Year: 2015
- World News
Thai court to give verdict in British backpackers murder trial
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai court to give verdict in British backpackers murder trial Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A Thai court will deliver a long-awaited verdict this week in the high-profile case of two Myanmar migrant workers accused of the brutal murder of two British backpackers on the holiday…
Read More » - World News
Oil prices hit 11-year low as global supply balloons
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Oil prices hit 11-year low as global supply balloons Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Brent oil cratered to its lowest price in more than 11 years on Monday, as demand for heating oil slumped on warmer-than-normal temperatures and traders tested for a bottom. U.S. crude remained…
Read More » - Business News
Hospitality insider Bill Barnett launches ‘Slave to the Bean’
PHUKET: One of Asia’s leading hospitality experts, Bill Barnett, shines a light on the good, bad and ugly of luxury hotels and travel in his acerbic new collection of twisted travel tales, Slave to the Bean: Random Dispatches from the Inferno, which was launched on December 18 at the Bangkok boutique hotel, Ad Lib. Bill Barnett launched his new book…
Read More » - Phuket News
5-meter python caught at Phuket Villa 5 estate
PHUKET: Rescue workers last night caught a 5-meter-long python at the Phuket Villa 5 housing estate, near Kajonkietsuksa School in Wichit. “We received a report from security guards at Villa 5 that a big python was moving around the streets in the estate,” said Phuket Ruamjai Rescue Foundation Chief Saiyan Thamaphan. It took rescue workers only five minutes to bag…
Read More » - Phuket News
Foul play not ruled out in death of unidentified woman
PHUKET: Police have yet to rule out foul play in the death of an unidentified woman whose body was found floating in a Rassada canal this morning. Officers believe that the woman had been dead for two days before her body was discovered by villagers. “At this point, all we know is that she is about 150-160 centimeters tall and…
Read More » - Thailand News
Thai seafood exports not affected by slavery reports
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai seafood exports not affected by slavery reports Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Thailand said on Monday seafood exports to the United States, Europe and Australia have not been hit by reports of slavery and forced labour by campaign groups and media. The comments come as…
Read More » - Hua Hin News
Landslide devastates Chinese industrial park, 91 missing
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Landslide devastates Chinese industrial park, 91 missing Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: At least 91 people were missing after a huge mound of mud and construction waste collapsed at a business park in southern China and buried 33 buildings in the country’s latest industrial disaster. Premier…
Read More » - Phuket News
One killed, one injured after motorcycle plummets into canal
PHUKET: One Myanmar national was killed and another injured after their motorcycle plummeted into a canal in Wichit yesterday. Police believe that Zin Kyaw Kyaw Lat Jaw Lar, 32, and his passenger Thin Thin Maw, 37, were on their way back from shopping when they lost control of their motorcycle on a curve and plunged into the water near Suan…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket police yet to question key witness of fatal Brit tuk-tuk incident
PHUKET: Police have yet to question the only witness to the death of a British woman who fell from the back of a Phuket tuk-tuk in the early hours of yesterday (Sunday) morning. Elizabeth Corrigan, 29, was allegedly inebriated as she and a foreign man, who police decline to name, made their way from Soi Bangla in Patong to their…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket motorbike rental operator posts 30k baht reward for Ukrainian man’s arrest
PHUKET: The owner of a Phuket bike rental shop put up a 30,000-baht reward on December 18 for any information leading to the return of a stolen bike. Chalong Police secured an arrest warrant for Ukrainian national Ivan Tretiak, 25, two days prior to the posted reward. “Mr Tretiak is wanted for defalcation. I am currently working on two separate…
Read More » - Chiang Mai News
More than a dozen tourists dead in Chiang Mai bus crash
CHIANG MAI: At least 14 Malaysian tourists were killed and many others injured when their tour bus hit a power pole and ran off a mountainous road in Chiang Mai’s Doi Saket district yesterday. Police said that the bus was on national highway 118 through Ban Pang Fan village between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces when the driver lost…
Read More » - Phuket News
Surin Beach demolition stalled yet again
PHUKET: The expected end-of-year demolition of buildings on Surin Beach has been delayed, according to Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat. “There are many documents that the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization [PPAO] need to review and prepare before demolition begins, as some of the buildings at Surin were built by the government,” Vice Governor Chokdee told the Phuket Gazette. “There will…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket landing a first for European budget airline into Southeast Asia
