Month: August 2011

  • Phuket NewsPhuket ready to launch online check-in for yachts

    Phuket ready to launch online check-in for yachts

    PHUKET: The long-awaited “one-stop shop” online check-in system for yachts arriving in Phuket will launch on September 1. Vice Governor Weerawat Janpen announced the news today at Provincial Hall at a meeting to discuss the final details for the new service. The Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) have been working on the project since last year. “We have finished developing…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPatong’s “middle road’ to get facelift before Christmas

    Patong’s “middle road’ to get facelift before Christmas

    PHUKET: Work on surfacing Phang Muang Sai Kor Road in Patong, which runs behind the Jungceylon shopping complex, will begin before the end of the year, the Phuket Gazette was told today. “The construction contract was signed in Bangkok and work on the road will start by the end of this year,” Teeraporn Jirarattanakorn, director of the Department of Rural…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s Swedish murder suspects may not do ‘hard’ time

    Phuket’s Swedish murder suspects may not do ‘hard’ time

    PHUKET: The Swedish duo charged with the August 1 murder of Maksim Schantz would likely serve out their sentences in Sweden, a consular official told the Phuket Gazette. Johan Sebastian Ljung, 25, and Tommy Viktor Söderlund, 26, confessed on August 2 to attacking and stabbing to death the Russian-born Swedish national Mr Schantz, police said. The pair allegedly were angered…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsFamily keeping killer dog | Thaiger

    Family keeping killer dog

    CHON BURI: The family of Mana Thessarit, a 51-year-old man who died after being viciously attacked by his golden retriever “Peter”, says there’s no question of getting rid of the killer pooch. Mr Mana’s daughter Wassana said the family will continue to look after the dog at the family home, in Sattahip district in the Central Thailand province. Peter attacked…

    Read More »
  • Thailand NewsAbhisit-loving grandmother kills herself | Thaiger

    Abhisit-loving grandmother kills herself

    RAYONG: Dedicated supporters of the Democrat Party across Thailand have taken Yingluck Shinawatra’s sweeping victory over Abhisit Vejjajiva in the July 3 general elections hard, but none more so than Lamian Yusuk, an 80-year-old grandmother from Huay Yang subdistrict in Rayong province. Ms Lamian killed herself by drinking weedkiller six days after her hero Mr Abhisit’s defeat. Nantha Lap-insi, 59,…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket airport lands record meth bust

    Phuket airport lands record meth bust

    PHUKET: A Thai woman was caught trying to smuggle a record 3.2 kilograms of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) into Thailand at Phuket International Airport last night. The haul, valued at 10.5 million baht, was touted to be the biggest meth bust in the airport’s history. The suspect, 39-year-old Ratchanee Chidnaporn, from Khon Kaen Province in Northeast Thailand (Isarn), arrived from…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket Media: Ethics more credible than pretensions of ‘War’ | Thaiger

    Phuket Media: Ethics more credible than pretensions of ‘War’

    PHUKET: A story on a local blog last weekend continued to celebrate a “War” which it had declared several months ago, not against, but rather on behalf of and between, two of Phuket’s newspapers. We understood the writer’s interests at the time and have marveled at his diligence in following the conflagration with regular weekly reports. But the blog’s ‘report’…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket Sports: FC Phuket draw 1-1 at JW Rangsit | Thaiger

    Phuket Sports: FC Phuket draw 1-1 at JW Rangsit

    PHUKET: FC Phuket again failed to achieve their first win in an away match this season, though came from behind to grab a point against JW Rangsit with a 1-1 draw yesterday . Phuket went into the match ninth on the table and had a solid 3-1 home win over 11th-place Rangsit under their belt. The Phuket squad came out…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsThousands turn out for Phuket Seafood fiesta

