Year: 2014
- Thailand News
Severe flooding in North after heavy downpours
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Severe flooding in North after heavy downpours The Nation/ Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Many areas in several provinces have flooded after days of heavy rain, especially in Chiang Mai’s Muang district where high flood waters inundated residential areas overnight. The Kard Kom community in Muang district has…
Read More » - World News
Hong Kong braces for protests as China rules out full democracy
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Hong Kong braces for protests as China rules out full democracy Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Pro-democracy activists vowed on Sunday to bring Hong Kong’s financial hub to a standstill after China’s parliament rejected their demands for the right to freely choose the former British colony’s…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket soap shop fire causes B600k in damages
PHUKET: A fire erupted this morning in a Phuket soap and spa goods shop, causing about 600,000* baht in damages. Two firetrucks from Patong Municipality were called to the scene behind Jungceylon shopping center on Phang-Mueang Sai Kor Road at about 7:10am. “It took firefighters about 30 minutes to control the flames. No one was injured in the blaze,” Lt…
Read More » - Phuket News
Asia Games, then the World Cup, says Thailand’s national football coach in Phuket
PHUKET: The head coach of Thailand’s national football team hasn’t taken World Cup aspirations off the table, but right now, it’s time to focus on the Asian Games, he told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. “Everybody in Thailand wants to see a Thai team in the World Cup. We are committed to making this happen, but in order to do so,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Police suspect suicide in death of Welsh backpacker on Phi Phi
PHUKET: A Welshman who was found dead on August 24 in his Phi Phi hotel room is thought to have committed suicide, Krabi City Police revealed to the Phuket Gazette today. Jack Davies, 21, from Llanelli, Wales, was found hanging from an electrical chord in his hotel bathroom, police said. “After investigating the scene, it appeared that he had used…
Read More » - Phuket News
Bag-snatching Phuket teens arrested for robbing tourists
PHUKET: Two Phuket teenagers were arrested yesterday for snatching a bag from two Chinese tourists. Natthapong “Mad” Intan ,19, and his 17-year-old accomplice were both arrested at their rented accommodation in Rassada. “A complaint was lodged at Thalang Police Station on Thursday morning by Chinese nationals 27-year-old Li Xue Juan, and 30-year-old Sun Ce,” said Maj Kittiphum Tinthalang of the…
Read More » - Phuket News
Poll: Phuket majority demands cheaper taxis, outliers say ‘pay more’
PHUKET: Though the majority of tourists, residents and local Thais taking part in the Phuket Gazette‘s most recently closed poll have called for cheaper island taxis, a small number would like to see the price at least double. More than 4,500 readers took part in the online poll, which posed the question: “How much do you think is a fair…
Read More » - Opinion
Phuket’s modern day overlords
PHUKET: The region should applaud the bravery of the young rape victim from Myanmar in standing up for her rights and convincing her family to press charges against her attackers, even after her father initially agreed to accept a cash settlement to simply move on and “forget” the matter (story here). The girl’s recounting of events is a particularly disturbing…
Read More » - Phuket News
Nearly 17,000 migrant workers registered in Phuket, deadline pushed back
PHUKET: With nearly 17,000 migrant laborers already added to the system since late July, the deadline for registration has been pushed back from August 21 to October 31, a Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO) officer told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. There are an estimated 15,000 more workers to be registered at the one-stop center in the Phuket Provincial Community Hall,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Party on, Phuket! No change in booze promotion enforcement, says health office
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) has no plans to ramp up enforcement of existing laws regulating the promotion of alcohol, despite reports stating otherwise, the Phuket Gazette was told today. “The law stands as it is,” said PPHO Non-communicable Diseases division Director Prapa Nakara, who directly heads the enforcement of alcohol-related regulations on the island. “I have no…
Read More » - Business News
Be on the lookout for dubious investments
PHUKET: Many readers responded to the recent article “Retirement is all about safety first” (story here). Many could relate to the common pitfalls that expats have discovered in Thailand. While investing in a bar or restaurant is typically a losing proposition, at least the foreigner would still have a place to eat and drink. Where things take a really ugly…
Read More » - Phuket News
Overworked Ronaldo claims he is close to best
PHUKET: Cristiano Ronaldo admits that he suffered for pushing himself too much at the end of last season but is now close to his best as Real Madrid prepare to face Real Sociedad this weekend. The Portuguese forward, who was named UEFA’s Best Player in Europe on Thursday, suffered knee problems at the end of the last campaign and was…
Read More » - Phuket News
Bayern reach agreement with Madrid over Alonso move
PHUKET: European champions Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich over the transfer of former World Cup winner Xabi Alonso, the La Liga giants announced on Friday. “Real Madrid CF and Bayern Munich have reached an agreement for the transfer of Xabi Alonso,” the club said on its website. “The player will speak to the media today (Friday)…
Read More » - Phuket News
Refreshed Murray beats Bachinger in straight sets
PHUKET: Eighth seed Andy Murray, who overcame cramping in his first-round victory, roared past unseeded German Matthias Bachinger in straight sets on Thursday to reach the third round of the US Open. Murray, the 2012 US champion and 2013 Wimbledon winner, looked fresh and strong in cool, breezy conditions as he rolled to a 6-3 6-3 6-4 victory at Arthur…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Poll: Should we allow a dolphin park in Phuket?
