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Authorities in Phuket have intensified efforts against illegal tourism operations after arresting a Chinese national accused of working as an unlicensed tour guide for foreign visitors. The operation was conducted jointly by officers from the Tourism Business and Guide Registration Office and Phuket Tourist Police following reports about suspicious tour activity involving Chinese tourists. Investigators tracked a tour van carrying seven Chinese visitors and a man suspected of

Police in Phuket have arrested a 34-year-old suspect accused of breaking into a luxury villa in Rawai and stealing cash and valuables before fleeing the scene. According to Chalong Police, the incident was reported on May 12 after a foreign resident staying at a villa within the Selina Serenity Hotel complex discovered that an intruder had entered the property during the night. The suspect allegedly escaped with cash, jewelry, and other valuable belongings. Investigators imme

A 30-year-old Turkish tourist was found dead inside a residence in Kamala, Phuket, on May 26, while police reported no immediate evidence of assault or foul play. Investigators also discovered cannabis and drug-related items inside the room. Officers from Kamala Police Station responded to reports from rescue workers at approximately 3:30 p.m. and arrived at a three-storey property in Kamala subdistrict, Kathu district. The man’s body was located near the bedroom entrance on

Authorities in Phuket are working to identify a group of foreign tourists featured in a viral video showing people handling a sea turtle near Cape Panwa, an incident that has sparked concern over the treatment of protected marine animals. The footage, shared by the Phuket Times Facebook page on May 23, shows several tourists posing for photos and videos while taking turns holding the turtle near the shore. According to the post, the animal repeatedly tried to escape but was c

A foreign woman faced criticism online after refusing to fully pay a restaurant bill in Phuket, claiming that one of the drinks she ordered did not meet her expectations. The incident took place on May 23 at New Break Taek restaurant in the Chalong area and later spread across Thai social media through shared video footage. According to reports, the woman visited the restaurant together with her daughter and a Thai woman believed to be a babysitter. Footage circulating online

The commander of the Royal Thai Army’s Fourth Army Area and director of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 (ISOC Region 4) visited Phuket to review local efforts aimed at tackling internal security threats ranging from drug trafficking to illegal foreign land ownership through nominees. Lieutenant General Norathip Phoinok chaired the high-level meeting on May 23 alongside senior military officers. The session brought together Phuket Governor Nirun Phongsitthith

Police in Phuket are investigating a fatal road accident that occurred late at night on May 24 along the province’s main highway. A woman from Chiang Mai died after crashing her motorcycle into a parked truck. According to a police report, officers from Thalang Police Station received notification of the accident at approximately 2:30 a.m. near a 7-Eleven convenience store opposite the Srisoonthorn Municipality office. By the time police and rescue workers arrived at the scen

Private sector representatives in Phuket have expressed support for the Thai government’s decision to cancel the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for travelers from 93 countries and return to country-specific entry rules, which in most cases allow stays of around 30 days. Phumikit Raktaengam, President of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, said the Cabinet’s decision followed lengthy discussions with tourism industry stakeholders and local business operators. Accord

Thailand’s Royal Forestry Department has ordered the urgent demolition of 11 unauthorized structures built inside the protected forest zone at Nui Beach in Phuket. The directive was signed on May 20 by Royal Forestry Department Director-General Bikorn Sirirojananan under Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act of 1964. The order requires all occupants and related parties to vacate the Nak Kerd Mountain Reserved Forest area and remove the illegal constructions by June 5

Officials at Khao Lampi–Thai Mueang National Park received encouraging news at the start of the rainy season after a massive leatherback sea turtle came ashore to nest on Thai Mueang Beach, widely known as “Turtle Beach.” The rare visit from a leatherback turtle, scientifically classified as Dermochelys coriacea, was recorded shortly after midnight on May 22. Images released by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) showed marine specialists successfully locati

Two men and a woman were hospitalized following a serious road accident on the morning of March 23 on Srisoonthorn Road, the main highway connecting Bang Tao Beach with central Phuket. According to a police report, the crash occurred near the construction site of The Title Villa Kirara project and the Nature’s Rest showroom. Officers from Thalang Police Station received the emergency call at approximately 9 a.m. A witness identified as Pitpichi Pipatadit told police she was d

Police in Phuket are investigating the death of an Australian tourist whose body was discovered inside a condominium in Karon on the evening of May 20. Officers responding to the scene reportedly found a plate containing white powder near the deceased man. Karon Police Station received a report about the incident at approximately 7:30 p.m. After arriving at the condominium, officers entered the room and found the body of 27-year-old Australian national Christopher Kazantzidis

Residents in Phuket are demanding an official investigation after a foreign woman posted photos and videos online showing herself wearing clothing resembling a Thai police uniform. Images shared by the Phuket Times Facebook page on May 21 quickly sparked debate across Thai social media. In the photos, the woman appeared wearing a black vest displaying a Thai flag and a Royal Thai Police patch. She was also seen wearing a cap marked “Police” and carrying a badge holder featuri

Immigration police in Phuket have revoked the visa of an Austrian tourist and are preparing to deport him after a series of public disturbances in Rawai that drew widespread attention online. Videos of the man’s behaviour began circulating on Thai social media on May 19. Authorities later identified him as 39-year-old Austrian national Raphael. In the footage, Raphael appeared shirtless and wearing shorts printed with the Thai word “เฉิดฉาย,” which translates as “shining.” Ac

Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has dismantled a major heroin trafficking network that was allegedly supplying narcotics to Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. One of the suspects was arrested moments before boarding transport to Phuket while allegedly carrying 16 kilograms of heroin intended for distribution on the island. According to information released by CIB officials during a press conference on May 19, police arrested a Nigerian national identified as Chiadika

Authorities in Phuket have intervened to ease tensions following a dispute between a local shop owner and Chinese tourists in Phuket Old Town that recently went viral on social media. The incident attracted widespread attention after video footage showed a heated argument between an elderly shopkeeper and a group of visiting Chinese tourists on Yaowarat Road in Talat Yai subdistrict. The clip quickly spread online, triggering criticism and concerns that the confrontation coul

Thailand’s Department of Provincial Administration has ordered the temporary transfer of five senior Phuket officials following growing allegations of extortion and misconduct connected to entertainment venue licensing in Patong. The order was issued on Wednesday, May 20, by Department Director-General Naruetcha Khosasivilai after complaints from nightlife business operators escalated into a public protest on Bangla Road. According to the official directive, the transfers wil

Patong is preparing to host the Phuket Pride Festival 2026, which will take place from June 1 to June 7, immediately following the Buddhist holiday of Visakha Bucha. The festival dates were officially confirmed during a press conference held on May 19 at Jungceylon shopping center in Patong. Representatives from both government agencies and the private sector attended the announcement event. Among them were Porntep Ruayrin, director of the Southern Office of the Thailand Conv

A 30-year-old man has been arrested in Phuket after allegedly shooting his neighbor following a late-night argument linked to alcohol consumption. According to Wichit Police, officers received reports of gunfire at a residence in Wichit subdistrict, Mueang Phuket, at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Monday, May 18. When police arrived at the scene, they found a 53-year-old man with a minor gunshot wound to his arm. Emergency responders provided assistance before the victim was take

Meteorologists have warned that heavy rain across Phuket is expected to continue through May 21, increasing the risk of localized flooding and dangerous sea conditions around the island. The current wave of bad weather arrived in Phuket last week as the southwest monsoon strengthened across the Andaman region. Phuket’s meteorological center, Phuket Met, initially issued a weather warning covering the period from May 14 to May 18 before later extending the advisory through Wed