
Two foreign organizers of the Entourage Bali Run Club, a silent disco run in Canggu, have been deported and blacklisted from Indonesia by the Directorate General of Immigration. The event gained international attention and sparked backlash when local Balinese and Indonesian participants were reportedly blocked from purchasing tickets. Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, stated that the organizers violated regulations and held an event with discrimination against local residents, describing it as a "state within a state." The Ngurah Rai Immigration Office is now summoning the guarantors or sponsors of the deported individuals, indicating a broader crackdown on visa sponsors who facilitate law-breaking foreigners. While Entourage Bali Run Club stated the event was not discriminatory and designed for international digital nomads and the local community, and Badung Police confirmed no prohibition against Indonesian citizens, many community running events in Canggu and Uluwatu have temporarily paused operations to restructure and ensure local inclusion and respect.
This summary was generated from a story originally published by Bali news.

A Palestinian refugee is being temporarily held at the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center in Bali for further examination after being suspected of violating Indonesian immigration rules. The 35-year-old man, MAFA, was reported by residents for allegedly operating as a tourism services vendor in Jungutbatu Village on Nusa Lembongan Island, Klungkung District. Officials from the Klungkung Immigration Office found evidence suggesting he had engaged in activities that violated immigration regulations, including promoting tourism packages through social media. Denpasar Immigration Detention Center Chief Teguh Mentalyadi stated that MAFA was formally detained on Wednesday, September 9, and transferred to the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center in Jimbaran, Badung District. The Klungkung Immigration Office determined that MAFA violated Article 75 1 of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration. Due to MAFA's refugee status, the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center will coordinate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR and other relevant parties to ensure compliance with applicable regulations during further immigration measures.
Must readTransNusa has introduced nonstop flights connecting Bali and Phuket, offering a direct air link between these two Southeast Asian island destinations. The inaugural service from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport took place on September 9, 2026. The flight duration is approximately four hours. Initially, the route will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, before becoming a daily service from October 3, 2026. This new route eliminates the need for connecting flights, making it easier to combine Bali and Phuket in a single itinerary. Datuk Bernard Francis, TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer, stated that the route aims to boost tourism, create economic opportunities, and strengthen TransNusa's hub in Bali. The direct connection also facilitates international passengers combining Phuket and Bali with other Indonesian destinations. Flights depart Bali at 11:30 AM, arriving in Phuket at 2:35 PM. Return flights leave Phuket at 3:35 PM, arriving in Bali at 8:35 PM. The service uses an Airbus A320 with 174 seats. Introductory one-way fares start at IDR 2,399,000 or USD 135. TransNusa offers three fare products: SEAT 20kg baggage, SEAT-PLUS, and FLEXI-PRO 30kg baggage, hot meal, priority boarding, flexible changes. This launch precedes Thailand's new visa-exemption rules, effective September 15, 2026, which could encourage multi-destination trips for long-stay travelers and remote workers. The Phuket launch is part of TransNusa's broader ex
Must readHayley Davis, a Perth woman, incurred a $10,650 bill for a New Year's Eve VIP daybed at Atlas Super Club in Kuta, Bali, after misinterpreting the cost. She believed the daybed, which included a private pool and a performance by American rapper Swae Lee, cost $1650. During the event, she attempted to tip the waitress with the remaining $7000 on her tab due to a language barrier, leading to the group receiving numerous bottles of alcohol. It took three days for Davis to realize the actual cost when her card was declined for a small purchase, revealing the $10,650 charge. Her friends eventually paid their shares of the bill, though an additional $700 in interest had accumulated. Davis admitted to converting the currency incorrectly.