Month: October 2014

  • Thailand News18-year-old gets 25 years for slaying parents, brother

    18-year-old gets 25 years for slaying parents, brother

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community 18-year-old gets 25 years for slaying parents, brother The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Court last week handed down a 25-year jail term to an 18-year-old for murdering his parents and his younger brother on March 9, Pathum Thani police chief Pol Maj-General Montri Yimyaem said…

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  • Thailand NewsIndian car-bomb fugitive ‘may not be in Thailand’

    Indian car-bomb fugitive ‘may not be in Thailand’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Indian car-bomb fugitive ‘may not be in Thailand’ The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Investigation into the whereabouts of fugitive Indian car-bomb suspect, who escaped from a maximum-security jail in India in 2004, found no evidence that he had entered Thailand, Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr…

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  • Bangkok NewsBangkok bans airborne lanterns for Loy Krathong

    Bangkok bans airborne lanterns for Loy Krathong

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bangkok bans airborne lanterns for Loy Krathong The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has banned airborne lanterns for the upcoming Loy Krathong festival – on November 6 – in areas around the capital. The ban will cover areas such as the…

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  • World NewsMyanmar journalist killed by army was former bodyguard of Suu Kyi

    Myanmar journalist killed by army was former bodyguard of Suu Kyi

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar journalist killed by army was former bodyguard of Suu Kyi Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A Myanmar journalist who was killed in army custody this month was once a democracy activistand a bodyguard for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, his wife said on Tuesday,…

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  • Thailand NewsSuwana becomes the first woman to head DSI

    Suwana becomes the first woman to head DSI

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suwana becomes the first woman to head DSI The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Suwana Suwanjuta is the first woman to be chosen to lead the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). The Cabinet approved the appointment of Suwana, a deputy permanent secretary for Justice, as the…

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  • World NewsSupply rocket for space station explodes on liftoff

    Supply rocket for space station explodes on liftoff

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Supply rocket for space station explodes on liftoff Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: An unmanned Antares rocket exploded seconds after liftoff from a commercial launch pad in Virginia on Tuesday, marking the first accident since NASA turned to private operators to deliver cargo to the International…

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  • Phuket NewsSneaky Russians caught lifting vodka in Phuket

    Sneaky Russians caught lifting vodka in Phuket

    PHUKET: Three Russians are sitting in Phuket Provincial Prison after a second attempt at stealing booze from a Patong convenience store this month. Evgeny Balashov, 31; Nikolay Chuvilyaev, 30; and Vadim Afanasev, 31, were caught on CCTV stealing five bottles of liquor on October 1. However, it wasn’t until they returned on October 23 and attempted to steal a bottle…

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  • Phuket NewsLive grenade found on Phuket beach

    Live grenade found on Phuket beach

    PHUKET: A live M67 hand grenade was found on Panwa Beach this morning, on the southeastern coast of Phuket. Experts from Phuket’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit promptly removed the war weapon from the sand and moved it to a secure location. “We were informed about the grenade after it was found by a villager near Soi Ruamjai at about…

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  • Phuket NewsPhang Nga triple homicide suspect arrested

    Phang Nga triple homicide suspect arrested

    PHUKET: A man turned himself in yesterday for the murder of his in-laws and estranged wife in Phang Nga, north of Phuket, on October 20. Pornchai Pitak, 28, who fled into the jungle after the shooting, claims that a foot in his face was the catalyst for the slayings (story here). “I went to their house to see my one-month-old…

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  • Phuket NewsPolice scour Phuket migrant worker camps for armed 7-Eleven robber

    Police scour Phuket migrant worker camps for armed 7-Eleven robber

    PHUKET: Police are searching migrant worker camps in the Wichit area for the man who robbed a 7-Eleven store at knifepoint early Sunday morning. Staffer Thanit Krittiyapiphat, 20, was stocking shelves at the 7-Eleven on Soi Bangyai, at about 3:30am, when a thin man standing about 165-170cm tall, entered the store. “He was wearing a checked shirt, football shorts and…

