is brought to you by:
Sawadee krap/ka, Phuket people! 🌺
It's Songkran week - the island's wildest, wettest, most chaotic annual moment. But this year, the water fight comes with a serious footnote: the heat index is forecast to hit 60°C. Yes, sixty. This is not a drill.
Also this week: a fatal speedboat explosion at Ao Makham, a crackdown on illegal nominee businesses, a drifting shipping container in the Andaman Sea, a DTV arrest that every visa runner needs to read, and a 30th anniversary Bike Week that's about to turn Patong into organised bedlam. Let's get into it. 👇
Hot and humid week ahead with highs of 35°C. Sun returns Sunday.
The Thai Meteorological Department has confirmed a heat index as high as 60°C in early April. Above 52°C is classified as "very dangerous" - heatstroke territory. Stay indoors between 11am and 4pm. Drink more water than you think you need.
Reservoirs are at roughly 50.7% capacity (11.22M m³). Officials say it's manageable, but 21 communities are flagged as high-risk. Good news: rains are forecast from around April 20. Bad news: until then, check your building tank and don't leave it to chance.
Immigration and all Phuket government offices are closed Monday Apr 13 through Wednesday Apr 15. They reopen Thursday Apr 16. Plan accordingly - any visa business needs to happen before Friday closes the window.
Rampa at Cafe del Mar tonight (Fri). Laguna Sunset Beach Run Saturday. SIDEPIECE at Illuzion Saturday night. Phuket Bike Week 30th anniversary kicks off Sunday. Songkran water war Monday through Wednesday. Scope the full calendar: phuketcommunity.com/events
🎣 The Home of Fun, Freshwater Catch & Release Fishing
Some people come to Phuket for beaches. Others come for cocktails. And then there are those who accidentally discover they're really into fishing.
Enter Chalong Fishing Park, our proud sponsor and the kind of place that quietly converts "I've never fished" into "when can we come back?" 🎯
This isn't sitting in silence with a floppy hat and zero action. This is arm-burning, grin-inducing, freshwater fun where monster fish pull harder than your gym membership ever did. Mekong giant catfish. Siamese carp. Redtails. The stuff you usually only see in wide-eyed holiday photos. 💪
Never held a rod before? Perfect. The guides have patience, humor, and a sixth sense for when a fish is about to ruin your forearms.
Bringing kids, partners, or non-fishing spectators? There's shade, hammocks, cold drinks, proper food, and even a pool for cooldown breaks between battles. 🏖️
It's friendly. It's well-run. It's catch-and-release with serious bragging rights. And somehow, five hours disappears in what feels like twenty minutes. ⏱️
If you're craving a Phuket experience that's unexpected, wildly fun, and oddly addictive, this is your sign. 🚩
Speedboat "Tequila" Explodes at Ao Makham - Tour Guide Confirmed Dead
On Monday April 6, around 11am, a speedboat caught fire and exploded during engine repairs at Coco Pier in Ao Makham, Wichit. The vessel - "Tequila," operated by Once Yachting - was docked when the fire broke out. Six people were onboard at the time.
Five were injured and taken to hospital. A tour guide, identified by authorities as Komphet Wanadee, 30, went missing in the immediate aftermath. He was later confirmed dead.
No tourists were aboard. But this matters for everyone on the island. Phuket's marine tourism sector employs thousands of local workers. When an incident like this happens, it ripples - through safety reviews, operator reputations, and the families of the people involved.
From April 5, operators running Phuket to Koh Phi Phi routes agreed to raise fares by up to 200 THB per person. The increase was collectively agreed (not mandated) at a meeting chaired by Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn. Reason cited: rising fuel costs and the need to maintain safety standards. Not ideal if you're island-hopping with visiting friends and family over Songkran - factor it in. Details →
Combined reservoirs are at roughly 50.7% capacity - about 11.22 million cubic metres. The Provincial Waterworks Authority is producing over 124,000 m3/day including supply piped from Phang Nga under the sea near Sarasin. Twenty-one communities have been classified as high-risk. Rain is officially expected from around April 20. The PWA has 70+ water trucks and backup treatment systems on standby. Check your building's rooftop tank before Songkran. Full update →
A large shipping container was reported drifting in the Andaman Sea approximately 50km west of Mai Khao Beach, with coordinates shared publicly to warn other vessels. This is related to ongoing debris from the February SEALLOYD ARC cargo vessel sinking. If you're on a dive trip, fishing trip, or any marine excursion in the coming days: stay alert, especially in reduced-visibility conditions. Tell your skipper.
