Phuket

  • Phuket NewsTourism Ministry to invite K-pop megastar to perform at Phuket NYE celebration

    Tourism Ministry to invite K-pop megastar to perform at Phuket NYE celebration

    Thai-born K-pop star Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban, from the band Blackpink, is being invited to perform during New Year celebrations on the southern island of Phuket. The cost won’t be cheap, but the government is defending the move. Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says the superstar’s presence will help promote Thailand’s re-opening to the world. “The main key reason for bringing global…

  • Phuket NewsThai PM defends plan to spend 100 million baht on New Year’s Eve celebrities

    Thai PM defends plan to spend 100 million baht on New Year’s Eve celebrities

    The Thai PM is standing firm amid fierce criticism of a plan to spend 100 million baht on 2 global singing stars for New Year’s Eve festivities in Phuket. Prayut Chan-o-cha has defended the government’s plan to spend around US$3 million dollars to secure Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, and Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal, from the K-pop band, Blackpink. The Bangkok Post…

  • Thailand NewsQantas to resume flights from Sydney to Bangkok and Phuket early 2022

    Qantas to resume flights from Sydney to Bangkok and Phuket early 2022

    Qantas Airways is gearing up to resume flights from Sydney to Bangkok and Phuket from early next year, with the Aussie airline keen to get the ball rolling as international travel restrictions are gradually being lifted. Sydney is set to see the resumption of regular routes in January, more than two months ahead of schedule, as both the federal and…

  • Thailand NewsThai government presents actor Russell Crowe with “thank you” gift basket

    Thai government presents actor Russell Crowe with “thank you” gift basket

    Hollywood actor Russell Crowe has met with Thai government officials during his much-publicised travels around Bangkok. The Bangkok Post reports that Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome presented the actor with a gift and flowers to thank him for his positive promotion of Thailand. Crowe, who is filming a movie in Thailand, has tweeted his 2.7 million followers about the friendliness of…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket officials confirm island’s recovery plan following sandbox “success”

    Phuket officials confirm island’s recovery plan following sandbox “success”

    The southern island of Phuket is looking to the future, with ambitious plans to evolve into a tourism, education, and service innovation hub between 2023 and 2027. The Bangkok Post reports that officials are preparing to launch the “Together Phuket Stepping Forward” campaign, in line with the country’s imminent re-opening. Governor Narong Woonciew says the campaign will follow on from…

  • Phuket NewsGovernor says income distribution essential to Phuket recovery

    Governor says income distribution essential to Phuket recovery

    The Governor of Phuket announced in a speech yesterday that his goal was to maximize income distribution as the island begins to open up more. Phuket is expecting an influx of tourists to arrive after the November 1 reopening, and a campaign is being launched to make sure that the benefit from the increased tourism can be shared by all.…

  • Transport NewsBangkok Airways to resume Phuket-Hat Yai direct service flights

    Bangkok Airways to resume Phuket-Hat Yai direct service flights

    Bangkok Airways is resuming its direct service flights between Phuket and Hat Yai starting October 31. According to The Phuket News, the service will be operated by an ATR72-600 aircraft, starting with 1 flight daily. The outbound flight PG298 departs Phuket airport at 9:45am and arrives at Hat Yai airport at 10:50am. The inbound flight PG299 departs Hat Yai at…

  • EventsPhuket’s Life Home Project Foundation becomes partner of GlobalGiving

    Phuket’s Life Home Project Foundation becomes partner of GlobalGiving

    Phuket’s Life Home Project Foundation has recently become a recognised global partner of GlobalGiving. The non-profit organisation announced that they had graduated from the GlobalGiving Accelerator program after successfully raising funds for one of their projects. That project called “Help HIV+ Thai Children finish the school year 2021-2022,” saw donations from 43 unique individuals in the amount of US$7,805. The…

  • EntertainmentThailand planning countdown event with Lalisa, Andrea Bocelli

    Thailand planning countdown event with Lalisa, Andrea Bocelli

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand is aiming to nab celebrity opera singer Andrea Bocelli and Thai-born K-Pop superstar Lalisa for a New Year’s Eve celebration after Thailand’s reopening. The plan is still pending but after PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced a November 1 reopening, the TAT aims to put Thailand front and centre in global tourism interest again in part with…

  • Tourism NewsPhuket, Samui to ease entry restrictions for domestic tourists from this weekend