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  • Phuket NewsBeach attack on American was self-defence, says Phuket teen

    Beach attack on American was self-defence, says Phuket teen

    PHUKET: A Phuket teenager has claimed that he hit an American on the head with a piece of wood on Karon Beach on Saturday in self-defence. CCTV cameras captured images of Kitti Keeratiwattananusat, 18, in the area at the estimated time of the attack, making him a prime suspect. Police asked Kata-Karon Subdistrict Chief (Kamnan) Winai Chidchiew to talk to…

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  • Phuket NewsBaby crocodile caught in Phuket backyard

    Baby crocodile caught in Phuket backyard

    PHUKET: A Phuket resident was given a fright when he discovered a meter-long baby crocodile riling his dog in his garden last night. Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers were called to Soi Hatchananiwetate, behind the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) Hospital, at 7:30pm to deal with the troublesome reptile. “A resident there told us his dog wouldn’t stop barking. When he…

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  • Phuket NewsItalthai Industrial launches online wine sales | Thaiger

    Italthai Industrial launches online wine sales

    PHUKET: Upbeat about the potential of e-commerce, Italthai Industrial has joined hands with MCFIVA (Thailand) to create an online-shopping website for its wine products. The www.italthaicellar.com website will highlight a variety of secured online-payment methods and next-day delivery as major selling points, as well as promotional offerings for Italthai Industrial’s premium wines. The company expects total sales volume via the…

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  • Pattaya NewsThai youth crowned world sailing team racing champions

    Thai youth crowned world sailing team racing champions

    PHUKET: The Thai team claimed gold in the team racing event at the Optimist World Championship 2014 Argentina on Sunday, returning to shore to cheers from around the world. After a two-year absence from the prestigious international event, the five member team defeated Asian Games gold medalist Singapore in the team racing finals which saw 38 nations competing for the…

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  • Phuket NewsPolice force “not enough’ to prevent Phuket crime wave

    Police force “not enough’ to prevent Phuket crime wave

    PHUKET: The increased number of unemployed people roaming Phuket’s streets since the mass cleanup of the island’s beaches has led to a plague of burglaries targeting villas in Cherng Talay, the local police superintendent has confessed to the Phuket Gazette. “We are not sure if every robbery is being reported to us, but we often receive complaints,” Cherng Talay Police…

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  • Thailand NewsDoctor postpones hearing into cosmetic surgery death

    Doctor postpones hearing into cosmetic surgery death

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Doctor postpones hearing into cosmetic surgery death The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Dr Sompop Saensiri, the owner of a Bangkok cosmetic clinic, yesterday put off an appointment to testify to police about the death of a 24-year-old British woman under general anaesthesia during cosmetic surgery…

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  • Thailand NewsPolice ignore NHRC summons over Koh Tao rape-murder case | Thaiger

    Police ignore NHRC summons over Koh Tao rape-murder case

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police ignore NHRC summons over Koh Tao rape-murder case The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police officers failed to show up before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday to answer questions related to the alleged torture of two Myanmar suspects, who are charged with murdering…

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  • Thailand NewsPM wary of ‘mirror council’ checking reforms

    PM wary of ‘mirror council’ checking reforms

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community PM wary of ‘mirror council’ checking reforms The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday warned the newly-established Thailand Reform Institute (TRI) against staging political activities that might be deemed illegal and give rise to more national conflict. Announcing the establishment of the…

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  • World NewsLast international forces airlifted from key base in Afghan south

    Last international forces airlifted from key base in Afghan south

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Last international forces airlifted from key base in Afghan south Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A fleet of planes and helicopters airlifted the last U.S. and British forces from a key base in southern Afghanistan on Monday, a day after the international coalition closed the massive…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket urged not to panic over terrorist watch in Southern Thailand

