Month: August 2013
- Phuket News
Phuket teen swerves to avoid car making u-turn, dies in crash
PHUKET: A 16-year-old speeding south on Thepkrasattri Road last night died after he swerved to avoid a car and hit a metal pole instead.Witnesses told police that Sakarat Muaenparn was riding his motorbike at high speed in the motorbike lane when a car made a u-turn south of the PTT station, said Thalang Police officer Chatree Chuwichian.The car turned in…
Read More » - Food
The devil is in the detail – Phuket’s Les Diables
PHUKET: Walking into Les Diables bakery to interview creator and master pastry chef Peter Webber, I find him hunched over his work bench, meticulously crafting a tiny toilet out of white chocolate. Curious, I ask him what on earth it is for and he replies matter-of-factly: “It’s for a customer, they were having a trailer-trash party and they wanted the…
Read More » - Thai Life
Bitcoin ban in Thailand
PHUKET: Bitcoin is only one among hundreds of its kind, collectively known as cryptographic protocol currencies or cryptocurrencies, which are only a small part of all digital currencies. More than 90% of almost every single currency in the world today is digital. Still, cryptocurrencies are unique while having only existed for four years, the total value of Bitcoins alone surpasses…
Read More » - Thai Life
Trellises and a treasure trove – Phuket Gardening
PHUKET: According to Wikipedia, a trellis is an architectural structure, usually made from wood, bamboo or metal with an open framework or lattice of interwoven or intersecting parts and made to support and display climbing plants, especially shrubs. My father had a wooden trellis made expressly for his climbing roses, but such a construction in Phuket would quickly fall victim…
Read More » - Thai Life
Hedging your bets – Phuket Gardening
PHUKET: Few of us don’t relish the sense of ownership, of having our own pad or plot. And since we want to feel secure, we build walls around us to ensure that we can enjoy some privacy, as well as for a feeling of protection. As the saying goes: “An Englishman’s home is his castle.” But there are dissenters to…
Read More » - Phuket News
Seawater quality to be monitored, results sent to island’s consulates
PHUKET: Amid concerns over worsening seawater quality at Phuket’s beaches, results of bi-monthly tests will be sent to the Phuket consulates, Governor Maitri Inthusut told 11 consul-generals yesterday. Phuket’s beach waters were regularly monitored in the past, but budget cuts brought an end to that program (see p8 and p9 of the digital Gazette online here). The Governor’s plan to…
Read More » - World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Leak highly radioactive; Boston bomber had mulitple wounds; Iraq being dragged into war; Circus comes to Afghan kids
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Wrecked Fukushima storage tank leaking highly radioactive water Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Contaminated water with dangerously high levels of radiation is leaking from a storage tank at Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, the most serious setback to the clean up of the worst nuclear accident…
Read More » - Hua Hin News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Scuffles end meeting; Canadian picked up in penny scam; Teachers still targets; Mass Rohingya escape; Fertility rite
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Scuffles, boos bring chaos to constitution change meeting The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont, whose nickname is “Gavel Master”, lived up to his name and used his gavel vigorously for the first time yesterday during the House-Senate joint meeting deliberating constitutional amendments.…
Read More » - Phuket News
Officials baffled over dead Koh Racha Yai fish
PHUKET: Several dead reef fish collected from the dozens of dead fish found at the popular dive destination of Koh Racha Yai were brought to the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) earlier this month after local fishermen, villagers and divers voiced concern that they may have been poisoned, perhaps by cyanide.“In the last week to 10 days, there have been…
Read More » - Phuket News
VIDEO REPORT: HM the King’s historic visit may bolster Phuket sea gypsy land rights
PHUKET: As part of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) probe to establish how long Phuket sea gypsies have been living at Rawai Beach, officers have discovered movie footage of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej visiting the community in 1959. The footage may prove critical to the sea gypsies’ fight against court-ordered evictions based on land claims by private investors, the…
Read More » - Property
Condo commercial compliance
PHUKET: There are a number of condominium developments in Phuket where commercial entities do business, be it a travel agency, rental agency, spa or restaurant. Although such businesses may benefit the owners, juristic persons should make sure that commercial use of space in residential condominiums is compliant with the Condominium Act. Compliance with the building regulations will help ensure transparency…
Read More » - Property
Savitri plans Phuket hotel
PHUKET: Savitri Ramyarupa, managing director of Chatrium Hotels and Residences, shared her vision and plans for the next three years. She said she is planning to add two more properties in Bangkok and Phuket, along with expanding an existing property in Yangon, Myanmar. This is an attempt to cash in on the expected influx of international business and leisure travellers…
Read More » - Phuket News
Rohingya play ‘pity card’ for media: Deputy Interior Minister
