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Phuket authorities have formally launched the nationwide anti-drug campaign “Operation 90 Days,” although enforcement activities and the first arrests under the initiative had already begun on the island last week. The official opening ceremony took place on July 7 in front of Phuket Provincial Hall, where provincial agencies held a briefing followed by a symbolic deployment of officers assigned to the operation. The event was led by Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom, who recently a

Emirates has expanded its Thailand network by introducing a third daily service between Dubai and Phuket, increasing its schedule on the route to 21 flights per week. According to the airline's announcement on July 6, the additional service operates under flight numbers EK390 and EK391. The Dubai–Phuket route is now served by a combination of Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft. The new EK390 flight departs Dubai at 10:40 p.m. and arrives in Phuket at 8:10 a.m. the following

Phuket authorities have ordered the removal of illegal structures at Freedom Beach, giving occupants until August 5 to vacate the area and demolish 22 unauthorized buildings. The official notices and enforcement order from Thailand’s Royal Forest Department (RFD) were posted at the beach and in the surrounding forest on July 6. A similar order, with a July 9 deadline, was previously issued for Nui Beach. According to the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Ph

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thailand's Deputy Transport Minister, Sapphasit Boonyamanee, conducted a series of inspections across Phuket to evaluate transport safety and service standards, while ordering stricter enforcement against illegal jet ski operators and non-compliant taxi services. The visit began at Patong Beach, where officials inspected jet ski businesses operating along the shoreline. The review focused on identifying unregistered watercraft, expired operating licenses, and rental services

Authorities in Phuket have widened their campaign against nominee business structures and suspected illegal land use, extending inspections to international schools, tourism operators, and local communities as part of an ongoing province-wide enforcement effort. The operation was led by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum and Chalong Police Chief Pol. Col. Surasak Jaidee. Officers worked alongside immigration officials, district administrators, an

Thailand's Anti-Corruption Police have arrested Phuket Provincial Administrative Chief Officer Rungreung Thimabutr in connection with an alleged bribery scheme involving local government recruitment examinations. The arrest took place on June 26 under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Region 9. Investigators allege that Rungreung acted as a middleman by requesting 300,000 baht from each of three members of the Volunteer Defense Corps

Authorities in Phuket have begun a large-scale operation targeting illegal immigration and unauthorized employment, launching what officials describe as a province-wide "X-ray" inspection campaign. The initiative is being coordinated by Deputy Governor Khetarat Chansilp, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum, and ISOC Phuket Deputy Director Rear Adm. Praphan Srivipa. The campaign focuses on identifying illegal workers, dismantling nominee business n

Phuket authorities have reaffirmed that Freedom Beach will remain freely accessible to the public following a large-scale inspection aimed at protecting public land and improving access for both residents and tourists. The inspection took place on June 24 and brought together officials from several government agencies. The operation was led by Phuket Deputy Governor Pol. Lt. Col. Khetarat Chansilp, Mueang District Chief Siwatch Rawangkul, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Po

Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), in partnership with Laguna Phuket, has released young sea turtles and bamboo sharks into the Andaman Sea as part of an ongoing effort to restore marine biodiversity. The conservation event took place on June 20 and featured the release of 25 juvenile green sea turtles and 10 bamboo sharks. The animals had been raised at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) on Cape Panwa before being returned to their natural

A member of Thailand’s National Police Policy Committee has called on the government to launch a comprehensive “Reset Phuket” strategy, warning that the island’s structural problems could undermine investor confidence and damage Thailand’s international reputation. Assistant Professor Nopadol Kannika, a civilian representative on the National Police Policy Committee, presented the proposal as authorities continue expanding their crackdown on suspected nominee business network

Authorities in Phuket have intensified their campaign against illegal foreign nominee networks, uncovering land holdings worth an estimated 231 million baht that are suspected of violating Thailand’s Land Code. The operation forms part of the third phase of the Royal Thai Police’s nationwide crackdown on nominee business structures in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga. The initiative focuses on identifying companies that allegedly use Thai nationals as proxy shareholders to concea