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Patong is preparing to host the Phuket Pride Festival 2026, which will take place from June 1 to June 7, immediately following the Buddhist holiday of Visakha Bucha. The festival dates were officially confirmed during a press conference held on May 19 at Jungceylon shopping center in Patong. Representatives from both government agencies and the private sector attended the announcement event. Among them were Porntep Ruayrin, director of the Southern Office of the Thailand Conv

The Similan Islands National Park has announced tourism revenue exceeding 215 million baht during the 2026 season, marking one of the strongest financial performances in the park’s history before its annual seasonal closure. Park Chief Sirivat Suebsai said the famous marine park welcomed more than 400,000 visitors between November and May, with international travelers accounting for over 90% of arrivals. Despite a slight decrease in the total number of tourists compared to la

The annual Phuket Baba Wedding Festival transformed Phuket Old Town into a celebration of Peranakan heritage on May 17, bringing together couples, locals, and visitors for traditional Chinese-style wedding ceremonies rooted in centuries of cultural history. This year marked the 13th edition of the event since Phuket’s Peranakan community launched the festival as both a cultural preservation initiative and a tourism attraction. The 2026 theme, translated as “Fragments of a Glo

Thailand’s leading hotel operators have proposed a package of eight measures aimed at stabilising and strengthening the country’s tourism sector amid growing economic and geopolitical pressures. The proposals were presented on May 15 during a meeting between Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and representatives of key business sectors. The tourism industry was represented by the Thai Hotels Association (THA), which used the opportunity to outline major

Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, has ordered authorities to restore public access to Nui Beach in Phuket after complaints about blocked entry routes and unauthorized fee collection. The inspection took place on May 14 at Nui Beach in Karon and involved several senior officials, including Assistant Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Nantachart Supamongkol, National Parks Director-General Attapol Charoenchansa, Deputy Director-General of the Royal

Phuket authorities are stepping up efforts to improve public health preparedness by strengthening emergency response plans for possible future epidemics and pandemics. The Phuket Emergency Medical Center recently took part in a high-level workshop focused on reviewing response procedures and improving coordination between agencies during large-scale public health emergencies. The event was held at Phuket Deep Sea Port under the direction of Phuket Provincial Administrative Or

Owners and employees of entertainment venues on Phuket’s famous Bangla Road gathered in Patong on May 13 to protest against what they described as unfair treatment, alleged extortion by officials, and long delays in business licence approvals. The demonstration took place near the Bangla police booth at the entrance to Bangla Road in Patong, Kathu district. The protest was led by Weerawit Khrueasombat, president of the Patong Entertainment Association. Participants carried si

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