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Phuket and Thailand News
Short, fact-checked updates that help you plan a stay in Phuket, with an emphasis on visa and entry rules and on positive news from the island.
- Loy Krathong 2026 in Phuket: All Events, Dates and Where to Float a Krathong
Phuket news · 15 November 2026Loy Krathong is on Tuesday 24 November 2026. Phuket's known events: Saphan Hin's seaside festival, lakes and beaches, resort dinners with prices, rules and tips.
- 92 Travellers Turned Away at BKK: What Phuket-Bound Visitors Should Know
Visa news · 15 November 2026Thai immigration refused entry to 92 travellers at Suvarnabhumi on 12 November. What was reported, what did not change, and how Phuket-bound visitors can prepare.
- PHOODIE: Phuket's First Island-Wide Food Festival Runs 20 to 29 November
Phuket news · 14 November 2026Fifty restaurants and bars take part in PHOODIE, a ten-day food festival organised by the Phuket Hotels Association. Here are the dates and how it works.
- Phuket Hosts the Global Wellness Summit 2026
Phuket news · 14 November 2026Phuket hosted the Global Wellness Summit from 10 to 13 November, opened by Queen Suthida, putting Thailand's wellness tourism in front of an international audience.
- New Direct Flights to Phuket for the 2026-27 High Season
Phuket news · 14 November 2026London, Zurich, Kuwait City and Minsk gain direct links to Phuket this winter, and Thai AirAsia adds routes to the northeast. Here is what has been announced.
- Loy Krathong and a New Family Festival: Late-November Dates in Phuket
Phuket news · 14 November 2026Loy Krathong falls on 24 November 2026, and Phuket's first Family Festival takes place on 21 November in Phuket Town.
- December in Phuket: King's Cup Regatta, Public Holidays and New Year's Eve
Phuket news · 14 November 2026The Phuket King's Cup Regatta is listed for 5 to 12 December 2026, with two public holidays and New Year's Eve to plan around. Here is what to know.
- Meeting People in Phuket: The Clubs, Runs and Groups New Expats Use
Phuket news · 14 November 2026Phuket has a large social scene for newcomers. These are the routes recent guides recommend, from running clubs and Facebook groups to quiz nights and volunteering.
- Kathu-Patong Tunnel and the Phuket Expressway: Where Things Stand
Phuket news · 14 November 2026The Kathu-Patong tunnel is expected to go to the Cabinet in the fourth quarter of 2026, with an opening targeted for 2031. Here is the status of Phuket's big transport projects.
- Family Visa Paperwork: What Immigration Order 214/2569 Changes
Visa news · 10 November 2026A new Immigration Bureau order updates the criteria and documents for certain family members of foreign residents. Here is what it covers and what it does not.
- Visa Extension Bank Letters: What Has Been Reported and How to Prepare
Visa news · 4 November 2026Some applicants report difficulty getting bank certificates for immigration. Here is what is verified, which financial routes are published and how to prepare.
- Thai e-Visa Processing Times: What Embassies Publish and How to Plan
Visa news · 1 November 2026Processing windows for the Thai e-Visa differ by embassy, nationality and visa type. Here is what official missions say and how to leave enough time.
- Thailand's 1,000 Baht Departure Tax and Arrival Fee: Still Proposals
Visa news · 7 October 2026Two separate travel-charge proposals are under discussion: an arrival fee for foreign visitors and a 1,000 baht tax on air departures. Neither is being collected.
- Thailand's Long-Term Resident Visa Passes 12,000 Approvals
Visa news · 6 October 2026The Board of Investment says 12,010 people have been approved for the LTR visa in four years. See who uses it and what the new online process changes.
- Thailand's New Visa Exemption Rules Take Effect: 30 Days for Most Tourists
Visa news · 15 September 2026The broad 60-day visa exemption ended on 15 September 2026. Here is who gets 30 days, what happens to people already in Thailand and what to check before you travel.
How we choose and check stories
We publish news that is useful to visitors and residents and leave out sensational crime and enforcement stories. Each item is written in our own words from official sources, which are listed at the bottom of the article. We label proposals as proposals, say when something is not yet in force, and update the article if the facts change.
Visa and entry rules can change quickly, and nothing here is legal advice. For a decision that matters, check the current position with the Thai embassy, immigration office or ministry that handles it. Subscribe with the RSS feed.