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Thai authorities have launched a search for a 30-year-old German tourist who went missing after entering the sea at Freedom Beach in Phuket on August 10. Strong winds and rough waves were reported in the area, with red warning flags displayed to alert beachgoers to dangerous conditions. The missing tourist was identified as Jannik Jürgen Knobel, a German national. Authorities were alerted at approximately 3:49 p.m., after which police, rescue teams, local officials and disast

Thai conservation activist Siranudh “Psi” Samutt has sparked a discussion on social media after criticising foreign workers in Thailand and arguing that those employed in the country should make an effort to learn and use the Thai language. Psi shared his views about foreign employees speaking English while working in Thailand in a post on his X account, @Psisamutt, on Saturday, August 8. The activist said that when foreign employees at restaurants address him in English, he

Thailand’s Ministry of Interior has launched an investigation into the Thai citizenship of an Israeli national in Phuket, as well as a business reportedly connected to him, following questions over whether his citizenship was obtained legally. The investigation follows a report published by Phuket Times on August 9 claiming that the Israeli national had acquired Thai citizenship and a Thai identity card and was involved in businesses in Phuket that reportedly generated more t

A fire broke out at a worker camp in Koh Kaew, Phuket, on Sunday evening, August 9, but emergency crews managed to contain the blaze before it spread further. No injuries or fatalities were reported. The fire was reported at around 6:45 p.m. in Soi 24, Koh Kaew. The worker camp occupied an area of approximately two rai and consisted mainly of structures built from zinc sheets. Flames spread rapidly across the site, prompting an immediate emergency response and raising concern

Phuket police have fined a Russian man after a video showing a white BMW sedan performing dangerous drifting manoeuvres near Surin Beach circulated widely on social media. The incident took place late on August 7 in a crowded convenience store parking area in Choeng Thale Subdistrict. Witnesses recorded photographs and video of the vehicle spinning and revving loudly, prompting concern among people in the area. The footage quickly spread online, drawing attention to the drive

A special blood donation campaign marking Mother’s Day in Thailand will begin at the Phuket Red Cross on Monday, August 10, and continue through Friday, August 14. Throughout the week, donors will be welcomed at Phuket Regional Blood Centre (Phuket RBC) and at several mobile donation stations across the island. The campaign is held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Mother Sirikit, with residents and visitors invited to donate blood as part of the annual Mother’s Day activities.

A 25-year-old woman was arrested in Phuket on August 7 for allegedly selling unapproved weight loss injection products online without a licence. The investigation began after Phuket residents complained that slimming products were allegedly being sold secretly from a rented room in Mueang district. Officers from Phuket City Police Station worked with officials from the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office to search the rented room in Soi King Kaeo. During the operation, pol

Thailand’s Ministry of Education has ordered schools across the country to strengthen security measures following a deadly shooting at a school in Nonthaburi province on August 7. Education Minister Prasert Chandraruangthong instructed schools to review their existing security procedures and take additional steps to protect students, teachers and other people on school grounds. Authorities have also been directed to provide psychological support to those affected by the incid

Phuket authorities have begun proceedings to revoke the operating licence of a cannabis shop in Wichit after an inspection uncovered several violations of the conditions governing its operation. The inspection was carried out on Friday, August 7, following complaints from local residents about gatherings and cannabis smoking inside the premises, which authorities said had raised concerns about a public nuisance. Officials visited the shop and confirmed that it held a valid ca

Police in Phuket have arrested four people, including two foreign nationals and two Thai citizens, in connection with the alleged illegal operation of international schools through nominee business structures. The arrests are part of an ongoing campaign by Phuket Provincial Police and Chalong Police to investigate foreign-owned businesses suspected of violating Thailand’s Foreign Business Act in the Chalong and Rawai areas. During the investigation, officers identified three

Fuel prices at petrol stations in Phuket have started falling again, with petrol and gasohol prices reduced by 0.70 baht per litre from 5am on August 6. Diesel prices remained unchanged. The new Phuket rates were confirmed by the provincial office of Thailand’s Ministry of Energy. The latest reduction reverses part of the upward movement seen during the second half of July, when fuel prices rose sharply on two consecutive days. On July 22, most petrol and gasohol products inc

Phuket Andaman FC is preparing for another campaign in Thailand’s Thai League 3, where the club will once again represent Phuket in the Southern Zone. Most of the team's rivals remain unchanged, including Samui United, setting up another pair of highly anticipated island derbies after Samui claimed both meetings last season. In July, the club officially secured its license to compete in the 2026/27 Thai League 3 season. While the approval was expected, one of the most encoura

Three foreign nationals were arrested in Patong after police discovered they had remained in Thailand beyond the validity of their visas. According to Patong Police, the operation was carried out under the direction of senior officers as part of ongoing immigration enforcement efforts in the district. The individuals taken into custody were identified as: Mr. James Chinekwu Agbo, a Nigerian national Mr. Essam Abdullah, a Kuwaiti national Mr. Ronelio Sollano, a Filipino nation

Phuket authorities have stepped up enforcement against hookah lounges as part of the nationwide Operation 90 Days anti-drug campaign, carrying out two consecutive raids that resulted in the seizure of hookah equipment and tobacco worth approximately 630,000 baht. The inspections targeted entertainment venues in Ratsada and Rawai after officials said they had received complaints from local residents. In both operations, undercover officers conducted test purchases before autho

A Swedish national sought under an Interpol Red Notice on fraud-related charges was arrested in Phuket on August 4 after immigration officers located her on the island. According to police, the suspect, identified only as Felicia, is accused of participating in a large-scale fraud scheme together with more than 14 accomplices. Investigators allege that, in early 2022, the group impersonated representatives of banks and financial institutions, making more than 163 fraudulent p

A 41-year-old British traveler, Zakir Mahood, was discovered deceased in his Patong hotel room on his scheduled departure date. The discovery occurred after hotel personnel entered the room, where a "Do Not Disturb" sign had been displayed continuously for several days. Mahood had been residing in the accommodation independently since July 24 and was set to check out on August 3. According to hotel employees, housekeepers last serviced the room on July 27, after which the gue

Trail runners from Phuket and across Thailand are preparing for Phuket Trail 2026, with this year's event expected to attract more than 1,000 participants. The Phuket round of the Southern Thailand Trail Series 2026 will take place on September 12–13, offering courses for both experienced ultrarunners and first-time trail enthusiasts. Despite the range of distances available, organisers note that the shortest 7-kilometre Fun Trail traditionally sells out first. Seven race dis

Firefighters quickly brought a morning fire under control after flames engulfed a three-storey restaurant building in Phuket's Kata area. Officials confirmed that no one was injured in the incident. According to emergency services, the fire broke out at around 7:00 a.m. on August 3 at a restaurant located next to a hotel in Kata. Fire crews from the Karon Subdistrict Administrative Organization, supported by fire engines and water tankers, responded immediately. The blaze was

Phuket has officially launched the 11th Phuket Lobster Festival, inviting visitors to enjoy special lobster-inspired menus and exclusive promotions at restaurants across the island throughout August. The festival opened on July 31 in Chalong during the Hlong Long Do Fair and the Chalong Agricultural Festival. The month-long culinary celebration will continue until August 31. This year's theme, "From GI to Global Gastronomy," highlights Phuket’s famous seven-colored lobster, a

Phuket authorities have stepped up efforts to improve road safety and public security, with Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom overseeing inspections of tunnel infrastructure, traffic safety measures, and surveillance systems at Sarasin Bridge. The inspection brought together officials from the provincial transport office, highway authorities, and public health agencies to review ongoing projects aimed at easing congestion and reducing road accidents across the island. According to t