For emergency volunteer police assistance 24/7 please call the help-line number: 0880 900 911

The original volunteer police movement was started during the recovery period after the 2004 tsunami. Realising that communication between foreigners and the Royal Thai Police (RTP) would be better served by the use of foreign nationals as liaison officers, the Tourist Police Department (TPD) founded a foreign volunteer programme – which is still in existence today. Some of those volunteers saw the need for similar liaison with the immigration services and the Immigration Bureau agreed to lend its support to the starting of the Phuket Immigration Volunteers (PIV) programme as a separate entity from the TPD.

PIV officers man the Phuket Town Immigration Office and when necessary the Patong Immigration Office. They are trained and prepared to answer immigration related questions and to liaise with the Immigration police officers.

The PIV offered its services to the “Tourist Assistance” programme started by Kathu police to have foreign citizens patrol with RTP officers in Patong. PIV officers offer advice and information to tourists and expatriates, attend accident and crime scenes involving foreigners and try to maintain Patong as a safe and pleasant place to visit. More recently, the PIV role has expanded to include looking after visiting foreign military personnel and also added Chalong, Kata and Karon to its patrol areas.

Located approximately 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of the south. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South’s wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island and province.

Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean, the province covers an area of approximately 543 square kilometers (excluding small islets). It is estimated that Phuket Province covers an area of approximately 590 square kilometers if its 39 other small islands are included. The islands total length, from north to south, is estimated at 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide.

Phuket borders on Phang-nga Province to the north. The other 3 sides are encircled by the Andaman Sea the place where many of the best diving sites are located. The island is connected to Phang-nga Province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge.

Staying on the island is easy, as there are only two seasons in a year – the rainy season (May to October) and the hot season (November to April). The low season of Phuket is between September and October as they are the wettest months. The best period for a visit, is from November to February, when it is possible to see the clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal clear water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed beaches. Average temperatures ranges between 23 C and 33 C.

Phuket’s topology is exceptional with 70 percent of its area covered with mountains which stretch from north to south and the remaining 30 percent being plains located in the central and eastern parts of the island. The island does not have any major rivers except for a total of 9 brooks and creeks.

Phuket is divided into 3 administrative counties namely Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Thalang and Amphoe Kathu.

Phuket has a lot more to offer its visitors other than its natural heritage sea, sand, sky, beach, forest, and world renowned diving sites. Shino-Portuguese architecture casts its spell delighting travelers to the city, while Phuket-style hospitality has never failed to impress visitors from all walks of life. In addition, accommodations ranging from world-class resorts to tropical-style bungalows have warmly catered to the different needs of travelers. For seafood lovers, there is a lot more to sample than just Phuket’s famous lobster. Altogether, these characteristics have made Phuket a truly unique destination.

History of Phuket

Most geologists believe that the area known as Phuket today was once a cape that extended into the Andaman Sea. Geographical formations gradually changed the capes location, finally detaching it from the mainland. Read the rest of this entry »

Not just a watering hole for yachties with hard tack and weevils, the Watermark is a fine dining establishment with a broad spectrum of modern cuisine but with a leaning towards Thai (naturally) and Italian foods. Complimenting the rations is a wide selection of wines from some great vineyards in Australia and New Zealand.

Fishing in Phuket is not yet discovered by the crowds. On your Thailand vacation you too can experience the excitement of fishing on Black and Blue Marlin, Tuna, King Fish, Dolphin Fish, Wahoo, Shark or Barracuda in the warm waters of the Andaman Sea around Phuket. Phuket, the ‘Sea Fish Capital of Asia’, offers you fishing all year round.

Get ready for an unforgettable fishing experience!