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, February 24th to Sunday March 2nd, 2024.
1. A 60 year-old female American was arrested at the Phuket International Airport with 4.3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine heading to Singapore and onwards to South Korea.
American Woman Arrested with 4.3 Kilograms of Crystal Methamphetamine at Phuket Airport
The American suspect has denied the charges and claimed she didn’t know about the drugs.
2. Ten Chinese nationals were arrested at a construction site in Thep Krasattri.
Ten Chinese Nationals Arrested at Construction Site in Thalang For Working Illegally
They admitted to police that they received about 25,000 to 30,000 Bant per month and were working illegally on tourist visas.
3. Phuket police launched a major crackdown on illegal foreign residents, raiding 29 locations and arresting 28 individuals of various nationalities, including five Chinese, 15 Myanmar nationals, five Thais, two Britons, and one Portuguese.
Phuket Immigration Sweep Nets 28 Suspects, Including Drug and Fraud Offenders
Authorities urge employers and the public to comply with immigration laws and report suspicious activities to maintain order in Phuket.
4. Phuket police arrested a Chinese couple living in a luxury villa in Chalong for overstaying and illegal entry.
Phuket Police Bust Chinese Couple in Luxury Villa, One Overstayed for 1,317 Days
Authorities began investigating after reports of a wealthy Chinese couple with no clear source of income owning multiple luxury cars, including a Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Alphard.
5. A Chinese couple who were previously arrested at a lion café in Rassada are facing additional charges.
UPDATE: Chinese Couple Previously Arrested at Lion Café in Rassada Face Additional Charges
The two Chinese nationals were previously found working without legal permission at a lion café in Rassada last month.
That’s it for this week. Be safe!
