Month: August 2012
- Phuket News
Phi Phi islanders, resort tackle rising tide of monsoon trash
PHUKET: Island residents and local resort staff on Koh Phi Phi Don teamed up for a mass beach cleanup on Sunday, removing more than 100 trash bags worth of rubbish that had washed ashore.Local residents together with more than 45 staff from the Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island tackled the rising tide of trash at Lanah Bay, one of…
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Fireball engulfs Phuket marina workshop
PHUKET: Police believe that children playing with fireworks may have accidentally started a fire that destroyed a workshop at Phuket’s Yacht Haven Marina last night. Prai Junnoo, a 33-year-old security guard at the marina, reported the fire at about 9pm. Firefighters from the Mai Khao Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) and the Thepkrasattri Municipality fire brigades arrived swiftly and took 30…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand News: Billboard kills worker; Senator shoots relative; Thai Olympics review
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Fatality spurs BMA to check billboards Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: More than 900 billboards across Bangkok will be inspected, and if they are found to be unsafe they will be torn down, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday. The measure was announced after Janya…
Read More » - World News
World News: Earthquake victims used Facebook to call for help
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Iran earthquake toll rises to 306 dead, more than 3,000 injured Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: The death toll after two devastating earthquakes struck northwestern Iran over the weekend has risen to at least 306, the country’s ministry of health said yesterday. More than 3,000…
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US court postpones trial of Phuket-based child porn suspect
PHUKET: The trial of a Ukrainian man arrested in Phuket and recently extradited to the United States for alleged involvement in international distribution of child pornography over the internet has been postponed to November. Maksym Shynkarenko, 33 at the time of his arrest, was taken into custody here in January 2009 at his luxury villa in Chalong through the collaborative…
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THAI’s low-cost carrier plan stalls
PHUKET: Plagued by financial losses, Thai Airways International (THAI) has decided to drop plans to establish a low-cost carrier airline by 2013.The chairman of the board, Ampon Kittiampon, confirmed on August 9 that, given the company’s recent financial under-performance, launching a low-cost carrier would not be included in this year’s strategic business plan.Dr Ampon told the press that he was…
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Phuket Sports: Wood claims maiden victory at Thailand Open
PHUKET: Englishman Chris Wood claimed the first win of his professional career yesterday with a two-shot victory in a rain-interrupted US$1million Thailand Open, breaking the hearts of home fans hoping for the first Thai champion in eight years. The 24-year-old European Tour regular – competing in a OneAsia Tour event for the first time – fired rounds of 67, 64,…
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Olympics: Storm follows decision over Thai Boxer Kaew
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Opinion: He’s not the first to see injustice The NationPHUKET: Veteran Kaew Pongprayoon is not the first and possibly not the last boxer to fall victim to controversial refereeing decisions, providing further evidence there is urgent need to change the International Boxing Association (AIBA)’s obviously flawed judging…
Read More » - World News
World News: More journalists killed in Syria and Somalia
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Two Syrian journalists killed as TV crew goes missing Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: Two Syrian journalists were killed near Damascus on Saturday while covering the ongoing civil war, state-run media and an Arab satellite television station reported yesterday. And a crew member of a…
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Phuket honors Queen’s birthday
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha this morning led an offering of alms to 81 monks before a mass blessing was held to honor HM Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday today, which is also honored as Mother’s Day in Thailand.The ceremony began at the auspicious time of 7:09am, with the Governor joined by his wife, Mrs Nalinee, as well as Phuket Vice…
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PHUKET OPINION: Football thugs lose face in the name of the game
PHUKET: The recent threat of violence against Phuket FC fans who made the journey to Krabi Provincial Stadium should serve as a wake-up call to the Thai Premier League (TPL) to ensure that better security measures are in place for future matches in Krabi, especially those involving southern rivals. [See page 47, current issue of the Phuket Gazette. Digital subscribers…
Read More » - Phuket News
Police find “nothing suspicious’ in Chinese drownings
PHUKET: Chalong Police will not be conducting further investigations into two separate drowning deaths of Chinese tourists off Phuket this week, the Phuket Gazette has learned. Chalong Police Deputy Superintendent Boonlert Onklang told the Gazette yesterday that he received a report at about 11:30am on Tuesday informing him that a Chinese woman had died while on a snorkeling trip to…
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Phuket kindergarten students get head start on Mother’s Day celebrations
