Month: April 2012

  • Phuket NewsPhuket boy, 12, home alone escapes as blaze engulfs slum

    Phuket boy, 12, home alone escapes as blaze engulfs slum

    PHUKET: A 12-year-old boy home alone had a lucky escape from his house on Tuesday morning, as fire broke out in the poor Soi Kingkaew community in Rassada, north of Phuket Town, destroying two homes. Suriya Inkaew was home alone while his mother, 56-year-old Gaysorn Yungyeun, was out collecting recyclables from trash to make a living. “I woke up to…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket guard in coma after arson attack

    Phuket guard in coma after arson attack

    PHUKET: A security guard at ‘Phuket Healthy Nutriment and Snake Show’ remains unconscious in hospital after being knocked out by attackers and having his workplace being set afire early Monday morning. Anuchit Chaithongngarm, 25, is currently in a coma at Vachira Hospital Phuket after being hit on the back of the head with a heavy object, said Kongpol Phanuek, chief…

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  • Phuket NewsArchitect to deliver free Phuket seminar on “Seismic Design & Building’

    Architect to deliver free Phuket seminar on “Seismic Design & Building’

    PHUKET: Dr Amorn Pimanmas, Chairman of the Project Committee at the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) and alumnus of the University of Tokyo, will lead a free seminar on “Seismic Design & Building” at the Boat Lagoon Resort in Koh Kaew this afternoon. Jointly organized by the Phuket Architectural Society and the Phuket Real Estate Association, the seminar, to be…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Customs seize B21mn of illegal diesel

    Phuket Customs seize B21mn of illegal diesel

    PHUKET: Phuket Customs officials have seized 47,000 liters of smuggled diesel hidden on board two Taiwanese boats off the east coast of Phuket Sunday. Officials estimated the total value of the smuggled diesel seized at 21 million baht. The two boats, the ChingChunFa 168 and the Chi Tsai 16, were seized one to two nautical miles north of Taphao Yai…

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  • Phuket NewsFailed Phuket tsunami warning towers spark full test

    Failed Phuket tsunami warning towers spark full test

    PHUKET: After two weeks of waiting for official requests to inspect tsunami warning towers that failed to sound the alarm on April 11, Chutichart Boonchuwit will bypass the bureaucratic hurdle and go ahead and have the towers tested anyway. Mr Chutichart, who is the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry representative tasked with ensuring that the tsunami warning towers in…

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  • Phuket NewsExpert calls for NDWC to revise tsunami warning protocol

    Expert calls for NDWC to revise tsunami warning protocol

    PHUKET: Lertsin Raksaskulwong, director of the Environmental Geology and Geohazard Bureau under the Department of Mineral Resources, yesterday called for the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) to revise its procedure for issuing tsunami warnings. Speaking at a meeting at Provincial Hall held to review Phuket’s tsunami-response procedures, Mr Lertsin said, “The events of April 11 were chaos. It seemed they…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Gazette Reader’s Poll: How tolerant is Phuket to gay tourists?

    Phuket Gazette Reader’s Poll: How tolerant is Phuket to gay tourists?

    PHUKET: A week-long Phuket Pride Festival that officially began yesterday is expected to attract thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) tourists from around the region. In the latest Phuket Gazette online readers poll, we ask how tolerant is Phuket society of LGBT lifestyles compared with other places readers have lived in or visited? To have your say vote…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Bike Week rolls to a close

    Phuket Bike Week rolls to a close

    PHUKET: After being moved forward a few weeks, the 18th Annual Phuket Bike Week was a success over the weekend, despite heavy rains that threatened to wash out festivities. Among those in attendance were Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukbal, Royal Thai Navy officials and representatives of sponsor Chang beer. As in years past, most activities took place along the beach…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket go-go bars in Soi Bangla pass the AHTD test

    Phuket go-go bars in Soi Bangla pass the AHTD test

    PHUKET: Officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD) of the Royal Thai Police and Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) on Friday night inspected go-go bars in Soi Sea Dragon, off Soi Bangla in Patong, but failed to uncover any evidence of lewd behavior. Twelve officers from the AHTD Region 5 and ISOC, commanded by AHTD Region 5 Deputy Inspector Pol…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket officials threaten to swoop down on illegal swiftlet barn owners

