Month: January 2016
- Phuket News
View the ocean realm through the eyes of award-winning photographer Pete Atkinson
PHUKET: Escaping the rat race is the dream of many, but few achieve it. Award-winning, Phuket-based Getty Images photographer Pete Atkinson’s new book, Polynesia – An Ocean Realm, shows that with passion and determination anything is possible, even on a limited budget. Pete made ends meet by shooting pictures under water – using home-made acrylic camera housings – and writing…
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Suspects arrested in Finnish assault case
PHUKET: Police arrested two suspects yesterday wanted for attacking a female Finnish tourist and stealing her handbag on Saturday. Nat Roongrojchanakorn, 18, and Thanathip Siriwat, 19, confessed to the snatching as well as the assault on Mari Inkeri Ruohonen, noting that they were high on a kratom-based drink at the time. Ms Ruohonen was attacked and seriously wounded when she…
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Failed underpass company to continue project with hefty fines
PHUKET: Construction on the long awaited Samkong underpass will continue under its current contractor despite a 2 million baht-per-day fine. Wiwat Construction Co Ltd was given a December 21 completion date for the more than 800-million-baht project before the per diem fine was to be levied. However, due to mandatory closure during the Songkran and New Year holidays, a 30-day…
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![Snake show python that attacked tourist in Phuket ruled illegal [video] | Thaiger](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0naHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmcnIHZpZXdCb3g9JzAgMCAzMjggMjIwJz48L3N2Zz4=)
Snake show python that attacked tourist in Phuket ruled illegal [video]
PHUKET: The owner of a snake that bit a kissy Chinese tourist in Phuket was charged for the illegal possession of a protected species today. Officials launched an in-depth inspection of Phuket Bio Technology Co Ltd in Chalong after the 2.5-meter-long python bit 29-year-old Jin Jing on the nose when she attempted to kiss it (story here). According to the…
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Body found with throat slit off Phuket
PHUKET: The body of a man with his throat slit was found offshore Phuket by a local fisherman this morning. Police have yet to identify the corpse, which was found in Ao Makham Bay by 43-year-old Sayan Thanakarnjana. Wichit Moo 8 headman Sontaya Audsaha confirmed to police that the body wasn’t that of a local. “At this point, we presume…
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Tour bus flips north of Phuket
PHUKET: A tour bus carrying 18 Chinese tourists flipped in Phang Nga at about 10pm last night. The bus was on its way to Krabi International Airport when the driver reportedly “lost control” at a sharp curve. Zhang Shuai, a passenger on the bus who suffered head injuries, was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for treatment. However, hospital staff confirmed…
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Illegal Phuket tour guides to be deported, blacklisted
PHUKET: A Chinese national working as an illegal tour guide in Phuket will be the first to be deported and blacklisted in Thailand as the country takes a staunch stance on the ever-growing issue, confirmed officials. “Starting today, any foreigner caught working as a tour guide will be deported,” Santi Pawai, director of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS)…
Read More » - Phuket News
Boat Lagoon’s Children’s Day an event for all
PHUKET: To catch a wave and surf in Phuket, you’ll need some patience, with the windy ‘Surf Season’ a good couple of months ahead. But for the island’s businesses, the waves are always there waiting to be spotted and ridden to success. “It’s all about noticing a trend”, says Kanittha Prasopsirikul from By Kanittha, the company responsible for Boat Lagoon…
Read More » - World News
Japan to patrol disputed islands if China sails too close
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Japan to patrol disputed islands if China sails too close Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Japan will respond to any intrusion by Chinese naval vessels into the waters around the disputed Senkaku islands, known in China as the Diaoyus, by ordering its Self-Defence Force ships to…
Read More » - World News
New app to help police in Kenya to jail child rapists
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community New app to help police in Kenya to jail child rapists Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A new phone app will help Kenyans secure justice for children who have been raped by explaining the steps the police should take when investigating rape and enabling the victims’…
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Canadian man captured by Taliban five years ago freed
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Canadian man captured by Taliban five years ago freed Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A Canadian man whom the Taliban seized in Afghanistan five years ago and accused of being a spy has been released with the aid of Qatar, Foreign Minister Stephane Dion said on…
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BISP swimmer wins six golds at Thailand National Games
PHUKET: After a successful first day in the pool at the Thailand National Games in Nakhon Sawan, where she won two gold medals, British International School Phuket (BISP) JSA Swim Academy member Phiangkhwan ‘Eing’ Pawapotako won the 100m Back on day two of the competition in a time of 65.44, making it three wins from three events. However, she didn’t…
