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Phuket residents and visitors gathered for the traditional ceremony marking the end of the 2026 Vegetarian Festival, one of the island’s most significant annual religious and cultural events. The closing ritual, commonly known as the ceremony of “sending the gods back”, brought crowds to shrine grounds and surrounding streets to take part in the final observances. The ceremony symbolises the farewell to deities believed to have visited Phuket to protect and bless the island t

Phuket officials are exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve tourist safety by identifying potential threats, issuing early warnings and helping government agencies respond more quickly to emergencies. The proposal was discussed on October 17, but no budget or implementation date has been announced. Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom met with researchers from Walailak University to discuss the proposed system, which would combine AI with large-scale data a

Virgin Atlantic has launched its first route to Thailand, introducing direct seasonal flights between London Heathrow and Phuket on October 18, just as the island enters its high tourism season. The airline marked the inaugural service in a post on its official Facebook page. Photographs showed crew members holding Thai flags alongside performers wearing traditional Thai khon costumes. The new route operates three times a week. Flights from London depart on Wednesdays, Friday

More than 2,000 spirit mediums took part in a major procession organised by Jui Tui Tao Bo Keng Shrine on October 16, the seventh day of Phuket’s annual Vegetarian Festival. The event was among the largest and longest processions of this year’s celebrations. The parade began early in the morning at the shrine, locally known as an aum, and continued through Phuket Town towards Hin Bridge. Jui Tui Tao Bo Keng is one of the island’s oldest Chinese shrines and plays a prominent r

Police officers in Phuket and across Thailand are marking National Police Day on October 17. The observance was previously held on October 13 during the reign of King Rama IX before being moved to its current date. Phuket Provincial Police held its main commemorative activities a day earlier, on October 16. The ceremony began at 8:30am at the provincial police headquarters and was presided over by Major General Surachai Suksai, who took charge of the provincial force earlier

The Guan Yu Nabon Shrine will hold another major street procession on the morning of October 17 as part of Phuket’s annual Vegetarian Festival. The iu keng procession, dedicated to the Chinese deity Guan Yu, will pass through Chalong and Wichit, with much of the route following Chao Fa East Road. The procession is scheduled to begin at 6:45am. Unlike the October 13 parade, which passed through Kata and Karon, this event will remain within Chalong and Wichit. The shrine has pu

Phuket authorities have introduced electric public buses to improve transport options for residents and visitors during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival. The initiative is being implemented by the provincial administration in cooperation with the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) as part of wider efforts to modernize public transport, reduce pollution and support the island’s Green City and Smart City goals. The launch ceremony took place in front of P

Phuket authorities have resumed work on a proposed sea taxi service connecting Phuket International Airport with beaches along the island’s west coast. Nearly ten months after the project’s first test run, officials are again addressing practical arrangements, including passenger information and ticket counters at the airport and possible exemptions from fees at Sirinat National Park. The Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office, known as PR Phuket, announced the renewed dis

Phuket’s 2026 Vegetarian Festival featured an unusually large nighttime procession, bringing together more than 40 Chinese shrines and over 1,000 spirit mediums in the streets of Phuket Town. Tens of thousands of residents and international visitors gathered along the route to witness the annual religious celebration. The procession transformed the provincial capital into a scene of incense smoke, ceremonial flags, drums and firecrackers. Sacred images were carried through th

Phuket is preparing to host an unprecedented cultural event: the island’s first nighttime procession of deities, known locally as “แหมสี อิ้วเก้ง” (Am Ming Si Iu Keng), meaning a procession held at night. Organized by the Phuket Shrine Association, the event is expected to bring together representatives of 40 shrines from across the island The procession is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, 2026, beginning at 8pm at Saphan Hin. From there, participants will move through Phuke

Phuket Immigration and Chalong Police searched two locations belonging to an international school in Rawai on the afternoon of October 8, 2026, under warrants issued by the Phuket Provincial Court. The operation was ordered by Phuket Immigration Superintendent Pol. Col. Khemchat Watthanaphakasem and carried out jointly with officers from Chalong Police Station. The local investigation unit was headed by Pol. Col. Surasak Jaideel. The warrants covered the school’s primary and

Thai singer Rattikan Amloy, known professionally as Nene Royal, met Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand on October 9, following her victory in the 2026 season of America’s Got Talent. The royal audience took place at Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall in Dusit Palace in Bangkok. At 5:09pm, Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom accompanied Nene Royal and members of her family into the royal presence. During the audience, the group paid their respects and formally presented the

Phuket police and other government agencies have stepped up security measures for the annual Vegetarian Festival, with 350 personnel gathering for a briefing outside Phuket Town Police Station on the evening of October 8. The operation involved police officers, military personnel, district administration representatives, volunteers and staff from other agencies. The formation was inspected by Phuket Provincial Police Chief Major General Surachai Suksai. Mueang Phuket District

Phuket has launched the Phuket Licence Lab, a new initiative designed to help small and medium-sized accommodation businesses address building and regulatory issues that have prevented them from obtaining the licences required to operate legally. Five organisations from the professional, academic and tourism sectors signed a memorandum of understanding for the project on October 5 at Phuket City Development Company (PKCD) in Mueang Phuket district. The initiative was created

Phuket is preparing for the 2026 Vegetarian Festival, which will take place from October 9 to 18 and is expected to attract more than 140,000 visitors and generate at least 1.4 billion baht in economic activity across the province. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksmeesangchan said the annual celebration, locally known as Jia Chai, remains an important cultural tradition reflecting the religious beliefs and heritage of Phuket’s Thai-Chinese community and other part

Two US Navy vessels carrying a combined 5,109 personnel have arrived in Phuket for a six-day visit from October 4 to October 9, with security and transport arrangements in place around Phuket Deep Sea Port. The visiting ships are the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), carrying about 4,820 personnel, and the destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119), with approximately 289 personnel on board. During the visit, US Navy personnel are expected to come ashore for rest

A friendly football match between a team of US Navy sailors and the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) team will take place on October 7 at Surakul Stadium. Admission will be free. The PPAO said the match will bring together the U.S. Navy Team (CVN-77) and the Phuket Team (PPAO). The American side will consist of sailors serving aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). With around 5,000 personnel aboard the carrier, assembli

Major General Surachai Suksai officially took over as commander of the Phuket Provincial Police on October 1, outlining public and tourist safety, the fight against drugs, transnational and cybercrime, and road safety among his main priorities. The formal handover took place at the Phuket Provincial Police headquarters. Former commander Major General Sinlert Sukhum handed the police flag to his successor, followed by a ceremony involving an honour guard. Sinlert was transferr

The new season of the Tipi Jabrik’s Grom Patrol youth surfing series has begun in Khao Lak, with the opening competition held from September 25 to 27 at Pakarang Beach in Phang Nga province. The event brought together young surfers from Thailand and other parts of Asia. The series will conclude with the annual Grand Final in Bali next August. Qualification for the Bali final is the main prize offered at Grom Patrol events, including the Khao Lak round. Places are awarded to w

An investigation into Chabad House Phuket in Patong has so far found no irregularities in the financial transactions examined, while authorities continue to review possible nominee shareholding, imported products and building-use issues at the premises. The investigation is part of a wider examination of the centre’s business structure, permits and activities. Phuket authorities were previously instructed to look into the property following concerns related to building use, f