Month: January 2012

  • World NewsPhuket Media Watch: Monk on fire sparks clashes in Tibet; suspected serial killer arrested; suicide bomber kills 53 | Thaiger

    Phuket Media Watch: Monk on fire sparks clashes in Tibet; suspected serial killer arrested; suicide bomber kills 53

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Another self-immolation in Tibet, said to be the 16th Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: A Tibetan Buddhist monk set himself on fire in southwestern China on Saturday, a rights group reported yesterday, triggering clashes between security forces and locals. Free Tibet, a group campaigning for…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket celebrates National Teachers Day

    PHUKET: Commuters who experienced an unexpected lull in the Phuket traffic chaos this morning can thank the fact that government schools across the island are closed for National Teachers Day today. National Teachers Day falls on January 16 every year and is a day off for all teachers as well as their pupils. It is not to be confused with…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket Roads: Swiss man, 56, killed in Phuket motorbike crash

    PHUKET: In our third story on Phuket road carnage today, a Swiss man was killed instantly when his motorcycle was hit by a passenger car on Thepkrasattri Road in Thalang early this afternoon. According to Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers at the scene, the Swiss man was traveling southbound on Thepkrasattri Road when he was hit full force by a…

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  • Thailand News

    Phuket Media Watch: Will Phuketians eschew meat?; Supalai eyes Phuket

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Phuket Lifestyle: Turning away from meat? Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: More and more meat eaters are turning their backs on steaks and even fish in favor of healthy vegetarian fare as part of their personal healthcare regime. However, many complain there are not many…

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  • Phuket News

    “Ae Inside’ murder: Phuket police refute need for outside help

    PHUKET: The Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 8 has spoken out against outside police help in the investigation into the murder of Phuket journalist Wisut ‘Ae Inside’ Tangwitthayaporn. Mr Wisut was shot dead in peak hour traffic on Thursday morning while driving to Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket Town. Maj Gen Pisan Chuldilok made his announcement yesterday – just…

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  • Opinion

    Phuket Opinion: Great news for Phuket and our football team

    PHUKET: Phuket football fans received some excellent news last weekend with the revelation that FC Phuket will enjoy financial support from Thai Premier League powerhouse Muangthong United next season. The news also came as a considerable relief to fans, given that the team had been reported “sold” and that its future had been very much in doubt. [See sports pages,…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket reacts to Bangkok terror warnings

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has asked police to step up security at hotels with foreign guests throughout the island in the wake of the US embassy’s issuance of a terror warning to American citizens on Friday. The British embassy in Bangkok followed on Saturday by stepping up its terror warning for certain areas in Thailand. “Phuket has thankfully not…

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  • Thailand News

    Dutchman sought by police in Thailand gets 28 years in jail in Peru

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Dutchman wanted in Thailand gets 28 years in Peru Prison Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: Dutchman Joran Van der Sloot, wanted for questioning in Thailand for suspected sex trafficking, was sentenced to 28 years in a Peruvian prison on Friday for the murder of a…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket Roads: Napping driver crushed by 18-wheeler

    PHUKET: A truck driver taking a nap beneath his 18-wheeler was run over and killed when the rig’s brake system failed at a hillside construction site in Phuket yesterday. Kamala Police identified the deceased as 31-year-old Boonruam Lekyai, a resident of Thonburi district, Bangkok. At about 12:30pm Kamala Police and rescue workers from the Kamala Ruam Katanyu Foundation were called…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket Roads: Another biker critically injured in hit-and-run

    PHUKET: Phuket Police are seeking the driver of a white sedan involved in a hit-and-run accident that left a motorbike driver critically injured on Thepkrasattri Rd in Thalang last night. The accident happened at about 9:30pm on Thepkrasattri Rd southbound, opposite the new PTT service station in Srisoonthorn Village 1. Thalang Police and Kusoldharm Foundation workers rushed to the scene…

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  • Phuket News

    Gov calls for gun security after man shot dead in Kalim

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has called for police to boost gun security after a man was gunned down while riding home along the Kalim beach road last night. Jakkrit Nutad, 45, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, was riding home when two men following him pulled alongside and opened fire at about 9pm, said Patong Police Superintendent Col Arayapan Pukbuakao. “Both…

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  • Thailand News

    Phuket Media Watch: Flood, landslide warnings for South Thailand

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community South on alert for floods, landslides; Phuket not affected Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: Weather conditions in the lower Gulf of Thailand will get rough over the next few days, the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) warned this morning. It also warned of possible flash floods,…

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  • Phuket News

    Pheu Thai’s Prompong inspects B4bn ‘stolen’ Phuket land

    PHUKET: Pheu Thai Party spokesman and party list MP Prompong Nopparit arrived in Phuket yesterday to inspect 65 rai of land near Patong that is under investigation for having been illegally issued land titles.The land, located behind Freedom Beach on the southern headland south of Patong, was brought to the attention of the National Counter Corruption Commission after it was…

