Year: 2014

  • Business NewsDon’t buy shares of Alibaba… yet

    Don’t buy shares of Alibaba… yet

    PHUKET: Over the past several weeks, my phone has been ringing off the hook from clients wanting to get in on the Alibaba IPO. I told each of them the same thing: “wait”. There was a lot of hype leading up to the IPO, and it’s the same situation as when Facebook went public. Being patient and waiting are two…

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  • Business NewsWith a fascinating past, the future looks great for Phuket’s own coffee brand

    With a fascinating past, the future looks great for Phuket’s own coffee brand

    PHUKET: It has been 56 years since Cheng Long opened his Hock Hoe Lee coffee store in Phuket Town – and according to Ruengrit “Oh” Petchvorakul, husband to Cheng Long’s granddaughter and today co-owner of the Hock Hoe Lee brand, the beginnings weren’t that difficult. “All you had to do was to sell good coffee. There wasn’t much competition and…

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  • OpinionPhuket public venues attracting the wrong visitors

    Phuket public venues attracting the wrong visitors

    PHUKET: As a Phuket local who was born and raised here, and who has seen many things change over the years, I’ve started to wonder about the reasoning behind a few new places that have popped up – and why so much money was spent on them. I am particularly curious about two recent developments: 72nd Anniversary Queen Sirikit Park…

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  • OpinionTaxing changes in Phuket will see payoffs

    Taxing changes in Phuket will see payoffs

    Peerawut “Chris” Kunchorn has been part of the team at the Vijitt Resort in Rawai since 2009, and is currently manager of the resort. He attended Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in Bangkok, and also studied at the Hotel and Tourism Training Institute. Here, he shares his views on what needs to be done to advance Phuket’s tourism sector, as well…

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  • Business NewsPhuket’s marine tourism on AMCHAM agenda [video] | Thaiger

    Phuket’s marine tourism on AMCHAM agenda [video]

    PHUKET: The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Thailand has organized a special forum event focusing on the future of Phuket’s marine tourism industry to be held on November 21. Phuket risks great harm to its reputation as an international tourist destination if a dolphin park is allowed to open here, explained dolphin-rights activist Ric O’Barry in an exclusive interview…

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  • Thailand NewsPolice coy over new probe into Koh Tao murders

    Police coy over new probe into Koh Tao murders

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police coy over new probe into Koh Tao murders The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Local police in Surat Thani province have refused to comment on reports that the Myanmar Embassy and the Justice Ministry are pushing for a fresh investigation into the murders of two…

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  • World NewsBritish banker charged with Hong Kong murders

    British banker charged with Hong Kong murders

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community British banker charged with Hong Kong murders Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community British banker charged with Hong Kong murdersReuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET:A British banker charged with killing two women in Hong Kong…

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  • Cannabis NewsPre-emptive strike: Phuket Police net drugs, guns ahead of Loy Krathong

    Pre-emptive strike: Phuket Police net drugs, guns ahead of Loy Krathong

    PHUKET: A recent crackdown on drugs and guns in Phuket has resulted in mounting concern over muggings during the Loy Krathong Festival this week. “There will be a great number of tourists and locals participating in the festivities, and we know that criminals look to take advantage of people during events like this,” Arayaphan Pukbuakao, a deputy commander of Phuket…

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  • Bangkok NewsBangkok officials check controversial Phuket dolphinarium [video] | Thaiger

    Bangkok officials check controversial Phuket dolphinarium [video]

    PHUKET: Department of Fisheries officials from Bangkok examined the hotly contested Nemo Dolphinarium today. “Five officers came to inspect the facility and question the owners,” Suchart Youngsup, acting chief of the Phuket Fisheries Office told the Phuket Gazette. “Everything is being taken care of by Bangkok officials. We are just supporting them as necessary.” With renowned dolphin-rights activist Ric O’Barry…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Governor calls for AIS devices on speedboats, fishing vessels

    Phuket Governor calls for AIS devices on speedboats, fishing vessels

    PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong called on the Phuket Marine Office yesterday to require all vessels, including speedboats and fishing trawlers, to be equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver. The use of an AIS receiver is standard safety policy in many places around the world, as they inform skippers of small craft of the location, direction and speed of…

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  • Phuket NewsMosque gate crashers: Phuket Police chase down armed drug runners

    Mosque gate crashers: Phuket Police chase down armed drug runners

    PHUKET: Police arrested four armed men after the suspects crashed into the front gates of a mosque in central Phuket while attempting to dodge a police checkpoint this morning. Police began their pursuit of the Isuzu pickup truck, bearing Trang license plates, after witnessing it turning around in order to avoid a checkpoint in Thalang at about 9am. “While we…

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  • Phuket NewsMarine Office demands Phuket tourists wear life jackets at sea

    Marine Office demands Phuket tourists wear life jackets at sea

    PHUKET: Marine officials are demanding all Phuket boat passengers wear life jackets as efforts are ramped up to improve tourists’ safety ahead of the incoming high season. “Tour boats in Phuket take thousands of tourists out to sea every day. We have to do everything in our power to ensure that their passengers are safe,” said Phuket Marine Office Chief…

