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Phuket is looking to expand its cooperation with Singapore across tourism, trade, investment and urban development as the province seeks to strengthen its position as an international destination. The opportunities were discussed during a meeting between Phuket Governor Chodnarin Koedsom and Singaporean Ambassador to Thailand Catherine Wong Siow Ping at Phuket Provincial Hall on November 5. The talks covered tourism development, urban planning and disaster preparedness. Gover

Phuket has introduced a new electric bus service linking Phuket International Airport with Rawai, giving residents and visitors another public transport option. Fares start at 40 baht. The route was officially launched on November 2 by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO). A fleet of 10 air-conditioned electric buses now operates under Route 8580, connecting the airport with the southern part of the island. Buses travel from Phuket International Airport al

Phuket International Airport has announced plans to remove tour operators’ reception desks from the international arrivals hall, where companies have traditionally used temporary counters to meet organised groups of tourists. The issue has sparked objections from representatives of the tourism industry, particularly companies serving the Russian market. Following complaints and media coverage, reports emerged that the airport had agreed to postpone the removal for 30 days. Ho

Buddhist temples across Phuket have begun holding annual Kathin ceremonies, during which laypeople present new saffron robes and other offerings to monks following the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat, known as Vassa. Vassa is a three-month period during the rainy season when monks traditionally remain in one place and devote themselves to religious practice. The Kathin season begins after the retreat ends, with each temple holding its ceremony once a year. The first Kathin

A motorcycle rally promoting safer driving took place across Phuket on November 1 as part of a campaign to reduce road accidents and fatalities. The event was organised by the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), with Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsom leading the start of the rally. The governor joined the ride on a black Ducati Scrambler as motorcyclists set off from Phuket Provincial Hall. The campaign was held under the slogan “Phuk

Her Majesty Queen Suthida is scheduled to visit Phuket on November 11 to attend the opening ceremony of the Global Wellness Summit 2026. The international event will take place from November 10 to 13 at Angsana Laguna Phuket, within the Laguna Phuket resort complex. Preparations for the royal visit are already underway. An organisational meeting was held at the hotel on October 27, chaired by Air Chief Marshal Phakdi Saengchuto, Assistant Principal Private Secretary to His Ma

Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul has instructed relevant agencies to assist visitors affected by flooding on Phuket, where heavy rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides, damaging properties and forcing evacuations in Patong. Speaking on October 29, the minister said he had directed the Phuket Tourism and Sports Office, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Tourist Police to help affected visitors, prioritise their safety and coord

With weather conditions on Phuket gradually improving, Patong Beach is preparing to host the three-day Phuket Beach Life 2026 festival from October 30 to November 1. The event will feature live music, sporting competitions, creative workshops, water sports and a range of beachside activities. Admission is free. Phuket Beach Life is part of the Amazing Multi-Racing Festival 2026, a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) initiative taking place in three coastal destinations. Songk

Thailand is considering introducing visa-free entry for citizens of Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan and other potential tourism markets following delays in visa processing that have disrupted travel plans and reportedly reduced passenger numbers on some international flights. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on October 27 that the ministry had acknowledged difficulties affecting travellers from Mexico and several Latin American countries. He plans to s

The Thai government is accelerating emergency assistance and insurance compensation for residents affected by heavy rainfall and flooding in Phuket province. Response teams have been deployed to support affected communities, remove debris and help restore areas damaged by floodwater. Authorities are also working to ensure that eligible residents can access financial assistance as quickly as possible. Initial insurance payments of 10,000 baht Under the National Catastrophe Ins

Authorities in Phuket have been instructed to accelerate flood relief efforts and develop long-term measures to address recurring flooding in Kamala subdistrict, Kathu district. The directives followed an inspection of the area near Phuket FantaSea, where drainage problems have contributed to flooding and affected the surrounding community. Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit instructed the local Highway District Office and Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organizat

Phuket authorities have inspected two properties in Patong and Ratsada suspected of renting out rooms by the day without hotel licences. The inspections took place two days after the province proposed changes to make hotel licensing requirements easier to meet. The operation was conducted on October 21 and led by Deputy Governor Romdon Hajiawae. Officials from the Mueang Phuket and Kathu district administrations, police and other government agencies also took part. According

Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Watcharaphon Khaokham, has inspected three plots managed by the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) at Paradise Beach in Patong, Kathu District, Phuket, to review compliance with land-use regulations and consider possible changes to the relevant legislation. The inspection focused on four key areas: the legality of lease agreements and approval procedures, whether businesses were operating within their authorised

The immigration office at Blue Tree Phuket has closed indefinitely because of staff shortages, forcing foreign residents and visitors to use the main immigration office in Phuket Town, where the number of visitors has increased significantly. The closure took effect on October 19, with officers reassigned to the main office. As a result, the workload at Service Counter 101 has roughly doubled. Phuket Immigration Superintendent Police Colonel Khemchat Wattananapakasem said two

Phuket has begun training government employees, hospitality professionals and local business representatives ahead of the InterPride General Meeting and World Conference 2026, which will be the first event of its kind held in Asia. The training programme began on October 21, ahead of the conference scheduled for October 29 to November 1. Additional pre-conference activities are planned for October 28, according to InterPride’s published schedule. The event is expected to brin

Vachira Phuket Hospital’s blood bank and Limelight Phuket shopping centre are organising a special blood donation drive to honour Queen Mother Sirikit on the first anniversary of her death. The wife of King Rama IX passed away on October 24, 2025. Thailand remains in an official period of mourning, with the cremation ceremony for the widely revered Queen Mother scheduled for December. The donation event will take place at Limelight Phuket on Saturday, October 24, from 10am to

The Phuket Land Protection Group (PLPG) and several allied organisations are preparing another protest against Chabad House Patong. The rally, titled “Take Back Our Country”, is scheduled for October 31 at Saphan Hin in Phuket Town, as opposition to the Jewish religious centre continues. The demonstration is expected to take place from 4pm to 10pm. Organisers include PLPG, Reclaim Thailand and around 20 other networks, with participants expected to arrive from Phuket and neig

Phuket is seeking changes to five areas of legislation that complicate the process of obtaining hotel licences. The proposed reforms aim to help accommodation businesses operate legally, improve safety standards and reduce opportunities for corruption. The proposals cover building regulations, town planning, land allocation, condominium rentals and environmental requirements. They were presented by Phuket Deputy Governor Romdon Hajiawae at an anti-corruption meeting at Govern

Phuket welcomed more than 10.25 million visitors between January and September 2026, generating almost 400 billion baht in tourism revenue, according to figures presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office. The data was shared at the monthly provincial meeting in October. The island recorded 10,251,244 visitors during the first nine months of the year, representing a 1.57% decrease compared with the same period in 2025. Thai visitors accounted for 2,647,

Patong is preparing to host an additional beach festival as Phuket enters the high tourism season. The Phuket Beach Life 2026 event will take place at Loma Park from October 30 to November 1, offering concerts, market stalls, water sports and entertainment. The event was announced by Patong Municipality on October 19. Unlike the traditional carnival held later in the year to celebrate the tourism season, the new festival will not feature a parade. Instead, its programme will