Surat Thani

  • Koh Samui NewsFerry routes resume operation in Surat Thani after storms

    Ferry routes resume operation in Surat Thani after storms

    After all boats in Surat Thani were cancelled on Monday due to storms, with partial service resuming yesterday, Ferry routes are in full service today – though scrambling and late. In addition to the ferries that had been running before the fierce and windy storms shut everything down, Seatran Ferry has relaunched its service to Koh Phangan from the mainland…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesStorms cancel ferry service for Koh Samui, Pha Ngan, and Tao

    Storms cancel ferry service for Koh Samui, Pha Ngan, and Tao

    While Surat Thani has been gearing up for a huge holiday weekend, the weather has other plans. Scattered storms with extremely high winds have disrupted power as well as ferry schedules, with Surat Thani Governor Wichawut Jinto ordering the cancellation of all ferry services today until at least tomorrow, including to the popular tourist islands of Koh Samui, Koh Pha…

  • Tourism NewsBuddha Days, Full Moon Party brings 5-day holiday surge to Surat

    Buddha Days, Full Moon Party brings 5-day holiday surge to Surat

    The Southern Thailand province of Surat Thani – home to Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao – is set to see a money-making surge of travellers during next week’s 5-day holiday. The Surat Thani office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand is estimating over 70,000 visitors generating about 833 million baht in tourism revenue for the province. The…

  • South Thailand NewsTravel to Surat Thani, it’s where the fun begins | Jay and Natty’s Adventures

    Travel to Surat Thani, it’s where the fun begins | Jay and Natty’s Adventures

    The Thaiger‘s Natty and Jay recently went on a long weekend trip to Thailand’s southern province of Surat Thani, and they’re dying to show our viewers their adventures. People typically see Surat Thani as a passing point to somewhere exciting like Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan. But The Thaiger’s top news presenters want people to know about Surat…

  • South Thailand NewsAnother Full Moon Party in southern Thailand coming up this LONG weekend

    Another Full Moon Party in southern Thailand coming up this LONG weekend

    Mark your calendars for another Full Moon Party in Thailand’s south, coming up this Monday, May 16. The Full Moon Party has historically been held on Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani on the night of, before, or after every full moon, although it was cancelled for 2 years during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, the party is coming up on…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesBurmese man killed in Surat Thani flash flood, more wet weather to come

    Burmese man killed in Surat Thani flash flood, more wet weather to come

    A Burmese man has died after being washed away in a flash flood in Surat Thani over the weekend. According to a Bangkok Post report, heavy rainfall has damaged 3 districts in the southern province. The body of 30-year-old Sai Chan, from Myanmar, was recovered on Saturday. The man had been reported missing after he drove his motorbike through a…

  • Thailand NewsBody of popular monk found floating on a river in southern Thailand

    Body of popular monk found floating on a river in southern Thailand

    A revered Thai monk’s body was found floating on a river near a market in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand, yesterday at around 11am. Phra Udomthammapreecha, also known as Jamlong Kwandee, was an advisor to the head monk of Surat Thani province and acting abbot of Wat Borommathat Chaiya Ratchaworawihan in Chaiya district. Yesterday morning, officers from Muang Surat Thani…

  • South Thailand NewsSeveral officials in Thailand wanted over child trafficking involvement in south

    Several officials in Thailand wanted over child trafficking involvement in south

    After several raids this week, police are investigating several officials over a sex trafficking case in the southern Thai province of Surat Thani. The director-general of Thailand’s Department of Children and Youth has been charged for hampering an investigation into a trafficking ring. Several other officials found to be involved in the ring include the chairman of a local savings…

  • Thailand NewsPolice raid illegal ‘casino’ on Koh Samui located near police station

    Police raid illegal ‘casino’ on Koh Samui located near police station

    Officers from Bor Put police station in Koh Samui raided an illegal “casino” located in the middle of the island yesterday evening. They were joined by the island’s mayor, Chayapon Intarasupa. Those running the operation allegedly allowed people to gamble in different games to win money, according to reports. Thai media reported that the illegal gambling centre was a one-story…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Update | Thais evacuate Ukraine & Storm in Thailand damages 200 homes

    Thailand News Update | Thais evacuate Ukraine & Storm in Thailand damages 200 homes

    Forty-seven Thais arrived at the help centre in the Ukrainian city of Lviv with more on their way yesterday… this from the Thai embassy in Warsaw, in neighbouring Poland. The embassy, which is making arrangements to evacuate Thais from Ukraine currently under attack from Russian military forces, said 47 Thai citizens reached Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine yesterday.…

