Year: 2003

  • Phuket NewsNew crackdown on traffic offenses | Thaiger

    New crackdown on traffic offenses

    PHUKET: Police began a crackdown on traffic offenders from yesterday, as part of a fresh offensive aimed at reducing road deaths and injuries. Announcing the crackdown, which he said will continue indefinitely, Metha Mekarath of the Provincial Defense Office said that government employees caught breaking the rules of the road will face special punishment and could even lose their jobs.…

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  • Phuket NewsTourist vanishes at Bang Tao Beach | Thaiger

    Tourist vanishes at Bang Tao Beach

    CHERNG TALAY: A 30-year-old Hong Kong man is missing, believed drowned, after he and his friends ignored advice and went swimming at Bang Tao Beach yesterday. Police named the man as Law Chun Lung. He disappeared while swimming with three companions at about 6 pm. Pol Lt Prakob Boonsan of Cherng Talay Police Station said that staff at the Laguna…

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  • Phuket NewsSpa industry to get serious | Thaiger

    Spa industry to get serious

    PHUKET: About 150 owners of Phuket businesses running spas or offering spa services will meet to set standards and to introduce self-regulation, Pakin Raktae-ngam, President of the new Phuket Spa Business Association, announced this morning. “This is the first time a serious attempt will be made to clarify the concepts and the standards of Phuket’s spas,” K. Pakin said, adding…

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  • Phuket NewsGarbage power boost on the cards | Thaiger

    Garbage power boost on the cards

    PHUKET TOWN: The Phuket Town Municipality and the Department of Alternative Energy are investigating ways to boost the amount of electricity produced by the Saphan Hin garbage incinerator. Energy Minister Dr Prommin Lertsuridej has asked for a report within two months on the possibilities. Dr Prommin and his team toured the incinerator when the Cabinet visited Phuket this week. The…

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  • Phuket NewsSecurity tightened at Land Office | Thaiger

    Security tightened at Land Office

    PHUKET TOWN: Security has been beefed up at the Phuket Provincial Land Office amid fears that those involved in the recent murder of a Land Office official may try to burn the building down or otherwise destroy land documents linking them to the killing. The security alert comes on the direct orders of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He instructed the…

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  • Phuket NewsRoad accidents claim 18 lives | Thaiger

    Road accidents claim 18 lives

    PHUKET: Eighteen people died in traffic accidents between March 20 and April 20, according to the latest statistics from the Wachira, Thalang and Patong government hospitals. All the victims were on motorcycles, Ampaipan Pawawattananusorn of the Phuket Provincial Health Office reported. In the same period, 821 were hurt in crashes involving motorbikes, while 35 people were injured in car accidents.…

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  • Phuket NewsCyber Paradise gets B30m boost | Thaiger

    Cyber Paradise gets B30m boost

    PHUKET: The central government will spend about 30 million baht to open an office to help give birth to “Cyber Paradise”, Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), has announced. The office, which is expected to be open within three months, will be in a currently vacant building belonging to the Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus,…

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  • Phuket NewsRise in seizures of illegal guns | Thaiger

    Rise in seizures of illegal guns

    PHUKET: Nineteen people were arrested in Phuket for illegal possession of firearms from May 1 to May 25, according to statistics from the Provincial Police, released soon after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra launched a nationwide crackdown on organized crime on May 20. However, the figures for May revealed a similar number of drug-related raids and arrests as in the same…

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  • Phuket NewsOrBorJor chief to run for Parliament | Thaiger

    OrBorJor chief to run for Parliament

    PHUKET TOWN: Dr Prasit Koeysiripong, President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), is expected to stand at the next parliamentary election as a Thai Rak Thai (TRT) government candidate in Phuket, a province traditionally regarded as a stronghold for the opposition Democrat Party. While his declaration at this stage is still not official, it was confirmed by Dr Yada…

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  • Phuket NewsPolice raid fakes warehouses | Thaiger

