All Articles

A provincial fact-finding committee has begun an on-site investigation into allegations that sections of public beachfront land at Bang Tao Beach have been occupied by private businesses. The inspection took place on June 2 in Thalang District and was led by Rear Admiral Praphan Srisuwipa, Deputy Director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) in Phuket, together with Naphat Aemon, Inspector General of the Department of Provincial Administration and Acting Phuket

Phuket International Airport is set to introduce automated passport control gates for departing international passengers on June 13, aiming to reduce waiting times and improve the efficiency of immigration procedures. The announcement comes after widespread discussion on social media regarding long queues at immigration checkpoints and allegations that some passengers were being offered expedited processing for an unofficial fee. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksa

A mysterious marine animal carcass discovered on a beach in Phuket has prompted an investigation by environmental authorities seeking to identify the species and determine the cause of its death. Officials from Sirinat National Park responded after receiving reports of unidentified remains washed ashore near a beachfront hotel in the Cherng Talay area. According to Assistant Park Chief Karnikar Wongmit, park staff inspected the site and arranged for the carcass to be removed

Phuket has been selected as the primary filming location for the 13th season of the popular American reality television series Below Deck, with production teams scheduled to spend around 40 days shooting across the island and the Andaman Sea. The internationally known show follows the lives of crew members working aboard luxury superyachts serving affluent guests. Over the years, the series has gained a strong following in major tourism markets, particularly in the United Sta

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn paid an official one-day visit to Phuket on June 1, where she presided over the opening of a newly completed building at Srinagarindra the Princess Mother School in Saphan Hin. The new facility was formally named the Sri Sirindhorn Building and was placed under royal patronage. Upon her arrival, Her Royal Highness was welcomed by Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthavorn, school director Natthayaphon Sewatanon, senior provincial officials, military

A foreign man was taken into custody by police in Phuket after allegedly causing a disturbance at a convenience store and attempting to take items from outside a local resident’s home on June 1. The incident gained attention after a Phuket resident shared a video on Facebook showing police officers confronting the shirtless man outside her property. According to the homeowner, the foreigner entered the area around her house, sat outside the residence, and allegedly tried to t

Small restaurants in Thailand’s tourist destinations are increasingly facing a frustrating problem: some foreign visitors finish their meals and then refuse to pay, knowing that business owners have limited options for recovering even modest amounts of money. In one widely discussed case, a Russian couple left a restaurant in Mai Khao, Phuket, in April 2024 without paying the full bill, withholding just 120 baht — roughly three US dollars. When confronted by the owner, they r

Phuket International Airport has responded to growing concerns over lengthy immigration queues and allegations that some passengers were being offered faster processing in exchange for unofficial payments. In an official statement, airport authorities acknowledged complaints circulating on social media regarding waiting times at passport control and claims of extra charges for expedited immigration clearance. Officials emphasized that they take passenger feedback seriously an

Buddhists across Thailand are celebrating Visakha Bucha, one of the most important religious holidays in the Buddhist calendar. Morning ceremonies were held at temples nationwide, while candlelit processions are expected to take place later in the evening. Visakha Bucha commemorates three key events in the life of the Buddha — his birth, enlightenment, and passing into Nirvana. According to Buddhist tradition, all three events occurred on the full moon of the sixth lunar mont

A joint enforcement operation in Phuket Town led to the seizure of thousands of untaxed cigarettes and the detention of a 16-year-old girl who was found managing an illegal tobacco outlet. According to officials, the raid was carried out this week by officers from Mueang Phuket District after authorities received information through social media reports regarding suspected sales of contraband tobacco products. After gathering evidence, investigators obtained a search warrant

A serious traffic accident in Phuket is under investigation after a luxury sports sedan crashed into a pickup truck waiting at a red light, leaving multiple people injured. The collision occurred at 11:53 p.m. on May 28 on Wichitsongkram Road near the entrance to Prince of Songkla University. Officers from Kathu Police Station and emergency responders were dispatched to the scene following reports of a major crash. Upon arrival, authorities found a white luxury sports sedan b

Phuket continued to outperform much of Thailand’s tourism sector during the first four months of 2026, welcoming nearly 4.9 million visitors and generating 186.9 billion baht in tourism revenue despite growing global economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Figures released by the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) show that the island recorded an average hotel occupancy rate of 81.85% between January and April, highlighting the destination’s continued pop

Heavy weather along Phuket’s coastline has brought the return of Portuguese man o’ war colonies, prompting officials to issue fresh safety warnings for beachgoers. Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) announced the discovery on May 28 after the venomous marine organisms were found washed ashore on Karon Beach. According to the agency, the creatures appeared during a period of rough sea conditions, with strong winds and waves reaching two to three meter

Thailand’s Immigration Bureau and other government agencies will suspend operations on June 1 and June 3 in observance of national holidays. June 2, however, will remain a regular working day. The additional holiday on Monday, June 1, was granted because Visakha Bucha Day falls on Sunday, May 31 this year. Visakha Bucha, also known internationally as Vesak, is considered one of the most important Buddhist celebrations. Observed on the full moon of the sixth lunar month, the h

Police at Phuket’s Tha Chatchai checkpoint arrested a 28-year-old man from Krabi during a late-night operation targeting drugs and illegal weapons on May 27. According to Tha Chatchai Police, officers stopped and searched the suspect during routine inspections at the checkpoint, where they discovered narcotics and an unregistered firearm hidden in his possession. Authorities seized 128 methamphetamine pills, 0.895 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a .22 caliber semi-automatic

Phuket is set to introduce a new public attraction as work on the redevelopment of the former provincial prison site enters its final stage. The future Phuket Old Prison Park is now more than 80% complete and is expected to officially open to the public in late August. The project is being overseen by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO), which aims to transform the once-restricted area into a green public space for both residents and tourists. The new park

Thailand has stepped up precautionary measures against Ebola, with authorities in Phuket placing 11 international travellers under a 21-day health monitoring program after their arrival from countries considered high risk. Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthavorn announced the measures during a meeting with provincial health officials, emphasizing that Phuket’s role as a major international aviation hub requires strict monitoring of potential infectious disease threats. According

Authorities in Phuket have stepped up efforts to combat drug trafficking and illegal activities after conducting a raid at a rented property in Wichit that led to the arrest of two suspects. The operation was carried out by district officials, Volunteer Defense Corps members, and Chief Administrative Officer Akara Suwattikul. During the search, officers discovered 178 methamphetamine pills, 0.45 grams of crystal methamphetamine, along with several additional pieces of evidenc

Thailand’s Marine Department has issued a warning for marine operators in Phuket, including a temporary ban on small boats leaving coastal areas due to worsening weather conditions expected through early June. The notice was released by the Phuket regional office of the Marine Department and later circulated by MCOT radio. The order follows a weather advisory from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), which warned of deteriorating conditions caused by the strengthening so

Rungriang Thimabut, the Permanent Secretary of Phuket Province and a key figure in several high-profile operations against illegal businesses and influential networks, has been removed from his position and reassigned to an inactive post at the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) headquarters in Bangkok amid an ongoing corruption investigation. Reports about the transfer emerged on May 26, the same day Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn chaired a meeting with pro