Year: 2013
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: US fiscal talks stumble; Putin political rival facing jail time; al Qaeda suspect pleads innocent
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. fiscal talks stumble as lawmakers race against time Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Stop-start negotiations to end the U.S. fiscal impasse left congressional leaders and President Barack Obama desperately searching yesterday for a way to reopen the government and raise the country’s debt limit ahead of a…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket corruption scandal taken to PM Yingluck
PHUKET: Patong business owners – tired of inaction by Phuket authorities in tackling corrupt officials collecting an estimated 50 million baht a month – have filed a complaint directly with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. “I handed the complaint personally to Suranand Vejjajiva, the Secretary General to the Prime Minister of Thailand Yingluck Shinawatra,” Phuket businessman and adviser to the Thailand…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket meth mule nabbed at island bridge
PHUKET: Police last night arrested a drug runner at the Tah Chat Chai Checkpoint who confessed to smuggling drugs from Surat Thani and selling them in Phuket Town.Acting on a tip-off, police stopped and searched a Honda Jazz being driven by Sitthichai Chusang, 39, at about 8:30pm while he was trying to leave the island.Officers found only 300mg of ya…
Read More » - Phuket News
Patong mayor’s resort targeted for land encroachment
PHUKET: The government’s self-branded “anti-mafia” campaign continued yesterday as Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak led local officers to inspect the Patong Bay Garden Resort on Patong Beach for suspected encroachment onto public land. The resort, owned by Patong Mayor Pian Keesin and his son Prab, was the only resort along Patong Beach that was inspected yesterday. However, the raid…
Read More » - Thailand News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Govt considers extending Internal Security Act enforcement; Kids addicted to computer games; Dealer donates ya bah to ease suffering
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Students who opposed retreat to Lumpini Park draw further support The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A splinter group of the People’s Army against the Thaksin Regime has drawn so much growing support from the public that the government is now considering whether to extend the…
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Phuket Gazette World News: US deal today – maybe; Russian police round up 1600 migrants; Major quake hits Philippines, no tsunami threat
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. senators hint at possible fiscal deal today Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A month of combat in the U.S. Congress over government spending showed signs of giving way to a Senate deal to reopen shuttered federal agencies and prevent an economically damaging default on federal…
Read More » - Phuket News
Dozens charged over illegal fireworks at Phuket Vegetarian Festival
PHUKET: Phuket City Police arrested 21 people for setting off dangerous fireworks during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, which drew to a close at midnight on Sunday. A further seven people were arrested for selling firecrackers without a permit. Phuket City Police chief Sermpan Sirikong said celebrants were warned before the annual festival that police would be taking a dim view…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket roadworks driving motorists to alternatives
PHUKET: The local authorities responsible for main roads across Phuket will spend hundreds of millions of baht in road upgrades to make commuting in Phuket safer and faster. The news was delivered by the chiefs of the Department of Rural Roads Phuket Office and the Phuket Highways Office at a meeting with Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut at Provincial Hall this…
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Phang Nga officer charged with trafficking kicked off force, awaits trial
PHUKET: The first police officer in Thailand to be charged with human trafficking has been discharged from the Royal Thai Police force. Weerayuth Feuangfu, formerly a sergeant major with the Phang Nga police, is free on bail as he awaits his trial in early November on charges of human trafficking, helping a refugee leave a shelter and abusing his position…
Read More » - Phuket News
Five in hospital in Phuket Vegetarian Festival Shrine food scare
PHUKET: Five people, including a 14-year-old girl, were rushed to hospital after eating a curry dished out to over 100 participants at a Phuket Vegetarian Festival Shrine yesterday.The five affected are believed to have suffered extreme reactions to alocasia included in a curry served at the Tah Reua Shrine in Thalang, doctors told the Phuket Gazette.Alocasia is in the Araceae…
Read More » - Phuket News
Construction worker drowns on northern Phuket Beach
PHUKET: Phuket’s surf claimed another life over the weekend when a construction worker from Sisaket province drowned at Nai Yang Beach.Pech Pengjam, 40, had been relaxing on the beach and drinking with friends when he decided to take a swim, his friends told police yesterday.“He went into the water still wearing his jeans, then disappeared from sight,” said Lt Thanom…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Sports: BISP and Cruzeiro unite
PHUKET: British International School Phuket (BISP) will be announcing the launch of its new football academy at the forthcoming international seven-a-side football tournament (November 8-9, 2013), which is held annually on the school campus. The aim is to develop a center of footballing excellence in Asia under the coaching auspices of the premier Brazilian football club, Cruzeiro EC. An essential…
