Phuket’s biggest stories from last week: Shark or not?, Tourist rescued after being lost in a forest, and more

Hello, Phuket Express Readers and Supporters!

The following is our weekly feature in which we highlight the top local stories in our area Phuket, from the past week. The number of stories differs from week to week.

These are chosen and curated by our editorial team and are designed for our readers to get a quick “catch-up” of important stories they may have missed. We publish many stories daily and it is easy to lose track of important events or changes in our area. We do national recaps in a separate article, this is only the top local stories in Phuket province.

They are in no particular order of importance but roughly in order of publishing. These are from Sunday, May 1st, 2022, to Sunday, May 8th, 2022.

Let’s get started and see what the top local stories were!

1.  8 –year-old Ukrainian-Thai boy was bitten by an unknown sea animal near Kamala Beach in Phuket earlier this month, experts and officials dispute what the animal was.                                                                                                            

  The news came after May 1st that Thailand and Phuket have fully opened for international tourists. This is a similar incident to two years ago with a Chinese tourist. Last time, officials said the culprit was a barracuda and not a shark.

8 –year-old Ukrainian-Thai boy bitten by an unknown sea animal near Kamala Beach in Phuket, experts and officials dispute what the animal was

UPDATE: Marine official in Phuket believes it was a shark that bit a young boy at Kamala Beach over the weekend, boy tells his story

UPDATE: Drone used to search for shark at Kamala Beach in Phuket, but no luck

UPDATE: Signs placed at Kamala Beach, Phuket to warn injurious sea animals

UPDATE: Tourists still enjoying Kamala Beach after Ukrainian-Thai boy injured from sea animal, says Kathu District Chief

UPDATE: Kamala Beach will be a new landmark if sharks are returning says Kamala local chief but not everyone agrees

2. A 76-year-old German tourist has been rescued after getting lost at Nai Yang Beach in Thalang

This is the third lost tourist in Phuket in only a short period of time.

76-year-old German tourist rescued after getting lost at Nai Yang Beach, Thalang, third lost tourist in a month on Phuket

Young German tourist rescued after being stuck between large rocks while hiking in Thalang forest in Phuket

3. Foreign tourist caught in a viral video sitting at a local shrine in Phuket market, prompting viral topic in Thailand

The red chair at the shrine was removed after the incident.

Foreign tourist caught in video sitting at local shrine in Phuket market, prompting viral topic in Thailand

4. Big Joke to discuss with relevant officials about legally reopening the nightlife industry, extending business hours in Phuket, Pattaya, and other tourism zones

Bars and nightlife venues are still legally closed nationwide as part of Covid-19 rules in place since April 10th, 2021, operating only as converted “restaurants”.

Big Joke to discuss with relevant officials about legally reopening nightlife industry, extending business hours in Phuket, Pattaya, and other tourism zones

5. Phuket plans to announce Covid-19 as an endemic disease, Thai Central government urges patience

However, 52 percent of people in the 608 groups (elderly, chronic health problems, and pregnant) were triple vaccinated. The 608 group needs to be 60 percent triple vaccinated according to Phuket officials.

Phuket plans to announce Covid-19 as an endemic disease, Thai Central government urges patience

6. 26th Phuket Bike Week to be held from May 13th to May 15th

Bikers get ready for the big event!

26th Phuket Bike Week to be held from May 13th to May 15th

That is all for this week, as always thanks for your support!

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Goongnang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for many years and has worked with The Pattaya News for more than four years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.