Year: 2010

  • Phuket NewsPhuket celebrates HM The Queen’s Birthday

    Phuket celebrates HM The Queen’s Birthday

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop on Monday presided over the opening of a project to plant 999 Yang Na trees at Rama IX Park as part of activities in honor of HM The Queen’s Birthday tomorrow. The event, which began at 9am, also included the release of 9,999 “effective micro-organism” (EM) balls into ponds at the park, also known as…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket tourism: bigger pic needed; Phuket yachts; Surf’s up | Thaiger

    Phuket tourism: bigger pic needed; Phuket yachts; Surf’s up

    Phuket NEWS Hound – A daily digest of news about Thailand from around the world, compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community. Call to relax constraints on tourism Phuket could benefit substantially if Thailand were to think wider in the regulation of its vital tourism industry. The Thai tourism industry needs to relax its regulations and give more access…

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  • Phuket NewsDrowned Bahraini tourist was a former lifeguard

    Drowned Bahraini tourist was a former lifeguard

    PHUKET: The drowned Bahraini tourist whose body was recovered at Karon yesterday was a former lifeguard, according to a report in the Bahrain-based Gulf Daily News website. Relatives and friends of 25-year-old Ali Abdulaziz Alsaeed, whose body was recovered early yesterday, was on holiday in Phuket with three Bahraini friends: Mohammed Mattar, Hameed Abdul Ghani and Ali Al Abdul, 24.…

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  • Phuket NewsLaguna Phuket sells Dusit Thani for Bt2.62b | Thaiger

    Laguna Phuket sells Dusit Thani for Bt2.62b

    PHUKET: Laguna Phuket has sold the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket resort to Dusit Thani Public Company Limited for 2.62 billion baht, according to a Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) transaction report. The 226-room upscale property, opened in 1987, was the first built by visionary Singaporean hotel developer KP Ho at Laguna Phuket, an integrated resort complex built on degraded tin…

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  • Phuket NewsBlackouts in Phuket tomorrow: PEA

    Blackouts in Phuket tomorrow: PEA

    PHUKET: The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has announced a scheduled blackout to carry out maintenance on high voltage power lines in Rawai and Chalong from 9am to 4pm tomorrow. Affected areas include: Rawai: Much of Nai Harn, including Saiyuan Road, Soi Kok Yang, Soi Hua Phru, Soi Kok Makham, Soi Naya and the beach road Chalong: West side of Chao…

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  • Phuket NewsBody of drowned Bahraini tourist recovered off Phuket

    Body of drowned Bahraini tourist recovered off Phuket

    PHUKET: The body of a Bahraini tourist was recovered early this morning, three days after disappearing in heavy surf off Karon Beach on Sunday afternoon. Uten Singsom, head of the Phuket Lifeguard Club contingent assigned to patrol Kata-Karon, identified the deceased as Ali Abdulaziz Salman Alsaeed, age 25. Mr Ali arrived in Phuket on August 5 with three friends, all…

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  • Phuket NewsMore Phuket Airport taxis approved

    More Phuket Airport taxis approved

    PHUKET: The Transport Ministry has formally approved a request by Airports of Thailand (AoT) to increase the number of taxis and vans that can operate at Phuket International Airport by 60. News of the approval came at a meeting chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Nivit Aroonrat at Phuket Provincial Hall on Friday morning. Phuket Land Transport Office director Kanok Siripanichkorn…

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  • Phuket NewsOver Bt1m seized in Phuket meth arrest | Thaiger

    Over Bt1m seized in Phuket meth arrest

    PHUKET: A former driver at a local school was arrested at Tah Chat Chai checkpoint with 200 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills yesterday evening. Acting on a tip-off, Tah Chat Chai Police led by Lt Nopparat Kongsuk pulled over a red-plated Vigo pickup at 7pm. A search of the vehicle uncovered 200 ya bah pills stashed inside a plastic bag stuffed…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket SEZ a dream?; Mega-show for Phuket; Election fraud; court begins | Thaiger

    Phuket SEZ a dream?; Mega-show for Phuket; Election fraud; court begins

    Phuket NEWS Hound – A daily digest of news about Thailand from around the world, compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community. Special Economic Zones: Phuket hopes remain a dream In a development sure to raise eyebrows in Phuket, Sa Kaew province has been chosen to become a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to promote trade and investment in eastern…

