Phuket

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket authorities on the hunt for quarantine dodgers

    Phuket authorities on the hunt for quarantine dodgers

    Phuket police and officials from the health department are trying to track down a group of people they believe to be potential carriers of the Covid-19 virus. The group had been asked to self-quarantine, but it’s now believed they continued to meet people outside their homes and defied the direct orders of health officials. Phuket has the highest rate of…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket reports 4 new Covid-19 cases, all in Bang Tao (Sunday)

    Phuket reports 4 new Covid-19 cases, all in Bang Tao (Sunday)

    The southern province of Phuket reports 4 new confirmed Covid-19 cases today, all in the Bang Tao area of the island’s Cherngtalay subdistrict, bringing the total in Phuket to 206 since the outbreak began in January. One more patient has recovered, bringing that total of recovered patients to 161. 45 cases are still in hospital of which 4 are ‘severe’.…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket adds 4 Covid-19 cases, 3 in Bang Tao (Saturday)

    Phuket adds 4 Covid-19 cases, 3 in Bang Tao (Saturday)

    4 new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in the southern island province of Phuket today. The island has the highest rate of infection and the second highest number of cases, after Bangkok. A single new case was reported this morning, bringing the total there to 202: a 60 year old Thai woman who lives in Witchit, Phuket Town. She fell…

  • Covid-19 NewsMany farangs chipping in to help their stricken communities – VIDEO

    Many farangs chipping in to help their stricken communities – VIDEO

    Thai media are reporting that foreigners, together with their their Thai friends, are doing great work in Chiang Mai to ease the economic hardship felt by many due to the Covid-19 pandemic. MCOT reports that a group of foreigners as well as Thais outside a shop near the Chang Pheuak gate have been handing out 300 – 400 ready meals…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand confirms 15 new Covid-19 cases, 1 death (Wednesday)

    Thailand confirms 15 new Covid-19 cases, 1 death (Wednesday)

    Thai health officials have confirmed 15 new cases of Covid-19 and 1 death today. The new cases bring Thailand’s total to 2,826 since the outbreak began, of whom 2,352, or 83% have now been released from hospital and returned home. Today’s new death brings Thailand’s total to 49. 3 of the 15 were reported in Phuket. 2 school teachers and…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket new Covid-19 cases up to 3 (Wednesday)

    Phuket new Covid-19 cases up to 3 (Wednesday)

    In a small jump, the southern island province of Phuket today confirmed 3 new Covid-19 infections, bringing the total to 5 since last Thursday. 1 case was reported yesterday and 1 on Friday. Previous to yesterday there had been 3 consecutive days without any infections. The announcement will likely prevent Phuket from being part of a wide-scale lifting of nationwide…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket reports one new case, an 83 year old Italian

    Phuket reports one new case, an 83 year old Italian

    Phuket has added 1 new case today, taking the total number of cases up to 193 in the Province. The latest cases is 83 year old Italian man who had a history of going out into Bangla Road and have recently been to private hospital where he exhibited no specific symptoms relating to Covid-19. 17 people are said to be at…

  • Covid-19 NewsFood donors must maintain proper social-distancing procedures

    Food donors must maintain proper social-distancing procedures

    Yesterday police deputy spokesman Kissana Phattanacharoen announced that officers at Phlapphla Chai 2 police station have investigated an incident that took place on April 12 when dozens of people had gathered to receive charitable food near Hua Lamphong railway station in Bangkok. Bangkok police have pressed charges against food donors for allegedly failing to submit any social gathering precautions. The…

  • Covid-19 NewsIt’s official: Phuket reopens after April 30

    It’s official: Phuket reopens after April 30

    “Lockdown” is a word that’s being bandied about with abandon these days, but it’s actually a bit misleading. It’s a noun of North American origin defined as “the confining of prisoners to their cells, typically after an escape or to regain control during a riot.” To say that parts of Thailand or any other country are “under lockdown” is to…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s new Covid-19 infections drop to 32 today, 0 deaths reported

    Thailand’s new Covid-19 infections drop to 32 today, 0 deaths reported

    A spokesman for the Thailand Covid-19 Coronavirus Situation Centre announced a total of 32 new cases of Covid-19 at this morning’s daily press briefing, down from yesterday’s 33, bringing the national total to 2765 since the start of the outbreak in January. No new deaths were reported, and the toll remains steady at 47. The spokesman told reporters that an…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket’s bars and entertainment industry closes up shop

