Month: August 2015

  • Phuket News

    Bangla bars investigated for encroachment

    PHUKET: Almost 30 businesses along Phuket’s primary party street Soi Bangla are being investigated for illegal encroachment, confirmed Kathu District Chief Sayan Chanachaiwong yesterday. The 28 businesses, occupying 33 units, are allegedly on one rai of land that belongs to the municipality, explained Mr Sayan. “We will be investigating exactly how the businesses located near the beachfront road, on the…

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  • Phuket NewsWidow ghosts “force’ men to cross-dress for protection | Thaiger

    Widow ghosts “force’ men to cross-dress for protection

    PHUKET: The sudden string of deaths of ten fit and healthy men in Nakohn Phanom province has locals pulling out all the ritualistic, spiritualistic and superstitious plugs to avoid widow ghosts, pee mae mai. Red shirts hanging in front of homes to ward off the ghosts are a common sight in the Don Nang Hong sub-district, with some male teenagers…

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  • Thai Life

    On Deck: “Deck drain’ for Thai sailing

    PHUKET: Thailand has a very strong national youth sailing team based in Sattahip in the Gulf of Thailand. Run by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT) they have had increasing success on the international stage in recent years. The breakthrough happened in 2010 when a young Thai girl called Noppakao Poonpat won the Optimist World Championships. Not only did…

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  • Phuket NewsBeach police confident about positive effect [video] | Thaiger

    Beach police confident about positive effect [video]

    PHUKET: The Phuket Beach Police program is rolling forward successfully despite having booked no cases yet, said Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayut Karajedee. “Things are going well. However, we will run the program for a bit longer before we do our own evaluation and source community feedback,” Col Peerayut said. “It’s just too early to know what the exact…

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  • World NewsNational Guardsman to be honored over French train attack | Thaiger

    National Guardsman to be honored over French train attack

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community National Guardsman who helped thwart attack on French train to get medal Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A National Guardsman, one of three Americans who disarmed a gun-toting suspected Islamist militant on a high-speed train in France, will be awarded the U.S. Army’s highest non-combat medal,…

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  • Phuket News

    Unfinished condo case to reach prosecutor soon

    PHUKET: Police will hand the case against the developers of the unfinished condominium project Ace 1 over to the Public Prosecutor by September 9. Despite the case being submitted, pre-build purchasers will be able to continue to file complaints and submit evidence to police, confirmed Lt Col Anukul Nuket of the Patong Police yesterday. “We are still in the process…

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  • Phuket News

    Powering up Coconut Island for locals, businesses

    PHUKET: Much-needed mainland power is now flowing to Naka Yai and Coconut Island, off the coast of Phuket. “We have invested in the project, not because we expect to make a profit, but because we can improve the quality of life for the locals and improve their economic situation,” said Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Governor Sermsakul Klaikaew, who chaired the…

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  • World NewsNorth, South Korea reach agreement to ease tensions | Thaiger

    North, South Korea reach agreement to ease tensions

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community North, South Korea reach agreement to ease tensions Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: North and South Korea reached agreement early on Tuesday to end a standoff involving anexchange of artillery fire that had pushed the divided peninsula into a state of heightened military tension. Under the…

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  • Property

    Property Watch: Island remains worthy investment

    PHUKET: Like many Phuketians, I took a ‘green season’ break with my family. I chose Sydney and the Gold Coast, and inevitably a visit of this nature leads to comparisons with my home island of Phuket. Property investors interested in Phuket will also conduct their own comparisons and therefore agents, developers and owners who wish to sell should take note…

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  • World NewsChina stocks give up year’s gains as | Thaiger

    China stocks give up year’s gains as

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China stocks give up year’s gains as “national team” stays on bench Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: China stock markets slumped again on Monday, giving up all their gains for the year on amassive sell off that dragged down regional markets, with even some state media…

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  • Phuket News

    All hands on deck for Phuket flood prevention

    PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong has ordered all relevant local authorities to tackle the chronic flooding issues on Phuket. “The recent bout of floods have highlighted how serious the problem with drainage systems are in certain areas of the island, especially villages and other low-lying places,” Governor Nisit said. “We have a team, led by Vice Governor Pallop Singhasenee, developing solutions…

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  • Phuket News

    A Decade Ago: Fears of sex on the beach in Phuket

    PHUKET: Facebook profile pictures turned into rainbows following the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States two months ago. The US Supreme Court ruled in the Obergefell versus Hodges case that state-level bans on same-sex marriage were unconstitutional. However, a decade ago in Phuket – now well-known for the flamboyant Pride Week – the Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual,…

