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Provincial authorities in Phuket conducted a late-night inspection of the “Sod” entertainment venue in Talad Nuea, Muang District, following complaints about loud music and alleged drug use. The operation began at around 11:30 p.m. over the weekend and was led by Apichat Chantrawong, Chief of the Muang District Security Division. During the inspection, officials conducted narcotics tests on employees and randomly selected patrons. A total of 54 people were screened, and all t

Phuket is gradually approaching the high season. In about six weeks, airlines will switch to their winter schedules, and the current 220 flights through Phuket International Airport are expected to increase to more than 300. At the same time, Thailand’s approach to the new tourism season is already becoming clear. The country is moving away from its post-pandemic policy of attracting tourists by virtually every available means and placing greater emphasis on regulation, secur

Phuket Governor Chotnirin Kerdsom has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the operations of Chabad Patong, giving relevant agencies seven days to report their findings. The review will examine land ownership and use, building permits and construction approvals, as well as commercial licences connected to the organisation. Authorities will also examine shareholder records to determine whether there are links between Chabad Patong and a company involved in a proposed for

Thailand is set to experience more heavy thunderstorms and rainfall, with the Meteorological Department warning of heavy to very heavy rain across dozens of provinces, particularly in Bangkok and surrounding areas and parts of the South. The Meteorological Department said the increase in rainfall is being driven by the southward movement of the monsoon trough, a strengthening southwest monsoon and a strong low-pressure system over the South China Sea. Isolated very heavy rain

A planned Rosh Hashanah dinner at the Chabad Center in Patong was reportedly cancelled on September 11 after Israeli security officials raised concerns about the situation surrounding the event and hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the centre. According to Israeli media reports, registered guests received messages announcing the cancellation only hours before the dinner was due to begin. Organisers reportedly cited recommendations from Israeli security personnel, who

Phuket Andaman FC has held its traditional pre-season press conference, officially confirming the club’s readiness for the 2026/2027 BYD DOLPHIN LEAGUE 3 season and calling on Phuket residents to support their local team. The event took place on September 10 at Robinson Lifestyle Thalang. Journalists were introduced to the club’s updated kit and key players and had an opportunity to ask questions of the management and coaching staff. The club has not yet published a final lis

A video circulating on Thai social media shows a foreign tourist sticking out his tongue at a motorcycle rider during a dispute over a 40-baht fare for a ride booked through a ride-hailing app. According to the Facebook post that shared the footage, the rider completed the trip and took the passenger to his destination as usual. However, when it was time to pay, the tourist allegedly refused to hand over the fare. The post claims that the rider spent about an hour trying to p

Phuket Immigration police have arrested a 48-year-old American man wanted in Texas after US authorities alerted Thai officials to his presence in Thailand. The man, identified only as Brad, was arrested outside his residence in Talad Nuea, Phuket, by a special operations team led by Acting Police Major Adisorn Boonchum of Phuket Immigration. His permission to remain in Thailand had already been revoked under the country’s Immigration Act following a formal request from the US

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued a warning for 71 provinces and Bangkok over the risk of flash floods, forest runoff, landslides and flooding through September 13. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast in many parts of the country, prompting authorities to urge people living in vulnerable areas to closely monitor weather conditions, rainfall and water levels and prepare for possible emergencies. The alert covers all provinces in

A Jewish New Year celebration planned by Chabad Patong will go ahead tomorrow, September 11, despite calls from a Phuket residents’ group to cancel the event over concerns about possible violence and security risks. The decision follows a petition submitted by the Protect Phuket Land Group, which had urged provincial authorities to stop the celebration at Chabad House Patong and a hotel in the area. The group expressed concern that the gathering, originally expected to attrac

A Phuket residents’ group has called on provincial authorities to cancel a planned Rosh Hashanah celebration in Patong, warning that security concerns and tensions surrounding the event could lead to protests and possible unrest. Members of the Protect Phuket Land Group, led by Saichon Nuchet, submitted a letter to the Phuket governor at Phuket Provincial Hall at around 10am on September 8. The petition objects to a Jewish New Year celebration planned by Chabad Patong for Sep

A foreign tourist was hospitalised after suffering a severe allergic reaction from contact with a Portuguese man o’ war at Naithon Beach in Phuket. Lifeguards administered first aid at the scene before the tourist was taken to hospital. The incident was reported on September 9 after the Phuket Times Facebook page published photographs from Naithon Beach in Sakhu subdistrict, Thalang district. The images showed what appeared to be a Portuguese man o’ war inside a container, wh

Phuket authorities are moving to speed up and improve the certification process for foreign student visas in an effort to reduce overstay cases and make the system more efficient. The first meeting of a newly established committee responsible for redesigning the student visa certification system was held at the Chanpanwa Conference Room at Phuket Provincial Hall. The session was chaired by Deputy Governor Romdon Hayiawa. The committee was established on the orders of Phuket G

Portuguese man o’ war have returned to Phuket’s west coast, prompting a warning from the Patong Surf Life Saving Club. The marine creatures were spotted on Patong Beach on September 7, with lifeguards cautioning that more may appear both in the water and along the shoreline in the coming days. Portuguese man o’ war belong to the genus Physalia and are technically not jellyfish. They are colonies of specialised hydrozoan organisms living together as a single floating unit. How

An American tourist was found dead inside his hotel room in Patong after staff had not seen him for around five days and he failed to check out as scheduled. Police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of death. Patong Police in Kathu district were notified at around 1:50pm on September 7 after the Patong police radio centre received a report about a hotel guest who had not left his room for approximately five days and had missed his scheduled checkout by one

Cannabis dispensaries across Phuket are facing tighter regulatory scrutiny after authorities revoked 35 licences and suspended another 112, according to figures presented at a recent provincial economic committee meeting. The figures were discussed during the sixth meeting of the Joint Public-Private Sector Committee for Solving Economic Problems in Phuket for fiscal year 2026. The meeting was chaired by Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum at Phuket Provincial Hall late last we

Phuket-based Peranakan clothing brand Yayee is continuing its bid for national recognition in Thailand’s annual small and medium enterprise awards. The local company has already made it into the shortlist of top contenders, while last week an Industry Ministry evaluation team visited its production facility as part of the on-site inspections for businesses competing for the award. The official name of the award is the Prime Minister’s Small and Medium Industry Award 2026. Yay

The Surfing Federation of Thailand and Kalim Reef Surfers have announced the dates for this year's surfing competitions in Patong. The event is one of three major competitions on Phuket's surfing calendar, alongside contests at Kata and Surin beaches. This year's Kalim Patong Surfing Contest will take place from September 18 to 20, followed immediately by the youth Grom Patrol competition in Khao Lak, in neighbouring Phang Nga Province. Patong Municipality is currently comple

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the deportation of Israeli citizen Yaacov Ohayon after the Koh Samui Provincial Court convicted him of criminal intimidation under Section 392 of the Thai Penal Code. The case followed threatening messages allegedly sent by Ohayon that caused the victim to fear for their safety. The court found him guilty and initially sentenced him to one month in prison and a 10,000-baht fine. However, because he confessed

Toyota Gazoo Racing Thailand has released the official results of the second round of the 2026 season, held in Phuket on August 29–30. For two days, Saphan Hin Park was transformed into a temporary street circuit, hosting a series of races featuring Toyota vehicles. One of the biggest stars of the recent seasons, Mia, once again proved that her skills extend well beyond posing for the cameras. The Phuket round was the second event of the season following the opening round in