Month: October 2015
- Business News
Finance: Stocking up on stocks
PHUKET: Market corrections like the one that started last August are never times to completely abandon the stock market. Instead, they are great opportunities to buy quality stocks with strong fundamentals and technical charts, that should emerge higher once the correction is over. For that reason, you should consider adding the following stocks to your market correction shopping list because…
Read More » - Phuket News
Video Report: Patong’s Carnival kicks off this Sunday
PHUKET: Patong’s annual carnival is set to hit the beach town’s sands on November 1 with the theme: ‘Patong Seafood Festival 2015’. The event has been marking the beginning of Phuket’s high season for 30 years now, and will take place from November 1-3. Tourists and locals are all invited to join the concerts, historical exhibits and the renowned parade,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Four arrested for Phuket Vegetarian Festival slaying
PHUKET: Four men from rival Phuket gangs were charged for the slaying of a 15-year-old during the closing procession of Phuket’s renowned Vegetarian Festival last week. Three of the four men turned themselves in at Phuket City Police Station on Saturday, handing over their firearms as they did so. The men were named as: Thanapon Choosawat, 18, and Chinnakrit Kertthong,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Tourists spot school of whale sharks off Phuket
PHUKET: Tourists and officers were delighted when they spotted a school of whale sharks off of Phuket’s coast this weekend. After receiving reports of an injured whale shark, Than Bok Khorani National Park officers took a boat out to see what assistance, if any, could be rendered. “We found a school of five swimming between Koh Hong and Koh Yao…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket governor attends funeral of police chase victims
PHUKET: Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada attended the funeral of the two suspected drug dealers who were killed in a police chase that sparked the Phuket riot earlier this month (story here). Numerous government officials and police officers joined Governor Chamroen at the ceremony for Patomwat Panarak, 22, and Teerapong Srisamut, 17. “I am deeply sorry for this loss of life. We…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket booze ban confusion comes with officers’ discretion
PHUKET: As is routine upon introduction of poorly formulated new rules and regulations in Thailand, confusion reigned again yesterday when a new law dictating an alcohol ban around educational institutions came into effect. “My initial understanding was that the law would name only universities and technical colleges as ‘educational institutions’. This would be better, as many big businesses, such as…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Up in the air: Strong demand anticipated for Phuket – Hat Yai flights
PHUKET: Bangkok Airways finally launched a daily flight service connecting Phuket and Hat Yai with an inaugural launch ceremony after touchdown at Hat Yai Airport on October 11. As previously reported by Up in the Air, the link between south Thailand’s two busiest airports is long overdue. There are thousands of people from Songkhla and surrounding provinces who have been…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket air pollution leaps to unhealthy levels
PHUKET: Air pollution in Phuket jumped to unhealthy levels today, following two days of rain watering down the haze that has settled over the island. “The 24-hour average by 5am this morning was 121 micrograms [PM10] per cubic meter, which is above safe levels,” explained Pornsri Suthanarak, director of the Regional Environmental Office. Dr Pornsri suggested that people avoid outdoor…
Read More » - Phuket News
Man sets himself on fire at Phuket temple
PHUKET: A man who set himself on fire at a Phuket temple yesterday has refused to explain what motivated the self-mutilation. Pichet Meephon, 24, told police that he drove his motorbike from Thalang to Wat Mongkolnimit, where he purchased fuel from a nearby gas station. “Once back at Wat Mongkolnimit, Mr Pichet set himself on fire,” said Lt Col Chaliew…
Read More » - Phuket News
Alleged drug dealers cuffed in Phuket raids
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police arrested three suspected drug dealers in separate raids this week. Nattawut Tankongkoi, 29, was arrested with 115.86 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), a scale and drug paraphernalia in Srisoonthorn on Monday. “Mr Nattawut has already served time in prison for drug related crimes in Phuket; apparently he went back to his old ways,” said Maj…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket joins nation in honoring King Chulalongkorn the Great
PHUKET: The life and achievements of HM King Chulalongkorn were commemorated in a ceremony at Phuket Provincial Hall this morning. Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada led an assembly of officials in a ceremony for Chulalongkorn Day, known in Thai as Wan Piya Maharat. After paying respect to the statue of King Chulalongkorn the Great at Phuket Provincial Hall, Governor Chamroen, on…
Read More » - Phuket News
Special Report: Andaman trash takes toll on local marine life
PHUKET: Enormous amounts of trash and discarded fishing nets continue to wreak havoc on the regions marine life with 2 dolphins and 1 turtle being rescued this month alone, despite raised awareness on the issue, said Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, head of the endangered species unit at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC). “Compared to last year, the number of reported animals…
