Month: May 2014

  • Phuket NewsV/Gov Chamroen pushes for funds for Karon wastewater

    V/Gov Chamroen pushes for funds for Karon wastewater

    PHUKET: Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada vowed yesterday to push for funds to expand Karon’s water treatment facilities as soon as possible. The vice governor spoke as he inspected the recent efforts of Karon municipality to prevent untreated wastewater in the Nong Han canal from spilling over onto the town’s popular tourist beach as it has already three times this year,…

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  • Phuket NewsDon’t pay money under the table, fight it in court – says Employment chief

    Don’t pay money under the table, fight it in court – says Employment chief

    PHUKET: All foreigners who believe that they have been wrongfully arrested for breaching the conditions of their work permit must fight for their rights, said the chief of the Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO). “If the police insist on arresting you, let them do it. If they threaten to detain you, let them. You have the right to deny the…

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  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: 2nd Phuket International Tae Kwon Do Championship 2014

    Video Report: 2nd Phuket International Tae Kwon Do Championship 2014

    PHUKET: The 2nd annual Phuket International Tae Kwon Do Championship saw 689 fighters from 43 teams face off against each other at the indoor sports stadium in Saphin Hin last Saturday. The all-day event was organized by the Tae Kwon Do Dragon Club Gym and supported by Phuket Provincial Administration Organization and the Sports Authority of Thailand. The event, attracting…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Open cancelled

    Phuket Open cancelled

    PHUKET: The promoters of the FIVB Beach Volleyball Open in Phuket have decided to cancel the event scheduled for October 15 to 19 quoting continued political unrest in Thailand as the reason for their decision. With the safety and security of players and officials of paramount importance, the FIVB have accepted the promoter’s decision to cancel the event. The next…

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  • Phuket NewsSnatchers snitch on sex drug seller

    Snatchers snitch on sex drug seller

    PHUKET: Using a tip-off from recently arrested bag-snatchers, police raided a Phuket pharmacy on Tuesday evening, seizing more than 10,000 pills of drugs being sold illicitly. Among the pills were sex aids, antidepressants, steroids and the notorious “date rape” drug Rohypnol. “Four bag-snatchers told us they planned to buy Zolam at a pharmacy in Patong,” said Patong Police Deputy Superintendent…

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  • Business NewsChinese vote Phuket favorite destination for students

    Chinese vote Phuket favorite destination for students

    PHUKET: Phuket has been voted the favorite destination for Chinese students. The accolade was one of six awards won by Phuket at the annual ceremony held by China’s largest Online Travel Agent (OTA), Ctrip.com, and one of nine awards won by Thai destinations in total. The “Ctrip Best Tourist Destination of the Year 2013 Awards Ceremony” was held in Shanghai…

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  • Phuket NewsFast and Furious: Patong joy ride in boss’ car ends in crash

    Fast and Furious: Patong joy ride in boss’ car ends in crash

    PHUKET: A drunk driver injured a Phuket motorcyclist early yesterday morning during a high-speed joy ride in his boss’ Toyota Fortuner; the ride ended abruptly when he slammed the SUV into a utility pole. “At about 6:40am we were notified that a driver in a Toyota Fortuner had knocked a man off his motorcycle and crashed into a power pole…

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  • Hua Hin NewsVietnam says China rammed ships in South China Sea

    Vietnam says China rammed ships in South China Sea

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Vietnam says China rammed ships in South China Sea Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Vietnam said on Wednesday a Chinese vessel intentionally rammed two of its ships in a part of the disputed South China Sea where Beijing has deployed a giant oil rig, sending tensions…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News: Yingluck ousted; Govt pushes for election; Villagers fight to save quake-hit homes; Reward for Haad Yai bombers

    Thailand News: Yingluck ousted; Govt pushes for election; Villagers fight to save quake-hit homes; Reward for Haad Yai bombers

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Yingluck Ousted The Nation/ Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thailand’s first female prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was removed from office yesterday after serving as premier for two years, nine months, and two days. The dismissal followed a Constitutional Court ruling that she had violated the charter by unlawfully…

