Stories from Phuket · Thailand

The Thai Prime Minister's office announced increased police inspections in entertainment venues to defend national cultural values. The decision follows an incident on Monday on Phuket island involving a Spanish national and a Peruvian national.

The individuals admitted to appearing in the video, prompting a police investigation and formal charges. Authorities in Phuket province consider this behavior a severe disruption to the tourist landscape and are taking strict measures against offenders.

Phuket provincial police are investigating concerns over illegal substances following inspections in southern Thailand districts. Customs, Tax, and Police departments conducted a joint operation last month, dismantling 19 cases of illegal kerosene activities nationwide.

A banking error involving Sberbank caused a tourist in Phuket to have funds returned after a payment was made. The individual had to locate two different taxi drivers to settle the payment again through alternative methods.