Month: July 2014
- Phuket News
The Cove to screen in Phuket
PHUKET: The award-winning documentary The Cove will be screened twice at Central Festival Phuket next week to raise awareness of how dolphins are caught at the Taiji Cove in Japan and sold for use in dolphinaria around the world. Central to the documentary, however, is how many of the dolphins are butchered and the meat sold to supermarkets. Confirmation of…
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Phuket entrepreneur takes to the skies
PHUKET: Perched on a steep hillside directly beneath the watchful gaze of the Big Buddha rests the compound that houses Helicam. Owned and operated by British national Phil Clark, the media production company, which specializes in aerial photography and videography, is just about to celebrate a dozen years of operating in Phuket. The anniversary will be highlighted by the upcoming…
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Foreign burglar caught on CCTV robbing Phuket homes
PHUKET: Police are hoping to identify a foreign man who was caught on CCTV robbing a home in Bang Jo, in Phuket’s west coast area of Cherng Talay, last Thursday. The area has been targeted by burglars for years, said Jo D’Hondt, a business partner of the high-end Diamond Condominium project (story here) in Bang Tao. “My house has been…
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Body of musician, swept from Phuket rocks, found washed ashore
PHUKET: The body of Somchai Yungtala, 30, who was swept from the rocks near Phuket’s Promthep Cape on Tuesday afternoon, was found washed ashore this morning. Relatives assisting rescue workers in the search for Mr Somchai found his body at Ya Nui Beach at about 5am. Mr Somchai was visiting Phuket from Koh Yao Yai with his girlfriend when he…
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Phuket teachers told not to worry about work permit crackdown – yet
PHUKET: Immigration officials have urged teachers in Phuket not to panic “right now” about visa and work permit crackdowns after Facebook rumors caused a stir in the online teacher community. “Please do not worry right now. We have yet to receive an order from the Phuket Immigration Chief to crack down on school teachers,” Immigration Inspector Tianchai Chompoo confirmed to…
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THAI Smile poised for relocation to Don Mueang
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand business news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community THAI’s Smile Air poised for relocation to Don Mueang The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thai Airways International Plc has prepared its budget Thai Smile Air for take-off from Don Mueang International Airport on August 8 to snatch passengers from low-cost competitors. The flag carrier…
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Libya asked to waive exit visa to facilitate evacuation of Thais
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Libya asked to waive exit visa to facilitate evacuation of Thais The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thailand is asking Libya to cancel its exit visa regulations in order to facilitate the evacuation of Thais living there, Manopchai Vongphakdi, director-general of the Foreign Ministry’s South Asia…
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Arrivals from West Africa on Ebola watch, fears grow of outbreak in Europe
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Arrivals from West Africa on Ebola watch, fears grow of outbreak in Europe The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thai authorities have joined the rest of the world in monitoring the spread of the Ebola virus and are closely screening all arrivals from West Africa, a…
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Heavy new penalties for visa overstays from Aug 29
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Heavy new penalties await visa overstays The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Authorities will bar visitors who overstay their visas from returning to Thailand for between one year and a whole decade. The longer the overstay period, the longer will be the re-entry ban. Starting from…
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Pair charged with stealing rice worth Bt100m from warehouse
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Pair charged with stealing rice worth Bt100m from warehouse The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Two men were arrested yesterday and charged with theft after 98,000 sacks of rice worth about Bt100 million were found missing from a warehouse in Pathum Thani. The rice belonged to…
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Malaysian Formula E race postponed at PM’s request
THE MALAYSIAN round of the new electric Formula E series has been postponed because the country’s Prime Minister is unable to attend on the date originally scheduled, organizers said. The race in Putrajaya was due to be held on October 18 as the second round of the championship but will now take place on November 22. “The decision, which has…
Read More » - World News
Carnage at U.N. school as Israel pounds Gaza Strip
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Carnage at U.N. school as Israel pounds Gaza Strip Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Israeli shelling killed at least 15 Palestinians sheltering in a U.N.-run school and another 17 near a street market on Wednesday, Gaza’s Health Ministry said, with no ceasefire in sight after more…
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Drug-resistant malaria now widespread in Southeast Asia