  • Crime News7 arrested for alleged sex with underage girls, police looking for more suspects

    7 arrested for alleged sex with underage girls, police looking for more suspects

    Seven people were arrested for allegedly having sex with underage girls in the southern province of Surat Thani. A 14 year old girl also faces human trafficking charges for allegedly enticing other teen girls into prostitution. With one of the suspects being the son of a politician, Police Lieutenant General Surachate Hakparn, known as “Big Joke,” says all suspects will…

  • Thailand NewsInfected inmate escapee from Koh Samui Hospital surrenders, says he got hungry

    Infected inmate escapee from Koh Samui Hospital surrenders, says he got hungry

    The inmate infected with Covid-19 who escaped from Koh Samui Hospital has reportedly surrendered to police. Apparently, he turned himself in to police because he got hungry. With prisons and correctional facilities requiring a quarantine period for all new inmates, and with a number of them testing positive for Covid-19, there has been an increase in prisoner escapes, according to…

  • World NewsSurat Thani immigration police arrest human trafficking suspect from Myanmar

    Surat Thani immigration police arrest human trafficking suspect from Myanmar

    A 46 year old Myanmar national was arrested by Surat Thani Immigration Police today for allegedly smuggling six others into Thailand. The suspect, who is identified as Bumaw, was reportedly seen on a road in Tambon Talad in Surat Thani province’s Mueang district, and Immigration Police arrested him at the spot, nearly four months after the Surat Thani Court issued…

  • Thailand NewsSoi Dog Foundation rescues neglected and dying dogs from illegal Surat Thani shelter

    Soi Dog Foundation rescues neglected and dying dogs from illegal Surat Thani shelter

    The following is a press release from the Soi Dog Foundation. An illegal shelter in Surat Thani has been successfully shut down and 17 street dogs were rescued by Soi Dog Foundation after reports were received of dire conditions and severe neglect. The shelter was reportedly constructed by a local landowner to contain the dogs who had been living on…

  • Thailand NewsFlash floods from heavy rain hit three districts in Surat Thani

    Flash floods from heavy rain hit three districts in Surat Thani

    Last night, villages in three districts in Southern Thailand’s Surat Thani province were hit by flash floods due to heavy rain and local rescue teams along with the military assisted residents in moving their belongings to higher ground. Governor Wichawut Jinto and Chamnong Sawatwong, chief of the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office, led the relief effort, which included territorial…

  • Crime NewsPolice officer and his wife arrested for drug dealing, illegal guns

    Police officer and his wife arrested for drug dealing, illegal guns

    In the Phunphin district of Surat Thani, crystal methamphetamine was impounded from the home of a police officer and his wife could have now been arrested. The 52 year old police officer who worked at the Phunphin Police Station was arrested along with his 44 year old wife and charged with selling illicit drugs. A fact-finding investigation has been launched…

  • Crime NewsPolice arrest British man in Koh Samui for marijuana

    Police arrest British man in Koh Samui for marijuana

    A British man on Koh Samui was arrested by immigration police for illegal possession and use of marijuana, according to the provincial immigration police chief. Police say that 32 year old Paul Mathew Kennedy was arrested on Monday at his home in Moo 5 in tambon Bophut. Immigration police say an informant tipped them off to Kennedy, accusing him of…

  • Tourism NewsKoh Phangan and Koh Tao islands relax visitor restrictions today

    Koh Phangan and Koh Tao islands relax visitor restrictions today

    Joining the rush for restrictions easing as Thailand aims for the big leap to unquarantined reopening (for some) without a certificate of entry (for some) on November 1, the popular tourist islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao have eased their entry requirements starting today. The governor of Surat Thani, home to the Samui Plus Sandbox reopening as well as…

  • 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…

  • Thailand NewsAround 20 people arrested at Koh Samui restaurant for drinking alcohol, gambling, playing pool

    Around 20 people arrested at Koh Samui restaurant for drinking alcohol, gambling, playing pool

    A mixture of Thais and foreigners were arrested at a restaurant in Koh Samui over the weekend for allegedly drinking alcohol and gambling. They were also allegedly witnessed playing pool. The bar patrons were in violation of Surat Thani’s Provincial Orders that forbids gatherings, notably gatherings that include drinking alcohol. Around 20 customers were busted for drinking alcohol when police…

