Year: 2012
- Business News
Phuket Business: Pepsi gets new Andaman arm
PHUKET: Super Cheap Co Ltd has taken over distribution of Pepsi beverage products in Phuket and two other key Andaman coastal provinces, a spokesperson from the local retail giant has confirmed.The development follows the expiration on November 1 of a long-running contract between the Thai subsidiary of Pepsi-Cola (PepsiCo) and local beverage firm Serm Suk.Prior to the split, Bangkok-based Serm…
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Phuket Business: Coca-Cola pouring B200mn into Thai cola battle; New player enters market
PHUKET: Coca-Cola (Coke) is spending 200 million baht on marketing in the final quarter of this year in hopes of surpassing Pepsi to become the undisputed leader of Thailand’s 38.5 billion baht carbonated-drink market.Colas represent about 75% of Thailand’s carbonated drink market. This is followed by flavored drinks (20%) and lemon-lime beverages (5%). The cola segment is also the most…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Sports: IronTwins talk about competing
PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette continues its build up to this year’s Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club IronKids on December 1. This week, Dutch twins Chloe and Maxime Schrijnemaekers, 10, are the featured IronKids.Chloe’s views on IronKidsPhuket Gazette: Why do you compete in IronKids?I really like the sport and love doing three sports combined into one event. Also, it gives me…
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One Phuket swimmer drowns, one sent to hospital
PHUKET: Two swimming* incidents on Koh Racha, about 25 kilometers south of Phuket, have left a Chinese woman dead and an Indian woman in hospital. (Click here to see Phuket Breaking News report.) Yuan Dingrong, 56, who was spending a week in Patong with nine of her family members, drowned after getting into difficulties while swimming* off Ao La (La…
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World News: India hangs last Mumbai militant in first capital sentence since 2004
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community In great secrecy, India executes last surviving Mumbai attacker Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: India executed Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, the lone survivor of a militant squad that killed 166 people in a rampage through the financial capital Mumbai in 2008, hanging him today just days before the fourth…
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Phuket mass fish deaths put flood-prevention project on hold
PHUKET: Dredging of a popular fishing pond in Suan Luang (Rama IX Park)* in Phuket Town is on hold after hundreds of fish were found dead along the banks of the pond this morning. Local residents believe the fish died from oxygen depletion in the water brought on by dredging. The dredging is part of a 25-million-baht flood-prevention project. Residents…
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Tourists rushed to Phuket after ‘near drowning’ during snorkelling day trip
PHUKET BREAKING NEWS: A 50-year-old Chinese tourist has been rushed to Phuket International Hospital after being pulled from the water feared drowned while snorkelling off Racha Yai Island at about midday today.Meanwhile, about the same time also off Racha Yai Island, an Indian woman, about 40 years old, was pulled from the water after also choking on water difficulties while…
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Phuket Airport authorities approve all ‘new’ taxis
PHUKET: Despite an Airports of Thailand (AOT) senior executive just last month announcing a freeze in the number taxi vehicles serving Phuket Airport, local officials yesterday approved every request made by local taxi operators to boost their airport fleets. Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by all main parties involved (see below), the Phuket Mai Khao Company and the…
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World News: Extramarital sex not unusual says wife of U.S. General on trial for adultery
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international communityPHUKET (Reuters): The wife of a U.S. Army general facing adultery and sex charges said on Monday that military marriages have suffered from the extended U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, and described infidelity as an emotional war wound that gets overlooked.In an interview with Reuters, Rebecca Sinclair…
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Brit Aldhouse to be extradited to Phuket
PHUKET: British national Lee Aldhouse, wanted on murder charges in Phuket, has lost his High Court appeal and will be extradited to Phuket. The news of the UK High Court dismissing Mr Aldhouse’s appeal follows High Court judges agreeing to postpone the extradition hearing so that Mr Aldhouse’s lawyers would have more time to prepare their case. Mr Aldhouse successfully…
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Phuket Police suspect ‘pre-existing condition’ caused Russian tourist drowning
PHUKET: Phuket Police suspect that an underlying medical condition led to the drowning of a 69-year-old Russian tourist off Patong Beach yesterday morning.Patong Police Capt Teerasak Boonsaeng was informed at 10:30am that a body had been recovered by a jet-ski rider from the water off just north of Loma Park.Police Superintendant Chiraphat Pochanaphan along with Kusoldtham Rescue Foundation workers attended…
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Work on Phuket underpass deferred to Friday
PHUKET: The lane closures to make way for the construction of Phuket’s first underpass in front of the Phuket Central Festival shopping mall has been postponed for two days. Originally planned to commence on Wednesday (tomorrow), Italian-Thai Development project managers confirmed to the Phuket Gazette today that the start had been delayed intentionally to prevent mid-week traffic congestion. “The lane…
