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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Go Eco Phuket hails successful reef, beach cleanup
PHUKET: In honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 81st birthday on Monday, Phuket’s dive community, supported by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and local government bodies joined together in a mass effort to raise the world’s awareness of the importance of keeping Phuket’s marine and coastal ecosystems clean and debris-free.The event was launched on Tuesday with more than…
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Pregnant woman found murdered in Khao Sok identified
PHUKET: The pregnant woman who had been shot three times and dumped in Khao Sok National Park last week has been identified by a neighbor, police say. “After the news was published, one of her neighbors contacted the Kapong Police and was able to identify her,” said Lt Col Prajak Rodkantuk of the Kapong Police Station. “Her name was Wipa…
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AEC training for tourism
PHUKET: The Department of Tourism and the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) will hold major training courses for entrepreneurs in the tourism and hospitality industry in order to prepare them for the opening of the Asean Economic Community. Pasit Poomchusri, Deputy Director General of the Department of Tourism said the tourism and service industry which includes lodgings, restaurants, transportation,…
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Rocky takes a beating on Phuket’s Patong Beach
PHUKET: A Nepalese tailor who calls himself “Rocky” was beaten bloody by alleged “business acquaintances” on the Patong beach road just after midnight last night, Phuket Police have reported. Responding to a call at 12:30am, police arrived at the southern end of Thaweewong Road (map here) to find a well-dressed man bleeding profusely from several head wounds. “The man, who…
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Phuket nurse in ICU after high-speed car crash
PHUKET: A Phuket nurse is in the intensive care unit at Bangkok Hospital Phuket this morning after the car she was driving hit a power pole at high speed before dawn today. Three people were injured in the accident, near the Bangchak gas station on Phra Phuket Kaew Road in Kathu (map here), explained Lt Col Yotsapat Suwannsit of the…
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Phuket In Focus: AEC is coming – are you ready?
PHUKET: In 2015, the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) – Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam – will formally integrate their economies as part of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) initiative. The AEC will be similar to the European Economic community (EEC) where participating countries aim to develop…
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Phuket murder suspect caught after wife uses victim’s phone
PHUKET: The killer of a man found dumped by the side of a road in Rawai last month was collared when his wife was spotted using the victim’s mobile telephone. The body of Anuwat Kathong, 25, was found wrapped in a blanket by the side of a road in Rawai just after midnight on July 4 (story here). “The victim…
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Armed but barefoot, thief robs Phuket 7-Eleven
PHUKET: A barefoot man armed with a long kitchen knife robbed a 7-Eleven in Rassada, north of Phuket Town, early yesterday morning, making off with just over 10,000 baht.CCTV images show a man about 170cm tall wearing a full-face motorcycle helmet, black jacket and jeans, said Phuket City Police Superintendent Sermphan Sirikong.“We received a report at about 3am from the…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Rohingya talks with Myanmar; Nat Parks denies trafficking; Akeyuth hit professional
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Surapong discusses Rohingya issue with Myanmar The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul discussed with his Myanmar counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin yesterday how to find a lasting solution to the problem of Rohingya boat people detained in Thailand.More than 1,700 Rohinyga migrants have been held…
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Typhoon Utor fallout to drench Phuket, 27 provinces
PHUKET: The Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned that Typhoon Utor, which struck the coast of China’s Guangdong province late yesterday, will bring heavy rain to 27 Thai provinces today and tomorrow – including Phuket, Phang Nga,Krabi, Ranong and Trang.TMD chief Worapat Tiewthanom warned that Typhoon Utor was as powerful as Typhoon Gay, which ravaged southern Thailand in 1989.With winds whipping…
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Drugs came to Phuket via prison dealer; guns bought via Google
PHUKET: Drug arrests over the last two days have brought police closer to the source: a dealer based inside Nakhon Sri Thammarat Prison. Illicit guns and bullets bought online were also uncovered during the arrests.Two suspects, Santi Nhuphoom, 31, and Anas Thongma, 23, were found with a total of 490 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and three guns when…
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Chalong means “celebrate’ – Phuket Business
PHUKET: They started the production just nine months ago but they already have reasons to celebrate – their product achieved international recognition, winning the highest award for a white rum at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in Hong Kong. But what’s even more important, it feels like a part of Phuket’s DNA – natural, local, merging traditions and cultures.…
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Body of missing fisherman washes ashore on Phuket
PHUKET: Relatives have confirmed that the body that washed ashore near the northern end of Kamala Beach yesterday morning is that of 34-year-old Non Boonsopha, who was swept out to sea while fishing with friends and family on Phuket on Sunday.Mr Non was fishing from the rocks on Laem Son, the headland at the southern end of Bang Tao Beach,…
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BBC denies £150k Phuket partying claim
PHUKET: The BBC has denied claims that it wasted more than 7 million baht on a show in Thailand after an episode was reportedly scrapped.The British public service broadcaster issued a statement yesterday after leading UK daily newspapers The Sun and Daily Mail reported the crew for the BBC show Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents spent 10 days “partying” in…
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More escaped Rohingya rounded up in Phuket; search continues
PHUKET: Phuket police have taken nine more Rohingya men back into custody, and back to the immigration detention center they had escaped from early on Saturday morning (story here). “We are still searching for the remaining 23,” said Phuket Immigration Superintendent Col Sanchai Chokhayaikij. “I am sure they are still in Phuket because our officers continue to round them up,”…
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Thailand News: Kidnapped Thais in Nigeria still alive; Taib will lead BRN team; Channel 7 journo seeks help with libel charge; ICT scoffs at online control
