Month: November 2012
- World News
World News: Israeli-Hamas conflict risks spiralling into all-out war
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Egypt PM to visit Gaza in support of Hamas against Israel Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Egypt’s prime minister prepared to visit the Gaza Strip today in an unprecedented display of solidarity with Hamas militants embroiled in a new escalation of conflict with Israel that risks spiraling into…
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Thailand News: Race for Premier League TV rights springs a surprise
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community CTH spring a surprise, win EPL bid Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: The race for English Premier League TV rights had a surprise conclusion when “dark horse” Cable Thai Holding (CTH) snatched a three year deal under the noses of three big bidders including current…
Read More » - Phuket News
Taxi operators launch drive to boost fleet at Phuket Airport
PHUKET: Three main taxi operators in Phuket have appealed to the provincial transportation committee to allow more vehicles to serve Phuket International Airport. The news came at a meeting at the airport administrative office on Tuesday called by Phuket Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham. Representing Airports of Thailand PLC (AOT), which operates Phuket’s key tourism portal, Director Prathuang joined Phuket Vice…
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Phuket’s TSLC signs 2mn baht deal with China’s elite Liaoning Swimming Club
PHUKET: Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC) has signed a 2 million baht deal with China’s elite Liaoning Swimming Club, which means Olympians will train at Phuket’s TSLC’s Olympic-standard aquatic facilities for the first time under one of the world’s best coaches. The deal sees the talented squad head to Thanyapura on January 27, 2013 for a six-week training stint…
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World News: Strong mandate given to China’s new leader
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China’s new party chief Xi gets strong mandate for action Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: China’s president-in-waiting Xi Jinping won a strong mandate today to lead the world’s second-biggest economy and deal with problems ranging from corruption to economic uncertainty. Xi was appointed head of both…
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Love lost Russian drinks himself to death in Phuket seaside guesthouse
PHUKET: A broken-hearted Russian man who drank himself to death was found in his rented accommodation in Patong yesterday. Patong Police inspector Maj Patapee Srichai was informed of the incident shortly after 2pm by Areeya Koksadon, 40, the manager of the Amara Guesthouse. At the scene police found the body of Petr Zavyalov, a 27-year-old Russian national, lying on the…
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Aunt, niece die in Phuket tour bus “hit-and-run’
PHUKET: A tour bus driver fled the scene after the bus he was driving struck two women riding a motorbike in the northbound lane of Thepkrasattri Road yesterday afternoon. The two women who died in the accident were identified by Thalang Police as Jaroonrat Waree, 35, and Nadlada Waree, 17. “The motorbike rider and passenger were dragged by the bus…
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FIFA Futsal World Cup: Brazil, Colombia, Italy and Spain prevail in quarterfinals
PHUKET: The FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 featured all four exciting quarterfinals’ matches last night in Bangkok, with Brazil, Colombia, Italy and Spain advancing to the dismay of Argentina, Ukraine, Portugal and Russia respectively. In the first match of the evening, Brazil came from behind to claim a hard fought victory against Argentina in extra time.Relishing the return of key…
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Aussie balcony plunge survivor on the road to recovery
PHUKET: The Australian man who fell 18 floors from a Patong hotel balcony on Tuesday is recovering from an operation to repair a ruptured spleen and to start correcting his shattered right leg, which was nearly torn off in the impact. Staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town reported that John Hurley, 39, underwent the surgery yesterday afternoon. “He…
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World News: 452 prisoners to be freed by Myanmar
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar says to free 452 prisoners ahead Obama visit Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Myanmar plans to free 452 prisoners including an unidentified number of political prisoners, government officials said this morning, just days before a visit by US President Barack Obama to the former military…
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More Bangla raids to come, vows Chairat
PHUKET: Complaints from tourists have prompted Patong Municipality to launch a campaign to rid Soi Bangla of touts who charge tourists for having their photos taken with slow lorises, a protected species. Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban explained to the Phuket Gazette that the campaign uses the coordinated efforts of the Phuket Environmental Conservation Unit of the Department of National…
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International Football: Sweden christen new stadium with gold
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World sporting news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Inspired Ibrahimovic scores four, no Messi record Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Zlatan Ibrahimovic christened Sweden’s new stadium with a sprinkling of gold last night, scoring three classy goals and an unforgettable one in a 4-2 friendly win over England, while Argentina’s Lionel Messi drew…
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Phuket Governor called on to curb “out of control’ corruption
