Year: 2014
- Phuket News
Phuket police arrest nine for drive-by revenge shooting
PHUKET: Police have arrested nine suspects, eight of whom are minors, for a drive-by revenge shooting that left two men injured in Phuket on October 3. Watthana Suebsak, 18, was shot in the face and seriously injured, while Prasert Chanthip, 35, was also shot and wounded when a group of masked suspects rode by on motorbikes and opened fire (story…
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Phuket Immigration denies allegations foreigners must pay for services
PHUKET: Phuket Immigration has denied claims it is charging fees for its services, after a Phuket Gazette reader alleged he had to pay 500 baht in the Patong office for an address verification. “I just bought a new motorcycle, so I had to do the address confirmation again yesterday [on October 8],” the reader wrote in the comment section for…
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PWA announces yet another Phuket Town water shutoff
PHUKET: The Phuket Water Authority (PWA) has announced that water supply in Phuket Town will be shut off in some areas from 9pm this Saturday to 5am on Sunday – for the second time in one week. Under the PWA’s plan to improve Phuket Town’s water-treatment system, supply will be cut off along several roads in the area*. Supply was…
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Phuket Police conclude tourist rape investigation
PHUKET: Police have concluded their investigation into a man who confessed to tying up a Russian tourist, but denied raping her. Police arrested Somdet Srisai, 33, on September 27, after a 29-year-old Russian woman filed a complaint with Karon Police (story here). “We have completed our investigation. The victim has given us all relevant information that can be used in…
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Hundreds gather at home of fallen former Patong Mayor Pian Keesin [video]
PHUKET: Hundreds of people gathered at the Keesin family home in Patong yesterday afternoon in memory of former Mayor Pian Keesin, who was found dead in one of his other homes, north of Phuket Town, on Tuesday morning (story here). The Keesin family has declined to publicly reveal the cause of death. Among the guests present was current Patong Mayor…
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Phuket Town to feature floating market next year
PHUKET: Phuket Town will soon be the home to the island’s first floating market, the opening of which is slated for early next year. The floating market will be set up on part of the Bang Yai canal – the longest canal in Phuket – which begins in Saphan Hin and winds throughout the city. “We believe this project will…
Read More » - Opinion
Opinion: Hooters or bust? Tourists should be handled more delicately
PHUKET: The foreign family with their two young children being subjected to a military-clad scare during a raid on the illegal taxi they hired is unfortunate (story here), but efforts by police to rid the island of “black plate” taxis still deserve full public support. Like many other tourism-tarnishing incidents, this one involved tourists travelling on the “mafia mile” between…
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Phuket marine officials investigate mysterious fish deaths
PHUKET: Marine officials are searching for an explanation as to why dozens of fish have been dying recently near Koh Racha Yai island off the southern coast of Phuket. “A parrot fish was swimming in slow circles close to death… at Ao Konkare [Bay 1] [on Wednesday]. What would cause its eyes to bulge out like that?” local diver and…
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Beach thief nabbed in Phuket
PHUKET: Police arrested a snatch-and-dash beach thief in Phuket last night. The 20-year-old Myanmar national named by police only as “Mr Kla” was arrested at 8:30pm after Patong Police caught up with him on the island’s main party strip – Soi Bangla. “Mr Kla confessed that he had stolen an iPad from a family of Korean tourists when he saw…
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Phuket Gazette sponsors Asian Beach Games
PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette has joined forces with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) to ensure that the world takes notice every day as Asia’s top athletes battle it out from November 14 to 23 at the 4th Asian Beach Games. With Governor Nisit Jansomwong encouraging the local community to get involved, both to show that Phuket can still glisten…
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Phuket praised for progress in prepping for upcoming Asian Beach Games
PHUKET: The Minister of Tourism and Sports has praised Phuket’s leaders for the progress made in prepping the island for the upcoming 4th Asian Beach Games. “Phuket has made great progress, but we must remember that besides competing, athletes will also be experiencing Phuket for themselves. We must take this opportunity to impress them,” said Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn…
Read More » - Thai Life
Phuket’s pedaling pioneer
PHUKET: Martin Brot, the owner of Siam Bike Tours, is an extraordinary man. He is undoubtedly one of the pioneers of long-distance recreational cycling in Thailand, and his company has built an international reputation which lures hundreds of cyclists to Thailand and Phuket, every year. Meeting Martin is a joy in itself… he’s a vital, energetic ball of wiry fitness…
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As fate would have it
PHUKET: Our lives are rife with twists and turns. Many of us wander down paths which we would never have expected to find ourselves on. Chiang Mai native Jessi Cotterill hadn’t an inkling that she would one day forgo her English teaching position at Chiang Mai University and ease into domestic life in Chumphon, only to end up as a…
