Month: September 2005

  • Phuket NewsHRH Princess Sirindhorn to visit Phuket | Thaiger

    HRH Princess Sirindhorn to visit Phuket

    PHUKET: HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will visit Phuket and Phang Nga in October and again in November, Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura announced this morning.On October 26, Princess Sirindhorn will be in Phuket to take part in a Tod Kathin ceremony, during which people donate money to a wat, at Wat Luang Phu Supa in Chalong, residence of Abbot Luang…

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  • Phuket News“Public Point’ to ease pressure on govt services | Thaiger

    “Public Point’ to ease pressure on govt services

    PHUKET: The Department of Local Administration (DOLA) and the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) on Tuesday jointly opened a “Public Point” service center on the basement floor of Big C Supercenter on the bypass road.The center, open daily from 10 am to 8 pm, is connected to DOLA’s online system and offers most of the same basic services as a…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket “disaster academy’ opens

    THALANG: The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Academy, Phuket Campus, opened on Monday at the old Phuket Provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (ODPM) in Tambon Sri Soonthorn. It is one of six schools nationwide set up to help prevent disasters and minimize their effects.The plan for this scheme was approved by Cabinet in July last year and by the…

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  • Phuket NewsDead man found floating in canal | Thaiger

    Dead man found floating in canal

    KOH SIREH: Local villagers yesterday morning found the body of an unidentified dead man floating in Klong Tha Chin, which separates Koh Sireh from Phuket.The body had 10 stab wounds to the neck and the base of the skull.The police believe that the victim, between 25 and 30 years of age, was killed more than two days before his body…

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  • Thailand NewsMonkey on your back | Thaiger

    Monkey on your back

    CHIANG RAI: Having a monkey on one’s back might sound like the very definition of hardship, but for a dog in Mae Sai it is a labor of love. Guests at the Kung Pao 38 Restaurant in Mae Sai are greeted by a rather unusual welcoming committee when they arrive: a four-year-old Labrador retriever and “Jockey”, an orphaned baby monkey…

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  • Thailand NewsThe young lad and the sea | Thaiger

    The young lad and the sea

    PATONG: A 15-year-old German boy tried to drown himself at Patong Beach after his parents forbade him to see again a ladyboy he had met on Soi Bangla. On the evening of September 12, the boy – whose name was not released because he is a minor – was ordered to stay in his room by his parents, who feared…

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  • Phuket NewsWind of change | Thaiger

    Wind of change

    PHUKET: The cool, wet and windy conditions Phuket is currently experiencing as a result of tropical storm Damrey will end tomorrow, when normal monsoon conditions will prevail, Chumnong Chitpukdee, Director of Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast) Meteorological Department, has told the Gazette.He said that Phuket would likely not experience any more heavy rain from the system, but windy conditions could…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket gets another “sister’ | Thaiger

    Phuket gets another “sister’

    PHUKET CITY: Nearly three years after the idea was first floated, Phuket and Hainan Island, in China, are now “sisters”.The special status relationship was ratified on Sunday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura and Hainan Governor Wei Liucheng, at the Royal Phuket City Hotel.The MoU, which became effective immediately, states having the…

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  • Phuket NewsMedium restraint during veg fest – Governor | Thaiger

    Medium restraint during veg fest – Governor

    PHUKET (Gazette, Kom Chad Luek): Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura has urged mediums at this year’s Vegetarian Festival not to be too extreme during the street parades that are to take place from October 3-11. At the same time the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phuket believes the festival will attract more than 50,000 tourists.Gov Udomsak, said he ordered supervising officials…

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  • Phuket NewsTentative steps toward ending airport taxi deadlock | Thaiger

    Tentative steps toward ending airport taxi deadlock

    PHUKET: The Phuket Vehicle Service Co-operative and Confederation (PVSCC) has held its first meeting to try to solve the impasse between airport limousine drivers and meter taxi operators.The committee comprises members of the Airport Limousine and Business Service Co-operative, Phuket Taxi Service Co-operative (green license plate car service), Phuket Small Four-wheel Co-operative (tuk-tuk service), and Patong Motor Taxi Service. The…

