News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
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Speedboat operator charged for maiming Russians
PHUKET: The driver of the speedboat that crashed into two Russian divers on Wednesday is being charged with reckless driving causing serious injury. Russian nationals named by police as Sergei Dmitriev, 30, and Dmitry Kurynov, 48, were diving near Maya Bay when they were hit by the speedboat, causing one diver to lose his leg and the other to suffer…
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Phuket governor orders investigation into Facebook ‘defamation’ post
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has ordered an investigation into a Facebook user who has accused him of taking sides in a dispute over land rights between the sea gypsy community in Rawai and developer Baron World Trade Co Ltd, which plans to build luxury villas on the contested beachfront land. The Facebook user, who goes by the screen name…
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New pathway planned as quick fix for sea gypsy land dispute
PHUKET: Land officials led by Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul yesterday measured out boundaries so that a three-meter-wide path can be cut through public land near Rawai Beach to allow members of the local sea gypsy community to access traditional ceremonial grounds while a dispute rages between the gypsies and a developer over land use rights. The decision to clear…
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U.S. gun traders rush to set up new sites after Facebook firearms ban
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. gun traders rush to set up new sites after Facebook firearms ban Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: U.S. gun traders are setting up new websites to arrange deals after Facebook Inc barred private gun sales on its platform. With gun rights and safety registering as…
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PewDiePie, others set to star in YouTube’s first original shows
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community PewDiePie, others set to star in YouTube’s first original shows Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: YouTube’s viral video stars, many of whom have a fan following in the millions, are set to appear next week in original movies and a show, as the video site attempts…
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Austrian suffers fatal heart attack on Patong Beach
PHUKET: An Austrian tourist died yesterday evening while swimming with his partner at Patong Beach. Anton Heigl, 73, was out in the water with his partner Maria Tretthann, 63, when he fell unconscious, confirmed Patong Police Lt Col Anukul Nuket. Mr Heigl was rushed to Patong Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Ms Tretthann told police that Mr…
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‘Phuket Brand’ logo to revive consumer confidence, says Gov
PHUKET: A newly revived ‘Phuket Brand’ logo can now be used by businesses to boost consumer confidence, the Phuket Office of Commercial Affairs announced yesterday. “The logo has been designed and approved since 2009 in order to promote the island’s goods and services,” said Decha Phetwong, chief of Phuket’s Office of Commercial Affairs. “But for some reason, it has not…
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Krabi hero attains Volunteer Defense Corp certification
KRABI: A Krabi man who was hailed a hero after rescuing two tourists stuck knee-deep in mud in October last year (video report here) has now become a certified member of the Krabi Volunteer Defense Corps. Chat Ubonjinda, 44, was one of 31 new defense volunteers presented with a certificate by Muang Krabi District Chief Suriyun Damrongkul yesterday, after successfully…
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Samkong junction set to close for two nights
PHUKET: The road at Samkong junction in front of Tesco Lotus will be partially closed between 10pm and 4am tonight and tomorrow to allow heavy lifting equipment to be used for construction of the underpass. “The section of road is being closed off at the request of the construction company in order to speed up completion of construction,” said Phuket…
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Phi Phi scuba divers mangled by speedboat
PHUKET: A Russian diver lost his leg and another was seriously injured after being hit by a speedboat near Maya Bay this morning. “I was taking 30 tourists to Ao Maya when it felt like we struck a submerged object. I turned the boat around and saw scuba diving tanks, and the water began to fill with blood,” said Adisorn…
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Phuket sea gypsies allowed access to ceremonial site, for now
PHUKET: Private land owners have temporarily allowed Rawai sea gypsies access to a traditional ceremonial site, pending consideration of donating the land to the seafaring nomads. The issue was brought to a head after more than 30 sea gypsies were injured in a violent confrontation with private business owners after they blocked access to the sea gypsies’ Balai table, a…
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AMCHAM Phuket presents trends in sustainable hospitality
PHUKET: The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Greater Phuket Chapter has organized a tourism seminar on Friday (Feb 5) that will address how sustainability helps hotels cut costs and increase overall satisfaction and loyalty from both their associates and guests. The event will be led by Grace Kang of Singapore’s Greenview Hospitality company and will be held at the Keemala…
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First U.S. Zika virus transmission reported, attributed to sex
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community First U.S. Zika virus transmission reported, attributed to sex Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The first known case of Zika virus transmission in the United States was reported in Texas on Tuesday by local health officials, who said it likely was contracted through sex and not…
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Social media make hay of Trump’s Iowa defeat
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Social media make hay of Trump’s Iowa defeat Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: After what seemed like a long silence by his standards, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump returned to Twitter yesterday morning, striking an uncharacteristically low-key tone after his defeat in the Iowa caucuses. “Because…
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Phuket police hunt company after tourist’s watery death
PHUKET: Police are hunting representatives of a tour company after a Chinese tourist died on a snorkelling trip off Koh Racha Yai yesterday morning. The company that booked Weidong Lu, 49, and his family on the boat, does not appear to have provided a tour guide, explained Lt Wuthiwat Leangboonjinda of the Chalong Police. “We are now trying to contact…