The Radisson Blu Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach opened officially on April 3, with 222 rooms, multiple dining outlets, and full leisure facilities. It's another addition to Mai Khao's growing resort cluster in the north - good news for residents who wanted more quality options near the airport corridor.
A recent landslide on Pisitkoranee Road and 50 Pi Road in Patong damaged retaining walls and threatened nearby homes. Patong Municipality has confirmed experts from the Rural Highways Department are required for a permanent solution - for now, tarps and wooden barriers are holding the line. Factor this into routing if you're in that area, especially given the expected traffic around Bike Week and Songkran.
We reach 4,000+ readers every Friday. If it's happening on the island, we want to know about it.
Submit here →How to Do Songkran Like a Phuket Local
Every year, thousands of visitors show up to Songkran with absolutely no plan and end up soaked, lost, and slightly sunburned. Meanwhile, long-term residents have quietly developed a playbook that covers both ends of the spectrum - from the authentic Old Town ceremonies to the controlled mayhem of Bangla Road.
The short version: Old Town Phuket (Dibuk Road) runs a no-alcohol, family-oriented Songkran with traditional rod nam dam hua ceremonies (water poured over elders' hands for blessings), Buddha statue bathing at Wat Mongkol Nimit, and retro-themed parades. If you've never seen the cultural side of the festival, this is it.
Bangla Road is the full-send option. Water fights, DJ sets, and a crowd that starts early and finishes very late. Separately, YONA Beach Club (Apr 13-14) offers a floating, 360-degree Andaman Sea celebration for those who want Songkran without the street battle. Andamanda water park runs multi-genre EDM headliners all three days.
We've put together the full resident-oriented breakdown on the website - where to go by district, how to handle the traffic, and what to actually wear.
Read the full Songkran guide at phuketcommunity.com →The Songkran Survival Kit - What Locals Actually Bring
First-timers show up to Songkran with a phone and optimism. Locals show up with a system. Here's the kit.
Phuket bonus tip: Park your motorbike or car far from the main action and walk in. Getting out of Patong during Songkran peak hours in a vehicle is a commitment measured in hours, not minutes.
DTV Arrest, Songkran Closures, and What to Know Now
Phuket Tourist Police arrested a Russian national this week for operating an illegal tour business while holding a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). The DTV allows stays of up to 180 days per visit and is valid for five years - but it does not allow any work that is prohibited under Thai labour law. Running tours, leading groups, or being paid for any service counts.
This arrest was described as part of a nationwide crackdown ordered by the Tourist Police Bureau "particularly ahead of the upcoming Songkran festival." If you're doing side gigs, freelance work, or anything that blurs the line: the enforcement environment is active right now.
The eight-business nominee raid this week also hit real estate operations - not just car rentals and childcare. If you own or invest in Phuket property through any structure involving Thai nominee shareholders, now is a reasonable moment to get a legal review. The crackdown is coordinated and multi-agency. It won't slow down.
One Hand for Roti, One for the Water Gun
Roti Chaofa · Phuket Town
Songkran rule number one: whatever you’re eating, it better survive one hand.
At Roti Chaofa, it does more than survive, it steals the show. This is the kind of place locals queue for in the morning, and for good reason. The roti lands hot, crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, the kind you tear, dip, fold, and somehow finish too quickly. Pair it with their beef massaman curry or goat curry and you’ve got rich, comforting flavour that hits immediately. If you’re leaning sweet, banana roti with condensed milk is chaos in the best way.
It’s fast, affordable, and exactly what you want before stepping into the water fight.
After: Walk it off to Wilson’s Café in Phuket Town for something cold, or head straight into Songkran and accept your fate.
Phuket Builds On
Trend: Bangkok Post reporting suggests residential development investment may cool in 2026 after a 2024 peak. Phuket remains high-demand but sales are "normalising" post-boom. The west coast (Bang Tao, Surin) continues to command premiums; bang for baht remains better in Rawai and Chalong.
EIA Watch: Condo Environmental Impact Assessment reviews are under the spotlight, with Phuket officials described as "vague" on timelines. Bottlenecks here can slow new supply and affect construction schedules across the island.
Ownership reminder: Nominee land structures are now a live enforcement priority, not a theoretical risk. Get legal advice if any part of your property holding involves Thai proxy arrangements.
The 16.19 billion THB project includes a 3.98km tunnel through Nak Kerd Hill. Construction bids anticipated in 2026. Anyone who has queued on Patong Hill during peak season knows why this matters. Phase 2 (Muang Mai to Ko Kaeo to Kathu) is the longer-term follow-on.
