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🌍 From the Island
25 September 2026
High season is seven weeks out. Hotels are hiring, beach clubs are touching up the paint, and the island is quietly switching gears. But the stories that matter this week are the ones the tourist calendar does not track.
Cannabis regulation lands. The cabinet approved a bill restricting cannabis to medical use only. Recreational sales become explicitly illegal once it passes parliament. If you run one of the island's 1,000+ dispensaries - or enjoy a smoke - read the full breakdown of what is actually changing and when.
Nominee crackdown moves to Phuket. US$728 million in assets seized nationally. A Phuket MP summoned by the DSI. If you hold a villa through a Thai company structure, we published a full guide to the legal alternatives - leasehold, superficies, usufruct, and what most property lawyers now recommend.
Dog shelter at the limit. The Mai Khao government shelter is housing over 1,000 dogs. Each caretaker manages more than 100 animals. Budget cuts have hit the daily feed rations. Soi Dog needs foster carers. Details below.
Let's go.
👋 Welcome to the newest members of the community
A quick shout-out to the businesses that joined Phuket Community this week. If you know them or use them, show them some love.
Go Travel Phuket - local tour agency offering tours and experiences across Phuket and Khao Lak.
Pray Dive - family dive centre offering PADI courses, discover scuba, fun dives, night dives, and kids' diving.
Halo Rooftop Bar - rooftop bar and restaurant on Karon Beach.
Beer Bank Rawai - over 300 craft and draft beers in bottles and cans. Claimed to be the largest selection in south Phuket.
Vanakkam Indian Restaurant - specialist in South Indian cuisine with fully customised spice levels and ingredient options.
If your business belongs on Phuket Community, the free listing takes about five minutes at phuketcommunity.com/join.
⚡ Quick Island Pulse
🌧️ Monsoon: the final stretch.
Southwest winds at 20-30 km/h, west coast swells at 1-2 metres. The Provincial Disaster Prevention Office activated drainage pumps in Kathu, Chalong, and Patong following heavy surface runoff mid-week. Check local conditions before water activities - afternoon thundershowers can push swells higher quickly.
If you live in the south and want genuinely useful local weather updates, @nom_in_thailand on Instagram is worth a follow. Real-time, resident-level, no fluff.
🛣️ South coast squeeze.
Rawai and Chalong access roads are running slow as development project diversions and monsoon-related surface works overlap. Add 10-15 minutes to any southern commute during morning and late-afternoon peaks.
🌕 This weekend.
Full Moon beach party at Paradise Beach, Patong, Saturday from 7pm. White Party at Catch Beach Club, Saturday. Naka Weekend Market Sat-Sun 4pm-11pm. Lard Yai Walking Street Sunday from 4pm. Negroni Week at Malika Sky Bar wraps Saturday - final night for the charity cocktail series.
🏛️ Normal office hours.
No public holidays this week. Phuket Immigration (Phuket Town and Patong branches) open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. If you have a 90-day report or TM30 due, standard window applies.
⚠️ VDC security checks ongoing.
An administrative audit on September 20 found an unregistered former convict serving in the Phuket Volunteer Defense Corps. Island-wide background re-examinations are now in progress for all VDC personnel. Worth knowing if auxiliary security operates in your estate or moo baan.
Wilsons - new dish trial at Phuket Town
We are trying something new at Wilsons Town this weekend.
Turk-ish Eggs. Our take on a classic. Herb yogurt, poached eggs, chilli oil, sourdough. Town only for now. Not on the menu, so ask for it. If it holds, we will bring it to Rawai next.
While you are there: free fries with any burger from 1pm on Friday, both branches.
Wilsons Rawai · Wilsons Phuket Town
📰 The Week in Stories
New this week on Phuket Community
Thailand's cannabis U-turn - what it means for Phuket
The cabinet has approved a bill to restrict cannabis to medical use only. If you enjoy a smoke, or run one of the island's 1,000+ dispensaries, here is what is actually changing - the penalties, the prescription pathway, the timeline, and what enforcement is likely to look like on the ground.
Read the full story on phuketcommunity.com ->If not a nominee company, then what - how foreigners actually hold property in Thailand
The nominee crackdown is real and it is expanding. We published a full guide to the legal structures that property lawyers in Thailand actually recommend - condominium freehold, registered 30-year leases, superficies rights, usufruct, and the combined structure most lawyers now put together for villa buyers.
If you are currently holding property through a nominee company structure, the time to talk to a qualified Thai property lawyer is now.
We are building a directory of recommended property lawyers on the island. If you have worked with a good one, share their name with us at phuketcommunity.com/submit.
Read the full story on phuketcommunity.com ->⭐ Community
Phuket's stray dog shelter is at breaking point.
The Mai Khao government stray dog shelter is currently housing over 1,000 animals. Each caretaker is managing more than 100 dogs. That is not a typo - it is the actual ratio.
Fourth-quarter municipal budget delays have forced cuts to daily feed rations. The Soi Dog Foundation is stepping in with weekly medical visits, emergency surgeries, and vaccination protocols - but they are not structured or funded to run the government shelter themselves.