    Phuket, Samui to ease entry restrictions for domestic tourists from this weekend

    From this weekend, entry restrictions for the islands of Phuket and Samui are being eased for fully vaccinated domestic tourists. Local travellers who can show proof of being fully vaccinated will no longer need to submit to Covid-19 testing to enter Phuket and will no longer have to quarantine after arriving on Samui. The move comes as the government launches…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket tourism operators banking on 5 billion baht recovery fund

    Phuket tourism operators banking on 5 billion baht recovery fund

    Businesses on the resort island of Phuket are counting on a 5 billion baht fund to revitalise the decimated tourism sector. Thanet Tantipiriyakit from the Phuket Tourism Council says tourism operators on the island are pinning their hopes on the fund being created. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the fund will materialise. With the money, we can breathe a…

  • Thailand NewsThailand nabs many spots in Conde Nast Traveler’s annual list

    Thailand nabs many spots in Conde Nast Traveler’s annual list

    Despite the decimated tourism economy due to Covid-19, Conde Nast Traveler still ranks locations in Thailand amongst the top in the world in their annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Bangkok was ranked 9th in the world’s “Best Big Cities” while 3 of the top 10 islands of Asia were located in Thailand, and Hua Hin earned a nod for having the…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket sandbox has welcomed 42,000 international arrivals since July 1

    Phuket sandbox has welcomed 42,000 international arrivals since July 1

    Since the launch of the Phuket sandbox scheme on July 1, the southern island has welcomed over 42,000 foreign visitors to its shores. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has got the calculator out again and according to TAT Phuket director, Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, over 2 billion baht has been generated for the economy. “We set the target at 100,000 visitors because…

  • EventsThammasat University Massacre – 45 year on | VIDEO

    Thammasat University Massacre – 45 year on | VIDEO

    Yesterday marked the 45th anniversary of the infamous October 6 massacre at Thammasat University in Bangkok in 1976, when 4,000 police and military forces blocked all exits from the university before firing machine guns, assault rifles, grenade launchers, and other military-grade weapons on the students after increased anti-government protests. Officially, some 45 people were killed and over 145 injured, but…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Vegetarian Festival kicks off, poles raised to call spirits down from the heavens

    Phuket Vegetarian Festival kicks off, poles raised to call spirits down from the heavens

    The famous Phuket Vegetarian Festival kicked off yesterday, with its traditional ceremony to welcome spirits to descend from the heavens, but under Covid-19 restrictions. Go Teng poles were raised at participating shrines as a call for the Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods to come down to earth. During the festival, some will practice self-mutilation, such as tongue slicing or…

  • Hot NewsPhuket’s Vegetarian Festival schedule 2021

    Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival schedule 2021

    Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, has arrived. Spanning 10 days from October 5 to the 15, the festival is iconic for those who like exotic and very, very unique cultural events. It’s a commemoration that invites ancient Chinese spirts to come down from the heavens to witness almost 8 days of fire walking, noisy…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket bar owner arrested for allegedly serving booze after 10pm

    Phuket bar owner arrested for allegedly serving booze after 10pm

    The owner of a bar in Phuket was arrested for allegedly selling alcohol after 10pm, a violation of the provincial order limiting alcohol sales in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19 through socialising. Phuket News reports that the 29 year old who ran the bar was arrested after midnight yesterday at the City Bar on the outskirts of…

  • Phuket NewsFloods bring higher prices on vegetables to Vegetarian Festival

    Floods bring higher prices on vegetables to Vegetarian Festival

    The world-famous Phuket Vegetarian Festival is set to begin on Wednesday, but aside from Covid-19, the flooding in Thailand has also proved to be damaging the upcoming festivities by driving up the cost and scarcity of vegetables. The heavy rains from tropical storm Dianmu have damaged many crops including vegetables in the central, north, and northeastern regions. Plus floods have…

  • Phuket NewsPM Prayut eyes 1 million “high-quality tourists” in his Phuket transformation

    PM Prayut eyes 1 million “high-quality tourists” in his Phuket transformation

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced intentions to attract 1 million foreign travellers and 60 billion baht in revenue over the next 6 months by promoting Phuket as a world-class destination (again). The Thai prime minister took to Facebook to introduce his “Phuket Transformation” plan to attract what Thailand views as high-quality foreigners on a “workation” – the most recent buzzword…

  • Thailand News3.68 million students registered to receive Pfizer vaccines

    3.68 million students registered to receive Pfizer vaccines

    Pfizer vaccines are ready to be administered beginning Monday to young people at schools and universities with 3.68 million students registered so far. The Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education are working together the vaccinate 70% of high school and vocational school students by the end of October ahead of classroom learning recommencing in November. The ministries are…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Sandbox revised to 7 days, more excursion freedom

