Year: 2004

  • Phuket NewsEase rules for foreigners, Gov urges Bangkok | Thaiger

    Ease rules for foreigners, Gov urges Bangkok

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangura told Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop yesterday that the government will need to make life easier for foreigners if Phuket is ever to develop into the “international city” envisioned by the government.“Yesterday I met with the DPM Suwat to discuss preparations for the arrival of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra next week,” he told the Gazette…

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  • Phuket NewsNo terrorists in Phuket – Vice-Governor | Thaiger

    No terrorists in Phuket – Vice-Governor

    PHUKET: Phuket is free of terrorists, Vice-Governor Pongpow Ketthong asserted this week.Addressing an anti-terrorism seminar at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, V/Gov Pongpow told his audience of officials that the fact that the gathering was taking place did not mean there were terrorists in Phuket, but it was important to take steps to reduce the chances of terrorist activity occurring…

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  • Phuket NewsSudarat to attend medical conference | Thaiger

    Sudarat to attend medical conference

    PHUKET CITY: Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan is to attend a national conference on “Healthy Living” in Phuket City next week.The minister will be at the Royal Phuket City Hotel on Wednesday (August 25) to present awards to people judged to have done significant medical research in Thailand.The conference, which will run from Tuesday to Friday, is expected to be…

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  • Phuket NewsImmigration clarifies bank account rules | Thaiger

    Immigration clarifies bank account rules

    PHUKET CITY: Foreigners living in Phuket and applying for permit-to-stay extensions on the basis of marriage or retirement status do not need to “freeze” the minimum bank balance in their bank accounts, Phuket Immigration has announced.“Foreigners applying for a one-year permit to stay based on marriage or retirement do not have to freeze the money in their accounts,” explained Pol…

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  • Phuket NewsMakro to open next week | Thaiger

    Makro to open next week

    PHUKET: Just four months after construction began on the site, the island’s latest superstore, Phuket, will open on Friday next week (August 27). The store, off Wichit Songkram Rd, is the cash-and-carry wholesale giant’s 27th branch in Thailand. Products for sale will include fresh and frozen food, beverages, snacks, electrical goods, stationery, office automation equipment and household products.Makro‘s stated strategy…

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  • Phuket NewsBriton questioned over murder | Thaiger

    Briton questioned over murder

    CHALONG: A sombre mood has settled over the Chalong yachting community after police questioned Briton Michael John Taylor, 40, over the murder of his 28-year-old live-in girlfriend Jantra Weangta, from Tak, who was found dead in their home early yesterday morning.Mr Taylor, known locally as “Mick the Pom” and a regular sailor in Phuket regattas, was questioned by police after…

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  • Phuket NewsBird ‘flu and Sars safeguards upgraded | Thaiger

    Bird ‘flu and Sars safeguards upgraded

    PHUKET CITY: The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) has stepped up measures aimed at keeping bird ‘flu and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) out of Phuket.The new procedures have been introduced after new cases of bird ‘flu were reported in Vietnam.Until September, health officers will be in Tah Chat Chai to inspect and monitor poultry arriving from the mainland over…

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  • Phuket NewsPolice trap outboard motor thief

    Police trap outboard motor thief

    TAH CHAT CHAI: Undercover police yesterday successfully laid a trap for a man who, it is alleged, specialized in stealing outboard motors.Narongvet Chariew, 30, from Nakhon Ratchasima, was caught in possession of two Mercury outboards, a Yamaha outboard and a fuel tank, after undercover police set up a meeting to “buy” a motor from him.The Superintendent of Tah Chat Chai…

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  • Phuket NewsSriyada to run for TRT. Wisut too? | Thaiger

    Sriyada to run for TRT. Wisut too?