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  • Phuket NewsTime running out for Phuket Immigration to explain extortion allegations

    Time running out for Phuket Immigration to explain extortion allegations

    PHUKET: Phuket Immigration has two days left to clarify why a foreigner filed a formal complaint alleging extortion by officers at the Patong branch. The complaint claimed that immigration officers were charging foreigners fees for services that are supposed to be free. Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong promptly gave the Patong Immigration chief 15 days to explain the details of the…

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  • Thai LifeDiving: Phuket’s Loy Krathong from below the surface

    Diving: Phuket’s Loy Krathong from below the surface

    PHUKET: HIGH season officially got underway for divers two weeks ago with parties at AquaMaster and Dive Supply, but the real party this week is more of a cultural thing – Loy Krathong. Having always been a strong supporter of night dives, which I fully understand are most instructors’ nemesis, it appears that Loy Krathong could offer a truly unique…

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  • OpinionSatire: Schizoid about English teachers

    Satire: Schizoid about English teachers

    PHUKET: Some time ago, a website called EnglishClub.com ran an article announcing that foreigners wishing to teach English in Southeast Asia may soon be subjected to draconian screening procedures. According to the article, Asean education officials were proposing a whole battery of tests for foreign English teachers, beginning with police background checks and tests for drugs and personal hygiene. There…

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  • Thailand NewsInheritance tax draft includes property tax rates to be presented to Cabinet | Thaiger

    Inheritance tax draft includes property tax rates to be presented to Cabinet

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Inheritance tax draft includes property tax rates to be presented to Cabinet The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The draft inheritance-tax bill will be proposed to the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday with an expected fixed rate of no more than 10 per cent to be imposed…

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  • Thailand NewsBosses urge delay in signing global labor-rights pacts | Thaiger

    Bosses urge delay in signing global labor-rights pacts

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bosses urge delay in signing global labor-rights pacts The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A business lobby has urged the government to delay the endorsement of the International Labour Organization (ILO) workers’ rights covenants, claiming Thailand’s labor structure is undergoing reform and the country is not…

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  • Thailand NewsTwo arrested for attacking French tourist

    Two arrested for attacking French tourist

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Two arrested for attacking French tourist The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police announced yesterday that they had arrested two men for allegedly attacking and attempting to rape a French female tourist in Soi Samsen 3 in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district early on Monday. After the…

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  • Thailand NewsHis Majesty treated for diverticulitis | Thaiger

    His Majesty treated for diverticulitis

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community His Majesty treated for diverticulitis The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej is receiving treatment for diverticulitis and is being administered relevant antibiotics, the Royal Household Bureau announced on Tuesday. In the eighth announcement after His Majesty’s admittance to Siriraj Hospital, the bureau…

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  • Thailand NewsKhon Kaen Airport closed after Thai Airways aircraft skids off runway

    Khon Kaen Airport closed after Thai Airways aircraft skids off runway

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Khon Kaen Airport closed after accident The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: All flights to and from Khon Kaen Airport have been cancelled in the wake of an accident involving a Thai Airways International aircraft, which skidded off the runway on Monday night. With operations to…

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  • Thailand NewsTourists warned of storm dangers as Similans closed

    Tourists warned of storm dangers as Similans closed

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Tourists warned of storm dangers as Similans closed The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Phang Nga’s Similan Islands National Park ordered the Similan and Tachai islands to be closed until Friday as a precaution for tourists’ safety from storms and high waves. Park chief Nat Kongkesorn…

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  • Phuket NewsTriathlon stars to vie for Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest titles [video] | Thaiger

    Triathlon stars to vie for Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest titles [video]

    PHUKET: The annual Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest this year will see thousands of international athletes from around the world arrive on the island for the Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) on November 23, followed by the 2nd Challenge Laguna Phuket a week later on November 30. “The enduring appeal of Laguna Phuket Triathlon and the unique challenges of Challenge Laguna Phuket…

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  • Phuket NewsBreaking News: Phuket teacher arrested for rape of 12-year-old student

    Breaking News: Phuket teacher arrested for rape of 12-year-old student

    PHUKET: Police arrested a 29-year-old teacher at Baan Kalim School today for the rape of one of his 12-year-old students. The teacher, Jirasit Samakkarn, has denied the charges. The family of the girl, given the pseudonym “A” by police, filed the complaint on August 6. “After that, we kept a close watch on him until we had enough evidence to…

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  • Thailand NewsThe Pirate Bay co-founder arrested in Nong Khai | Thaiger

    The Pirate Bay co-founder arrested in Nong Khai

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community The Pirate Bay co-founder arrested in Nong Khai The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Immigration police have arrested a co-founder of The Pirate Bay, a torrent index site and tracker, while he was trying to cross the border from Laos into Nong Khai. Hans Fredrik Lennart…

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  • Phuket NewsGun-toting Phuket Town gang, druggies busted

