Year: 2013
- Thailand News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: White masks rally; Democrats win Don Mueang; Monks and supercars; Crime re-enactments under the gun
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community White mask rallies spread The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Anti-government white-mask protesters gathered in many provinces yesterday despite opposition from red-shirt supporters of the government.In Bangkok, about 1,000 people – many wearing white Guy Fawkes masks – gathered at the Central World shopping complex yesterday afternoon.It was…
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Dorked in the dark: YouTube video sees Chiang Mai biker arrested
PHUKET: A CHIANG MAI man was arrested by police after a video surfaced on YouTube of him driving around the northern city on a 1.2-million-baht superbike. That might not sound criminal in itself. The issue of concern to the cops was that Chetaphon Chantarabunthawi, 25, was completely naked at the time. Mr Chetaphon told reporters that he had made the…
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One dead as Phuket pickup slams into tree
PHUKET: One man died and another was injured when a pickup truck slammed into a tree in central Phuket early this morning. Rescue workers and Thalang Police were called to the scene on Srisoontorn Road, about 300 meters from Baan Manik School (map here), at about 2:10am. The driver, Jaroendham Thepraksa, 25, died instantly in the impact. The passenger, Montri…
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Phuket payout for Chinese tourist drowning victim
PHUKET: Representatives from Phuket’s tourism industry stepped forward this week to provide one million baht in compensation to the family of a Chinese tourist who drowned while swimming off Racha Yai Island last year. Yuan Dingrong, 56, drowned after getting into difficulties while snorkeling off La Bay at Rachai Yai Island, about 25 kilometers south of Phuket, on November 20…
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Police probe suicide at Phuket workers camp
PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of a woman who reportedly committed suicide while her husband was out drinking and her 14-year-old son was next door playing with neighbors yesterday afternoon.Phuket City Police officers were called to the scene, a construction workers camp on Soi Kingkaew Uthit in Rassada, at about 5pm.They arrived to find Saeng-ngern Trairoj 54, dead from…
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Phuket Immigration Tourist Service Point opens in Patong
PHUKET: Phuket Immigration’s Tourist Service Point in Patong re-opened on Thursday to a flurry of activity, with about 20 expats and tourists taking advantage of the immigration services provided. “Most of them came to do their 90-day resident reporting and for extensions to permits-to-stay,” said Patong Immigration’s Capt Angkarn Yasanop, who now heads the office with a staff of five.…
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Newborn dumped, found dead in Phuket trash pile
PHUKET: A newborn baby boy with a rubber band twisted tightly around its neck was found dead in a pile of rubbish in southern Phuket beach area of Rawai yesterday afternoon.The baby, estimated to have been dead for over 24 hours, was spotted by Rawai Municipality trash truck driver Sutham Kansuwan on his regular route along Soi Suksan 1, said…
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Phuket teens in gang attack, motorbike theft
PHUKET: Police are urging motorists to exercise caution when travelling alone late at night in the Thalang area after a man was kicked off his motorbike while in motion and robbed of his motorcycle by a gang of youths late Thursday night. Chatmongkol Sukmak, 17, was riding home from Phuket Town at about 11pm when a gang of youths travelling…
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Phuket Health: Back to the bare basics
PHUKET: Dr Thomas Walton is the newest member of the team at Thanyapura’s Integrated Health Clinic in Thalang. In addition to being a Chiropractic Sports Physician, Dr Walton, a native of Buffalo, New York, is also a US-licensed Massage Therapist and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified Personal Exercise Trainer, with some 25 years experience in the chiropractic profession.…
Read More » - World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Rohani leads Iran polls; Tabasco graft; Rupert and Wendi get divorced; UK calls for Snowden no fly zone
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Iran votes for new president, Khamenei slams U.S. doubts Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Moderate cleric Hassan Rohani took a commanding lead ahead of conservative rivals in Iran’s presidential election, according to initial results, but his tally appeared narrowly insufficient to avoid a second round run-off…
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Phuket History: Early Portuguese forays into Siam
PHUKET: The Portuguese were the first European power to arrive in the Far-East and established a diplomatic relationship with Thailand, which at that time was known as the Kingdom of Siam. Portuguese diplomatic missions arrived in Siam in the early 16th Century. During that period the Kingdom’s capital and center of authority was based in the ancient city of Ayutthaya.…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: EU to provide 200,000 euros to assist Rohingya refugees in Thailand
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community EU to provide 200,000 euros to assist Rohingya refugees in Thailand The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The European Union is committing 200,000 euros to provide humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees being detained in Thailand, the EU Delegation to Thailand announced on Friday. The help will…
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French Open: Powerful pair