    Phuket officials threaten to swoop down on illegal swiftlet barn owners

    PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttirak has warned local authorities that they will suffer written warnings if they do not file updated reports on any swiftlet barns in their respective areas. Speaking at a meeting of high-ranking local officials at Phuket Provincial Hall on Thursday, Vice Governor Somkiet said officers had confirmed there are at least five swiftlet barns in…

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  • Thailand NewsWeird World News: Serving surf ‘n’ turf – from love to six feet under

    Weird World News: Serving surf ‘n’ turf – from love to six feet under

    PHUKET: This week’s Weird World News round-up serves up an awkward and dangerous mix of surf ‘n’ turf, taking you from cheap love, to a fishy and possibly untimely death and finally wrapping you up like a filet mignon and burying you. Japanese chefs balloon up over new blowfish laws A NEW law coming into affect in October is cutting…

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  • Phuket NewsAirlines voice confidence in Phuket Airport emergency evacuation measures

    Airlines voice confidence in Phuket Airport emergency evacuation measures

    PHUKET: Following the evacuation of Phuket International Airport after the 8.6-Richter earthquake on April 11, several airlines on Friday expressed their confidence in how officials handle the emergency exercise. At a press conference at the airport chaired by Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham, Thai Airways representative Jittrapong Narongwanich said all airlines that use Phuket Airport remain confident in the evacuation procedures…

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  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: Tsunami evacuation shortfalls resurface

    Phuket Opinion: Tsunami evacuation shortfalls resurface

    PHUKET: THE pair of powerful earthquakes that struck off the coast of Sumatra on April 11 served as the perfect ‘live test’ of Thailand’s preparedness to conduct emergency evacuation of tsunami risk areas, exposing, once again, serious shortcomings in the government’s ability to relay important information to the public in a timely fashion. The 8.6-magnitude quake that hit at 3:38pm…

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  • Phuket NewsFC Phuket 0 – 0 Suphanburi FC | Thaiger

    FC Phuket 0 – 0 Suphanburi FC

    PHUKET: FC Phuket played Suphanburi FC to a scoreless draw on soggy pitch at Surakul Stadium yesterday afternoon. Just over 1,700 turned up for the match, including a busload of orange-clad Suphanburi supporers who turned up for the match. FC Phuket’s best chance of the match came at 13 minutes, when Suphanburi keeper Prasit Nuamsala dived to his right to…

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  • Phuket NewsBuses roll out of Phuket Bus Terminal 2

    Buses roll out of Phuket Bus Terminal 2

    PHUKET: The Phuket Bus Terminal 2 finally went into operation this morning – more than 28 months after the completion of the structure. “I think the first day has gone well so far,” said Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) chief Teerayut Prasertpol. Mr Teerayut estimated that about 70 per cent of the public is already aware that almost all inter-provincial…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket to be ‘Atlantis of the East’? Not on Gov Tri’s watch

    Phuket to be ‘Atlantis of the East’? Not on Gov Tri’s watch

    PHUKET: In the face of widespread rumors of Phuket becoming the “Atlantis of the East”, Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has jokingly declared that he would be happy to resign his position if the island sinks into the Andaman Sea. “Rumors are rumors,” Gov Tri said. “I don’t think Phuket will sink. In fact, I’ll stake my position as a guarantee.…

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  • Phuket NewsFC Phuket ready for Suphanburi elephant charge

    FC Phuket ready for Suphanburi elephant charge

    PHUKET: FC Phuket are back into action with a tough match against Suphanburi FC this afternoon at Surakul Stadium. The field should be sloppy, as the stadium was hit with heavy rains last night and again this afternoon. Coming into the sixth fixture for the 2012 Thai Yamaha 1 league, Phuket are in 10th place with a win, three draws…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket pickup crash: Thalang trembles

    Phuket pickup crash: Thalang trembles

    PHUKET: A speeding pickup truck crashed into a pedestrian footbridge in Phuket last night, spreading fear of yet another earthquake tremor and causing a one-hour traffic tailback. Thalang Police were notified of the crash in front of the Muang Thalang School on Thepkrasattri Road northbound at 5:45pm yesterday. Arriving at the scene, Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers found the wreckage…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Bike Week comes of age