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PAD rallies in Phuket to “reclaim Thai petrol’
PHUKET: Key leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) staged a rally in Phuket Town yesterday to inspire support for their “reclaim PTT” campaign.The campaign opposes the privatization of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) Public Company Limited, which currently operates as a state enterprise listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).The leaders of the PAD, better known…
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Phuket police nab bag snatchers in Patong
PHUKET: Police quickly arrested three young men today, all of whom have reportedly confessed to no fewer than eight bag-snatches in Phuket’s premier tourism town of Patong.The arrests followed a bag snatching on the Patong beach road, at 12:36am.Quick police action saw officers move in and arrest the three suspects – Sarayuth “Ice” Aisuwan, Bunharn “Diao” Banpeung and one man…
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World Sports: Manchester City top EPL; European football review
PHUKET: Manchester City topped the Premier League for the first time this season after thrashing Aston Villa while Barcelona stayed three points clear in La Liga as Lionel Messi scored twice in a win over Real Zaragoza.Bayern Munich extended their Bundesliga lead to eight points with a 1-1 draw at Nuremberg while leaders Juventus stayed four clear of Inter Milan…
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Russian man drowns off Phuket Beach
PHUKET BREAKING NEWS: Phuket police have reported that a 69-year-old Russian tourist drowned off Patong Beach this morning. The body of the man, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin, was found near the northern end of the beach at about 10:30am. Police believe the man died an hour before his body was found. “The man arrived in…
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World News: NATO allies may send missiles to Turkey
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Netherlands, Germany may send missiles to Turkey – report Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Turkey has said it has intensified talks with NATO allies on how to shore up security on its 900-km (560-mile) frontier with Syria after mortar rounds fired from Syria landed inside its…
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World News: Obama begins historic Myanmar visit
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Praise and pressure as Obama begins historic Myanmar visit Reuters / Phuket GazetteYANGON: Barack Obama became the first serving U.S. president to visit Myanmar today, trying during a whirlwind six-hour trip to strike a balance between praising the government’s progress in shaking off military rule and pressing…
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Chaianan wins re-election as Kathu Mayor in Phuket polls
PHUKET: Chaianan Sutthikul was re-elected to his second consecutive term as Kathu Mayor in the Kathu mayoral election and Kathu Municipal council election held in central Phuket yesterday.In the preliminary vote count, Mr Chaianan scored 5,437 votes to defeat his only rival for the Kathu top seat: two-time former Kathu Mayor Prasert Khaokijpaisarn. Mr Prasert was elected to his first…
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Police seek arrest warrant for Phuket “hit-and-run’ bus driver
PHUKET: Police have now requested that the Phuket Provincial Court issue an arrest warrant for the bus driver who fled the scene on Thepkrasattri Road in Thalang last Wednesday after the tour bus he was driving struck a motorbike and killed two women. Thalang Police Sub Lt Chatree Chuwichian, the investigating officer in the case, confirmed to the Phuket Gazette…
Read More » - World News
World News: Pressure for ceasefire mounting in Israel-Gaza conflict
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community More diplomacy to try to halt Israel-Gaza fighting Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Hostilities between Islamist militants and Israel entered a sixth day as diplomatic efforts were set to intensify to try to stop rocket fire from the Gaza Strip and Israeli air strikes on Gaza.International pressure for…
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World News: Israel, Gaza intensify bombings this morning
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Israel, Gaza fighting rages on as Egypt seeks peace Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: Israel bombed militant targets in Gaza for a fifth straight day this morning (Phuket time), launching aerial and naval attacks as its military prepared for a possible ground invasion, though Egypt saw “some indications”…
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FIFA Futsal World Cup: Epic Brazil vs Spain final tonight
PHUKET: The stage is set for another epic FIFA Futsal World Cup final between the world’s top two national teams – Spain and Brazil – with the seventh edition of the prestigious tournament to conclude tonight in Bangkok. Meanwhile, the first match of this evening’s Europe vs South America double-header will see Futsal World Cup newcomers Colombia challenge Italy for…
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World Sports: United and Chelsea slip up as City hit five
PHUKET: Manchester United were humbled 1-0 by Norwich City and Chelsea upset at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday as Premier League champions Manchester City took advantage of their rivals’ mistakes with a 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa.United, who suffered their third league defeat of the season in the late kickoff at Carrow Road, succumbed to a 60th-minute header from their…
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World News: Iranian officials denied entry to United States for U.N. meeting