    Thousands turn out for Phuket Seafood fiesta

    PHUKET: Thousands of people turned out yesterday for the Seafood Fair at Rawai Beach to celebrate HM Queen Sirikit’s 79th birthday, also marked as Mother’s Day in Thailand. The seafood fair also marked the beginning of “Lobster Week” as part of the month-long Phuket Seafood Fiesta being held by the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Charawat Chanaprach,…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsFC Phuket face JW Rangsit FC today

    FC Phuket face JW Rangsit FC today

    PHUKET: Having defeated JW Rangsit in the Thai Premier League (TPL) Division One earlier this season at Surakul Stadium, a second victory for FC Phuket over their Pathum Thani rivals is expected today. However, it is an away fixture, and Phuket’s miserable away record continues to weigh on the minds of players, management, the media and faithful supporters. A commanding…

    Read More »
  • Cannabis NewsPhuket Gov first to be drug tested

    Phuket Gov first to be drug tested

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha today passed a drug test as part of the grand opening ceremony for the new drug testing center in Phuket. The governor officiated at the the event at the Regional Medical Sciences Center in Thalang this morning and offered a urine sample which was then screened for all five classes of illegal narcotics. After a…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket students to have tablet ‘e-textbooks’ next year

    Phuket students to have tablet ‘e-textbooks’ next year

    BANGKOK: The government yesterday announced a practical side to Pheu Thai Party’s election campaign promise to give free tablet computers to students throughout Thailand: They will come equipped with e-textbooks. Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul explained that each tablet will cost no more than 3,000 baht and have a life span of up to four years. Presently, the government allocates between…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsWell known Phuket resident Ken Brookes passes away in UK

    Well known Phuket resident Ken Brookes passes away in UK

    PHUKET: Canadian Barrister and long-term Phuket resident Ken Brookes died in hospital in London last night. He was 67. His wife Lori Ashton was with him on a holiday when Ken fell ill. Both Ken and Lori are best known for the successful ‘Art and Culture’ publishing business and lived in Rawai for a number of years. Born Kenneth JA…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsBarman turns pro

    Barman turns pro

    PHUKET: “Six months ago I was a full-time gardener and playing six leagues down from the Premier League back home.” Jason Mooney from Northern Ireland has been signed to play for Wycombe Wanderers in England’s Football League One. The 22-year-old, 6 foot 9 inch goalkeeper was cutting hedges until he landed a barman’s job at Wycombes ground, Adams Park. Now…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsKoreans step up campaign for Phuket light-rail project

    Koreans step up campaign for Phuket light-rail project

    PHUKET: Korean mega-project developer Dohwa Engineering Co Ltd yesterday unveiled a series of proposed light-rail service routes across Phuket, including Patong. Sung-Min Lee, president of Dohwa’s Railway Metro Division, explained to Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha at Provincial Hall that the proposed routes were part of the company’s draft master plan. Although other mass-transit options that were presented included modern trams,…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsLove for the game of tennis

    Love for the game of tennis

    PHUKET: Travis Bertram, 30, from Seattle, Washington, USA, is the new tennis director for Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC). Having come through the ranks at leading tennis management company Peter Burwash International, Travis will develop TSLC’s new tennis academy. Speaking to the Phuket Gazette, Travis talks about his profession and hopes for tennis in Phuket. What drew you to…

    Read More »
  • Hua Hin NewsPhuket Youth Sailing Squadron heads for Hua Hin

    Phuket Youth Sailing Squadron heads for Hua Hin

    PHUKET: The Phuket Youth Sailing Squadron (PYSS) is preparing to enter the Hua Hin Regatta 2011, and are inviting youths aged seven and up, specifically underprivileged children, to sign up for this new club that promotes youth sailing in Phuket. Five new youngsters have recently joined the sailing program, so there are now more than 20 members. Seventeen of these…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsBend it like Therdsak

    Bend it like Therdsak

    PHUKET: Former Captain of the Thailand national football team and current vice-captain of Thai Premier League side, Chonburi FC, Therdsak Chaiman was in Phuket recently for a youth coaching session at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC). The free coaching clinic was organized with the help of Thanachart Bank and ran between 8am and 11am on July 30. Over 30…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsWorld record on the cards for Raceweek’s Larsen

    World record on the cards for Raceweek’s Larsen

    PHUKET: Australian Paul Larsen and his DaVinci crew raced in to second place after an exciting four days of Multihull class sailing at this year’s Six Senses Phuket International Raceweek. Racing conditions in the waters off the Evason and Bon Island resort for the event were exciting, but certainly less threatening than what Paul has been used to over the…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket Poll: When will Thaksin return?

