Month: December 2008

  • Phuket NewsSwede dies in Kata guesthouse | Thaiger

    Swede dies in Kata guesthouse

    KARON, PHUKET: A young Swedish man was found dead in his room at the Kata View Guesthouse Sunday morning, according to a report in a local Thai-language newspaper. Police at 9 am on Sunday responded to a report of a death in the Kata View Guesthouse on Soi Koktanode in tambon Karon. Arriving at the scene with rescue workers from…

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  • Thailand News

    Full body massage by a real Babe

    CHIANG MAI: Villagers in Sansai District’s Tambon Nong Jom have been rushing to try the services of the village’s newest masseuse – a wild boar piglet named Phalo. In exchange for occasional mackerel or a few sweets, Phalo uses his snout to massage tired limbs – reportedly with as much skill as the most expert human hands. The unusual talent…

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  • Phuket NewsRed Cross Fair starts today | Thaiger

    Red Cross Fair starts today

    PHUKET CITY: The annual Red Cross Fair kicks off at Saphan Hin tonight and runs until January 10. As in past years, the fair will be a fun time for the entire family, with OTOP products for sale, food and beverages, stage shows, exhibitions and a wide variety of entertainment. There will also be some real bargains available, with handcrafted furniture…

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  • Phuket News

    Countdown to 2009 underway

    PHUKET CITY: Watch out Times Square, tropical Phuket has launched its most impressive New Year’s Countdown activity ever at Surin Circle, in the heart of Phuket City. Organized jointly by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) and Phuket City Municipality, the “Colorful Phuket Countdown 2009” activities kicked off with a special opening ceremony on Christmas night with opening speeches by…

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  • Phuket NewsTeen survives shooting | Thaiger

    Teen survives shooting

    KOH KAEW, PHUKET: A 16-year-old boy being treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital for gunshot wounds was shot in the chest and right arm early on the morning of December 28, a local Thai-language newspaper has reported. Phuket City Police received a 191 report of the shooting at about 2 am. By the time police arrived at the scene, at the…

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  • Phuket News

    Aussie arrivals receive Christmas surprise

    MAI KHAO, PHUKET: Airports of Thailand (AOT) held a “Splendid Phuket Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2009” event in the main terminal building of Phuket International Airport on the afternoon of December 26. Phuket Governor Preecha Ruangjan, AOT Chairman Wuttipan Wichairat and Phuket International Airport Director Wicha Nernlop were on hand to preside over the activities, which included staged…

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  • Phuket NewsDay of danger on Phuket roads | Thaiger

    Day of danger on Phuket roads

    WICHIT, PHUKET: In a chilling reminder about the need to drive safely during the current holiday season, a man on a motorcycle was killed instantly when he was hit by a six-wheeled truck and then pulled under its wheels yesterday afternoon. The accident occurred at about 1:30 pm near the entrance to Sukko Spa in Tambon Wichit, about 300 meters…

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  • Phuket News

    New Government to continue free water project

    PHUKET CITY: Consumers will be glad to know that a nationwide project that exempts most homeowners from having to pay water bills will continue under the new Government. The exemption, part of a six-month economic stimulus package introduced by ex-prime minister Samak Sundaravej, started in October. Sawong Sri-in, Director of the Phuket Municipality Water Supply Division, told the Gazette that…

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  • Phuket NewsTwo foreign tourists die in Rawai in two days | Thaiger

    Two foreign tourists die in Rawai in two days

    RAWAI, PHUKET: Two foreign tourists were found dead in their rooms in Rawai early this week. The first was identified by Chalong Police as American Martin Howard Schechter. Mr Schechter, 67, was found in the bed of his rented bungalow in Rawai Village 4. At about 11 am on Monday morning, the staff grew concerned because Mr Schechter, who they…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket remembers the tsunami