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Drug-resistant malaria now widespread in Southeast Asia Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Drug-resistant malaria parasites have spread to border regions of Southeast Asia, seriously threatening global efforts to control and eliminate the mosquito-borne disease, researchers said on Wednesday. The scientists, who analysed blood samples from 1,241…
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Liberia shuts schools, considers quarantine to curb Ebola
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Liberia shuts schools, considers quarantine to curb Ebola Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Liberia will close schools and consider quarantining some communities, it said on Wednesday, announcing the toughest measures yet imposed by a West African government to halt the worst Ebola outbreak on record. Security…
Read More » - Thai Life
Chasing Hooters: One man’s obsession with the global restaurant chain (video)
PHUKET: Some people don’t need any reason to travel. They just pack their bags and hit the road. Wanderlust, they call it. But for most of us, there has to be a reason behind the journey. Be it business people who travel for the money, holiday makers who travel to have a break, or pilgrims who travel for their souls.…
Read More » - Property
Property Watch: To be, or not too be, that is the question
PHUKET: Whenever a property column starts out with Billy Shakes and the talk turns to slings and arrows, you’d best buckle up the seat belts. Yes, we are again turning our eyes to Phuket real estate after an extended hiatus into the arcane and zig-zag run for the goal posts. Sadly, like Brazil, there is always hope in another four…
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Video Report: Evaluating the profits and costs of Thailand’s rampant seahorse trade
SPECIAL REPORT Though not usually a fish specifically targeted by the fishing industry, an estimated 5.8 million seahorses are exported each year from Thailand, playing a large role in making the country the world leader in seahorse exports. With seahorse catch numbers dwindling and the charismatic creatures being added to CITES, the eyes of the world turn to Thailand. The…
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Excuse Buster: Work it for me, baby
PHUKET: More than 70 per cent of people who exercise regularly are not getting the results they want, the International Health and Fitness Association (IDEA) has discovered. Out of the 25 per cent of those who are getting results, 90 per cent are working with a personal trainer, reported IDEA. Personal trainers get results; everyone can benefit from the one-on-one…
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Phuket pushes for new taxis, new fares, amid new harsh penalties
PHUKET: The Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) has proposed a slew of changes to create a new fleet of “standard metered taxis” to serve tourists and residents throughout Phuket. The proposed changes were handed to Col Somchai Ponatong of the Royal Thai Army’s 41st Military Circle, who will pass on the request to the PLTO headquarters and the National Council…
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Military moves to “iron fist, velvet glove’ for clearing Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Officials bolstered by military support have softened their approach in clearing all businesses from Phuket’s beaches, but remain firm that all offending structures will be torn down. The message was made clear yesterday by Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada, who led officials and military personnel to inspect several venues whose operators were ordered to vacate public beach land. First…
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Video Report: Asians dominate in ITF Pro Circuit
PHUKET: With the rise of Asian ATP and WTA players like Kei Nishikori of Japan and Li Na of China in the tennis world, this year’s participation has increased by numbers and there’s a strong progression of tennis in Asian countries. The two ITF women’s tournaments held at Thanyapura have proven this without a doubt. The Single and Double winners…
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Police struggle to contain street attacks by Phuket teenagers
PHUKET: Police have ramped up street patrols and checkpoints, but say there is little more they can do to combat a spate of knifepoint robberies in Rawai within the past month. “They are targeting Thais and foreigners – anybody they think looks weak and would be an easy target,” said Chalong Police Superintendent Krittapas Dazintharasorn. In the most recent robbery,…
Read More » - Thai Life
Trend Micro builds safer mobile gaming experience for consumers in Thailand
PHUKET: Trend Micro announced in a press statement that it is introducing the first-of-its kind Dr. Safety mobile security app, together with game developers in an effort to create a world safer for mobile gaming. First launched in Taiwan, the app is now available in the rest of Asia Pacific. It features six secure game technologies including a security certified…
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Warring, wealthy and notorious Thammawattana family makes peace
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Warring, wealthy and notorious Thammawattana family makes peace The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: After enduring a series of tragedies for decades, rival members of the Thammawattana family have decided to give up their spats for the sake of “peace and happiness”. Many members of the…
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Thai industry captains praise NCPO moves, reforms