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. denies visas for Iranian officials to attend U.N. meeting Phuket Gazette / News WiresPHUKET: The United States has denied visas to Iranian officials hoping to attend a U.N. meeting in New York, Iran’s state news agency [INRA] reported last night. The Iranian judiciary’s Human Rights Headquarters…
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Stranded spinner dolphin rescued at Phuket beach
PHUKET: Phuket rescue workers recovered a young male spinner dolphin with scratches on its skin stranded on Karon Beach this morning. Dr Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, who heads the Endangered Species Unit (ESU) of the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) received the report of the dolphin at about 9am, and immediately left with a team to help in the rescue. “We went…
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Local Kathu elections halt alcohol sales
PHUKET: Alcohol sales will be banned within the Kathu municipal area starting at 6pm today until midnight tomorrow due to local elections. The affected area includes: from Wat Samkong temple on the bypass road just north of Tesco Lotus, to the Phuket Mining Museum behind Loch Palm Golf Club, to just before the Patong City sign on Patong Hill and…
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‘Hit-and-run’ driver still at large
PHUKET: Phuket police have identified, but not caught, the bus driver who fled the scene after his bus struck a motorbike on Thepkrasattri Road and killed two women on Wednesday. “We contacted the driver’s employer, allowing us to identify the suspect,” Thalang Police Sub Lt Chatree Chuwichian told the Phuket Gazette this morning. “We are waiting for them to contact…
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Police still on hunt for members of Burmese gang
PHUKET: Phuket police are still hunting for those involved in a Burmese gang fight that broke out at a worker’s camp in the early hours of yesterday morning, leaving one dead and one seriously injured. Thalang Police arrived at the Burmese workers’ camp behind Thalang National Museum on Pa Khlok Road to find almost a hundred Burmese workers at the…
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Unidentified foreign male dies in “high-speed’ Phuket car crash
PHUKET: An unidentified foreign male died in a “high-speed” single-car crash early this morning on Kalim-Kamala Road, north of Phuket’s well-known Patong Beach.Patong Police received the report of the incident at about 5:45am, said Lt Col Pratuang Polmana.“At the scene we found the man dead in a black Toyota Vios registered in Udon Thani Province,” Lt Col Pratuang told the…
Read More » - Thai Life
Phuket Lifestyle: Blazing Saddles
PHUKET: THE thought of cycling around Phuket probably enters most people’s minds about as frequently as wondering what it would be like to thrust a live cobra down the front of their underwear.However, cycling around Phuket is undoubtedly growing in popularity, despite the obvious challenges associated with the endeavor. On most days in the early dawn mist you’ll see phalanxes…
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Phuket Diving: Dive Bunny takes plunge
PHUKET: A lion fish is out in the open just over the sands of Kata Beach, but before a photo can be taken there is a sudden commotion. Dive instructor ‘Scuba Nick’, eyes wide-open, rips off his mask and reaches for his student’s regulator. Ex-British military, Nick is a big guy, with big hands going for the second stage of…
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Phuket Sports: Avram grants an audience
PHUKET: Famous football manager Avram Grant is a softly spoken man who spent his formative managerial years in Israel coaching Maccabi Haifi, Hapoel Haifi and the Israel national team. The Israeli took over as manager of Chelsea in 2007 and brought them to the brink of a Champions League final victory, only for a John Terry penalty miss to snatch…
Read More » - World News
World News: Jerusalem fired upon as Israel preps for possible Gaza incursion
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Israel authorises more reservists after rockets target cities Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Israel’s cabinet authorised the mobilisation of up to 75,000 reservists late yesterday, preparing the ground for a possible Gaza invasion after Palestinians fired a rocket toward Jerusalem for the first time in decades.Tel Aviv, Israel’s…
Read More » - Opinion
Phuket Opinion: Elephants in the room
PHUKET: Finally the DNA tests for the three baby elephants seized in Phuket in February are being released, with one toddler being returned to its natural mother, another being returned to the tour park operator (as the elephant was actually deemed legal), and the third yet to be determined. This ‘dance of the baby elephants’ stands in stark contrast to…
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Phuket pier under investigation
PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttirak yesterday gave an official task force 15 days to determine whether or not a pier, being built at the Baan Kor En village in Thalang, is legal. V/Gov Somkiet and Prapan Kanprasang, head of the Phuket Damrongtham Center (Provincial Ombudsman’s Office), joined officials from the Phuket Marine Office and the Natural Resources and Environment…
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Phuket Sports: No pipe dream for IronKid
PHUKET: This week’s featured IronKid is 10-year-old Australian Ben McMillan. Ben entered his first triathlon when he was six years old and he is so passionate about the event that he asked for a running coach for his 10th birthday.Phuket Gazette: Why do you compete in IronKids?Ben McMillan: I really love the sport and I like nothing better than to…
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