The following is our weekly feature in which we highlight the top local stories in our area of Phuket from the past week. The number of stories differs from week to week.

These are chosen and curated by our editorial team and are designed for our readers to get a quick “catch-up” of important stories they may have missed. We publish many stories daily and it is easy to lose track of important events or changes in our area. We do national recaps in a separate article, this is only the top local stories in Phuket and nearby provinces.

They are in no particular order of importance but roughly in order of publishing. These are from Monday, December 18th to Sunday December 24th 2023.

1. A 23-year-old Russian man was arrested after he was found wandering around with a sword at a famous Thai boxing complex in Chalong, Phuket.

The Chalong Police told the Phuket Express that the suspect has a mental health problem and he was unable to control himself at that time. It’s unclear if the suspect will be deported.

2. A Laotian and an Iranian national were arrested in Phuket after they were found being illegally staying foreigners in Thailand.

They are facing charges of illegally entering and staying in the country without permission and are waiting to be deported.

3. Thirty Chinese nationals were arrested after they were found illegally working at a construction site in Thalang.

They received 300 – 600 Yuan per day (1,500-3,000 baht) and they were found to be illegally working at the construction site.

4. The Discover Phuket Countdown 2024 will be held from December 30^th to December 31^st at the Phuket Old Town.

On Saturday December 30^th will be a special Lard Yai Market and on Sunday (December 31^st) the normal Lard Yai Sunday Market.

5. About seventy tourists were evacuated after water leaked into a night ferry before it eventually sank near Ang Thong Island.

One foreigner and one Thai are still missing after a diving boat capsized in the Khuri Buri district.

Four Russians and a Thai tour guide have been rescued after a boat capsized in Mueang Phang Nga.

The past weekend has seen numerous capsizings in Thailand, much of it related to cooler winter weather and winds leading to rough waves and sea conditions. Thai Marine Department officials continue to warn small boats to stay ashore until the weather conditions improve.

That’s it for this week, Merry Christmas

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The Phuket Express, owned by our parent company TPN media.