    Phuket Bike Week comes of age

    PHUKET: It was postponed for a couple of weeks, but now Phuket Bike Week is on and raring to go. The 18th Phuket Bike Week kicked off today with a shed-load of activities in Patong. The festival started at 3pm at Patong Beach football field where the Motorcycle Exhibition Festival will carry on until midnight. However there’s plenty of other…

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  • Phuket NewsVillagers worry as aftershocks continue to rock Phuket

    Villagers worry as aftershocks continue to rock Phuket

    PHUKET: The fourth and largest tremor of the day hit Phuket at 3:10pm today, a 3.3 magnitude tremor clearly felt across the island with a large sonic boom clearly heard at the offices of the Phuket Gazette, about eight kilometers southeast of the epicenter near the municipal market in Thalang. Other tremors recorded by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) earthquake…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Airport included in B4bn upgrade

    Phuket Airport included in B4bn upgrade

    PHUKET: Aerothai, the state enterprise that operates air traffic control at airports throughout Thailand, including Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International Airport, will spend 4 billion baht on upgrading its computer and communications network. The upgrade to replace outdated equipment will be privately funded, said Aphinun Vannangkura, Aerothai Vice President for Air Traffic Management. “The upgrade will introduce more computer systems into…

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  • Phuket NewsICT Ministry plans disaster communications fix for Phuket

    ICT Ministry plans disaster communications fix for Phuket

    PHUKET: A team of Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) experts yesterday consulted with Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha on how to improve communications during future disaster evacuations. The team, led by ICT communications expert Chaiyun Pengkiatpairot, aims to prevent a mobile phone network overload, such as that which hindered communications during the evacuation of tsunami-risk areas on April 11.…

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  • Phuket NewsBrother claims sister’s body from Phuket hospital | Thaiger

    Brother claims sister’s body from Phuket hospital

    PHUKET: A relative of the young Burmese construction worker whose body was left unidentified at Thalang Hospital has come to claim her remains, Phuket Police have confirmed. Thalang Police duty officer Patiwat Yodkwan told the Phuket Gazette that the body of the woman, identified only as “Ms Way”, was claimed by a man named “Mr Jorso”, her brother. Ms Way,…

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  • Phuket NewsTesco Lotus launches “green bag’ campaign in Phuket

    Tesco Lotus launches “green bag’ campaign in Phuket

    PHUKET: Tesco Lotus is gearing up for Earth Day 2012 on Saturday with a special event at its Tesco Thalang mall this afternoon to launch a new campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags at all Tesco stores in Phuket. Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak will officially open the event at 2pm. In addition to fun activities promoting “green…

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  • Phuket NewsFear of recurring earthquake stresses Phuket villagers

    Fear of recurring earthquake stresses Phuket villagers

    PHUKET: A team of mental health professionals on Wednesday visited villagers at Srisoonthorn Moo 2 to provide counselling after the 4.3-Richter earthquake struck fear into their hearts on Monday. Data from the Thai Meteorological Department has identified Thalang as the epicenter of Monday’s earthquake, with the villagers being rattled several times a day since by recurring aftershocks. Leading the team…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket fishmeal factory probe takes a twist

    Phuket fishmeal factory probe takes a twist

    PHUKET: Phuket officials investigating a complaint about foul smells emanating from a fishmeal factory yesterday found little amiss – and now suspect that the complaint may be more about business than bad odors. Led by Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak and Phuket Damrongtham Center Director Prapan Kanprasang, the officials toured the Saeng Aroon fishmeal factory on the banks of Klong…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket opens ‘village watch’ earthquake monitoring center

    Phuket opens ‘village watch’ earthquake monitoring center

    PHUKET: Srisoonthorn Municipality have set up an ‘earthquake monitoring center’ after discovering that Thalang was at the epicenter of the recent aftershocks that rattled Phuket. The center aims to provide accurate information and to warn local villagers in the case of an emergency, said Srisoonthorn Mayor Worawut Songyot. “The earthquake monitoring center has been established to coordinate efforts in the…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket gears up for opening of new bus terminal