    Phuket Sandbox revised to 7 days, more excursion freedom

    As restrictions are widely eased for entry into Thailand and the various Sandbox programs, the Phuket Sandbox has simplified, shortened, and streamlined as well. Beginning yesterday, Phuket Sandbox travellers arriving internationally will only be required to stay 7 days before being allowed to travel on to the rest of Thailand. An RT-PCR test will be given upon arrival and a…

  • Crime News11 million baht online scams see Thai woman, Nigerian man arrested

    11 million baht online scams see Thai woman, Nigerian man arrested

    Police in Phuket have arrested a Thai woman and a Nigerian man accused of bilking victims out of at least 11 million baht in online romance scams. The pair were taken into custody by officers from the Immigration Bureau and the Cherng Talay Police at a rented room located in Srisoonthorn, Thalang. Police only made public the arrest yesterday though…

  • Transport NewsAirAsia relaunching 9 routes including Phuket-Chiang Mai Oct 15

    AirAsia relaunching 9 routes including Phuket-Chiang Mai Oct 15

    AirAsia announced in a press release today that they will resume many domestic flight routes including from Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok around the country and a Phuket to Chiang Mai direct flight. The flights from Don Mueang will resume on October 15, while the Phuket — Chiang Mai route will recommence the next day. Last month AirAsia reinstated 11…

  • Tourism NewsGovernment reveals Thailand’s 2022 tourism slogan

    Government reveals Thailand’s 2022 tourism slogan

    The Thai government has unveiled the new slogan that will be used to market the country to foreign tourists next year: “Visit Thailand 2022, Now Even More Amazing Thailand Has It All”. Thai PBS World reports that the slogan was revealed at an online meeting of the Centre for Economic Situation Administration yesterday. The meeting was chaired by PM Prayut…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket entry update October 1: Checkpoints, testing, vaccines

    Phuket entry update October 1: Checkpoints, testing, vaccines

    Starting tomorrow, the rules for entering (and exiting) Phuket are changing. The Phuket Sandbox will be reducing the time arriving international travellers must stay on the island to one week, meaning they won’t need as many Covid-19 tests as well. But revisions also go into effect for domestic travellers and overland entry onto the island, making it easier for tourism…

  • Thailand NewsUpdated regulations on Thailand’s quarantine period for international arrivals

    Updated regulations on Thailand’s quarantine period for international arrivals

    Starting tomorrow, the mandatory quarantine period for vaccinated travellers entering Thailand will be reduced from 14 days to seven. Those who are either unvaccinated, or who cannot show proof of their vaccination status, face a longer quarantine period of between 10 to 14 days. The mandatory isolation period is waived for vaccinated travellers entering Thailand through the pilot reopening projects…

  • Phuket News“Sandbox” period in Phuket shortened to 7 days for vaccinated travellers

    “Sandbox” period in Phuket shortened to 7 days for vaccinated travellers

    With the recently relaxed rules on the quarantine period for overseas arrivals, those who enter Thailand under the “Phuket Sandbox” will only be required to stay in the province for seven days instead of the previous 14. The “Sandbox” pilot reopening project allows vaccinated travellers from abroad to roam freely on the island rather than isolate in a hotel. The…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Covid-19: hospital beds and occupants jumped this week

    Phuket Covid-19: hospital beds and occupants jumped this week

    One new death from Covid-19 was reported in Phuket last night, along with a new Sandbox infection and another arrival from abroad that was not part of the Sandbox and 195 daily infections. September has seen 55 deaths, bringing the total to 75. Among Phuket Sandbox travellers, 116 infections have now been uncovered as well as 26 infections from abroad…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket tourism operators want COE process reformed, other rules amended

    Phuket tourism operators want COE process reformed, other rules amended

    Tourism operators on the southern island of Phuket are calling for the certificate of entry process to be reformed in order to attract more sandbox visitors. And, according to Bhummikitti Ruktaengam from the Phuket Tourist Association, they would also like to see changes made to other entry criteria. “Simplifying the certificate of entry process is the first and foremost key…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket restaurants can serve alcohol starting October 1

    Phuket restaurants can serve alcohol starting October 1

    In a decision that should drastically help the Phuket Sandbox and stimulate the economy, the CCSA gave initial approval to an order to allow selling and consuming alcohol in restaurants starting October 1. Thailand has had a national ban on alcohol consumption in groups and in businesses for months, with a recent crackdown on violators, but the rule would only…