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Authorities in southern Thailand have issued a navigation warning after two drifting containers were spotted near the Similan Islands, a popular destination for daily excursions from Phuket. The alert was released on March 29 by the regional maritime security center ThaiMECC 3. According to the report, local fishermen first noticed the containers on March 27. Potential maritime hazard Both containers are approximately 20 feet in size and are partially submerged, drifting free

The expat community in Phuket has launched an urgent appeal for blood donors with type O-negative to help save the life of a foreign tourist seriously injured in a road accident. The call for help began circulating on March 29 across Russian- and English-speaking Facebook groups. The patient, identified as Gert Geers, is currently awaiting surgery at Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Critical shortage of rare blood type The hospital relies on supplies from the regional Red Cross blood

Authorities in Phuket are stepping up measures to keep consumer prices under control as increasing fuel costs begin to affect the local market. The Phuket Provincial Commerce Office has urged businesses to raise prices responsibly, only when justified by actual cost increases, and to avoid unjustified markups. At the same time, officials are expanding support programs aimed at easing the financial burden on residents. Monitoring and transparency According to Provincial Commer

Thailand has officially introduced standardized sobriety tests that allow shop and bar staff to assess whether customers are intoxicated before selling alcohol. Although selling alcohol to intoxicated individuals has long been prohibited in the country, only recent amendments to the Alcohol Control Act have clearly defined how such checks should be carried out in practice. The Ministry of Public Health published the official guidelines on March 28, and they have already come

A Thai driver was seriously injured in a late-night crash on Phuket’s main highway after losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a tree. The accident occurred around 11:40pm in the northern part of the island, on a section of Thepkrasattri Road near the entrance to the Supalai Bella residential area. Initial reports suggest a possible discrepancy in the date, with the incident likely taking place on March 27. Emergency responders arriving at the scene found a heavily

Thailand is preparing to introduce a new digital system that will automatically screen applicants for commercial driving licences against police records. Starting from around July 2026, individuals applying for or renewing licences for public and commercial transport will undergo automatic background checks. The initiative is part of a data integration project between the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and the Royal Thai Police (RTP). Digital integration of databases Foll

Authorities are investigating the cause of a major fire that broke out in Phuket Town on the afternoon of March 27, with early reports suggesting a possible electric motorcycle battery explosion. The blaze started around 1:00pm at a three-storey commercial building on Thepkrasattri Road. According to local reports, firefighters managed to bring the situation under control within about 30 minutes. However, updates from public relations officials indicated that crews were still

Authorities in Phuket have launched a large-scale operation to tackle illegal land encroachment at Freedom Beach, located within the protected Nakkerd Mountain National Forest Reserve. The initiative began on March 26 after local residents filed complaints about land being unlawfully occupied and intimidation allegedly carried out by influential groups. In response, Phuket Governor Nirut Laopongsitthathorn ordered a joint task force to investigate the situation. The inspectio

A fire broke out on the afternoon of March 27 at a two-storey residential building near Kohsit Vihara Temple in Phuket, prompting a rapid emergency response. Rescue teams were dispatched to the scene after flames engulfed part of the structure. One man was injured in the incident, suffering burns, including blisters and visible wounds. He received immediate assistance from responders and was transported for further medical treatment. Firefighters from Phuket City, along with

Police in Phuket have arrested a Thai man accused of sexually assaulting at least four women in the Chalong area during March. According to Chalong Police Station, officers received four separate complaints from victims, including both Thai and foreign nationals. Authorities said the incidents caused widespread concern in the community, with some victims sustaining minor injuries while trying to escape. Suspect identified through CCTV Victims provided similar descriptions of

Phuket’s Immigration Bureau and other government offices will operate on a reduced schedule in early April, with more non-working days than working ones. According to an official announcement released on March 25, government agencies will be closed for eight days during the first half of the month, while remaining open for only seven days. Holiday schedule The extended closures are linked to two national holidays — Chakri Memorial Day on April 6 and the Songkran festival from

A Russian national has died following a road accident that occurred overnight in the Cherng Talay area of Phuket. According to reports, the crash took place around 3:40am near Boat Avenue. Emergency responders transported the injured man to Thalang Hospital, where doctors attempted to save his life. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at 8:18am. Police at Thalang Station were officially notified of the death later that morning, at approximately 8:50am, after receivi

A fatal road accident in Phuket has left one motorcyclist dead and another injured after a foreign driver lost control of a pickup truck. The incident occurred on March 25 in the Chalong area at around 5pm. According to reports, a foreign woman driving a blue pickup veered into the opposite lane and collided with two motorcycles. Video footage circulating on Thai social media shows the vehicle suddenly sliding to the right before crashing into the riders. The pickup then stru

A theft case at a Porsche service centre in Phuket has been resolved after police identified a staff member who took a client’s luxury watch. The incident involved a Rolex valued at nearly 500,000 baht, which went missing from a white Porsche Taycan GTS. The vehicle had been sent to a service centre on Bypass Road on March 23. According to the owner, her son had borrowed the car the day before and left the watch inside a compartment in the centre console. She explained that s

Fuel prices across Thailand jumped sharply on March 26 after the Oil Fuel Fund (OFFO) reduced subsidies, pushing retail costs up by 6 baht per liter. The updated subsidy rates were announced late on March 25. On the same day, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas stated that the government would no longer impose price caps on fuel, allowing prices to fluctuate according to market forces. Although official pricing tables initially remained unchanged overnight, they were updat

Phuket is entering the peak of the dry season with its highest water reserves in recent years, easing concerns about potential shortages ahead of the Songkran festival. Although temperatures are expected to continue rising in the coming weeks, provincial authorities have reassured residents and businesses that a severe drought is unlikely. According to official statements and data from the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), current water levels remain sufficient

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun informing its diplomatic staff abroad about a possible reduction in visa-free stays from 60 days back to 30 days. The topic was raised during a four-day seminar for consular officials, which started on March 24 in Bangkok and will run through March 27. According to reports, the issue was highlighted on the very first day of discussions, signaling the seriousness of the proposed policy shift. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuang

A restaurant owner in Phuket has reported a foreign couple to police after they were caught entering private property, using a swimming pool, and consuming cannabis without permission. The incident took place in the Rawai area, where the owner of Grills Nai-Harn shared CCTV footage online showing an employee confronting the couple. In her post, she asked the public to help identify them, suggesting they might be staying in the nearby Soi Naya area. According to the owner, the

Police in Phuket seized a significant quantity of methamphetamine during a late-night checkpoint operation on March 24, 2026. Officers stationed at the Tha Chatchai checkpoint stopped a red Mazda 3 sedan and uncovered 2,967 methamphetamine pills hidden inside the vehicle’s engine compartment. The operation was led by senior officers from Tha Chatchai Police Station, resulting in the arrest of two suspects from Ao Luek district in Krabi province. During the inspection, authori

Phuket is preparing to host the fourth edition of the Peranakan cultural festival, which will take place earlier than usual this year. The Phuket Peranakan Festival 2026 is scheduled for April 3–5. This year’s theme, “BLOOM – The Blooming of Peranakan Culture,”  highlights both the visual beauty and cultural revival of Peranakan heritage. Floral elements, traditionally associated with Peranakan identity — especially in clothing — will play a central role. Organizers also conn