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  • Phuket News

    Two arrested in Phuket for pyramid scheme

    PHUKET: A Phuket couple surrendered to Chalong Police yesterday for their alleged involvement in the international 10-billion-baht UFUN pyramid scheme. Damrongsak Pitisuk, 38, and his 37-year-old wife Pornthicha Pitisuk had both received ‘Achievement Awards’ at the ‘The Black Night Party by URICH’ in December last year. The party was held in order to applaud those who manged to recruit investors…

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  • Bangkok News

    Bangkok Bank warns of viral fraud

    PHUKET: Bangkok Bank has issued a warning about malicious software designed to make bank transactions from the accounts of customers who have registered for their online banking service, ‘Bualuang iBanking’. Bangkok Bank’s warning explained that false messages have been sent to iBanking customers via SMS, MMS and emails purporting to be from the bank. The messages ask the receiver to…

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  • Thai Life

    Profile: Surf star searches for balance

    PHUKET: Grom surf star Annissa (‘Anni’) Flynn, 17, took the local surf scene by storm in her younger years, regularly beating older, more experienced board riders. Now she is competing in the top regional competitions, most recently at the Quiksilver Challenge, which took place in June at Canggu in Bali. “I placed sixth at Canggu,” she says with a shrug.…

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  • Opinion

    Opinion: On same-sex marriages

    Robert R Virasin serves as managing director of Virasin and Partners. He is a licensed United States attorney and a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles, the University of Houston Law School and Chulalongkorn University. Here he talks about the real issue with same-sex marriages and the legal obstacles that these couples face. PHUKET: After 15 years of…

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  • Phuket News

    Pothole suspected in Phuket bikers death

    PHUKET: Police suspect a large pothole caused the death of a man driving a Honda 150cc CBR motorcycle on a curvy road in Mai Khao last night. Pattanapong Nainet, 20, was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, said Lt Thanom Thongpan of the Tah Chat Chai Police. “There was no identification cards on his person, only 42,360…

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  • Phuket News

    Video Report: Bodyslam rocks for Phuket charity

    PHUKET: Five thousand fans crowded the sold-out ‘Bodyslam’ concert at Laguna Grove on Saturday evening. The charity concert featured local band ‘Boynavio Group’, as well as a performance from the local youth group ‘Umbrella’ as opening acts for Thailand’s famous rock band, ‘Bodyslam’. Bodyslam vocalist Mr Toon, who is a frequent visitor to Phuket, enjoys spending time at various sporting…

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  • Thai Life

    Books: Get lost in an epic Jamaican novel

    PHUKET: Trinidad had V S Naipaul and Jamaica now has Marlon James through his third novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings (Riverhead Books, New York, 2014, 688pp), which is an epic tale of gang warfare in Jamaica, spilling over to Miami and New York and spanning the years 1976 to 1991. Like a Russian novel, a big cast of…

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  • Business News

    Bill to slash cheap package tours, arrival numbers to be unaffected

    PHUKET: The plan by Cabinet to put an end to cheap tour group packages arriving in Thailand will not have a significant affect on the industry in Phuket, says Santi Pawai, Director of the Phuket office of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport (MOTS). “I’ve heard about the draft bill, but have yet to receive any official notification. I believe…

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  • Koh Samui News

    Phuket and Koh Samui promoted in Australia

    PHUKET: Samui and Phuket tourist associations teamed up for the first time ever to promote Thai tourism in Melbourne, Australia earlier this month. Phuket Vice Governor Suthee Thongyam and Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization members also joined in the Phuket & Samui Roadshow Table Top Sale and its mission to promote Thailand’s tourism. The group was hosted by Jirachai Pankrasin, Thailand’s…

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  • Business News

    Finance: Cash in on six forms of passive income

    PHUKET: I have written before about the ideal financial situation. This exists when you have multiple streams of passive income which exceed your desired lifestyle. In this scenario, you can live as long as you want and your means will continue to grow, allowing you to contribute to society with the excess. There are different forms of passive income, and…

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  • Business News

    Business Buzz: Consistency is the key

    PHUKET: One of the most frequent comments I receive from unsuccessful people is that they believe social media does not work and is all hype and myth. It is interesting that so many say this, especially when successful users swear that without social media their business would be dead. So to help the doubters, here are points that have probably…

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  • Bangkok News

    Phuket arrivals rise despite Bangkok bomb

    PHUKET: The total number of passengers arriving at Phuket International Airport this week has increased compared with the same period last year, President of Phuket Tourism Association Sathirapong Na Takuatung said at a meeting held yesterday to discuss the aftermath of Monday’s bombing in Bangkok. “We are concerned about the number of tourists dropping, but the number of tour groups…

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  • Phuket News

    Joyride ends in Patong for van thief

    PHUKET: A man who stole a van and took it for a joyride to Patong was arrested by Karon Police while near Jungceylon last night. “At about 11:30pm, we were informed of a van theft at a 7-Eleven store in Nai Harn,” confirmed Lt Col Ason Jiraksa of the Karon Police. “Driver Panudet Kumuda, 25, left the engine running while…

