Year: 2015
- Thailand News
UFUN woman surrenders to police over alleged B20bn scam
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community UFUN woman surrenders to police over alleged B20bn scam The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Another Thai woman accused of being involved in the allegedly fraudulent UFUN Thailand scheme surrendered to assistant national police chief Suwira Songmetta and the Consumer Protection Police Division yesterday. Hansa Thara-bundit…
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Epileptic crabber drowns on the hunt in Phuket
PHUKET: An epileptic man drowned while catching mole crabs at Mai Khao Beach yesterday afternoon. Uthai Wongpen, 45, was pulled from the water by Centara Grand Hotel lifeguards on patrol in the area. “We were told by eyewitnesses that Mr Uthai was catching mole crabs in knee-deep water, when he suddenly collapsed into the sea. He was floating in the…
Read More » - Phuket News
Mother, sister join Navy search for missing American tourist
PHUKET: The mother and sister of missing American tourist Joshua Devine today joined a search by air for their lost loved one, who disappeared from a dive boat off Phuket on April 11 (story here). Mr Devine’s mother, Marie Gallant Major, and his sister Jennifer Bakowski boarded a Royal Thai Navy helicopter after being briefed on the search efforts at…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Poll: Thai police lose battle in gaining trust
PHUKET: A staggering 80% of all respondents to a Phuket Gazette poll have stated that they do not trust the Thai Police – either in part or at all. The message was sent loud and clear through the poll, which garnered more than 12,000 votes (click here). Thai nationals led the charge, with 49% saying that they did not trust…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Police bust major dealer, seize more than B7m of drugs
PHUKET: A major Phuket drug dealer was arrested with more than 7 million baht of drugs in Phuket Town on Friday night after police were tipped off by one of her sellers. Thammarat ‘Ken’ Matte provided police with the nickname and clues to the location of his supplier after he was arrested with 400mg of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) earlier…
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Phuket teen gun-maker shoots self in leg
PHUKET: An 18-year-old man accidentally shot himself in the leg while assembling a homemade gun at his house in Mai Khao on Saturday evening. Anuphong Phuangjan was taken to Thalang Hospital for treatment after police were notified of the incident by his neighbors. “He was assembling a handgun made from parts of a BB gun when he accidentally shot himself…
Read More » - Opinion
Opinion: Lay down the Songkran law
PHUKET: Though I have a great deal of respect for many of the changes seen in Phuket following the National Council of Peace and Order taking over and the subsequent rule of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, I was disappointed to see the Songkran bans announced with such severity (story here) and then enforced with such lack of impunity (story…
Read More » - Thailand News
Ex-DSI chief Tarit Pengdith hit with assets freeze
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Ex-DSI chief Tarit Pengdith hit with assets freeze The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The National Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday announced that it had temporarily frozen nearly 60 million baht in assets of former Department of Special Investigation director-general Tarit Pengdith and a former academic attached to…
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Taxi driver confesses to running down cop, shooting couple dead
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Cabbie who ran over cop, shot dead couple ‘confesses’ The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A Bangkok taxi driver, who ran over a traffic policeman, stole his gun and shot dead a middle-aged couple in Nonthaburi’s Bang Yai district on Friday, surrendered to police yesterday reportedly…
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Monk disrobed for theft of heads from four corpses
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Monk disrobed for theft of heads from four corpses The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A Buddhist monk in Udon Thani province was disrobed in order to face criminal charges, along with two layman accomplices, for allegedly stealing and chopping off the heads of four corpses.…
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Energy officials target Phuket’s power hungry
PHUKET: The Ministry of Energy will launch a campaign that aims to reduce Phuket’s power consumption by 10 per cent within six months. The campaign will target hotels, shopping malls and condo projects – and government offices, explained Pramoul Chanpong, an inspector with the Ministry of Energy. “Phuket is one of the top three power users in all of Southern…
Read More » - Phuket News
F1: The Bahrain challenge – tyres, team rivals and turns
PHUKET: Shanghai provided the exact result I forecasted: Lewis Hamilton followed by Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel, with Kimi Raikkonen well in contention. In fact, the safety car may have stopped any further attrition by the Iceman. It was nice to see Kimi back in form. I speculated before Shanghai about how close Williams could get to Ferrari. The answer…
Read More » - Phuket News
Alcohol ban pondered for Phuket passenger boats
