Year: 2011
- Phuket News
Phuket night clubber escapes disaster
PHUKET: A Thai man whose surname translates to “likely to escape disaster” was walking home from a Phuket karaoke bar last night when he was assaulted and left for dead by the side of the the road in Thalang. When Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers arrived at the scene just after midnight, they found 33-year-old Wiwat Khongrodpai lying on the road…
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Fifa’s one horse race
PHUKET SPORTS – Quote of the day: “We will put Fifa’s ship back on the right course in clear, transparent waters.” Sepp Blatter, again re-elected as president of FIFA, hopes to prevent his “family’s” vessel from being dashed on the reef of corruption. — Neil Quail
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Phuket steps up fight against illegal timeshare touts
PHUKET: A multi-agency task force will be set up to investigate timeshare companies operating in Phuket, especially Patong. Tasked with investigating the companies, their workers and any officials involved in allowing the timeshare companies to operate, the “committee” is expected to launch an investigation by October, just before the annual tourism high season begins, Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak announced. The…
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Phuket private aviation in rapid growth mode
PHUKET: With the recent surge in interest in general aviation kindled by the opening of Phuket Airpark and its airshows [see video], the Phuket Gazette has added to its classified advertising pages a new page dedicated exclusively to the world of private flying in Thailand. The new page contains listings in six categories: Aircraft for Sale, Aircraft Wanted, Aircraft Sharing,…
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Crackdown ordered on religious tattoos in Phuket
PHUKET: The Culture Ministry has attacked the growing trend for tourists in Phuket and other parts of Thailand to have religious images tattooed on their bodies. It has ordered provincial governors across the country, including Phuket, to crack down on such tattoos, igniting a debate on the human rights implications of forbidding the practice. Culture Minister Niphit Intharasombat told reporters…
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Cricket and tax
PHUKET SPORTS – Quote of the day: “The ACG (Alan Cooke Ground) will in a small way do for cricket what the reduction in boat tax did for marine tourism.” Alan Cooke MBE in a small way underestimates the value of his legacy to Phuket cricket and sport. — Neil Quail
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Phuket developers shine at int’l property awards
PHUKET: Phuket based developers have won top honors in the Asia Pacific Region division of the International Residential Property Awards. Since the inaugural awards in 1995, the competition has established itself as one of the premiere programs recognizing excellence in the field of residential property development. The 2011 Asia Pacific Awards set a new participation record with 21 countries taking…
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New Phuket hospital opens its doors
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) Hospital opened today with more than 200 people registering as patients. “The purpose of the hospital is to reduce the workload of other government hospitals. The OrBorJor bought the land and the Phyathai Hospital building and renovated it under a budget of 845 million baht,” explained OrBorJor Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Manop Leelasuthanon.…
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Phuket Survivor: Man recounts murder ordeal
PHUKET: The man who allegedly survived an attack in which his wife and another man were killed has said the trio were attacked by a group of men. Sanit Choocheun, a 54-year-old construction contractor from Krabi, said he survived the attack by playing dead. The bodies of Mr Sanit’s wife, Urai Limsakul, 50, and the other man, named only as…
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Phuket Red Cross launches June blood drive
PHUKET: The Phuket Chapter of the Thai Red Cross Society has announced its schedule for its June 2011 blood drive. “Blood types A+ and O+ are needed. Our stock of these two types is depleted. However, every blood type is welcome,” said Suphawan Rattanachan, an officer with the Phuket Red Cross. Mobile donation clinics will be set up as follows.…
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Phuket Survivor: Man survives slaughter by “playing dead’
PHUKET: Phuket police are investigating the murder of a man and woman whose bodies were discovered thrown off a cliff along a coastal road in Thalang this morning. The key witness, a man who apparently escaped the same fate by playing dead, is now in police custody and under heavy guard. Tah Chat Chai Police were notified of the deaths…
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Crisis? What Crisis?
