The following is our weekly feature in which we highlight the top local stories in our area of 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 and nearby provinces.

They are in no particular order of importance but roughly in order of publishing. These are from Monday, January 8th to Sunday January 14th, 2024.

1. A Spanish man was arrested after he stole a bag with a mobile phone, cash, and keys from a Mongolian woman at a night club on the Bangla Road.

Patong police officers captured a Colombian snatch thief who stole belongings from a Russian tourist in Soi Suk Charoen, Patong, Phuket.

Both cases had significant social media discussion.

2. A video clip of a foreign man who was standing and urinating on the back of a Tuk Tuk in Patong has gone viral on social media this week, causing outrage and anger from many Thai social media users who demanded the foreigner be arrested and charged to the fullest extent of the law.

The case, however, happened months ago it was later revealed and the tourist had likely left Thailand.

3. Six Russian tourists and three Thais have been rescued after a yacht capsized near an island in Rawai.

This was despite the wind and waves being described as very calm.

4. A famous young Iranian boxer has been pronounced dead after a big bike accident inside the Chalong Underpass.

The Phuket Express extends its condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Fariyar.

5. A Myanmar cleaner was arrested after she stole from two Cyprus nationals and a Swedish tourist at a hotel in Patong, stealing goods worth in total of about 140,000 baht.

A house keeper was arrested after she stole 90,000 Baht from a French man at an apartment in Patong.

Both similar cases bring attention to the importance of securing ones valuables when having maid or cleaning services in one’s residence or hotel room.

That’s it for this week.