PHUKET: Phuket Marine Office Chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut is considering banning alcohol on all passenger boats operating out of Phuket. The potential ban will be raised at a meeting with tour boat operators on Thursday. The move follows Joshua Michael Devine, 36, a civilian IT operative working at a United States military base in Kuwait, disappearing from on a Similans-bound liveaboard…
Read More » - Thai Life
Phuket Boating: A Haven in bloom
PHUKET: The recent completion of the new dedicated superyacht pier at Phuket’s Yacht Haven Marina in Mai Khao has delivered the region its first 100-meter superyacht berths marina-side. Yacht Haven welcomes boats of all sizes, but is widely regarded as a first port of choice for superyachts. With deep-water access and sited 15-minutes’ drive to the airport, it has become…
Read More » - Phuket News
Deputy PM calls for Phuket light rail to serve the beaches
PHUKET: Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula yesterday told the governors of five Andaman provinces that he would like to see the Phuket light-rail project serve popular beaches on the island. “In my opinion, having the light rail expanded to serve the beaches would be a good idea,” Deputy PM MR Pridiyathorn said. “A lot of people visit the beaches,…
Read More » - Opinion
Opinion: Casting a line to catch human traffickers
Lt Col Panya Chaichana, 53, is chief of the Phuket Marine Police. Originally from Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya province, Col Panya has been working for the Marine Police force for 34 years. He started out working for the Phuket Marine Office in 1981 before moving to Satun and Narathiwat provinces. He returned to Phuket in 1997. Here, he talks about…
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Phuket security boost for royal visit
PHUKET: Security will be ramped up across the island during a royal visit by HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana to Phuket next week. Princess Chulabhorn will arrive at Tessaban 2 Baan Kathu School at 1:40pm on April 26 as one of the final stops during her tour of Princess Mother’s Medical Volunteer Foundation centers in Krabi, Phang Nga and Phuket, from…
Read More » - Thai Life
On your mind: Ban on “underboob selfies’ will do little to deter youth culture
PHUKET: By now you’ve probably heard that the government has warned women against posting online ‘underboob selfies’ – selfie photos of the lower half of their breasts – saying their actions could violate the country’s computer crime laws. Offenders could face up to five years in jail. Internet responses have been predictable, generally suggesting that the government might better involve…
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Education heads roll, PM Prayut enacts reshuffle
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Education Ministry suffers major shake-up The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: National council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has introduced a big shake-up at the Education Ministry in the push for education reform and greater efficiency. Several top education officials,…
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Govt claims social advances since taking over
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Govt claims social advances since taking over The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Government has made several achievements on the social front over the past six months, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Cabinet members claimed yesterday. The current administration started working on September…
Read More » - World News
Teenagers planned Australian terror attack for ANZAC centenary
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Teenagers planned Australian terror attack for ANZAC centenary Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Teenagers inspired by the hardline Islamic State planned a major terrorism attack in the Australian city of Melbourne to mark the centenary next week of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli during World War…
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Monk held for ‘stealing’ corpse parts
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Monk held for ‘stealing’ corpse parts The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A monk in Udon Thani has been arrested for allegedly stealing a corpse from a local cemetery and chopping off the head of another corpse for black magic purposes. Prachak Sinlapakhom police chief Nawara…
Read More » - Thailand News
Forestry officials face probe over land deeds
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Forestry officials face probe The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Royal Forest Department has launched an investigation against its own officials in Nakhon Ratchasima, Phetchabun and Rayong provinces over alleged forest encroachment. “The investigation must be completed within 45 days,” RFD director-general Theerapat PraYunrasiddhi said…
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Prayut takes swipe at media in six-month progress report
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Prayut takes swipe at media in six-month progress report The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: In his announcement yesterday on the government’s progress over the past six months, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha stressed that his administration had stuck – so far – to the road…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket man overrun with debt found hanged