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  • Phuket NewsEnvironmentalists urge amendment of Phuket development plan

    Environmentalists urge amendment of Phuket development plan

    PHUKET: A written appeal to amend Phuket’s General Development Plan was submitted by local environmental and community groups last week. Addressed to Gov Wichai Phraisa-ngob, the letter was received by Vice Governor Teerayut Eimtrakul who commented that a committee would be arranged to consider issues raised in the document before passing on any suggested amendments to the Department of Public…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket expats can enter census data on line

    Phuket expats can enter census data on line

    PHUKET: Foreigners in Phuket wanting to take part in the national census can do so on line from September 1, the Phuket Provincial Statistical Office has told the Gazette. Prapai Pukngarm, a technical and planning officer at the office, said the National Statistical Office (NSO) website (www.nso.go.th) should be ready to accept census data from September 1, when data collection…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Bus Terminal 2: the saga continues

    Phuket Bus Terminal 2: the saga continues

    PHUKET: A plan by the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) to open its new provincial bus station by October 1 is in jeopardy because local residents oppose having buses do U-turns on Thepkrasattri Road, the Gazette has learned. PLTO Chief Kanok Siripanichkorn told the Gazette last week that his office hoped to have the 128-million-baht facility in operation by October…

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  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: More dam projects needed | Thaiger

    Phuket Opinion: More dam projects needed

    PHUKET: Work on the much-needed 5.7-million-cubic-meter Klong Krata reservoir in the foothills behind Wat Luangpu Supha in Chalong can finally proceed, now that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has finally approved a request by the Phuket Provincial Irrigation Office (PPIO) to use a 60-rai plot of Forest Department land needed to begin construction. The issues holding up…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket drowning victim identified | Thaiger

    Phuket drowning victim identified

    PHUKET: Police have identified the body of a man found washed up at Ao Yon over the weekend as that of Rawai resident Abdulloh Thaodaeng, aged 46. Phuket City Police were notified that a body was discovered lying face up on Ao Yon beach in tambon Wichit at about 2:30am yesterday. Police were initially unable to identify the corpse, clad…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Poll: Foreign tourists lax on Thai culture | Thaiger

    Phuket Poll: Foreign tourists lax on Thai culture

    PHUKET: Foreign visitors to Phuket make some, but not considerable, effort to understand and respect Thai culture, the results of the latest Phuket Gazette Readers’ Poll reveal. A total of 325 readers took part in the two-week survey, posted on July 22, 2010. The poll followed a report by the local Culture Ministry office that a foreigner running a restaurant…

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  • Phuket NewsFC Phuket breeze past Hatyai FC, 2-0

    FC Phuket breeze past Hatyai FC, 2-0

    PHUKET: The Division Two South title in the AIS Regional League is within easy reach for FC Phuket following a comfortable 2-0 win against Hatyai FC at Surakul Stadium yesterday evening. FC Phuket went into the match brimming with confidence, having put together back-to-back league wins after the surprise loss to Yala FC. FC Phuket started the match brightly, but…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket wet market to open this month

    Phuket wet market to open this month

    PHUKET: Although vendors and city officials continue to haggle over costs, the new wet market on Ranong Road will open by the end of the month, Phuket City Municipality says. Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana and city council members met with vendor representatives at Phuket City Hall on Monday. Provincial Deputy Governor Teerayut Eimtrakul served as chairman of the meeting…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket preps for Indians; Swiss steers Serenity Phuket; Bridge bomb | Thaiger

    Phuket preps for Indians; Swiss steers Serenity Phuket; Bridge bomb

    Phuket NEWS Hound – A daily digest of news about Thailand from around the world, compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community. Phuket prepares for Pow Wow Phuket will be hosting an annual meeting of tour guide operators from India from Sept 24-27. A total of 1,500-2,000 representatives from the Association of Indian Tourist Guides will take part. Phuket…

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  • Phuket NewsAndaman Motor Expo underway in Phuket