PHUKET SPORTS – Quote of the day: “Crisis? What Crisis? There is no crisis in football.” Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, confirming his delusions as to the state of world football. — Neil Quail
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Phuket discharge: Officials confirm wastewater release “safe’
PHUKET: Wastewater discharged into the sea at Karon and Kata beaches is safe, a review committee headed by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha was told yesterday. Environmental engineer Siripong Pasari of Southern Thai Consulting Co Ltd was called in to explain to Gov Tri what exactly caused the discharge filmed by a German TV crew in Phuket earlier this month. The…
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Phuket gets first dedicated cricket ground
PHUKET: Construction of Phuket’s first dedicated cricket ground, to be called the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG), will start on June 27. News of the development, announced on the ACG website, adds that the 10-rai site in the lakes area of Baan Lipon, will be called the ACG Cricket and Sports Ground. The sports facility will be mainly for cricket, but…
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Phuket ‘3G fishermen’ saved by call from the wild
PHUKET: Three men, comprising three generations of a fishing family, were rescued from their capsized boat 17 nautical miles off Phuket’s east coast yesterday thanks to a mobile phone kept in a waterproof bag. The men – Somboon Sae-Oui, 56, his son Pichet, 28, and eight-year-old grandson Bhumin – survived two hours clinging to their upturned boat while it was…
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Fans fury forces FC Phuket coach to quit
PHUKET: Sompong Wattana from Rajvithee FC will be the new coach of FC Phuket. The news was released at 5pm today, ahead of a scheduled sanctioned press release tomorrow. A fourth straight game without a win for FC Phuket incensed the team’s distraught fans yesterday and led to a blockade of Surakul Stadium by angry fans, known as the “Hulks”.…
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Two more candidates register for Phuket polls
PHUKET: Two more people on Saturday signed up as candidates to contest the Phuket 1 constituency in the July 3 national election. The last-minute registrations came on the last day the Phuket Election Commission would accept applications for candidacy. In the morning, Weerasak “Ko Sak” Woranetiwong registered as a candidate representing the Thaen Khun Phaendin Party, which is listed as…
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Just a hop across the bay from Phuket
PHUKET: With traffic, construction and tourist arrivals all on the rise here in Phuket, its island paradise factor is easily lost amid the flurry of commerce. But Phuket is located in one of the most scenic regions on Earth, and little pieces of paradise do remain within very reasonable price – and boat – range. One such gem is Koh…
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Soi Dog Phuket facing closure, B5mn needed
PHUKET: THE Soi Dog Foundation’s future (SDF) on Phuket is uncertain. Currently situated on 11.5 rai in Mai Khao, the foundation, which has been tackling Phuket’s severe stray dog problem since 2003, purchased half of the site in 2009. They are now facing pressure from the landowner to buy the other half, which SDF currently utilizes, by October for 10…
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Phuket a haven for addicts
PHUKET: Although illegal, over-the-counter sale and purchase of benzodiazepine derivative drug like diezapam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax) is common in Thailand, and is even tacitly accepted by many local authorities. However the practice exposes buyers to health risks including addiction or overdose. Last year, a high-ranking source in the Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) admitted to The Gazette that his…
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The Phuket International Rugby 10s is a great tournament
Phuket Rugby 10s: “The Phuket International Rugby 10s is a great tournament and is certainly helping youth rugby in Thailand move from strength to strength.” Matthew Oakley MVO MBE – International Rugby Board (IRB) West Asia Project Manager and the 2011 Rugby 10s Referee’s Manager, commenting on the value of the 10s for the future of rugby in Thailand. —…
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Pencilling humor into Phuket people’s lives
PHUKET: THE provocative and amusing work of Dutch artist Iskander Walen is everywhere, even on Phuket. His art has been exhibited in Paris and Singapore, featuring regularly in Today newspaper, FHM and I-S magazines to name a few, as well as being published in two best-selling books. His popularity lies in the simplicity of his art. Whether it’s a sculpture…
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Contest to decide name for Phuket Town shortcut
PHUKET: Phuket City Municipality will hold a contest to see who can think up the best name for the new road that connects Saphan Hin with Chao Fa East Road, with 10,000 baht going to the winner. The 50-million-baht road was officially opened in late December last year. It has thus far kept its uninspiring name Phang Muang Sai Khor…
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Royal Thai Police secure Phuket Rugby 10s title
PHUKET: A robust Royal Thai Police (RTP) squad yesterday routed Phuket Rugby 10s defending champions the Kriel Roosters from South Africa by 31-5 to win the annual tourney’s cup final. In a thrilling match at Karon Stadium yesterday evening, players on both sides made big tackles and charging runs to the try line. The first half ended with RTP leading…