    PHUKET: As the national election scheduled for February, 2005, draws near, the ruling Thai Rak Thai party has announced that Dr Sriyada Palimapan will again be its candidate for District 1, which encompasses Phuket City and nearby areas.Former Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrborJor) Vice-President Wisut Santikun says that he is considering a Thai Rak Thai approach to run as its…

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  • Thailand NewsCrack worship | Thaiger

    Crack worship

    SUKHOTHAI: Villagers who discovered a long crack in a wall surrounding Khong Pong temple in Sri Samrong District believe it was made by an angry naga, or serpent-god. The crack was first noted on July 22, when pupils came to ask temple administrator Sawai Pradit why the 200-year-old temple had cracks resembling a serpent’s track around its exterior wall. Dumbfounded,…

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  • Phuket NewsFive more arrested for credit card fraud

    Five more arrested for credit card fraud

    PATONG: Five Malaysians were arrested on Saturday for using fake credit cards to buy mobile phones at Ploi Telecom shop, Sai Namyen Rd – the same shop where five Filipinos were arrested earlier in the week for attempting the same crime. The accused, a woman named by police as Neoh Paik Poh and four men named as Jerry Hong Siong…

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  • Phuket NewsThree murdered in one night | Thaiger

    Three murdered in one night

    PHUKET: Three men were killed in three separate incidents in a night of violence in Phuket.The first victim was 21-year-old Amnart Niget, of Chumpon, who was fatally shot outside the Summer Hotel in Phatipat Road, Phuket City, at 2am on 12 August.Two hours later, a restaurant employee was beaten to death by a gang of teenagers, also in Phuket City.And,…

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  • Phuket NewsThailand, Malaysia to drop border passes

    Thailand, Malaysia to drop border passes

    PHUKET: Thailand and Malaysia today agreed in principal to do away with the current system of passes that allow nationals from the two countries to cross the border without a visa.Under the agreement, future cross-border travel will require no more than the presentation of “smart cards”, systems for which are now being developed by both nations. The announcement followed a…

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  • Phuket NewsPhang Nga OrBorJor elect new chairman | Thaiger

    Phang Nga OrBorJor elect new chairman

    PHANG NGA: Members of Phang Nga Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) have elected Arkhom Thongjerm as their new Chairman to replace Nithas Siribenjakul, who was gunned down at Takuapa Bus Terminus on July 30.Phang Nga OrBorJor Deputy Chaiman Chot Chatpong told the Gazette that K. Arkhom – the only nominee – was elected unanimously at the OrBorJor‘s meeting on August 13.Members…

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  • Phuket NewsFilipinos arrested over fake credit card

    Filipinos arrested over fake credit card

    KATHU: Police on Monday arrested four men and a woman from the Philippines for using a fake credit card to buy expensive goods from a mobile phone shop in Patong.Pol Col Chalit Thinthanee, Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, told a press conference yesterday that the Filipinos were arrested at 11:55 pm at Ploy Telecom on Sainamyen Rd after shopowner Patchar Budtayotee…

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  • Phuket NewsCaddy’s killer to surrender “soon’ | Thaiger

    Caddy’s killer to surrender “soon’

    TUNG TONG: Police in Tung Tong are waiting for a colleague, Cpl Nanthawat Thongkwanbua, to surrender and answer allegations that he killed his girlfriend, 23-year-old Supanee Yongtong, on Sunday.Nanthawat’s father told police that he would bring his son to the police station to answer the murder charge “in the next two or three days”.The victim, a caddy at the Loch…

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  • Phuket NewsSurprise opinions at Patong plan public hearing

    Surprise opinions at Patong plan public hearing

    PATONG: A public hearing to discuss a town plan for Patong took place at Patong City Hall yesterday. The meeting drew about 80 people, an assortment of government officers, academics, local businessmen and residents.Listening to the feedback were researchers from Consultants of Technology (COT) Co, a Bangkok-based consulting firm, and representatives of the Department of Public Works and Town &…

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  • Phuket News“Burmese Cemetery’ claims 2 more victims | Thaiger

    “Burmese Cemetery’ claims 2 more victims

    PHUKET CITY: The bodies of two men, both believed to have been Burmese nationals, have been found in Phuket City within two days of each other.Police report that both men, thus far unidentified, appear to have been stabbed to death.The first corpse was found in the afternoon of Saturday in mangroves behind a Burmese workers’ camp near Tah Chin Canal,…

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  • Phuket NewsChuan denies Phuket MPs plan to defect

    Chuan denies Phuket MPs plan to defect

    PHUKET: Former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has confirmed that Phuket’s two members of parliament will stand as Democrat candidates in the upcoming general election, quashing rumors that one or both of them were planning to defect to the Thai Rak Thai party of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.K. Chuan made his remarks yesterday while chairing the closing ceremony of the Cherng…