    Andaman Motor Expo underway in Phuket

    PHUKET: The Andaman Motor Expo 2010 is underway on the first floor of Central Festival Phuket’s HomeWorks complex. Among the makes on display are Toyota, Isuzu, Mazda, Proton, Mitsubishi, Chevrolet, BMW and Volvo. Companies selling car accessories and finance firms also have booths and displays. There are also classic cars on display, including a replica of the #53 Herbie “The…

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  • Phuket NewsWork begins on new Phuket Town road

    Work begins on new Phuket Town road

    PHUKET: Construction began yesterday on a new road that will link Saphan Hin to Chao Fa East Road in Phuket Town. With an axe-chop to a cement bag, Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop kicked off the opening ceremony at 9:30am with Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana, Phuket MP Raywat Areerob and Phuket Rural Roads Office Director Teeraporn Jirarattanakorn. The ceremony took…

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  • Phuket NewsNew hope for Phuket bus station | Thaiger

    New hope for Phuket bus station

    PHUKET: The new terminal for inter-provincial buses will open for service in October, Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) Chief Kanok Siripanichkorn has told the Gazette. Work on the 128-million-baht facility was completed in early December last year, but the station has sat idle ever since. “Bus terminals like this are usually handed over to local organizations to manage. Initially, Rassada…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket government offices to close for Mother’s Day | Thaiger

    Phuket government offices to close for Mother’s Day

    PHUKET: All Thai government offices, including Phuket Immigration, will be closed August 12 and 13 for the birthday of HM Queen Sirikit. Her Majesty’s birthday on August 12 is also celebrated as Mother’s Day in Thailand. “Our office will be closed on August 12 and 13, and will reopen on August 16,” Phuket Immigration Chief Col Panuwat Ruamrak confirmed to…

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  • Phuket News999 rare trees to honor Mother’s Day in Phuket

    999 rare trees to honor Mother’s Day in Phuket

    PHUKET: Phuket City Municipality mark Mother’s Day, which in Thailand is on the August 12 birthday of HM Queen Sirikit, with a variety of public activities at Suan Luang Park on August 9. The activities include the planting of 999 yang na, or “hairy-leafed apitong”, trees. The Kata-Karon Hotel Business Association, together with Krungthai Bank, the Rotary Club of Tungkha…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket PAD protest; oil drills defended; Bangkok bombs; economy booms | Thaiger

    Phuket PAD protest; oil drills defended; Bangkok bombs; economy booms

    Phuket NEWS Hound – A daily digest of news about Thailand from around the world, compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community. Phuket PAD adding fuel to temple fire Phuket members of the People‘s Alliance for Democracy are on their way to Bangkok this morning to join a rally at Government House. The Phuket contingent wants to help the…

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  • Phuket NewsGerman-Thai couple nabbed for Phuket burglary | Thaiger

    German-Thai couple nabbed for Phuket burglary

    KAMALA: A German and his Thai girlfriend were arrested Wednesday for burglary and possession of stolen goods after the couple’s alleged victim spotted one of them carrying her missing handbag in Kamala, police said. Natthapakin Kuanchaipruek, superintendent at Kamala Police Station, presented Karsten Lange, 45, and his girlfriend Pattranit Morida, 29, at a press conference yesterday. Police said Mr Lange…

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  • Phuket News2nd Phuket Traditional Costume Contest on Sunday

    2nd Phuket Traditional Costume Contest on Sunday

    PHUKET: The second-annual Phuket Traditional Costumes Contest will be held on August 8 from 2pm to 4pm at the Thalang National Museum, the museum’s director Atchima Nookhong announced August 2. Ms Atchima said the traditional costumes show the cultural identities of Phuket people, displaying the diversity of origins of people co-existing on the island for a long time. “Globalization has…

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  • Phuket NewsPreah Vihear protest: Phuket PAD off to Bangkok

    Preah Vihear protest: Phuket PAD off to Bangkok

    PHUKET: Phuket members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy will travel to the capital tomorrow to join a rally at Government House, where they will pressure the government to resolve the ongoing dispute over the Preah Vihear temple. Preah Vihear temple, built on the hilly border between Thailand and Cambodia, was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice…

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  • Phuket NewsSix confess to drug charges in Phuket | Thaiger