    Phuket’s bars and entertainment industry closes up shop

    Shutters down today in Phuket. Well, officially anyway. Bars, clubs and entertainment venues on the island will now remain closed for at least 14 days in the island’s latest efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. Phuket’s Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana made the formal announcement yesterday after 24 hours of conjecture and confusion. The Phuket Communicable Disease Committee resolved to issue…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhone booths get new lease on life as ‘Covid boxes’

    Phone booths get new lease on life as ‘Covid boxes’

    Move over Clark Kent, there’s a new Superhero in town in need of your dressing room. The Digital Economy and Society Ministry is converting TOT phone booths into Covid-19 testing kiosks to help lower the infection risk faced by healthcare workers due to the shortage of personal protective equipment. At a cost of less than 1,000 baht to repurpose, selected…

  • Environment NewsUPDATE: Phuket Zoo animals left abandoned and starving – VIDEO

    UPDATE: Phuket Zoo animals left abandoned and starving – VIDEO

    UPDATE: Edwin Wiek, Founder at People & Animals Thailand, has made this announcement relating to the tigers at the Phuket Zoo… There are some fundraisers ongoing on the net to help the tigers at PHUKET ZOO that are in need of help. Please be informed that these fundraising campaigns are set up by private people who are not owners of…

  • South Thailand NewsMedical team from Songkhla come to Phuket to help during Covid-19 outbreak

    Medical team from Songkhla come to Phuket to help during Covid-19 outbreak

    Phuket health workers have welcomed a special team of much-needed medics from southern Thailand’s Songkhla Nararin Hospital. The 50 medics arrived in Phuket yesterday to assist with Covid 19 cases and testing on the island. The team, led by the Nararin Hospital director, set up a field hospital to assist patients suffering from Covid 19. Phuket currently has the second…

  • Crime NewsKratom Food Panda-monium in Phuket

    Kratom Food Panda-monium in Phuket

    Phuket Police have arrested Grab and Foodpanda delivery drivers for transport and possession of kratom. Yesterday morning, two men were riding together on a motorbike with one clad in a Grab delivery uniform while his passenger carried the green insulated Grab delivery bag. Officers stopped and searched the two after suspecting the men were acting suspiciously. Conducting a search, officers…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket’s Covid-19 new cases fall to 3

    Phuket’s Covid-19 new cases fall to 3

    Health officials in Phuket today reported just 3 new Covid-19 cases, substantially fewer than yesterday’s 10 and the continuation of a generally encouraging downward trend. Yesterday was the first time new cases reached double digits since 10 were reported on April 5. 13 cases were reported on April 3. All yesterday’s cases were from the Bang Tao beach community. Travel…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket Covid-19 cases jump to 10, all in Bang Tao

    Phuket Covid-19 cases jump to 10, all in Bang Tao

    Health officials in Phuket today reported 10 new Covid-19 cases, the first time the number has risen back into the double digits since 10 cases were reported on April 5. 13 cases were reported on April 3. Specifically all the new cases stem from the beachside community of Bang Tao. Phuket has virtually sealed itself off, with all roads, ports, and…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket’s new Covid-19 cases fall to 2 (Monday)

    Phuket’s new Covid-19 cases fall to 2 (Monday)

    Phuket has confirmed 2 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus today (Monday), half of yesterday’s 4 cases and equal to Saturday’s, as the numbers continue a downward trend. Phuket has virtually sealed itself off, with all roads, ports. As of Friday even the airport officially closed. The governor announced an alcohol ban on Friday night as well, effective until further…

  • Covid-19 News33 new coronavirus infections confirmed, 3 more deaths (Sunday)

    33 new coronavirus infections confirmed, 3 more deaths (Sunday)

    33 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Thailand today (Sunday), and 3 more deaths. The total number of infections in Thailand since the outbreak began now stands at 2551. There have been 38 deaths. A spokesman for the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration says the deaths were 2 Thai men, aged 74 and 44, and a 65 year…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket confirms 4 new Covid-19 cases (Sunday)

    Phuket confirms 4 new Covid-19 cases (Sunday)