PHUKET: As Phuket gears up to celebrate HM Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday on Sunday (August 12), which will also be honored as Mother’s Day in Thailand, Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) President Paiboon Upatising yesterday led a Mother’s Day activity at the PPAO’s Sathit Ruam Pattana Kindergarten in Phuket Town. “We are holding this activity to honor HM The Queen…
Read More » - Opinion
PHUKET OPINION: Football hooligans score own goal
PHUKET: The recent threat of violence against Phuket FC fans who made the journey to Krabi Provincial Stadium should serve as a wake-up call to the Thai Premier League (TPL) Co Ltd to ensure that better security measures are in place for future matches in Krabi, especially those involving southern rivals. The TPL leagues have been an undisputed boon to…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Sports: Laguna reigns over the Village
PHUKET: Defending T20 champions Laguna took on the Village in the Outrigger T20 league on Sunday, August 5 at Phuket’s ACG. The Village were hoping to avenge their defeat by Laguna in the final of the Island Furniture League. However, Laguna came out winners once again after setting a target of 152 runs, while the Village could only manage a…
Read More » - Thai Life
Phuket Diving: PADI centers clean up Phuket
PHUKET: After coming face to face with shattered coral reef systems all over the world and confronting messes of plastic bags and tangled fishing nets, which are not-so-slowly strangling one of the world’s most important ecosystems, divers understand the importance of reef cleanups. There is of course that feeling of only delaying the inevitable, but isn’t that why we try…
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Minor Hotel Group pours B3bn into Phuket resort
PHUKET: Thailand-based Minor Hotel Group is splashing out 3 billion baht on the acquisition and remodeling of Bundarika Villas and Suites on Phuket’s northern west coast. As first reported by Phuket Gazette Property Columnist Bill Barnett in June, the Bundarika Villas Suites located on 23 rai Phuket’s north west coast on Layan Beach, was purchased with “an adjoining 32 rai…
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Phuket Gazette office closed on Monday
PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette would like to inform readers that our office will be closed on Monday, August 13, to observe the public holiday in honor of HM Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday on August 12.All government offices and all bank main branches will also be closed on Monday.Advertisers in the Gazette Classifieds are assured that this will not affect any…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai News: AirAsia seeks hub; Prissana bowls over judges; Kaew’s goldrush
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community AirAsia seeks Don Mueang for budget hub Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: AirAsia, Asia’s biggest low-cost carrier, has urged the Thai government to promote Don Mueang Airport as a regional hub for low-cost carriers.“Its international airport tax should be lowered from Bt750 to Bt250,” Tony Fernandes, chief…
Read More » - World News
World News: Bomb at the FBI undiscovered for 3 weeks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Guards fired after bomb goes unnoticed at federal building in Detroit Phuket Gazette / News WiresPHUKET: A federal report released on Thursday has harshly criticized the handling of an improvised explosive device (IED) that was discovered at a federal building in Detroit in March 2011 but had…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket set to celebrate Queen’s Birthday, Mothers’ Day
PHUKET: A host of special ceremonies are being held at different locations across the island to honor and celebrate HM Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday and to celebrate Mothers’ Day on Sunday, August 12. Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha on Wednesday presided over the opening ceremony of a tree-planting event at King Rama 9 Park (Suan Luang) in Phuket Town to honor…
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Phuket Sports: Pair share Thailand Open lead
PHUKET: Korean Kim Hyung-tae and Japan’s Yasunori Yoshida made the most of near-perfect conditions yesterday to shoot eight under 64s and share a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Thailand Open at Suwan Golf & Country Club.The winner of the Open will receive US $1 million in prize money.Early-starter Kim laid down a marker with nine birdies and…
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Resort developers charged over island land encroachment
PHUKET: Following the July 31 high-profile raid on a resort under construction on Rang Noi Island, off Phuket’s east coast, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Unit (NREC) has pressed charges against the developers for encroaching onto protected forest land. Kan Krao Company and Bridge Rang Noi Company were both charged yesterday with “possession [of] forest [land] without permission”.…
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Silence shrouds release of Phuket baby elephant DNA test results
PHUKET: The DNA test results expected to determine the legality of three baby elephants seized from camps in Phuket were expected to be announced in the first week of June, but have yet to be released confirmed the Regional Natural Resources and Environment Crime Suppression Division. On May 31, Watcharin Phusit, the superintendent of the regional Natural Resources and Environment…
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Crash helmet saves minibiker at Phuket “curve of death’
SPECIAL REPORT By Thawit Bilabdullar and Orawin Narabal PHUKET: A high-quality crash helmet is credited with sparing a “minibike” enthusiast from critical injury after he lost control and crashed at one of Phuket’s most notorious traffic accident blackspots late last night. News of the crash was reported to Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers at 11:30pm. At the scene, on Thepkrasattri…