    Phuket urged not to panic over terrorist watch in Southern Thailand

    PHUKET: A security official has urged the public not to panic after it was announced that Phuket police were on high alert due to an international terrorist who might be trying to enter Southern Thailand. “I received an alert last night from officials who are hunting Indian national Jagtar Singh Hawara, and forwarded it to officers at my base,” Deputy…

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  • Phuket NewsFlash floods swamp Phuket’s main highway

    Flash floods swamp Phuket’s main highway

    PHUKET: Flash floods swamped a 200-meter-stretch of southbound lanes on Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket this afternoon. “The flooding started at about 3pm after heavy rain in the area,” a Kusoldharm Foundation rescue worker told the Phuket Gazette. “Police had to make the northbound lanes available for motorists heading in both directions in order to keep traffic flowing.” The affected area…

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  • OpinionBag it up, Phuket

    Bag it up, Phuket

    PHUKET: This island seems willing to bag, and double bag, almost anything – except what’s most important. The speed with which a single bottle of cola is dropped into a completely unnecessary plastic bag is astonishing. Simply asking a customer if they need a bag would show a much needed, and improved, awareness of the amount of packaging products we…

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  • Phuket NewsHardwood only: sex toy found lodged in sacred cave

    Hardwood only: sex toy found lodged in sacred cave

    PHUKET: Krabi officials removed a large, pink faded sex toy from a sacred cave this morning, after it was found mixed with traditional carved wooden phalluses. The offending item, discovered in Phra Nang Cave, started local tongues wagging when a photo of it residing in the cave appeared on a foreign website. “We believe it was left there by a…

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  • OpinionBad news in Phuket

    Bad news in Phuket

    PHUKET: There’s been a lot of death in Phuket lately. It seems that stories about death and violence have been pouring in on a regular basis over the past several weeks. There was the drug-crazed maniac who chopped up his friend with a meat cleaver and tried to do the same to his girlfriend, and himself. Then, there was the…

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  • OpinionPlanning for the future in Phuket – even if it’s morbid

    Planning for the future in Phuket – even if it’s morbid

    Larry Amsden, 76, is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach, which was started in 2000 and chartered in 2001. He has been a witness to the tragedies and joys that have developed on the island over the past 19 years. Here, he talks about the importance of a last will and testament for all adult expats…

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  • OpinionSay hello to Phuket’s new man in charge: Governor Nisit

    Say hello to Phuket’s new man in charge: Governor Nisit

    Nisit Jansomwong, 52, from Ratchaburi, landed on the island earlier this month to take up the position of Phuket Governor. He has a master’s degree in administration from Chulalongkorn University, where he graduated with honors. Before coming to Phuket, Governor Nisit was governor of Ratchaburi province for one year. Here, he talks about tourism’s importance and impact on Phuket and…

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  • OpinionA Phuket Fable: The bowed tree and the bow saw

    A Phuket Fable: The bowed tree and the bow saw

    PHUKET: In my little piece of jungle there was a tree that had grown so verdant it had bent double with the weight of its leaves and mass of branches, so that its top-most twigs had tangled with the grass around its base. The tree’s lopsided state was also the result of a taller tree spreading its branches above and…

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  • Thai LifeEtihad Airways commences daily non-stop flights to Phuket

    Etihad Airways commences daily non-stop flights to Phuket

    PHUKET: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has commenced daily non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Phuket, the airline’s second destination in Thailand. The inaugural flight – EY430 – departed Abu Dhabi International Airport at 8:40am local time on Sunday, October 26, and touched down at 6:00pm the same day at Phuket International Airport, where it…

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  • Phuket NewsAmerican attacked, found lying on Phuket beach

    American attacked, found lying on Phuket beach

    PHUKET: Police are working on solving the mystery surrounding an American who was attacked and left bleeding on a Phuket beach on Saturday morning. Joggers on Karon Beach found Jonathan Mark Lemley, 28, unconscious on the sand with head injuries. “Mr Lemley was dressed in sportswear,” Phuket Provincial Police Commander Patchara Boonyasit told the Phuket Gazette. “He was taken to…