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai industry captains praise NCPO moves, reforms The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thailand is back to work and business after months of political impasse, but there are challenges to be addressed to ensure sustainable growth, an international business conference heard yesterday. Inclusive political reform will…
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Activists plan anti-shark fin protest at THAI check-in counters worldwide
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Activists plan anti-shark fin protest at THAI check-in counters worldwide The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Oceanic Preservation Society has invited shark advocates to gather at Thai Airways check-in desks at airports worldwide next month to protest against what it calls a cruel shark-fin cargo…
Read More » - Hua Hin News
Chinese police shoot dead dozens after attack in Xinjiang
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Chinese police shoot dead dozens after attack in Xinjiang – Xinhua Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Chinese police shot dead dozens of knife-wielding attackers on Monday morning after they staged assaults on two towns in the western region of Xinjiang, the official Xinhua news agency said…
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British siblings come face-to-face with Phuket tsunami savior
PHUKET: A Phuket reunion nearly 10 years in the making came to fruition last night as Ben and Emily Willgrass surprised their tsunami savior Yupin Sengmuang on the doorstep of her Tri Trang shop. The British siblings put out a call via Facebook for help in finding Ms Yupin, as the two were planning to come to the Phuket on…
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Phuket Airport van driver in fatal crash drug-free, faces reckless driving charges
PHUKET: Police have confirmed that drug and alcohol tests ordered for a Phuket Airport van driver who hit and killed a motorcyclist last week have come back negative. The driver, Manit Prateep Na Thalang, was saved from a mob of angry witnesses after he hit 23-year-old Jantima Srilertchalalai from behind when she reportedly braked suddenly halfway across a bridge about…
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Army tells White Box fat cats to drop weight
PHUKET: The owners of the White Box restaurant on the Kalim beachfront, north of Patong, have been given seven days to remove more than half of the restaurant – or have the army take it down for them. The order was delivered this morning by Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada, who led officials and military personnel to inspect the venue…
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Waves drag musician from iconic Phuket cape, search efforts postponed
PHUKET: High waves forced rescue workers to abandon their search for a musician who was swept from the rocks near Promthep Cape this afternoon. Somchai Yung-Talay, 30, was visiting Phuket from Koh Yao Yai with his girlfriend when he was struck by a large wave and dragged out to sea while fishing. “Witnesses saw the man in the sea trying…
Read More » - Business News
Laguna Phuket to host Thailand’s first domestic MICE mart
PHUKET: Laguna Phuket will be the location of Thailand’s first Domestic MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) Mart on August 1. The event is being organized by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), a public organization tasked with promoting and developing MICE businesses and events in Thailand. The campaign aims to advocate and enhance MICE industry development in Thailand…
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Police bag Bangkok-Phuket dealer with B400k of drugs
PHUKET: Police arrested a man on Sunday for smuggling 400,000 baht worth of drugs from Bangkok into Phuket. Amnart Rossukhon, 28, was arrested at his rental room in Rassada at about 11:30pm on Sunday, explained Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Arayapan Pukbuakao. Officers searched Mr Amnart’s bedroom and found 100.8 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and 2,000 ya bah…
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Phuket City Police stunned by officer’s suicide
PHUKET: The Phuket City Police this morning are reeling after the death of one of their well-liked officers by suicide. Sen Sgt Maj Sapeewat Kongchim was found in the car park of the police accommodation units behind the Provincial Police headquarters on Yaowarat Road, in Phuket Town, at 7:30am. He had a single gunshot wound to the head. The weapon…
Read More » - Business News
Thai AirAsia cuts 2014 passenger estimates
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand business news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thai AirAsia Co has lowered its passenger projection for this year from 13.2 million to 12.6 million because of the political crisis that has hit inbound travel during the past two months. Santisuk Klongchaiya, director of commercial operations, said…
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Between a rock and a hard place: planning a rockery.
WHEN I was knee high to a grasshopper, the expression ”between the devil and the deep blue sea” meant you were stuck in a hopeless, no-win situation. Nowadays the American adage “between a rock and a hard place” is more likely to be used to convey the same dilemma. But rocks are not always linked to intractable situations: gardeners for…
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Laguna secure victory against the Village
In the 4th round of the Outrigger T20 league, Laguna took on the Village in the afternoon game on Sunday 27 July 2014 at the Alan Cooke Ground (AGC). With both teams looking to secure their first win, they had all to play for. After winning the toss, the Village elected to field first due to the threat of impending…
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