Year: 2015
- Phuket News
Police unravel multi-million baht drug network run from prison
PHUKET: Krabi Police arrested four men last night who are part of a criminal network allegedly headed by an inmate in Bang Kwang Prison in Nonthaburi, just outside of Bangkok. Among the four was more than 28 million baht’s worth of ya ba pills (methamphetamine). “Ya ba delivery agent Boworn Phetkuha, 28, was caught en-route to dropping off drugs for…
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Phuket temple raider caught red-handed
PHUKET: Monks prevented a thief, who had previously broken into Srisoonthorn Temple, from escaping when the man returned to the scene of the crime last night to commit another theft. “When we arrived at the scene, we found the monks standing around their residence to prevent 24-year-old Thawatchai Sirimonkon from eluding justice again,” said Lt Col Kritsana Jannit of the…
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Road-raging truckers crash in Phuket
PHUKET: Two road-raging truck drivers were in an intentional crash on Thepkasattri Road, the north-south artery of the island, causing long tailbacks for about an hour this morning. “Suriya Kuiyoksui, a 35-year-old driver of an 18-wheeled-truck, flung open his door to ensure a minor crash with the driver of a six-wheeled crane truck. The men immediately exited their vehicles and…
Read More » - World News
Japan resumes search for 16 missing as flood evacuees wait to return home
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Japan resumes search for 16 missing as flood evacuees wait to return home Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Search teams using boats and helicopters resumed looking on Saturday for at least 16 peoplestill missing after torrential rain and flooding across Japan this week, while thousands waited…
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Phuket nightlife venues to push ministry for 4am close
PHUKET: Patong nightlife operators will send a letter to the Ministry of Interior asking for opening times in the party town to be extended to 4am, revealed Weerawit Kurasombat, head of the Patong Entertainment Business Association. The announcement comes after a meeting yesterday that reiterated the rules and regulations of the current ‘nightlife zone management plan’ for Patong. “We talked…
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National Police Chief tempers rumors about bomb suspects’ whereabouts
PHUKET: National Police Chief Gen Somyos Pumpanmuang today asked that the public cease publishing unfounded speculations about where the Bangkok bomb suspects might possibly be hiding. “There are a lot of rumors spreading about where the suspects might be. We have increased security at all borders and exit points in the country, including Phuket. However, there is nothing to be…
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Business Buzz: Facebook hits billion in one day
PHUKET: If there was ever any doubt about the popularity and growing success of Facebook, on August 24 they answered their critics in the best possible way. It was the first time that a reported one billion users logged into their Facebook account on the same day. To put it into perspective, that was not a billion users in a…
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Power to the guards
PHUKET: Following an effort to stomp out life-threatening recklessness on Phuket’s beaches, lifeguards and Karon Police have joined forces to help prevent beachgoers from entering dangerous waters. With the new initiative, lifeguards will now inform police officers of any unruly or disobedient swimmers or visitors. “If lifeguards can’t stop tourists from swimming, we are ready for them. We can be…
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Rescue helicopter to join Region 8 Headquarters in Phuket
PHUKET: A Royal Thai Police rescue helicopter will be stationed on Phuket to help boost tourists’ confidence in their safety while visiting Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, it was announced at the grand opening of the Region 8 Headquarters this morning. “With the Region 8 Headquarters now based in Phuket, residents and tourists can be confident in their safety, as…
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DNA from Koh Tao murder weapon not a match, expert says
BANGKOK: DNA found on the weapon allegedly used to kill two Britons on Koh Tao last year did not match those of the defendants currently on trial, a forensics expert testified in court this morning. Pornthip Rojanasunand, head of the Ministry of Justice’s forensics institute, told the Samui Provincial Court that the DNA found on the garden hoe used against…
Read More » - Property
Supalai Lagoon a star performer
PHUKET: Making waves all the way to Bangkok is the recently launched Supalai Lagoon Condo because it has turned out to be one of this listed developer’s best performing condominium projects this year. Supalai Plc’s Chairman and CEO Prateep Tangmatitham said at an exclusive interview in the capital last week that it is this project’s good location, not only fronting…
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Finance: Yuan’s potential impact on stocks
PHUKET: China has fired a barrage in the ongoing global currency wars with its first devaluation in two decades in hopes of propping up its export-driven economy and reducing its politically dangerous loss of manufacturing jobs. Despite the dramatic headlines, what’s looking like a mere two per cent devaluation is unlikely to trigger a bear market in the global stock…
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Thailand’s first Thai, female marina manager takes reins at RPM
PHUKET: Royal Phuket Marina confirmed the appointment of Thailand’s first Thai, female marina manager, Woranart Wongvanich. Ms Woranart has worked in Thailand’s marine industry for more than 20 years, more than 10 of those at Royal Phuket Marina, where she has worked her way through the ranks to her current management position. “Joining Royal Phuket Marina at the beginning, I…
Read More » - Thai Life
Looking Back: Seeds of turmoil in Rakhine State
PHUKET: Rakhine, formerly the Kingdom of Arakan, is a region in northwestern Myanmar. Today the region borders Bangladesh and is home to the heavily persecuted Rohingya Muslims. Historically, the Arakan Kingdom was an independent state. In the year 1406, however, Minyekyawswa, the crown prince of Ava, led a Burmese army to invade Arakan. Narameikhla Min Saw Mon, the Buddhist Arakan…
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Opinion: Phuket shark week
PHUKET: We send our condolences to Australian tourist Jane Neame, whose recent visit to Phuket was marred by one of the most unlikely of accidents: a shark bite. We are impressed with the way the Australian, who is six months pregnant, took the injury in stride. We hope island residents and visitors react in kind, not unduly panicking over what…
Read More » - Thai Life
Excuse Buster: Got milk? Need milk?