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  • Phuket News

    Chinese New Year to bring B900mn boost to Phuket

    PHUKET: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office expects Phuket to rake in up to 900 million baht during the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities. The annual event, this year welcoming in the Year of the Dragon, is to be celebrated in Phuket from January 23-25. “The TAT expects 60,000 tourists, to arrive in Phuket to celebrate Chinese New…

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  • Phuket News

    Ae Inside’ murder: Phuket reporters call for PM Yingluck to appoint chief investigator

    PHUKET: The President of the Phuket Reporters Club, on January 11, filed a formal request for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to personally appoint the chief police officer who will lead the investigation into the murder of Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwitthayaporn. Mr Wisut was shot dead in peak hour traffic on Thursday morning while driving to Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket…

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  • World News

    Phuket Media Watch: India asks BBC to apologize

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community India asks BBC to apologize for ‘offensive’ comments on Top Gear Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Indian government has demanded an apology from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over a TV program’s episode last month which mocked Indian culture. A Christmas special of the ‘Top Gear’ program…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket Sports: Chelsea favorite for FA Cup

    PHUKET: Chelsea have been made favorites by bookmakers to secure their seventh FA Cup title following their victory over Portsmouth. The scoreline flattered the Blues who struggled in a dour first half to breakdown determined defensive play by the visitors. Just after the break however, Juan Mata received a low cross from Florent Malouda and swept the ball past Stephen…

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  • Thailand News

    Bangkok terror alert: Deputy PM Chalerm denies threat

    Following US Embassy warning to Americans, Thai authorities confirm arrest of suspect linked to Hezbollah PHUKET: Senior Thai officials scrambled yesterday to deny that Thailand faced an immediate terrorist threat, following a dramatic warning by the US Embassy to Americans living in Bangkok. The Thai authorities, led by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, however, confirmed the arrest of a terrorist…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket police ordered to “hunt down’ “Ae Inside’ killers

    PHUKET: Regional Provincial Police commanders have ordered Phuket police to “hunt down” the men who gunned down reporter Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwitthayaporn in broad daylight yesterday. The deputy commander of Police Region 8 arrived in Phuket to personally handle the investigation into the assassination of reporter Mr Wisut yesterday morning. Police Region 8 Deputy Commander Maj Gen Pisan Chuldilok held…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket’s “Pla-wan’ recovering returns home, receives second Royal bouquet

    PHUKET: Sri panwa resort General Manager Vorasit “Pla-wan” Issara is recovering at Sripanwa Villa, Phuket, after being released from hospital on Wednesday. His release was followed by another gift of flowers, this time from HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. The Royal bouquet was presented to Pla-wan and the Issara family yesterday afternoon by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha. Mr Vorasit, who…

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  • Phuket News

    Great day to be a kid in Phuket

    PHUKET: National Children’s Day will be celebrated across Thailand tomorrow and there are many fun activities planned all over Phuket for children to enjoy and learn from. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has dedicated the slogan “Unity, Knowledge, Wisdom, Preserving Thai Identity, and Learning Technology” as the theme for this year’s Children’s Day. Here in Phuket, many organizations will get into…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket Police investigate electrician beaten, strangled

    PHUKET: Phuket Police are investigating the apparent strangling murder of an electrician whose decomposing body was discovered in his rented room this morning. Thalang Police at 8am were informed by a landlord of a foul odor emanating from one of his rental homes opposite the TOT offices on Dom Chom Tao Road (Route 4030). At the scene, one unit in…

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  • Thailand News

    BREAKING NEWS: US Embassy warns of possible terrorist attack in Bangkok

    PHUKET: The US Embassy in Bangkok today issued an urgent alert for its citizens in Bangkok of possible terrorist attack. The alert said foreign terrorists may be currently looking to conduct attacks against tourist areas in Bangkok in the near future. US citizens are urged to exercise caution when visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in…

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  • Business News

    Phuket Business: Trade, investment and green innovation on the up

    PHUKET: Trade in Phuket flourished in 2011, while prospects for new investment and ground-breaking, eco-friendly innovation on the island are looking quite good in the year ahead. The latest 2011-2012 import-export figures released by the Phuket Customs House indicate that the island’s economy continued to grow over the past several years – mostly thanks to one viable yet heated commodity.…

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  • Phuket News

    FC Phuket names Suphat “James’ as player-coach for season closer

    PHUKET: FC PHUKET have named defender Suphat “James” Aonthong as player-coach for their last Division 1 league match on Saturday, an away fixture against Chainat FC. Traveling by road, the team left Phuket yesterday at 4pm and arrived in Chainat at 6am today and are scheduled for a 5pm training session at Khao Plong Stadium. Without a dedicated coach to…