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  • Phuket News

    Anti-terrorist drill “a success’

    AO MAKHAM: Although admitting that there were some “communication problems”, Phuket Provincial Administration Officer (Palad) Vichan Busapavanich hailed today’s anti-terrorist exercise at Phuket Deep Sea Port in Ao Makham as “a success”.The hypothetical scenario involved of a band of terrorists taking hostages in a building at the port, where they detonate an explosive device. In the exercise, the building was…

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  • Phuket NewsWoman found dead on Koh Sireh | Thaiger

    Woman found dead on Koh Sireh

    KOH SIREH: The body of a middle-aged Thai woman was discovered by locals on a Pae Ong Beach on Koh Sireh on Friday.Pol Lt Patrawut Onchuay, of Phuket City Police Station, told the Gazette that the victim, Ampai Yothapakdee, 46, had been killed no more than eight hours before her body was discovered at 10 am.Customers at the nearby Wangkung…

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  • Phuket News“Too many mobile phones’ for tsunami SMS warning system | Thaiger

    “Too many mobile phones’ for tsunami SMS warning system

    PHUKET CITY: Ministers and high-ranking officials are able receive a tsunami warning SMS from the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) but other mobile phone users are not yet able to receive messages because of delays.Dr Smith Thammasaroj, appointed to establish the NDWC, made his comments at a recent seminar held at the Phuket Royal City Hotel. The seminar was attended by…

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  • Phuket NewsSoi Dog Foundation closed as ‘warning’ | Thaiger

    Soi Dog Foundation closed as ‘warning’

    PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Livestock Office (PPLO) on September 16 ordered the Soi Dog Foundation (SDF) in Tambon Rassada to suspend operations on the grounds that it is not in compliance with Thai law because it is not registered under the name of a Thai veterinarian.PPLO Chief Sunart Wongchawalit told the Gazette that Phuket has up to 17 animal rescue…

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  • Koh Samui NewsSamui property agent shot | Thaiger

    Samui property agent shot

    KOH SAMUI: Samui property agent Gary Pearmain and his girlfriend, Sirinya Sansenao, 25, were shot and wounded by two gunmen at their house in Baan Thongkrud at about 8 pm on Thursday.Pol Maj Sompong Krutsuwan, Inspector of Samui Police Station, told the Gazette that Mr Pearmain, a British national, was shot in the left hand and chest, and K. Sirinya…

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  • Phuket NewsNumber plate auction hopes to top 8 million baht | Thaiger

    Number plate auction hopes to top 8 million baht

    PHUKET CITY: A total of 301 numbers will go on the block at Phuket’s second two-day auction of car license plates, starting at 8:30 am on October 15 and 16 at The Metropole Hotel Phuket.Theerayuth Prasertphol, Chief Technical Officer of the Phuket Provincial Transportation Office (PPTO), told the Gazette today that there will be a variety of categories of numbers…

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  • Phuket NewsTsunami memorial design competition opens | Thaiger

    Tsunami memorial design competition opens

    BANGKOK: Registration for the competition to design the national tsunami memorial opened on September 15. The competition is open until November 15, and the five shortlisted proposals will be displayed on December 26, 2005 at Khao Lak Lamru National Park.. The 1.5 billion baht-project – the cost of which has been mired in controversy – is due for completion by…

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  • Phuket NewsNew luxury resort planned for Phi Phi | Thaiger

    New luxury resort planned for Phi Phi

    PHI PHI: A new luxury resort, built by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), is planned for Lanah Bay, Phi Phi Island, with another two resorts – one on Koh Samui and another in Pattaya – in the pipeline.The properties, slated to open in 2007, will be IHG‘s first resorts in Thailand, and will bring the total number of properties managed by IHG…

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  • Phuket NewsTourism picking up as high season approaches | Thaiger

    Tourism picking up as high season approaches

    PHUKET: A Singapore-based budget airline is to launch a four-times-a-week service to Phuket from October 25, and will be offering special low one-way fares (excluding taxes) of S$22 (520 baht) until December 15.The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hopes the flights by Jetstar Asia, an affiliate of Australia’s Qantas Airways, will attract many Singaporeans to Phuket during the high season.Suwalai…