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Illegal gibbon touts spotted on Phi Phi again [video]
PHUKET: Officers are hunting more gibbon touts on Phi Phi Island after receiving a video of a man using the protected species as a photo prop for tourists. “The video was taken on Saturday, but we’ll send someone out to see if the touts are still there or not,” said Phi Phi Police Chief Jetsada Junphum. Though officers have struggled…
Read More » - Phuket News
Finnish tourist slashed while fighting off bag thieves
PHUKET: A Finnish tourist was seriously wounded when she attempted to fight off bag snatchers in Phuket on Saturday night. “Two men drove by on a motorbike and attempted to swipe the bag off the shoulder of Mari Inkeri Ruohonen, 31,” explained Karon Police Superintendent Sompong Boonrat. “However, when she resisted, they pulled a box cutter out and attempted to…
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Police arrest drug runners with meth
PHUKET: Region 8 Police arrested two drug runners and seized nearly 70,000 ya ba (methamphetamine) pills in Phang Nga on Friday. Jiraporn Promnoo, 42, and Somnuek Rammani, 51, were arrested with 10,000 ya ba pills after a tip off from another drug suspect led police to intercept a scheduled delivery, confirmed Region 8 Police Commander Tesa Siriwato. The pair denied…
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German’s partner forces confession of deadly reckless driving
PHUKET: The partner of a German killed in an alleged drunk driving accident in Phuket last month vowed to push for the harshest penalties against the driver, who confessed to reckless driving leading to death. Jakarin Rodpradit, 26, originally denied responsibility for the crash between his car and the motorbike driven by Andreas Walter, 47, with his partner Patcharin Lammai,…
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TAT sets sights on Vietnamese, Indonesian tourists
PHUKET: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently announced its plans to promote Phuket’s image as a tourist destination in Vietnam and Indonesia. Anoma Wongyai, director of TAT Phuket, touched on the positive response seen from tourists during this holiday season, with an 83 per cent increase in visitor numbers and 4.2 million baht of revenue generation. “We now aim…
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Marine Police increase safety checks after death of French tourist
PHUKET: Phuket and Krabi Marine Police are ramping up safety checks in order to get tour operators to comply strictly with marine regulations. The boost comes hard on the heels of the death of a French tourist who was killed last week after being struck in the head by a speedboat propeller while snorkelling near Poda Island (story here). Phuket…
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Diver rescued in Similans by navy [video]
PHUKET: A medical student was saved by the navy after he fell unconscious during a dive in the Similan Islands on Saturday. The Royal Thai Navy was called to aid in the rescue of Thai national Tossawat Tassaworn, 24, a student at Rangsit University. According to a navy report, Mr Tossawat gave his dive master a distress signal at a…
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Video Report: Phuket snake bites tourist after attempted kiss, officials review safety measures
PHUKET: Officials are scrambling to reevaluate snake show safety measures after a Chinese tourist was bitten by a 2.5-meter-long python that she attempted to kiss in Phuket on Saturday. “After the show, I took the python out for the tourists to take photos with as usual. Then suddenly, a woman tried to kiss the snake without informing me of what…
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Rohingya escape Phang Nga shelter again
PHUKET: Officers are hunting for 11 Rohingya who escaped from the Phang Nga Shelter for Children and Families early Friday morning. The three women and eight children are among those who were recovered after an attempted escape in October last year (story here). Using CCTV footage, Khao Lak Police were able to determine that the group escaped through an open…
Read More » - World News
U.S. flies B-52 over S.Korea after North’s nuclear test
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. flies B-52 over S.Korea after North’s nuclear test Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The United States deployed a B-52 bomber on a low-level flight over its ally South Korea on Sunday in a show of force following North Korea’s nuclear test last week. North Korean…
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France pays tribute to 2015 terrorism victims in silent ceremony
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community France pays tribute to 2015 terrorism victims in silent ceremony Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: France honored the victims of Islamist militant attacks last year in a thinly attended silent ceremony on Sunday, almost a year to the day when more than a million people marched…
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No winner of record Powerball jackpot, next draw put at $1.3 billion
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community No winner of record Powerball jackpot, next draw put at $1.3 billion Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Jan 9 No one won Saturday’s record jackpot of nearly $950 million in the multi-state Powerball lottery, officials said, driving the haul for a winning ticket in the next…
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Officials mull waste management policies in Phuket