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Kidnapped Thai calls to say all safe The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: One of the four Thai workers, who were abducted by an unknown gang in Nigeria, called his company to say he and the others were safe and had not been harmed, Thai Foreign…
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Phuket police force to start growing in November
PHUKET: Phuket’s police force will increase by 700 officers next year, with new officers starting to arrive in November, Royal Thai Police Commissioner Adul Saengsingkaew has announced.The move is to upgrade the island’s force to meet the demands of increasing numbers of tourists and residents on the island.“Phuket will have a bigger and more efficient police force in 2014,” General…
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Phuket Police arrest suspect for stabbing murder of girl, 17
PHUKET: Police yesterday arrested the man suspected of having robbed and stabbed a 17-year-old woman to death early on Sunday morning. “He told us he just wanted her gold necklace,” said Lt Col Prawit Engchuan of the Phuket City Police. Neighbors recognized Somkid Saisema, 33, from CCTV pictures they saw on TV and notified police, who raided his house on…
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Tourism Minister mulls compulsory travel insurance for tourists
PHUKET: The Tourism and Sports Ministry would like to make it compulsory for all foreign tourists to have travel insurance before entering the Kingdom because unpaid bills are putting a huge strain on cash-strapped public hospitals in major destinations, particularly Phuket. However, some tourism-business operators warn that this measure might keep away travellers as well as tarnish the country’s image.…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Mob boss Whitey Bulger convicted; Israel to free Palestinians; Dalai Lama website hacked; Mali polls praised
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Whitey Bulger guilty of 11 murders in sweeping Boston mob case Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: James “Whitey” Bulger, a brutal gangster who ruled over Boston’s criminal underworld in the 1970s and ’80s and evaded capture for 16 years, was found guilty of murder and racketeering by a…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Ratchanok wins royal praise; Police warned over chat probe; Yingluck tapped on ivory
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Ratchanok wins royal praise The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Newly crowned world champion Ratchanok Intanon could not have been happier to receive bouquets of flowers from the Royal family, especially from Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. And the young star has set new goals – to become the…
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Law suits fly in face of DSI Phuket “mafia’ list
PHUKET: Five of the men whose names or businesses appeared on the Department of Special Investigation’s (DSI) “mafia” list have struck back at the DSI’s allegations that they had links to illegal taxis and organized crime (story here). Three have already filed defamation suits. Thammawat Wongcharoenyut and Siwa Siangyom filed their complaints against the DSI in Phuket on Saturday. San…
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Phuket fighting fish gamblers netted in rubber plantation
PHUKET: A Phuket police raid on a gambling den known for fighting fish netted nine men Saturday morning.“I received a report of a place that was open every weekend for fish gambling,” Thalang Superintendent Sirisak Warasiri said. “So I sent my men to investigate.”“They found a well-established location with tables and chairs for the gamblers,” he said.Police raided the den,…
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18-wheeled truck crash blocks traffic from Kamala to Patong
PHUKET: An 18-wheeled truck slid back on a hill between Kamala and Patong, and is now blocking all lanes of traffic between the popular Phuket tourist destinations.No injuries were reported.“The accident was caused by the truck carrying construction supplies that were too heavy, leading it to slide down and cross the lanes,” said Kamala Superintendent Patanajak Jakkrapan.Police and Ruamjai rescue…
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Phuket FC president’s birthday wish granted with win over Nakhon Pathom
PHUKET: The Islanders last night won their first match in the last 50 days – and first at home for 112 days – beating Yamaha League One (YL1) rivals, Nakhon Pathom United 2-0 on a waterlogged pitch at Surakul Stadium in Phuket Town.Marking the occasion, Phuket FC President Pamuke Achiriyachai at half time was presented flowers, a birthday cake and…
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Phuket top officials make merit in honor of HM Queen Sirikit’s 81st birthday
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut led top Phuket officials in a celebration of HM Queen Sirikit’s 81st birthday early this morning by donating alms to monks.The Governor, all three vice governors and Phuket Provincial Police Commander Choti Chavalviwat, along with 500 officers and local residents, made the dry food offering in front of Queen Sirikit Park.The government officers were all…
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Concern piqued by fetus hammerhead sharks on display at Phuket restaurant
PHUKET: Local concern peaked in Phuket after photos began to circulate of two baby scalloped hammerhead sharks on display in front of a restaurant in Kata last week.“The ones [scalloped hammerhead sharks] at that restaurant clearly show to everybody that they are fetuses – they are not fully grown sharks, so obviously fishermen caught a female shark somewhere, chopped her…
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Phuket teen fatally stabbed during gold snatch
PHUKET: A 17-year-old woman was fatally stabbed as she fought off a man trying to steal her necklace in the early hours of yesterday morning in Rassada. The woman, Wassana Lerdsongkram, had gone to a Lotus Express with her 2-year-old nephew after midnight yesterday morning. Witnesses told police that a man followed her into the store, where his image was…
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Bar girl delivered B100k to Swedish murder suspects, Phuket Court told
PHUKET: As the murder trial of Tommy Soderlund continued yesterday, a police officer told the court that Mr Soderlund was arrested in the hotel room of a Pattaya bar girl who had delivered 100,000 baht to him and his alleged accomplice Johan Ljung. Mr Soderlund and Mr Ljung are charged with murdering Russian-born Swedish national Maksim Schantz in Phuket on…
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Phuket’s elite captains mark 24 years of dodging rocks
PHUKET: A gathering of Phuket’s elite captains and core sailors of the local yachting community last night marked 24 years of dodging rocks with the launch of the fourth edition of the essential cruising guide, Southeast Asia Pilot, that made it possible. The latest edition covers the area from the Andaman Islands in Indian territorial waters to Darwin, Australia. In…
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