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Tourist police in Phuket arrested two foreign nationals accused of overstaying their visas by more than two years after they were identified through an AI-powered facial recognition system in Kathu district. The arrests took place on May 8 during an operation targeting foreigners suspected of immigration violations and other illegal activities in key tourist areas across Phuket. According to tourist police, the operation was launched following directives to intensify inspecti

Phuket United FC will play its second home match tonight, May 10, as the club welcomes Phatthalung FC to Surakul Stadium in Phuket Town. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Although the club does not officially hold the status of a youth team, Phuket United FC has quickly earned a reputation as a promising squad built around young local talent. Most players in the lineup are under the age of 21, but the team has already shown impressive performances during the opening rounds o

Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to visit Phuket on May 10, 2026, to personally inspect ongoing investigations into illegal land encroachment along the island’s coastline. The field mission is aimed at reinforcing the government’s efforts to protect public beaches, preserve natural resources, and ensure compliance with environmental and land-use laws. The first inspection will take place at Bang Tao Beach in Cherng Thalay, Thalang dis

Phuket authorities have announced a major tightening of law enforcement measures targeting foreign nationals and businesses operating illegally on the island. Officials say the campaign is intended to strengthen public order, improve tourism standards, and protect local communities as Phuket continues to experience rapid growth in international arrivals. Governor Nirun Phongsitthithavorn stated that Phuket welcomed more than 14 million visitors in 2025, with Russian tourists

A teenager in Phuket has received widespread praise after helping save a foreign man who collapsed on a roadside in Kathu district on the evening of May 7. Photos and videos shared by Thai media and local Facebook pages showed the young man performing CPR on an unconscious foreigner lying on the road with a visible head injury. According to DailyNews, the incident happened outside a beverage stall, where the foreign man reportedly suddenly collapsed and struck his head on the

Phuket is set to celebrate its culinary heritage once again as the annual Phuket Food Festival takes place from May 8 to May 12, 2026. Organized by Phuket Municipality, the event is being held under the theme “Good Food, Good Health, Good Spirit,” bringing together local cuisine, cultural traditions, and community activities in one of the island’s most popular public spaces. The festival is hosted at Chalermprakiat R.10 Public Park in Saphan Hin and begins daily from 5:00 p.m

Phuket authorities are stepping up enforcement against foreign nationals who violate local laws, prompting the Israeli Embassy in Thailand to issue a public warning to Israeli citizens staying on the island. The statement, written in Hebrew, was published on May 7 through the embassy’s official Facebook page “Israel in Thailand.” In the message, Israeli nationals were urged to strictly follow Thai laws and regulations, as officials in Phuket are now applying tougher measures

Police in Patong have arrested two foreign nationals accused of cocaine distribution during an undercover anti-drug operation targeting illegal narcotics activity in the popular tourist district. According to Phuket Tourist Police, investigators carried out surveillance before organizing a sting operation that led to the arrests of a Nigerian man identified as Samuel and a Belgian man named Bruno. Both men were also found to have significantly overstayed their visas in Thaila

Phuket authorities have intensified inspections of shooting ranges in Patong as part of ongoing efforts to enforce safety standards and ensure businesses comply with Thai regulations. The inspection campaign was led by Kathu District Chief Akkarapol Sutthirak Jitsupap, together with district officials, representatives from the Sports Authority of Thailand in Phuket, Patong Municipality, and other related agencies. The operation began at around 1 p.m. and covered four shooting

A foreign couple has been detained and deported after engaging in inappropriate behavior inside a tuk-tuk in Patong, triggering public backlash and renewed debate over tourist conduct in Phuket. According to authorities, the individuals—a man from Spain and a woman from Peru—acknowledged their actions, explaining that they had acted impulsively. Footage of the incident quickly spread across social media, drawing criticism from both residents and officials, who said the behavi

Authorities in Phuket have intercepted a major drug shipment after discovering more than six kilogrammes of heroin concealed inside traditional Thai clothing sets intended for delivery to Australia. The operation began on April 30, when police flagged a suspicious parcel sent from Loei to a residence in the Sakhu area of Thalang. The shipment, consisting of two large sacks, had been dispatched from Chiang Khan district via a private courier service and was addressed to an ind

A Russian national has been detained in Phuket for allegedly organizing unauthorized fishing excursions, following an investigation that linked tour promotions on Telegram to operations in Chalong. The case was initiated after a report was submitted through the Tourist Police hotline. Authorities were alerted to a group of foreigners promoting fishing trips online. Officers then monitored the activity for more than a month, collecting evidence before proceeding further. To co

Authorities in Phuket are preparing for an official visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, scheduled for June 1. The princess, who is the sister of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, will attend a formal ceremony to inaugurate a newly constructed building at Chalermprakiat Somdej Phra Srinakarin School. Preparations are already underway following a coordination meeting held on May 1, where provincial officials instructed all relevant agencies to complete arrangem

Several restaurant owners in Phuket have reported falling victim to a suspected foreign scammer who used a “confusion trick” to steal cash during transactions. One of the victims, a local restaurant owner named Benz Paitoon, shared his experience on Facebook on May 4, along with CCTV footage. According to him, the suspect entered his shop and bought a bottle of water priced at 10 baht, paying with a 1,000-baht note. Out of caution, Benz checked the banknote using a verificati

A foreign couple was taken into custody on May 4 after a video showing inappropriate behavior inside a moving tuk tuk in Patong spread rapidly online. The incident gained attention after footage, reportedly filmed by a passerby, was shared on social media a day earlier. The clip shows the couple inside the vehicle while it was in motion, sparking widespread criticism and renewed debate over tourist conduct in Phuket. According to reports, the video was captured by a Thai woma

Residents of Phuket are being encouraged to take part in mobile blood donation drives throughout May, as local medical institutions work to replenish critically low supplies. The regional blood center operated by the Thai Red Cross Society (Phuket RBC), together with the blood bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital, continues its campaign to secure sufficient blood for hospitals across the island. Medical staff report ongoing shortages across all blood types, with Rh-negative blood

A series of dine-and-dash incidents involving foreign tourists unfolded across Phuket over a single weekend, alarming restaurant owners and prompting calls for stricter enforcement. The first case took place on May 2 and was later shared online by a restaurant owner. According to her account, two foreign customers ordered simple dishes—fried rice and stir-fried noodles without meat. Near the end of their meal, they complained about allegedly finding an insect in the food. The

A community charity run held on May 1 in Phuket has successfully raised 150,000 baht to support Chalong Hospital. The funds will be used to purchase new medical equipment and upgrade the hospital’s operating room in the near future. The event, known as May Day Run 2026, took place early in the morning at Bang Wad Reservoir in Kathu, a popular spot among local running enthusiasts. The location is also set to host an upcoming stage of a regional running series organized by prov

Authorities from Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park have officially dismissed viral claims suggesting that Phi Phi Island is set to receive an international airport. The clarification followed the spread of an Instagram post published on April 1, 2026, which claimed that construction of an airport on the island would begin on May 1. The post included what appeared to be an image of the proposed site. Officials confirmed that the image was artificially generated a

An Australian national has been detained in Phuket after a video showing a serious traffic violation in Kamala spread widely online. According to local police, the incident took place at the Khok Yang intersection, where a black sedan with red stripes was seen blocking both entry and exit lanes. The driver ignored a red traffic signal, disrupting the flow of vehicles and putting other road users at risk. Officers quickly identified the driver as an Australian man known as Mr.