| November 13, 2026 | The DTV just got a lot harder to get | This week on the islandYour weekly briefing from Phuket Community |
| Presented by Wilsons New dish trial at Wilsons Phuket Town this weekend, plus free fries with any burger from 1pm Friday. Find us → |
| From the IslandTwo enforcement stories this week that matter if you live here. First: the Destination Thailand Visa has been tightened significantly. You now need proof of residence, a criminal background clearance, a bank balance of at least THB 500,000 held for three to six months, and you must register on the TDAC system within 72 hours of arrival. If you were planning to apply, or advising someone who was, the goalposts have moved. Full details below. Second: DOPA raided two unlicensed entertainment venues in Thalang on November 8 under Operation Andaman Lockdown. Foreign staff without permits, suspected nominee ownership, after-hours alcohol sales. Five-year closures are being recommended to the governor. AMLO is examining the finances. The nominee crackdown has moved past property into business operations. Loy Krathong opens at Saphan Hin on Monday, running 16 to 25 November with full moon night on Tuesday the 24th. The Global Wellness Summit wrapped up at Angsana Laguna yesterday after four days. And overnight airport closures are now active, 13 more between now and December 24. Let's get into it. |
| Welcome to our newest membersGo Bould Climbing Gym, bouldering and indoor climbing facility joining the directory. Boost Cafe, cafe and refreshments, now listed on the directory. Leaf Spirit, wellness and natural lifestyle, now listed. Shine Shack, beauty and personal care, now listed. If your business belongs on Phuket Community, the free listing takes about five minutes at phuketcommunity.com/join. |
| Quick Island Pulse🌡 WeatherNortheast monsoon established. Highs 31 to 33.7°C, overnight lows 24 to 26.2°C. West coast seas calm at 0.5 to 1.5 metres. Afternoon showers 40 to 60% probability, lasting 20 to 40 minutes. TMD Advisory No. 5 expires today, November 13. The worst of the monsoon flooding is behind us. 🚗 TrafficNanai Road (Banzaan to Pearl Roundabout) is clear. Central bypass underpasses have ongoing maintenance with intermittent lane closures. Highway 402 at Sarasin has surveyors on site for the planned 2.27 km widening. Expect congestion around Saphan Hin from Monday evening as the Loy Krathong festival opens, running through November 25. 💰 BahtMid-market, 13 November. GBP 44.80 to 44.85 THB. USD 33.35 to 33.59 THB. EUR 36.20 to 36.50 THB. AUD 22.90 to 23.10 THB. Retail rates will differ. 📒 ImmigrationDTV requirements tightened significantly. See the full story below. Blue Tree branch closed since October; all services at Phuket Town. Visa exemption is 30 days for 60 countries (in effect since September 15). Extension costs THB 1,900. Online 90-day reporting still works. ✈ AviationOvernight closures now active. First ran November 11; thirteen more until December 24, roughly 11pm to 7am. One runway. Check with your airline for any late-night or early-morning arrivals. | Sponsored  Something new at Wilsons Phuket Town Wilsons is trialling something new at Phuket Town this weekend: Turk-ish Eggs. Herb yogurt, poached eggs, chilli oil, sourdough. Town only for now. It is not on the menu, so ask for it. If it holds, they will bring it to Rawai next. Also running this Friday: free fries with any burger from 1pm, at both branches. Find us → |
| The Week in StoriesDTV tightened: new requirements now in effectThe Destination Thailand Visa has quietly become much harder to get. These requirements are now in effect: Proof of permanent residence in your home country. A certified criminal background clearance. Evidence of a THB 500,000 personal bank balance held for three to six months. TDAC registration, mandatory at tdac.immigration.go.th, within 72 hours of arrival. The DTV was designed as a flexible option for remote workers and digital nomads. Combined with the 30-day visa exemption (since September 15), long-term stay options without a traditional visa are narrowing. If you are currently on a DTV, check your renewal requirements. If you were advising someone to apply, the paperwork has changed. And if you are holding property or running a business through structures that assumed easy re-entry, that is now a conversation for your immigration lawyer. What it means for residents The THB 500,000 bank balance must be held for three to six months. You cannot prepare this in a rush. Start the process well ahead of any renewal. The criminal background clearance requires coordination with authorities in your home country. Add processing time. Check your passport stamp. If you entered on a visa exemption after September 15, your permitted stay is 30 days, not 60. The overstay fine is THB 500 per day. Read the full guide Two Thalang venues raided, five-year closures recommendedThe Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) raided two unlicensed entertainment venues in Thalang on November 8 as part of Operation Andaman Lockdown. What they found: foreign staff working without permits, suspected after-hours alcohol sales, suspected foreign-nominee ownership structures. DOPA is preparing to recommend five-year closures to the Phuket governor. The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has been called in to examine