Phuket’s Biggest Stories From the Past Week: Major Canadian Drug Dealers Arrested, and More

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.

They are in no particular order of importance but roughly in order of publishing. These are from Monday, January 20th to Sunday January 26th, 2024.

1. Two Canadian nationals, identified as major drug dealers, were arrested in Karon after a dramatic chase that started at a police checkpoint in Patong.

Two Canadian Drug Dealers Arrested in Karon After High-Speed Chase from Patong Police Checkpoint -VIDEO

Police suspect that these drugs were intended for sale at the recent Electric Daisy Carnival , pointing to a significant disruption in local drug distribution networks.

2. Three men from Japan, Malaysia, and Myanmar were apprehended by the Cherng Talay Police at the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in Cherng Talay on Sunday, January 19th, for possessing illegal drugs.

 Three Foreigners Arrested with Drugs at Electric Daisy Carnival Thailand in Phuket

This happened, notes The Phuket Express, just a day after two foreigners suddenly fell unconscious and died at the festival, which attracted over 127,000 people over three days. The cause of death of the two foreigners is unknown, but suspected to be drug related.

3. A major fire damaged homes in Phuket Town alarming residents.

Major Fire Damages At Least Seven Houses in Phuket Town- VIDEO

In total 29 people have been affected from the fire. 

4. In an early morning incident, 49 Myanmar nationals were discovered on Mai Khao Beach near the Phuket Checkpoint in Tha Chatchai.

Forty-Nine Undocumented Migrants Found near Phuket Checkpoint

They have been provided with food and temporary accommodation while their situation is assessed. 

5. Phuket Police have warned of the new and popular coin-hunting app ‘Jagat’ which may lead to trespassing violations.

Phuket Police Warn of Trespassing While Using Popular Mobile Coin Hunting App Jagat

They have been warned about trespassing which may lead to fines up to 100,000 Baht or imprisonment for up to five years or both. Users may also have the risk of losing money and putting their personal data at risk.

That’s it for this week. Be safe!

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

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Goongnang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for many years and has worked with The Pattaya News for five years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.