    Phuket Poll: When will Thaksin return?

    PHUKET: Now that Yingluck Shinawatra has been installed as Thailand’s first female prime minister, many political analysts are posing the question: When will her brother, fugitive former PM Thaksin, return to Thailand? In its latest online poll, the Phuket Gazette invites readers to suggest when they think this will happen – if ever. To have your say, click here or…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsTourist arrivals jump exposes Phuket infrastructure lag

    Tourist arrivals jump exposes Phuket infrastructure lag

    ANALYSIS PHUKET: Officials forecasting a record high four million passenger arrivals at Phuket International Airport for 2011 has highlighted lagging infrastructure, mounting travel delays and long immigration queues that have the potential to derail growth in Phuket’s hospitality industry. Phuket Airport has a stated total capacity of 6.5 million passengers a year, including all arrivals and departures from international and…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsCorruption tops list of Phuket priorities

    Corruption tops list of Phuket priorities

    PHUKET: More than one third of Phuket Gazette readers responding to an online poll voted corruption as Phuket’s top priority for authorities to address. In the poll, readers were asked, ‘Which of the following issues affecting Phuket do you feel needs the most urgent attention by the new Government?’ The choices in responding were:• Traffic congestion• Crime• Drug abuse• Corruption•…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket readies for HM Queen Sirikit’s birthday

    Phuket readies for HM Queen Sirikit’s birthday

    PHUKET: Visitors and residents in Phuket will have ample opportunity to honor and celebrate HM Queen Sirikit’s 79th birthday – also celebrated in Thailand as Mother’s Day – on Friday. Police sources have confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that alcohol sales will not be banned on Friday, a national holiday. “We only ask for people to comply with [the ban…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsOfficials under fire over Phuket flyover plans

    Officials under fire over Phuket flyover plans

    PHUKET: Department of Highways officials received a frosty reception today at a public hearing to unveil three base designs for an overpass at Bang Khu Intersection, one of the main traffic crunch points during peak hours on Phuket’s Thepkrasattri Road. The Bang Khu Intersection is where Thepkrasattri Rd meets the bypass road. Sombat Jaroenpat, director of the Survey and Design…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket Live Wire: AIS rollout of 3G a success

    Phuket Live Wire: AIS rollout of 3G a success

    PHUKET: The AIS rollout of its new wireless internet system has come and gone, and I’m duly impressed. We’re seeing good – sometimes great – international download speeds, reliable signals, extensive coverage and reasonably good support, all over Phuket. Amazing. Don’t take my word for it. If you’re thinking about signing-up for AIS 3G, drop by phuketinternetspeed.com and see what…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsCaddy shock

    Caddy shock

    PHUKET: “It’s the most satisfying win I’ve ever had, there’s no two ways about it.” Steve Williams claims he’s experienced the height of satisfaction in his caddy career after helping Adam Scott to victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament in Ohio on Sunday, just two weeks after being dumped by Tiger Woods. Williams, from New Zealand, won 13 majors…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket funeral to honor Father Richard

    Phuket funeral to honor Father Richard

    PHUKET: The funeral for Father Richard Woodarek, who served Phuket’s Catholic community for more than 40 years, will be held at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Phuket Town on Wednesday at 10am. Father Richard passed away on Friday. He was 82 years old and had spent more than half of his life in Thailand, most of that time in…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket fire drill no cause for alarm