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Phuket stray sends Koreans plowing into power pole
PHUKET: Two Koreans were fortunate to escape serious injury when their car crashed into a power pole in Phuket early yesterday morning. Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers were called to the scene just after midnight. Arriving at the crash site on Thepkrasattri Road southbound in Srisoonthorn subdistrict, they found the two Koreans – identified only as the driver Mrs Songjer and…
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Royal Thai Police secure Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10s
Phuket Rugby 10s: In a thrilling final played on Sunday evening at Karon Stadium, a robust Royal Thai Police (RTP) team stole the title from last year’s winners, Kriel Roosters by a score of 31 – 5. The game was full of big tackles and charging runs to the try line. The first half ended with RTP holding a 12…
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Phuket Opinion: Consuls could help break the choke hold on tourism
PHUKET: The latest meeting of Phuket’s honorary consuls with provincial authorities was rather unremarkable, but as the gatherings remain the only official forum for tourists and expatriate residents of Phuket to have their concerns presented directly to the people in charge, they need to continue. [See ‘Tourists beaten, cheated and cursed’, current issue of the Phuket Gazette. Digital subscribers click…
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Singapore Centaurs take the U15s title
Phuket Rugby 10s: Spectators at Karon Stadium were treated to a fine display of youth rugby when Singpore Centaurs defeated Phuket Lomas in the under 15 Cup Final. Centaurs’ fly-half, Alex Ducourneau broke through the Lomas’ defense to score after just two minutes. No reply from the Phuket Lomas gave the score as 5 – 0 at half-time. A tense…
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Welcome to finals day at Karon Stadium
Phuket Rugby 10s: Final group stages of the 2011 tournament were played this morning and the semi-finalists have now been determined. Favorites after yesterday’s performances are the Kriel Roosters and Thai Legends. Results below: Emirates Flying Muppets 19 Al Ain Amblers 0 Bedhoff Kings RFC 17 INSEAD Barbarians 5 Rebel Dubai Dragons 0 Qantas Koalas 24 Dubai Exiles 24 Bangkok…
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Phuket expat suffers 180,000 baht dive tank theft
PHUKET: Following a tip-off from a cook, an expat dive instructor and equipment provider in Rawai believes a Thai employee may have stolen 30 diving tanks worth 180,000 baht. German national Armin Rudloff, 43, filed a report at Chalong police station yesterday morning. He told police that earlier yesterday he had discovered the tanks missing from an equipment storage room…
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Sunday’s knockout games decided
Phuket Rugby 10s knockout stages begin at 8.30am with the Emirates Flying Muppets meeting the Al Ain Amblers in Bowl B. Games follow every twenty minutes leading to the main final at 5.40pm. See below for today’s end results: Bucket Brigade 0Phuket Vagabonds 12 Dubai Exiles 14 Qantas Koalas 10 Bangkok Bangers Colts 0 Rebel Dubai Dragons 19 Taipei baboons…
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Dragons and Barbarians through to the cup round
Phuket Rugby 10s: Asian Japanese Dragons defeated INSEAD 21-0, and will join Singapore Barbarians who beat Al Ain Amblers 5-0, into the cup rounds.All photos by Dean Noble — Neil Quail
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Group stages draw to a close
Phuket Rugby 10s: Group stages of the 10s have reached their conclusion. The next round sees the determination of finalists. Asian Japanese Dragons 5 Taipai baboons 21 INSEAD 0 Rebel Dubai Dragons 7 Bangkok Bangers Colts 7 Bucket Brigade 0 Emirates Flying Muppets 0 Qantas Koalas 7 Moorabbin Rams 26 Sinagapore Barbarians 0 Al Ain Amblers 7 San Miguel Wanderers…
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Testing police for drugs doesn’t work: Phuket poll
PHUKET: A strong majority of Phuket Gazette readers feel that the Phuket Provincial Police drug testing of all its officers is not effective in ensuring police are free of drugs, the results of a recent readers’ poll reveal. Readers were asked to reply to the question: The Phuket Provincial Police have announced that all officers under their command will be…
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Referees stamp their authority
Phuket Rugby 10s: Referees stamping their authority on the games.
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Great day, great atmosphere and great rugby
Phuket Rugby 10s: Mid-day round-up. Royal Thai Police 38 INSEAD 0 Bedhoff Kings RFC 10 Bangkok Bangers Colts 10 Thai Legends 12 Emirates Flying Muppets 0 Dubai Exiles 12 Moorabbin Rams 19 Kriel Roosters 31 San Miguel Wanderers 0 All photos by Dean Noble — Neil Quail
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Phuket Rugby 10s: Kriel Roosters strut and Royal Thai Police give arresting performance
PHUKET: Phuket Rugby 10s with a combined score of 70 points from their first games, the Royal Thai Police and the Kriel Roosters are proving to be the teams to beat. Rebel Dubai Dragons 0 Royal Thai Police 32 Bucket Brigade 14 Bedhoff Kings RFC 5 Qantas Koalas 0 Thai Legends 14 Singapore Barbarians 0 Dubai Exiles 10 Al Ain…
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