Month: December 2014
- Business News
Phuket Finance: Avoid offshore workers’ retirement-plan pitfalls
PHUKET: Thailand hosts a sizable population of offshore oil workers. They are unlike the majority of investment clients found here. Most clients are retired and their portfolios are being managed for income and capital preservation. However, offshore oil workers have the advantage of being able to live in Thailand and also bring in a very nice income. In 1993, I…
Read More » - Phuket News
Girl remains in Phuket hospital after ‘hail’ of paint cans
PHUKET: An 11-year-old girl trapped under a rack of shelves at the HomeWorks home-improvement store yesterday afternoon will remain in hospital tonight under observation as a precaution only, the Phuket Gazette was told this afternoon. Eight racks of shelves reaching up to about three-meters tall collapsed at the store, inside Central Festival Phuket East, bringing down a hail of full…
Read More » - Phuket News
Video Report: Phuket police face probe for abuse of martial law
PHUKET: Hundreds of people turned out at Phuket Provincial Hall today to support a complaint against Cherng Talay Police allegedly abusing their position of power under martial law in a raid on a family home last week. Srisoonthorn Mayor Worrawut Songyot and his niece Hathairat Songyot today filed the complaint to Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong. The complaint states that a…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket coach conquers 10km keepie-uppie journey in honor of The King
PHUKET: A local football coach played keepie-uppie, the act of juggling a football without allowing the ball to hit the ground, for 10 kilometers along Phuket’s coast in honor of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 87th birthday on Friday. Praphan Khongmuean, coach at Republic Phuket and keepie-uppie marathoner, started juggling the ball at Kata Beach Resort and Spa at 7am and…
Read More » - Thailand News
Former ICT official’s son accused of B281mn stock fraud
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Former ICT official’s son accused of B281mn stock fraud The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police have placed under arrest Panasan Somchevita, the 33-year-old son of a former permanent secretary for the ICT Ministry, after 21 people accused him of duping them out of 281 million…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Police: No foul play suspected in death of English-Thai toddler
PHUKET: Police do not suspect foul play in the death of a Phuket toddler who was found dead in a pool outside of his family’s house in Rawai on Friday. Marcus Pandragon Pearce, 16 months old, was discovered floating in the pool by his mother, Malida Pearce. “Mrs Pearce told us that her English husband, Jass Pearce, had gone out…
Read More » - Phuket News
Speed warning issued after Phuket cop crashes car
PHUKET: A rainy-weather driving-speed warning was issued today after a Phuket police officer flipped his car on the way to Phuket International Airport early yesterday morning. Lt Nikom Keawnu of the Cherng Talay Police and his female passenger both walked away unharmed from the accident on the new airport road. “The accident occurred when it was raining. We were on…
Read More » - Business News
Honda battles market slump with Phuket launch of HR-V
PHUKET: The Thai automobile market may have headed downhill by more than 30 per cent this year, but Honda is in gear to make up lost ground with the launch of its latest HR-V model. The company trimmed sales forecasts at the end of last year as the slump in Thailand’s market took hold and Honda’s deliveries plunged in the…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket motorcyclist killed in head-on collision
PHUKET: A motorcyclist was killed in a head-on collision with a pick-up truck that was trying to overtake a car in Phuket last night. Police and Ruam Jai Foundation rescue workers arrived on the scene, Thep Anusorn Road in Wichit, at about 9:30pm. In the middle of the road, they found the body of 27-year-old Jakkrapong Sungjang. “Witnesses told police…
Read More » - Phuket News
Egat ramps up push for Krabi coal-fired power plant
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Egat ramps up push for Krabi coal-fired power plant The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) is pushing ahead with its plans to build a coal-fired power plant in Krabi, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, by 2019. Despite public…
Read More » - Phuket News
Hong Kong teams dominate top classes at Phuket King’s Cup Regatta
PHUKET; The final day’s racing of the 28th King’s Cup Regatta was set up beautifully to host some epic, close-quarters King’s Cup clashes. Winds were good, crews were psyched, and the final day didn’t disappoint. Saturday saw all classes come to a close with a total of 123 keelboat races taking place during the week, in addition to 27 dinghy…
Read More » - Thailand News
Surrender and fight for justice, police tell Nopporn
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Surrender and fight for justice, police tell Nopporn The Nation/ Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Royal Thai Police spokesman Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri has called on fugitive billionaire Nopporn Suppipat to turn himself in, and fight what the businessman claims are unfair allegations and distortions of the facts…
Read More » - World News
Six Guantanamo prisoners fly to Uruguay for resettlement