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Managing your retirement
PHUKET: When planning for retirement, once a plan is in place, the next step is actually to manage it. While it’s not a full-time job, there are certain things that need to be regularly taken care of in order to ensure one’s retirement runs smoothly. First, the age-old question of whether to rent or buy needs to be addressed. Many…
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Asean Business and Investment Summit to be held in Yangon
PHUKET: The Asean Business Advisory Council (ABAC) has announced that this year’s Asean Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) will be held in Yangon, beginning November 11. The three-day conference, now in its 11th year, will see representatives from both the private and public sectors addressing ways Asean can better leverage its cultural bonds, history and infrastructure growth to promote the…
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Gun battle brings down suspected serial 7-Eleven stickup artist
PHUKET: Police arrested a man suspected of several armed robberies at 7-Eleven stores after a shootout in Phuket today. Phuket Town native Piriya Tangbunjerd, 41, was slightly injured in the short gun battle. “Mr Piriya was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital with a gunshot wound to the hip. The two officers involved in the incident suffered no serious injuries,” Phuket…
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Fast arrest of thief should boost tourists’ confidence, say Phuket police
PHUKET: Police are hoping that the speedy arrest of a knife-wielding thief who targeted a Bahrain couple on Monday will raise tourists’ confidence in their safety. Patong Police arrested Ismael Pomalee, 30, from Pattani, less than 24 hours after the robbery. “We received a call at about 9:30pm on Monday saying that the couple had been held at knife point…
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Bigger, better and with a new name – BISP Soccer 7s coming to Phuket for the 13th time
PHUKET: There were just 35 teams competing in the first edition of the BISP International Football tournament in 2001. Thirteen years later there are 127 teams from eight countries coming to compete in the tournament, this year renamed the BISP Soccer 7s. “There will be over 1,300 competitors, with all the coaches it makes for 1,550 people taking part in…
Read More » - Property
Best Western Patong – quality and affordability reunited
PHUKET: It’s easy to spend big bucks in Phuket. Those who arrive to the island with the popular misconception that “Thailand is cheap” might be sorely disappointed when faced with local prices. They can be easier to swallow when you get what you pay for, such is the case of many high-end resorts and restaurants. Less so, though, when the…
Read More » - Food
An island of Asian flavors in Patong’s fast-food strip
PHUKET: It’s easy to forget you’re in Asia when walking down the busy streets of Patong. Pizza, burgers and steaks are all widely available, but try and find some oriental flavors and you’ll be faced with a challenge. Here’s a hint – if you’re after some of the best Asian flavors in Patong, look up. Located on the 7th floor…
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Phuket blood-moon surf sees German drowned, Patong tourists saved
PHUKET: A German tourist managed to save his brother-in law from drowning at Nai Harn Beach yesterday, but could not save himself from the same fate. Lifeguards were unable to resuscitate Frank Retsch, 34, after pulling him from the surf. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Vachira Phuket Hospital. “Mr Retsch came to Phuket with his wife, sister and…
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Phuket’s Keesin clan given one week to grieve, before facing mafia charges
PHUKET: Police have granted the Keesin clan one week to grieve the loss of the head of their family, former Patong mayor Pian Keesin, who died yesterday (story here), before officials move ahead with pressing taxi mafia charges. “I am aware that Mr Pian passed away. I am sorry for the family,” Region 8 Police Deputy Commander Paween Pongsirin told…
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Phuket downpours leave sinkhole, landslip across roads
PHUKET: Workers from the Phuket Highways Office tomorrow will begin repairs to a gaping hole along the southbound lane on the bypass road left behind by the week of heavy downpours across the island. “We have closed the outside lane and placed warning signs and cones to inform motorists of the hazard,” Phuket Highways Office Director Samak Luedwonghad told the…
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No official services for fallen former mayor Pian Keesin, confirms Patong Municipality
PHUKET: Patong Municipality will not hold any official remembrance ceremonies to mark the death of Pian Keesin, whose body was found at his home north of Phuket Town yesterday morning (story here). Mr Pian was elected as the town’s first mayor in 1995 and served five terms – totalling nearly two decades. Born in Patong on February 12, 1944, Mr…
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Work permit, visa proposals get positive response
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Work permit, visa proposals get positive response The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking has given an update on its proposals to amend the country’s visa and work-permit regulations, which it says have received a positive response –…