PHUKET: Pressure is building for authorities in Bangkok to make an ethical choice on whether or not Phuket should have a dolphinarium as a tourist attraction. The issue splashed across headlines around the region after global conservation society Sea Shepherd alleged that at least one of the dolphins acquired for the nearly complete Nemo dophinarium in Chalong was sourced from…
Read More » - Property
Never a dull moment in the ‘comfortably numb’ zone
PHUKET: Adrenalin junkies simply never tire of flirting with disaster. Take those storm-chasing fanatics you see on reality television as they lean into the wind trying to catch a glimpse of the eye of a hurricane: Just one wrong step and they’re toast, along with their entire crew. Recently, I’ve taken to travelling to India again after a long break.…
Read More » - Property
Warning signals for Phuket’s unlicensed accommodation sector
PHUKET: Part of every real estate cycle across Asia since the early 1990s is the appearance of exotic property investment propositions. Imagine it’s Groundhog Day and the past is destined to replay, time and time again. We can always count the condominium hotel sector to surge as we crest a wave of undying consumer exuberance. Over the past few months…
Read More » - Opinion
Little hope for lasting change in Phuket
PHUKET: The word on the street is optimistic. The Army’s strong-armed, yet almost unanimously welcomed push to scrape the dirt from Thailand’s image is off to a resounding start. Their campaign to bring happiness back to the people has Thai people nodding in satisfaction and the no-nonsense effort to stamp out corruption has foreigners giving the thumbs-up. For the time…
Read More » - Opinion
Fishy business in Phuket
Kiettikun Charoensawan, 57, is chief of the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office. He has a bachelor’s degree in Aquaculture from the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University and has served as director of several offices of the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Bureau. He most recently worked for two years as director of the bureau in Suphan Buri. Here, he talks…
Read More » - Food
Sangria’s Bar and Restaurant is an unexpected Spanish oasis on Phuket
PHUKET: With its lively bright green and orange color scheme, Sangria’s Tapas Bar & Restaurant is definitely not the kind of place to go to drown your sorrows. There’s a certain magnetic draw to the warm glow spilling from the huge windows and a definite festive air about the place. The chili tomato meatballs sound simple but surprise with zingy…
Read More » - Phuket News
Livestock officials implore Phuket police to investigate baby elephant owner
PHUKET: Officers from the Phuket Livestock Office have implored police to investigate the case of a baby elephant who is being kept on a short chain in the parking lot outside a house on Chao Fa West Road. The call follows an investigation on August 24 into the legality of a 2-year-old elephant, Tiptawee (story here). Pichitra Tanode, who is…
Read More » - Thai Life
Nailing down tummy troubles
PHUKET: A whopping 45 per cent of us believe we are allergic to basic foodstuffs such as wheat and dairy products – causing anything from bloating to insomnia, according to an article called “The Allergy Fraud” which was published in the UK’s Daily Mail. Another food item that many people believe wreaks havoc on their health is monosodium glutamate (MSG).…
Read More » - Phuket News
Video Report: Phuket dolphin park’s Taiji killing connection
PHUKET: Phuket stands to suffer widespread damage to its global reputation as a tourism destination if it allows the establishment of a dolphinarium in Chalong, said renown dolphin trainer turned animal rights activist Ric O’Barry, well-known for his role in the Academy-award winning documentary The Cove. “Most of the [captured] dolphins today are coming from the cove in Taiji, Japan.…
Read More » - Business News
Bangkok Hospital Group seeks to stitch up Phuket market with B3.6bn PIH buyout
PHUKET: Bangkok Dusit Medical Services PLC (BDMS), commonly referred to as the Bangkok Hospital Group, announced on Tuesday its intent to purchase Phuket International Hospital (PIH) for 3.61 billion baht. According to a document submitted by BDMS to the President of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the sale is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, once…
Read More » - Phuket News
Prab Keesin, wanted on taxi mafia charges, to surrender to Phuket police on Monday
PHUKET: Preechavude “Prab” Keesin, wanted by the police on mafia-related charges, has announced that he will turn himself over to the authorities on Monday. The news, revealed via a post on his Facebook page (click here), follows a massive police and military sweep of Patong yesterday for suspects accused of being involved in a taxi mafia (story here). Former Patong…
Read More » - World News
Girl, 9, accidentally guns down instructor with an Uzi
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community 9-year-old girl guns down instructor with an Uzi Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: County law enforcement officials in Arizona said on Thursday no criminal charges are pending after a probe into a gun range incident in which a 9-year-old girl fatally shot her instructor with an…