Soi Dog treated 24,125 animals and performed 24,239 surgeries island-wide in 2025. Canine distemper remains a seasonal threat. They are now actively recruiting foster carers for senior and hospice dogs - domestic placements, short or long term, veterinary support provided. Full story via The Phuket News.
Separately, Patong Municipality is in early talks about creating a dedicated cat sanctuary as abandoned feline numbers rise across the west coast.
What this means for residents
If you have the space and time: Soi Dog is recruiting foster carers now. Short-term and hospice placements are available. Register directly at soidog.org - suitable for long-stayers with a stable home environment.
If you want to donate: The budget delay is the trigger. Direct financial support has immediate impact right now, before the municipal allocation arrives. Donate at soidog.org/donate - one-off or monthly, bank transfer, card, and PayPal accepted.
If you own pets: Keep distemper and rabies vaccinations current. Soi Dog recommends a 21-day observation period before introducing any street or shelter animal into your home.
🧾 Also This Week
🛂 Immigration
DTV rules tightened from August 31: Destination Thailand Visa applicants must now submit proof of permanent residency in the country where they apply, plus a certified criminal record clearance. Language school enrolments have been stripped from the soft-power eligibility track entirely - only accredited Muay Thai camps or culinary programmes qualify. Details via The Thaiger.
🏛️ Community
A court case in Chalong could displace 669 households - more than 3,000 people - in the Khok Tanod community in Moo 9. Private landowners have filed eviction lawsuits against residents, some of whose families have lived there for decades. The provincial government is offering emergency relocation support, temporary housing through the Centre for the Protection of the Destitute, and long-term options through the Baan Mankong programme. If you are affected or know someone who is, register with the Provincial Office of Social Development. Via The Phuket News.
✈️ Aviation
Israeli carriers are preparing to expand direct routes into Phuket International Airport to six flights per week. Airport operators are coordinating security and customs protocols to handle the increased volumes. For residents whose visiting family travel from Israel, the connection is getting meaningfully more convenient. Via The Thaiger.
🏨 Development
Botanica Luxury Phuket has launched HYTHE, a 276-unit vertical villa project on 21 rai inside the Laguna Phuket enclave in Cherng Talay. Units start at 10.8 million baht (57 sqm one-bedroom) and scale to pool duplexes and penthouses. Developer targets 5-7% annual rental yields. Launch details here.
⚠️ Consumer Watch
Thai authorities are actively auditing corporate nominee structures used by foreign buyers to hold landed property. The DSI has issued a third summons to a Phuket MP over alleged nominee shareholding in local property firms. If you are holding a villa through a Thai company structure, a legal review is no longer optional - it is overdue. Read our full guide to legal alternatives on phuketcommunity.com.
📬 Got an event, tip, or opening to share?
We reach thousands of residents, long-stayers, and locals every Friday. If it is worth knowing about, we want it.
Submit here ->💡 Island Life Hack
Pet safety during wet season: the short version.
Canine distemper flares across Phuket every wet season. With the government shelter overcrowded and street animal contact inevitable in most neighbourhoods, now is the time to get ahead of it.
Vaccinate now: Distemper and rabies boosters should be current before high season. Most Phuket vet clinics can fit you in within a day or two - call ahead. Budget 500-1,200 baht for a booster visit depending on the clinic.
Quarantine before introducing: Soi Dog recommends a 21-day observation period if you take in any street or shelter animal. Even if the animal looks healthy, this window matters.
Save this number: Soi Dog Foundation's clinic line is +66 76 681 920. For wildlife or marine animals, the 24-hour Forest Protect Hotline is 1362 (covers all provinces including Phuket).
Check your property perimeter: Flooding opens gaps in fencing and walls. If your compound backs onto scrubland, a quick check this weekend could prevent an encounter you did not plan for.
🧭 The In-Between
A weekly reflection on change, transition and new beginnings in Phuket
By Johnny Carter | The Next Chapter
Change direction without burning everything down
Sometimes the biggest changes begin with smaller questions. In this week's column, Johnny explores why we reach for the dramatic - quit, move, sell everything - when something stops feeling right, and what happens when you try one small experiment instead.
This week's question: what is one small experiment you could make this week instead of forcing a major decision?
🍜 Out & About
Shokun Yakiniku - Phuket Town
Japanese BBQ done properly, in town
Sets start at 599 baht but the 799 is the sweet spot - that is when the wagyu options kick in. They run a 1,299 and even a 1,699 for A5 cuts, but the 799 is the right mix for most people. We did get a plate of the special A5 and it was worth every baht.
Small place, busy on weekends. Book ahead or go early.
🏗️ Property & Development Corner
Market moves this week
Vertical living arrives at Laguna.
HYTHE by Botanica is the latest signal that Phuket's west coast is running out of horizontal space. Four six-storey buildings, 276 units, 21 rai inside Laguna Phuket. Starting at 10.8 million baht, integrated into Botanica Grand Avenue's resort facilities, and targeting 5-7% yield.