PHUKET: Police are treating the death of a 60-year-old man found hanged at a housing estate in northern Phuket this morning as a suicide. Aphisit Nomrit, 13, found the body of his father, Mr Sommai, inside a wastewater-treatment room at the Karn Keha public housing estate in Thalang at about 9:30am. Mr Sommai lived and worked as a security guard…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket officials prepare to call off search for missing US diver
PHUKET: Officials leading the search for missing US diver Joshua Michael Devine are preparing to call off their efforts if they fail to find any clues by end of day, Sunday. Mr Devine went missing from the Chontara 1, a Similans-bound liveaboard, on April 11. He was travelling with his wife, Ms Thadsana, and 22 other divers (story here). Officers…
Read More » - Business News
Neighborhood electric vehicle market thrives on luxury resort island
PHUKET: The numerous luxury resorts in Phuket has helped grow Southern Thailand’s golf cart and other neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) market, which is now in a dead heat with the Central Region, Ekasit Kunanantakul, managing director of Global Electric Motorcars Asia Company, said in an exclusive interview with the Phuket Gazette. Global Electric Motorcars, now 12 years old, was among…
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Business Buzz: Blogging me bonkers with business
PHUKET: A blog in its simplest form is a website that gets updated regularly. The only real difference to a ‘normal’ website is the frequency with which it is updated or changed. My preferred working blog is a combination of the traditional website with a blog or news page included, so that it covers the best of both worlds and…
Read More » - Phuket News
Officials call for strict vehicle checks after bus tyre takes out noodle stand
PHUKET: A loose tyre flying off a tour bus and bowling over a roadside noodle stand in northern Phuket on Tuesday has prompted officials to ramp up safety checks of tour buses as they come onto the island. The bus, which was carrying both locals and tourists, was travelling from Phuket to Surat Thani on Tuesday when the tyre broke…
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No charges over boat collision off Phuket
PHUKET: Police will not press any charges over the incident in which a dive boat and a sailboat collided heavily north of Koh Mai Thon, east of Phuket, last Saturday. On returning to Phuket last Saturday afternoon, the captain and crew on board the sailboat Starship alleged that the dive boat North Star struck their vessel and fled after throwing…
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Ronins shot down by Air Force Central
PHUKET: The island’s Phuket FC is looking to rebuild their confidence after their 2-0 loss away to Air Force Central (AFC) FC on April 8. AFC supporters had to wait until only the 19th minute to roar with delight as the Bangkok squad’s Nigerian midfielder Julius Obioh slotted the ball into the net after receiving a superb cross from fellow…
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Phuket readies for Gran Fondo road race
PHUKET: About 150 riders will take to the streets of Phuket this Sunday for the Thanyapura Gran Fondo, a 120km bicycle road race to be headed by Tour de France green jersey winner Baden Cooke. “Among the cyclists travelling to Phuket to join the major event are the women’s bike team W2 from Bangkok and lots of Phuket cyclists as…
Read More » - Hua Hin News
Phuket lifeguards back on beaches “within a week’
PHUKET: Lifeguards are expected to be back on duty at Phuket’s beaches within the coming week, the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) has announced. The news follows Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong yesterday signing his approval for the PPAO to expedite the process of hiring lifeguards by directly negotiating with the Phuket Lifeguard Club (PLC). “I signed my approval as soon…
Read More » - Thai Life
Up in the air: DCA woes continue
PHUKET: Fallout from the miserable results of the recent audit of Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) by the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is having direct effects both on Phuket’s tourism and general aviation industries. Well-publicized action to ban any new Thai flights imposed by the governments of Japan, South Korea and China have already affected several Thai…
Read More » - Property
By the book: Demand for Phuket rentals outpaces supply
PHUKET: The rental market in Phuket in recent years has been very strong, with rental prices increasing across the island, giving owners very attractive returns on their investment. This surge in strength in the rental market has coincided with increasing tourist arrivals, which has led to demand for rental properties outpacing supply. Good rental properties have become more scarce as…
Read More » - Business News
Finance: Understanding capital
PHUKET: I often write and talk to my clients about what actually moves most major asset classes, as understanding this is essential to choosing wise, and poor, investments at given times during the longer-term cycles. Capital is always the culprit, and it determines the direction prices will move as it flows into and out of any asset class, such as…
Read More » - Thai Life
Gardening: A garden “full of beans’
PHUKET: Language is chameleon-like. Expressions frequently change their meanings according to time or context. Take the phrase ‘full of beans’. I have always assumed it means full of energy and enthusiasm, but Americans use it as a derogatory term to signify full of hot air – or something less printable. Personally, I prefer the older connotation (I would, wouldn’t I?).…
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