Read More » - Thailand News
Criminal Court declines to hear murder case against Abhisit and Suthep
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Criminal Court declines to hear murder case against Abhisit and Suthep The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Criminal Court yesterday rejected the murder lawsuit against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his former deputy Suthep Thaugsuban on the grounds that it did not have jurisdiction…
Read More » - World News
Islamic State executes scores of Syrian soldiers
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Islamic State executes scores of Syrian soldiers Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Islamic State fighters executed scores of Syrian soldiers captures when the militants seized an airbase in the province of Raqqa at the weekend, according to a video posted on You Tube on Thursday. The…
Read More » - Phuket News
Police warn Phuket motorists to be cautious in monsoon weather
PHUKET: Motorist must slow down and take more care on Phuket’s roads due to the recent heavy weather, said Tah Chat Chai Police Superintendent Somchai Sanprasert this morning. Col Somcha’s warning follows a minivan transporting six Japanese tourists flipping in the rain yesterday. One of the passengers received minor injuries. “The minivan driver, 43-year-old In Laiprakorn, was taking the six…
Read More » - Phuket News
Police arrest 69 for role in Phuket taxi mafia
PHUKET: Region 8 Police arrested 69 people today for their alleged roles in the Phuket taxi mafia. Police officers, joined by military personnel, swept through Patong in an attempt to serve 83 arrest warrants this morning. However, two high-profile suspects, former Patong mayor Pian Keesin and his son Prab, and 11 others remain at large. Of those taken into custody…
Read More » - Thai Life
Phuket Boating: Ao Po Grand Marina goes large
PHUKET’S Ao Po Grand Marina, which opened as the island’s latest high-end addition to the marina scene in 2008, has undergone a major upgrade to allow a growing fleet of luxury yachts to take advantage of the east coast haven. The expansion of the marina now allows 220 boats in the water, explained Marina Manager Derrick van Deventer “We can…
Read More » - Thai Life
Video Report: Blue World – Sharing moments with Phuket’s wild dolphins
PHUKET: As Sea Shepherd and marine conservationists around the world prepare to battle the opening of the Nemo dolphinarium in Phuket, Capt Mike Fallows of Blue World Safaris continues to take hundreds of tourists to see a pod of these vastly intelligent marine mammals in the wild. About 30 minutes after the captain’s safety briefing – including sea sickness tablets…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Phuket sailors top Thailand Platu 25 National Championship
PHUKET: Local sailors Scott Duncanson and Alfie Rowson have won the open division of the 2014 Platu 25 National Championship held off Jomtien, Pattaya. The championships, raced over August 16-17, saw nine teams compete in the identical class of Platu yachts, known elsewhere in the world as Farr 25s, after their designer Bruce Farr. Day one started in light winds…
Read More » - Business News
Swash floods Phuket with all-natural, organic yoghurt [video]
PHUKET: Based in a small house in Nai Yang, Premchit Prateap Na Thalang has been feeding Phuket all-natural organic yogurt since 2012. Produced under the Swash brand, Ms Premchit and her two employees manage to dole out about 3,000 cups of the healthy snack each week. “My background is that I grew up in the jungle… in Khok Kloi [in…
Read More » - Business News
Escape Hunt’s innovative business venture expands to Phuket
PHUKET: In hopes of further capitalizing on the success of their first venue in Bangkok, Escape Hunt has opened franchises worldwide, including in Phuket, where a venue opened recently in Kathu. Business partners Jasnam Sachathep, Surasit Sachdev and Navin and Dave Anandsongvit quickly realized the business’ potential in Phuket and celebrated their grand opening on August 11, joining the 23…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket students petition against dolphinarium
PHUKET: Students from the Prince of Songkla University Phuket campus yesterday handed Governor Maitri Inthusut a petition with more than 400 signatures to protest the nearly-complete Nemo dolphinarium in Chalong. “We have heard about the dolphinarium set to open on Soi Palai. We do not think that it is a good idea to keep dolphins in a park,” said Latifa…
Read More » - Phuket News
Australian triathlete mistaken for illegal immigrant on Channel swim
PHUKET: An Australian triathlete was mistaken for an illegal immigrant by British residents and held up by border authorities when set to swim the English Channel, local media reported. John van Wisse was attempting to set a world record on an ultra-triathlon from London to Paris when he was swooped on by local police and the British Coastguard on Wednesday,…
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