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Two people were injured after a house caught fire in a residential estate in Wichit, Phuket, late on the night of July 5, 2026. Emergency services received reports of the blaze at approximately 11:16 p.m., triggering a large-scale response from local authorities. The operation was overseen by Wichit Mayor Kreetha Chotivichphipat, who coordinated firefighters, disaster prevention and mitigation personnel, public safety officials, rescue volunteers, and officers from Wichit Pol

Primary school students at Kajonkiet Thalang School in Phuket took part in a safety training exercise focused on emergency response procedures, including how to react if an armed attacker enters the school. The exercise was organized by the school, with support from officers of the Cherng Talay Police Station, who also shared information about the event on social media. According to the school, the training was designed to help students understand the basic steps they should

A 22-year-old Myanmar national has been arrested on Phuket’s Bangla Road after police allegedly found him carrying an illegal homemade firearm. According to a brief statement published by Patong Police, the arrest took place on July 4 during routine patrols in the island’s popular nightlife district. Officers reportedly seized a homemade pistol designed to fire .38-caliber ammunition, along with a single live round. The suspect was taken into custody on charges of illegally p

A man wanted for the murder of his wife nearly two decades ago has been arrested in Phuket, bringing an end to a long-running manhunt just months before the case was due to reach its statute of limitations. Officers from Thailand's Crime Suppression Division (CSD) detained 65-year-old Mr. Sawai on Sri Suthat Road in Phuket Town after tracking his movements across several provinces. He was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court in 2006

A foreign driver escaped without injury after his Ford sedan caught fire in Phuket on July 4, with flames rapidly engulfing the vehicle on Phra Phuket Kaew Road in Kathu District. Police at Kathu Police Station received a report of the incident at approximately 5:50 p.m. after emergency services were alerted to a vehicle fire at a U-turn on the inbound side of the road. When officers arrived, they found a black Ford sedan already heavily damaged by fire. Firefighters quickly

Vietnam Airlines has officially launched direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket, marking the airline's debut on the route. The inaugural flight, VN621, landed at Phuket International Airport on the evening of July 2 with 152 passengers on board, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The aircraft arrived at 5:50 p.m., where passengers were welcomed with a ceremonial reception attended by senior representatives from TAT, Vietnam Airlines, Phuket Inte

Authorities in Phuket have intensified anti-drug enforcement as part of the Ministry of Interior’s nationwide “Operation 90 Days”, leading to the arrest of two suspects during a raid in Muang District. The operation took place at around 8:30 p.m. on July 3 in Soi Mukdee, Rawai Subdistrict, after officials received complaints from local residents about suspected drug-related activities in the area. The raid was carried out by the Rachasri Narai Unit, a special task force under

Residents of Phuket are being encouraged to donate blood throughout July as the Phuket Regional Blood Center (Phuket RBC) and the Blood Bank of Vachira Phuket Hospital continue efforts to maintain adequate blood supplies for hospitals across the province. In addition to regular donation opportunities at their permanent facilities, both organizations have scheduled numerous mobile blood collection events at shopping malls, hotels, businesses, government offices, and other loca

Authorities in Phuket have arrested a French national who was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of Luxembourg over a series of serious criminal allegations. The 29-year-old suspect, identified only as Mr. Chirrane, was detained by officers from the Crime Suppression Division Region 8 (CSD Region 8) outside his hotel room at a resort in Patong, Kathu District. According to investigators, Luxembourg is seeking the suspect in connection with several maj

Phuket authorities are reminding businesses and residents to pay close attention to electrical safety during the rainy season after a transformer explosion triggered a major fire at a restaurant in Patong. The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. on July 2 at the Isaan restaurant Zaab Rang Saeng Khong on Phra Mettha Road. Although no one was injured, the restaurant suffered extensive damage, and financial losses are expected to be significant. According to the Phuket office

Phuket authorities have issued a final appeal to hotel and entertainment venue operators who are still operating without licenses or have not yet completed the licensing process, urging them to seek assistance and submit applications by July 2, 2026. Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom said the initiative follows policies introduced by the Ministry of Interior and the Department of Provincial Administration to help businesses comply with legal requirements while promoting transparent

A tuk tuk driver in Phuket was injured after an alleged assault by a foreign passenger who refused to pay a 300-baht fare. The attack left the driver with a mouth injury that required ten stitches. The incident occurred at around 5 a.m. on July 2 and was recorded by a witness. The video was later shared on Facebook, quickly attracting attention online. Footage shows the driver, dressed in a black T-shirt, confronting a foreign man wearing a white shirt while filming the encou

Phuket authorities have stepped up flood-prevention measures as the island faces several days of heavy monsoon rainfall. Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom said officials are closely tracking weather developments and have warned residents to stay alert for thunderstorms and intense rain expected between July 1 and July 3. The unstable conditions are being driven by the southwest monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea and much of southern Thailand. To reduce the risk of flooding and other

Thai authorities have launched an extensive review of business ownership in Phuket, with more than 400 companies coming under investigation for suspected use of nominee shareholders to conceal foreign control. Deputy Interior Minister Polpee Suwanachawi said the inquiry, carried out jointly with the Ministry of Commerce, has so far examined more than 10,000 registered businesses across the province. Investigators believe a number of companies may have used Thai nationals as p

A Phuket taxi driver has received widespread praise after offering three foreign visitors a complimentary ride to Wat Chalong when they admitted they could not afford the fare. The touching encounter took place on June 29 and was later shared on Facebook by user Pichaiphorn Chanproong. The video, filmed near the Pearl Circle roundabout in Patong, quickly gained attention across social media. According to the footage, the three tourists stopped the taxi and explained that they

Phuket's tourism industry has returned to the Japanese market with its first promotional roadshow in more than a decade, aiming to revive visitor arrivals from Japan and strengthen partnerships with travel industry professionals. The Phuket Roadshow to Japan 2026 took place from June 22 to 26, with a delegation representing the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO), the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA), and local tourism businesses visiting Sapporo, Osaka, and

Phuket has officially begun a new chapter in its provincial administration with the appointment of Chotnarin Kerdsom as the island's new governor. Mr. Kerdsom formally assumed office on Monday, June 29, arriving at Phuket Provincial Hall together with his wife, Mrs. Paveerisa Kerdsom, who serves as President of the Provincial Interior Housewives Association. His appointment follows a recent cabinet reshuffle approved by the Thai government. Former Phuket Governor Nirut Phongs

Authorities in Phuket have stepped up efforts to protect protected forest areas after launching an investigation into suspected illegal land clearing in the Kamala Hills, also known as Khao Nang Phanthurat. The inspection took place on the afternoon of June 29 and was led by Mueang Phuket District Chief Siwatch Rawangkul. The operation brought together district officials, members of the Volunteer Defense Corps (Or Sor), provincial forestry officers, and the village head of Mo

A serious motorcycle collision in Phuket has left a foreign rider and a Thai woman in critical condition, reigniting public debate over road safety and motorcycle rentals on the island. The accident took place on Sunday, June 28, along Sai Kor Road in Patong. CCTV footage shows a Thai woman riding a white motorcycle while a foreign motorcyclist approached from the opposite direction on a black bike. According to the video, the foreign rider crossed into the oncoming lane befo

Phuket concluded its month-long Pride celebrations on Saturday, June 27, with the Phuket Pride 2026 Grand Parade through the streets of Phuket Old Town. More than 2,000 people took part in the event, making it one of the largest Pride gatherings held on the island. Held under the theme "We are ONE – Together in Love," the parade served as the highlight of this year's Pride program, which had begun ahead of June with a series of events in Patong. Participants included represen