Read More » - Thailand News
Queer News: Locals say Naga’s raising the road
PHUKET: A creaked, raised road in Surin filled locals with the belief earlier this year that perhaps the cavity below was made by a Naga, a deity in a number of eastern religions that takes the shape of a snake – sometimes with seven heads – or even a Buddha image. Villagers gathered at the site, only 300 meters from…
Read More » - Opinion
Opinion: Vegetarian Festival more trendy than traditional
PHUKET: I wonder how many people, including tourists and locals, actually know the history and meaning of the Vegetarian Festival, because it is nothing like it was in the past. If people were to judge the festival solely by what they see and hear now, then their reaction will most likely be one of fear, dismay or misunderstanding. A lot…
Read More » - Phuket News
‘The Race of Legends’ on horizon
PHUKET: The 22nd Laguna Phuket Triathlon will be taking place on Sunday, November 22, marking the beginning of Laguna Phuket’s week long Tri-Fest. The event consists of a 1.8 kilometer swim, 55km bike ride and a 12km run. This year’s triathlon will celebrate its 22nd year, while simultaneously welcoming the return of the Challenge Laguna Phuket on Sunday, November 29.…
Read More » - Phuket News
Arrest warrants issued for Vegetarian Festival killers
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Court issued arrest warrants for five members of the Wan Wai gang following the killing of a 15-year-old bystander during a shootout at the closing ceremony of the Vegetarian Festival early yesterday morning. Thanakij Sawirum, 15, was shot dead behind the Lucky Complex, the abandoned building at the entrance to Saphan Hin, just after midnight (story here).…
Read More » - Thai Life
Andaman “Sax Idol’ returns
PHUKET: Dutch-born, multi-talented saxophone player, singer, DJ and performer Gerard Cornielje made his debut in Thailand in 1995. Back then, Gerard performed as a live act at the island’s ‘hottest’ nightlife venues: Timber Hut, Titanic and the Safari Pub. Crowds went crazy as the ‘Singing Dutchie with a Backpack full of Sex Appeal’ took the stage. Given his immediate success,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Rains water down Phuket air pollution
PHUKET: Morning showers helped to lower air pollution levels in Phuket, despite the 24-hour average spiking to 109 micrograms [PM10] per cubic meter by 12 noon today. “The 24-hour average by 3pm was down to 102. However, the hourly level was at just 34,” explained Pornsri Suthanarak, director of the Regional Environmental Office. “The average remains high due to increased…
Read More » - Phuket News
Brit expat found dead in Rawai
PHUKET: British expat David Cummins, 54, was found dead in his Rawai home late last night. Mr Cummins’ body was found by 45-year-old Duangduan Ngamprim, who had been living with him in Soi Saiyuan for about a year, said Lt Wuttiwat Liang-Boonjinda of Chalong Police. “I came home at about 11:30pm and found David sitting on the floor with his…
Read More » - Phuket News
Krabi fisherman nets mutant horseshoe crab
KRABI: A Krabi fisherman discovered a mutant horseshoe crab with six tails last week. “I was surprised to find the strange horseshoe crab among the fish and shrimp in my net,” said 63-year-old Matya Thamsuan. “Normally, they only have one long tail, but this one had six small curving tails that look like tiny elephant tusks – each about 2…
Read More » - Phuket News
Government promises beach rule clarity by high season
PHUKET: With Phuket’s high season starting next month, the details of exactly how the beach “management” system on the island will be maintained and implemented remain hazy. “The beach management system is a very sensitive topic and must be handled with care. There are a great many stakeholders involved, including tourists,” Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat told the Phuket Gazette…
Read More » - Phuket News
Officers investigate land encroachment at prime Phuket locations
PHUKET: An investigation by Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED) officers into four plots of land will dig to the root of the issue and reveal any officials neglecting their duties or acting illegally, says NED Region 5 Deputy Commander Montri Pancharoen. A one rai plot of land currently occupied by a barbershop on Soi Bangla and a…
Read More » - Phuket News
Foreigner urinates at Veg Fest offering table
PHUKET: Police nabbed a foreigner found urinating behind a Phuket Vegetarian Festival offerings table in the middle of the explosive festivities near Surin Circle last night. The shirtless, inebriated man was found on his knees delivering a most unwanted offering of his own behind a table of fruits, joss sticks and drinks that were being offered up to the spirit…
Read More » - Cannabis News
Six busted in Vegetarian Fest anti-drug campaign
PHUKET: Six people were arrested on Tuesday as part of an island-wide anti-drug and crime campaign during the Vegetarian Festival. Three Thais and three Russians were apprehended in Patong after officers received separate tip-offs from police sources. Russians Evan Klepinskovski, 29; Nikola Klesko, 30; and Maxim Fedorenko, 27, were each arrested for possession of more than four grams of marijuana,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Popular British International School access road temporarily opened
PHUKET: Access to Soi Koh Kaew 33 from Thepkrasatri Road, a popular road alongside the Isuzu showroom and the Phuket Gazette office that leads to the British International School, has been ‘temporarily’ re-opened. The road was closed in late July after nearly half of its width had fallen into a parallel drainage ditch. Since then, the Koh Kaew Tambon Administration…
