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Seven people were injured and taken to hospital after a tourist longtail boat capsized and sank during an excursion in the waters of Phang Nga Bay on the morning of August 15. A total of 12 people, including several children, were on board at the time of the incident. The Regional Maritime Security Centre (ThaiMECC Region 3) received an emergency report at approximately 11:15 a.m. and immediately coordinated a response. When rescue teams arrived at the scene near Hang Nak Cap

Authorities in Phuket have temporarily closed Freedom Beach following the disappearance and subsequent death of a German tourist, whose body was discovered on August 11. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin announced on August 14 that he had instructed the Royal Forest Department to enhance safety measures in the area and consider restricting public access and swimming activities. Officials formally issued the temporary closure order and related safe

Two Emirati nationals were taken into custody in Phuket after allegedly refusing to stop at a police checkpoint and leading officers on a dangerous pursuit through Kathu district. The incident occurred at approximately 1pm on August 13 at the Si Kor checkpoint on Phra Barami Road. According to police, the pair were travelling on a black Honda ADV 160 motorcycle from Patong toward the Si Kor intersection when officers signalled them to pull over for a routine licence inspectio

A video that recently resurfaced on social media appears to show security guards from a nightlife venue on Bangla Road assaulting a foreign tourist in Patong. The footage, which has circulated widely this week, sparked renewed criticism online. However, local officials say the incident occurred years ago and was resolved shortly after it happened. The clip shows a foreign man being escorted from a venue entrance before several guards continue confronting him on the street. In

Authorities in Phuket have arrested a man during a targeted anti-drug operation in Pa Khlok, resulting in the seizure of thousands of methamphetamine pills, crystal meth and an illegal firearm. The operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to combat narcotics-related crime in the province. During the raid, officers detained a male suspect and confiscated a significant quantity of illegal drugs along with a handgun and ammunition. According to officials, the seized

Authorities in Kamala have confirmed that no one was injured after a fire broke out at a luxury villa on Phuket’s west coast on the evening of August 12. The incident occurred at a property within the Ayara development in Moo 6, Kamala. Initial reports of smoke and flames circulating online were later officially confirmed by both the Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organization (OrBorTor Kamala) and Kamala Police. According to local officials, emergency services received a

Thai authorities have arrested a South Korean national wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for alleged involvement in fraud and international drug trafficking. The suspect, identified only as Mr. Lee, was found living in Phuket after overstaying his visa for almost 3,000 days. The operation was carried out by officers from Immigration Division 6 in cooperation with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and South Korean law enforcement agencies. Investigators tracke

Government offices across Phuket are closed today, August 12, as Thailand observes Mother’s Day, a national holiday held each year on the birthday of Queen Mother Sirikit. This year’s celebrations are the first to take place without Queen Mother Sirikit herself, adding particular significance to the occasion. Events connected with the holiday began on August 11, when Phuket launched a series of community and charitable activities dedicated to the Queen Mother. District and lo

Phuket Immigration Police have arrested a 26-year-old Ukrainian man wanted under an Interpol Red Notice over his alleged involvement in an international cryptocurrency fraud scheme. The suspect, identified by authorities only by the alias Yeken, was arrested on Tuesday, August 11, according to Phuket Immigration. Investigators allege that he and his associates used fake Telegram accounts and created a fraudulent trading platform designed to imitate the well-known cryptocurren

Phuket police have inspected a lion cafe in Chalong after photos circulating on social media appeared to show a Chinese tourist being attacked by a lion. Authorities later confirmed that the image was old and did not depict a recent incident. Officers from Chalong Police Station visited Lion Cafe in Chalong, Mueang Phuket, on August 11 following concerns that the viral images could damage Phuket’s tourism reputation. The inspection was led by Police Colonel Surasak Jaidee, su

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

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

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