PHUKET: ‘Milk is good for everyone’ is a common statement from all government bodies around the world. However, most humans have never tasted fresh milk from any source other than their mothers for almost all of human history. According to the United States National Institute of Health, more than 65 per cent of the human population has a reduced ability…
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Phuket light rail modifications announced
PHUKET: A number of adjustments to the greatly-anticipated Phuket light rail project, including the scheming in of a flyover station at the airport, was announced by officials from the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) during site inspections this morning. The changes include modifications of the light rail route from Phuket International Airport to Phuket Town due…
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Local buses move to safeguard business
PHUKET: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Chinese tour businesses and local bus companies is underway in order to decrease the number of outsourced buses used on Phuket, confirmed Santi Pawai, the Phuket office director for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Local bus companies pushed for the MoU due to the alleged negative impact the outsourced buses have had…
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Navy levels illegal rubber, oil palm plantations
PHUKET: Chainsaws were roaring in Phuket as the Royal Thai Navy led an about 300-person task force in removing illegal rubber and oil palm trees from more than 82 rai of public land yesterday. “Officers filed a complaint about the illegal plantations in Suan Pa Bang Kanun in March. However, no owner has stepped forward to account for the trees…
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Civil defence volunteer pistol whips tourist
PHUKET: Police arrested a Kathu district civil defence volunteer for breaking a Kuwaiti tourist’s nose in a fight in Patong early yesterday morning. “Our officers were on a routine patrol when they saw two men fighting in front of the Royal Palm Beach Front resort on Thaweewong Road,” said Lt Sarawut Putthapornapiban of the Patong Police. Officers quickly broke up…
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Australian Boarding and Day School Fair to be held at RPM
PHUKET: More than one million baht worth of scholarships, study trials and fee reductions are being offered by various schools at the CETA Worldwide Education’s inaugural Australian Boarding and Day School Fair on October 4 from 1pm to 5pm at the Royal Phuket Marina. The exhibition is organized in conjunction with the Australian Education Assessment Services and supported by the…
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British national found dead in Chalong condo
PHUKET: A British national was found dead in his Chalong condo on Tuesday after the housekeeper alerted the owner to a foul smell coming from the hallway. Stephen Prespon, 53, was found lying face down behind the sofa after the owner used a spare key to enter the room. Chalong police believe that Mr Prespon had been dead for five…
Read More » - Thai Life
RCoPB looking for new recruits
PHUKET: The Rotary Club of Patong Beach (RCoPB), Phuket’s only English speaking Rotary, is re-energizing its participation in the community and aiming to firmly debunk the image of Rotary as for older men only. We are doing this in two key ways: by actively aiming to increase the number of female members and by attracting younger members who can inject…
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Seized toothfish ship flees Phuket with illegal cargo
PHUKET: An illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) toothfishing vessel that was seized in Phuket in March slipped through officials fingers this week. “The ship is gone,” said Charoen Chamniklang, the Thai Customs Investigation and Suppression Bureau (ISB) team leader. “It just disappeared in the blink of an eye.” The Royal Thai Navy held an emergency meeting yesterday to determine what action…
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Storm-sunk ship salvaged for dive site
PHUKET: A large section of the Cambodian-flagged cargo vessel that sank near Coral Island has been moved to Koh Racha Yai in the government’s effort to support the scuba diving industry in Phuket and Krabi. The piece of Sinaran Andaman was placed on sand at a depth of about 30 meters, far from where it could impact coral reefs in…
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Police squelch social media rape rumor
PHUKET: The Provincial Police refuted rumors that they have failed to do their job by investigating an alleged rape in the murder of Rachet Eidjarern at a meeting yesterday. After his death on Monday, rumors spread quickly on social media that Mr Rachet, 35, was beaten to death after trying to save a female from being raped at Rawai Pier…
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Thailand visa fees hiked in Malaysia