PHUKET: In an effort to improve waste management on the island, Phuket officials are working toward implementing more efficient rubbish disposal policies. “Waste management in Phuket is centralized in Phuket Town at the Saphan Hin incinerators. Currently, they are only able to handle up to 700 tonnes per day,” Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana said. Mayor Somjai noted that the…
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Australian Embassy announces consular outreach services for Phuket
PHUKET: The Consular Section of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok has announced that its staff will be in Phuket on January 18 to provide consular outreach services. The consulate staff will be available from 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the Australian Consulate Office at 77/77 Unit 6D Moo 5, Chalermprakiat Rama 9 (bypass road) in Rassada. For…
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Killer Whale spotted in Phuket bay [video]
PHUKET: An English family holidaying in Phuket spotted a Killer Whale off Freedom Beach in Patong Bay yesterday morning. Susan and Thomas Halleron were on a longtail boat with their son Joe when they spotted the unusual sight. “We went for a one hour trip around the island, and on the way back we saw the whale [Orca]… it was…
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German tourist’s bag returned after Facebook post goes viral
PHUKET: A German tourist lucked out this week after a Facebook post by a fellow traveller helped reunite her with her lost bag. Polish national Ewelina Moszczynska, 31, found the handbag next to her bungalow on Phi Phi Island on Thursday morning. “It was the morning after a party that I found the bag next to my bungalow,” Ms Moszczynska…
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Triple circumnavigation of Phuket proves too much for Aussie
PHUKET: An Australian living and training on Phuket came to a staggering halt at about 6 kilometers from the end of his epic three-day, 430km challenge. The endurance sport attempt began on January 3 as Damien Rider, 40, set out to circumnavigate Phuket by prone paddleboarding, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and running. After deciding to combine prone and SUP, Mr Rider…
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Phuket police arrest ladyboy for pimping 15-year-old
PHUKET: Police arrested a ladyboy for pimping children in Phuket Town yesterday evening. Boonsong Saetan, 23, was arrested after she received 1,500 baht given to a 15-year-old that she had lined up to offer sexual services to an undercover police officer. “The officer confirmed an appointment at a hotel in the Poonpon area at 5pm with a 15-year-old girl,” explained…
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Deadly roads: The fight to make island roads safe
PHUKET: Despite the devastating death toll during the ‘Seven Days of Danger’ annual road-safety campaign – reaching seven this year, more than triple last year’s total – the number of fatalities from road accidents on the island have gradually declined throughout the last seven years, confirmed the Thai Road Safety Network (RSN). The number of road deaths has reduced from…
Read More » - Opinion
Ministry of Farang Affairs: If no one sees, it didn’t happen
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 » - Property
Property Watch: Thailand: North vs South
PHUKET: The divide exists in many places worldwide, and it exists in Thailand too. As I holiday regularly in Chiang Mai, I wonder whether the grass is greener up here in the North. Should I up sticks with my family, sell my Phuket property, relocate my business to a more modest micro-economic environment, and ‘escape’ the throngs of sun-lotion embalmed…
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A Decade Ago: Tsunami heroes, safe-sex battles and deadly roads
PHUKET: Ten years ago, the United Kingdom honored four British nationals in Phuket for their efforts in helping tsunami victims, by making them Members of the Order of the British Empire. They were Cynthia Ratcliffe, then president of the Phuket International Women’s Club; Martin Carpenter, chairman of the British Business Association of Phuket; Alan Cooke, the British honorary consul to…
Read More » - World News
New US diet rules would take 20 per cent bite out of American sugar use
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community New US diet rules would take 20 per cent bite out of American sugar use Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: If the US government has its way, Americans would cut their consumption of sugar and corn syrup by more than 2 million tonnes a year, the…
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U.S. firm blames Russian ‘Sandworm’ hackers for Ukraine outage
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. firm blames Russian ‘Sandworm’ hackers for Ukraine outage Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: U.S. cyber intelligence firm iSight Partners said on Thursday it has determined that a Russian hacking group known as ‘Sandworm’ caused last month’s unprecedented power outage in Ukraine. “We believe that Sandworm…
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Phuket police propose quick solutions to traffic congestion
PHUKET: Police have banned parking during rush hour in a number of locations on the island in order to decrease traffic congestion. “Vehicles won’t be allowed to park along Thepkrasattri Road near the Heroines’ Monument or the Koh Kaew Intersection, as well as along the bypass road, Chao Fa East Road and Chao Fa West Road from 7am-9am and 4pm-7pm,”…
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