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  • Cannabis NewsGov urges police to work harder on drug cases | Thaiger

    Gov urges police to work harder on drug cases

    PHUKET: Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura has urged local police to concentrate their efforts in the war on drugs. He was speaking at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday.The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) reported to the meeting that most teenage drug cases involved two main drugs – ya bah (methamphetamine) and cannabis – and that most teenagers were able to…

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  • Phuket NewsMiss Teen Phuket 2005 | Thaiger

    Miss Teen Phuket 2005

    PHUKET: Aroonrat Sakulchit, 18, gracefully edged out 29 fellow contestants to win the “Miss Teen Phuket 2005” on September 17 at Central Festival.The beauty contest was overseen by Wilak Lohthong, Chairman of Miss Teen Thailand 2005, and Chairman of Miss Teen Phuket 2005, Pamuke Archariyachai.The 30 contenders modeled products from the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) project before the judges selected…

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  • Phuket News

    Vicente blows in good news and bad

    PHUKET: The skirts of Tropical Storm Vicente trailed good news and bad across Phuket over the weekend, topping up the Bang Wad Reservoir with badly needed supplies of water but, at the same time, sending mud pouring into seven homes in Phuket City.The heavy rain added 288,000 cubic meters of water to Phuket’s only major reservoir, enough to keep the…

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  • Phuket NewsWet weekend ahead | Thaiger

    Wet weekend ahead

    PHUKET: Island residents can expect a wet and overcast weekend, thanks to slow-moving tropical storm Vicente, which at 7 am today was centered in the South China Sea about 600 kilometers east of the Vietnamese city of Qui Nhon. Maximum winds speeds recorded near the center of the storm were about 75 kilometers an hour. Chumnong Chitpukeed, Director of the…

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  • Phuket NewsGasohol in Phuket by Monday | Thaiger

    Gasohol in Phuket by Monday

    PHUKET: Gasohol will available at all 14 PTT gas stations on the island by Monday, Vichitpong Cheanthongsub, PTT Oil Phuket Depot Manager, told the Gazette yesterday.“Gasohol became available throughout the South yesterday [on Thursday], but some PTT gas stations are still in the process of having the tanks installed. PTT gas stations in Phuket will have gasohol available for the…

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  • Phuket News

    ATM cash thieves arrested in Phuket

    BANGKOK (Kom Chad Luek): Crime Suppression Division detectives announced at a press conference in Bangkok yesterday the arrest in Phuket on Wednesday of two Krung Thai Bank employees who allegedly stole a massive 28.8 million baht from ATM machines in the capital.The suspects, identified as Chatchai Jongsirirat, 32, and Pichet Kraibutra, 29, were employed by Krung Thai Business Service Co.…

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  • Phuket NewsShrimp farmer and mule netted in ya bah sting | Thaiger

    Shrimp farmer and mule netted in ya bah sting

    PHUKET CITY: A joint sting operation carried out yesterday between Phuket City Police Station and Phang Nga police officers netted 1,100 ya bah (methamphetamine) tablets and two alleged dealers.Phuket City Police Superintendent Col Paween Pongsirin told the Gazette that undercover officers met with shrimp farmer Sanan Pandej, 50, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, outside the Imperial 2 Hotel on Luang Por…

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  • Phuket NewsWork continues on rebuilding Kamala | Thaiger

    Work continues on rebuilding Kamala

    KAMALA: More than eight months after Kamala was hit by the December 26 tsunami, Kamala Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) is continuing to clean up the beachfront village.Jirachai Suebsod, Chief of OrBorTor Kamala’s Public Works department, told the Gazette that the Department of Local Administration has approved 42 million baht for Kamala OrBorTor to complete two main projects.“We are widening the…

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  • Phuket NewsNational lottery draw to be held in Phuket | Thaiger