PHUKET: Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban and Patong Entertainment Business Association President Weerawit Kurasombat today called on the Phuket Governor to investigate rampant extortion by government officers.Deputy Mayor Chairat and Mr Weerawit met Governor Maitri Inthusut at Provincial Hall this morning. Also present was Prapan Kanprasang, head of the Damrongtham Center (Provincial Ombudsman’s Office).“Many government departments in Phuket ask for…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Thailand News: Austrian publisher arrested in Pattaya
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police arrest Austrian man for attempted blackmail Phuket Gazette / The Nation- DPAPHUKET: Police arrested an Austrian magazine owner in the Thai resort town of Pattaya on charges of attempting to blackmail a German multinational consumer products firm, police confirmed today.The technology crime suppression police unit arrested…
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Phuket officials order airport taxi touts to: ‘Stop harassing tourists’
PHUKET: Taxi touts at Phuket International Airport have been told to stop following and harassing tourists arriving at the airport, and to stay at their own counters.The news came at a meeting at the airport administrative office yesterday morning, called by Phuket Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham.Present to oversee the proceedings was Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada, who called for taxi…
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FIFA Futsal World Cup: Brazil, Spain, Ukraine and Italy favored in quarterfinals tonight
PHUKET: Footy fans across the globe look forward to four strong quarterfinal match-ups of the FIFA Futsal World Cup, which kick off tonight in Thailand as follows: Bangkok’s Indoor Stadium, Huamark, broadcast live on terrestrial channel 9 4pm: Brazil vs Argentina: 6:30pm: Ukraine vs Colombia Bangkok’s Nimibutr Stadium, broadcast live on cable channel T-Sport 6:30pm: Portugal vs Italy 9pm: Spain…
Read More » - Phuket News
World Sports: Gerrard to score 100 caps; Debuts for Sterling, Osman and Caulker
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World sporting news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Gerrard to score 100 caps; Debuts for Sterling, Osman and Caulker Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Captain Steven Gerrard is set to become the sixth player to reach the milestone of 100 caps for England in tonight’s friendly against Sweden and feels he still has…
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World News: EU suspends enforcement of carbon tax on air travel
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community European Union suspends enforcement of carbon tax on air travel Phuket Gazette / News WiresPHUKET: The European Commission of the European Union on Monday announced it will suspend enforcing its controversial carbon tax on air travel until at least autumn 2013, creating space for political negotiations to…
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World News: Syrian conflict update – Role of France, Russia and Iran
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community France recognises new Syria opposition Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: France became the first European power to recognize Syria’s new opposition coalition as the sole representative of its people and said yesterday it would look into arming rebels against President Bashar al-Assad once they form a government.Twenty months…
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Phuket Police promise progress in child rape case
PHUKET: Police expect to receive test results within the next two weeks confirming the rape of a 9-year-old girl, case investigator Lt Col Rassada Kluengwong of the Tah Chat Chai Police told the Phuket Gazette today. The move is expected to clear the way for legal proceedings to be taken against the alleged perpetrator, a local shopkeeper in the north…
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Aussie survives 18-storey hotel plunge
PHUKET: The Australian man who fell 18 floors from a Patong hotel balcony earlier today is recovering at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town. (Click here to see Phuket Breaking News report.) John Hurley, 39, suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung, serious injuries to his right leg and a broken left hand in the fall. His leg was nearly torn…
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Phuket teen ax murderer to face court next week
PHUKET: The 15-year-old boy who confessed to murdering his stepfather with an ax on August 21 has been charged with premeditated murder and will go to trial next week, the Phuket Gazette has learned. Lt Col Boonlert Onklang of the Chalong Police Station today told the Gazette that the boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, remains…
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World Sports: South Africa scrap draw in first test
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World sports news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community South Africa forces draw in first test with Australia Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: South Africa were forced to scrap their way through an uncomfortable final day of the first test against a Michael Clarke-inspired Australia today to save a match they had once looked like winning.Australia…
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Live Wire: Is Windows 8 right for your Phuket PC?
PHUKET: I’m very happy to announce that my latest book, Windows 8 All-In-One For Dummies, arrived on store shelves around the world just before Windows 8 launched on October 26. At 1,080 pages, it’s not only the longest book I’ve ever written, it’s also the most complex. While Windows 8 itself isn’t considerably more convoluted than Windows 7, it has…
Read More » - Phuket News
Australian man falls from 18th-storey balcony at Patong hotel
PHUKET BREAKING NEWS: An Australian man has been admitted to Patong Hospital for injuries sustained in a fall from an 18th-storey balcony at the Royal Paradise Hotel. The man, in his late 30s, reportedly fell from the building at about 1pm. The Phuket Gazette has yet to establish the extent of his injuries.
