Phuket Governor Affirms Public Safety

By
Goong Nang Suksawat
-

PRESS RELEASE:

PHUKET —

Phuket Province Affirms Public Safety and Implements Enhanced Security Measures to Ensure Continued Confidence Among Residents and Tourists.

The Phuket Provincial Government wishes to provide an important update on the current security situation in the province and to outline proactive steps taken to enhance public safety, thereby reinforcing confidence among both Thai citizens and international visitors.
Current Situation: Authorities were alerted to the presence of unusual items at three locations in Phuket on the evening of June 25 and the morning of June 26, 2025. These locations included the Phuket International Airport parking area, Patong Beach, and Promthep Cape.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Phuket Provincial Police promptly responded, inspected, and successfully neutralized the objects by 2:30 PM on June 26, 2025. Initial investigations suggest the incident was intended as an act of “situation creation,” designed to cause alarm rather than harm. The most likely impact-if the devices had been triggered-would have been limited to loud noise, without the capability to cause significant damage or injuries. Fortunately, early intervention ensured that no harm or damage occurred. All airport operations, public transportation, tourist attractions, and business activities continue as normal.
Two suspects have been taken into custody and are currently under police investigation for further leads.
Enhanced Security Measures
To reinforce public confidence and ensure the highest level of safety, the province has implemented a three-part security strategy:
1. Heightened Screening at All Entry Points
1.1 Province-wide Measures
All 11 local police stations in Phuket have been instructed to conduct overlapping patrols in a connected “spiderweb” network, ensuring comprehensive surveillance across all districts and times of day.
District Officers, Subdistrict Heads, and Village Leaders have been directed to conduct “X-ray checks” (thorough inspections) of unfamiliar individuals entering local communities. Any suspicious behavior is to be reported and addressed immediately according to legal procedures.
1.2 Enhanced Border Security by Mode of Travel
Land: The screening protocols at Phuket Checkpoint have been significantly strengthened to ensure higher security. Moreover, a proposal has been submitted to the central government to install Facial Recognition Systems at Phuket Checkpoint, upgrading screening accuracy and technology.
Air: Phuket International Airport has increased screening rigor at all stages, in cooperation with all airlines.
Sea: Royal Thai Navy (Third Naval Area Command) and Thai Marine Police Division are conducting detailed inspections of passenger ports, tourism piers, and inbound/outbound vessels.
2. Increased Patrol Presence in Key Tourist Areas
Additional plainclothes and uniformed patrol teams have been deployed to cover high-traffic tourist areas such as Patong Beach, Kata-Karon Beach, Promthep Cape, and Phuket Old Town.
CCTV surveillance has been expanded through collaboration with municipalities, private operators, and volunteer watch networks to monitor for unusual activities.
3. Strengthening Cooperation with the Private Sector and Civil Society
Provincial Police Region 8 and Tourist Police Thailand are jointly conducting safety awareness training for tourism-related businesses in collaboration with local authorities and private stakeholders.
A provincial security network is being developed to train hotel, shopping mall, and business security staff to detect and report incidents in real time.
Quarterly emergency response drills will be organized in partnership with public and private sectors.
Multilingual public communication systems are being developed to provide timely updates in Thai, English, Chinese, and Russian.
Appreciation and Reaffirmation
The Phuket Provincial Government extends its sincere thanks to all military units, law enforcement, national security agencies, agencies under the Ministry of Interior, all local government authorities, private sector stakeholders, and the people of Phuket for their commitment to keeping the province safe.
“We will not be complacent. We will strengthen our security protocols from all angles to prevent future incidents.”
We reaffirm that “Phuket is safe for residents and fully prepared to welcome travelers from around the world.”
If you observe any suspicious items or behavior, please contact the emergency hotlines 191 or 1155, available 24/7.

Related articles:

In the early morning hours of June 24, 2025, authorities in Phang Nga intercepted a passenger vehicle carrying a suspected explosive device, effectively averting a potential security threat aimed at Phuket.

Phuket International Airport (HKT) initiated a security protocol on June 25, 2025, following the discovery of a suspicious motorcycle left unattended in the domestic terminal’s motorcycle parking area.

Officials are still working to identify the nature of a suspicious object discovered inside a motorcycle parked at Phuket International Airport’s domestic terminal. The discovery led to a controlled detonation on the evening of June 25th, but authorities have yet to confirm whether the item was an actual explosive.

Phuket International Airport has resumed normal operations following the resolution of a security incident involving a suspicious motorcycle, prompting a temporary emergency protocol.

A second suspected explosive device was discovered on Thursday morning, June 26th on Patong Beach.

Authorities in Phuket have successfully located and neutralized three of four suspected explosive devices, following the arrest of two individuals from Pattani province earlier this week.

Phang Nga authorities confirmed the province remains secure after a suspicious object resembling an artificial stone was discovered and safely deactivated in front of the Governor’s residence.

Krabi officials have reassured residents and visitors of the province’s safety following a series of security incidents involving suspected explosive devices and online threats.

Authorities in Phuket have successfully located and destroyed a suspicious device buried near a construction site at Surin Beach in Cherng Talay, following a confession by a suspect linked to a broader bombing plot across southern Thailand.

Phuket International Airport (HKT) has announced revised access routes to both international and domestic terminals, aligning with new stringent security protocols.

Subscribe
Goong Nang Suksawat
Goong Nang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for more than eight years and has worked with The Pattaya News for more than six 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.