the venues' finances. This is the nominee crackdown moving beyond property into business operations. The same enforcement pattern (nominee structures, foreign ownership through Thai companies, AMLO financial scrutiny) is now hitting hospitality and entertainment. If you operate any business through a Thai company with a foreign beneficial owner, this is the signal that enforcement is broadening. Get independent legal advice. Read more Loy Krathong: Saphan Hin from Monday, full moon on the 24thPhuket's main Loy Krathong celebrations run November 16 to 25 at Saphan Hin, with the full moon and the main night on Tuesday 24 November. Concerts, food stalls, and cultural performances run each evening from 5pm for the full ten days. On the 24th, expect severe evening congestion around Saphan Hin, Patong Beach, Nai Harn Lake, Kata Beach, and Chalong Bay. If you are heading out that night, go early or go late. For families: community eco-centres in Rawai and Chalong run biodegradable krathong workshops 16 to 23 November, THB 150 per child. Read more Global Wellness Summit wraps up at Angsana LagunaThe 20th annual Global Wellness Summit concluded yesterday at Angsana Laguna Phuket after four days. Theme this year: "The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness." Delegates pay USD 6,000 to attend. Hosted by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Amazing Thailand, and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. Phuket won the hosting over competing destinations. GWS reinforces the island's positioning in wellness and medical tourism, and wellness-branded developments are now pricing at the top of the market. Worth watching where the investment follows. Read more EV bus running: airport to Rawai, from THB 40The PPAO electric bus service launched earlier this month, running from Phuket International Airport directly to Rawai Pier. Fares start at THB 40 depending on distance. Students, elderly passengers, and disabled passengers travel free. This is the first island-wide public bus route with regular service. Route timetables still being confirmed, but the buses are running. Worth trying if you have been relying on taxis. Read more | Also This Week✈ Airport closures now active: First overnight runway closure ran November 11. Thirteen more scheduled until December 24, each roughly 11pm to 7am. One runway. Check with your airline for late-night or early-morning flights. The Phuket News 🚪 Tourist Police deploy 100 to Bangla: Commissioner Phongsiam deployed 100 officers to Soi Bangla on November 10. Arrivals January to July: 8.1 million, down 1.53% year on year. Enforcement is intensifying ahead of peak season. 🚨 Missing person: Deven Naicker, 65, from Durban, South Africa, has been missing from the ASHLEE Plaza Patong hotel since November 6. The hotel reported his absence on November 9. If you have any information, contact Patong Police. 🚪 Fatal assault in Thalang: Two teenagers charged with the fatal attack on a local man in Thalang District. Both transferred to Juvenile Court. Stricter nighttime curfew enforcement for minors signalled. The Phuket News 🎰 Tourism enforcement: An unlicensed Russian national arrested while guiding a tour group at Big Buddha. Foreign guide enforcement remains active at major sites. The Phuket News ✈ Airport cargo ring: Eight arrested for stealing electronics from Phuket airport's cargo warehouse. The Phuket News 🚥 Water pipeline: The THB 3.25 billion Phuket-Phang Nga pipeline is progressing. Relevant for anyone who has lived through a dry season: chronic shortages in March to May have long affected the west coast. JFTB 🚘 Highway 402 widening: Surveyors on site for the planned 2.27 km widening from Sarasin Bridge to Tha Chatchai. No construction timeline yet. Aster of Asia 🌊 Turtle releases: 170 green sea turtles released at Nai Yang. An Olive Ridley turtle rescued from Nai Yang Beach, a Hawksbill freed from a net at Karon Beach. |
| 💡 Island Life HackLaguna Phuket Triathlon is this weekend. Here is what to know. The Laguna Phuket Triathlon runs Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November at Laguna Grove, Cherng Talay. Whether you are racing or just want to watch, there is a category for every level, and the event draws a serious crowd. Here is how it breaks down: Triathlon Pro and Individual. The full distance: 1.8 km swim, 50 km bike, 12 km run. For experienced multi-sport athletes ready to push hard over the full course. Team Relay. Same distances (1.8 km swim, 50 km bike, 12 km run), split across a team. Good option if you want to race without doing all three legs yourself. Sprint Distance. 0.5 km swim, 20 km bike, 6 km run. Designed for newcomers to triathlon. Manageable distances, same atmosphere as the main race. Duathlon. No swimming: 4 km run, 50 km bike, 12 km run. The multisport alternative for those who want to skip the ocean leg entirely. Expect road disruptions around Laguna on Saturday and Sunday morning. Build extra time into any north-coast travel plans this weekend. For full race details and more info, follow @lagunaphukettri on Instagram. |
