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A recently installed underwater statue of Hanuman near Racha Yai Island off Phuket has suffered serious structural damage after the arrival of the southwest monsoon and worsening sea conditions. The incident was reported on May 16 by Phuket’s branch of Radio Thailand, which operates under Thailand’s Public Relations Department. Officials warned that part of the structure had collapsed due to strong underwater currents and wave activity associated with the beginning of the rai

A tourist speedboat operated by Love Andaman was destroyed by fire while anchored in Ao Makham Bay on Phuket’s southern coast on May 10. Authorities and the company confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident. The vessel, named Juliet, caught fire at approximately 5:25 p.m. while moored in the bay near Cape Panwa. According to officials, the boat had already completed its scheduled tours for the day, and all crew members had gone ashore before the fire began. No

A fire broke out at a marine facility in Phuket on April 28, involving boats at a shipyard in the Mai Khao area. The incident received little public attention, largely because it occurred in a non-residential zone. According to the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO), the blaze started at around 4:00 p.m., although an official statement was only released later in the evening, after 8:00 p.m. Firefighting operations were carried out by personnel from the Depar

Authorities in Phuket have begun urgent preparations ahead of the approaching rainy season following a directive from Governor Nirun Phongsitthithavorn. According to local reports, all relevant government agencies and local administrative bodies have been instructed to immediately inspect and restore the island’s drainage systems to full working condition. The order emphasizes the need to ensure that Phuket is ready to handle heavy rainfall in the coming months. Key agencies

Phuket, one of Thailand’s most famous tourist destinations, is facing a growing environmental problem that could impact both public health and its global image. The island produces between 1,000 and 1,300 tons of waste daily, with volumes rising beyond 1,400 tons during peak tourist seasons. However, its waste incineration system is capable of handling only around 700 tons per day, leaving a significant surplus to be dumped in landfills. These landfill sites are increasingly

Thai authorities have arrested the alleged mastermind behind a major drug trafficking network linked to the “Elixir” dive boat case, along with two key accomplices who had evaded capture since last year’s high-profile raid in Phuket. According to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the suspect, a 47-year-old man known as Sunthorn or “Tainu,” was apprehended on April 14 in Udon Thani province. He was found hiding in a rural area described as a rice field in Ban Chan subdis

Phuket authorities have introduced an emergency assistance zone as firefighters continue battling a persistent blaze at the municipal landfill near Saphan Hin, which has now been burning for two days. Governor Nirut Phongsitthithavorn, together with senior provincial officials and the Phuket City mayor, visited the site at approximately 8:00 p.m. to oversee the ongoing response. The emergency designation allows for quicker deployment of resources and additional support for re

A fatal road accident in Koh Kaew during the early hours of the morning resulted in the death of a motorcyclist and the complete destruction of a car by fire. According to Phuket City Police, officers were called to the scene at around 3:00 a.m. following reports of a serious crash near the Muslim Koh Kaew School in Koh Kaew subdistrict. Upon arrival, they discovered a damaged motorcycle on the road and the body of its rider nearby, who had suffered fatal injuries after being

Police in Phuket have launched a manhunt after a suspect fled the scene of a shooting at a warehouse on April 6, leaving a colleague seriously injured. Officers from Mueang Phuket Police Station were alerted to the incident by staff at Mission Hospital Phuket, where the victim had been taken for treatment. The injured man, identified as 40-year-old Wirut, sustained gunshot wounds to his body and leg. He was conscious upon arrival but remained in critical condition. According

Authorities in Phuket swiftly responded to a fire that broke out on a speedboat at Ao Makham’s deep-sea port late Monday morning, preventing it from spreading to nearby vessels. According to local officials, the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office received an emergency alert at around 10:50 a.m. on April 6 reporting that a speedboat had caught fire at the busy port. Emergency responders from Wichit Municipality, the Phuket Provincial Administrative Org

Authorities in Phuket have dismantled a large-scale methamphetamine supply network that used household appliances to smuggle drugs onto the island. Nearly 200,000 meth pills were seized, and two suspects were taken into custody. At a press briefing on April 4, Provincial Police Commander Sinlert Sukhum revealed that the investigation began after officers intercepted a shipment of 19,892 pills in Satun province on March 30. The drugs had been concealed inside evaporative air c

His Majesty Maha Vajiralongkorn has officially endorsed a new cabinet proposed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The approved list of ministers was published in the Royal Gazette on March 31. The newly formed administration, often referred to as the “second cabinet of Anutin,” is scheduled to be sworn in on April 6, which coincides with Chakri Day. The government is expected to present its policy agenda to parliament the following day. Observers have noted an unusually h

Thai authorities have issued a public warning after a large concentration of venomous “fire jellyfish” was discovered in the waters around Koh Aeo in Phuket. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin announced the alert on March 30, urging residents, tourists, and marine operators to exercise caution and avoid contact with the jellyfish. High concentration detected According to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR

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

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

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

A foreign man was attacked and robbed by three individuals at an ATM in Patong, Phuket, in an incident that has drawn attention online. Local police have not yet issued an official statement. According to reports, the incident—which was captured on surveillance cameras and widely covered by the media—occurred around 5 a.m. on March 19 near the seafood market in Patong. In the video, the man is seen trying to withdraw cash while another individual, believed to be Thai, stands

A confrontation on Bangla Road in Patong, Phuket, escalated into a violent altercation after a foreign woman reportedly provoked a group of Thai transwomen. A video circulating online — without a confirmed date or time — shows a woman believed to be Russian arguing with several transwomen in the street. Dressed in a skirt with an elephant pattern, she appears to single out one individual wearing a pink mini dress. According to the footage, the tourist shouted aggressively and