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  • Business News

    Phuket Business: Dot Com rise and fall on the way

    PHUKET: Dot com and dot net website owners in Phuket and across the globe will incur an increase in annual registration fees of no less than 7% after Sunday.Webmasters wanting to take advantage of current rates have until 11:59pm on Saturday in the time zone that the registrar is located to make sure their web domains’ registrations have been accepted,…

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  • Thailand News

    Phuket Media Watch: Cabinet to meet in Phuket; PM’s son to participate in celebrations

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Mobile Meetings in all 77 Povinces Phuket Gazette / The Nation The Cabinet is expected to hold mobile meetings in all 77 provinces, including Phuket, in order to stay in touch with each locality, Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said yesterday, voicing confidence that political stability…

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  • World News

    Phuket Media Watch: Marines urinate on corpses; Myanmar signs ceasefire

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. launches probe into video of U.S. Marines urinating on Afghan corpses Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: The United States government yesterday announced it has launched an investigation into a YouTube video (WARNING: Graphic content – Phuket Gazette Editors) which shows U.S. soldiers urinating on…

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  • Phuket News

    UPDATE: Phuket Police suspect land issues in murder of local journalist

    PHUKET: Police suspect reporting on illegal issuance of titles for prime Phuket land as a possible motive for the assassination of Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwitthayaporn in broad daylight during rush hour on a major Phuket thoroughfare today. The news was announced at a meeting of some of Phuket’s top police officers this morning. “We held the meeting to discuss how…

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  • Thailand News

    Thai Customs ‘YouTube slapper’ faces probe

    PHUKET: The senior Thai Customs official caught on video slapping a security worker has been transferred and faces a misconduct investigation following the explosive reaction to his antics being posted on YouTube. Suvarnabhumi Airport Police yesterday issued a summons for 55-year-old Sombat Chatchaiwaiyawit to present himself for questioning after a video was posted to YouTube showing him assaulting an airport…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket students honored for win at World Robot Olympiad

    PHUKET: Three students from Phuket Municipal School in Phuket Town have been honored with a meeting with Yongyuth Wichaidit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, for their award-winning performance at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2011 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Phuket Auto Robot team – comprising Pakin “Paper” Boonlom, Tipok “Nueng” Kinkobsin, and Boonyarit “Tel”…

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  • Phuket News

    Czech beauties arrive in Phuket

    PHUKET: The final 14 candidates for the Miss Czech Republic Beauty Pageant 2012 landed in Phuket yesterday ahead of a weekend of public activities and photo shoots. On clearing Customs, the 14 “beauties” were given flowers and welcomed to Phuket by Wannaprapa Suksomboon, deputy director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Phuket, and Phuket International Airport Director…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket Police step up staff drug testing at late night venues

    PHUKET: Phuket City Police yesterday drug tested 47 staff, including the general manager, at the Sure Garden restaurant in Phuket Town. The mass drug testing comes amid the ongoing furore over the axe attack on Vorasit “Pla-wan” Issara, the general manager at the Sri panwa resort and son of Thai construction magnate Songkran Issara. Mr Vorasit suffered many serious wounds…

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  • Thai Life

    Phuket Gardening: Stating the bleedin’ obvious

    PHUKET: How often do we overlook the obvious? How many times have you gone shopping in Phuket City, or even to Bangkok, for an essential purchase, then discovered that you could have found exactly what you wanted just down the road? Maybe it’s just me.I’ve even found myself deciding to take holidays outside my adopted home country of Thailand and…

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  • World News

    Phuket Media Watch: ‘Doomsday Clock’ moves closer to midnight

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community ‘Doomsday Clock’ moves closer to midnight Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) on Tuesday announced it has moved its symbolic ‘Doomsday Clock’ a minute forward, bringing it five minutes to midnight as a result of ‘inadequate progress’ on nuclear…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket newsman killed in gun attack

    PHUKET: A Phuket newsman was shot dead by a man riding pillion on a motorbike this morning. Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwitthayaporn, 40, was driving with his wife to Provincial Hall in Phuket Town when the ambush was sprung. He had just pulled out of the entrance of Srisuchart Grandview onto Thepkrasattri Road and was intending to make a U-turn on…

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  • Cannabis NewsPhuket Police armed standoff ends on a high | Thaiger

    Phuket Police armed standoff ends on a high

    PHUKET: A two-hour standoff between Phuket police and an armed man ended without bloodshed last night after officers finally persuaded him to stand down. Police arrived at a home along a soi opposite Chalong Temple at about 6pm after Sawai Thongyod called them, saying her 26-year-old son was armed, acting dangerously and she feared for her safety. Her son, Sukan…

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