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Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to visit Koh Samui and Koh Phangan as part of the government’s campaign to address concerns surrounding foreign-operated businesses in southern Thailand’s island tourism sector. Particular attention will focus on companies suspected of illegally using Thai nominees to conceal foreign ownership. Authorities have also expressed concern about the growing number of businesses allegedly linked to foreign nationa

Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Bang Tao Beach in Phuket’s Thalang district to personally oversee efforts aimed at combating illegal occupation of public beachfront land. During the inspection, Anutin reaffirmed the government’s determination to restore order along Phuket’s coastline and prevent influential groups from taking control of public areas. “There must be no mafia or influential figures controlling these areas,” the prime minist

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

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

Thailand recorded its highest inflation rate in three years in April as rising global oil prices began affecting consumer costs across the country. Although inflation remains moderate compared to many other economies, the latest figures mark a significant shift for Thailand, where inflation had still been negative as recently as March. According to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), Thailand’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 2.89% year-on-year in April and r

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

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

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

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

A large-scale trade fair showcasing products from southern Thailand officially opened on April 30 in Phuket and will run through May 4. The event is being held at Saphan Hin Park, now formally known as Rama X Park. Branded as “Iconic Southern Thailand,” the fair brings together producers from 14 provinces across the southern region. Visitors can explore 21 booths representing local businesses from Phuket, alongside 80 additional stalls operated by vendors from neighboring pro

Authorities in Phuket have carried out a large-scale operation to reclaim public land illegally occupied along Bang Tao Beach in the Cherng Talay area of Thalang District. The action, conducted on April 29, followed orders from Governor Nirun Phongsitthithavorn and Deputy Governor Adul Chuthong. The operation was led by Provincial Clerk Rungrueng Thimabutr and involved a joint task force of district officials, forestry authorities, and local administrative bodies. Investigato

Authorities in Phuket have stepped up efforts to address problematic tourist behavior, bringing together key stakeholders for a high-level meeting at the Sarasin Conference Room in the Provincial Hall. The session was led by Governor Nirun Pongsitthithavorn and attended by representatives from law enforcement, military units, immigration authorities, tourism bodies, and local administrations, along with members of foreign communities living in the province. Officials emphasiz

Thailand’s Cabinet has given the green light to a large-scale healthcare initiative aimed at transforming Phuket and the Andaman region into a leading international wellness destination. The “Andaman Health Hub Project,” spearheaded by Prince of Songkla University, comes with a total budget of 6.43 billion baht and is scheduled to be implemented between 2027 and 2030. The program is designed to address shortages in healthcare professionals while significantly upgrading medica

Authorities in Phuket have rejected viral claims suggesting that a group of Israeli tourists attempted to take control of a public beach and push away Thai visitors. The provincial public relations office stated that, after coordinating with police and relevant agencies, no evidence was found to support the allegations. Officials confirmed that the beach remains fully public and accessible to everyone, in accordance with Thai law. According to the investigation, the confusion

Thailand’s tourism authorities are exploring a proposal to introduce a departure fee for citizens traveling abroad, with the aim of channeling funds into domestic tourism support programs. According to Bangkok Post, the initiative was put forward by Surasak Phancharoenworakul, who suggested a charge of 1,000 baht per outbound trip. The revenue would be used to subsidize travel within the country and encourage local tourism spending. The proposal is based on an existing legal

Officials in Phuket have issued a warning to foreign property investors, urging them to be cautious of overly optimistic or misleading real estate promotions circulating online. The advisory was released on April 28 by the provincial public relations office, citing findings from the Anti-Fake News Center Thailand (AFNC), which operates under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. The review focused on promotional content targeting Phuket’s property market that may not f

Thailand is heading into an extended holiday period at the beginning of May, with government offices operating for only four days this week, from April 27 to April 30. From May 1 to May 4, the country will observe a four-day break running from Friday through Monday. Unlike some long weekends that are created by shifting official working days, this holiday stretch naturally aligns on the calendar without additional government adjustments. The long weekend includes two official

The seaside community of Laem Sai in Thalang turned into a lively gathering point as the annual “Sit by the Sea, Watch Planes, Enjoy Local Delights @ Laem Sai” festival successfully took place. The event, hosted at Laem Sai Pier, was officially inaugurated by Deputy Governor Suwit Phansengiam together with local officials and residents. Running from April 24 to 25, the festival marked its fifth year and was organized by the Thepkrasattri Subdistrict Administrative Organizatio