government agencies. Officials acted on information from local residents alleging that Chin

A Thai woman was rescued after spending several hours at sea following an apparent jump from Phuket’s Sarasin Bridge early on June 18. Police from Thachatchai Police Station were alerted after a black Honda was found abandoned on the bridge. Witnesses told officers that the driver parked the vehicle before entering the water at around 3:30 a.m. Emergency personnel from the Kusol Dham Phuket Foundation, together with other rescue teams, immediately launched a large-scale searc

A young Scottish professional boxer has died after suffering a severe head injury in a tuk-tuk accident in Phuket while on holiday in Thailand. Twenty-two-year-old Colin Cairney, an undefeated welterweight from Stirling, was injured in the early hours of June 14 after reportedly falling from the back of a tuk-tuk while returning to his hotel. He was initially taken to Patong Hospital before being transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital due to the seriousness of his condition.

Phuket authorities have confirmed that construction of the island’s second waste incinerator is moving forward, with the new facility expected to enter service in mid-2027 to help address the province’s growing waste disposal needs. Phuket City Mayor Supachok La-ongpetch, together with municipal executives and representatives from relevant agencies, recently visited the Integrated Waste Management Center to inspect construction progress and review the installation of imported

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

Thailand's Cabinet approved a major leadership reshuffle on June 16, reassigning Phuket Governor Nirut Phongsitthithavorn to the position of Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior. Taking over as Phuket's new governor is Chotinrin Kerdsom, who previously served as Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. The appointment comes amid growing tensions within the Interior Ministry's administration in Phuket. Just one day earlier, on June 15, the mini