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Top Muay Thai bouts to honor Queen’s Birthday
PHUKET: Thai kickboxing fighters will face-off in six World Muay Thai Council (WMC) championship bouts in Phuket on Sunday in celebration of HM Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday.The event starts at 5pm and will be held at Bangla Boxing Stadium in Patong, which has a capacity of 3,000 people.VIP ticket prices start at 2,500; ringside tickets are 2,000 baht and stadium…
Read More » - World News
Mars News: Plate tectonics found on the red planet
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Marsquakes? California scientist discovers plate tectonics on Mars Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: A California scientist has discovered that Mars has at least two plate tectonics, contrary to popular belief that the Red Planet is too small, and its interior too cold, to host plate…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand News: Myanmar allows visits to Thai detainees
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar allows relatives to visit Thai detainees for first time Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: For the first time since their arrests on July 4, almost all of the 92 Thais detained in Myanmar were given a chance to meet with their relatives yesterday. The…
Read More » - Chiang Mai News
Thailand News: Reward for Chiang Mai rape-murder case; Drunk driving law tightened; Going for gold
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community British victim’s mother offers Bt493,000 for infomation Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: The mother of a British woman who was raped and murdered in Chiang Mai 12 years ago yesterday offered 10,000 British pounds (nearly 493,000 baht) to anyone who comes forward with information leading to an…
Read More » - World News
Asian News: Heavily armed gunmen ambush army patrol
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Gunmen kill four at university in the southern Philippines Phuket Gazette / News WiresPHUKET: Heavily armed gunmen ambushed an army patrol at a university in the southern Philippines late Wednesday evening, triggering a 30-minute gunfight in which three soldiers and a young child were killed, military officials…
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Burmese worker nabbed for Phuket gold heist
PHUKET: Phuket Police today arrested a Burmese man who robbed a gold shop in Karon last night and made off with nearly two kilograms of solid gold, despite being shot by the shop owner. Burmese national Lacheman Kumar, 19, was arrested this morning at his home in Patak Rd Soi 10 in Karon, where he lived with his father, mother…
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Battle against rising prices continues with Blue Flag Fair in Phuket Town
PHUKET: The Department of Internal Trade (DIT-Phuket) kicked off its latest “Blue Flag Fair” in Phuket Town this afternoon. DIT-Phuket chief Supacha Bunthalit said the three-day event will feature 150 booths offering a wide variety of consumer goods at below normal market prices, including food products, garments, sheets, bedding and much more. The event is being held in the Mazda…
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Nearly blind prisoner escapes hospital after surgery
PHUKET: Escaped prisoner Nantachai Boomrak, 23, having absconded from Vachira Phuket Hospital on August 4, found himself back behind bars the next day. Mr Nantachai was originally placed in the hospital by Provincial Prison Chief Rapin Nichanon, who said doctors had informed him that Mr Nantachai would go blind if he did not receive immediate treatment for cataracts.“The Phuket Prison…
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Phuket Live Wire: Don’t get mugged by your mates
PHUKET: I have been holding off writing about more email scams, waiting so I can write about nailing somebody and getting them thrown in jail. So far, no luck. But in the past week I’ve received two messages from people I know, here in Phuket, who have had their email accounts hijacked. That’s quite a coincidence – if it is…
Read More » - Thailand News
Weird World News stumbles back onto the podium with Olympic torch
PHUKET: After several weeks of being missing in action, the Phuket Gazette‘s Weird World News Round-up takes the stage again as Olympic gaffs from alleged satanic rituals, that nasty feeling of having overslept something important and a little flag waving – wait that’s not my flag – have kept the people of the world glued to their screens. Can’t see…
Read More » - Thailand News
Olympics Update: Thailand gets 2nd medal; Kaew wins; Rangsiya still has a chance
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Taekwondo fighter Chanatip hands Thailand bronze Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: Chanatip Sonkham made Thailand proud this morning as the 21-year-old from Phatthalung mercilessly crushed Elizabeth Zamora Gordillo from Guatemala 8-0 in the bronze-medal match of the women’s Taekwondo 49kg class in the 30th Olympic…
Read More » - Business News
Phuket tourism roadshow in Japan “well received’
PHUKET: Recently returned from a week-long tourism fact-finding tour in Japan, Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has told the media that the “Amazing Thailand in Japan” roadshow impressed the Japanese tour operators in the three cities they visited. Organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and coordinated by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) and the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA),…
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