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Friend identifies British man killed by Patong bus
PHUKET: A Phuket expat today was able to identify a British man who allegedly jumped in front of a bus in Patong last week. The foreigner, who asked to be named only as Darren, recognized the British national after seeing a picture of him supplied by Patong Police and published by the Phuket Gazette. Following the identification of the man,…
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Human skulls in Krabi mark possible ancient burial site
KRABI: The discovery of human skulls, bones, pottery and cave paintings in Krabi could mark a fishermen’s burial site dating as far back as 700 years ago, experts announced yesterday. “Everything was found in a cave about 56 meters above sea level and about three kilometers from Ao Naam Port,” explained Phuket archaeologist Tawatchai Chanpaisansilp, who visited the site yesterday.…
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Brit arrested at Phuket airport after “tempting’ discovery
PHUKET: Police charged a British national who found an envelope of mixed currency and pocketed the cash at Phuket International Airport yesterday. Darren Chapman, 49, was arrested while checking in at the Bangkok Airways counter after having taken US$320 and CA$100 cash from the envelope, which had been left at an Air Asia counter. “Mr Chapman confessed that he took…
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Z-Coaching Phuket team takes podium by storm
PHUKET: Last weekend saw the recently established Z-Coaching Phuket triathlon team sweep the field clean at the Surat Thani/Khao Sok National Park cycling race (70km/120km), where over 1,000 cyclists participated. Jaray Jearanai took the much coveted win in the Men’s Open 120km race, with fellow teammates Martin Brot, Oat Wongtanaponsil, Toha Navong and coach Jurgen Zack all placing in the…
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Asian elephant found dead at Oklahoma zoo; second to die in months
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Asian elephant found dead at Oklahoma zoo; second to die in months Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: An Asian elephant that was moved from Seattle to an Oklahoma zoo died over the weekend, renewing debate over whether 37-year-old Chai should have been retired to a California…
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Italian police seize Mussolini’s yacht from businessman linked to mafia
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Italian police seize Mussolini’s yacht from businessman linked to mafia Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Italian police said on Monday that they had seized a yacht that once belonged to Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini from a businessman possibly linked to a huge organised crime network. The…
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OTOP gets lovely for Valentine-themed festival [video]
PHUKET: Couples planning on tying the knot in Phuket in February can take part in special Valentine-themed marriage ceremonies held at Sarasin Bridge between February 14 and 23. “The 10-day ‘OTOP Lovely Phuket Festival’ will feature many activities to help promote tourism in the province,” said Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada. Tourists, as well as locals, are welcome to register their…
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Damaged road not to affect underpass construction
PHUKET: The severely damaged road near the Samkong intersection has had no effect on underpass construction, confirmed a Phuket Highways Office official. Heavy rains on Thursday left sections of the road running alongside the underpass, as well as one of the underpass walls, heavily damaged (story here). “As of last night, the road can be used as normal and traffic…
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Phuket police struggle to identify dead foreigner
PHUKET: Dysfunctional CCTV cameras in the area where a foreigner was killed after allegedly jumping in front of a bus on Wednesday (story here) have left police clueless. “We had hoped to find CCTV footage showing where the man had come from so that we could identify him and track down his relatives or friends. However, we came up empty…
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Navy seizes alleged IUU fishing boats in Phuket
PHUKET: The Royal Thai Navy seized two fishing vessels for illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing when the ships returned to Phuket after tuna fishing in the Indian Ocean. Mook Anda 018 and Mook Anda 028 arrived at the Phuket Deep Sea Port on Saturday, where Rear Admiral Kittipong Rumakom, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, was…
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Austria says it plans to step up deportations of migrants
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Austria says it plans to step up deportations of migrants Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Austria will step up deportations of migrants and is adding Morocco, Algeria and other states to a list of countries it deems safe, enabling it to send people back there more…
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Debris found on Malaysia’s east coast not from flight MH370
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Debris found on Malaysia’s east coast not from flight MH370 Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Jan 29 Aviation officials said on Friday a metal object recovered from Malaysia’s east coast a day earlier was not from missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. It was the second time…
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Suu Kyi allies to form Myanmar ruling party after decades of struggle
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suu Kyi allies to form Myanmar ruling party after decades of struggle Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: After decades of struggle, hundreds of lawmakers from Aung San Suu Kyi’s camp will form Myanmar’s ruling party on Monday, with enough seats in parliament to choose the first…
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China police arrest 21 over $7.6 bln online financial scam
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China police arrest 21 over $7.6 bln online financial scam Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Feb 1 Chinese police have arrested 21 people involved in the operation of peer-to-peer (P2P) lender Ezubao, the official Xinhua news agency said on Monday, over an online scam it said…
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Ministry of Farang Affairs: Two-tiered pricing
The Ministry of Farang Affairs is a one-stop shop where foreigners in Thailand can learn all they need to know about living here. No, we’re not talking about work permits, visas or taxes. We’re talking about day-to-day life in the Land of Endless Shocks and Riddles, of Blur, Befuddlement and the Bizarre. Stay tuned for weekly insights from Minister Stephff.…
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