    Gun-toting Phuket Town gang, druggies busted

    PHUKET: Police swept up a Phuket Town gang yesterday after arresting three men and three minors in possession of illegal firearms and ya ice (crystal methamphetamine). “Col Sermphan Sirikong and his team seized a Norinco 9mm Glock, another 9mm handgun, three 9mm magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and 200 grams of ya ice,” Lt Col Somsak Thongkliang told the…

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  • Phuket NewsTourist speedboat struck by lightning, rescued north of Phuket

    Tourist speedboat struck by lightning, rescued north of Phuket

    PHUKET: A speedboat, struck by lightning while returning from a day trip to the Similan Islands last night, has been recovered safely with all 32 tourists and five crew on board alive and well. Officials lost contact with the boat Je T’Aime, operated by the Love Andaman tour company, at about 8:30pm. “They were returning from Koh Tachai to Baan…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket storm topples trees, causes major power outage

    Phuket storm topples trees, causes major power outage

    PHUKET: Heavy rain brought down several trees that fell onto power lines on Kathu-Nakok Road last night, causing a four-hour power outage in the area. Officers were notified at 7pm that dangerous, high-voltage power cables were strewn across the road, which is often used as a shortcut from Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew to Patong. “We had to cut off…

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  • Thai LifePhuket gears up for Loy Krathong festival

    Phuket gears up for Loy Krathong festival

    PHUKET: Tourists and island residents don’t have far to go to explore the wonders of Thailand’s rich cultural heritage as one of the country’s most romantic, tranquil and beautiful holidays is just around the corner. Loy Krathong, the “Festival of Light”, takes place on the full moon of the 12th lunar month of the year, falling this year on November…

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  • Thailand NewsPM vows to allocate land to the poor | Thaiger

    PM vows to allocate land to the poor

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community PM vows to allocate land to the poor The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has promised to deliver “happiness” as New Year gifts to low-income people. “Through projects to be launched by various ministries, people will get free stuff and access to…

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  • Thailand NewsPolice transfers follow Army raid on pub, parlour

    Police transfers follow Army raid on pub, parlour

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police transfers follow Army raid on pub, parlour The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Chief of Prawet police station in Bangkok and two senior officers have been transferred to inactive posts following a raid by soldiers on a local pub, where prostitution of underage migrants and…

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  • Hua Hin NewsChinese pair arrested over big pyramid fraud

    Chinese pair arrested over big pyramid fraud

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Chinese pair arrested over big pyramid fraud The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Two Chinese suspects have been arrested in Thailand on suspicion that they have taken more than Bt4 billion from victims through frauds. The Immigration Bureau has tracked down Lu Wei, 47, and Chen…

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  • Thailand NewsMoves to remove police from Koh Tao murder probe

    Moves to remove police from Koh Tao murder probe

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Moves to remove police from Koh Tao murder probe The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The National Human Rights Commission will discuss next week what action should be taken after police again failed to answer a summons related to the much-publicised murders on Koh Tao.Despite the…

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  • World NewsBritish schoolboy jailed for stabbing teacher to death in class | Thaiger

    British schoolboy jailed for stabbing teacher to death in class

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community British schoolboy jailed for stabbing teacher to death in class Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A teenage British schoolboy was jailed for at least 20 years on Monday after pleading guilty to stabbing to death a teacher he had developed a hatred of in front of…

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  • Business NewsPhuket tour guides demand action against illegal foreign guides

    Phuket tour guides demand action against illegal foreign guides

    PHUKET: Dozens of local tour guides calling themselves the “Andaman Guides” gathered outside Phuket Provincial Hall this morning to present a letter demanding serious action be taken by authorities against illegal tour guides working on the island. The letter, which stated that illegal guides were taking the jobs of legal tour guides, was handed over to Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet…

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  • Thai LifePhuket Carnival Jazz Night concert on Patong Beach tonight

    Phuket Carnival Jazz Night concert on Patong Beach tonight

    PHUKET: Jazz fans are in for a treat tonight, despite Phuket’s wet weather, with a free Jazz Night concert held as part of the Patong Carnival, which began on Saturday. The concert includes local greats the Jun Abe Band, Jazz Shop Funk Addict, Manila Machine, Neung Jakkawai Band and Siam Cubano Band. Vichart Jirathiyut, managing director of event organizer Hitman…

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  • Phuket NewsRussian tourist dies after fall from Phuket jet-ski

    Russian tourist dies after fall from Phuket jet-ski

    PHUKET: A Russian tourist died after he fell and struck his head on a rented jet-ski he was riding in strong surf at Patong Beach today. Police named the tourist as Iliya Muryndin, 29. “He rented a jet-ski at about midday,” said Maj Weerapong Rakito of the Patong Police. “He fell and hit his head on the jet-ski while riding…

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  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: Phuket rush-hour shooter surrenders to police, claims self-defence

    Video Report: Phuket rush-hour shooter surrenders to police, claims self-defence

    PHUKET: The killer who gunned down a man in rush-hour traffic last Thursday has surrendered himself to Phuket police, claiming he shot the victim in self-defence. Suwat Sae-jong, 62, was taken to the scene at the Wor Kor Intersection near Phuket Rajabhat University yesterday to re-enact the fatal shooting, under the protection of about 50 police officers. Mr Suwat acted…

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