The Latest Breaking News from Phuket

A stronger occupancy rate and the abrupt surge of the Russian market has Phuket hotels facing a labour shortage during the high season, prompting operators to urge the government to help attract more foreign workers to shore up the market.

Super-app Grab has launched "GrabTukTuk" service in Phuket, aiming to capture tourists flocking to the southern island following the country's reopening.

The Ministry of Labour is arranging part-time jobs for students among its proposals to solve the current labour shortage in the tourism sector in Phuket.

PHUKET: A fire broke out on a tour boat anchored at a boat pier in Muang district on Sunday morning, causing some damage but no deaths or injuries, governor Narong Woonciew said.

Celebrations to welcome foreign visitors took place at seven airports and two immigration checkpoints on Saturday as the country recorded 10 million foreign tourist arrivals for the year.

As Thailand's tourism industry makes a strong recovery following the lifting of travel restrictions and reopening of borders, business operators are finding themselves with a new challenge -- a shortage of staff to meet the surge in demand.

Phuket Square Co, the operator of Jungceylon shopping complex in Phuket, is scheduled to unveil the first phase of its store facelift on Dec 16, welcoming shoppers back for the year-end festive season.

Before Covid-19, Russian tourists were among the top source markets for the local tourism industry.

Following confusion at Phuket airport on Thursday night, with flight delays and runway closures causing hundreds of passengers to miss their late-night departures to Bangkok, related parties have reportedly learned their lesson and should be able to avoid repeating such mistakes again, according to a local business leader.

The tourism industry has to brace for uncertainties from domestic politics and pressure from geopolitical conflicts amid higher competition next year, forcing the public and private sectors to work together.

PHUKET: Tourism in the island province jumped 80% year-on-year from January to October, with nearly 100 billion baht now circulating in the economy, according to the Tourism Authority Office in Phuket.