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A confrontation between a Thai employee at a travel agency in Phuket and an Israeli family has attracted widespread attention online after a Palestinian flag displayed at the business led to a heated exchange. The video was published by the Phuket Times Facebook page on August 23 and quickly went viral. The exact date and time when the incident took place were not reported. The footage shows the 24-year-old Thai employee holding a Palestinian flag and repeatedly shouting, “Fr

A free 99-bed accommodation facility has opened in Phuket for patients of Vachira Phuket Hospital and their family members. Baan Phueng Wat is designed to help people who qualify for subsidised medical treatment but struggle to afford the additional costs associated with long-term care and recovery on the island. The project was developed with support from Wat Khao Rang Samakkitham, a temple located near Vachira Phuket Hospital. The official opening ceremony for Baan Phueng W

Local authorities and police in Phuket carried out a late-night security operation in Chalong this week as part of ongoing efforts to combat drugs, illegal weapons and other criminal activity in the area. An integrated checkpoint was established in Chalong, where officers stopped and inspected people and vehicles. The operation was aimed at detecting narcotics, weapons and other prohibited items while increasing security for residents and tourists. During the checks, authorit

A 17-year-old teenager was seriously injured in a shooting following a late-night confrontation in Patong, Phuket. The incident took place at around 1:35am on August 22 on Phra Baramee Road, in the northern part of the Patong Beach area. Police identified the injured teenager as Tipakon James Thongtha, a student from Ratchaburi province. After being shot, he was taken to Patong Hospital, where his condition was reported to be serious. According to the preliminary investigatio

Phuket City Municipality conducted a large-scale fire drill at Phuket City Hall on August 20, combining an evacuation exercise with practical training in firefighting, rescue operations and emergency response. The drill began at around 2pm at Phuket City Hall on Surin Road. Municipal employees, firefighters, rescue workers, civil defence volunteers, traffic volunteers and representatives from other city services took part in the exercise. According to the scenario, a fire bro

A foreign tourist was rescued from rough seas at Patong Beach in Phuket on August 20 after entering the water despite red flags and repeated warnings from lifeguards. The man reportedly told lifeguards that he was a strong swimmer before going into the sea. However, strong waves and currents eventually swept him away from the shore, leaving him unable to return to the beach on his own. Lifeguards immediately launched a rescue operation using a jet ski and a yellow rescue boar

A Thai motorcyclist escaped serious injury after his bike reportedly developed a throttle problem and eventually plunged into the sea from Chalong Pier in Phuket on August 20. The rider managed to jump off the motorcycle before it went into the water. CCTV footage of the incident was shared by the Apichart Fishing Tour Facebook account. The video shows the motorcycle travelling towards Chalong Pier before continuing off the pier and falling into the sea. The person who posted

One of Thailand’s most popular motorsport festivals is set to return to Phuket later this month as the second round of the 2026 Toyota Gazoo Racing Thailand championship takes place in Saphan Hin. The event will be held on August 29-30, when roads inside the coastal park will once again be transformed into a temporary street circuit. Spectators will be able to attend free of charge. Toyota Gazoo Racing Thailand combines professional circuit racing with a large-scale automotiv

One of Phuket Old Town’s most recognizable historic buildings will once again become the backdrop for a large-scale multimedia experience celebrating the island’s cultural heritage. From August 23 to 29, the former police station building at the historic Chartered Bank intersection will host Feel All the Feelings @ Phuket: Illuminating Peranakan, a projection-mapping show organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Using a combination of light, sound, and digital vi

Police in Phuket have arrested a 71-year-old Thai woman accused of participating in a gambling-related fraud scheme that allegedly cost one victim more than 9 million baht. Investigators say the suspect may also be connected to similar scams that have caused losses exceeding 64 million baht nationwide. The woman, identified only as Sor, was taken into custody on August 20 in Phuket Town’s Talat Nuea area. Her arrest followed an investigation launched after a businesswoman rep

Provincial authorities in Phuket have begun investigating an Israeli-owned restaurant in Patong after receiving complaints that Thai customers were allegedly denied service. The inspection was led by Deputy Phuket Governor and Acting Security Advisor to the Ministry of Interior, Pol. Capt. Khetarat Chansilp. Officials visited the establishment following reports that local residents had been refused entry. The inquiry forms part of a wider campaign aimed at ensuring foreign-op

The Kusoldharm Foundation in Phuket has organized the second Tegrajad Potor ceremony of the year, continuing a long-standing tradition dedicated to honoring deceased individuals who have no relatives to care for their spirits. The event was attended by Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom, Deputy Governor Romdon Hayiawa, government officials, and representatives from a range of public and private organizations. Held twice each year, the Tegrajad Potor ceremony remains an importa

Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park has invited residents and visitors of Phang Nga Province to take part in another sea turtle release event on August 18. This time, hatchlings from the sixth nest laid by the leatherback turtle known as Namo will make their first journey into the Andaman Sea. The ceremony will take place on Thai Mueang Beach and is expected to coincide with sunset. However, participants are encouraged to arrive earlier, as registration at the national p

A motorcycle taxi rider working for a ride-hailing platform in Phuket has appealed for assistance after suffering severe injuries in a collision allegedly caused by a foreign driver travelling against the flow of traffic. The case was highlighted by Phuket Times on August 18. According to the report, the foreign motorist was driving a sedan in the wrong direction when the vehicle collided with the rider’s motorcycle. The impact left the Thai rider seriously injured. He was ta

A Chinese tourist has died after being discovered unconscious in the swimming pool of a hotel in Phuket on August 17. Despite immediate rescue efforts and emergency medical treatment, doctors were unable to save his life. The deceased, identified as 44-year-old Ye, had arrived in Phuket with his family and was staying at a hotel from August 16 to 22. According to preliminary information, Ye entered the hotel’s swimming pool, which was about two metres deep. At one point, his

A surveillance camera at a market in Phuket recorded a foreign woman urinating at the entrance of a beachwear shop before leaving the area. The footage was shared by Phuket Times on August 15 and reportedly originated from the Karon area. However, the exact date and time of the incident were not disclosed. According to the video, the woman, dressed in white shorts and a sleeveless top, approached the shop entrance, stopped briefly, lowered her shorts and relieved herself befo

Residents across parts of Phuket reported feeling mild tremors on Saturday evening after a significant earthquake struck northern Sumatra in Indonesia. According to the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM), the earthquake occurred at 5:54 p.m. local time on August 15. The quake registered a magnitude of 6.8 and originated at a depth of 168 kilometres near Pematangsiantar in North Sumatra. The epicenter was located at coordinates 2.98°N and 99.06°

Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, has reaffirmed his commitment to reclaiming public land occupied without authorization, even as legal challenges against the policy continue in court. The initiative forms part of the government’s so-called “Phuket Model,” supported by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The program focuses on recovering state-owned land, including protected forest areas and coastal zones, that authorities believe hav

The Bloom of the Season festival in Karon enters its final day today, offering visitors one more opportunity to enjoy surfing competitions, live entertainment and a beachfront fair. Admission to the event remains free. The annual surfing celebration at Kata Beach, which has previously been known as Fin Fest and Phuket Surftival, has returned this year under the new name Bloom of the Season. The event combines water sports, cultural activities and live performances, attracting

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