PHUKET: Deputy Interior Minister Wisarn Techathirawat says the presence of the media encourages Rohingya refugees to “act-up in front of the camera” in order to get sympathy. Mr Wisarn was at the Phang Nga Immigration center yesterday to inspect the facility, following a Rohingya riot there earlier this month. “The media often knows that the Rohingya are arriving even before…
Read More » - Phuket News
Copper thief copped at Phuket checkpoint
PHUKET: Police arrested a man carrying 100,000 baht worth of stolen copper wire concealed in fertilizer sacks at a routine checkpoint in Thalang yesterday .Eakkapan Pinthong, 22, a construction worker at the Karn Keha public housing estate in Srisoonthorn, appeared nervous as he approached the checkpoint on Baan Don Road shortly after midnight yesterday, police said.“He was riding a motorbike…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket officials vow swift action on dirty Patong beach water
PHUKET: Patong officials are determined to discover the source of foul water being pumped into the sea at Patong Beach following a large section of dirty water surfacing at the beach yesterday. “Our municipality was not aware of the problem. However, now that we know, we will step in to solve the problem as soon as possible,” Panida Klinbbusa, an…
Read More » - Phuket News
Northbound lanes at Phuket underpass to re-open, relieve congestion
PHUKET: The northbound lanes entering the Darasamuth Intersection, in front of the Central Festival Festival shopping mall, will be re-opened this afternoon, relieving some of the heavy traffic congestion in the area. Excavating the road required workmen at the site to close all northbound lanes for several hours this morning and redirect traffic along the spur road to join Wichit…
Read More » - Phuket News
Rescue workers bag a pair of Phuket pythons
PHUKET: Rescue workers were called to recover large pythons in both Patong and Mai Khao last night after local Phuket residents raised the alarm due to the sheer size of the snakes. Rescue workers from Patong Hospital were summoned to capture a large python seen slithering across the road in front of the Patong Municipality offices (map here) at about…
Read More » - World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Muslim Brotherhood leader arrested; Egyptian security forces kill journalist; Spain UK tensions; Al Qaeda suspected of planning train attacks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Egypt arrests Muslim Brotherhood leader Badie Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Egyptian security forces have arrested the top leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, state media reported today, pressing a crackdown on his group. Mohamed Badie, 70, was detained at an apartment in Nasr City in northeast…
Read More » - Thailand News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: 600 Thais evacuated from Egypt; 7BN seized; Absolute control – MP Ongart Klampaiboon; Oil spill recovery plan
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community 600 Thais flown back, 300 still in Egypt The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: More than 600 Thais have been evacuated from Egypt on flights arranged by the Thai government in the wake of the unrest which has so far claimed some 900 lives. Another 300…
Read More » - Phuket News
Tourism Malaysia closes Phuket office after 13 years
PHUKET: Tourism Malaysia announced today that it will close its Phuket office and all other offices outside of Bangkok by the end of this month.“There will only be one office in Thailand, and that will be in Bangkok,” Deputy Director General of Tourism Malaysia Chong Yoke Har said.Mrs Chong made the announcement at an appreciation dinner for Phuket’s media and…
Read More » - Phuket News
Family escapes injury in Phuket tour bus shunt
PHUKET: A 66-year-old man, his wife and their toddler granddaughter luckily escaped injury this afternoon when the car they were travelling in was shunted from behind by a Phuket tour bus at speed on Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew.The force of the impact sent Saeree Krajangsee and his Honda City sedan careening over the median strip and slamming into a…
Read More » - Phuket News
Canadian arrested in Phuket after Facebook gives away his locale
PHUKET: Police last night arrested a Canadian man wanted for allegedly stealing 100,000 baht in Chiang Rai after photos he posted on his Facebook page were recognized as having been taken in Patong. Police arrested David Peter Sundstorm, 39, after they spotted him walking out of a restaurant on Nanai Road (map here) at about 8pm, explained Patong Police Deputy…
Read More » - Phuket News
Russian shot in Phuket beachfront drive-by
PHUKET: A Russian man is recovering in hospital after being shot in the back during a drive-by in Rawai on Saturday night.Maksim Klocskov, 32, was shot in the back after a bullet penetrated the trunk and back seat of the car he was riding in.Mr Klocskov was rushed to Phuket International Hospital and a medical team immediately began operating on…
Read More » - Phuket News
British teen dies after severe allergic reaction to cashew nut in Phuket
PHUKET: A 14-year-old British boy, on holiday with his family, went into shock and died after consuming a single cashew nut last night in Patong.Ethan Williams was taken to Patong hospital, but died en route, Patong Hospital Director Dr Sirichai Silapa-acha said.Doctors believe that Ethan died either from an acute allergic reaction to the cashew nut or bronchial spasms brought…
Read More » - Cannabis News
Brothers arrested for hotel room drug depot shopfront
PHUKET: Two brothers were arrested on drugs charges on Friday, with police suspecting that the siblings were using a hotel room in Cherng Talay to store and sell their wares. “We received a report from one of our undercover agents about the brothers renting a hotel room to store drugs, and we obtained a warrant to search their house in…
