The newest published stories from every Phuket Times category, ordered by publication date.
Anticipation Builds for Nintendo’s Latest Console Nintendo’s highly anticipated Switch 2 will arrive in Thailand on June 26, 2025, marking a major milestone for the gaming giant. Priced at approximately 17,000 baht, this upgraded hybrid console has sparked excitement among Thai gamers, with some traveling abroad to secure early units, eager to experience its enhanced
AXTRA Digital Sets Sights on Retail Technology Leadership CP AXTRA, the powerhouse behind Makro and Lotus’s, has introduced AXTRA Digital, a specialized division aimed at revolutionizing its operations through cutting-edge technology. This strategic move positions the company as a frontrunner in Asia’s retail technology landscape, focusing on innovative, customer-focused solutions. Expert Team Fuels Rapid Success
Sole Representatives Head to Saudi Arabia ACT Esports Club has etched its name in Thai esports history by earning the sole spot to represent Thailand at the Honor of Kings World Cup 2025 (KWC 2025) in Saudi Arabia, set for July 15-26, 2025. This prestigious event, offering the King of Saudi Arabia’s Trophy and a
Query Raised Over Cash Origin Three opposition MPs from the People’s Party—Pukkamon Nunarnan, Rukchanok Srinork, and Phanida Mongkolsawat—have urged the Revenue Department to probe the source of 12 million baht found discarded by lawyer Taweewat Sengkaew, an adviser to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. The MPs submitted their request on Monday, June 9, 2025,
Buyers Abandon Purchases Amid Trade Shifts The Thai housing sector faces a significant downturn, with Supalai, a leading SET-listed developer, reporting that U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump have hit harder than the recent earthquake. Tritecha Tangmatitham, the company’s managing director, noted that export-related business owners are canceling home transfers, often forfeiting deposits, a stark
Seven-Day Limit Imposed on Travelers Cambodia has reduced visa durations for Thai visitors to seven days, prompting Thailand to mirror the policy starting June 9, 2025, according to the Foreign Ministry. For Thais entering Cambodia by land, the stay has dropped from 14 days for passport holders and 15 days for border pass holders, signaling
Partnership Launches Kaia Brand Bound and Beyond and Cloud Collective have teamed up to introduce Kaia, a fresh luxury hospitality brand rooted in Southeast Asia, set to redefine travel in 2025. This innovative venture focuses on outdoor resorts with tented suites, blending seamlessly with nature and local cultures while promoting sustainable luxury, marking a bold
Alarms Raised by Thai Hotels Association Draft Law Threatens Resident Rights The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has voiced serious concerns over a proposed Hotel and Overnight Accommodation Act, warning that it could jeopardize resident rights and tourist safety in 2025. Submitted by MP Nataphol Tovichakchaikul for feedback, the draft aims to replace the 2004 Hotel
New Revenue Strategy for Airports of Thailand Leasing Land to Boost Non-Aviation Income Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) is rolling out a fresh strategy to increase its earnings beyond aviation by leasing land near Chiang Mai airport for commercial development. Announced on June 6, 2025, this move aims to tap into the growing demand for
Southeast Asia’s Shift Toward Clean Mobility Electric Vehicles Gain Ground in Thailand The push for sustainability is sparking a transportation revolution in Southeast Asia, with electric vehicles (EVs) leading the charge. In Thailand, the region’s most developed EV market, adoption is accelerating as consumers grow more eco-conscious and governments prioritize green solutions. EVs are poised
Bangkok’s Culinary Triumph Gaggan’s Fifth Victory Gaggan, led by chef Gaggan Anand, was crowned Asia’s Best Restaurant at the 2025 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in Seoul on March 25. This marks the fifth time the Bangkok establishment has claimed the top spot, solidifying its status as a global culinary icon with its innovative approach
Alarming Rise in Cyber Leaks Five Million Credentials Exposed Thailand’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) reported a staggering 5 million usernames and passwords leaked in 2025, a dramatic increase from just 80,000 the previous year. The agency points to widespread use of pirated software as the primary culprit, fueling a wave of cyberattacks across the
Growing Reliance on AI Tools Social Media’s Shift to Chatbots As misinformation surged during India’s brief 2025 conflict with Pakistan, social media users increasingly turned to AI chatbots like xAI’s Grok, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and Google’s Gemini for instant fact-checking. With platforms like X embedding AI assistants, queries such as “Is this true?” have become common,
Celebrating 50 Years of Friendship Launching Sawasdee Nihao Events The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled the “Sawasdee Nihao” campaign on May 29, 2025, marking 50 years of Thai-Chinese diplomatic ties. This initiative aims to revitalize Thailand’s appeal in the Chinese market, fostering sustainable tourism and cultural exchange through a series of events showcasing the
Launch of a Nationwide Travel Push Explore Thailand with Grab The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Grab Thailand unveiled the “Tiew Tua Thai Suk Kan Yai Wai Jai Grab” campaign on June 2, 2025, igniting travel enthusiasm across the nation. This initiative invites both Thai and international tourists to discover iconic landmarks and hidden
Ambitious Halal Market Expansion Targeting Global Leadership Thailand is intensifying efforts to capture a larger share of the global halal food market, projected to reach $1.89 trillion by 2027. With a strategic goal to become ASEAN’s primary halal production hub by 2027, the government is leveraging its robust food industry to boost exports and economic
Boosting Tourism Through Aviation New Route-New Airline Initiative Thailand’s Transport Ministry has launched the “New Route-New Airline” initiative to drive tourism to secondary cities by reducing landing and parking fees for airlines, effective June 2025. This strategic policy aims to enhance connectivity and economic growth in lesser-known destinations across the country. Incentivizing Airline Operations Lower
Mae Sai’s Flooding Crisis Recurring Devastation in Chiang Rai Mae Sai, a bustling border town in Chiang Rai opposite Myanmar’s Tachileik, faces severe annual flooding, with economic losses reaching millions in 2024. The Sai River’s overflow, worsened by upstream deforestation and mining in Myanmar, has flooded the town twice in May 2025 alone, threatening its
