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A senior advisor to Thailand’s Senate has raised serious concerns over Phuket’s worsening waste situation, calling for immediate intervention to prevent long-term environmental and economic damage. During a recent inspection, Samran Sinthong, advisor to the Senate Subcommittee on Land Resources under the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, led a delegation to review waste management operations in Phuket. The team visited the province’s second waste-to-energy facil

Authorities in Phuket have begun urgent preparations ahead of the approaching rainy season following a directive from Governor Nirun Phongsitthithavorn. According to local reports, all relevant government agencies and local administrative bodies have been instructed to immediately inspect and restore the island’s drainage systems to full working condition. The order emphasizes the need to ensure that Phuket is ready to handle heavy rainfall in the coming months. Key agencies

A foreign TikTok user has ignited a lively online discussion after criticizing the price of a coconut purchased in Phuket. The incident took place on April 22 at Patong Beach, where the man shared a video on his account, @rk.k1ng. In the clip, he showed a coconut he said cost him 150 baht and expressed frustration, noting that a similar drink would cost only around 25 baht in his home country. Speaking partly in Thai, the TikToker emphasized that he found the price excessive,

Phuket has officially welcomed a new diplomatic presence with the opening of Finland’s honorary consulate on the island. The inauguration ceremony took place on the morning of April 21, attended by Phuket Governor Nirun Phongsitthithavorn along with other local officials. The consulate is located in Phuket Town on Mae Luan Road, opposite the Muang Phuket District Office. However, its formal address is listed as 265 Yaowarat Road, Talad Nuea. Honorary Consulate of Finland in P

A parasailing incident in Phuket briefly turned dangerous when a tourist and an assistant plunged into the sea after a rope failed during take-off. Fortunately, neither of them was injured. The accident occurred on April 20 and was recorded by a foreign bystander. The video, later posted on TikTok by user @burcuus with the caption “That was close,” shows two men being lifted by a speedboat when a connecting rope suddenly gives way. According to reports, the broken line linked

Police in Phuket have detained a Russian national suspected of involvement in a call centre scam network after tracking a series of suspicious ATM withdrawals. The suspect, 41-year-old Anton Kurchenko, came under surveillance by Phuket Provincial Police after repeatedly withdrawing cash from machines located outside a supermarket on Soi Ta-iad in the Chalong area. According to investigators, Kurchenko carried out 16 separate withdrawals, collecting a total of approximately 33

A foreign social media user has stirred online discussion after claiming he purchased a luxury home in Phuket for 56 million baht and could reside in Thailand long-term without paying tax on his global income. The post, published on X, featured the buyer and his partner alongside an announcement that they had signed a deal for a “dream home” near Bang Tao Beach, valued at approximately £1.3 million. The author described the property as freehold and suggested the purchase woul

Phuket’s football scene has received an unexpected boost, with the island gaining representation in two additional leagues despite earlier expectations of a seasonal pause. After the group stage of the BYD Dolphin League 3 wrapped up in March, and with Phuket Andaman FC failing to reach the national round, local football activity was expected to slow down until September. However, developments in April changed that outlook. Two new teams are now representing Phuket: Phuket Un

Thailand is gradually entering its low tourism season, and early forecasts suggest a noticeable, though not dramatic, decline in visitor arrivals. Analysts from Kasikornbank estimate that international arrivals between April and June 2026 will reach approximately 6.49 million, marking a year-on-year decrease of 9.2% compared to the same period in 2025. This projection aligns with earlier expectations from the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, both of

A massive 6.5-meter statue of Hanuman, the Monkey King from the Thai epic Ramakien, has been installed on the seabed near Racha Yai island, marking a major step toward the creation of an underwater museum off Phuket’s coast. The installation took place in Siam Bay, about 18 kilometers south of Rawai Pier, while Songkran celebrations were underway on the island. According to Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), the process of lowering and securing the

Tourism leaders from Phuket have, for the first time, carried out a large-scale promotional tour in the United States, introducing the island’s travel offerings to key industry partners on both coasts. While similar trips to Australia and Russia have been held regularly, this marked Phuket’s debut in the American market in such a format. During the April campaign across North America, representatives of the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA), led by Thanet Tantipiriyakij, visit

Phuket authorities have stepped up efforts to address unsafe and disruptive tourist behavior following this year’s Songkran celebrations. Provincial leaders gathered to assess the situation and outline measures aimed at preserving safety and maintaining the island’s reputation as a secure travel destination. The meeting, led by Deputy Governor Teerapong Chuaychoo, highlighted several recurring issues observed during the holiday period. Officials pointed to dangerous driving,

Fuel prices across Thailand have started to decline following Songkran, reflecting more favorable conditions on global energy markets. As of April 17, diesel prices dropped below the 43-baht-per-liter threshold, while gasohol and gasoline also saw smaller reductions. The adjustment followed the first post-Songkran meeting of the Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO) on April 16, where officials reviewed subsidy policies and contribution rates. Based on fuel price benchmarks from Singap

Police in Phuket have detained a 30-year-old man after uncovering illegal drugs concealed inside a wireless earphone case during a search operation in Wichit. According to officers, the raid led to the arrest of the suspect, identified as Athiphong, at his residence. He now faces charges related to the possession of Category 1 narcotics, including crystal methamphetamine (“ice”) and heroin, under Thai law. Investigators reported that the drugs were carefully hidden inside a g

Phuket, one of Thailand’s most famous tourist destinations, is facing a growing environmental problem that could impact both public health and its global image. The island produces between 1,000 and 1,300 tons of waste daily, with volumes rising beyond 1,400 tons during peak tourist seasons. However, its waste incineration system is capable of handling only around 700 tons per day, leaving a significant surplus to be dumped in landfills. These landfill sites are increasingly

A 19-year-old Chinese woman, her boyfriend, and several alleged accomplices have been arrested in Thailand after staging a fake kidnapping to extort money from her family. The case was announced on April 16 by Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), with additional details reported by local media. According to investigators, the scheme began in late March when the woman’s father received a message claiming his daughter had been abducted in Thailand and taken to Myanmar

Residents in Phuket are calling for stricter enforcement against foreign tourists following a series of disruptive incidents during the Songkran Festival. The controversy escalated after a group of foreigners was detained by police in Patong on April 14. Their arrest followed the spread of a viral video showing them opening a van door and splashing water inside, targeting the driver. Authorities charged the group with causing a public nuisance and obstructing traffic. Accordi

Phuket is set to welcome back two well-known running events this May, continuing the island’s active sports season. The calendar includes the annual Nurses Phuket Run on May 17 and the first stage of the “3 Districts, 3 Lakes” series on May 30. The Nurses Phuket Run 2026, organized by the Ministry of Public Health, aims to support healthcare workers while promoting a healthier lifestyle and reducing pressure on medical services. Participants will take part in a 5-kilometre ru

Installation of automated passport control gates at Phuket International Airport is scheduled to begin on April 22 and is expected to be completed by May 30, according to Thailand’s Immigration Bureau. The timeline was confirmed following an official visit to Phuket on April 15 by Major General Katathorn Khaimthiang. While the inspection formally focused on managing passenger traffic during the Songkran holiday, the key outcome was the announcement of the rollout schedule for

A company driver in Phuket has been arrested during the Songkran holiday over the alleged theft of fuel worth more than 1.3 million baht, according to local police. The investigation began on March 24, when officers at Chalong Police Station received a complaint from a local business. The company reported that one of its truck drivers had been siphoning fuel and illegally selling it in Surat Thani, resulting in substantial financial losses. Following an evidence review, polic