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A South African traveler was arrested at Phuket International Airport after airport security officers discovered ammunition and a firearm magazine inside his checked luggage during a routine screening. According to Sakhu Police, the incident took place at around 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, in the international departures area. Security personnel detected suspicious objects while scanning outbound baggage with X-ray equipment and immediately alerted police officers stationed

Two people were killed and two others injured in a serious road accident in Phuket’s Thalang district after an intoxicated driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle and struck several motorcycles. According to Thalang Police, the crash occurred at around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, near the entrance to Ton Sai Waterfall in Thepkrasattri subdistrict. Officers arriving at the scene found a damaged black Suzuki registered in Phuket. The vehicle was being driven by Aung Mi

Thailand’s Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwannachet dismissed a claim that a Chabad House in Patong was “Israeli territory” during an official inspection on July 23, reaffirming that Thai law applies equally to everyone in the country. The exchange took place while officials were inspecting the Chabad House as part of a wider campaign targeting suspected nominee shareholding arrangements and businesses that may be operating in violation of Thailand’s foreign business regu

Phuket authorities have stepped up inspections of the island’s jet ski industry as part of a wider campaign targeting illegal operators and businesses suspected of using nominee ownership structures. On Saturday, July 25, Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom assigned Deputy Governor Romdon Hayiawa to oversee the operation. The inspection team included Adul Raluekmul, Director of the Phuket Regional Marine Office, senior vessel inspector Teerapong Phannak, and officers from the M

Dozens of newly hatched leatherback sea turtles made their first journey into the Andaman Sea from Thai Mueang Beach on the evening of July 24. The release was broadcast live on the official Facebook page of Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park. Park officials did not specify the exact number of hatchlings, but confirmed they came from the third nest laid this season by a female leatherback turtle affectionately named Namo. The turtle returned to Thai Mueang Beach several

The Phuket Parkland festival has officially returned to Mai Khao, bringing music, local cuisine and family entertainment back to northern Phuket. Although rainy weather affected the opening day, the event remains one of the region’s biggest annual attractions. The three-day festival began on July 24 at Phuket Gateway, also known as Phuket City Gate. The opening ceremony was attended by Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob, mayors from s

Authorities in Phuket have stepped up their campaign against unlicensed cannabis businesses, arresting a suspect and confiscating cannabis products worth more than 120,000 baht during an operation in Wichit. According to provincial officials, investigators received information about a cannabis shop allegedly operating without the required licence. Officers first carried out a controlled purchase before conducting a raid on the premises. A 22-year-old man was taken into custod

The newly elected president of the Phuket Tourist Association has called on the Thai government to place greater emphasis on promoting the island’s positive image, while continuing to enforce the law without drawing excessive attention to every enforcement operation. Sarayut Mallam, who was elected president on July 22, said authorities should maintain efforts against illegal activities such as nominee businesses, unlicensed tour guides, illegal taxi services and unlawful bea

Thailand has selected General Samran Nuanma as the next Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. He is expected to officially assume the position on October 1, 2026, following the retirement of the current police chief upon reaching the mandatory retirement age. General Nuanma is already familiar to many in Phuket. On June 20, he personally visited the island to launch the nationwide campaign against illegal nominee business structures involving foreign investors. He al

Phuket officials have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening public security, highlighting the expansion of the province’s AI-powered "Phuket Eye" surveillance network during a high-level meeting on national security policies. The Phuket Provincial Police Oversight Committee, chaired by Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom, met this week with senior police officers, committee members, and representatives from relevant government agencies to review progress on key security initia

The Thai government’s recent move to restore public access to Nui Beach in Phuket is being viewed as more than a local land dispute. Officials see the case as a potential turning point in the country’s approach to managing coastal resources, enforcing land laws, and protecting public access to natural areas. The operation was led by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin together with Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit. Supported by more than

A Saudi Arabian national was arrested in Phuket on July 22 after police allegedly discovered methamphetamine and cocaine during an anti-drug operation in Patong. The arrest was carried out as part of Operation 90 Days, an ongoing campaign led by Patong Police to combat drug-related crime. According to police, officers detained the suspect in the parking area outside a hotel in Patong, Kathu district. A subsequent search of his accommodation resulted in the seizure of addition

Government offices across Thailand, including the Phuket Immigration Office, will operate for only two days during the final week of July, as the country observes three consecutive public holidays. State agencies will be closed from July 28 to July 30, meaning that, out of the last seven days of the month, only July 27 and July 31 will be regular working days. The holiday period begins on July 28, marking the birthday of His Majesty the King. It is followed by two important B

A 1.1-million-baht donation from the leadership of Phuket’s Chabad-Lubavitch Centre to Patong Hospital has sparked a lively discussion online, with many praising the charitable gesture while others questioned its purpose. On July 16, Patong Hospital announced on its official Facebook page that Rabbi Sholom Dovber Glitzenstein, co-director of the Chabad-Lubavitch Centre in Phuket, and the organisation had donated 1.1 million baht to support the hospital. Photos published by th

Residents in several parts of Phuket reported feeling light tremors on Wednesday morning after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the northern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. According to seismic data, the earthquake occurred at 11:18am local time at a depth of around 10 kilometres. The epicentre was located approximately 381 kilometres southwest of Satun Province in southern Thailand. In Talad Yai in Phuket Town, employees working on the fourth floor of a low-rise office bui

Police in Phuket are investigating the theft of more than 627,000 baht in cash from a currency exchange booth inside Central Phuket shopping mall. Investigators believe the suspect may have had inside assistance after CCTV footage showed him opening the safe using the correct access code. According to Wichit Police, the theft occurred at around 9:13pm on July 19 at an exchange counter located in the Central Festival Phuket section of the mall. Security footage captured a man

A university student has filed a police complaint after allegedly being assaulted by a chef while completing an internship at a hotel in Phuket. The incident has drawn widespread attention after CCTV footage was shared with local media and circulated across Thai social media platforms. The student, identified only as Bee, 20, reported the incident to Patong Police Station. She said she is enrolled at a university in Nakhon Si Thammarat and began her internship at the Phuket h

Thailand has stepped up enforcement of its cannabis regulations as part of a nationwide effort to ensure the plant is used strictly for medical purposes. As part of the campaign, authorities inspected cannabis dispensaries across Phuket and identified hundreds of businesses with licensing issues. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythalay Lucksameesaengchan announced on July 19 that officials are intensifying inspections of cannabis cultivation and retail businesses to prevent

A nationwide survey conducted by Thailand’s National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) has found that most Thais believe corruption within the state system is the primary reason illegal foreign businesses are able to operate in the country. The poll, titled "Illegal Foreigners", was conducted by telephone between July 13 and 15 and included respondents from across Thailand representing different regions, age groups, professions and educational backgrounds. The fi

Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau officers have arrested a 26-year-old suspect in Phuket accused of carrying out online fraud and attempting to hack police systems to erase his own criminal records. Investigators say the man, despite having only a primary school education, learned advanced hacking techniques by using AI-powered chatbots and other artificial intelligence tools. According to Cyber Police, the suspect, identified only as Sahachat, admitted that his original goal