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  • Phuket NewsPolice Super’s bright idea | Thaiger

    Police Super’s bright idea

    TAH CHAT CHAI: Officers from Tah Chat Chai Police Station will join forces with motorcycle dealer Phuket Numsang on August 14 and 15 to modify motorcycle headlights so that they come on automatically when the bike’s engine is started.The modifications will be provided free of charge to anyone bringing a bike to the Tah Chat Chai police checkpoint, just south…

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  • Phuket NewsNew science website launched | Thaiger

    New science website launched

    BANGKOK (The Nation): The National Science and Technology Development Agency, the Council of Science and The Nation Group have combined their resources to launch a Thai-language website, https://www.myscientists.com, aimed at the country’s scientific and medical communities. The Nation‘s editor, Pana Janviroj, explained, “We hope that anyone interested in science will not only visit the website, but will also contribute articles,…

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  • Phuket NewsEngineer dies in hotel blast | Thaiger

    Engineer dies in hotel blast

    PATONG: One man was killed and another was injured by an explosion at the Novotel Coralia Resort in Patong on Saturday.Police named the dead man as Chanyud Intrachai, 20, from Phuket. His colleague, 27-year-old Kittipong Kaileard, is recovering at home.Pol Maj Sanguan Muangtham of Kathu Police Station would not disclose details of the incident to the Gazette because, he said,…

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  • Phuket NewsPhang Nga OrBorJor replace slain chairman | Thaiger

    Phang Nga OrBorJor replace slain chairman

    PHANG NGA: Members of the Phang Nga Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) have chosen not one, but two, chairmen who will take turns as replacements for Nithas Siribenjakul, who was gunned down at Takuapa bus terminus on July 30.Phang Nga OrBorJor deputy chairman Suthas Boonchot today told the Gazette that Arkom Thongjerm from Tap Put district will hold the post for…

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  • Phuket NewsPolice target teenagers on motorbikes | Thaiger

    Police target teenagers on motorbikes

    PHUKET: Police have launched a crackdown on traffic offenses, with particular focus on teenagers on motorbikes, Pol Col Kokiat Wongvorachart, Deputy Commander of the Provincial Police has announced.During the crackdown, which is part of a national road safety campaign that will continue until December 31, police expect to make safety and ownership checks on more than 200,000 vehicles in Phuket…

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  • Phuket NewsImmigration goes online to boost security

    Immigration goes online to boost security

    PHUKET CITY: The Immigration Police have launched a project in Phuket that will eventually allow hotels and homeowners all over Thailand to report required data about their guests via the Internet. The project is intended to help combat terrorism and monitor the movements of suspicious foreigners visiting Thailand. Following refinement of the pilot project in Phuket, the system will then…

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  • Phuket NewsGov to talk fast for B2bn | Thaiger

    Gov to talk fast for B2bn

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura will have just 10 minutes to propose development projects costing 2 billion baht to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during a whistle-stop visit by the PM on August 25.Speaking after a meeting this morning to prepare for the PM’s visit to Phuket, Provincial Highways Office (PPHO) Chief Wanchai Wattanasiri told the Gazette that the PPHO plans…

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  • Phuket NewsNot enough “neighbor laborers’ – employers | Thaiger

    Not enough “neighbor laborers’ – employers

    PHUKET: A total of 31,473 Burmese, Laotian and Cambodian laborers were registered with the government before the August 1 deadline, but local employers say that many more are needed.Khitti Nuisri, the Deputy Chief of the Phuket Provincial Employment Service Office (ESO), explained today that 21,444 “neighbor laborers” were registered in Phuket City before the deadline, along with 5,399 in Kathu…

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  • Phuket NewsPlans to tap Thaksin’s B100bn promise | Thaiger

    Plans to tap Thaksin’s B100bn promise

    PHUKET: The Phuket provincial government plans to ask Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for funding for projects to aid Phuket’s development during the PM’s visit to Phuket on August 26 and 27 as part of his tour of the South.At the beginning of last year, PM Thaksin promised more than 100 billion baht to develop Phuket into the country’s biggest economic…

