The Phuket News
Window on Phuket Phuket News TV Phuket Live 89.5 Where to Eat
The Phuket News Novosti Phuket Khao Phuket

Login | Create Account | Search

Window on Phuket
Phuket News TV
The Phuket News
Where to Eat
Phuket Live 89.5
Login | Create Account      The Phuket News Novosti Phuket Khao Phuket
Poll | Currency | Weather | Facebook | Youtube | Search
Phuket Airport to open e-passport gates
Phuket Airport to open e-passport gates
Monday 1 June 2026 10:00 AM
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.
Immigration to be digitised with new app
Immigration to be digitised with new app
Friday 29 May 2026 10:33 AM
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.
Foreigners caught smuggling 38 smartphones
Foreigners caught smuggling 38 smartphones
Friday 29 May 2026 10:17 AM
PHUKET: Phuket Airport Customs officers have arrested three foreign nationals accused of attempting to smuggle 38 untaxed smartphones into Thailand through Phuket International Airport.
People’s Party calls for overhaul of Elite Card
People’s Party calls for overhaul of Elite Card
Tuesday 26 May 2026 11:52 AM
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. 
Tourism operators back 30-day visa return
Tourism operators back 30-day visa return
Monday 25 May 2026 09:03 AM
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.
Russia urges visa policy flexibility
Russia urges visa policy flexibility
Friday 22 May 2026 01:37 PM
BANGKOK: Russian Ambassador Evgeny Tomikhin has expressed hope that Thailand’s new visa rules would allow flexibility for foreigners requiring extended medical treatment.
Austrian deported over repeated drunken disturbances
Austrian deported over repeated drunken disturbances
Thursday 21 May 2026 09:00 AM
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.
Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stay
Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stay
Wednesday 20 May 2026 08:36 AM
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.
Thailand moves to uproot illegal foreign activities
Thailand moves to uproot illegal foreign activities
Friday 15 May 2026 08:55 AM
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.
Anutin signals changes to visa policy
Anutin signals changes to visa policy
Tuesday 12 May 2026 09:01 AM
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.
AI cameras land more arrests
AI cameras land more arrests
Monday 11 May 2026 08:22 AM
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.
Nigerian, Belgian arrested for cocaine dealing, overstay in Patong
Nigerian, Belgian arrested for cocaine dealing, overstay in Patong
Friday 8 May 2026 09:01 AM
PHUKET: A Nigerian man and a Belgian national have been arrested in separate sting operations in Patong for allegedly selling cocaine to undercover officers, with both also charged for overstaying their visas by more than a year.
Foreign couple deported over Patong tuk-tuk sex act
Foreign couple deported over Patong tuk-tuk sex act
Wednesday 6 May 2026 03:37 PM
PHUKET: A foreign couple has been deported from Phuket after being caught performing an indecent act on a tuk-tuk in Patong, an incident officials say damaged the island’s tourism image.
Phuket MP urges Parliament to end visa-free entry
Phuket MP urges Parliament to end visa-free entry
Friday 1 May 2026 12:00 PM
PHUKET: Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee has urged the government to abolish visa-free entry entirely and introduce stricter controls on cannabis, warning that current policies are damaging the island’s tourism image and creating social problems.
Officials warn over ‘0% tax’ Phuket property claims targeting foreigners
Officials warn over ‘0% tax’ Phuket property claims targeting foreigners
Tuesday 28 April 2026 12:16 PM
PHUKET: Thai authorities have issued a formal warning after online claims that foreigners can buy luxury homes in Phuket with “0% tax” and secure unlimited stays in Thailand were found to be misleading and potentially in breach of the law.
Indonesian crypto scam suspect arrested in Phuket
Indonesian crypto scam suspect arrested in Phuket
Tuesday 28 April 2026 09:30 AM
PHUKET: An Indonesian man wanted by United States authorities and Interpol for a major cryptocurrency investment fraud has been arrested while hiding at a luxury resort in Phuket, Immigration Police have confirmed.
Visa-free scheme faces rollback amid tourist concerns
Visa-free scheme faces rollback amid tourist concerns
Thursday 23 April 2026 11:58 AM
PHUKET: Thailand is preparing to review ‒ and potentially roll back ‒ its 60-day visa-free entry scheme following reports of inappropriate behaviour by some foreign visitors, Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Panjaroenvorakul said in Phuket on Tuesday (Apr 22).
Long-stay visas for condo buyers in Phuket clarified
Long-stay visas for condo buyers in Phuket clarified
Thursday 23 April 2026 09:55 AM
PHUKET: Immigration authorities and real estate executives held a briefing on Tuesday (Apr 21) to clarify the new long-stay visa programme for foreign real estate investors, which aims to attract high-potential buyers and support economic activity in Thailand’s property sector.
New US visa rules draw opposition
New US visa rules draw opposition
Tuesday 21 April 2026 08:41 AM
BANGKOK: The United States Embassy in Thailand announced new visa application rules yesterday (Apr 20) requiring applicants to make their social media pages public for review of online activity.
Phuket Immigration silent on fee increase
Phuket Immigration silent on fee increase
Saturday 18 April 2026 11:38 AM
PHUKET: Phuket Immigration has declined to explain why it is now charging B1,000 for an official letter confirming a foreigner’s address ‒ more than double the fee that was previously charged.

Cache on 2026-06-02 03:45:09