All Articles

Residents of Phuket are being encouraged to take part in mobile blood donation drives throughout May, as local medical institutions work to replenish critically low supplies. The regional blood center operated by the Thai Red Cross Society (Phuket RBC), together with the blood bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital, continues its campaign to secure sufficient blood for hospitals across the island. Medical staff report ongoing shortages across all blood types, with Rh-negative blood

A series of dine-and-dash incidents involving foreign tourists unfolded across Phuket over a single weekend, alarming restaurant owners and prompting calls for stricter enforcement. The first case took place on May 2 and was later shared online by a restaurant owner. According to her account, two foreign customers ordered simple dishes—fried rice and stir-fried noodles without meat. Near the end of their meal, they complained about allegedly finding an insect in the food. The

A community charity run held on May 1 in Phuket has successfully raised 150,000 baht to support Chalong Hospital. The funds will be used to purchase new medical equipment and upgrade the hospital’s operating room in the near future. The event, known as May Day Run 2026, took place early in the morning at Bang Wad Reservoir in Kathu, a popular spot among local running enthusiasts. The location is also set to host an upcoming stage of a regional running series organized by prov

Authorities from Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park have officially dismissed viral claims suggesting that Phi Phi Island is set to receive an international airport. The clarification followed the spread of an Instagram post published on April 1, 2026, which claimed that construction of an airport on the island would begin on May 1. The post included what appeared to be an image of the proposed site. Officials confirmed that the image was artificially generated a

An Australian national has been detained in Phuket after a video showing a serious traffic violation in Kamala spread widely online. According to local police, the incident took place at the Khok Yang intersection, where a black sedan with red stripes was seen blocking both entry and exit lanes. The driver ignored a red traffic signal, disrupting the flow of vehicles and putting other road users at risk. Officers quickly identified the driver as an Australian man known as Mr.

Phuket United FC secured their first point in the Thailand Semi-Pro League after an intense 2–2 draw against Suratthani Rajabhat University FC during their home debut at Surakul Stadium. The Phuket side, built largely around young talent, fielded a squad dominated by players under 21. Head coach Eder Deniz included 13 such players in the lineup, with eight starting the match. The first half ended goalless, with both teams showing moments of promise—Phuket relying on sharp win

Authorities in Phuket carried out a late-night operation in Patong after reports surfaced online about foreign nationals involving children in street begging. According to the Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, the inspection was triggered by social media claims that families from abroad were approaching tourists in crowded areas and asking for money, often accompanied by young children. During the patrol, officials confirmed that a foreign family

A large-scale trade fair showcasing products from southern Thailand officially opened on April 30 in Phuket and will run through May 4. The event is being held at Saphan Hin Park, now formally known as Rama X Park. Branded as “Iconic Southern Thailand,” the fair brings together producers from 14 provinces across the southern region. Visitors can explore 21 booths representing local businesses from Phuket, alongside 80 additional stalls operated by vendors from neighboring pro

Authorities in Phuket have carried out a large-scale operation to reclaim public land illegally occupied along Bang Tao Beach in the Cherng Talay area of Thalang District. The action, conducted on April 29, followed orders from Governor Nirun Phongsitthithavorn and Deputy Governor Adul Chuthong. The operation was led by Provincial Clerk Rungrueng Thimabutr and involved a joint task force of district officials, forestry authorities, and local administrative bodies. Investigato

Authorities in Phuket have stepped up efforts to address problematic tourist behavior, bringing together key stakeholders for a high-level meeting at the Sarasin Conference Room in the Provincial Hall. The session was led by Governor Nirun Pongsitthithavorn and attended by representatives from law enforcement, military units, immigration authorities, tourism bodies, and local administrations, along with members of foreign communities living in the province. Officials emphasiz

Police in Phuket have detained a 19-year-old man believed to be behind a string of attempted break-ins targeting local businesses in the Wichit area. According to officers from Wichit Police Station, the suspect was apprehended on April 29 following an investigation launched after a complaint filed on April 17. The case stemmed from an attempted burglary at a restaurant located near Muang Thong on Sakdidet Road. CCTV footage captured a single individual entering the premises

A fire broke out at a marine facility in Phuket on April 28, involving boats at a shipyard in the Mai Khao area. The incident received little public attention, largely because it occurred in a non-residential zone. According to the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO), the blaze started at around 4:00 p.m., although an official statement was only released later in the evening, after 8:00 p.m. Firefighting operations were carried out by personnel from the Depar

Authorities in Phuket have arrested a man accused of illegally using a protected slow loris to offer paid photo opportunities to tourists in the Karon area. The operation took place on April 27 after officials received complaints about wildlife being exploited for tourism. Officers from the Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area, along with local police and officials, conducted an inspection and located the suspect. During the raid, the man was found carrying a slow loris—locally k

Police in Phuket have dismantled a major illegal vehicle pawn and loan sharking operation in Thalang District, arresting two suspects and seizing 19 vehicles worth more than 1.5 million baht. According to Region 8 Police, the raid took place on April 28 under search warrants issued by the provincial court. Officers targeted two locations in Thepkrasattri. The suspects, both 29 years old and identified as “Got” and “Bew,” were taken into custody. During the operation, authorit

Thailand’s Cabinet has given the green light to a large-scale healthcare initiative aimed at transforming Phuket and the Andaman region into a leading international wellness destination. The “Andaman Health Hub Project,” spearheaded by Prince of Songkla University, comes with a total budget of 6.43 billion baht and is scheduled to be implemented between 2027 and 2030. The program is designed to address shortages in healthcare professionals while significantly upgrading medica

Authorities in Phuket have rejected viral claims suggesting that a group of Israeli tourists attempted to take control of a public beach and push away Thai visitors. The provincial public relations office stated that, after coordinating with police and relevant agencies, no evidence was found to support the allegations. Officials confirmed that the beach remains fully public and accessible to everyone, in accordance with Thai law. According to the investigation, the confusion

Thailand’s tourism authorities are exploring a proposal to introduce a departure fee for citizens traveling abroad, with the aim of channeling funds into domestic tourism support programs. According to Bangkok Post, the initiative was put forward by Surasak Phancharoenworakul, who suggested a charge of 1,000 baht per outbound trip. The revenue would be used to subsidize travel within the country and encourage local tourism spending. The proposal is based on an existing legal

A group of foreign tourists in Phuket has come under fire after engaging in inappropriate behavior while riding a tuk tuk in the busy Patong area. Photos shared online on April 27 showed several individuals standing inside the moving vehicle, turning toward traffic behind them and exposing themselves. The images quickly spread across social media, prompting criticism from both locals and online users. The identities and nationalities of those involved have not been confirmed,

Officials in Phuket have issued a warning to foreign property investors, urging them to be cautious of overly optimistic or misleading real estate promotions circulating online. The advisory was released on April 28 by the provincial public relations office, citing findings from the Anti-Fake News Center Thailand (AFNC), which operates under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. The review focused on promotional content targeting Phuket’s property market that may not f

A fatal road accident in Phuket has sparked public concern after a young driver without a licence struck and killed a transwoman in the early hours of April 25. The incident took place around 2:30 a.m. on Pathak Road in the Chalong area, near a local entertainment venue. The victim, Auttachai Deeprom, suffered critical injuries and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. CCTV footage shows Auttachai crossing the road with friends when she accidentally dropped her mobile ph