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  • Phuket NewsSumatra earthquake no cause for Phuket alarm, say experts

    Sumatra earthquake no cause for Phuket alarm, say experts

    PHUKET: An earthquake off northern Sumatra this morning measuring 5.3 in magnitude poses no threat of a tsunami in Phuket, Group Captain Somsak Khaosuwan, director of the National Disaster Warning Center, has confirmed. “There is no need for people in Phuket to panic. The earthquake in Indonesia at 7:02am will not result in a tsunami here,” he told the Phuket…

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  • Cannabis NewsFrenchmen, Nigerian snared in Phuket B1mn cocaine, marijuana busts

    Frenchmen, Nigerian snared in Phuket B1mn cocaine, marijuana busts

    PHUKET: Police netted three foreign and three Thai drug suspects, and seized more than 1 million baht of cocaine and marijuana in two separate busts in Phuket over the weekend. Officers made the first arrests on Saturday when they were called to a residence in Sabai Village in Kathu after neighbors reported sounds of a fight. “At 1:40am, police arrived…

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  • Thai LifeQatar Airways launch direct daily flights from Doha

    Qatar Airways launch direct daily flights from Doha

    PHUKET: Qatar Airways non-stop daily flights to Phuket International Airport from its Doha hub began yesterday, with the airline making good on its announcement last month. “The start of non-stop services from Doha to Phuket offers travellers from around the world access to the popular tourist destination in a reduced time, from across our expanding global network,” said Qatar Airways…

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  • Phuket NewsAncient relics discovered in Krabi thought to be over 3,000 years old

    Ancient relics discovered in Krabi thought to be over 3,000 years old

    PHUKET: More than 200 ancient artifacts were discovered by chance, scattered on the floor of a cave in Krabi province, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, on Saturday. Found by a local man in Kuan Wei Dang Cave in Khlong Thom district, south of Krabi Town, the pieces included ancient ceramics, axeheads and stone tools, thought to be more than…

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  • PropertyIndigo Pearl Phuket cashes in on big-spending tourists

    Indigo Pearl Phuket cashes in on big-spending tourists

    PHUKET: Indigo Pearl Phuket has added unique products, developed sales channels and worked with quality agents, as part of its strategy to capture the high-spending travel market. The hotel is the flagship property of the long-established, Phuket-based hospitality firm, Pearl Group. Wichit Na-Ranong, owner of the hotel, said that since the group rebranded from Pearl Hotel at Nai Yang Beach…

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  • Phuket NewsMakeup artist found dead in bed

    Makeup artist found dead in bed

    PHUKET: A man was found dead at his rented apartment with dried blood around his mouth on Friday morning, but police said there were no signs of a struggle. “Thinnakorn Hormsai, 35, from Sakon Nakhon, was found dead lying in bed at his apartment on Narison Road in Phuket Town with blood stains around his mouth,” said Lt Col Kritsana…

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  • Phuket NewsNo signs of Ebola in dead Briton in Phuket

    No signs of Ebola in dead Briton in Phuket

    PHUKET: Laboratory tests on the body of British national Martin Clark, 68, who was found dead in his Phuket condo last Thursday after returning from Nigeria, showed no signs of the deadly Ebola disease. Dr Thiravat Hemachudha, director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Viral Zoonoses, said yesterday that separate tissue tests by German and Chinese…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket precautions taken, but Brit visited “Ebola-free’ Nigeria

    Phuket precautions taken, but Brit visited “Ebola-free’ Nigeria

    PHUKET: As a precaution, Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) officials are watching 25 people who were involved in inspecting and moving the body of a British national that medical experts are testing for the Ebola virus (story here). “They all have to pay special attention to their health and have to report to the PPHO once a week, at…

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