Read More » - Thai Life
Phuket Lifestyle: Watching the birds disappear
PHUKET: As we left Chao Fah Road and turned onto a dirt path, a truck carrying sand drove past, bobbing under its own heavy weight as it negotiated muddy potholes, made as a result of the recent heavy rainfall.“This sand is ‘pillaged’ from the lagoons around here,” says my nature photographer friend Rat, emphasizing the word ‘pillage’.We are here to…
Read More » - Thai Life
Thai Gallery: Charn Ditkajan
PHUKET: The young tattooing master, Charn Ditkajan, exudes an air of grace and calm authority. He has just performed a four-hour-long tattoo inscription for an Italian gentleman, but shows no sign of fatigue. “I silently chant mantras during the session to keep me focused and restore my energy,” he explains with a distinguished Supanburi accent known among Thais for its…
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Phuket lifestyle: Emptying the Tank
In England there is a children’s TV series called Thomas the Tank Engine about a plucky railway engine called Thomas. In the USA there is another story called The Little Engine That Could. In Phuket we have our own cuddly DJ ‘Tom the Tank’ who is also bravely puffing “I think I can, I think I can, ” as he…
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Thailand News: Renewed fears from seismic strikes
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Fears of ‘big one’ on Mae Chan Fault The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Sunday’s magnitude 6.8 earthquake and aftershocks in Myanmar have renewed fears in Thailand over safety from seismic strikes. “We have to identify the quake risks of each type of building and prepare response…
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World News: Israel hits Syrian artillery; Deep concerns voiced by UN
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Israel hits Syrian artillery that fired on Golan Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Israel’s army fired tank shells into Syria yesterday and scored “direct hits” in response to a Syrian mortar shell that struck the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the Israeli military said in a statement. It…
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Chris McCormack to race at Laguna Phuket
PHUKET: Australian Chris “Macca” McCormack, the two-time Ironman World Champion and one of the most successful athletes in triathlon history, has signed up to compete in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) on November 25 and Ironman 70.3 Laguna on December 2.Macca has won 200 races around the world since 1993 including 12 Ironman victories, more than any other male competitor,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Korean tourist survives gash in head from longtail propeller
PHUKET: A Korean tourist who was struck in the head by a longtail boat propeller while on a snorkeling trip off Koh Panyee is conscious and eating unassisted, staff at Phuket International Hospital told the Phuket Gazette this morning.Kang Chulgue, 30, was on a day trip with five other Korean tourists at the popular tourist site Tumlod-Khao Phing Kan, located…
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International Sports: Summary of the latest news and action
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World sporting news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Tennis – Novak Djokovic The world’s top three players all scaled dizzy heights in 2012 but Novak Djokovic ended the year staring down at his rivals after grinding down Roger Federer to win the ATP World Tour Finals title in brutal fashion at London’s O2…
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Eight injured as bus flips in heavy rain in Phang Nga
PHUKET BREAKING NEWS: A tour bus en route from Phuket to Chumphon, north of Koh Samui on the Gulf of Thailand, slammed into a bridge guardrail and flipped onto its side in heavy rain in Phang Nga province late this afternoon.Lt Col Anan Kuaboonkaew of Takua Pa Police received a report of the accident at 5:30pm.“Eight of the 20 passengers…
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Koh Lanta officials blame turtle soup for “strange’ outbreak
PHUKET: Officials on Koh Lanta believe a sick hawksbill sea turtle was the cause of a mass poisoning that may have contributed to the death of a 61-year-old man and resulted in 43 other villagers being admitted to hospital. (Click here to see Phuket Breaking News report.) “Many people in the Urak Lawoi sea gypsy village on Koh Lanta Yai…
Read More » - Business News
Phuket Business: Get your head in the clouds
PHUKET: Information technology (IT) has dramatically changed the way people communicate and do business. Changes in information technology are rapidly taking place and investors who are able to spot the newest trends can profit from those trends greatly. One continually evolving trend is “cloud computing”. Investors focused on IT growth stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have several options when it…
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Phuket Business: ASEAN set to ink deals with China
PHUKET: ASEAN and Chinese leaders are set to ink two Free Trade Agreements (FTA) facilitating commerce at a bilateral summit later this month. Representatives will meet on November 18 in Cambodia, at a summit between ASEAN leaders and six partner countries.One agreement would eliminate some trade barriers related to sanitary and phytosanitary (animal and plant health) standards; the other would…
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