Eco-conscious builds expanding north.
British-led The Zero Nai Yang - 150 units, 350m from Sirinat National Park - has solar arrays, rainwater collection, EV charging, and padel courts. Entry at 3.9 million baht. Positioned at digital nomads and sustainability-focused buyers who do not need a beach view.
⚖️ Legal Watch
DSI is active on nominee ownership structures island-wide. Foreign buyers should prioritise direct foreign-quota condominium freeholds or 30-year registered leaseholds through the Land Department. Thai company structures holding villas are the specific target - get a legal review before the audit finds you. Read our full guide to the legal alternatives on phuketcommunity.com.
Track new launches.
Our sister project Hawook is building a new app to help track Phuket's best new property launches. Still in beta, but it already has some of the top projects listed.
🎓 Schools & Family Corner
This week on campus
🏆 BISP hosted PISAC championships.
British International School Phuket ran the PISAC Football and Cross Country Championships this week, with teams from BISP, HeadStart, BCIS, and UWC Thailand competing across U9-U18 brackets. BISP took the U11 Boys and Girls football titles. HeadStart City won U13 Girls. Full results via The Phuket News.
🥋 Dojo Phuket expands into schools.
Dojo Phuket has taken its judo and combat sports programme directly into HeadStart, HEI, and BISP campuses alongside its Manik facility. If your child is at one of those schools, it is worth asking about the in-school schedule. Via The Phuket News.
💸 Resident Deals
Deals & specials worth your attention
Resort restaurants on Eatigo, a new beachfront launch offer, and the Wilson's Friday deal.
Prego Kata (OZO Phuket) - 50% off food, Eatigo
Italian at Kata Beach, half price on the food bill for time-specific bookings. Book ahead on Eatigo Thailand - the 14:00-16:00 window is the sweet spot.
Chao Leh Kitchen (Four Points Sheraton, Patong) - 50% off buffet, Eatigo
International and Andaman seafood buffet at a Sheraton for half the standard price. Specific time slots only via Eatigo. Worth the drive to Patong if you are already heading that way.
Bosu Bar and Izakaya (Baan Laimai, Patong) - 50% off food, Eatigo
Japanese izakaya small plates and yakitori at half price. A genuine low-season deal - book via Eatigo Thailand before the high-season prices return.
Simple Phuket (Rawai Beachfront) - free pool access with any food order
New opening promotion: free swimming pool access for dining guests, plus opening drink specials. No booking platform needed - show up at Simple Phuket on Rawai Beach. Likely to last until they are properly established.
Wilsons - free fries every Friday from 1pm
Today only: free fries from 1pm with any burger purchase, both branches. Find Wilsons here.
📅 Events Snapshot
Friday 25 September to Thursday 1 October 2026
| Date | Event | Venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 25 Sep | Fun Friday Market | Boat Avenue, Cherng Talay | Free |
| Fri 25 Sep | The House Party 3 | BOA, Patong, from 21:00 | - |
| Thru Sat 27 | Negroni Week 2026 - final nights | Malika Sky Bar, Kalima Resort, Patong | Free entry |
| Sat 26 Sep | Full Moon Beach Party | Paradise Beach, Patong, from 19:00 | - |
| Sat 26 Sep | White Party | Catch Beach Club, Bang Tao | - |
| Sat-Sun 26-27 | Naka Weekend Night Market (500+ stalls) | Wirat Hong Yok Rd, Phuket Town, 16:00-23:00 | Free |
| Sat 26 Sep | Blue Tree Family Market | Blue Tree Complex, Cherng Talay, 16:00-22:00 | Free |
| Sat 26 Sep | Chillva Night Market | Yaowarat Rd, Ratsada, 17:00-23:00 | Free |
| Sun 27 Sep | Lard Yai Walking Street | Thalang Rd, Old Phuket Town, 16:00-22:00 | Free |
| Daily | Rawai Seafood Market | Wiset Rd, Rawai Waterfront, 18:00-21:00 | Free |
| Tue 30 Sep | Thai-Malay Culture & Halal Food Week - opens | Robinson Lifestyle Thalang (runs to Oct 4) | Free |
| Daily | Malin Plaza Night Market | Prachanukhro Rd, Patong, 11:00-midnight | Free |
Full calendar: phuketcommunity.com/events
Submit your event: forms.gle/Sne2PeSpmP9CHb8F6
🤝 Community & Partners
Want to reach this community?
Residents, long-stayers, and property owners read this every Friday morning. If your business belongs in front of that audience, reply to this email or list your business at phuketcommunity.com/join.
🔗 Know someone who belongs here?
Forward this to one person who lives on the island - or is thinking about it. This newsletter exists because residents share it with each other.
Subscribe here ->That is a week with some real weight to it. The dog shelter story is the kind of thing that sits with you. It is also the kind of thing this community can actually move on - if enough of us do something small.
And if you are holding property through a nominee structure, that story is not going away. The guide is there when you need it.
Sabai sabai. See you next Friday, 2 October.