Read More » - Phuket News
Russian found hanged from tree at Phuket landmark
PHUKET: A Russian man was found dead, hanged from a tree in a wooded area near Phuket’s iconic Promthep Cape, at the southernmost tip of the island, on Saturday morning. Chalong Police received news of the deceased foreigner at 8:30am. “We found the body of Vladimir Slobodenyuk, 29, from Russia, hanging by a length of nylon rope from a large…
Read More » - World News
Phuket Gazette World News: UK detains partner of Snowden journalist; Mega-mall planned for concentration camp site; Mexico captures cartel head
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Britain detains partner of journalist linked to Snowden Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: British authorities used anti-terrorism powers on Sunday to detain the partner of a journalist with close links to Edward Snowden, the former U.S. spy agency contractor who has been granted asylum by Russia, as he…
Read More » - Koh Samui News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Speaker spending probe; Samui alarmed over oil spill; Homeless foreigners hurt image; Emma Thompson to join talks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Samui, nearby islands also vulnerable to oil leaks The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The oil-spill crisis on Koh Samet has scarred the Kingdom’s tourism industry and operators, especially those in Koh Samui and neighbouring islands, are voicing concern that their investments will go down the drain if…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket police net 78 illegal fishermen
PHUKET: Police rounded up 84 suspected illegal fishermen from across the island yesterday through raids on the Phuket Fish Marketing Organization, the Patong area and various boats dotted along the Phuket coastline. “Officers were arranged into three teams and inspected locations where we guessed illegal immigrant workers might be found,” said Phuket Immigration Superintendent Sanchai Chokhayaikij. On seeing the raiding…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket hospital confirms identity of severely beaten Nepalese tailor
PHUKET: A change of corners in the beating of a Nepalese tailor has revealed that the tailor, Aung Aung Latt, was in fact the one hospitalized after being severely beaten by another tailor who has only been identified as “Rocky”, despite previous reports (see here). Vachira Phuket Hospital staff were unable to confirm or deny the identity of the hospitalized…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket FC hope to devour Khon Kaen’s T-Rex tonight
PHUKET: Recovering from their Wednesday night draw with Royal Navy FC, 6th-placed Phuket FC will be looking to bag all three points in their away fixture tonight against the 14th-placed Khon Kaen FC T-Rex. To kickoff at Khon Kaen OrBorJor Stadium at 6pm, the match is both side’s 23rd of 34 scheduled matches in the Yamaha League One 2013 season.…
Read More » - Phuket News
Special Report: Sudden Death comes knocking at Phuket’s door
Special Report Hans Lehner and his Thai partner Pranee Srijaem went out for somtam last Saturday night (story here). The next day Pranee was dead. Stumped for any explanation as to why Pranee, 39, had died, doctors were forced to list the cause of death as ‘acute heart failure’ as a form of Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome. The Phuket Gazette‘s…
Read More » - Phuket News
Mafia rule: Patong Kingpin points finger at officials
PHUKET: Preechavude ‘Prab’ Keesin, son of Patong Mayor Pian Keesin, has lashed out at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), calling on them to tackle corruption among government officers and the ranks of law enforcement officials. Mr Prab and Mayor Pian were among the 11 parties named by the DSI as “mafia” operating illegal taxis on the island. The result…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Provincial Hall adds more CCTVs to tighten security
PHUKET: Four high-definition CCTV cameras have been added to the entrance and exit of the Phuket Provincial Hall complex following the bomb blast on the grounds on August 1 (story here). “Two new CCTV were placed at the entrance and two were placed at the exit so they will be able to zoom in on the license plates of cars…
Read More » - Opinion
Phuket Opinion: Phuket Town, worthy of Unesco World Heritage status
PHUKET: Approaching Phuket Town from the north at dusk provides a magical moment. At the intersection of Thepkasattri and Thalang Roads, the ivory-white Song Nuan Pharmacy building is cinematically lit with colors that manage to stay just on the right side of garish.Every time I pass it on my daily two-wheeled commute home, and then proceed through streets lined with…
Read More » - Opinion
Phuket Opinion: Health insurance for tourists at 7-Eleven
Dr Sirichai Silpa-archa has been the Director of Patong Hospital for six months and was Deputy Director of Vachira Phuket Hospital for 26 years. He has a medical degree from Chulalongkorn University with a specialty in Urology from Chiang Mai University, as well as an MBA. Here, he discusses options for relieving the financial burden of uninsured foreign tourist and…
Read More » - Opinion
Phuket Opinion: Isle of Caprice
PHUKET: The naming of 11 parties who will be investigated by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for so-called “mafia” activities in the island’s tourism industry (story here) have piqued the interest of even some of the most jaded Phuket media observers. However, only time will tell if this initiative turns out to be the first dose of the long-awaited…
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