| Out & AboutLUME Bang Tao, Boat AvenueA Mediterranean restaurant at Boat Avenue that has been quietly building a following. The Thursday five-course set menu at THB 950 is the reason to go this week. The same dishes run THB 2,551 a la carte. It is a proper meal, not a tasting-portion situation. Worth ordering: Seafood Risotto, Mussels in Tomato Sauce, or the Parma Ham and Arugula Pizza. Reserve via WhatsApp on +66 81 148 5968 or walk in. Thursdays, 6pm to 9pm only. 📍 LUME Bang Tao on Google Maps → | Property & Development CornerMarket moves this week The nominee crackdown has moved past property audits into business operations. AMLO is now examining entertainment venue finances. If you hold property or run a business through a Thai company, the December 31 deadline has not moved. Get legal advice now. Pricing snapshot: Layan at THB 183,720/sqm. Bang Tao at THB 169,000 to 250,000/sqm. Kathu at THB 85,000 to 110,000/sqm (entry-level, digital nomad and long-stayer focus). Kamala up 16% year on year, the fastest growth on the island. Yield reality check: Kathu is delivering 5.2 to 6.0% net, Bang Tao 6.5 to 8.2% net. These are market figures after fees. Developer promotions quoting 10 to 15% gross are sales targets. Ask for audited occupancy figures before treating them as reliable. Gardens of Eden Resort: Minor Hotels' Reserve Collection brand coming to Bang Tao. Low-density ecological design. Worth tracking as an indicator of where luxury hospitality is heading. Water infrastructure: The THB 3.25 billion Phuket-Phang Nga pipeline directly improves the viability of north and west coast developments that have historically struggled during dry season. Relevant for buyers weighing long-term utility reliability. Legal watch: No legislative changes in November 2026. The 49% freehold quota is intact, 30-year leaseholds standard. The live risk is not new laws. It is existing ones being enforced. For deeper coverage of Southeast Asia property investment, including Thailand, follow Hawook's weekly briefing: Southeast Asia property news at Hawook → |
| Schools & Family CornerThis week on campus HeadStart International School is running Open Days mid-November at both its Chaofah and Cherngtalay campuses. These sessions cover Cambridge curriculum pathways for 2027/28 admissions and are open to prospective families. Contact HeadStart directly for dates and times. Cheerleading gold: Phuket's youth cheerleading team returned from an international tournament with a gold medal. Well done to the team and their coaches. Eco-Krathong workshops for children: Community eco-centres in Rawai and Chalong are running hands-on workshops where children make biodegradable Loy Krathong floats using organic materials. Running 16 to 23 November, THB 150 per child. Good timing before full moon night on the 24th. For the full picture: International schools in Phuket, the complete guide |
| Resident DealsLUME Bang Tao, Boat Avenue, Cherng Talay 5-course Mediterranean sharing menu (Liver Pate, Watermelon and Feta, Mussels, Seafood Risotto, Parma Ham Pizza) for THB 950 per person. Normal a la carte value: THB 2,551. Thursdays only, 6pm to 9pm. Walk in or reserve via WhatsApp: +66 81 148 5968. Azzurra Restaurant, Angsana Laguna Phuket, Bang Tao Beach "Azzurra Amore al Mare" Italian dining package: THB 3,800++ per couple, 3-course premium Italian set menu plus two glasses of welcome bubbly. Resort property, but the couple pricing makes it more accessible than the rack rate suggests. Advance reservation required. Limited seating. Contact Azzurra at Angsana Laguna directly. |
| What's On This WeekDate | Event | Where |
|---|
| Fri 13 | Boat Avenue Friday Market (5pm) | Boat Avenue, Cherng Talay | | Fri 13 | Catch Beach Sunset Sessions (5pm) | Catch Beach Club, Bang Tao | | Fri 13 | Muay Thai Fight Night (9pm) | Patong Boxing Stadium | | Sat 14 | Rawai Park Family Workshop (10am) | Rawai Park | | Sat 14 | Naka Weekend Night Market (4pm) | Chaofah West Rd, Phuket Town | | Sat 14 | Cafe del Mar Saturday Sunset (4pm) | Cafe del Mar, Kamala | | Sat 14 | Laguna Phuket Triathlon Day 1 (all day) | Laguna Grove, Cherng Talay | | Sun 15 | Laguna Phuket Triathlon Day 2 / Finals (all day) | Laguna Grove, Cherng Talay | | Sun 15 | Lard Yai Sunday Walking Street (4pm) | Thalang Road, Old Town | | Sun 15 | Nai Harn Sunset Yoga (5:15pm) | Lake Park, Nai Harn Beach | | Mon 16 | Loi Krathong by the Sea Opens (5pm) | Saphan Hin Park, Phuket Town | | Tue 17 | Eco-Krathong Workshop (2pm, THB 150) | Old Town Cultural Center | | Tue 17 | Laguna Tuesday Sunset Market (4pm) | Laguna Canal Village, Cherng Talay | | Wed 18 | Nomad Networking Social (6pm) | Grind Time Coworking, Rawai | | Wed 18 | Chalong Bay Distillery Rum Tour (4pm) | Chalong Bay Distillery | | Thu 19 | Limelight Indy Market (4pm) | Limelight Avenue, Phuket Town | | Thu 19 | Saphan Hin Cultural Showcase (6pm) | Saphan Hin Stage, Phuket Town |
More events on our events calendar. Running something? Hit the Submit an event button on the calendar page. It is free and takes two minutes. | From the ArchiveWith Loy Krathong starting and high-season arrivals picking up, worth bookmarking or forwarding to someone who just landed: Getting connected: internet, SIM and fibre Supermarkets on Phuket, the complete guide Phuket Old Town: what has changed and what is worth your time Tours and day trips for people who live here Dog-friendly Phuket: where to go with your dog | | Know someone who'd enjoy this? Forward it, or they can subscribe at phuketcommunity.com | See you next Friday. Stay curious, stay kind. Phuket Community |
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