Phuket News | Phuket Newspaper, Phuket Events, Phuket Jobs, Phuket Classifieds

PHUKET: The owner of a restaurant at Robinson Lifestyle Thalang is facing legal action after a South Sudanese national was allegedly found working without a permit during an inspection by the Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO).

Thursday 18 June 2026 11:22 AM

Anutin wants foreign culprits deported faster

BANGKOK: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered legal amendments to speed up the deportation of foreign criminals to prevent them from repeating their offences in Thailand, according to a government spokesperson.

Wednesday 17 June 2026 09:37 AM

Visa shift unlikely to deter Indians

BANGKOK: Replacing visa-free entry with a visa-on-arrival scheme for Indian tourists will not affect this market as affordable prices remain the decisive factor for them, while the policy change can help curb visa abuse, according to a major Indian travel agency.

Monday 15 June 2026 12:34 PM

Russian fugitive wanted over B150mn fraud arrested in Phuket

PHUKET: Immigration officers have arrested a Russian national wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for alleged fraud and document forgery offences that caused losses of more than B150 million, after tracking him to a luxury villa in Phuket.

Monday 15 June 2026 09:00 AM

Phuket Airport readies to launch automated passport gates

PHUKET: Automated passport control gates will begin operating at Phuket International Airport tomorrow (June 13), with airport officials expecting the new system to ease congestion and speed up immigration processing for international departures.

Friday 12 June 2026 09:14 AM

White House World Cup chief defends visa ban for Somali referee, Iranians

Phuket News / World

Wednesday 10 June 2026 10:48 AM

WASHINGTON: The head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup yesterday (June 9) defended the decision not to grant visas to a Somali referee and some support staff for the Iranian team.

Phuket Immigration reveals details of crackdown

PHUKET: Phuket Immigration has highlighted a nationwide campaign by the Immigration Bureau that has seen almost 30,000 foreigners denied entry to Thailand during the first five months of 2026 as authorities intensify efforts to combat transnational crime and protect public security.

Friday 5 June 2026 09:43 AM

Phuket Airport to open e-passport gates

PHUKET: Phuket International Airport will begin operating automated passport control gates for international departures from June 13, with immigration authorities also warning travellers of temporary disruption due to renovation works in the international arrivals area.

Monday 1 June 2026 10:00 AM

Immigration to be digitised with new app

BANGKOK: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Digital Identity Co Ltd and the Thai Immigration Bureau have partnered to develop the Thailand Immigration Management System (THIM), the country's first web and mobile platform for this sector.

Friday 29 May 2026 10:33 AM

Foreigners caught smuggling 38 smartphones

PHUKET: Phuket Airport Customs officers have arrested three foreign nationals accused of attempting to smuggle 38 untaxed smartphones into Thailand through Phuket International Airport.

Friday 29 May 2026 10:17 AM

People’s Party calls for overhaul of Elite Card

BANGKOK: The People’s Party (PP) has called for a comprehensive review of Thailand’s long-term visa schemes and the Thailand Elite Card programme, warning that regulatory loopholes are being exploited by grey capital and transnational criminal networks.

Tuesday 26 May 2026 11:52 AM

Tourism operators back 30-day visa return

BANGKOK: Tourism operators in Phuket and Pattaya backed the government's decision to restore 30-day visa-free stays, saying the move would help curb illegal businesses and low-spending long-stay visitors.

Monday 25 May 2026 09:03 AM

Russia urges visa policy flexibility

BANGKOK: Russian Ambassador Evgeny Tomikhin has expressed hope that Thailand’s new visa rules would allow flexibility for foreigners requiring extended medical treatment.

Friday 22 May 2026 01:37 PM

Austrian deported over repeated drunken disturbances

PHUKET: An Austrian man accused of repeatedly causing public disturbances while intoxicated in Rawai has had his visa revoked and now faces deportation, Phuket Immigration have confirmed.

Thursday 21 May 2026 09:00 AM

Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stay

BANGKOK: The Cabinet on Tuesday (May 19) decided to end the 60-day visa-free programme for foreign visitors to Thailand, with the timeline for enforcement still being worked out.

Wednesday 20 May 2026 08:36 AM

Thailand moves to uproot illegal foreign activities

BANGKOK: Authorities are stepping up the fight against escalating foreign criminal activities in Thailand with a three-phase crackdown outlined by the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and mechanisms to address foreign settlement being discussed by the Ministry of Interior.

Friday 15 May 2026 08:55 AM

Anutin signals changes to visa policy

BANGKOK: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signalled a review of Thailand’s visa-free entry policy yesterday (May 11) following the arrest of a Chinese national linked to a suspected illegal arms network in Pattaya.

Tuesday 12 May 2026 09:01 AM

AI cameras land more arrests

PHUKET: Phuket Tourist Police have arrested a fugitive wanted for aiding and abetting setting up a nominee company and two African nationals for long-term visa overstays after identifying them through AI-powered facial recognition cameras linked to national law enforcement databases.

Monday 11 May 2026 08:22 AM

Nigerian, Belgian arrested for cocaine dealing, overstay in Patong