    Six confess to drug charges in Phuket

    PATONG: Kathu Police held a press conference on Tuesday to announce the arrest on Monday of six drug suspects, all of whom confessed to being members of a major drug ring selling ya bah (methamphetamine) and ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) to tourists in Patong. The conference was chaired by Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Superintendent Kosol Watrakon and Kathu Police Superintendent…

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  • Cannabis NewsBrit biker sets record for Thai King | Thaiger

    Brit biker sets record for Thai King

    Phuket NEWS Hound – A daily digest of news about Thailand from around the world, compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community. PHUKET: Away from his home in Chiangrai for more than three months, British expat Alan Bate completed his trip around the world in honour of His Majesty the King of Thailand yesterday and set a new record…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Police: ‘Serial suicide’ girl a con artist | Thaiger

    Phuket Police: ‘Serial suicide’ girl a con artist

    PHUKET: The “suicidal” teenage girl who threatened to hurl herself from a pedestrian walkway in Phuket Town yesterday is actually a serial con artist who has tried similar scams in other parts of the country, police say. Phuket City Police Superintendent Wanchai Ekpornpit told the media today that police left Phuket yesterday to escort 19-year-old Orasa Lapruek back to her…

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  • Phuket NewsMother’s Day photo contest by Radio Thailand, Phuket

    Mother’s Day photo contest by Radio Thailand, Phuket

    PHUKET: The Radio Thailand office in Phuket is holding a digital photo contest with the theme of “The bond between mother and child” in celebration of national Mothers’ Day on August 12, which is the 78th birthday or HM Queen Sirikit. All submissions will be judged on beauty, creativity and how well they express the stated theme. Images must original…

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  • Phuket NewsBaba Peranakan mass wedding in Phuket Town

    Baba Peranakan mass wedding in Phuket Town

    PHUKET: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organizing a mass wedding ceremony in the “Baba Peranakan” (Straits Chinese) tradition to take place in Phuket Town this month. The colorful event, organized jointly with the Phuket Peranakan Association (PPA) and Phuket City Municipality, will take place August 14 and 15. It is intended both as a celebration of Peranakan culture…

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  • Phuket NewsBusiness brisk at Phuket City Pawnshop

    Business brisk at Phuket City Pawnshop

    PHUKET: The general state of the economy – not World Cup gambling – is responsible for brisk trade at the Phuket City Municipality Pawnshop, officers say. The shop, on Kamorapat Road in Phuket Town, currently has 480 million baht out on loan to 31,280 customers, according to a release by the municipality. Borrowers appear to be pawning more valuable items,…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket crash helmet campaign: fines start July 1, 2011

    Phuket crash helmet campaign: fines start July 1, 2011

    PHUKET: The public awareness part of the Phuket City Police “100% motorcycle helmet use” campaign will run another full year before offenders will face fines, it has been announced. The campaign, which began in April, is intended to bring helmet use in Phuket City Police District to 100%, both among operators and their passengers. July 1 this year was initially…

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  • Phuket NewsCockfighting a gamble in Phuket | Thaiger

    Cockfighting a gamble in Phuket

    Phuket NEWS Hound – A daily digest of news from around the world about Thailand, compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community. PHUKET: Initially reported by the Phuket Gazette on Monday, a raid on a cockfighting ring in Phuket on Sunday has caught the attention of online gambling journal ‘Gaming Zion’, which in a report filed last night looks…

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  • Phuket NewsRough seas off Phuket through Thursday

    Rough seas off Phuket through Thursday

    PHUKET: The Meteorological Department (MET) has issued a weather advisory warning of rough offshore conditions over the next two days. Issued at 4pm today from the MET headquarters in Bangkok, the warning calls for strong monsoonal conditions across the country, causing heavy seas in both the Andaman Ocean and Gulf of Thailand from today through Thursday. All shipping should proceed…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket students prevent suicide leap

    Phuket students prevent suicide leap

    PHUKET: A group of Satree Phuket School students were able to talk a troubled teenager out of committing suicide by jumping off the pedestrian footbridge near their school this morning. Satree Phuket 12th-grade student Nat Koeypoekaisan said he was walking over the footbridge that spans Thepkrasattri Road when he noticed the young woman climbing over the handrail, facing out over…

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