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Three sculptures created for the Thailand Biennale 2025 and displayed along the Saphan Hin waterfront have officially been handed over to the Phuket Town Municipality. The ceremonial transfer took place on April 5. The event was held under the theme “Phuket Legacy 2025.” As it coincided with the Peranakan Festival, the program featured performances by cultural groups visiting Phuket from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Phuket Town Mayor Saphachok La-ongphet symbo

A vibrant three-day kite festival has kicked off on Karon Beach in Phuket, bringing color, entertainment, and family-friendly activities to the island. The Phuket Kite Festival opened on April 3 and will run through April 5 at Nong Harn Park, located near the lake in the northern part of the beach. At the same time, the Kata Karon Season Sound fair has begun in the same area, offering visitors a lively mix of shopping, food, and entertainment. The event program features a wid

Phuket officials carried out an inspection at a restaurant near the Big Buddha in Chalong after online discussions raised concerns about a Hebrew-language sign displayed at the entrance. The inspection took place around 5:30 p.m. and involved district authorities, local leaders, municipal officers, and volunteer defense personnel. Their goal was to verify that the business complies with all legal and regulatory requirements. According to officials, the restaurant is properly

A new electric bus route will begin operating in Phuket on May 15, expanding the island’s growing eco-friendly public transport network. The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) announced the upcoming launch earlier this week, highlighting that the initiative comes at a time of rising fuel prices across Thailand. Like the three existing routes, the new line will be fully served by electric buses. The route is being introduced as a “school line,” connecting Phu

Fuel prices in Thailand have surged dramatically over the past month, with diesel and gasoline costs rising by nearly 50% compared to early March. The latest increase took effect on April 2, following a government-approved adjustment. According to official figures, diesel prices have climbed by approximately 48% since March 2, while gasohol E10 has risen by around 42%, bringing overall retail fuel costs close to one-and-a-half times higher than a month ago. The decision was f

Transport costs for sea travel from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi are set to rise starting April 5, as ferry and speedboat operators received approval to increase fares in response to higher fuel expenses. The decision followed a meeting on April 2 between Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn, officials from the Provincial Marine Department, and local transport operators. During the discussion, companies explained that they had been covering rising fuel costs for some time and could

Authorities in Phuket have detained six foreign women following an inspection at a kindergarten catering to Russian-speaking families in the Rawai area. The facility, known as Litti Kids, was among several businesses checked during a broader operation targeting companies suspected of using Thai nominees to bypass restrictions under Thailand’s Foreign Business Act. However, the arrests were primarily linked to possible violations of labor regulations rather than ownership stru

Electricity prices in Thailand are set to increase slightly beginning in May 2026, with the adjustment kept at a modest 1.8% compared to current rates. For residential consumers, the new tariff for the May–August period will be fixed at 3.95 baht per kilowatt-hour. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) reached this decision after reviewing public feedback and ultimately selected the least impactful option among three proposed scenarios. The approved structure includes a fuel

Authorities in Phuket have stepped up enforcement against so-called nominee business structures, carrying out coordinated raids across multiple locations on the island as part of a wider national initiative. The operation was overseen by Sinlert Sukhum, who presented the results during a press briefing attended by officials and media representatives. In total, eight sites were inspected, including businesses in sectors such as car rentals, property services, and childcare. Th

A charity running event will take place in Phuket on May 1, organized to support Chalong Hospital. The initiative was announced by the provincial office of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, with the event scheduled at Bang Wad Reservoir. The run is timed to coincide with Labor Day, which in Thailand is observed as a public holiday and is traditionally marked by nationwide activities highlighting workers’ rights. Details about the “May Day Run” were shared on Ma

His Majesty Maha Vajiralongkorn has officially endorsed a new cabinet proposed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The approved list of ministers was published in the Royal Gazette on March 31. The newly formed administration, often referred to as the “second cabinet of Anutin,” is scheduled to be sworn in on April 6, which coincides with Chakri Day. The government is expected to present its policy agenda to parliament the following day. Observers have noted an unusually h

The Phuket Provincial Police has issued a warning to motorists, announcing a tougher approach to traffic law enforcement starting April 1. Authorities explained that March 31 marks the end of a nationwide “leniency phase,” during which officers were encouraged to issue warnings instead of fines whenever possible. Although it remains unclear how consistently this policy was applied in Phuket, officials have confirmed that stricter enforcement will now take effect across the is

Thailand’s Minister of Culture, Sabeeda Thaised, has praised the outstanding success of the Thailand Biennale held in Phuket, highlighting its major contribution to both the cultural and tourism sectors. According to official figures, the event attracted more than 2.4 million visitors and generated over 28.9 billion baht in economic activity. This includes spending by international tourists, domestic travelers staying overnight, and day visitors, demonstrating the event’s bro

Phuket Airport immigration authorities have rejected accusations that staff were charging passengers for fast-track services during long queues at passport control. The statement came on March 29 after social media users criticized the situation on March 28, claiming that travelers were being encouraged to pay 200 baht for expedited processing. Cause of the delays According to the Immigration Bureau, the congestion in the international departures area was caused by a temporar

Authorities in Phuket are stepping up measures to keep consumer prices under control as increasing fuel costs begin to affect the local market. The Phuket Provincial Commerce Office has urged businesses to raise prices responsibly, only when justified by actual cost increases, and to avoid unjustified markups. At the same time, officials are expanding support programs aimed at easing the financial burden on residents. Monitoring and transparency According to Provincial Commer

Thailand has officially introduced standardized sobriety tests that allow shop and bar staff to assess whether customers are intoxicated before selling alcohol. Although selling alcohol to intoxicated individuals has long been prohibited in the country, only recent amendments to the Alcohol Control Act have clearly defined how such checks should be carried out in practice. The Ministry of Public Health published the official guidelines on March 28, and they have already come

Thailand is preparing to introduce a new digital system that will automatically screen applicants for commercial driving licences against police records. Starting from around July 2026, individuals applying for or renewing licences for public and commercial transport will undergo automatic background checks. The initiative is part of a data integration project between the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and the Royal Thai Police (RTP). Digital integration of databases Foll

Authorities in Phuket have launched a large-scale operation to tackle illegal land encroachment at Freedom Beach, located within the protected Nakkerd Mountain National Forest Reserve. The initiative began on March 26 after local residents filed complaints about land being unlawfully occupied and intimidation allegedly carried out by influential groups. In response, Phuket Governor Nirut Laopongsitthathorn ordered a joint task force to investigate the situation. The inspectio

Phuket’s Immigration Bureau and other government offices will operate on a reduced schedule in early April, with more non-working days than working ones. According to an official announcement released on March 25, government agencies will be closed for eight days during the first half of the month, while remaining open for only seven days. Holiday schedule The extended closures are linked to two national holidays — Chakri Memorial Day on April 6 and the Songkran festival from

Fuel prices across Thailand jumped sharply on March 26 after the Oil Fuel Fund (OFFO) reduced subsidies, pushing retail costs up by 6 baht per liter. The updated subsidy rates were announced late on March 25. On the same day, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas stated that the government would no longer impose price caps on fuel, allowing prices to fluctuate according to market forces. Although official pricing tables initially remained unchanged overnight, they were updat