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  • World NewsPutin to Ukraine rebels: postpone secession vote

    Putin to Ukraine rebels: postpone secession vote

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Putin to Ukraine rebels: postpone secession vote Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Russian President Vladimir Putin called on pro-Moscow separatists in Ukraine to postpone a vote on secession just five days before it was to be held, potentially pulling Ukraine back from the brink of violent…

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  • Thai LifeCycling on coconuts

    Cycling on coconuts

    PHUKET: I FIND myself writing increasingly about the concept of “escape” from Phuket these days. Talking to fellow cyclists and other residents alike, the need to find a sanctuary away from the everyday hassles, stress, traffic and urbanization of Phuket keeps coming up. It seems that the work week is taking its toll on people living in Phuket and so…

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  • Phuket NewsFears of corpse confirmed, but not human

    Fears of corpse confirmed, but not human

    PHUKET: Police called this morning to investigate a possible corpse wrapped in a bag in Phuket Town found the bodies of two dogs instead. Residents called authorities after noticing a rotting odor coming from the bag, found outside an abandoned house near the Revenue Department office on Narisorn Road. Rescue workers who were first on the scene hesitated to investigate.…

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  • Phuket NewsChinese Consulate lands on Phuket shores

    Chinese Consulate lands on Phuket shores

    PHUKET: The Chinese Consulate is searching for a Phuket locale from which they can serve the ever-increasing number of Chinese tourists visiting the island – a number that is expected to hit two million this year. Wang Huijian, vice consul of the Chinese Consulate in Haad Yai, will head up the new Phuket Consulate. Ms Wang met with Governor Maitri…

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  • Thailand NewsCourt demands Yingluck step down

    Court demands Yingluck step down

    A Thai court found Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra guilty today of violating the constitution and said she could no longer serve as caretaker premier, a decision likely to increase tensions in the bitterly divided nation. Judges delivering the verdict said Ms Yingluck had abused her position by transferring the country’s National Security Council chief to another post in 2011 so…

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  • Phuket NewsPhi Phi cargo boats engulfed in flames

    Phi Phi cargo boats engulfed in flames

    PHUKET: Police are investigating the cause of a fire which gutted two Phi Phi cargo boats anchored off Krabi early yesterday morning. Fire fighters responded to reports that Unity 2 and Unity 3 were ablaze near the Ko Huang Fishing Pier in Saithai Sub-district at about 5am. “The boats were too far from shore for firefighters to try to save…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket chief wages war to bring common sense to employment laws

    Phuket chief wages war to bring common sense to employment laws

    Special Report  Poor definitions in work permits have left loopholes that allow criminal foreigners to skirt the law and corrupt officials to take advantage of law-abiding foreigners. To this, Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO) chief Yaowapa Pibulpol is waging a war to bring common sense to the enforcement of employment regulations. The Phuket Gazette’s Saran Mitrarat reports. PHUKET: The events…

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  • PropertyGone in the blink of an eye

    Gone in the blink of an eye

    PHUKET: Humans blink 10 to 15 times a minute. Start rolling out the time-line and you start edging up over 20,000 blinks a day or more harrowing yet, perhaps 40 million blinks in a lifetime. Ferris Bueller said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Proverbially, the things…

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  • Phuket NewsWilson leads Man U to win over Hull City

    Wilson leads Man U to win over Hull City

    PHUKET: Manchester United’s past and future collided as debutant James Wilson scored twice in a 3-1 win over Hull City on Tuesday that marked the end of stalwart Nemanja Vidic’s Old Trafford career and set tongues wagging about Ryan Giggs. Wilson, 18 years old and one of two debutants on show, scored in each half before Matty Fryatt pulled one…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News: Haad Yai blasts wound 10; Yingluck’s fate decided today; Aftershocks continue; AMLO busts Bt1bn smuggling ring

    Thailand News: Haad Yai blasts wound 10; Yingluck’s fate decided today; Aftershocks continue; AMLO busts Bt1bn smuggling ring