Read More » - Phuket News
Racha islander: Health center necessary to save tourists’ lives
PHUKET: Racha Yai islanders on Saturday urged Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut to build a health center on the popular day-trip isle as one way to solve the problem of tourist drownings there. The Chinese embassy has already promised money to support the construction of the center, they said. “To save tourists’ lives, we need a health center on the island.…
Read More » - Entertainment
Phuket Events: Royal music concert
PHUKET: The King Rama IX and Princess Sirindhorn Music Library is organizing a mobile music exhibition entitled “The 8th King Rama IX Royal Compositions” which will be held from October 31 to November 2 at Saphan Hin Park in Phuket Town (click here for map). The highlight of the event will be an impressive musical fountain and traditional dancing. The…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket officials arrest bar owner behind Rihanna fiasco
PHUKET: Local Phuket officials on Saturday night arrested the Patong bar owner who staged the lewd show at the epicenter of comments posted online by global celebrity Rihanna. The international pop star stirred an online furore last month after she posted photos on Instagram of slow loris touts on Bangla, and posted a Twitter message about a “shocking” adult show…
Read More » - Phuket News
Russian tourist found dead in Phuket hotel room
PHUKET: Police are investigating the cause of death of a Russian tourist whose body was discovered in his Karon hotel room on Saturday.The tourist, Yury Kiryukhin, 36, was to check out on Saturday and fly home.Staff at the Baan Karonburi Resort discovered Mr Kiryukhin’s body on the bed in his room at 8:30am, said Karon Police case investigator Capt Channarong…
Read More » - World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Moscow riots; Eiffel Tower evacuated; Colombian talks stall; 89 dead in Hindu temple stampede
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Rioting erupts in Moscow after killing blamed on migrant Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Demonstrators, some chanting racist slogans, vandalised a shopping centre and scuffled with police in a Moscow neighbourhood on Sunday after the killing of a young man that residents blamed on a migrant from the…
Read More » - Thailand News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Govt House sealed off; Flood victims get counselling; Red Shirts remember 1973
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Govt House sealed off after threat of protest The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Police yesterday began closing 14 roads around Government House to traffic for fear that anti-government protesters may move their rally to the area.The move came as an anti-government group threatened to hold a large…
Read More » - Phuket News
Man slain in Phuket kindergarten shooting
PHUKET: A business partner at a popular local kindergarten in central Phuket was shot dead this morning after an argument escalated over noise and dust caused by an electric sander drifting into a neighbor’s house. Pairote Sompet, 48, who lives in a house next to the school, presented himself to police before officers had the chance to arrest him for…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Town restaurants grilled over grease traps
PHUKET: Heavy pollution in the waterways throughout Phuket Town has prompted officials to lay down the law against all restaurants that do not install grease traps. Any restaurants that do not have grease traps installed will not have their permits to operate renewed, Phuket City Deputy Mayor Dr Kosol Tang-Uthai warned yesterday. “Part of the flooding problem in Phuket Town…
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Phuket elephant smugglers head to court, arrest of officials sought
PHUKET: Two of the men involved in the elephant-smuggling operation blown open in Phuket in August will be presented in court this Thursday. Meanwhile, officers leading the investigation will move to have arrest warrants issued for public officials involved in the trafficking ring. “Surat Termsak and Prasong Bootchaiyaphum are scheduled to appear in Bangkok North Municipal Court on October 17,”…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket aircon technician survives three-storey fall
PHUKET: A man luckily survived a fall from a multi-storey bookstore in the heart of Phuket Town yesterday evening, after landing on the company pickup truck he drove to the store. Lt Phoom Semmaworanon of the Phuket City Police arrived at the scene, a shop called The Book Shop on Yaowarat Road, with Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers at 6:20pm. “Mr…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Airport taxis face overhaul, upgrade
PHUKET: An open meeting at the Airports of Thailand (AoT) Phuket office yesterday morning has resulted in a slew of new measures to be introduced to improve the quality of service of taxis serving Phuket International Airport. The news follows weeks of controversy over current arrangements. “What has been agreed on is that each taxi operating to and from the…
Read More » - Thai Life
Phuket Explore: World of small wonders
PHUKET: Founded more than 20 years ago by well known local doctor Prasit Koysiripong, Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World was the first tourist attraction of its kind on the island and is still thriving today. Six years ago Dr Prasit’s son-in-law Jaipet Hatthakham and his wife took over the business and have been steadily improving it to keep pace…
Read More » - Thai Life
Phuket In Focus: The bug buffet
PHUKET: Thailand’s Department of Health has concurred with a recent United Nations study, confirming that edible insects are indeed a high-protein food source, and thus may be an ideal solution in tackling world hunger and malnutrition if not turning a considerable profit for the keen investor. Through its Asia and Pacific regional office in Bangkok, the UN’s Food and Agriculture…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Sports: Talking tennis with a pro
