Year: 2014
- Phuket News
Italian man found hanged in Patong
PHUKET: The body of an Italian man was found hanged from a rooftop steel bar at the Happy Apartment building in Baan Nanai Patong yesterday. Roberto Becchetti, 46, was last seen in the building carrying a coil of nylon rope about two hours before his body was discovered in a narrow gap between the apartment building and the building next…
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Leaders from paradise isles to meet in Phuket ahead of ITOP forum
PHUKET: Island leaders from around the world will arrive in Phuket at the end of the month in order to prepare for their 18th annual forum, to take place at the Laguna Phuket resort complex in August. The group, called the Inter-Island Tourism Policy Forum (ITOP), formed in 1997 after officials of Jeju, Bali, Hainan and Okinawa agreed that leaders…
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Phuket Employment office to hold seminar on dive professionals’ work permits
PHUKET: The Phuket Employment Office (PPEO) will be holding an eight-hour seminar on May 22 at the Royal Phuket City Hotel in Phuket Town to clarify regulations and work permits for dive professionals. The seminar comes as a Public-sector Anti Corruption Commission (PACC) team continues its investigation into allegations that Chalong Police used legal loopholes in work permits to extort…
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Taiwanese tourist drowns at Koh Yao Yai, off Phuket
PHUKET: A Taiwanese tourist drowned at Koh Yao Yai yesterday after waves pulled him out to sea. Chung-Hsin Lu, 64, was swimming with a friend at about 2pm when the pair started struggling in deep water. Bystanders were able to rescue Mr Lu’s friend, but Mr Lu disappeared below the surface and could not be found, says a Kusoldharm rescue…
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Let there be light: Phuket mangrove forest villagers may get PEA electricity, clean water
PHUKET: Officials have been tasked with determining if the law can be bent in order to provide an illegally established mangrove forest community with much-needed electricity. The move follows a March 20 protest during which 200 villagers from the Klong Mudong community rallied outside the Chalong Municipality and asked Mayor Samran Jindapol to provide their homes with a steady supply…
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Five in ATM skimming network arrested in Phuket
PHUKET: Five foreigners believed to be part of a skimming network stretching across Thailand were arrested in possession of multiple credit cards under different names and 700,000 baht in cash yesterday. Three were caught in the process of skimming an ATM in Karon. The other two were apprehended as they were allegedly attempting to evade officers. The men were named…
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Police rescue driver from mob after two killed at Phuket’s ‘hundred bodies curve’
PHUKET: Police yesterday quickly whisked away the driver of a six-wheeled truck that killed two people and injured four others at Phuket’s notorious “100 bodies curve” on Chao Fa West Road, to spare him from the wrath of an angry mob. Uthai Pilaput told police that he was heading northbound at about midday when he lost control on the wet…
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Black market coral trade takes hit as police seize more than 600 live samples in Phuket
PHUKET: Chalong Police are hunting coral poachers who abandoned a long-tail boat containing more than 600 illegally cut pieces of coral that were destined for the black market. Officers rushed to the scene yesterday morning after being tipped off by locals who had watched the suspects carry the coral ashore. Locals told officers that the suspects were waiting to meet…
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Win a free flight with the Gazette Reader Survey 2014
PHUKET: In the 20 years since our launch on May 4, 1994, the Phuket Gazette has evolved from a 12-page monthly, hand delivered by its founder to Phuket’s then tiny expat community, into the 80-page weekly that it is today as part of the island’s leading multimedia news organization. We’ve been here for our readers through natural disasters, coups, booming…
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Seoul subway trains crash, 170 people hurt
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Subway trains crash in South Korean capital, 170 people hurt Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A subway train in the South Korean capital Seoul crashed into another one at a station on Friday, injuring about 170 people, news reports and the emergency services said, although no…
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Ukraine attacks rebel city, helicopter shot down
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Ukraine attacks rebel city, helicopter shot down Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Ukrainian forces attacked the rebel-held city of Slaviansk before dawn on Friday and pro-Russia separatists shot down at least one attack helicopter, killing a pilot, in a sharp escalation of the conflict. Describing the…
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Australian police minister resigns over corruption inquiry
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Australian police minister resigns over corruption inquiry Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The police minister of Australia’s most populous state resigned on Friday after being linked to a plot to illegally funnel political donations from a property development group owned by embattled Australian tycoon Nathan Tinkler.…
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Video Report: Phuket farmers gearing up for National Goat Fair