Accor's official pipeline lists this 150-room Kamala resort as opening in early 2026. Adds another upscale flag to an already strong west-coast corridor.
16 billion THB project to take annual capacity from 12.5 million to 18 million passengers. Target completion 2029. The April 7 maritime rescue drill at HKT was part of preparedness upgrades already underway.
Plans confirmed for 5,000 additional residences across Laguna Phuket and Laguna Lakelands to meet long-stay and lifestyle migrant demand. The north-west corridor continues to be the island's fastest-developing residential zone.
Phuket property is shifting from speculative holiday-home buying toward lifestyle-led investment. Branded residences near international schools are the hot segment. Condo freehold quota (49%) and nominee structure crackdowns remain the key legal backdrop. Gross yields 5-8% on condos; villas in prime zones can reach 6-10% before management and HOA fees.
Worth Knowing This Week
Note: Mobile blood drive at Prince of Songkla University Phuket Campus is Free and the PRBC mobile donation activities pause from April 11 to 15. If you miss this week's drive and need to donate during Songkran week, Vachira Blood Bank remains open.
Street animals are at serious risk during Songkran water fights (Apr 12-15). Keep pets securely indoors. Soi Dog Foundation's Gill Dalley Sanctuary in Thalang welcomes volunteers Monday through Friday. If you're in the area: worth a visit. www.soidog.org →
Phuket's art trail closes April 30. 19 venues across Old Town, mostly walkable, all free. If you've been meaning to do it: now is literally the time. Don't let it close on you.
| Date | Event | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 10 Apr | RAMPA | Cafe del Mar, Kamala | From 1,300 THB |
| Fri 10 Apr | Nick Curly | Illuzion, Patong | 500 THB |
| Fri 10 Apr | Cassia Foam Pool Party | Cassia, Bang Tao | Free |
| Sat 11 Apr | Laguna Sunset Beach Run | XANA Beach, Bang Tao | 500 THB |
| Sat 11 Apr | SIDEPIECE | Illuzion, Patong | Ticketed |
| Sat 11 Apr | Central Phuket Songkran Water Fest | Central Floresta | TBA |
| Sun 12 Apr | Sunday Sunset Fest | Mai Khao Wine Bar, Thalang | Free |
| Sun 12 Apr | Sunday Walking Street (Lard Yai) | Thalang Rd, Old Town | Free |
| Sat-Sun 12-13 Apr | Songkran Splash Festival | KUDO Beach Club, Patong | Check venue |
| Sun-Tue 12-14 Apr | Phuket Bike Week 30th | Loma Park, Patong | Free |
| Mon-Wed 13-15 Apr | 🎉 SONGKRAN | Island-wide | Free |
| Mon-Wed 13-15 Apr | Andamanda Songkran EDM Festival | Andamanda Water Park | Ticketed |
| Mon-Tue 13-14 Apr | Maha Songkran at YONA Beach Club | YONA (floating club) | Ticketed |
| Mon-Wed 13-15 Apr | Maha Songkran - Pool Parties | Cafe del Mar, Kamala | From 1,300 THB |
| Daily to 30 Apr | Thailand Biennale Phuket | 19 venues island-wide | Free |
Full calendar: phuketcommunity.com/events - Submit events: Submit here
Support Phuket Community
To keep this newsletter sustainable and continue improving the quality of our local coverage, we’re opening a limited number of paid features.
This gives local businesses the opportunity to reach a dedicated Phuket audience while being part of what we’re building each week.
If you offer something that genuinely benefits the community, we’d be glad to hear from you.
Simply hit the reply button!
This Week's Question: Should Phuket's nominee crackdown extend to hospitality and tourism businesses? 🕵️
The raids this week hit car rentals, real estate, and childcare. But many residents say the same nominee structures are common in restaurants, tour operators, and retail. We want your take. Reply to this email with your view.
Got an event, opening, or story? Tag @phuketcommunity_com or submit here → We feature the best submissions every edition.
Know someone who needs better island intel? Forward this and brighten their Friday. 🌴
Forwarded this email? Subscribe at phuketcommunity.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Phuket Community is a free weekly newsletter for locals, expats, and travellers. We're on the island, we're independent, and we're here to help you live it better.
Sabai sabai, and Happy Songkran! See you on the other side. 🎌
— The Phuket Community Team 🇹🇭
Next edition drops Friday, April 17, 2026
© 2026 Phuket Community · Phuket, Thailand 🏝️
You're receiving this because you subscribed to the Phuket Community newsletter. Good choice.
Made with ☀️ and ❤️ in Phuket.
