Month: May 2011
- Phuket News
Phuket poor get food, scholarships
PHUKET: Some of Phuket’s poorest people were on hand at the Kusoldharm Foundation headquarters yesterday afternoon to accept donations of food as part of the annual Te Krajard merit-making ceremony. The event marks the birthday of the Chinese God Hui Joh that is highly revered by Phuket’s ethnic Chinese community. Led by Kusoldharm Foundation President Benjawan Tamphanuwat, workers distributed 3,000…
Read More » - Phuket News
Aussie “marathon centurion’ to run Laguna Phuket
PHUKET: Completing one marathon is on the “to do” list for many people, but Australian Julia Thorn has gone more than 100 times better than most: she plans to complete her 115th at the Laguna Phuket International Marathon (LPIM) on June 12. Not content with adding another notch to her belt, the-53-year old Melbourne mother of three has set herself…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket prisoners ready to break out the furniture
PHUKET: The annual fair for inmates to sell their wares made while serving their prison sentences will return to Phuket from June 3 to 12, Phuket Prison Chief Rapin Nichanon has announced. Handmade products from 25 prisons throughout Thailand’s 14 southern provinces will be on sale at Saphan Hin in Phuket Town at the 8th annual Southern Prison Products Fair.…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket’s fireball yacht probe hits the doldrums
PHKET: The police investigation into whether or not any people were trapped inside a 40-foot yacht that burst into flames and sank last Saturday has stalled. Chalong Police Duty Officer Boonlert Onklang told the Phuket Gazette on Wednesday that no person had claimed ownership of the yacht, which was identified by a witness to the fire as Karni. “I checked…
Read More » - Phuket News
Abhisit heads for Phuket, Anchalee to run for Democrats
PHUKET: Caretaker Prime Minister Abihist Vejjajiva will visit Phuket next Thursday to head a Democrat rally at Saphan Hin. The news came today as longstanding Phuket Democrat Anchalee Vanich Thepabutr confirmed she will be the Democrat Party candidate contesting the Phuket 1 constituency in the July 3 general election. Mrs Anchalee this morning spent an hour visiting residents on Thalang…
Read More » - Phuket News
Abuse of Phuket tourists: ‘Bar mafia’ crackdown looms
PHUKET: Foreign “mafiosi” who cheat and even assault foreign tourists sometimes do so with the support of Phuket officials, yesterday’s meeting with a high-ranking Ministry of Interior (MoI) official was told. Interior Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Pranai Suwannarat was in Phuket to hear directly from tourism industry operators and analysts about problems facing the industry. His findings during the four-hour…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket murder victim found nearly decapitated
PHUKET: The partially decapitated body of an unidentified man was discovered in a Phuket rubber plantation this morning. The victim’s completely severed right hand was found near the body, which was discovered on Koh Sireh in Rassada by a Burmese rubber tapper. Phuket City Police led by Charoon Plaiduang estimated the age of the victim at 40 to 45. There…
Read More » - Phuket News
Police yet to question crew over Phuket diver death
PHUKET: Almost two weeks after Japanese dive tourist Hitomi Shibata died after being struck in the head with a boat propeller off Koh Racha Noi, police have yet to question the crew of the boat she was on. Chalong Police Duty Officer Attawat Suwannarat on Wednesday told the Phuket Gazette that he was still investigating the case and had not…
Read More » - Phuket News
Snooker stars take their cue for Phuket Cup
PHUKET: Snooker is back in the frame from June 6 to 11 when 19 professional players challenge for the 2011 SangSom Phuket Cup to be held at the Royal Paradise Hotel and Spa Patong. The tournament is part of Thailand’s Ranking Circuit Snooker Championship and will include two English professionals: Stuart Bingham and Alfred Burden. Thai star Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm, or…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket police probe into drinking shooting death on hold
PHUKET: The key witness to the shooting death of a Ratcha Buri man in Phuket last weekend remains at large, and the investigation is suspended until relatives hold funeral services for the deceased. The victim, 34-year-old Yodthong Pinjit, was found dead of a gunshot wound to the top of the head in his small home near Patong Temple last Saturday…
Read More » - Phuket News
“Beaten, cheated, cursed’: Phuket tourists get it all
PHUKET: Tourists being beaten, cheated and cursed were among the top problems plaguing the island’s critical tourism industry, Interior Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Pranai Suwannarat heard from industry experts today. Mr Pranai this afternoon chaired a meeting at Provincial Hall attended by Vice Governor Niwit Arunrat and about 20 other officials from provinces along the Andaman coast, all present to…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket visit of Bikini babes postponed
PHUKET: The highly anticipated visit to Phuket of the Miss Thailand Beach International 2011 finalists next month has been postponed. Scheduled to stimulate the streets of Patong from June 3 to 5 with a calendar shoot, fashion show and “Save the Environment on Earth Day” event, the girls will have to wait for a later date, organizers confirmed today. Nittaya…
Read More » - Phuket News
Korean investors bid for Phuket light rail transport system
