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A German national wanted for multiple cybercrime offences has been detained in Thailand following a joint operation by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) and Immigration authorities. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Noah Christopher, was arrested in Bangkok, where he had been living in a high-end condominium in the Thonglor area. Authorities announced the arrest on April 11, noting that the operation was carried out in response to a request from German federal

Thailand recorded strong tourism performance during the Songkran Festival 2026, with figures surpassing expectations nationwide between April 11 and 15, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The festival is expected to generate more than US$909 million in total revenue, marking a 6% increase compared to the previous year. This growth highlights continued confidence among both domestic and international travelers and reinforces Songkran’s status as a globally r

Thai authorities have arrested the alleged mastermind behind a major drug trafficking network linked to the “Elixir” dive boat case, along with two key accomplices who had evaded capture since last year’s high-profile raid in Phuket. According to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the suspect, a 47-year-old man known as Sunthorn or “Tainu,” was apprehended on April 14 in Udon Thani province. He was found hiding in a rural area described as a rice field in Ban Chan subdis

Authorities in Patong have taken seven French tourists into custody after their Songkran celebrations disrupted traffic on Prachanukhro Road near Malin Market. Police reported that the group was splashing water in the roadway in a way that interfered with passing vehicles and caused inconvenience to others. After receiving complaints from local residents, officers arrived at the scene, intervened, and detained the individuals for creating a public disturbance. The tourists we

Phuket authorities have confirmed a total of three fatalities during the first three days of the Songkran “Seven Days of Danger” road safety campaign, which runs from April 10 to 16, 2026. On April 12 alone—the third day of the monitoring period—two road accidents were recorded across the island. These incidents resulted in two people being hospitalized: one man and one woman. According to officials, the injured were foreign nationals from France and Myanmar. Cumulative data

Phuket is in full celebration mode as locals and visitors mark Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year. Festivities began gradually over the weekend, with the main celebrations taking place on April 13. Across the island, April 13 is considered the peak day of Songkran. While Patong started its water fights a day earlier on April 12, most other areas follow a more concentrated one-day schedule. However, younger participants and tourists often extend the celebrations beyond

The 30th edition of Phuket Bike Week officially began on April 12, 2026, bringing together motorcycle enthusiasts from Thailand and abroad for a three-day event that runs through April 14. The traditional gathering point for the festival remains Loma Park in Patong. This year’s opening ceremony took place near the Tha Chatchai checkpoint in Mai Khao. Instead of using the checkpoint itself, organizers hosted the welcome event at a nearby site intended to become the future base

Phuket authorities have introduced an emergency assistance zone as firefighters continue battling a persistent blaze at the municipal landfill near Saphan Hin, which has now been burning for two days. Governor Nirut Phongsitthithavorn, together with senior provincial officials and the Phuket City mayor, visited the site at approximately 8:00 p.m. to oversee the ongoing response. The emergency designation allows for quicker deployment of resources and additional support for re

Authorities in Phuket have called for a temporary halt to waste deliveries across the province following a fire at the main landfill site. Phuket City Municipality announced that all local administrative bodies and private waste operators are being asked to suspend the transportation of solid waste to the Phuket Provincial Waste Disposal Center from April 11 to April 19, 2026. The decision comes after a fire broke out at the facility on April 11 at approximately 3:00 p.m. Off

Two fatal road accidents were recorded in Phuket on April 11, according to data from the Thai Road Safety Center (ThaiRSC). However, detailed information is available for only one of the incidents, which drew significant media attention due to its severity. The first deadly crash occurred at around 3:00 a.m. on Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew subdistrict. According to a police report, the motorcyclist lost control of the vehicle for unknown reasons and fell onto the roadway. M

Authorities in Phuket have detained two French tourists following a widely shared incident on Laem Lai Beach in Kamala that sparked public outrage online. According to Kamala Police, officers tracked down the suspects on April 10 at around 9:00 p.m. after the video of the incident began circulating on social media. The couple was located at a hotel in Patong, within Kathu district. The individuals, identified as 24-year-old Halan and 24-year-old Nadia, were accused of engagin

A fatal road accident occurred in Phuket’s Thalang district on the first day of the Songkran “Seven Dangerous Days,” after a ride-hailing driver reportedly fell asleep behind the wheel. According to police, the crash took place early Friday morning on the Pa Khlok–Monument Road, near the Pa Khlok U-turn area. Emergency responders arriving at the scene found multiple damaged motorcycles and a white Suzuki Swift with Phuket license plates. Several bikes had been knocked over as

A fatal road accident in Koh Kaew during the early hours of the morning resulted in the death of a motorcyclist and the complete destruction of a car by fire. According to Phuket City Police, officers were called to the scene at around 3:00 a.m. following reports of a serious crash near the Muslim Koh Kaew School in Koh Kaew subdistrict. Upon arrival, they discovered a damaged motorcycle on the road and the body of its rider nearby, who had suffered fatal injuries after being

Phuket has rolled out an intensified road safety campaign ahead of the Songkran holiday, traditionally known as the “Seven Dangerous Days.” This year, the monitoring period runs from April 10 to 16, although the familiar name was notably absent from official announcements. On April 8, provincial authorities conducted a formal inspection of emergency services and launched an operational center dedicated to transport safety across both land and sea. While official communication

A Swedish national listed under an Interpol Red Notice has been apprehended in Phuket, marking another step in Thailand’s intensified efforts to target foreign criminals. The arrest took place on April 9, when Phuket Provincial Police, in coordination with international partners, detained a suspect identified as Boran. He is wanted in Sweden on multiple serious charges, including murder, illegal possession of firearms, and involvement in drug trafficking. The operation was co

A French national wanted in connection with dozens of criminal offences has been detained in Phuket after attempting to evade justice by fleeing abroad. Thai authorities, acting on a request from French law enforcement, instructed Phuket immigration officers to track down the suspect, a 50-year-old man identified as Ani. He is accused of involvement in more than 30 crimes, primarily related to drug trafficking and money laundering. According to investigators, the man left Fra

Authorities in Phuket have uncovered an illegal tourism operation involving a foreign nominee, as part of a broader crackdown on unlawful business practices in the sector. The Department of Tourism, together with the Tourist Police, carried out coordinated inspections targeting tour operators across the island. The operation focused on identifying companies using Thai nationals as proxy shareholders to bypass foreign ownership restrictions. During the investigation, officials

Phuket International Airport conducted a large-scale emergency exercise under the PEMEX 2026 program, simulating a complex aircraft accident at sea to test its crisis response capabilities. The drill began at 2:00 p.m. and was officially opened by Teerapong Chuaychu, Deputy Governor of Ranong Province. The event brought together senior airport management, government representatives, emergency medical teams, and safety units from both public and private sectors. Designed as a

Police in Phuket have arrested a man who opened fire on his colleague at a warehouse in Ratsada, bringing a swift end to a manhunt launched after the incident. The suspect, 50-year-old Prakit Pannarai, was taken into custody on the evening of April 7 at a local hotel. He is accused of shooting his co-worker, 40-year-old Wirat Nawadate, a day earlier at a warehouse belonging to a retail business. According to investigators, Prakit fired three shots during the confrontation, hi

Tuk-tuk and taxi drivers in Phuket are facing a deepening financial crisis, with many warning that the traditional transport sector could collapse without urgent government support. Drivers across the island say their daily earnings have dropped sharply as tourist habits change and competition from modern ride-hailing services intensifies. Many now work long hours, from early morning until late at night, yet struggle to earn enough to cover even basic expenses. On some days,