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Two blasts rock Haad Yai, wounding 10 people The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Two large bomb attacks were carried out yesterday in Haad Yai business district of Songkhla province, wounding 10 people and causing large fires and heavy property damage. Initially it was reported that…

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  • World NewsNigeria gunmen abduct 8 more girls

    Nigeria gunmen abduct 8 more girls

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Gunmen abduct 8 more girls in northeast Nigeria Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped eight girls from a village near one of the Islamists’ strongholds in northeastern Nigeria overnight, police and residents said on Tuesday. The abduction of the girls, aged 12…

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  • Hua Hin NewsPhuket runway maintenance affects Chinese flights

    Phuket runway maintenance affects Chinese flights

    PHUKET: Sichuan Airlines will relocate its Phuket operations to Krabi from May 15 through August 12 while runway maintenance is carried out during overnight hours at Phuket International Airport. The affected flights will be the Chengdu to Phuket and Chongqing to Phuket services. Sichuan Airlines offers two flights per week from both Chengdu and Chongqing direct to Phuket. Shanghai Airlines…

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  • Thailand NewsBomb blasts rock Haad Yai

    Bomb blasts rock Haad Yai

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bomb blasts rock Haad Yai The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Four separate bomb blasts hit Haad Yai district of Songkhla this afternoon, injuring five people. A fifth bomb found near the entrance to apartments inside Prince of Songkhla Hospital was safely defused. The first bombs…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket park chief resigns over encroachment pressure

    Phuket park chief resigns over encroachment pressure

    PHUKET: Park Chief Cheewapap Cheewatham has surrendered his fight to save Sirinath National Park from land encroachment and resigned from his position amid allegations of a 30-million-baht bribe to sign over protected land. After almost two years of service, Mr Cheewapap could no longer handle the pressure of the job and the powerful businessmen he pursued on land encroachment charges,…

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  • Phuket NewsPolice face corruption probe for letting Aussie gunmen free

    Police face corruption probe for letting Aussie gunmen free

    PHUKET: The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) will investigate the Patong Police officers who failed to provide enough evidence to charge two Australians with attempted murder after the pair opened fire on a busy street in Patong last year. The Australians, tattoo parlor owners John Cohen, 32, and Adam Shea, 26, injured two German tourists while trying to gun down…

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  • Phuket NewsRussian escapes serious injury in drunken motorbike crash

    Russian escapes serious injury in drunken motorbike crash

    PHUKET: A Russian woman escaped serious injury yesterday morning when she crashed a motorbike into a power pole while not wearing a helmet and under the influence of alcohol. Rescue workers were called to the scene, on Thepkrasattri Road, at about 9am. “Rescue workers administered first aid at the scene before transporting the woman to Wachira Phuket Hospital,” said Lt…

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  • Phuket NewsFight night at Ta-ied Stadium

    Fight night at Ta-ied Stadium

    PHUKET: Tonight, Ta-ied Stadium will host seven Muay Thai fights, including two semifinal fights and a Super Fight. The stadium is located on Soi Ta-ied in Chalong with the fights starting at 9pm. The fighters include Tukkatatong from Tiger Muay Thai, Nakornsri from Rawai Muay Thai, Mongkornpet from Dragon Muay Thai and Sangmoreragot from Phuket TopTeam. The Super Fight card…

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  • World NewsNigeria’s Boko Haram threatens to sell kidnapped schoolgirls

    Nigeria’s Boko Haram threatens to sell kidnapped schoolgirls

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nigeria’s Boko Haram threatens to sell kidnapped schoolgirls Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The leader of Boko Haram on Monday threatened to sell more than 200 schoolgirls his Islamist militant group kidnapped in northeastern Nigeria last month. Boko Haram militants stormed an all-girl secondary school in…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News: Big quake rocks north; Crowds honor HM The King; D-Day for Yingluck

    Thailand News: Big quake rocks north; Crowds honor HM The King; D-Day for Yingluck