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha yesterday received yet another delegation expressing interest in developing a light rail system on the island. Kwang Sik Chun, Chairman & CEO of Korean firm Jung Yong Development Corp (JYDC), said his company would like to invest in the project, starting with a pre-feasibility study on the two proposed routes: from Chalong Circle to Phuket…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket AirAsia workers in late night car crash
PHUKET: Four Thai AirAsia employees were seriously injured early this morning when the car they were riding in crashed into a power pole in Thalang. The accident, reported at 2:10am, occurred about 200 meters from the Mae Ju souvenir shop on Thepkrasattri Road northbound in Thepkrasattri subdistrict. A rescue worker reported there was heavy rainfall and flooding at the time…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Live Wire: iPad2 in Thailand is a steal
PHUKET: The Tourism Authority of Thailand should take out a full-page ad in the New York Times. “Fly to Thailand,” it could say, “and get a 20 per cent discount on a new iPad 2.” Hard to believe, but the iPad 2 is significantly cheaper in Thailand than in the US – and the savings are even greater if your…
Read More » - Phuket News
Pheu Thai names Phuket District 1 candidate
PHUKET: The Pheu Thai Party yesterday announced Wisit Jai-arj as its candidate for the Phuket District 1 constituency seat in Parliament. The announcement was made by Dr Olarn Chaipravit, a Pheu Thai board member, at the opening of Mr Wisit’s campaign office in Phuket Town. Pheu Thai Party southern region leader Pichet Sathirachawal and Korkaew Pikulthong, another Pheu Thai leader,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket sea gypsies continue quest for identity
PHUKET: Thirty Phuket sea gypsies recently took the first step in the daunting process of applying for Thai citizenship. Their plight as stateless people was one of many issues raised during a May 4 meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall. Chaired by Vice Governor Weerawat Janpen, the gathering was intended to discuss ways to preserve sea gypsies’ traditional lifestyles in a…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket locals alarmed by tsunami-tower silence
PHUKET: Officials in Bangkok say all 19 tsunami warning towers in Phuket are operational and functioning correctly, yet some local residents say they haven’t heard the sirens sound for months. The towers are supposed to be tested by playing the national anthem at regularly-scheduled times twice a month. But Siriprapa Auychai, a 29-year-old masseuse who works at the south end…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket meth mule busted, 1500 pills seized
PHUKET: In the latest drug arrest, Phuket City Police last night nabbed a man found in possession of 1,500 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills and a small amount of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine). Police said Tossapol Maneepakorn, 21, was pulled over at a police checkpoint on Rassadanusorn Road in the Ban Kuku area of Rassada at about 11:30 pm. As they…
Read More » - Phuket News
Service for Phuket’s Louis Bronner this Sunday
PHUKET: A funeral service for Louis Bronner will be held at Wat Ladthiwanaram in Chalong on Sunday. Mr Bronner, the renowned general manager of the Boathouse restaurant in Kata, died on Monday after complications from heart surgery. He was 70 years old. His remains are being kept at Sala 16 of Wat Thadthong in Bangkok, where friends and family can…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket hospital set to open its doors after 11-year wait
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Administration (OrBorJor) Hospital in Phuket is set to open on a trial basis next month. The hospital, on Sri Sena Road in Phuket Town, is scheduled to begin offering limited services from June 1, OrBorJor Hospital Director Yee Yitathasiri said. A grand opening ceremony is scheduled for May 31 to mark the considerable accomplishment. The building,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Monk found dead in Phuket Mercedes Benz
PHUKET: Police are investigating whether winning the lottery is behind the death of an affluent and well-known monk whose half-robed corpse was found in the back seat of his Mercedes-Benz on Saturday. Rumors are circulating through the Thai media that the 62-year-old Buddhist monk, named in reports only as “Chom”, recently won the lottery, stirring among followers suspicions of foul…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket water shortage solution entered into royal contest
PHUKET: A small project created by villagers in Thalang to help them cope with chronic water shortages has landed them in a national competition for the most innovative water resource project in the country. The project, in Baan Pakrongcheep, Thepkrasattri, comprises a 1,500-cubic-meter reservoir near the Klong Phra Taew Dam and a smaller 500-cubic-meter reservoir behind Baan Pakrongcheep School. The…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Gov to marry again, Baba style
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha and his wife Nalinee will renew their wedding vows as part of a Baba Pernanakan (“Straits Chinese”) mass wedding ceremony in June. The news was announced last week when Gov Tri met a delegation from the Thai Peranakan Association led by its President, Dr Kosol Tang-Uthai. During the meeting, which focused on details of the…
Read More » - Phuket News
Renowned Phuket hotelier Louis Bronner dies from heart complications
