Phuket —
Police statistics reveal that between January 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026, foreign nationals were implicated in more than 3,200 criminal cases across Phuket, showing the challenges of law enforcement in one of Thailand’s busiest tourist destinations.
Police told the Phuket Express that the majority of offenders were tourists, accounting for 2,223 cases with 2,394 suspects. Other categories included:
- Businesspeople/Workers: 186 cases, 208 suspects
- Investors: 3 cases, 4 suspects
- Others: 806 cases, 878 suspects
In total, Phuket Provincial Police recorded 3,218 cases involving 3,484 foreign suspects during the 16‑month period.
The most common charges show recurring issues tied to tourism and labor:
- Drunk driving: 642 cases
- Working without authorization: 410 cases
- Drug-related offenses: 231 cases
- Theft/Embezzlement: 88 cases
- Assault: 40 cases
- Illegal entry: 33 cases
- Gambling: 33 cases
- Fraud: 10 cases
- Sexual assault/indecency: 6 cases
Among the 3,484 suspects, the largest group came from Myanmar (946 individuals), reflecting the significant migrant worker population in Phuket. Other notable nationalities included:
- Russia: 269 suspects
- United Kingdom: 143 suspects
- France: 141 suspects