PHUKET: Local farmers are gearing up for the 11th annual National Goat Fair, which will be held in Cherng Talay from May 23-25. The fair will provide an opportunity for farmers to exchange knowledge, learn from experts and showcase their products. “The main goal of the event is to urge goat farmers to continue developing better breeding techniques to maximize…
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Former Phuket art teacher, turned alcoholic, found dead at public park
PHUKET: A former art teacher at Phuket Rajabhat University was found dead near the new indoor sports stadium in Saphan Hin yesterday. The body of Prasit Songkramma, 57, was found at about 2pm by Ngaojai Kusuya, a 50-year-old cleaner at the stadium. “At this stage we believed he died from heatstroke and, from what we have learned, he was an…
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Phuket drug dealer identified by hair loss, arrested
PHUKET: Police arrested a drug dealer in Rawai on Monday with more than 1,500 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) and 57 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine). A tip-off from undercover police that a balding man about 170cm tall was selling drugs in Rawai led officers to a house on Wiset Road at about 7pm. “The man who answered the…
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Malaysia releases missing plane report, reveals confusion
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Malaysia releases missing plane report, reveals confusion Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Malaysia on Thursday released its most comprehensive account yet of what happened to missing Flight MH370, in a preliminary report that detailed the route the plane probably took as it veered off course and…
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Pro-Russians storm prosecutor’s office in Ukraine’s Donetsk
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Pro-Russians storm prosecutor’s office in Ukraine’s Donetsk Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Pro-Russian protesters stormed the prosecutor’s office in the separatist-held city of Donetsk on Thursday, hurling rocks, firecrackers and teargas at riot police defending officials the rebels accused of working for Kiev’s Western-backed leaders. To…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand News: Lese Majeste upheld; Thailand slammed over Rohingya; DSI seeks to arrest 58 protest leaders
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Appeals Court upholds lese majeste sentence The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Appeals Court yesterday upheld a two-year lese majeste prison sentence against Jeng Dokjik for his speech during a red-shirt rally on March 29, 2010. The court said the sentence would not be suspended…
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Road-rage bus driver lynched, stabbed
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Road-rage bus driver lynched, stabbed The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A bus driver was lynched and fatally stabbed after he allegedly stole a minibus and crashed into 12 vehicles – including four taxies, a motorcycle and a fruit-vending cart – during a road-rage incident in…
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Nigerian suspected car bomb blast kills at least 15
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suspected car bomb on edge of Nigerian capital kills at least 15 Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A suspected car bomb exploded on the outskirts of Nigeria’s capital Abuja on Thursday, killing at least 15 people a week before the city was to host a conference…
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Cambodian police find body believed to be missing Canadian journalist
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Cambodian police find body believed to be missing Canadian journalist Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Cambodian police discovered a body on Thursday thought to be that of being missing Canadian journalist and author Dave Walker who disappeared in February, police and friend of Walker’s said. Veteran…
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China bombing: Two attackers among three killed
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Two attackers among three killed in China bombing Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Two of the assailants who carried out a bombing in western China were among the three people killed, state media said on Thursday, in an attack which also wounded 79 and has raised…
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Former Phuket police volunteer jailed for dealing meth
PHUKET: Long-term expat and former Tourist Police Volunteer Garry Halpin was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison for overstaying his visa and dealing a Category 1 Drug to teenagers in southern Phuket. Because Mr Halpin confessed to the charges during his trial, his sentence was halved. The original fine of 500,000 baht is now 250,000 baht, and…
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Royal Phuket Yacht Club to close in wake of takeover
PHUKET: The Royal Phuket Yacht Club, the iconic resort that has drawn tourists to Nai Harn Beach for 28 years, will close its doors on May 31 for a major refit following a takeover by foreign investors. The news was confirmed today by staff at the resort who have received formal notice that employment of all staff will be terminated.…
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Superyacht hits bottom off Phuket
PHUKET: Sailors navigating around the south of Phuket are urged to exercise caution after reports surfaced of a 55-meter superyacht hitting an uncharted submerged object in the waters between Rawai Beach and Koh Bon. “[Members of] the local marine community are reminding boaters of the danger, following a number of incidents which have caused near sinkings,” reported Phuket yachtsman Bob…