    Phuket has confirmed 4 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus today (Sunday), double yesterday’s 2 cases but still in the low single digits as the numbers are on a downward trend. Phuket has virtually sealed itself off, with all roads, ports. As of Friday night even the airport officially closed. The governor announced an alcohol ban on Friday night as well, effective…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket reports 2 new Covid-19 cases (Saturday)

    Phuket reports 2 new Covid-19 cases (Saturday)

    Continuing a hopeful downward trend, the southern province of Phuket today reported only 2 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases, down from yesterday’s 9 and Thursday’s 21. Many if not most of cases originate from the island’s Patong subdistrict, which is now has restricted access, and especially its legendary Bangla Road red light area. The island province has taken stringent measures to…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket residents instructed to stay home for at least 14 days

    Phuket residents instructed to stay home for at least 14 days

    All residents living in the southern province of Phuket are being directed to stay in their homes for at least two weeks, starting next Monday, April 13. The provincial governor announced the measure last night to fight the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus on the island, which now has the highest rate of infections in Thailand and is the second…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket reports 9 new coronavirus cases (Friday)

    Phuket reports 9 new coronavirus cases (Friday)

    Phuket, which has now closed all points of entry by land and sea, and today closed its airport, has reported 9 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases today (Friday). That’s less than half of yesterday’s 21 cases and even lower than Wednesday’s 14. The new cases bring the total on the southern island to 170 since the outbreak began in January. No…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket will launch door-to-door coronavirus checks across the island

    Phuket will launch door-to-door coronavirus checks across the island

    Even as it prepares to restrict travel between its 17 tambon (subdistricts), the southern island province of Phuket is set to become Thailand’s first to launch door-to-door checks of body temperature. The aim is to identify infected people early so they can seek treatment before their symptoms become severe, and potentially end up infecting other Phuketians with the Covid-19 coronavirus.…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket rolls out mobile immigration stations

    Phuket rolls out mobile immigration stations

    In an effort to minimise mass gatherings, the Phuket Immigration Department has deployed mobile units to provide “special services.” The units are strategically placed around the island open from from 10am to 5pm. As a reminder, an automatic amnesty on visas now applies, until April 30, with a few conditions and exceptions. Not everyone will need to seek these special…

  • Covid-19 News21 new coronavirus cases in Phuket, total now 161 (Thursday)

    21 new coronavirus cases in Phuket, total now 161 (Thursday)

    The southern province of Phuket today (Thursday) confirmed 21 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases, up from 14 yesterday. All the new cases are Thai citizens and are centred around Patong’s Bangla Road or Bang Tao. Today’s new cases bring the total in Phuket to 161 cases since the start of the outbreak in January. Phuket has become a hotbed for new…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket migrant workers permitted to return home

    Phuket migrant workers permitted to return home

    Some migrant workers were allowed to leave Phuket to return to their homes yesterday, as the provincial administration agreed to temporarily lift the travel ban so they could rejoin their families. One worker who hails from the nearby province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, told Thai PBS that he has been out of work for 2 months, and his family could…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket reports 14 new coronavirus cases, total now 140

    Phuket reports 14 new coronavirus cases, total now 140

    Phuket has reported 14 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases today (Wednesday). The island is on virtual lockdown, especially Patong, home of the Bangla Road red light area, the flashpoint of most of the island’s infections. The new number bring the island’s infections to 140. Phuket has closed off all land and sea routes and barred entry to all but essential goods vehicles,…

  • Covid-19 NewsForeigners in Thailand worried about their security

    Foreigners in Thailand worried about their security

    Ever had the feeling you’re not wanted at the moment? As the highly infectious Covid-19 disease spreads through Bangkok’s streets, Thai PBS World reports the city’s expatriate community has multiple reasons to be nervous. The trouble began in early last month when Thailand’s mercurial Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul blasted “all farang” (a derogatory term for white-westerner), for not wearing…

  • Covid-19 NewsNew coronavirus cases in Thailand fall to 38, 1 more death

    New coronavirus cases in Thailand fall to 38, 1 more death

    “The lower number of daily new cases and the slower increase in accumulated patients apparently resulted from the nationwide curfew starting on April 3.” In another dramatic drop, Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported only 38 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours, and one additional death in its daily press briefing today (Tuesday). The cumulative death…