PHUKET: Eurowings, Lufthansa Group’s long-haul budget airline, spearheaded its push into Southeast Asia this morning as its inaugural Cologne-Phuket flight landed at Phuket International Airport. The flight marks the first European low-cost carrier to link with Southeast Asia. Eurowings will fly Airbus A330s, with a capacity of 380 passengers, on the route twice a week. Christian Hein, senior vice president…
Read More » - Phuket News
Mum denounces Phuket teacher for alleged child abuse
PHUKET: The mother of a student at Satree Phuket School accused a teacher of abusing her 14-year-old daughter on December 14. Chomphunut Bunsophap claimed in a Faceook post that a teacher, who she did not name at the request of the school, struck her daughter in the back of the head with a hard-backed book as a form of punishment.…
Read More » - Phuket News
18-wheeled Phuket truck bursts into flames
PHUKET: The cab of an 18-wheeled truck burst into flames while south bound on the bypass road in Phuket at about 1:15 this afternoon. The driver of the truck, Sanit Kartmek, 43, was not injured in the incident. “At this point, we assume that the fire was caused by a short circuit in the vehicle. However, we will investigate further,”…
Read More » - World News
Australia PM: whaling spat shouldn’t be allowed to hurt Japan ties
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Australia PM: whaling spat shouldn’t be allowed to hurt Japan ties Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull agreed on Friday to drive their security cooperation further, despite Australia’s “deep disappointment” in Japan’s restart of whaling activities. Japan’s…
Read More » - World News
Bullied by teachers, many LGBT Cambodians drop out of school
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bullied by teachers, many LGBT Cambodians drop out of school Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Three out of five LGBT people in Cambodia say they have been bullied at school, with many being tormented by teachers and dropping out as a result, rights advocates have found.…
Read More » - World News
Couple who used online network to take in children face years in prison
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Couple who used online network to take in children face years in prison Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A woman who used the Internet to take in unwanted adopted children faces years in prison after a federal jury convicted her Friday on charges of kidnapping and…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket underpass construction company dodges fines for another month
PHUKET: After months of deadline extensions for the Samkong Underpass project, the Phuket Department of Highways has given the construction company in charge of the project an additional 30-day grace period before it starts to levy hefty fines. “We will not start fining them 2 million baht a day for about one more month, as we had ordered them to…
Read More » - Phuket News
Escaped TB prisoner surrenders to Phuket police
PHUKET: Police last night surrounded the house where an escaped prisoner was hiding, forcing him to surrender. Nimit Jindamanee, 45, was on the run after he managed to free himself from his restraints and elude his custodian at Vachira Phuket Hospital. He was admitted to the hospital on September 28 in order to be treated for tuberculosis and immune deficiency…
Read More » - Phuket News
Digging starts at Chalong Underpass site
PHUKET: Construction workers have started digging drainage ditches on each side of Chao Fa West Road for the Chalong Underpass project, the Phuket Highway Department confirmed yesterday. Work started on December 17, closing one south-bound lane of Chao Fa West Road. “It will only take us 15-20 days to put in the drains along a two-kilometer stretch of the road,”…
Read More » - Phuket News
Governor attempts to revive Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Center
PHUKET: The Phuket governor is attempting to resurrect the Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC) after the plan was killed during the Yingluck Adminsitration’s rule. “I am willing to breathe new life into this project in Mai Khao; as a member city of Thailand’s MICE [Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, Exhibitions], the only thing we are missing to fully comply…
Read More » - Phuket News
Police hunt for escaped Phuket prisoner
PHUKET: Police are searching for an escaped prisoner who bolted from Vachira Phuket Hospital while receiving treatment today. Nimit Jindamanee, 45, is on the run after he managed to free himself from his restraints and elude his custodian. He was admitted to the hospital on September 28 in order to be treated for tuberculosis and immune deficiency issues. “A committee…
Read More » - Phuket News
“HKT love Dad’ cycling event this Sunday
PHUKET: Phuket International Airport has announced its upcoming ‘HKT love Dad’ cycling event to take place this Sunday. The event aims to honor and celebrate HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 88th birthday as participants cycle a 29-kilometer loop from the airport’s X-terminal, past Thalang Technical College to Laem-Sai Pier and back. Additionally, there will be a release of 300,000 shrimp into…
Read More » - Thailand News
Influx of tourists expected over upcoming holiday season