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Meth-head monks defrocked after Phuket raid
PHUKET: Five monks from Northern Thailand were defrocked in Phuket and volunteered to go to a drug-rehabilitation camp after testing positive for ya bah (methamphetamine) during a Thalang Police raid yesterday. Police were notified of the behavior of the group of monks by residents in Moo 5 of Thepkrasattri Sub-district. “Residents suspected that the men were fake monks because they…
Read More » - Property
Sansiri unveils resort-style condominium Dcondo Creek
PHUKET: Sansiri PLC recently unveiled Dcondo Creek, their latest completed development in Phuket, which is described as a resort-style condominium situated in the heart of the island. “Dcondo Creek is the third Dcondo development in Phuket to be completed after Dcondo Kathu and Dcondo Kathu-Patong. Dcondo Creek’s resort-style concept is inspired by nature – a spacious design that provides comfortable…
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Chalong cooks up Phuket favorites at annual food fair
PHUKET: The annual “Chalong Food and Entertainment Festival” kicked off last night opposite Wat Ladthiwanaram (Wat Tai) on Chao Fa East Road. The fair’s opening night boasted a cooking show, dance competition and concerts. “I would like to personally invite everyone to attend the fair,” said Chalong Mayor Samran Jindaphol. After a show from the Elderly Club and a grand…
Read More » - Food
Foie gras lollipop steals the spotlight at Trisara six-course dinner
PHUKET: Glancing over the custom menu for a six-course foie gras dinner party one doesn’t expect to be caught up with foie gras gelato. Even less likely to be the culinary star of the evening is the foie gras lollipop hidden at the bottom, next to the coffee selection. However, when anyone sits down for a gastronomic meal at Trisara…
Read More » - Entertainment
The Amazing Spider Man 2 left hanging in Columbia’s web of indifference
PHUKET: Marvel took quite a lot of stick from reviewers over the movies that they released prior to The Avengers, with Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and Iron Man 2 all being condemned by a certain element of the online whinge brigade as blatant prequels to the mega-success that was to become The Avengers. While there may be a…
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French Embassy pushes Phuket Police to find Frenchman’s killer
PHUKET: Officers from the French Embassy are pushing for justice for Frenchman Fabrice Boigel, who was murdered in his sleep on April 18. Embassy officials met with Phuket’s top police officers yesterday to urge them to apprehend the prime suspect. Myanmar national Shwe Oo was arrested last Saturday and confessed to stealing from the murdered Frenchman (story here), but blamed…
Read More » - Thai Life
Video Report: Fight for your rights – Don’t drink more, drink better
PHUKET: Two critical issues plague the Phuket drinking scene: terrible drinks, and terrible service. The number of watered-down something-or-other and cokes served on this island that take 20 minutes to get, and are delivered with anything but a smile, is abysmal. “Just because you’re on a beach in Phuket doesn’t mean you should be satisfied with a [expletive] drink,” says…
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Phuket pawnshop bolstered with B130mn as students head back to school
PHUKET: The state-run Phuket City Municipality pawnshop has been granted a budget of 130 million baht to exchange for goods as poor parents scratch to find the funds to send their children back to school. The budget last year was just 50mn baht, explained Suriya Ngasamun, an assistant at the Phuket City Municipality Pawnshop on Komarapat Road in Phuket Town.…
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Threatened residents rise against temple donation scammers in Phuket
PHUKET: Thalang Police have warned Phuket residents against scammers asking for donations for temple development projects. The statement follows an incident in which Srisoonthorn residents who asked to see donation collection permits were threatened by the collectors. “Collectors often come to the Srisoonthorn market in the mornings to ask for money, claiming donations will go toward a temple development in…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thailand News: Courts orders Bt587mn damages in BMA scandal; Suthep names Monday last stand; Record 5-ton dope haul
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Court orders Pracha, Samak’s family to pay damages in BMA fire-vehicle purchase The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Fugitive former deputy interior minister Pracha Maleenont and the heirs of late former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej were yesterday ordered by the Central Administrative Court each to pay…
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Phuket marina canal dredging stirs ire
PHUKET: The 12-million-baht project to deepen the Koh Kaew Canal and the existing approach channel from Phang Nga Bay has come under fire by villagers who claim that the method of dredging is endangering mangroves, marine life and residents’ livelihoods. The project, aimed primarily at facilitating large-boat access to two private marinas – Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina –…
Read More » - World News
Air strike on Aleppo school kills 18
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Air strike on Aleppo school kills 18 Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: An air strike on a school in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces killed at least 18 people on Wednesday, mainly children, a day after attacks on government-controlled cities killed…
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