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  • Phuket NewsTurk insists he is an FBI agent | Thaiger

    Turk insists he is an FBI agent

    PATONG: Police say that Turkish citizen Tuncay Orser, who was arrested on Friday for possession of a fake ID card identifying him as an agent of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), continues to insist that he is a genuine FBI operative on a mission to hunt down international terrorists.Orser, 31, was arrested after he showed what he said…

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  • Phuket News“13 reasons to kill’ Phang Nga politician | Thaiger

    “13 reasons to kill’ Phang Nga politician

    PHANG NGA: Police investigating Friday’s assassination of Nithat Siribenjakul, chairman of the Phang Nga Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), told the Gazette today that Nithat was involved in no fewer than 13 conflicts, any of which might have triggered his murder.Nithat was gunned down by at least three men riding in the back of a black Isuzu pickup as he drove…

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  • Phuket NewsGambling tops crime figures | Thaiger

    Gambling tops crime figures

    PHUKET: Gambling has once again topped the crime statistics in Phuket, with 163 arrests recorded between July 1 and 25.The latest police figures show that other common crimes included possession or use of illegal narcotics, with 72 arrests and 541.05 ya bah (methamphetamine) tablets seized; and illegal immigration, with 43 people arrested.Twenty eight people were arrested on prostitution-related charges while seven…

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  • Phuket NewsPhang Nga politician assassinated | Thaiger

    Phang Nga politician assassinated

    PHANG NGA: Nithat Siribenjakul, the chairman of the Phang Nga Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), was gunned down in a hail of bullets at the Takuapa bus terminus about 8 pm last night.Police officers investigating the murder told the Gazette that K. Nithat was heading home after visiting a fellow OrBorJor member.“K. Nithat drove his Jeep Cherokee into the parking lot…

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  • Phuket NewsBars urged to close for two days | Thaiger

    Bars urged to close for two days

    PHUKET: Police have requested bar and nightclub owners, alcohol sellers and butchers to close for the next two days out of respect for Buddhist religious holidays.Pol Col Paween Pongsirin, Superintendent of Phuket Town Police Station, told the Gazette this evening, “We have asked night venues and places selling alcohol to close on Asarnha Bucha Day [tomorrow] and on Buddhist Lent…

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  • Phuket NewsFantaSea owner facing smuggling charge | Thaiger

    FantaSea owner facing smuggling charge

    BANGKOK (The Nation): The owner of Safari World and Phuket FantaSea will be charged with illegally importing orangutans, Forestry Police commander Maj Gen Sawek Pinsinchai said yesterday.Safari World and FantaSea managing director and owner Pin Kiewkacha is accused of violating provision 23 of the Wildlife Conservation Law by importing orangutans without permission, and provision 53 for concealing the wildlife. The two…

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  • Phuket NewsCrackdown on peddlers and ladyboys | Thaiger

    Crackdown on peddlers and ladyboys

    PATONG: Police yesterday evening arrested about 30 people in a crackdown aimed at reducing the number of street peddlers pestering tourists to buy trinkets, plastic flowers, garlands or, in some cases, sex.Pol Lt Col Boonlert Onklang, of Kathu Police Station, told the Gazette that Kathu police officers arrested about 30 vendors who annoyed tourists walking along the beach road by…

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  • Phuket NewsStab victim recovering

    Stab victim recovering

    PHUKET CITY: Briton Aden Simpson, 21, a teacher at Satree Phuket School who was stabbed on July 16, has been discharged from Wachira Phuket Hospital.Pol Capt Sathit Noorit, of Phuket City Police Station, told the Gazette today, “Mr Simpson is still recovering, but he is feeling better and has left the hospital.”Now that Mr Simpson is feeling better, said Capt…

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  • Phuket NewsHigh-tech cameras to boost security | Thaiger

    High-tech cameras to boost security

    PHUKET: Provided that the money is forthcoming, 100 security cameras using the latest-generation Internet communications protocol will be installed at 70 points across the island, including the tourist areas of Patong, Karon and Kata, to deter crime and monitor traffic flow.Manoo Ordeedolchest, President of the Software Industry Promotion Agency (Sipa), told the Gazette, “The idea originally came from the former…

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