PHUKET: When Serena Williams powered down three aces in the final game to beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-4 at Stade Roland Garros, she cemented her already legendary status in the game. The oldest winner – at 31 – of a Grand Slam in the modern era, the victory was, coincidentally, her 31st straight success. She has now won every Major…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: National lottery impossible, says expert; Supercar hit list targets rich; Akeyuth murder suspect surrenders; Mobs face off in Chiang Mai
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai national lottery ‘statiscally impossible’: expert The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: After conducting a three-decade-long study, Chulalongkorn University statistician Theeraporn Verathaworn has discovered that the numbers drawn fortnightly in the state lottery are highly improbable. Hence, he said, the system should become fully automated and…
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Schaefer takes over Muang Thong, Thailand play China
PHUKET: Winfried Schaefer quit his role last week as manager of Thailand’s national football team to replace Slavisa Jokanovic as manager of Muang Thong United. He lost his first game in charge 1-0 to Bangkok Glass last Sunday. Schaefer’s move to Muang Thong represents a solution to the headache suffered by the Thai Football Association as it sought to end…
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Lions Tour: Upping the tempo
PHUKET: After two relatively straightforward workouts – against the Barbarians in Hong Kong and the Western Force in Perth, the Lions encountered their first real test at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the setting for the first Test on June 22. Against the Barbarians, the heat had been enervating, with Welsh prop Adam Jones declaring it “like nothing I have…
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Phuket on the cards to host Thailand’s F1
PHUKET: The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has admitted Phuket could host Thailand’s lucrative Formula One race in 2015 due to strong opposition from Bangkok residents. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) put the skids on the F1 race being held in the capital by banning the use of the historic Rattanakosin Island. The move came after residents and business owners complained…
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VIDEO REPORT: European Union tackles Phuket tourism woes
PHUKET: Ambassadors from 17 European nations today brought to the Phuket Governor’s attention four critical issues plaguing Phuket’s tourism industry: road transport, boat safety, tourist security and jet-skis.“The meeting today was held to identify several key issues affecting European tourists to Thailand and to come up with solutions to these problems,” said European Union (EU) Ambassador to Thailand David Lipman,…
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Triathlon champs coming to Challenge Laguna Phuket
PHUKET: Reigning World Champion Pete “PJ” Jacobs has confirmed he will race the inaugural Challenge Laguna Phuket half distance triathlon on December 1 – setting up an intriguing contest with fellow Australian Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack, the defending title-holder and two-time world champion, for a slice of the race’s 25,000 euro prize purse. The elite pair will compete at Challenge Laguna…
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LPIM: Testing ground for evolution of species
PHUKET: Homo sapiens have evolved as persistence hunters. We are designed to go the distance, to plod along behind any quick footed antelope on the open prairie until the poor bugger, all sprints and no stamina, gives up the ghost – the Laguna Phuket International Marathon was a testing ground of our evolution. “We are a species of runners,” I,…
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No Phuket cars on DSI supercar list
PHUKET: No Phuket luxury cars are on the list of 488 supercars whose owners are being investigated for tax evasion, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. The DSI on Monday revealed the names of the owners of 488 luxury cars who will be called in for questioning in a nationwide crackdown on supercar tax…
Read More » - Opinion
Phuket Opinion: Why not to cook
PHUKET: This island has ruined me for cooking. I used to take no small amount of pride in my forays into the kitchen. I’m no Jamie Oliver to be sure, but I like to think I make a pretty mean spaghetti Bolognese. Alas, living in Phuket my culinary skills, along with my neglected cookware, sit on the shelf gathering dust.…
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Phuket Opinion: Airports welcoming pros, avoiding cons
Angkarn Yasanop, 29, graduated from the Sampran Royal Police Cadet Academy in Nakhon Pathom in 2007. After he served as an immigration officer at Phuket International Airport, he was moved to Phuket Town to work as an immigration office Sub-Inspector. Here he discusses the need to pair swift immigration processing at the airport with sufficient security. PHUKET: People are working…
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Phuket security guard saved from suicide leap
PHUKET: A security guard sacked after two days on the job in Phuket was talked down from a four-storey building in Phuket Town yesterday after he threatened to jump. Police arrived at the Phoonphol Night Plaza just before 4pm, along with Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers and a medical team from Vachira Phuket Hospital. Officers were dispatched to the rooftop to…
Read More » - Thai Life
Phuket Books: Whitey – Life of a Boston mob boss
PHUKET: In Martin Scorsese’s celebrated film, The Departed, Jack Nicholson turns in a bravura performance as a Boston Irish crime boss, throwing a maniacal rant against ‘rats’ (informers) in which he scrunches up his face and flashes rodent-like incisors. It’s one of the great moments of movie history. Ironically, Whitey Bulger, the real Boston mobster upon whom Nicholson’s character was…