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Six Guantanamo prisoners fly to Uruguay for resettlement Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET:Six men held for more than a decade at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were flown to Uruguay for resettlement on Sunday, the latest step in a slow-moving push by President…
Read More » - Phuket News
NFL Week 14: Cowboys crush Bears, 41-28
PHUKET: Quarterback Tony Romo and his Dallas Cowboys blew out a hapless Chicago Bears team 41-28 at Soldier Field in Chicago on Thursday Night Football, the first game of Week 14 of the NFL season. The win raised the Cowboys’ record to 9-4, guaranteeing them their first winning season in five years following a string of three mediocre 8-8 seasons.…
Read More » - Phuket News
Opinion: Phuket umbrellas return to paradise
PHUKET: The recent lifting of the ban on tourists bringing umbrellas onto island beaches is a step in the right direction, one the Phuket Gazette hopes will eventually lead to a comprehensive and sustainable solution that meets tourists’ needs while continuing to protect our beaches from encroachment. However, Ma-ann Samran, president of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor), made…
Read More » - Phuket News
Just 3 days to deadline for Phuket’s yellow pages
/PHUKET: Businesses wishing to appear in the 2015 Gazette Guide Business Directory, Phuket’s “yellow pages”, have until noon on Wednesday, December 10, to enter (or update) their listings. Businesses not listed by that date will not appear in the directory until 2016. The book for 2015, with details of about 2,500 businesses serving the international community on Phuket, will be…
Read More » - Phuket News
Fire breaks out on Phuket’s Soi Bangla
PHUKET: Firefighters have put out a fire that erupted at a tailor shop in Phuket’s famous nightlife district – Soi Bangla – this morning. No injuries or fatalities have been reported. Police were notified of the blaze by a tuk-tuk driver who saw smoke pouring out of the shop at about 10:30am. “The driver and a friend attempted to quell…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Gazette bumper issue packed with holiday gifts
PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette begins the annual festive-season early this week with a record-breaking feast of 124 pages of reading for your enjoyment. We’ve been busy with major foreign media leaders to bring you news supplements from the countries and the markets that matter most – now and in the future – to Phuket. Inside this week’s Gazette, on newsstands…
Read More » - Phuket News
Cobra caught by Phuket villagers during cleanup
PHUKET: A group of Phuket locals trapped a large cobra that they discovered while cleaning up their village in honor of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday yesterday. Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers arrived at the scene in Rassada to find the more than 2-meter-long female cobra trapped inside a large basket. “We had to be careful when we caught her, because…
Read More » - Thailand News
Billionaire wanted in Pongpat case ‘may have fled to Canada’
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Billionaire wanted in Pongpat case ‘may have fled to Canada’ Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Billionaire businessman Nopporn Suppipat – wanted over the alleged abduction and intimidation of someone he owed Bt120 million to – may have travelled to Canada after hiding in Cambodia, a police source said…
Read More » - Thailand News
Crowds mass at Siriraj for The King
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Crowds mass at Siriraj for The King Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Despite the cancellation of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s public appearance yesterday at his doctors’ request, his loyal subjects gathered at Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital – as well as other locations around the country – to wish the…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket driver survives brutal truck crash after falling asleep
PHUKET: A man had a lucky escape after he fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into a streetlamp on Phuket’s bypass road this morning. The metal streetlamp was sheered at the base from the impact of the crash. However, 29-year-old Samart Noonpakdee sustained only minor injuries in the collision. “He was heading home after leaving his job in Patong,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket police foil armed man’s revenge plot
PHUKET: Police foiled an armed man’s plan for revenge by arresting him after he sped through a checkpoint in Phuket yesterday morning. Police chased down Vatcharin Chaisen, 26, at about 3am after he charged through the checkpoint in Karon to avoid being pulled over by officers. “After we stopped him, we found two homemade handguns, two rounds of ammunition and…
Read More » - Phuket News
Back to business amid good conditions at Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Day 4
PHUKET: Consistent winds made a very welcome return for Day Four of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta yesterday. All classes sailed, with exceptionally tight action and some big winning margins. The King’s Cup this year has played host to an offering of IRC class racing, especially at the high-tech “Grand Prix” end of the classes such as in IRC0, where…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket goes both ways with first underpass
PHUKET: The underpass near Central Festival Phuket is now open to two-way traffic, as officials scramble to complete the intersection. “We opened the underpass to northbound and southbound traffic on Wednesday,” explained Samak Luedwonghad, director of the Phuket Highways Office. “Meanwhile we will continue to work on the surface streets above it.” The 600-million-baht underpass was originally slated for completion…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket blood center calls for donations in honor of HM The King