Read More » - Phuket News
Teen slain during Vegetarian Festival celebrations
PHUKET: A teen was gunned down and three bystanders injured by stray bullets during the explosive final festivities of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival early this morning. Thanakij Sawirum, 15, was shot dead behind the Lucky Complex, the abandoned building at the entrance to Saphan Hin, just after midnight, said Maj Pornthip Chumsri of the Phuket City Police. The three boys…
Read More » - Phuket News
Navy hunt for refugee returns empty handed
PHUKET: A Royal Thai Navy humanitarian mission into the Andaman in search of refugees returned to Phuket yesterday without having made contact. Led by the head of the Royal Thai Navy’s public relations department, Captain Benjamaporn Wongnakornsawang, the HTMS Angthong set out on the half-day search with food, water, medical supplies and translators to assist any refugees passing through Thai…
Read More » - Pattaya News
On Deck: Ocean Emerald first to receive superyacht licence
PHUKET: The visually stunning superyacht Ocean Emerald is the first superyacht to receive one of the recently launched 12-month superyacht licences. Currently based in Pattaya at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Ocean Emerald is being heavily promoted in Phuket by numerous locally-based charter agents. Designed by Norman Foster and built in Italy, the 41meter Ocean Emerald is one of four built…
Read More » - Property
Property Watch: Avoiding property fraud
PHUKET: Recently a video produced by a global news outlet about property and fraud in Phuket went ‘viral’. The video covered serious subject matter, involving people who had been injured and who had their rights violated. However, what many people I spoke to found, was that the presentation of the video and representation of Phuket was fundamentally unfair. It is…
Read More » - Phuket News
Dolphins not connected to Taiji, says Phuket GM
PHUKET: The Nemo Dolphinarium dolphins, which recently arrived at the controversial facility on Phuket, were not poached from the wild and have no connection to the annual dolphin slaughter at Japan’s Taiji Cove, Dolphins Bay Phuket General Manager Supreecha Suthamanondh told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. “Our five dolphins are among 19 dolphins that were born and raised in an aquarium…
Read More » - Phuket News
Busted: fleeing thief crashes bike
PHUKET: Patong Police arrested a snatch thief after he crashed his motorbike in the party town Monday night. Boonlert Sitsuwan, 26, was seen by police leaving the area where a woman was shouting for help. “The victim yelled for help after Mr Boonlert snatched her necklace. Police on patrol saw Mr Boonlert fleeing, radioed in the crime and followed him,”…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Marine Office to play hard ball with foreign yachts
PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Office has vowed to toughen its stance on foreign yachts needing to install Automatic Identification System (AIS) devices and report to the Phuket Yacht Control Center when arriving and departing the region. In September last year, Phuket Marine Office Chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut told the boating community that all foreign yachts in Phuket had to be fitted…
Read More » - Phuket News
Indonesian haze returns to Phuket
PHUKET: The Indonesian haze that reached harmful levels earlier this month began to creep back over the island yesterday afternoon. However, air pollution remains at a safe level. “The 24-hour average for Phuket was only 40 micrograms [PM10] per cubic meter by 6am this morning, which is not a health concern,” confirmed Pornsri Suthanarak, the director of the Regional Environmental…
Read More » - Phuket News
A Decade Ago: Mom Tri dreams of developing new International Baccalaureate school
PHUKET: Mom Luang Tridhosyuth Devakul, probably better known on the island simply as ‘Mom Tri’, scored page one a decade ago with his dream of developing a new International Baccalaureate (IB) school for the island. With a master’s degree in architecture from Harvard – the real Harvard – Mom Tri was an early visionary leader, recognizing Phuket’s potential and was…
Read More » - Opinion
Letter from the Governor: Welcoming Governor Chamroen
Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada arrived on the island on September 30 to take on his new position. Governor Chamroen is a Phuket native with a master’s degree in political and administrative science from the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) and served as the island’s vice governor from 2012 to 2014. Here he clarifies his role as a leader and supporter…
Read More » - Phuket News
Religious leaders to advise in Phuket beach management
PHUKET: The island’s religious leaders will be joining one of four committees tasked with ensuring the successful implementation, upkeep and management of Phuket’s 10 per cent beach zone policy. The four-pronged approach will include a consultant board, a management board, local government representatives and a public relations team. “Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has ordered me to set up the beach management…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Riot: Drug tests come back negative
PHUKET: Post-mortem urine tests on the suspected drug dealers whose deaths caused the Thalang police station riot have come back negative. “As has already been mentioned, doctors have confirmed that the deaths of the two men were caused by the collision during the police chase. There were no signs of additional violence,” said Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat, who was…
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