    PHUKET: Today marks the fourth anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami, which was triggered by an earthquake that measured close to nine on the Richter scale. The tsunami hit Phuket on the morning of December 26, 2004. More than 5,000 people, mostly international tourists, were killed in Thailand’s six Andaman coastal provinces when the killer waves struck. Indonesia, India and…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Airport to fall short of 6 million passenger milestone | Thaiger

    Phuket Airport to fall short of 6 million passenger milestone

    PHUKET / MAI KHAO: A “Splendid Phuket Merry Christmas and Happy New Year” event will take place on Boxing Day at Phuket International Airport, replacing a previously scheduled activity to welcome the airport’s record 6 millionth passenger in 2008. Airport authorities expected the 6 millionth passenger to arrive around Christmas, but the milestone will not be reached because of the…

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  • Phuket NewsKomkai’s killer apprehended, but mastermind still at-large | Thaiger

    Komkai’s killer apprehended, but mastermind still at-large

    PHUKET: After almost six months of investigation, police have arrested a hired gunman who confessed to the shooting murder of well-known Patong businesswoman Komkai Kositkoon on July 18. After his arrest at a construction site in Krabi on Saturday morning, 39-year-old Arun Chanma was brought in for a re-enactment of the crime, which took place on Wichit Songkraam Rd. He…

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  • Phuket NewsHoliday road safety measures set | Thaiger

    Holiday road safety measures set

    PHUKET: Nine major road checkpoints and 18 smaller “mobile units” will be in operation around Phuket from December 30 to January 5, 2009. The checkpoints form the final phase of a three-pronged effort to combat road accidents over the holiday period. This year’s strategy, coordinated by the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), started with…

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  • Phuket News

    Pair nabbed for passing bogus bills

    PHUKET / SRISOONTHORN: Thalang Police on Wednesday night arrested two men for passing counterfeit banknotes at local shops and restaurants. Thalang Police Duty Inspector Anukul Nuket identified the suspects as 24-year-old Nikorn Raksapol from Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Pattipong Nuea-nan, 31, from Chiang Rai. The pair were arrested at about 11 pm in the Fah Sai Restaurant in tambon Srisoonthorn…

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  • Phuket News

    Crime crackdown hits city streets

    PHUKET CITY: Phuket City Police have deployed 180 police officers to man six checkpoints around the city as part of a crime crackdown that began on December 17 and will end at 6 am on the morning of December 20. Phuket City Police Superintendent Wanchai Ekpornpit told the Gazette police have already opened 10 new cases as a result of…

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  • Phuket NewsBurglar arrested with B1.5m in stolen goods | Thaiger

    Burglar arrested with B1.5m in stolen goods

    CHALONG: A cat burglar released from prison last year is now back in custody, arrested on Sunday with over 1.5 million baht in stolen goods – mostly Buddhist amulets. Also arrested were his two alleged accomplices, one a 16-year-old boy.  The arrests were announced a press conference later the same day led by Police Region 8 Commander Santarn Chayanon. The…

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  • Phuket News

    Students, teachers and heroines: all survive smash

    THALANG: Fourteen tired students and staff of Kajonkietsuksa School returning home from Haad Yai had a rude awakening Tuesday night, when the bus they were traveling on crashed into the Heroines Monument at about 10 pm. The bus, nearing the end of an eight-hour journey, was carrying seven of the school’s top students, seven teachers plus the driver. The clever…

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  • Thailand NewsYouth loses face in explosive sex act | Thaiger

    Youth loses face in explosive sex act

    ANG THONG: Following on from last week’s report about the unfortunate Army private with the fish caught in his throat comes yet another sorry tale from a Thai youth about the perils of putting foreign objects in one’s mouth. This story came to light when an eighteen year old youth, identified only as Chai, was brought in to Wisetchaichan Hospital on December 7…

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  • Phuket NewsKids lifesaving carnival on Saturday | Thaiger