  • Koh Samui NewsSamui Plus programme rakes in nearly 40 million baht

    Samui Plus programme rakes in nearly 40 million baht

    The Samui Plus Programme has raked in nearly 40 million baht in revenue following its launch in July, according to the governor of Surat Thani, Witchawut Jinto. Witchawut says the plan, which includes Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, has brought in 918 visitors, 347 of which came through Phuket Sandbox. Despite the governor’s enthusiastic review, the programme has…

  • Thailand News9 year old Israeli boy on Koh Phangan dies from box jellyfish sting

    9 year old Israeli boy on Koh Phangan dies from box jellyfish sting

    Officials are warning swimmers in Koh Phangan of the presence of box jellyfish after a 9 year old Israeli boy died after being stung while he was at a popular beach with his family. Thai authorities say they are now coming up with a long term plan to prevent potentially deadly encounters with box jellyfish. The Israeli boy and his family…

  • Koh Samui NewsKoh Samui flights resume Wednesday despite Covid-19

    Koh Samui flights resume Wednesday despite Covid-19

    The Samui Plus international reopening plan has seen a fraction of the success of the Phuket Sandbox reopening and were hampered by the grounding of nearly all domestic flights in Thailand, despite an exception for Sandbox flights. Now the province that’s home to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao will continue the Samui Plus programme and expects flights to…

  • Phuket NewsCCSA approves “7+7” island hop extension to “Phuket Sandbox”

    CCSA approves “7+7” island hop extension to “Phuket Sandbox”

    The so-called “7+7” island hop extension to the “Phuket Sandbox” reopening scheme has been approved by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, allowing travellers from overseas who are vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter Phuket, stay on the island for seven days, and then travel on a sealed route to specified destinations in Surat Thani, Krabi, and Phang Nga. Under the…

  • Koh Samui NewsSurat Thani announces new Covid-19 measures for Samui Plus

    Surat Thani announces new Covid-19 measures for Samui Plus

    Less than 10 days after the less-than-thrilling Samui Plus reopening that saw just 31 international arrivals to Samui (with 2 to Koh Phangan and 1 to Koh Tao) so far and 110 people from the Phuket Sandbox, Surat Thani province in which the islands reside has announced immediate Covid-19 measures to curb the spread of the virus. The announcement today…

  • Koh Samui NewsSlow start for “Samui Plus” reopening, only 33 seats booked for this month

    Slow start for “Samui Plus” reopening, only 33 seats booked for this month

    While the “Samui Plus” reopening plan is set to start tomorrow, it might be more of a “soft” reopening. Only 33 airline seats are booked for this month and tourism officials say it will be a few months before the islands see an influx of international arrivals. Similar to the “Phuket Sandbox,” the scheme allows the trio of islands in…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya looks into September reopening despite uptick in Covid-19 infections

    Pattaya looks into September reopening despite uptick in Covid-19 infections

    Despite the uptick in Covid-19 infections, Pattaya is planned to reopen to foreign arrivals, possibly in September, under a scheme similar to Phuket and the trio of islands off Surat Thani, where tourists who are vaccinated against Covid-19 can enter without undergoing a 14-day quarantine. Yesterday, Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume met with the deputy mayors and those in the…

  • Thailand News3 dead in 3 truck crash in Surat Thani

    3 dead in 3 truck crash in Surat Thani

    3 people are dead and 1 more person is seriously injured following a 10-wheeled truck smashing into the back of a trailer that was carrying trees. A truck full of tires then careened into them, which then burst into flames. The fiery car wreck happened in the southern Thai province of Surat Thai, early today. The crash happened on the…

  • Thailand NewsBodies of couple who died at a Koh Tao pool sent to police hospital for autopsies

    Bodies of couple who died at a Koh Tao pool sent to police hospital for autopsies

    Medical examiners at the Police General Hospital will do an autopsy on the bodies of the billionaire couple who were both found dead in a resort pool on Koh Tao, an island in the Gulf of Thailand off the Surat Thani coast. The results on the cause of death will be released in around 2 weeks, Koh Tao police chief…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid UPDATE: 2,112 new infections and 15 deaths, provincial totals

    Covid UPDATE: 2,112 new infections and 15 deaths, provincial totals

    2,112 new Covid-19 cases and 15 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. Since April 1, there have been 46,037 confirmed Covid-19 infections in Thailand, making up more than half of Thailand’s cumulative count of 74,900 infections since the start of the pandemic last year. There are 30,222 active Covid-19 cases in Thailand.…