    Police raid fakes warehouses

    PATONG: Police raided two buildings in Rajpatanusorn Rd last night and seized imitation goods with a street value of about 5 million baht. One of the buildings was fitted with a closed-circuit security camera to check on visitors. Police from the Economic Crime Investigations Division in Bangkok, accompanied by representatives from Rolex, Gucci and Chanel, seized about 1,000 items, including…

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  • Phuket NewsPoliceman indicted over Phuket slaying | Thaiger

    Policeman indicted over Phuket slaying

    PHUKET: A Songkhla police officer has been charged with conspiracy to murder Phuket businessman Visanuwat Ngamjun, Pol Lt Col Paween Pongsirin, Superintendent of Phuket Police Station, said today. K. Visanuwat was shot dead with three bullets to the head by a motorcycle-riding assassin while he was driving out of the car park at the Big C supercenter on February 28.…

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  • Phuket NewsMarket vendors protest forced move | Thaiger

    Market vendors protest forced move

    PHUKET TOWN: More than 150 market traders of the popular downtown market on Ranong Rd gathered at Provincial Hall this morning to protest their forced relocation to a site on Bangkok Rd by Thursday. If they do not move by Thursday, they each face a fine of 2,000 baht a day. Of the 300 vendors at the market, 88 unlicensed…

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  • Phuket NewsJobs go as hotel downturn bites | Thaiger

    Jobs go as hotel downturn bites

    KARON: About 14,000 workers have been laid off from Phuket hotels in the wake of the tourism industry downturn, Yaowalak Yangyean, Chief of Phuket Social Security Office, told the Gazette today. Other workers have been told to take more days off each month. With tourist arrivals in Thailand reported to be 76% down this May on the same month last…

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  • Phuket NewsCabinet says “no’ to tourism cash boost | Thaiger

    Cabinet says “no’ to tourism cash boost

    KARON: The central Government has refused to provide any direct financial assistance to Phuket tourism businesses suffering from the effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars). Speaking after the Cabinet meeting at the Phuket Arcadia Beach Resort today, government spokesman Maj Sitha Thiwaree said, “Instead of giving money to help Phuket tourism the Government will set up a tour package…

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  • Phuket NewsReporter’s “assassin’ nabbed | Thaiger

    Reporter’s “assassin’ nabbed

    PATONG: Police have arrested a man in Bangkok who they say executed newspaper and TV reporter Surapong “Ord Patong” Rittee in a Patong convenience store for a fee of 60,000 baht. Officers say that the manager of a Patong go-go bar ordered the February 11 killing because K. Surapong reported on lewd entertainment at the venue that led to its…

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  • Phuket News“Healthy’ Phuket for B400 million | Thaiger

    “Healthy’ Phuket for B400 million

    PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) is seeking 400 million baht from the Government to speed the island’s recovery after the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) scare led to a tourism downturn. Dr Narongsak Angkasuwapala, Director of the Department of Health Service Support, met with local officials and representatives from the private sector on Sunday morning as a prelude…

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  • Phuket NewsACD calls for united tourism revival | Thaiger

    ACD calls for united tourism revival

    CHERNG TALAY: A three-day gathering of members of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Tourism Business Forum has concluded with a call for regional cooperation on reviving tourism and in dealing with future emergencies. Business executives and government officials from the 18-nation ACD met at the Laguna Beach Resort until Saturday and will meet again in Chiang Mai next month. Discussions…

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  • Phuket NewsCabinet talks Phuket in Phuket | Thaiger

    Cabinet talks Phuket in Phuket

    PHUKET TOWN: A Cabinet meeting in Phuket on Monday will discuss the effect of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) scare, the 100-billion-baht plan to develop the island, health tourism and the plan for a software park. Local Thai Rak Thai party leader Dr Yada Palimapan and Chawalit Na Nakhon, Vice-President of the Region 11 Community Relations Committee, listed the…

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  • Phuket NewsGov compiles “influential people’ list | Thaiger

