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Phuket's tourism industry has returned to the Japanese market with its first promotional roadshow in more than a decade, aiming to revive visitor arrivals from Japan and strengthen partnerships with travel industry professionals. The Phuket Roadshow to Japan 2026 took place from June 22 to 26, with a delegation representing the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO), the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA), and local tourism businesses visiting Sapporo, Osaka, and

Phuket has officially begun a new chapter in its provincial administration with the appointment of Chotnarin Kerdsom as the island's new governor. Mr. Kerdsom formally assumed office on Monday, June 29, arriving at Phuket Provincial Hall together with his wife, Mrs. Paveerisa Kerdsom, who serves as President of the Provincial Interior Housewives Association. His appointment follows a recent cabinet reshuffle approved by the Thai government. Former Phuket Governor Nirut Phongs

Authorities in Phuket have stepped up efforts to protect protected forest areas after launching an investigation into suspected illegal land clearing in the Kamala Hills, also known as Khao Nang Phanthurat. The inspection took place on the afternoon of June 29 and was led by Mueang Phuket District Chief Siwatch Rawangkul. The operation brought together district officials, members of the Volunteer Defense Corps (Or Sor), provincial forestry officers, and the village head of Mo

A serious motorcycle collision in Phuket has left a foreign rider and a Thai woman in critical condition, reigniting public debate over road safety and motorcycle rentals on the island. The accident took place on Sunday, June 28, along Sai Kor Road in Patong. CCTV footage shows a Thai woman riding a white motorcycle while a foreign motorcyclist approached from the opposite direction on a black bike. According to the video, the foreign rider crossed into the oncoming lane befo

Phuket concluded its month-long Pride celebrations on Saturday, June 27, with the Phuket Pride 2026 Grand Parade through the streets of Phuket Old Town. More than 2,000 people took part in the event, making it one of the largest Pride gatherings held on the island. Held under the theme "We are ONE – Together in Love," the parade served as the highlight of this year's Pride program, which had begun ahead of June with a series of events in Patong. Participants included represen

Thailand's Deputy Transport Minister, Sapphasit Boonyamanee, conducted a series of inspections across Phuket to evaluate transport safety and service standards, while ordering stricter enforcement against illegal jet ski operators and non-compliant taxi services. The visit began at Patong Beach, where officials inspected jet ski businesses operating along the shoreline. The review focused on identifying unregistered watercraft, expired operating licenses, and rental services

Authorities in Phuket have widened their campaign against nominee business structures and suspected illegal land use, extending inspections to international schools, tourism operators, and local communities as part of an ongoing province-wide enforcement effort. The operation was led by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum and Chalong Police Chief Pol. Col. Surasak Jaidee. Officers worked alongside immigration officials, district administrators, an

Thailand's Anti-Corruption Police have arrested Phuket Provincial Administrative Chief Officer Rungreung Thimabutr in connection with an alleged bribery scheme involving local government recruitment examinations. The arrest took place on June 26 under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Region 9. Investigators allege that Rungreung acted as a middleman by requesting 300,000 baht from each of three members of the Volunteer Defense Corps

Police in Phuket have dismantled an alleged drug distribution point in Phuket Town, arresting three suspects and seizing methamphetamine along with equipment believed to have been used in drug sales. The operation took place on June 25, when officers from Phuket City Police Station, working together with district officials, searched a house in Soi Phunphol 11 in Talad Nuea. Three people were taken into custody: 52-year-old Mr. Kung, a Phuket resident; 39-year-old Ms. Toey fro

A Turkish national has been arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport after customs officers allegedly discovered 12 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside packages of coffee and chocolate. According to Thailand's Customs Department, the suspect arrived on June 25 aboard a flight from Brazil. During a routine baggage inspection, officers uncovered cocaine, classified as a Category 2 narcotic under Thai law, hidden among food products. Authorities said the seized

Thai marine police have detained a tourist fishing boat in Chalong Bay after discovering it was operating a fishing trip for Chinese tourists without a licensed tour guide, as required under Thai law. Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) announced the operation in a statement released on June 25, although the inspection itself took place on June 22. Photos published by the authorities confirmed both reports refer to the same incident. According to the CIB, the operat

Police in Phuket have arrested a 27-year-old suspect believed to be responsible for a series of burglaries committed across several districts of the island. Officers from Wichit Police Station carried out an arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court and located the suspect, identified only as Mr. Sun, hiding inside the ceiling of a rented room in Sri Sunthorn, Thalang District. He was taken into custody and transferred to Wichit Police Station for further questioni

Authorities in Phuket have begun a large-scale operation targeting illegal immigration and unauthorized employment, launching what officials describe as a province-wide "X-ray" inspection campaign. The initiative is being coordinated by Deputy Governor Khetarat Chansilp, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum, and ISOC Phuket Deputy Director Rear Adm. Praphan Srivipa. The campaign focuses on identifying illegal workers, dismantling nominee business n

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