PHUKET: Darran Ferre was recently appointed as a tennis pro by the Regent Phuket Cape Panwa where he will be launching an academy aimed at coaching young players to a high level. We spoke to Darren about his passion for tennis and his new role at the Regent.Who is your favourite player and why?Darran Ferre: Players inspire me for different…
Read More » - Property
Phuket Property: A fine finish for your pool
PHUKET: Currently expanding their operation in Phuket, Pebble Pools is leading the charge to bring an innovative and superior swimming pool surfacing product to the Thailand Market. Trained and certified by market-leading American company Pebble Technology Inc, Pebble Pools’ staff are able to surface any pool in Thailand with a patented, fine aggregate pebble finish – which has been developed…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket to sport armed patrol cars for night duty
PHUKET: Provincial Police are currently refitting and upgrading three patrol cars to police known crime hotspots in Phuket in order to enhance tourists’ safety at night during the high season. “Following the appointment of the new Phuket Provincial Commander, Maj Gen Ong-art Phiwruangnont [story here], we have been instructed to redouble our efforts to improve safety for tourists,” Phuket Provincial…
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ABBA tickets to go on sale today
PHUKET: Tickets for Phuket’s entertainment event of the year, the November 8 ABBA FOREVER concert at Laguna Phuket, will go on sale at 11am today. With more than 220 of them already snapped up in website pre-bookings this week, sales are expected to be brisk and buyers are advised to purchase from authorized agents only. The tickets are priced at…
Read More » - World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Dozens dead in new migrant boat sinking off Sicily; US inches toward debt deal; Kenya mall attack suspect charged
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Dozens killed in new migrant shipwreck south of Sicily Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Dozens of people died on Friday when a boat carrying around 250 migrants capsized between Sicily and Tunisia, in the second such shipwreck this month, the Italian coastguard said. The Italian news…
Read More » - Chiang Mai News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Firebombs at Bangkok rally; Hospital warns thieves drug patients; Chiang Mai quake; Flood defenses down
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Patients robbed after thieves spike water with animal sedative The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: “Watch out!” the Public Health Ministry is warning all hospital users nationwide, after the recent sedation of a number of patients at major Bangkok hospitals when they unwittingly ingested a dangerous…
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DOG DAYS: Phuket murder fugitive ‘Mick the Pom’ living openly in sunny Philippines
PHUKET: British murder fugitive Michael John Taylor, better known in Phuket as “Mick The Pom”, has been found alive and well in the Philippines, and now uses the online monikers “Mick Doggard”, or just “Mickdog” for short. Taylor, who celebrated his 50th birthday on September 20 this year, remains wanted for the murder of his girlfriend Jantra Weangta, 27, who…
Read More » - Opinion
Phuket Opinion: Keeping the glory
PHUKET: Standing at the top of the tower at Khao Khad View Point, one is surrounded by a breathtaking vista. What a marvelous project it is, with footpaths meandering through the pleasant woods below – and, yet, on closer inspection, this iconic Phuket landmark is crumbling to pieces. The painted cement “boards” of the walkways below have caved in and…
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Phuket Opinion: When testing water, don’t trust your eyes
Dr Somkiat Khokiattiwong, 54, is head of the Oceanography and Marine Environment Unit at the Phuket Marine Biological Center. A Phuket native, he has a master’s degree in oceanography from McGill University in Canada and a PhD in eco-toxicology from Southern Denmark University, Denmark. Here, he talks about how Patong can better handle its treated wastewater. PHUKET: It is one…
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Phuket project launched to tackle Thailand’s missing shark mystery
PHUKET: One of the largest projects ever designed to document the worrisome trend of declining shark sightings in Thailand was announced today in Phuket. In the wake of professional diver testimonials showing a 95 per cent decrease in shark sightings at Thailand’s renowned dive destination the Similans, the founders UK NGO Shark Guardian have moved forward with the Thailand E-Shark…
Read More » - Opinion
Phuket Opinion: Signs of Chaos
PHUKET: Thailand can claim credit for some of Southeast Asia’s most high-profile land transport boondoggles, yet often overlooked is the long-standing and scandalously in-your-face inadequacy of the Transport Ministry to provide drivers with one of the most basic motoring necessities: accurate and informative road signs. We live in an age of amazing geographic technology. Cars, cameras and other electronic gadgets…
Read More » - Phuket News
Patong pharmacy raid targets cough syrup sales to teens
PHUKET: Public health officials are investigating a Patong pharmacy suspected of selling cough syrup to Phuket teenagers for the purpose of making the illegal 4×100 narcotic cocktail. Cough syrup is a key ingredient of the cocktail, which includes kratom leaves. “After receiving worrying reports concerning the Chanulak Pharmacy, I contacted the Phuket Public Health Office [PPHO] to inspect the outlet,”…
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