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Tourism activity on Phuket is gradually returning to normal as weather conditions improve following recent heavy rainfall. However, the risk of thunderstorms and renewed flooding remains, prompting authorities to continue monitoring vulnerable areas. On October 31, clearer skies and occasional sunshine brought Thai and international visitors back to Patong Beach in Kathu district. Tourists were seen relaxing along the shore and enjoying water activities, restoring a more vibr

Continuous heavy rain in Patong triggered a landslide and rockfall that blocked Soi Na Nai 3 on Wednesday, disrupting traffic and prompting local authorities to order the evacuation of residents from high-risk areas. Patong Mayor Lalita Maneesri said municipal officials and personnel from several agencies had been deployed to help residents in affected areas. People living in vulnerable locations were instructed to evacuate immediately and move to designated shelters. Shuttle

The Phuket office of Thailand’s Marine Department has issued a warning to boat operators amid unfavourable weather conditions. Vessels measuring less than seven metres are prohibited from leaving coastal waters and entering the open sea until October 28, inclusive. The order was published on October 26 and also calls on captains and operators to exercise heightened caution, avoid areas affected by thunderstorms and refrain from travelling far from shore whenever possible. Sma

Heavy rainfall combined with a high tide caused flooding in Patong and surrounding areas of Phuket early on October 26. Water reached depths of approximately 20–30 centimetres in some locations, damaging parked vehicles and disrupting traffic. The rain fell mainly between 1am and 2am, inundating several roads in Patong, Kathu and central Phuket. Some parked cars were damaged, while motorcycles were knocked over or carried away by the floodwater. Several roads in Patong affect

Five Omura’s whales were spotted in the waters of Mu Ko Surin National Park on October 16, just one day after the island group reopened to tourists. Park officials reported the sighting and released video footage recorded by Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) staff during a patrol. The whales were seen near Ao Sai En Bay, off the eastern coast of North Surin Island, also known as Ko Surin Nuea. According to the patrol team, the animals appeare

Thailand’s Meteorological Department has issued its ninth warning for a period of unsettled weather expected to bring heavy and very heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong wind gusts, hail and lightning between October 11 and 13. The alert covers several regions, including Bangkok and Chonburi, with the affected area expected to narrow to the South on October 12 and 13. Warning No. 9 (255/2026) took effect at 5am on October 11. It was signed by Deputy Director-General Nattawut Dan

Phuket authorities have stepped up emergency preparedness as heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast across the province from October 9 to 13, 2026. Officials are warning of possible flash floods, sudden runoff from mountainous areas, mudslides and rough seas. The Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command announced the heightened readiness in response to a weather advisory issued by the Thai Meteorological Department. Relevant agencies have been instructed

Phuket authorities have extended heightened readiness for heavy rain, flash floods, landslides and rough sea conditions from October 4 through October 7, following a new forecast from Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD). The latest order covers another period of unsettled weather expected across Thailand from October 4 to 7, with thunderstorms, strong winds and locally heavy to very heavy rainfall. The southwest monsoon is also expected to continue affecting the Andama

Thailand remains under a heavy rain alert through September 27, with Bangkok, surrounding provinces and several parts of central and eastern Thailand facing the risk of very heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The Thai Meteorological Department said a strong low-pressure area over lower central Thailand and Bangkok, combined with an increasingly active southwest monsoon, is expected to keep rainfall widespread across the country. Areas being closely monitored on September 26 i

Phuket Marine Office has issued a warning to boat operators as unfavourable weather is expected to affect the province from September 21 to 27. Small vessels have been advised to remain close to shore where possible, while boats less than 7 metres long are prohibited from going out into open sea. The requirements are set out in Phuket Marine Office Order No. 105/2569, issued on September 21. According to the forecast from Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) cited in th

Emergency services across Phuket have been placed on heightened alert as the province prepares for heavy rain, possible flash floods, landslides and dangerous sea conditions in the Andaman Sea. The Phuket provincial office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) issued an urgent order to district authorities, municipalities and relevant agencies to prepare for deteriorating weather conditions. The document, marked “maximum urgency”, was dated September

Thailand is set to experience more heavy thunderstorms and rainfall, with the Meteorological Department warning of heavy to very heavy rain across dozens of provinces, particularly in Bangkok and surrounding areas and parts of the South. The Meteorological Department said the increase in rainfall is being driven by the southward movement of the monsoon trough, a strengthening southwest monsoon and a strong low-pressure system over the South China Sea. Isolated very heavy rain

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued a warning for 71 provinces and Bangkok over the risk of flash floods, forest runoff, landslides and flooding through September 13. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast in many parts of the country, prompting authorities to urge people living in vulnerable areas to closely monitor weather conditions, rainfall and water levels and prepare for possible emergencies. The alert covers all provinces in

A foreign tourist was hospitalised after suffering a severe allergic reaction from contact with a Portuguese man o’ war at Naithon Beach in Phuket. Lifeguards administered first aid at the scene before the tourist was taken to hospital. The incident was reported on September 9 after the Phuket Times Facebook page published photographs from Naithon Beach in Sakhu subdistrict, Thalang district. The images showed what appeared to be a Portuguese man o’ war inside a container, wh

Portuguese man o’ war have returned to Phuket’s west coast, prompting a warning from the Patong Surf Life Saving Club. The marine creatures were spotted on Patong Beach on September 7, with lifeguards cautioning that more may appear both in the water and along the shoreline in the coming days. Portuguese man o’ war belong to the genus Physalia and are technically not jellyfish. They are colonies of specialised hydrozoan organisms living together as a single floating unit. How

The Surfing Federation of Thailand and Kalim Reef Surfers have announced the dates for this year's surfing competitions in Patong. The event is one of three major competitions on Phuket's surfing calendar, alongside contests at Kata and Surin beaches. This year's Kalim Patong Surfing Contest will take place from September 18 to 20, followed immediately by the youth Grom Patrol competition in Khao Lak, in neighbouring Phang Nga Province. Patong Municipality is currently comple

A sea turtle weighing more than 50 kilogrammes was found stranded and in a weakened condition on Patong Beach in Phuket on September 3. The turtle was discovered on the shoreline in Patong subdistrict, Kathu district, early in the morning. Jiraporn Wijit was walking along the beach at around 6am when she noticed the turtle lying on the sand. According to Khaosod English, she immediately alerted lifeguards stationed at Patong Beach. The lifeguards moved the turtle away from th

Phuket authorities are stepping up preparations for a potential tsunami, with a renewed focus on warning systems, evacuation routes and emergency facilities at some of the province’s busiest beaches. The measures are intended to strengthen protection for both local communities and the large number of tourists visiting the island. Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom led a comprehensive review of the province’s tsunami preparedness system. The inspection included visits to warnin

Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park has invited residents and visitors of Phang Nga Province to take part in another sea turtle release event on August 18. This time, hatchlings from the sixth nest laid by the leatherback turtle known as Namo will make their first journey into the Andaman Sea. The ceremony will take place on Thai Mueang Beach and is expected to coincide with sunset. However, participants are encouraged to arrive earlier, as registration at the national p

Residents across parts of Phuket reported feeling mild tremors on Saturday evening after a significant earthquake struck northern Sumatra in Indonesia. According to the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM), the earthquake occurred at 5:54 p.m. local time on August 15. The quake registered a magnitude of 6.8 and originated at a depth of 168 kilometres near Pematangsiantar in North Sumatra. The epicenter was located at coordinates 2.98°N and 99.06°