    Phuket gears up for opening of new bus terminal

    PHUKET: The Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) is in the process of negotiating set fares for all forms of local transportation that will operate out of the new Phuket bus terminal in Rassada, which will open on Saturday. “We will set standard fares for all types of local transportation, with tickets that passengers can buy at a counter in the…

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  • Business NewsPhuket Business: Transit proposals keep coming

    Phuket Business: Transit proposals keep coming

    PHUKET: Two more parties have engaged the Phuket provincial government about the prospect of developing the island’s multi-billion baht light rail and tunnel mega projects. A multinational delegation from the Chinese construction giant China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) visited with Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha recently. “We are the biggest company in China and the 80th largest company of the top…

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  • Business NewsPhuket Business: ThaiVisa penetrates neighboring markets

    Phuket Business: ThaiVisa penetrates neighboring markets

    PHUKET: ThaiVisa.com, the leading English-language social networking website about Thailand, is expanding its operations to Myanmar and Cambodia.“We have carefully studied internet traffic trends and we see a sharp rise in search traffic and interest about our neighbor Myanmar,” said Barry Main, marketing director of Bangkok-based ThaiVisa Expat Group Co Ltd.“We believe it’s pretty easy for us to get a…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Police seek help in identifying dead hospital patient | Thaiger

    Phuket Police seek help in identifying dead hospital patient

    PHUKET: Phuket Police are trying to identify the body of a woman, thought to be from Myanmar, who died in the emergency ward of Thalang Hospital yesterday. Thalang Police duty officer Patiwat Yodkhwan was notified of the woman’s death at 7:30am by staff at Thalang Hospital, who asked officers to assist in identifying the body. The woman’s body was left…

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  • Thai LifePhuket Lifestyle: It’s all go for Hugo

    Phuket Lifestyle: It’s all go for Hugo

    PHUKET: It’s Saturday night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Patong and a young man steps out onto the stage armed with his trademark stetson hat, a Gibson guitar, a new band and some sultry killer tracks from his first solo album. On March 24 Hugo was back home in Thailand and performing for the first time here since 2005.…

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  • Phuket NewsStay calm and enjoy your holiday, says Phuket tourism chief

    Stay calm and enjoy your holiday, says Phuket tourism chief

    PHUKET: Phuket tourism industry leaders are calling on the local media not to exaggerate in their reporting of the recent seismic activity in Phuket, as doing so could adversely affect the local economy. Phuket Tourist Association President Somboon Jirayus said yesterday that tourists from places like Japan and parts of Europe where earthquakes are common were more likely to view…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Songkran road toll ends: 3 dead, 43 injured

    Phuket Songkran road toll ends: 3 dead, 43 injured

    PHUKET: The “Seven Days of Danger” Songkran road-safety campaign ended in Phuket yesterday with no road fatalities over the final four days, resulting in a final tally of three dead and 43 injured in 44 reported accidents. As anticipated by many, the most dangerous day was April 13, when two people died and 10 others were injured in 11 reported…

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  • Phuket NewsPatong Mayor pushes for new road to Phuket’s Freedom Beach

    Patong Mayor pushes for new road to Phuket’s Freedom Beach

    PHUKET: THE Patong Municipal Council has agreed to fund a study to look into building a new road to access Freedom Beach, crossing over public forest land in the area. The road was among several proposals unanimously approved by the council during its budget meeting last week. Patong Mayor Pian Keesin presided over the meeting, which was attended by 15…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket dam passes post-quake safety inspection

    Phuket dam passes post-quake safety inspection

    PHUKET: Phuket officials have declared the dam at Bang Neaw Dum Reservoir in Thalang structurally sound following a safety inspection earlier today. The inspection was prompted by a series earthquakes centered in Thalang over the past few days, including a 4.3 Richter tremor yesterday morning. That quake left local residents living downstream fearing the structural integrity of the dam might…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket residents seek assistance for earthquake damage

    Phuket residents seek assistance for earthquake damage

    PHUKET: Srisoonthorn Municipal engineers today visited homes in Baan Bangkham in Thalang to survey the damage caused by yesterday’s earthquake. Assistant village headman Somnuek Jaturacoopkullapong reported today that the earthquake, felt by most Phuket residents yesterday, damaged more than 30 houses in the village, four severely. “We were inside at about 4:30pm when we heard a loud noise and then…

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