PHUKET: The Royal Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur, as well as consulates in Penang and Kota Bharu, raised visa fees starting on September 1. The move follows the weakening exchange rate of the Malaysian ringgit (MYR). According to the Royal Thai Embassy letter signed in July, fees for all types of visas have been increased as follows: Transit visa, single…
Read More » - Business News
Arrivals increase as room rates slide
PHUKET: While it’s encouraging that passenger arrivals at the island’s airport jumped by 11% during the first half (H1) of this year, compared to the same period last year, the flip side shows that hotels in all tiers tumbled with average room rates plunging from US$175 in H1 2014 to US$154, Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks said in…
Read More » - World News
British Airways plane catches fire in Las Vegas, two minor injuries
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community British Airways plane catches fire in Las Vegas, two minor injuries Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A British Airways jetliner engine caught fire as the airplane was departing on a London-bound flight from Las Vegas on Tuesday, forcing the pilot to abort takeoff, but all 172…
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Brazilian Tour Operators Association meets Phuket
PHUKET: Members of the Brazilian Tour Operators Association (Braztoa), as well as members of the Brazilian media, visited Phuket this past weekend as part of a ‘Discover Thainess’ familiarization trip organized by the TAT’s LA office. The Brazilian tour operators had already discovered Bangkok and were on their way to discovering Chiang Mai, but took some time out to discover…
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BISP student wins Malaysia’s first Commonwealth gold
PHUKET: Year 12 British International School Phuket (BISP) student Wong FuKang became the first Malaysian to ever win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games, currently being held in the Pacific nation of Samoa. On September 8, as he raced to beat some tough competition from England and South Africa in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke, Wong led from start…
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Charter rejection, stimulus package to boost economy
PHUKET: The rejection of the draft charter by the National Reform Council with a vote of 135-105 last Sunday, along with measures to spur the economy worth a combined 136 billion baht, should overall have a positive effect on consumption, investment, and tourism, while also boosting internal economic activity, says Dr Anusorn Tamajai, dean of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics.…
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Phuket Governor transferred, beach chairs left adrift
PHUKET: The Ministry of Interior has transferred Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong to Nonthaburi, effective next month. As is standard, the transfer comes at the beginning of a new fiscal year for the government. “I will make no further changes to the current situation with regards to beach management,” Governor Nisit told the Phuket Gazette today. The lack of a firm,…
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Landmark victory sees illegal billion-baht property seized
PHUKET: The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) won a landmark case this year in a 16-year battle to repossess a billion-baht property within Sirinath National Park. “This is our first Supreme Court win,” DNP Chief Samak Donnapee told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. “It is a momentous occasion and a victory for the people of Phuket and…
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Student shot at Phuket school
PHUKET: A 12-year-old boy is safe after getting shot in the leg at school yesterday evening. ‘Daeng’, a P6 student at Baan Manik School, and his friends were about to go home for the day when he felt something hit his leg. “I felt pain and looked down and saw that I was bleeding. My friends called the teachers over…
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Thalang Police hunt temple thief
PHUKET: Police are hunting a man who was caught on CCTV stealing more than 10,000 baht worth of property from Srisoonthorn Temple on Saturday. Thalang Police were notified of the incident at about 2:30pm after the temple’s Supervisor of Cultural Tourism, Somchai Saethan, discovered that his office had been broken into while he was attending morning meditation. “The suspect used…
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Phuket underpass construction site gobbles up taxi
PHUKET: A Phuket International Airport taxi driver took his car for a swim after ignoring warning signs and plunging his vehicle into a large hole at the Samkong Underpass construction site on Saturday night. “Cars are only allowed to make left-hand turns onto the bypass road as they approach from Kathu. Despite the lights, signs and traffic control personnel, the…
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