PHUKET: Up to 800,000 foreign tourists are expected to visit the country in the next two weeks, but total annual arrivals will likely miss the 30 million target predicted by the private sector. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects a total of 28.8mn arrivals this year, slightly higher than the original projection of 28-28.5mn. The country’s previous highest arrival…
Read More » - Phuket News
Ministry of Farang Affairs: Footloose driving skills
The Ministry of Farang Affairs is a one-stop shop where foreigners in Thailand can learn all they need to know about living here. No, we’re not talking about work permits, visas or taxes. We’re talking about day-to-day life in the Land of Endless Shocks and Riddles, of Blur, Befuddlement and the Bizarre. Stay tuned for weekly insights from Minister Stephff.…
Read More » - World News
Successor to Saab announces $12 billion China electric car deal
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Successor to Saab announces $12 billion China electric car deal Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The China-focussed consortium that bought bankrupt Swedish automaker Saab – and bet on going all electric – unveiled its first major deal on Thursday, a mammoth $12 billion (8 billion pounds)…
Read More » - Thai Life
Paul Oakenfold takes on Xana
PHUKET: The atmosphere at the Xana Beach Club was electrifying as guests poured in for the opening night of the DJ festival, running from December 12-20 and featuring nine of the best local and international DJs. Despite the pouring rain, the venue was quickly filled to capacity as guests waited for the first performer of the night – three time…
Read More » - World News
Alibaba avoids being named on U.S. blacklist for fakes
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Alibaba avoids being named on U.S. blacklist for fakes Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has avoided being named on a U.S. blacklist for sites hosting the sale of fake goods, a victory for the firm after lobbying hard to…
Read More » - World News
Apple to launch Apple Pay in China, take on Alibaba, Tencent
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Apple to launch Apple Pay in China, take on Alibaba, Tencent Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Apple Inc (AAPL.O) said it will launch its payment service in China as soon as 2016, pitting it against entrenched Chinese rivals Alibaba Group Holding (BABA.N) and Tencent Holdings (0700.HK).…
Read More » - Phuket News
Police work to identify victim of single vehicle crash
PHUKET: Officials are looking to identify one of the two victims of a single vehicle crash in Chalong early this morning. Police believe that Chiang Rai native Surapong Sae-lee, 24, lost control of his pick-up truck at a curve near King Power Phuket, causing him to slam into a utility pole. The impact killed both Mr Surapong and his passenger,…
Read More » - Thai Life
Law and Order: Seeking asylum in Thailand
PHUKET: Last week, I met with an American who wanted to apply for a tourist visa for his Thai wife. The American has lived in Thailand for about four years. I asked him why he was living in Thailand instead of the United States with his wife. What he told me was a bit jarring. He said, “I am an…
Read More » - Phuket News
Brit beaten by Patong tuk-tuk driver
PHUKET: Police have charged a Phuket tuk-tuk driver for savagely beating a British national over a discrepancy in the price of a ride in Patong on December 15. “William Joseph Kamarell, 22, explained that a tuk-tuk driver had picked him up at Soi Bangla in Patong and took him about five kilometers to where he was staying on Nanai Road,”…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket to host “Southern Architectural Expo 2016′
PHUKET: The Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (ASA) is hosting the ‘Southern Architectural Expo 2016’ in Phuket from January 29-31. “The theme of the event is Yapp Roi (South Up) which is meant to reflect and promote the identity of the south,” said Prachya Sukkaew, the vice president of the ASA Southern Office. Mr Prachya explained that education…
Read More » - Phuket News
Governor tables new airport route to tackle traffic
PHUKET: Officials are looking to build an alternative north-south road, parallel to Thepkrasattri Road, so those headed to Phuket International Airport can bypass the frustrating traffic jams. “Because of the traffic congestion on the island, especially on Thepkrasattri Road, we need to focus on a plan to ensure that people can get to and from the airport in a reasonable…
Read More » - Thai Life
Diving: PADI dives in with freediving courses
PHUKET: PADI is taking the plunge as it dives into an entire new world with its recently-launched set of freediving courses. Freediving is a small niche in the diving industry that PADI has, up to now, not tapped into. For more than a decade there has been the PADI Skin Diver course, which “teaches you how to enjoy watching life…
Read More » - Property
Property Watch: Domestic market goes international
PHUKET: Part of Phuket’s expanding economy is its strong attraction as a regional hub for expatriates to live and work, and a key attraction for them is the high quality of educational offerings. Over the past decade, ten of the current thirteen international schools were established. The most evident surge was in the period of 2005-2010, when seven schools, most…
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