    Kids lifesaving carnival on Saturday

    KAMALA: A “Nippers Mini Surf Lifesaving Carnival” will be held on Saturday morning, December 20, at Kamala Beach, near Kamala Park and Kamala Police Station. The competition, open to kids five to 15 years of age, is organized and conducted by the Phuket Lifeguard Club. Children from local schools and swim clubs are invited to attend the carnival, which is…

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  • Phuket NewsBlackout tomorrow in city’s south end | Thaiger

    Blackout tomorrow in city’s south end

    PHUKET CITY: Residents of much of Phuket City’s Talad Neua sub-district will be without electricity from 9 am to 4 pm tomorrow, as the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) will cut the power to replace pylons along three main roads. The affected area starts from the Tha Kraeng three-way junction near Suan Luang Park in the south, runs north along Chao…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket Immigration clarifies new visa rules

    PHUKET CITY: At a press conference held late yesterday, Phuket Immigration confirmed that foreigners arriving without visas at any of Thailand’s non-airport immigration checkpoints will be granted permits-to-stay of only 15 days, half the former number. The conference was led by Phuket Immigration Superintendent Chanatpol Yongbunjerd, who also confirmed that the former rule limiting foreigners entering on “visa exemptions” from…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket’s Sukhumvit Rd complex boarded up

    PHUKET (PATONG): Scores of publicans running beer bars at the Sukhumvit Road night entertainment complex on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd were locked out of their businesses on Thursday afternoon for refusing to sign new rental agreements with Moodies Entertainment, which has reclaimed the right to operate the complex. Kathu Police Inspector Sophon Borrirak told the Gazette that he received a…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket businesses seek debt moratorium | Thaiger

    Phuket businesses seek debt moratorium

    PHUKET (The Nation): Cash-strapped tourism businesses in Phuket are seeking debt relief in order to deal with the current downturn in tourist arrivals at a time when hotel occupancy rates are normally at their highest. Somchai Pathamakantin, founder of the Phuket Seashell Museum and representative of tourist business groups on Kata and Karon beaches, today proposed to Phuket Governor Preecha…

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  • Phuket News

    Work on new Phuket City market almost complete

    PHUKET CITY: Work on the new public market on Ranong Rd in downtown Phuket City is now 90% complete, according to officials at Phuket City Hall. City official Udom Tansakul yesterday told the Gazette that the only work left to be done involves installation of vendors’ stalls and other finishing touches. The city has already paid 14 of 16 installments specified…

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  • Phuket News

    Police nab alleged extortionists

    PHUKET CITY: Two young men were arrested on the morning of December 8 in Tambon Rassada for beating up an off-duty sailor, stealing his safety helmet and walkie-talkie, and then allegedly using the equipment to pose as government officers to extort money from Burmese workers. At a press conference led by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Apirak Hongtong at the Phuket…

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  • Phuket NewsThai tourist beaten, stabbed, robbed | Thaiger

    Thai tourist beaten, stabbed, robbed

    PHUKET CITY (SAPHAN HIN): Police have issued an arrest warrant for a motorcycle taxi driver who assaulted and robbed a passenger early yesterday morning and left him bleeding in the middle of the road. A local Thai-language newspaper identified the victim as 43-year-old Nakhon Sawan resident Kittiporn Jongsiri, holder of a master’s degree from prestigious Chulalongkorn University. From his bed…

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  • Thailand NewsA fish in the hand is better than two in the pond | Thaiger

    A fish in the hand is better than two in the pond

    ROI-ET: As the old proverb goes, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”. As a young soldier in Isarn recently found out, the same holds true for fish in ponds. Late last month, Royal Thai Army Private Benchaphon Dangwibul told a reporter in a rather hoarse voice that on November 24 he was on a 10-day…

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  • Phuket NewsWife fatally stabs husband in clinic | Thaiger

    Wife fatally stabs husband in clinic

    PHUKET CITY: A man stabbed in the shoulder by his wife went into shock and died while receiving hospital treatment early Sunday morning.Phuket City Police Duty Inspector Sarit Butnongsang told the Gazette he received a report at 3:20 am on Sunday of a stabbing at Mor Term Medical Clinic Branch 2, a traditional Thai medicine clinic located in a commercial…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket business community pleads for stability | Thaiger