    Gov compiles “influential people’ list

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi is to meet with officials to help him prepare a list of “people of influence” in Phuket to send to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The Prime Minister has given provincial governors 30 days from May 21 to supply lists of powerful people allegedly linked to illegal activities, including corruption, killings, vice, gambling and smuggling.…

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  • Phuket NewsCabinet to get a taste of Phuket | Thaiger

    Cabinet to get a taste of Phuket

    PHUKET TOWN: Phuket Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi is preparing to lobby Cabinet ministers with a taste of Phuket culture in the form of batik shirts and a feast of Phuket food. Members of Cabinet will arrive on Sunday for the meeting at the Phuket Arcadia Resort in Karon, to be attended by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Phuket Governor CEO…

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  • Phuket NewsLife no longer in the Patong night | Thaiger

    Life no longer in the Patong night

    PATONG: A number of Patong nightspots have closed down temporarily due to the sharp decrease in tourism in the resort town. Chairat Sukbal, owner of Safari Pub, told the Gazette that many entertainment venues were forced to shut down because the lack of trade meant they were no longer able to pay staff wages. He attributed the lack of tourists…

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  • Phuket NewsPolice launch vendor raids | Thaiger

    Police launch vendor raids

    PATONG: Officers from the Phuket Provincial Commercial Office (PPCO) and Kathu Police Station last night launched a series of raids on unlicensed businesses and pirate goods with unannounced inspections of 30 vendors’ stalls. PPCO Deputy Chief Tharadol Thongruang said that the raids, between 8 pm and 9:30 pm, turned up just one unlicensed business on Thaweewong Rd selling Game Boy…

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  • Phuket NewsComputer whiz wins spot in US Olympiad

    Computer whiz wins spot in US Olympiad

    PHUKET TOWN: A Phuket student has been chosen as one of the four computer science students to represent Thailand in the International Science Olympiad competition, to be held in Wisconsin, USA, in mid-August. Nawanol Theera’ampornpan, an 18-year-old student in Mattayom 6 at Phuket Wittayalai School, will join between 600 and 800 students from more than 100 countries in the event.…

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  • Phuket NewsLast phone call traps man’s killers

    Last phone call traps man’s killers

    TAH CHAT CHAI: Two men, caught at Tah Chat Chai checkpoint early today after stabbing a man to death, were apprehended because of the victim’s last mobile phone call. Soonthron Nabin, 33, and Adul Katesiri, 32, who identified himself to police as Thanapolpan Katesiri, were arrested at the checkpoint on Phuket’s border after officers had been warned to look out…

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  • Phuket NewsLiberians held over “black money’ scam | Thaiger

    Liberians held over “black money’ scam

    PATONG: Two men are being held by police over a “black money” scam that cost three Thai victims a total of 330,000 baht. The arrested men, said to be from Liberia, in West Africa, were named as Anthony Brown, 27, and Christopher Alliston, 31. The classic scam involves promising a big pay-off in return for a “loan” to buy special…

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  • Phuket NewsCharges in Tong murder case dismissed | Thaiger

    Charges in Tong murder case dismissed

    PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Court has dismissed all charges against the five men accused of participation in the murder six years ago of American businessman Danis Wayne Tong. The five accused – Belgian businessman Hugo Vandervelde along with Thais Manit Panme, Pratin Praktong, Prajuab Sukkong and Pairat Raksawong – were all freed by the court for lack of evidence, Pol…

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  • Phuket NewsSuspect held in Big C Slaying | Thaiger

    Suspect held in Big C Slaying

    PHUKET: Police are confident they have a strong lead in one of the recent spate of killings on Phuket and that breakthroughs in other slayings may follow soon. Col Apirak Hongtong, Deputy Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police, told the Gazette that a suspect was being held in Haad Yai, Songkla, over the killing at the entrance of the Big…

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  • Phuket NewsRugby Tens draw announced | Thaiger

