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Police in Phuket have arrested a 71-year-old Thai woman accused of participating in a gambling-related fraud scheme that allegedly cost one victim more than 9 million baht. Investigators say the suspect may also be connected to similar scams that have caused losses exceeding 64 million baht nationwide. The woman, identified only as Sor, was taken into custody on August 20 in Phuket Town’s Talat Nuea area. Her arrest followed an investigation launched after a businesswoman rep

Provincial authorities in Phuket have begun investigating an Israeli-owned restaurant in Patong after receiving complaints that Thai customers were allegedly denied service. The inspection was led by Deputy Phuket Governor and Acting Security Advisor to the Ministry of Interior, Pol. Capt. Khetarat Chansilp. Officials visited the establishment following reports that local residents had been refused entry. The inquiry forms part of a wider campaign aimed at ensuring foreign-op

A motorcycle taxi rider working for a ride-hailing platform in Phuket has appealed for assistance after suffering severe injuries in a collision allegedly caused by a foreign driver travelling against the flow of traffic. The case was highlighted by Phuket Times on August 18. According to the report, the foreign motorist was driving a sedan in the wrong direction when the vehicle collided with the rider’s motorcycle. The impact left the Thai rider seriously injured. He was ta

A Chinese tourist has died after being discovered unconscious in the swimming pool of a hotel in Phuket on August 17. Despite immediate rescue efforts and emergency medical treatment, doctors were unable to save his life. The deceased, identified as 44-year-old Ye, had arrived in Phuket with his family and was staying at a hotel from August 16 to 22. According to preliminary information, Ye entered the hotel’s swimming pool, which was about two metres deep. At one point, his

A surveillance camera at a market in Phuket recorded a foreign woman urinating at the entrance of a beachwear shop before leaving the area. The footage was shared by Phuket Times on August 15 and reportedly originated from the Karon area. However, the exact date and time of the incident were not disclosed. According to the video, the woman, dressed in white shorts and a sleeveless top, approached the shop entrance, stopped briefly, lowered her shorts and relieved herself befo

Residents across parts of Phuket reported feeling mild tremors on Saturday evening after a significant earthquake struck northern Sumatra in Indonesia. According to the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM), the earthquake occurred at 5:54 p.m. local time on August 15. The quake registered a magnitude of 6.8 and originated at a depth of 168 kilometres near Pematangsiantar in North Sumatra. The epicenter was located at coordinates 2.98°N and 99.06°

Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, has reaffirmed his commitment to reclaiming public land occupied without authorization, even as legal challenges against the policy continue in court. The initiative forms part of the government’s so-called “Phuket Model,” supported by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The program focuses on recovering state-owned land, including protected forest areas and coastal zones, that authorities believe hav

Seven people were injured and taken to hospital after a tourist longtail boat capsized and sank during an excursion in the waters of Phang Nga Bay on the morning of August 15. A total of 12 people, including several children, were on board at the time of the incident. The Regional Maritime Security Centre (ThaiMECC Region 3) received an emergency report at approximately 11:15 a.m. and immediately coordinated a response. When rescue teams arrived at the scene near Hang Nak Cap

Authorities in Phuket have temporarily closed Freedom Beach following the disappearance and subsequent death of a German tourist, whose body was discovered on August 11. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin announced on August 14 that he had instructed the Royal Forest Department to enhance safety measures in the area and consider restricting public access and swimming activities. Officials formally issued the temporary closure order and related safe

Two Emirati nationals were taken into custody in Phuket after allegedly refusing to stop at a police checkpoint and leading officers on a dangerous pursuit through Kathu district. The incident occurred at approximately 1pm on August 13 at the Si Kor checkpoint on Phra Barami Road. According to police, the pair were travelling on a black Honda ADV 160 motorcycle from Patong toward the Si Kor intersection when officers signalled them to pull over for a routine licence inspectio

A video that recently resurfaced on social media appears to show security guards from a nightlife venue on Bangla Road assaulting a foreign tourist in Patong. The footage, which has circulated widely this week, sparked renewed criticism online. However, local officials say the incident occurred years ago and was resolved shortly after it happened. The clip shows a foreign man being escorted from a venue entrance before several guards continue confronting him on the street. In

Authorities in Phuket have arrested a man during a targeted anti-drug operation in Pa Khlok, resulting in the seizure of thousands of methamphetamine pills, crystal meth and an illegal firearm. The operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to combat narcotics-related crime in the province. During the raid, officers detained a male suspect and confiscated a significant quantity of illegal drugs along with a handgun and ammunition. According to officials, the seized

Thai police have expanded their investigation into alleged nominee business structures on Koh Samui, uncovering dozens of companies suspected of helping foreign investors bypass ownership restrictions under Thai law. The large-scale operation took place on August 14 and was overseen by Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma. Authorities conducted coordinated searches across the island, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of a substantial amount of evid

Authorities in Kamala have confirmed that no one was injured after a fire broke out at a luxury villa on Phuket’s west coast on the evening of August 12. The incident occurred at a property within the Ayara development in Moo 6, Kamala. Initial reports of smoke and flames circulating online were later officially confirmed by both the Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organization (OrBorTor Kamala) and Kamala Police. According to local officials, emergency services received a

Thai authorities have arrested a South Korean national wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for alleged involvement in fraud and international drug trafficking. The suspect, identified only as Mr. Lee, was found living in Phuket after overstaying his visa for almost 3,000 days. The operation was carried out by officers from Immigration Division 6 in cooperation with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and South Korean law enforcement agencies. Investigators tracke

Government offices across Phuket are closed today, August 12, as Thailand observes Mother’s Day, a national holiday held each year on the birthday of Queen Mother Sirikit. This year’s celebrations are the first to take place without Queen Mother Sirikit herself, adding particular significance to the occasion. Events connected with the holiday began on August 11, when Phuket launched a series of community and charitable activities dedicated to the Queen Mother. District and lo

Phuket Immigration Police have arrested a 26-year-old Ukrainian man wanted under an Interpol Red Notice over his alleged involvement in an international cryptocurrency fraud scheme. The suspect, identified by authorities only by the alias Yeken, was arrested on Tuesday, August 11, according to Phuket Immigration. Investigators allege that he and his associates used fake Telegram accounts and created a fraudulent trading platform designed to imitate the well-known cryptocurren

Phuket police have inspected a lion cafe in Chalong after photos circulating on social media appeared to show a Chinese tourist being attacked by a lion. Authorities later confirmed that the image was old and did not depict a recent incident. Officers from Chalong Police Station visited Lion Cafe in Chalong, Mueang Phuket, on August 11 following concerns that the viral images could damage Phuket’s tourism reputation. The inspection was led by Police Colonel Surasak Jaidee, su

Thai authorities have launched a search for a 30-year-old German tourist who went missing after entering the sea at Freedom Beach in Phuket on August 10. Strong winds and rough waves were reported in the area, with red warning flags displayed to alert beachgoers to dangerous conditions. The missing tourist was identified as Jannik Jürgen Knobel, a German national. Authorities were alerted at approximately 3:49 p.m., after which police, rescue teams, local officials and disast

Thai conservation activist Siranudh “Psi” Samutt has sparked a discussion on social media after criticising foreign workers in Thailand and arguing that those employed in the country should make an effort to learn and use the Thai language. Psi shared his views about foreign employees speaking English while working in Thailand in a post on his X account, @Psisamutt, on Saturday, August 8. The activist said that when foreign employees at restaurants address him in English, he