Year: 2012

  • Phuket News

    Phuket Sports: F1 – Strategies, stars and stripes

    PHUKET: The USA GP has been run sporadically since the “American Grand Prize” of 1908. Since then, 41 GPs have been held at nine locations – most recently at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 2000-2007. The USA is an important market for F1 and for team sponsors, so a USA GP is highly desirable. But American fans historically have been…

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  • Phuket News

    Australian fall survivor recovering in Phuket ICU

    PHUKET BREAKING NEWS: The Australian man from Sydney who fell from an 18th storey Phuket hotel balcony earlier this week was still receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of Vachira Phuket Hospital this afternoon. John Hurley, 39, plunged from the hotel balcony of his room at the Royal Paradise Hotel in Patong on Tuesday. Mr Hurley underwent surgery at…

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  • Phuket News

    British suicide victim to be cremated in Phuket

    PHUKET: The body of British national Kenneth Caldwell, a long-term Phuket expat, will be cremated at Kosit Temple (“Wat Kosit“) in Phuket Town on Monday. Mr Caldwell, 64, leaped to his death from the radio mast behind the Tourist Police Headquarters in Phuket Town on November 2. It is believed that Mr Caldwell was financially destitute at the time of…

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  • Phuket News

    British Embassy calls for life-saving action on Thai roads

    PHUKET: The British Embassy in Bangkok has issued a plea for all travellers in Thailand to observe road safety traffic regulations in a bid to eliminate the deaths and casualties in Phuket and the rest of Thailand. The news comes ahead of the “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims” on Sunday. “To mark the World Day of Remembrance…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket Sports: SCC lose despite Beer flowing at the crease

    PHUKET: The Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) contested two days of fun-filled cricketing action last weekend. Two games were played at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) between a Phuket Cricket Group (PCG) select side and the team from Singapore. Saturday’s game, though deemed as a friendly warm-up game, was a close match with the local boys scoring the winning runs with…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket sea gypsies win reprieve from developer action

    PHUKET: A protest by about 200 residents from the sea gypsy community at Baan Laem Tukkae on Koh Sireh yesterday won a temporary reprieve against a developer taking over 11 rai at the small beachfront village on the east side of Phuket Town.Nikom Ukhati, a surveyor from the Phuket Land Office, explained that he and a team of officers arrived…

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  • Phuket News

    Futsal World Cup: All European and South American semifinals tonight

    PHUKET: Both semifinals of the FIFA Futsal World Cup will be played this evening at the Indoor Stadium Huamark, Bangkok, with the stage set for an epic Europe – South America final. The first semifinal is an all European affair between Spain and Italy. Spain started the competition as one of the favorites and they finished joint top of Group…

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  • Phuket News

    World Sports: Keep jeering me, Liverpool’s Suarez tells opposing fans

    PHUKET: Liverpool talisman Luis Suarez is happy for opposition supporters to jeer him as it only serves to motivate him more, the Uruguayan said yesterday. Suarez has become a target for boos from the stands in England after he received an eight-match ban last season for racial abuse directed at Manchester United’s Patrice Evra before refusing to shake the Frenchman’s…

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  • Phuket News

    Krabi Police raid illegal gun factory

    PHUKET: Krabi Police are on the lookout for a gunsmith who is now on the run after officers raided his illegal firearms workshop at a mangosteen processing plant in Nuea Klong District, across the bay from Phuket, yesterday.Provincial Police Commander Nunthadej Yoinual led a team of more than 10 police officers to raid a bungalow at the plant at midday.During…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket national park land probes will go on, says park chief

    PHUKET: The investigation into every plot of privately owned land along the border of Phuket’s Sirinath Marine National Park will go ahead, the chief of Sirinath National Park has confirmed. “We are still continuing with the land investigation. We are following the order of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation [DNP]. The only thing that can stop…

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  • Phuket News

    Matthieu Ricard, “happiest person in the world’, to speak in Phuket today

    PHUKET: World-renowned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard will explore the complex topic of altruism and its role in the modern world in a special free-admission talk at the Thanyapura Mind Center in Thalang, Phuket, this afternoon. As a postgraduate student in science at the renowned Institut Pasteur in the 1960s, the young Mr Ricard embarked on a spiritual journey that saw…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket Police yet to handover confessed rapist case

    PHUKET: The case of Peerayut Moottamara, the 29-year-old who confessed to raping an 18-year-old woman in Chalong on October 11 has not yet been handed over to the Phuket public prosecutor. Capt Chienchai Duangsuwan of Chalong Police Station, told the Gazette Wednesday, that they were still waiting for medical results from Vachira Phuket Hospital in order to conclude the investigation…

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  • Phuket News

    Blackout in Koh Kaew on November 20

    PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) has announced a scheduled blackout that will affect areas in Koh Kaew, north of Phuket Town, on Tuesday, November 20. The blackout will be from 9am to 5pm to allow PPEA staff to carry out maintenance work on high-voltage power lines. The blackout will affect Soi Harn Farang and Soi Koh Kaew 33,…

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  • 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

    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…

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  • 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 News

    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

    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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  • Phuket News

    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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  • Phuket News

    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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  • Phuket News

    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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  • Phuket News

    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 NewsWorld News: 452 prisoners to be freed by Myanmar | Thaiger

    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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  • Phuket News

    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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  • Phuket News

    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 News

    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…

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  • 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 News

    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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  • Phuket News

    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…

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  • 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

    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

    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 NewsPhuket Police promise progress in child rape case | Thaiger

    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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  • Phuket News

    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 NewsPhuket teen ax murderer to face court next week | Thaiger

    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 News

    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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  • Phuket News

    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…

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