PHUKET: The Phuket Regional Blood Center (PRBC) has invited all qualified island residents to make a blood donation in honor of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 87th birthday today. Those wishing to honor HM The King in this way will have a chance to sign a get-well message for His Majesty, explained PRBC Acting Chief Pornthip Rattajak. “We currently have 700…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket joins nation to honor HM The King’s birthday
PHUKET: Although Phuket residents will not be able to welcome the Royal Family at Amarin Vinitchai Hall in the Grand Palace in Bangkok, they will no doubt be glued to their television screens as HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej appears for an audience this morning to mark His Majesty’s 87th birthday. Since yesterday evening, members of the public began gathering along…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Police turn down bribe, arrest Aussies
PHUKET: Two Australian tourists were given a stern lecture and a second chance by Phuket police after the two allegedly tried to bribe police officers to drop theft charges against them. The Aussies, named by police only as 21-year-old Maurice and 25-year-old John Jo Han, were arrested early this morning for shoplifting 10 sport jerseys from a shop on Bangla…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket bar owners called to honor Father’s Day booze ban
PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttirak has signed a formal request to be issued to all bar owners, restaurateurs and other purveyors of alcohol throughout Phuket to refrain from selling booze tomorrow in honor of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 87th birthday. Vice Governor Somkiet told the Phuket Gazette that he understands there is no law to prohibit the sale of…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta battles light winds
PHUKET: Very little early wind yesterday brought most of the fleet competing in the 28th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta off Kata Beach to a momentary rest, with racing action to resume today. Thursday is traditionally reserved as the “reserve day” to accommodate days of very light weather such as suffered yesterday, but today will be used as a full racing…
Read More » - Thailand News
Police corruption fugitive a billionaire Thai in the business world
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police corruption fugitive a billionaire Thai in the business world The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Nopporn “Nick” Suppipat, president of Wind Energy Holding (WEH), is accused of being involved in a scandal linked to former Central Investigation Bureau chief Gen Pongpat Chayapan. It is alleged…
Read More » - Thailand News
Preparations underway for Deep South peace talks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Preparations underway for Deep South peace talks The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: As moves to restore peace in the Deep South go into motion, the Army’s chief adviser Gen Aksara Kerdpol said yesterday that he will speak with facilitators in Malaysia in the middle of…
Read More » - Thailand News
Police Corruption Scandal: Border patrols hunt for more Pongpat associates
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police Corruption Scandal: Border patrols hunt for more Pongpat associates The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Arrest warrants have been issued for two more suspects allegedly involved in a series of intimidation cases associated with former crime-buster Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan, Phra Khanong police said yesterday.…
Read More » - Thailand News
BMA ready to order Aetas hotel demolition
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community BMA ready to order Aetas hotel demolition The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Aetas hotel will be the largest building to face a demolition order from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration for breaking regulations, its BMA deputy permanent secretary Kritsada Kluntanont said yesterday. “We have ordered…
Read More » - Thailand News
Koh Tao suspects not coerced, police tell human rights panel
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Koh Tao suspects not coerced, police tell human rights panel The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police have not used any violence against two Myanmar nationals detained over the murders of two British tourists on Koh Tao, a senior police officer told a subcommittee of the…
Read More » - Phuket News
Critical Phuket underpass intersection to close for three months
PHUKET: Phuket City Police have announced that the lanes of traffic flowing between Kathu and Samkong at the Samkong Intersection, the site of the Tesco underpass, will be closed from December 6 to March 1. During that time, motorists approaching the intersection from the east or the west will be forced to make a left turn, and then proceed to…
Read More » - Phuket News
Cambodian monks disrobed in Phuket, await deportation
PHUKET: A group of 19 Cambodian monks are awaiting deportation after they were arrested and disrobed for violating several rules of the Buddhist monkhood as practiced in Thailand. The monks were escorted by Wichit Police and Muang District officers to Wat Mongkol Nimit in Phuket Town to be stripped of their monkhood by Phra Kru Mettaphirom yesterday. The monks failed…
Read More »