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Phuket Opinion: Deputy PM adds insult to injury
PHUKET: Recent protests over inflammatory comments made in Chiang Mai by controversial Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi are just one small reflection of growing national unease with the administration of Yingluck Shinawatra. In an address to the people of Chiang Mai, Deputy PM Plodprasop said the refusal of the people of Phuket to elect a Pheu Thai Party candidate would…
Read More » - World News
Phuket Gazette World News: US approves arms to Syria rebels; Turkey talks to end protests; Czech PM in police raids; Mandela’s health holds
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama approves US arms to Syria rebels Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: President Barack Obama has authorized sending U.S. weapons to Syrian rebels for the first time, a U.S. official said on Thursday after the White House said it has proof that the Syrian government had…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Akeyuth murder mired in complicity; Supercar importers in tax spin; Borrowing the Burmese White Elephant; Ramadan ceasefire; School’s out
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Akeyuth murder motive more than ‘theft’: Panel The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Senate panel on human rights yesterday called on the Royal Thai Police to change the chief investigator in the case involving the murder of businessman and government critic Akeyuth Anchanbutr. Somchai Sawaengkarn,…
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Mass tourism market blamed for degradation of Phuket
PHUKET: The Senate Standing Committee on Tourism yesterday highlighted a series of issues plaguing Phuket due to the rapid development of the province into a major center for mass tourism in Thailand.“The growth of the tourism industry in Phuket is the source of many problems at its natural tourist attractions. Land and beach encroachment, as well as air and water…
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Former male nurse confesses to at least 20 hotel room abortions
PHUKET: Police in Krabi province, across the bay from Phuket, raided a hotel room where they arrested a former nurse who was just about to perform an illegal abortion.Officers raided the small hotel in Ao Luek at about 12:30pm yesterday, finding Prapak Thiparat preparing to perform an abortion.The woman had already been prepared by Mr Prapak to undergo the procedure.…
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Asian junior wrestling takes hold of Phuket
PHUKET: The 2013 Asian Junior Wrestling Championships started today with dozens of bouts taking place this morning at Saphan Hin’s 4,000-seat Indoor Sports Complex; and will conclude on Sunday (click here for map). The Wrestling Championship will be the first time some competitors have competed since the World Wrestling Body (FILA) introduced changes to the point system last month. With…
Read More » - Thai Life
Phuket Life: A botanical cornucopia – Gardening
PHUKET: I have just paid my first visit to the Phuket Botanic Garden. It is a relatively new enterprise, and in the way of novel horticultural enterprises, I did not expect to discover an extensive, superabundant or mature garden. Wrong on all counts. When I emerged two hours later, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer scope and size of the…
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Phuket Tech: New-look Flickr gives users a terabyte of media storage
PHUKET: Popular photo sharing service Flickr recently revamped its website interface and Android app with a new photocentric layout. Perhaps the biggest change aimed at luring more people to their service is the increase of its online storage space to one terabyte per user. The new layout fills the screen with photographs using a black background and minimizing empty space.…
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Special Report: Burmese manager climbs to the top of Phuket hotel industry
Special Report: Kyaw Kyaw Khine is a piece of living Phuket history. At 47 years old, he is the first Burmese national to become a hotel manager in Phuket’s critical tourism industry, at one of the best known hotels on the island: the On On Hotel on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town. Here he tells the story of his…
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In focus: Staying safe at Phuket’s beaches
PHUKET: With the return of the annual southwest monsoon conditions, Phuket’s popular tourist beaches are at their most dangerous. Members of the fledgeling Phuket Livesaving club have once again warned tourists and locals to be vigilant about swimming safety. Lifeguards last year saved 333 swimmers. Video: PGTV Rip currents and powerful waves can easliy catch novice swimmers unaware, and even…
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Heavy Phuket rains send snake slithering for shelter
PHUKET: A large python sought accommodation and food in a local Phuket woman’s home yesterday morning.“During heavy rain, pythons often come to find things to eat. My house has many chickens, which is good food for a snake,” said Kanittha Saechau.On spotting the snake, which stretched to about four meters long, Ms Kanittha contacted Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers.The rescue workers…
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Phuket flood, landslide warning issued as weekend deluges forecast
PHUKET: An island-wide flood and landslide warning has been issued as heavy rains continue to soak Phuket. The warning was issued to all local authorities across the island, San Jantharawong, chief of the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), confirmed to the Phuket Gazette this morning. “There has been heavy rain every day for days…
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