    National lottery draw to be held in Phuket

    PATONG: The October 1 draw of the government national lottery, which will be televised live round the country, will take place at the Graceland Resort & Spa in Patong.Wallapa Pajareepong of the Government Lottery Office said that the lottery will be held in Phuket in order to promote tourism to the province. During the show, footage of popular tourist spots…

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  • Phuket News“Barbecued’ dolphin found on Karon Beach | Thaiger

    “Barbecued’ dolphin found on Karon Beach

    KARON: The charred carcass of a male bottlenose dolphin, believed to have been dragged ashore by fishermen hoping to barbecue it, was found on Karon Beach on Tuesday.Kongkiat Kittiwattawong, a biologist at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) at Cape Panwa, told the Gazette that the dolphin was about 20-25 years old. It was 2.5 meters long and weighed about 80…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket Air cuts more routes after accident

    BANGKOK: Phuket Air has canceled its services between Bangkok and Mae Sot, and Bangkok and Buri Ram, after one of its aircrft skidded off the runway at Tak Airport while landing the day before yesterday. None of the 30 passengers on board was injured.The decades-old Japanese YS-11 twin-turboprop aircraft, which can carry 64 passengers, barreled into the airport’s perimeter fence,…

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  • Phuket NewsCrackdown on land officials imminent | Thaiger

    Crackdown on land officials imminent

    BANGKOK (The Nation): The top money-laundering examiner yesterday sounded an alarm that rogue officials in Phuket, Phang Nga, Ranong and Krabi were behind scams to issue land-right documents unlawfully for plots overlapping forests.“From confidential investigations by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), [we have ascertained that] rogue officials in four southern provinces have abused their office to issue false documents for…

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  • Phuket NewsBad news for booze | Thaiger

    Bad news for booze

    PHUKET: The Excise Department’s tax increase on distilled spirits, which went into effect September 6, is gradually being reflected on store shelves across the island as retailers replace old stock with new. The increase, which ostensibly has the twofold goal of cutting down on alcohol consumption and boosting government revenue, applies to all distilled alcohol products including brandy, whisky, “special…

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  • Phuket NewsTwo singers sought for rape | Thaiger

    Two singers sought for rape

    PATONG: Two Thai singers are being sought on charges of sexually assaulting a young woman from the Netherlands in the early hours of Saturday morning.Pol Lt Weerapong Rakhito of Kathu Police Station said that, at 3:30 am on Saturday, Patong Hospital reported that two women tourists, one apparently the victim of a sexual assault, had arrived there by tuk-tuk.Eighteen-year-old “Anna”…

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  • Phuket NewsTicket scam suspect makes bail | Thaiger

    Ticket scam suspect makes bail

    PATONG: British national Jonathan Duncan, charged with selling fraudulently obtained air tickets to tourists, has been released on bail of 50,000 baht after spending five days locked up following his arrest.Duncan, 24, was arrested August 30 on charges of fraud, following complaints by people who had bought cheap air tickets from him. It is alleged that he bought them by…

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  • Phuket NewsBangkok resurrects casinos plan | Thaiger

    Bangkok resurrects casinos plan

    BANGKOK (The Nation): The government has revived its plan to introduce casinos to Thailand as a way to boost the sagging tourism industry amid increased competition from rival Asian destinations, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Pracha Maleenont, said yesterday.K. Pracha said the “one region one casino” initiative was proposed in response to the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland this…

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  • Phuket News

    Don’t forget us – Phi Phi

    PHI PHI ISLANDS: Phankam Kitithorakul, the Chairman of the Ao Nang Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor), which is responsible for the Phi Phi Islands, yesterday called for greater government support because, he believes, the islands are being overlooked in favor of Phuket and Khao Lak.K. Phankam said that, eight months after the tsunami, the central government had still to help boost…

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  • Phuket NewsStudents to clean up Kamala Beach | Thaiger

    Students to clean up Kamala Beach

    KOH KAEW: After reading the recent Gazette article [August 20] about the sorry state of Kamala since the tsunami, students from The British Curriculum International School (BCIS) decided to do something about it. On Saturday, September 17, at 10 am, some 400 students will converge on Kamala Beach to clean it up as the focus of their sixth annual Clean…

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