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Thailand's Deputy Transport Minister, Sapphasit Boonyamanee, conducted a series of inspections across Phuket to evaluate transport safety and service standards, while ordering stricter enforcement against illegal jet ski operators and non-compliant taxi services. The visit began at Patong Beach, where officials inspected jet ski businesses operating along the shoreline. The review focused on identifying unregistered watercraft, expired operating licenses, and rental services

Authorities in Phuket have widened their campaign against nominee business structures and suspected illegal land use, extending inspections to international schools, tourism operators, and local communities as part of an ongoing province-wide enforcement effort. The operation was led by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum and Chalong Police Chief Pol. Col. Surasak Jaidee. Officers worked alongside immigration officials, district administrators, an

Thailand's Anti-Corruption Police have arrested Phuket Provincial Administrative Chief Officer Rungreung Thimabutr in connection with an alleged bribery scheme involving local government recruitment examinations. The arrest took place on June 26 under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Region 9. Investigators allege that Rungreung acted as a middleman by requesting 300,000 baht from each of three members of the Volunteer Defense Corps

Police in Phuket have dismantled an alleged drug distribution point in Phuket Town, arresting three suspects and seizing methamphetamine along with equipment believed to have been used in drug sales. The operation took place on June 25, when officers from Phuket City Police Station, working together with district officials, searched a house in Soi Phunphol 11 in Talad Nuea. Three people were taken into custody: 52-year-old Mr. Kung, a Phuket resident; 39-year-old Ms. Toey fro

Thai marine police have detained a tourist fishing boat in Chalong Bay after discovering it was operating a fishing trip for Chinese tourists without a licensed tour guide, as required under Thai law. Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) announced the operation in a statement released on June 25, although the inspection itself took place on June 22. Photos published by the authorities confirmed both reports refer to the same incident. According to the CIB, the operat

Police in Phuket have arrested a 27-year-old suspect believed to be responsible for a series of burglaries committed across several districts of the island. Officers from Wichit Police Station carried out an arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court and located the suspect, identified only as Mr. Sun, hiding inside the ceiling of a rented room in Sri Sunthorn, Thalang District. He was taken into custody and transferred to Wichit Police Station for further questioni

Authorities in Phuket have begun a large-scale operation targeting illegal immigration and unauthorized employment, launching what officials describe as a province-wide "X-ray" inspection campaign. The initiative is being coordinated by Deputy Governor Khetarat Chansilp, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum, and ISOC Phuket Deputy Director Rear Adm. Praphan Srivipa. The campaign focuses on identifying illegal workers, dismantling nominee business n

Five boat crew members have been arrested after testing positive for illegal drugs during a police operation at one of Phuket’s main piers. The inspection was carried out by the Phuket Marine Police as part of a broader crime prevention campaign focused on the island’s ports and marine tourism areas. The initiative is intended to improve public safety and reinforce confidence among tourists using Phuket’s maritime transport services. During the operation, officers conducted r

Phuket authorities have reaffirmed that Freedom Beach will remain freely accessible to the public following a large-scale inspection aimed at protecting public land and improving access for both residents and tourists. The inspection took place on June 24 and brought together officials from several government agencies. The operation was led by Phuket Deputy Governor Pol. Lt. Col. Khetarat Chansilp, Mueang District Chief Siwatch Rawangkul, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Po

Authorities in Phuket have clarified the cause of the unusual black discoloration observed along parts of Patong Beach, confirming that the phenomenon is the result of a natural plankton bloom rather than wastewater pollution. According to the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center, laboratory analysis identified two species of phytoplankton — Chaetoceros sp. and Peridinium sp. Specialists emphasized that neither species produces toxins, meaning the event does not pose

A British tourist has been charged with drunk driving after crashing his SUV into traffic barriers at one of Phuket’s busiest intersections, prompting renewed concerns over road safety on the island. The incident occurred at Chalong Intersection, where CCTV footage and videos shared on social media showed a white Toyota Fortuner travelling at high speed before ploughing into several plastic traffic barriers surrounding the clock tower in the middle of the junction. According

An Icelandic tourist has been detained by police in Phuket after allegedly attempting to steal a handbag from a female taxi driver during a trip from Patong to Wichit. The incident was reported to Patong Police Station by 39-year-old taxi driver Phitchapa at around 7pm. According to her statement, she picked up a European passenger outside Patong Hospital at approximately 9:50am and was driving him to a hotel in Wichit, located in Phuket’s Mueang district. During the journey,

Police in Phuket have uncovered a significant drug trafficking operation after discovering one kilogram of crystal methamphetamine concealed inside the roof of a vehicle during an inspection at the Tha Chatchai checkpoint in Thalang. The breakthrough came after officers stopped a Surat Thani-registered vehicle at the checkpoint on Monday, June 22. During the initial search, authorities seized 2,900 methamphetamine pills and launched an investigation into a suspected drug dist

A woman has been hospitalised after being bitten by a cobra in Phuket as the rainy season drives more snakes into residential areas, prompting renewed warnings from local authorities. According to local reports, the incident occurred on the evening of June 17 in the Mai Khao area, where a cobra entered the home of an elderly woman and bit her. The victim's son said he arrived in time to help his mother, killed the snake, and rushed her to hospital. He later shared details of

A 30-year-old woman from Kazakhstan was injured after allegedly causing a series of traffic incidents in Phuket, including blocking major roads, fleeing from police and later crashing into a motorcycle and a van. The incidents attracted widespread attention after videos circulated on Thai social media showing an SUV repeatedly driving in circles and obstructing traffic at an intersection on Thep Kasattri Road in Mai Khao, Thalang district, on Saturday, June 20. Witnesses repo

Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), in partnership with Laguna Phuket, has released young sea turtles and bamboo sharks into the Andaman Sea as part of an ongoing effort to restore marine biodiversity. The conservation event took place on June 20 and featured the release of 25 juvenile green sea turtles and 10 bamboo sharks. The animals had been raised at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) on Cape Panwa before being returned to their natural

A member of Thailand’s National Police Policy Committee has called on the government to launch a comprehensive “Reset Phuket” strategy, warning that the island’s structural problems could undermine investor confidence and damage Thailand’s international reputation. Assistant Professor Nopadol Kannika, a civilian representative on the National Police Policy Committee, presented the proposal as authorities continue expanding their crackdown on suspected nominee business network

Authorities in Phuket have intensified their campaign against illegal foreign nominee networks, uncovering land holdings worth an estimated 231 million baht that are suspected of violating Thailand’s Land Code. The operation forms part of the third phase of the Royal Thai Police’s nationwide crackdown on nominee business structures in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga. The initiative focuses on identifying companies that allegedly use Thai nationals as proxy shareholders to concea

Fuel prices in Phuket have continued to decline, with diesel falling below 38 baht per litre for the first time in more than three months. According to the Phuket office of Thailand’s Ministry of Energy, the latest price adjustment took effect on June 19 after major fuel retailers revised rates in response to more stable global oil prices. Gasohol prices also decreased. Gasohol 91 is now selling for less than 39 baht per litre, while Gasohol 95 has dropped below the 40-baht m

Senior representatives of Thailand’s Ministry of Interior have pledged a comprehensive “system reset” for Phuket, promising broad reforms rather than isolated solutions to the province’s most pressing problems. The announcement was made during a two-day visit by Polapi Suwannachawi and Warasit Liangprasert, the second and fourth deputy ministers serving under Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. According to officials, the initiative is intended to