    Phuket business community pleads for stability

    PHUKET: With it still unclear whether the Democrat Party or the Pheu Thai Party will form the next Thai government, top figures in the Phuket tourism and real estate sectors say a return to stability is the key to restoring the local economy. Tanan Tanphaibul, President of the Phuket Real Estate Club, says the Phuket business community is calling for…

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  • Phuket News

    Fourth quarter airport arrivals down almost 50%

    PHUKET (MAI KHAO): Passenger numbers at Phuket International Airport for the last three months of 2008 are expected to be down about 48% year-on-year due to global economic conditions and recent events in the Thai capital. Phuket International Airport Director Wicha Nernlop told the Gazette that around 65 direct international flights to the airport were canceled during the10-day political standoff…

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  • Phuket NewsBuilding site murder suspect arrested in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Building site murder suspect arrested in Bangkok

    PHUKET (RASSADA): After a six-week manhunt, police in Bangkok on December 4 arrested a suspect in the shooting murder of building contractor Manoon Pramoonsilp at a work site off Thepkrasattri Rd in Rassada. The suspect, 50-year-old construction materials salesman Suchart Sae-lee, confessed to killing Mr Manoon with a single .38 caliber bullet to his right temple following a dispute over…

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  • Phuket News

    Quantum Racing snatches victory in King’s Cup Regatta

    KATA: In fresh winds gusting up to 20 knots yesterday morning, Ray Roberts’ Quantum Racing team snatched victory from Neil Pryde’s Hi Fi and Winkelman and Dodd’s Island Fling to win the final race of the Racing class in the 22nd annual King’s Cup Regatta. In one of the tightest competitions ever in the King’s Cup, the win moved Quantum…

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  • Phuket News

    Island Fling retakes lead in King’s Cup Regatta

    KATA: Despite Ray Roberts’ Quantum Racing winning both races on Friday, December 5 in the Racing class of the 22nd King’s Cup Regatta, being held off Kata Beach, Winkelman and Dodd’s Island Fling has retaken the lead in the class with consistently good sailing. Before starting the day’s racing, the 94-boat fleet this morning staged a “sail-past salute” past the…

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  • Phuket NewsWork on new bus station underway | Thaiger

    Work on new bus station underway

    RASSADA: Work is underway on Phuket’s new bus terminal, which is scheduled to open in early 2010. Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office chief Sompong Thosawat said the new bus terminal will occupy a nine-rai plot of land on Thepkrasattri Rd southbound, about 300 meters south of Supercheap. The site is suitable for the new station as it is located outside…

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  • Phuket News

    Neil Pryde and Hi Fi move into first in Racing Class

    KATA: Proving that this year’s 22nd King’s Cup Regatta competition is tighter than ever, today saw the third leader in as many days of racing. Neil Pryde and his crew on Hi Fi scored a first place in the Racing class as the fleet swept around the southern end of Phuket, powered by strong and steady headwinds in the morning.…

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  • Phuket News

    Quantum Racing scores ‘double’ in King’s Cup Regatta

    KATA: Ray Roberts’ Quantum Racing crew scored two wins and a third place in today’s racing, moving them into first place overall in the Racing class of the King’s Cup Regatta being held off Kata Beach. Frank Pong’s 70-foot yacht Jelik has moved into second place in the class, closely followed by Neil Pryde’s Hi Fi in third place overall.…

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  • Phuket News

    Dead dugong thought victim of fishing gear

    LAEM PANWA: More bad news for Phuket’s tiny dugong population came early yesterday morning, when the carcass of an immature female was found floating less than a kilometer offshore from Laem Ka, up the coast from the Sea Gypsy Village in Rawai. Dugong researcher Kanjana Adulyanukosol from the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) said the carcass was recovered at about…

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