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Big quake rocks North The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: People in Chiang Rai’s Phan district ran out of their homes and buildings in panic as ground in the far North shook during a 6.1-magnitude earthquake yesterday. The quake was so strong it could be felt…

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  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: Phuket police extortion charges true, PACC says

    Video Report: Phuket police extortion charges true, PACC says

    PHUKET: The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has proposed that two Chalong Police officers be charged for the extortion of members of the dive community following the conclusion of their investigation in Phuket (story here). “We have collected enough evidence to prove that the allegations of extortion filed by 41 members of the Phuket dive industry are true,” said PACC…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket police recover 100,000 baht of sea fan jewelry

    Phuket police recover 100,000 baht of sea fan jewelry

    PHUKET: A man smuggling sea fan jewelry into Phuket was arrested at Phuket’s main bus station yesterday afternoon. Acting on a tip-off, police apprehended Sarayut Maneerat, 39, at about 1pm, when he got off a bus from Krabi. Officers found 111 pieces of jewelry made from sea fans, a protected marine animal, in his backpack. The items included 102 bracelets,…

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  • Phuket NewsVisa crackdown risks stranding Phuket expats in Myanmar

    Visa crackdown risks stranding Phuket expats in Myanmar

    PHUKET: Officials at Ranong Immigration today confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that they are turning away any foreigners attempting to enter Thailand after using three consecutive “walk-in” visas. The news follows reports of immigration officers allegedly stopping Phuket expats on visa runs to Ranong from exiting the country. Ranong, nearly 400km north of Phuket, has for decades been a prime…

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  • Phuket NewsWanted Phuket woman arrested for stealing 52 cars

    Wanted Phuket woman arrested for stealing 52 cars

    PHUKET: A woman wanted for car theft since 2012, with outstanding arrest warrants in every district of Phuket, was arrested yesterday in Cherng Talay after being recognized by police. “Sukanya Chanthanarak, 40, had five arrest warrants in Cherng Talay alone. Her face was familiar to area police,” said Lt Col Sommai Onkham of the Cherng Talay Police. Ms Sukanya rented…

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  • PropertyMoving away from the mass market

    Moving away from the mass market

    PHUKET: Founding member of the Phuket Real Estate Association (PREA) and president of Phuket-based developers The Onella, Sam Sethi, is a Phuket native and part of a successful family-run business on the island with a strong record in residential and hospitality development. Over the past 20 years, Sam has focused on developing mixed-use commercial and residential properties that are a…

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  • Phuket NewsWomen’s tennis star succumbs to liver cancer

    Women’s tennis star succumbs to liver cancer

    PHUKET: Former British women’s number one Elena Baltacha has died at the age of 30 from liver cancer, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)announced on Sunday. “The news of the death of Elena Baltacha, one of the shining lights of British women’s tennis of recent generations, is devastating to everyone who has ever had the privilege to know her, play against…

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  • Phuket NewsSurf’s up in Khao Lak

    Surf’s up in Khao Lak

    PHUKET: After crossing the bridge off the island, the sense of immediacy, impatience and the hustle and bustle of Phuket fades quickly. The pace of life slows to what is expected of a tropical island. Dozens of people experienced this as they made their way to Khao Lak for the first annual Khao Lak Surf Competition last weekend. They drove…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News: EC prepares for July 20 poll; Village chiefs free Defence HQ; Huge turtle haul at Bangkok airport

    Thailand News: EC prepares for July 20 poll; Village chiefs free Defence HQ; Huge turtle haul at Bangkok airport

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community EC to push ahead with plan for poll The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Election Commission is pushing ahead with plans for a national election on July 20 and is set to draft a Royal Decree to begin the process, after a proposal by opposition…

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  • World NewsPro-Russians storm Odessa police station, free activists

    Pro-Russians storm Odessa police station, free activists

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Pro-Russians storm Odessa police station, free activists Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Pro-Russian militants stormed a Ukrainian police station in Odessa on Sunday and freed 30 fellow activists as the prime minister blamed police corruption there for dozens of deaths in rioting on Friday. “Russians won’t…

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