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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

Heavy weather along Phuket’s coastline has brought the return of Portuguese man o’ war colonies, prompting officials to issue fresh safety warnings for beachgoers. Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) announced the discovery on May 28 after the venomous marine organisms were found washed ashore on Karon Beach. According to the agency, the creatures appeared during a period of rough sea conditions, with strong winds and waves reaching two to three meter

Police at Phuket’s Tha Chatchai checkpoint arrested a 28-year-old man from Krabi during a late-night operation targeting drugs and illegal weapons on May 27. According to Tha Chatchai Police, officers stopped and searched the suspect during routine inspections at the checkpoint, where they discovered narcotics and an unregistered firearm hidden in his possession. Authorities seized 128 methamphetamine pills, 0.895 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a .22 caliber semi-automatic

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 has stepped up precautionary measures against Ebola, with authorities in Phuket placing 11 international travellers under a 21-day health monitoring program after their arrival from countries considered high risk. Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthavorn announced the measures during a meeting with provincial health officials, emphasizing that Phuket’s role as a major international aviation hub requires strict monitoring of potential infectious disease threats. According

Authorities in Phuket have stepped up efforts to combat drug trafficking and illegal activities after conducting a raid at a rented property in Wichit that led to the arrest of two suspects. The operation was carried out by district officials, Volunteer Defense Corps members, and Chief Administrative Officer Akara Suwattikul. During the search, officers discovered 178 methamphetamine pills, 0.45 grams of crystal methamphetamine, along with several additional pieces of evidenc

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

Rungriang Thimabut, the Permanent Secretary of Phuket Province and a key figure in several high-profile operations against illegal businesses and influential networks, has been removed from his position and reassigned to an inactive post at the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) headquarters in Bangkok amid an ongoing corruption investigation. Reports about the transfer emerged on May 26, the same day Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn chaired a meeting with pro

Authorities in Phuket have intensified efforts against illegal tourism operations after arresting a Chinese national accused of working as an unlicensed tour guide for foreign visitors. The operation was conducted jointly by officers from the Tourism Business and Guide Registration Office and Phuket Tourist Police following reports about suspicious tour activity involving Chinese tourists. Investigators tracked a tour van carrying seven Chinese visitors and a man suspected of

Police in Phuket have arrested a 34-year-old suspect accused of breaking into a luxury villa in Rawai and stealing cash and valuables before fleeing the scene. According to Chalong Police, the incident was reported on May 12 after a foreign resident staying at a villa within the Selina Serenity Hotel complex discovered that an intruder had entered the property during the night. The suspect allegedly escaped with cash, jewelry, and other valuable belongings. Investigators imme

A 30-year-old Turkish tourist was found dead inside a residence in Kamala, Phuket, on May 26, while police reported no immediate evidence of assault or foul play. Investigators also discovered cannabis and drug-related items inside the room. Officers from Kamala Police Station responded to reports from rescue workers at approximately 3:30 p.m. and arrived at a three-storey property in Kamala subdistrict, Kathu district. The man’s body was located near the bedroom entrance on

Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has officially forwarded the case files and all 31 suspects connected to the Villa Andaman nominee property investigation to the Office of the Special Litigation Prosecutor, marking a major step in one of Thailand’s largest crackdowns on illegal foreign-controlled real estate operations in Phuket and Koh Samui. The investigation focuses on a network of law firms and consulting companies suspected of helping foreign investor

Authorities in Phuket are working to identify a group of foreign tourists featured in a viral video showing people handling a sea turtle near Cape Panwa, an incident that has sparked concern over the treatment of protected marine animals. The footage, shared by the Phuket Times Facebook page on May 23, shows several tourists posing for photos and videos while taking turns holding the turtle near the shore. According to the post, the animal repeatedly tried to escape but was c

The Andaman coast has become the center of a major regional naval exercise as Thai and Singaporean warships arrived in Phuket to participate in the annual SINGSIAM 2026 joint maritime drills. The participating vessels include the Royal Thai Navy frigate HTMS Taksin, which sailed from the Gulf of Thailand, alongside two Singapore Navy ships — RSS Unity (17) and RSS Stalwart (72). This year’s SINGSIAM exercise is being hosted by Singapore and is taking place in the Andaman Sea

A foreign woman faced criticism online after refusing to fully pay a restaurant bill in Phuket, claiming that one of the drinks she ordered did not meet her expectations. The incident took place on May 23 at New Break Taek restaurant in the Chalong area and later spread across Thai social media through shared video footage. According to reports, the woman visited the restaurant together with her daughter and a Thai woman believed to be a babysitter. Footage circulating online

The commander of the Royal Thai Army’s Fourth Army Area and director of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 (ISOC Region 4) visited Phuket to review local efforts aimed at tackling internal security threats ranging from drug trafficking to illegal foreign land ownership through nominees. Lieutenant General Norathip Phoinok chaired the high-level meeting on May 23 alongside senior military officers. The session brought together Phuket Governor Nirun Phongsitthith

Police in Phuket are investigating a fatal road accident that occurred late at night on May 24 along the province’s main highway. A woman from Chiang Mai died after crashing her motorcycle into a parked truck. According to a police report, officers from Thalang Police Station received notification of the accident at approximately 2:30 a.m. near a 7-Eleven convenience store opposite the Srisoonthorn Municipality office. By the time police and rescue workers arrived at the scen

Private sector representatives in Phuket have expressed support for the Thai government’s decision to cancel the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for travelers from 93 countries and return to country-specific entry rules, which in most cases allow stays of around 30 days. Phumikit Raktaengam, President of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, said the Cabinet’s decision followed lengthy discussions with tourism industry stakeholders and local business operators. Accord

Thailand’s Royal Forestry Department has ordered the urgent demolition of 11 unauthorized structures built inside the protected forest zone at Nui Beach in Phuket. The directive was signed on May 20 by Royal Forestry Department Director-General Bikorn Sirirojananan under Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act of 1964. The order requires all occupants and related parties to vacate the Nak Kerd Mountain Reserved Forest area and remove the illegal constructions by June 5

Officials at Khao Lampi–Thai Mueang National Park received encouraging news at the start of the rainy season after a massive leatherback sea turtle came ashore to nest on Thai Mueang Beach, widely known as “Turtle Beach.” The rare visit from a leatherback turtle, scientifically classified as Dermochelys coriacea, was recorded shortly after midnight on May 22. Images released by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) showed marine specialists successfully locati