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  • Property

    Video Report: Sansiri launches mid-rise condo

    PHUKET: There are panoramic views of the island with glimpses of the sea from the 14th floor of Sansiri Plc’s recently completed, mid-rise condominium The Base Height-Phuket, making it something truly special. With the starting price of a 30-square-meter unit, including all transfer expenses at the Land Office, coming to 1.99 million baht during a promotional period, this high-class condominium…

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  • Phuket News

    Electrical fire near gas station sends residents running

    PHUKET: Residents in the Koh Kaew area suffered power outages and heavy traffic jams after power cables caught fire across from the PTT gas station on Thepkrasatti Road yesterday afternoon. The flames frightened many shop owners, including 70-year-old Aree Jindapol. “At about noon, while we were selling food at the market, I heard what sounded like a bomb,” Ms Aree…

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  • Phuket News

    Beach chair judgment day put on hold

    PHUKET: The final decision on how to the manage Phuket’s controversial beach chair services has been delayed yet again as Prince of Songkla University (PSU) researchers and Governor Nisit Jansomwong have not yet discussed the university’s research results. Governor Nisit previously told the Phuket Gazette that the PSU Phuket campus would be presenting their results to him on August 20…

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  • Opinion

    Opinion: Usual suspects

    PHUKET: Authorities here in Phuket have acted sensibly in the wake of the recent terrorist bombing at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, stepping up security at popular tourist destinations across the island and urging the public not to unduly panic or believe everything they see in social media. Sadly, in this case, it was not only the social media where…

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  • Phuket News

    Thai Iron Chef to cook at Andaman Hotelier expo

    PHUKET: Andaman’s biggest hospitality expo, Andaman Hotelier 2015, will take place next month at Limelight Avenue with the full support of private businesses and government organizations. Kritsada Tonsakul, president of the Southern Region Hotel Association, explained that Andaman Hotelier is the biggest skill-training expo for the hospitality circle in the Andaman area. “There are eight departments, according to each career,…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket divers recovered after night lost at sea

    PHUKET: Two scuba divers were found and safely rescued this morning after disappearing from the tour group they were part off yesterday evening.VTT Group brought the tourists to Koh Racha Noi to scuba dive. When it came time to bring everyone back on board the boat, the crew realized that Thai tourist Asang Saelor, 31, and Chinese tourist Huaqiu Ji,…

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  • Phuket News

    Park fees plundered, millions allegedly skimmed

    PHUKET: Hundreds of millions of baht disappeared during the collection of national park fees at Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park over the last three years, alleged Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a member of the National Reform Council (NRC). A two-month, national-level investigation by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) uncovered unnerving discrepancies in…

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  • Phuket News

    Rogue waves sink Phi Phi cargo ship

    PHUKET: Fishermen rescued two men after their cargo ship was allegedly sunk by rogue waves in Krabi yesterday afternoon.Phon Boon Phi Phi Don 1, carrying construction materials to Phi Phi, was reported missing by the boat owner at about 3:30pm, said Krabi Marine Police Chief Anurak Parinyasathiragul.Marine Police and the Navy immediately began a search for the 15-meter-long boat and…

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  • Thai Life

    Gardening: Sowing seeds: A classroom encounter

    PHUKET: I recently received an unusual request. Would I talk to a class of pre-school children about plants? The name ‘pre-school’ is a bit of a misnomer since this United Nations of a class was already at the tender age of four to five attending school everyday. I hesitated for all of two minutes before emailing back and agreeing to…

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  • Phuket News

    Officials announce alternative routes for Chalong Underpass

    PHUKET: Officials have released alternative routes for the first and second phase of the Chalong Underpass, with construction slated to start next month. “Though we do have routes sorted out for the first two phases of the project, we are still negotiating with private land owners in order to secure necessary alternative routes for phase three and four, which will…

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  • Phuket News

    Cobra slithers into Phuket kitchen

    PHUKET: A two-meter-long cobra chased a terrified homeowner out of her kitchen last week. The woman, who declined to be named, immediately fled her kitchen, closing the door behind her before calling the Kusoldharm Foundation. “At first, when we arrived, we couldn’t find the snake in the kitchen,” said Kusoldharm Foundation rescue worker Sakun Naepnean. “However, after moving the fridge,…

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  • Phuket News

    Officers hunt fugitive on secluded island off Phuket

    PHUKET: Police are hunting one more fugitive after catching an attempted gang murder suspect hiding out on a secluded island east of Phuket this week. A 50-man raid of the island rooted out Danai Homhuan, 36, who had given away his position by firing warning shots at local fishermen earlier this year. Mr Danai was wanted by Thalang officials for…

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