    Phuket fire drill no cause for alarm

    PHUKET: Smoke billowing out of the fresh market on Ranong Road in Phuket Town this morning was no cause for alarm as Phuket City Municipality conducted its first fire drill there since the market opened in September last year. More than 150 market vendors and other people taking part in the drill poured onto the street at about 10:30am, simulating…

    Read More »
  • Thai LifePhuket says farewell to priest of 40 years

    Phuket says farewell to priest of 40 years

    PHUKET: The Catholic Christian community in Phuket has lost a great pastor and friend. Father Richard Woodarek passed away on Friday. He was 82 years old and had spent more than half of his life in Thailand, most of it in Phuket. Father Richard was born on December 3, 1928 in Salamanca, New York. His parents, both deceased, were Walther…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsBBCU claim league bragging rights over FC Phuket

    BBCU claim league bragging rights over FC Phuket

    PHUKET: FC Phuket came up short against Big Bang Chulalongkorn United (BBCU), losing 2-1 on Sunday as the team tried to capitalize on their cup defeat of the joint Division One leaders. Downpours of rain before and during play, made for a greasy surface and slippery playing conditions for the teams. With five players out of action due to injuries,…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsEpileptic man drowns in Phuket pond

    Epileptic man drowns in Phuket pond

    PHUKET: The body of a Phuket man who went missing on Friday was discovered by relatives two days later in a pond near his home in Thalang. Thalang Police identified the deceased as Phumichai Kaewkla, a 42-year-old resident of Mai Khao. His death was reported by his father, Jaras Kaewkla. Mr Jaras told police his son went missing from the…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsThings about Yingluck include a Phuket Connection

    Things about Yingluck include a Phuket Connection

    PHUKET: A story in yesterday’s Nation, entitled “There’s something about Yingluck”, presents some interesting facts about Thailand’s attractive new prime minister. Among them is a Phuket connection, albeit tenuous and, most likely, coincidental. Yingluck Shinawatra and Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha went to the same schools – and studied the same things. But although they are fellow alumni of those two…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket Tourism: Will it die from all the deaths? | Thaiger

    Phuket Tourism: Will it die from all the deaths?

    PHUKET: It has been a dire week for tourists, one that sends a clear message to the authorities that they really do need to start addressing critical issues in Phuket. Last Saturday, the body of a Chinese tourist was found washed ashore at Kata Beach. He had been swimming at Karon Beach three days earlier. On Sunday, just days after…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPower problem forces Hope to bypass Phuket

    Power problem forces Hope to bypass Phuket

    PHUKET: THE MV Logos Hope, the 132-meter ship that is home to the world’s largest floating library, has canceled its scheduled stop in Phuket. The ship was to drop anchor at Phuket Deep Sea Port from August 17 to 28. However, it will now depart its current port of Visakhapatnam, India, on August 13 and set sail directly for Penang,…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s ‘Road to Rawai’ to be divided

    Phuket’s ‘Road to Rawai’ to be divided

    PHUKET: The Land Transport Office has announced that placement of a median strip through the full length of Wiset Road, from Chalong Circle to Rawai Beach, will begin this month. The road will have at least five U-turn breaks. The project is part of a government strategy to decrease fatal accidents. The plan was announced by the Phuket Provincial Land…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPhuket Town blackout on Wednesday

    Phuket Town blackout on Wednesday

    PHUKET. The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) has announced a major blackout affecting areas in central Phuket Town on Wednesday. The blackout, between 9am and 4pm, is to allow PPEA staff to carry out maintenance work on high-voltage power lines. The affected areas will be Phun Pol Road Sois 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and Kra Road Sois 10…

    Read More »
  • Phuket NewsPatong residents to pay for wastewater

    Patong residents to pay for wastewater

    PHUKET: Patong Mayor Pian Keesin announced today that Patong Municipality will start charging residents and business owners for wastewater treatment. The news was delivered this morning at a meeting with visiting members of the Senate Standing Committee for Natural Resources and the Environment. The committee members are on a two-day fact-finding visit to Phuket. “Patong is continually growing. More people…

    Read More »