PHUKET: Louis Bronner, the general manager of Phuket’s renowned Boathouse restaurant in Kata, died at 8am this morning from complications following heart surgery on Friday. Mr Bronner underwent extensive surgery to correct several deficient arteries. Although Mr Bronner showed good recovery immediately after the surgery, his condition deteriorated in the following days. Mr Bronner first gained his popular reputation on…
Read More » - Phuket News
Home invasion: Saraburi outclasses FC Phuket
PHUKET: FC Phuket suffered its first home defeat of the season on Saturday, going down 2-0 to the Saraburi FC Warlords. Cheered on by about 200 red-shirted supporters, the Warlords controlled the game from the start. Injury-stricken FC Phuket looked lackluster and disorganized, especially without Sarach Yooyen, out with the flu, and Abdoul Coulibaly, who ran on as a substitute…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket yacht erupts into fireball, casualties unknown
PHUKET: A 40-foot catamaran anchored in Chalong Bay, off Phuket’s east coast, burst into flames at about 10pm last night. Three explosions were heard while the fire engulfed the boat, which sank about two hours later. Police have yet to determine whether anyone was on board. Chalong Police Duty Officer Boonlert Onklang reported witnesses saying that the fire broke out…
Read More » - Phuket News
Man shot dead during Phuket drinking session
PHUKET: Phuket police are investigating what happened between two “cousins” last seen sitting together drinking in front of a house in Patong yesterday morning. One man was found still at the scene, shot in the head and grasping a 9mm handgun. The other man is missing. Lt Col Chaowalit Neamwadee, duty officer at Patong Police Station, said police received a…
Read More » - Opinion
Phuket Opinion: Pink buses delivering people, promises and dreams
PHUKET: The recent expansion of the poh thong (pink bus) public transport service to the people of Koh Sireh is not only great news for some of the poorest residents of Phuket Town, but also gives long-suffering tourists an overdue, low-cost travel option. The latest route’s eastern terminus at Laem Tukkae will be a blessing for many, from the poor…
Read More » - Phuket News
Tonight: FC Phuket vs Saraburi FC
PHUKET: After last Sunday’s 2-2 draw on the road at Samut Prakarn, FC Phuket are thirsty for three points in tonight’s home fixture with Saraburi FC. Phuket currently sits seventh in the 18-team Division 1, one place ahead of the Saraburi “Warlords”. Highly anticipating tonight’s 6pm kickoff at Sarakul Stadium, both squads are hoping to prevail and climb up the…
Read More » - Phuket News
Election Thailand: Phuket voters face postal vote farce
PHUKET: All Thais who cast ballots by post in the general election four years ago will have to return to their home provinces to cast regular ballots in the general election on July 3. Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha announced the voting conundrum on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting with the Phuket Provincial Election Commission. “People who submitted a request to…
Read More » - Phuket News
Pheu Thai Party names Phuket candidate
PHUKET: The Phuket branch of the Pheu Thai Party yesterday announced Saman Kebsap as their candidate to contest the Phuket 2 constituency in the upcoming national election, to be held on July 3. Pheu Thai Party Southern region leader Pichet Sathirachawal declared Mr Saman’s candidacy for Phuket 2 at the opening of Mr Saman’s office, located opposite Thalang Hospital on…
Read More » - Phuket News
Old Phuket Town to be “wireless’ by November
PHUKET: Municipal workers will start pulling down power poles along Thalang, Dibuk and Theprasattri Roads in the Old Town by November if all goes according to plan, the Phuket City Mayor has announced. Speaking at a meeting at Provincial Hall last week, Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana said that stage two of the project to install all power and telecommunication cables underground…
Read More » - Phuket News
Governor expects 70% turnout for Phuket polls
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha expects about 70 per cent of all eligible voters in Phuket to cast their ballots in the upcoming July 3 national election. “The candidates contesting seats in Phuket are all from different parties. This choice will encourage more people to cast their votes,” he said yesterday after a closed-door meeting with the Phuket Provincial Election…
Read More » - Phuket News
Schools re-open: Phuket parents feel the pinch
PHUKET: The new school term will generate more than 40 billion baht, including B5bn in “tea money”, a poll conducted in Phuket and 11 other provinces has revealed. The survey, by Assumption University’s Abac Poll Center, canvassed the opinion of 2,453 respondents aged 15-60 from 12 sample provinces from all regions of the country. It found that 37.9 per cent…
Read More » - Phuket News
Correction: Dead American found by partner, not wife
PHUKET: The woman who discovered the body of Albert Alletzhauser on Tuesday was the mother of his daughter but not his wife, the Gazette has learned. The woman, Mikki Ferreira, wrote the following to the Gazette this morning: Dear Editor, “I would appreciate it if you set the record straight about the details of Mr Alletzhauser’s death. He was indeed…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket vendors protest alleged corruption, extortion
PHUKET: Seaside souvenir stall merchants in Kata and Karon have called on Phuket authorities to take action against alleged unfair treatment and intimidation by local authorities. About 50 Karon and Kata kiosk owners on Tuesday took their grievances to the Damrongtham Center, which serves as the provincial ombudsman’s office. Stall owner Somchai Pandum led the group in submitting an official…
Read More »