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PM Prayuth to explain Koh Tao murder probe to Myanmar during visit
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community PM Prayuth to explain Koh Tao murder probe to Myanmar during visit The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is prepared to explain the Thai police conclusion – that two Myanmar workers killed two British backpackers on Koh Tao last month – to…
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Europe to see more Ebola cases after first transmission outside Africa
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Europe to see more Ebola cases after first transmission outside Africa Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that Europe would almost certainly see more cases of Ebola after a nurse in Spain became the first person known to have caught…
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Video Report: Foul play not suspected in Pian Keesin’s death
PHUKET: Police have ordered an autopsy to be performed on the body of former Patong mayor Pian Keesin in order to rule out foul play. Mr Pian was found dead in his home north of Phuket Town this morning (story here). “At this stage, doctors presume he died of a heart attack or cerebral hemorrhage,” Col Sien Kaewthong of the…
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Unable to prevent Phuket speedboat departures, officials trust captains’ judgment
PHUKET: Officials are unable to prevent tour boats from departing the island despite the current heavy weather and small boat warnings, the Phuket Gazette has confirmed. “So far this is only a weather warning, so we can only warn boat operators,” Lt Col Chatchai Sakdee of the Phuket Marine Police told the Gazette. “If the Marine Office of the Governor’s…
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Phuket lifeguards close beach, urge tourists to heed warnings
PHUKET: After saving several people from drowning yesterday, lifeguards are urging all tourists to heed warnings to stay out of hazardous surf at Phuket’s Kata and Karon beaches. A section of Kata Beach was closed and red warning flags were posted along dangerous sections of Karon Beach, said Kata-Karon lifeguard chief Uten Singsom. “We saved a few swimmers yesterday. They…
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Poll: 98% of tourists against Phuket dolphinarium [video]
PHUKET: Tourists led the charge, as an overwhelmingly majority of the more than 7,000 readers who took part in the recent Phuket Gazette poll voted against opening the island’s controversial dolphin park. A staggering 4,353 of the 4,435 (98%) of those who identified themselves as “Tourists / Visitors to Phuket” voted: no – Phuket should not have a dolphinarium; they…
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Phuket Poll: Do you feel safe on the streets of Phuket after dark?
PHUKET: The gruesome murder of two British backpackers on the holiday island of Koh Tao has drawn international media attention to safety concerns in major Thai tourists destinations such as Phuket. In the wake of the murders, the Region 8 Police commander ramped up security in all areas under his watch, including Phuket and Koh Tao (story here). At about…
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Phuket readies for first-ever International Night Run
PHUKET: Athletes will have the opportunity to run along the streets through Phuket’s historic Old Town under the cover of darkness on November 1 as the island hosts its first Phuket International Night Run. Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana unveiled the new event – organized in conjunction with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Sports Authority of Thailand…
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Breaking News: Patong mob kingpin, taxi mafia suspect Pian Keesin found dead
PHUKET: Former Patong Mayor and taxi mafia suspect Pian Keesin died at his home at the Rock Garden housing estate this morning, police confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. The cause of death has yet to be released. Mr Pian, along with his son Prab Keesin, was facing charges of extortion and criminal activity carried out by a criminal association after…
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Phuket flash flood, landslide warning in effect, but bright skies ahead
PHUKET: The flash flood and landslide warning issued for Phuket last Friday is still in effect, though local officials have appealed for people to not panic over the current wet weather. “The warning was sent to every local authority as a precaution, to advise people to beware of flash floods and landslides in risk areas,” said Weera Amnuayporn, acting director…
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Koh Tao Murders: Myanmar workers say colleagues tortured before confessing
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Koh Tao Murders: Myanmar workers say colleagues tortured before confessing The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Three Myanmar workers based on Koh Tao off the Surat Thani coast have accused police of torturing them to try to extract information about the murder of two British citizens…
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King’s condition improves after gall bladder removed: doctors
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community King’s condition improves after gall bladder removed: doctors The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s health has improved after he underwent a successful operation to remove his gall bladder, according to the latest statement from the Royal Household Bureau. The operation, which took…
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