    Rugby Tens draw announced

    PHUKET: Organizers of the Phuket Rugby Tens Tournament have announced the draw for the opening round of play. The weekend competition will take place May 31-June 1 at the Karon Municipal Stadium. There will be five groups of four teams each: Group A: Melbourne Rams (Australia), Samui Simians (Thailand), Bucks (Singapore) and Penang All Blues (Malaysia). Group B: Wanderers (Singapore),…

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  • Thailand NewsHigh-tech sprituality | Thaiger

    High-tech sprituality

    UBON RATCHATHANI: It is well known that when you make a deal with the spirit world it’s best to hold up your end of the bargain – an act known in Thai as kae bon. Perhaps Thailand’s best-known acts of kae bon take place at Bangkok’s Erawan Shrine, famous for helping mortals pick winning lottery numbers. Those who hit it…

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  • Thailand NewsParanoia in the lobby | Thaiger

    Paranoia in the lobby

    BANGKOK: When police arrived at the Louis Tavern, in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district, on April 18, they found fellow officer Pol Cpl Sathit Prasanpangsri, 33, being held under house arrest by the hotel owner, Asuwin Inghakul, and a security guard. K. Asuwin, 58, said that Cpl Sathit was acting suspiciously. He was wearing a safari suit and carrying a top-of-the-range…

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  • Thailand NewsFar from enlightening | Thaiger

    Far from enlightening

    CHIANG RAI: For most Thai families, having a son train as a novice in the wat is a matter of pride and cultural significance. One can only imagine, then, the shock the father of one boy must have felt when his son returned home reporting that he had been repeatedly raped in the wat. On May 13, a 45-year-old man…

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  • Thailand NewsA lesson in physics | Thaiger

    A lesson in physics

    CHON BURI: What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object? If a recent accident on the Sukhumvit Highway is anything to go by, the irresistible force loses. In this case the irresistible force was 20-year-old Anand Umpi, a member of the “Viron Kilo 10” gang that frequently ride their motorcycles wildly on the highway late at night, terrorizing…

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  • Thailand NewsThat’s show business | Thaiger

    That’s show business

    CHON BURI: Some nude performers at a Pattaya go-go bar obviously didn’t realize certain members of the enthralled audience were actually members of the local vice squad. After watching the sex show for an unreported length of time, Pol Maj Col Vasu Seangsuksai and his team of undercover officers sprang into action and arrested the seven performers: six women and…

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  • Phuket NewsGazette Online back in action | Thaiger

    Gazette Online back in action

    PHUKET: Due to a software clash at the Gazette‘s Singapore-based web server, some data files became corrupted last night. Anyone who has placed a paid classified advertisement on the site is asked to check whether it is still there. If it is not, they should email classads@phuketgazette.net with details of the ad so that it can be restored as soon…

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  • Cannabis NewsAmerican held on dope charge | Thaiger

    American held on dope charge

    PATONG: American Charles Elliott Rook, 55, was arrested on May 19 on charges of possession of cannabis with intent to sell. Pol Lt Col Sanguan Muangtham of Patong Police Station told the Gazette that Rook was arrested after a raid on his home in Nanai Rd turned up a kilogram of cannabis. Undercover police had originally tried to buy cannabis…

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  • Phuket NewsLaguna land legitimate, says spokesman | Thaiger

    Laguna land legitimate, says spokesman

    CHERNG TALAY: The management of Laguna Phuket is confident that no part of the complex has been built on designated public land but will accept a ruling from the courts, a senior executive said today. The comments from Niyom Tassaneetipagorn, Assistant Vice President of Laguna Resorts & Hotels Public Co, were the first from the group since the legitimacy of…

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  • Phuket NewsGov prepares for meeting with PM | Thaiger

    Gov prepares for meeting with PM

    PHUKET TOWN: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Cabinet will meet with Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi on in Phuket on May 26 to discuss major issues affecting the island’s future, the Governor announced yesterday. Top of the agenda will be the effect of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) scare on Phuket’s tourism industry, which is estimated to be losing…

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