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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

Nearly half of Thai businesses admit to paying bribes or providing benefits to government officials in order to simplify business procedures, according to a new survey conducted by Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB). The study was carried out by the committee’s analytical division as part of its Zero Corruption campaign during March and April 2026. A total of 401 business executives and company representatives participated in the su

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

Two men and a woman were hospitalized following a serious road accident on the morning of March 23 on Srisoonthorn Road, the main highway connecting Bang Tao Beach with central Phuket. According to a police report, the crash occurred near the construction site of The Title Villa Kirara project and the Nature’s Rest showroom. Officers from Thalang Police Station received the emergency call at approximately 9 a.m. A witness identified as Pitpichi Pipatadit told police she was d

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism is continuing to move forward with plans to introduce a tourist entry fee for all foreign visitors entering the country. Officials now say the payment system could eventually be integrated directly into the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) platform. The proposal was discussed during the “Thai Tourism Amid the Global Crisis” forum held in Bangkok on May 20. Speaking at the event, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phanchanworakun said Thaila

Police in Phuket are investigating the death of an Australian tourist whose body was discovered inside a condominium in Karon on the evening of May 20. Officers responding to the scene reportedly found a plate containing white powder near the deceased man. Karon Police Station received a report about the incident at approximately 7:30 p.m. After arriving at the condominium, officers entered the room and found the body of 27-year-old Australian national Christopher Kazantzidis

Residents in Phuket are demanding an official investigation after a foreign woman posted photos and videos online showing herself wearing clothing resembling a Thai police uniform. Images shared by the Phuket Times Facebook page on May 21 quickly sparked debate across Thai social media. In the photos, the woman appeared wearing a black vest displaying a Thai flag and a Royal Thai Police patch. She was also seen wearing a cap marked “Police” and carrying a badge holder featuri

Immigration police in Phuket have revoked the visa of an Austrian tourist and are preparing to deport him after a series of public disturbances in Rawai that drew widespread attention online. Videos of the man’s behaviour began circulating on Thai social media on May 19. Authorities later identified him as 39-year-old Austrian national Raphael. In the footage, Raphael appeared shirtless and wearing shorts printed with the Thai word “เฉิดฉาย,” which translates as “shining.” Ac

Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has dismantled a major heroin trafficking network that was allegedly supplying narcotics to Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. One of the suspects was arrested moments before boarding transport to Phuket while allegedly carrying 16 kilograms of heroin intended for distribution on the island. According to information released by CIB officials during a press conference on May 19, police arrested a Nigerian national identified as Chiadika

Thailand’s government has confirmed plans to cancel the 60-day visa-free entry program introduced in 2024 for citizens of 93 countries and territories. However, authorities also made clear that the country will not simply return to the previous system that existed before the reform. The announcement followed a cabinet meeting held on May 19 and was officially published by Thailand’s Public Relations Department (PRD Thailand) on May 20. Despite the confirmation, the government

Authorities in Phuket have intervened to ease tensions following a dispute between a local shop owner and Chinese tourists in Phuket Old Town that recently went viral on social media. The incident attracted widespread attention after video footage showed a heated argument between an elderly shopkeeper and a group of visiting Chinese tourists on Yaowarat Road in Talat Yai subdistrict. The clip quickly spread online, triggering criticism and concerns that the confrontation coul