Month: February 2016
- Phuket News
Kamala Beach cleared of trash
PHUKET: Kamala Beach is looking cleaner after trash was cleared from its sands by local authorities acting on demands from nearby business operators. Kamala Administration Organization (OrBorTor) responded to reports sent to the Phuket Gazette about rubbish piling up at the beach by swinging into action with two brand new ‘green’ garbage trucks. Until recently, the municipality was barely getting…
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Visas, taxes tangle up superyacht charter licence
PHUKET: There will be further delays in Thailand rolling out the highly-anticipated foreign-flagged superyacht charter licence, industry representatives were told at at Thailand Yacht Show forum on Wednesday. Though the regulations and rules with regards to the actual superyacht charter licence were hammered out on August 10, a number of related issues remain as hurdles for superyacht owners, explained Somchai…
Read More » - Phuket News
Transport Minister demands underpass tunnel completion within two months
PHUKET: The Transport Minister of Thailand has given the construction company in charge of the Samkong Underpass until April 10 to complete the project. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith stopped by the site yesterday to check on progress and speak with representatives of the construction company, Wiwat Construction Co Ltd. “Engineers from the Department of Highways and the Engineering Institute of…
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Phuket sea gypsies take land case to capital
PHUKET: Sea gypsies in Rawai have taken their case to the capital to plead for intervention from the country’s top brass, after being threatened with eviction from beachfront land by developer Baron World Trade Co Ltd. Representatives from the sea gypsy community handed a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan on Wednesday, but did not get an immediate…
Read More » - Property
Proud Real Estate expanding presence
PHUKET: Proud Real Estate Co is launching more hotels and amusement attractions in Hua Hin and Phuket to cash in on the flood of tourists. Proudputh Liptapanlop, Proud Real Estate executive director, said yesterday that the company would also expand its flagship hotel, the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort, by adding the 40-room BluPort Wing in October. The company expects to…
Read More » - World News
Beijing offers support for Hong Kong after New Year violence
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Beijing offers support for Hong Kong after New Year violence Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: China’s central government firmly supports Hong Kong authorities and police in safeguarding public order and punishing those who break the law, the foreign ministry has said in Beijing’s first reaction to…
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S.Korea: North responsible for consequences from Kaesong shutdown
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community S.Korea: North responsible for consequences from Kaesong shutdown Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: South Korea said on Friday that North Korea would be held responsible for any consequences after the North kicked out South Korean workers and froze the assets of companies at the jointly run…
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World’s most polluted city, Delhi, plans new limits on car use
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World’s most polluted city, Delhi, plans new limits on car use Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The Delhi government plans another round of tough measures to restrict the use of private cars and clean up toxic air in the Indian metropolis, the world’s most polluted city.…
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Einstein’s gravitational waves detected in landmark discovery
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Einstein’s gravitational waves detected in landmark discovery Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Scientists for the first time have detected gravitational waves, ripples in space and time hypothesised by Albert Einstein a century ago, in a landmark discovery announced on Thursday that opens a new window for…
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Hundreds of passengers skate through Krabi immigration during blackout
PHUKET: About 800 international arrivals breezed through Krabi Airport immigration on Wednesday due to a six-hour blackout that caused the computer systems to shut down. “Immigration officers had to manually take down passenger information, and later enter it in the system when it was back up and running,” confirmed Attaporn Nuangudom, director of Krabi International Airport. The loose security measures…
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Historical Phuket park gets B42mn injection
PHUKET: The Thalang Historical Park is set to receive a 42-million-baht makeover by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO). “With the budget, we will renovate 10 rai of land around the park. We had initially submitted the proposal to officials during then-PPAO President Paiboon’s visit last year, as he was intent on putting the land to productive use,” said Watcharin…
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Phuket melon mayhem takes hours to cleanup
PHUKET: An out-of-control pick-up truck carrying more than 50,000 baht worth of watermelons collided with a power pole in Thalang earlier this week. “There were smears of fruit everywhere on the road. It took rescue workers and police officers about an hour to clear it all up,” said Lt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police. The truck driver, 41-year-old Veera…
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British Embassy to host seminar on sensitive handling of sexual assault victims
PHUKET: The British Embassy will be hosting a seminar on sensitively handling sexual assault victims in Phuket on February 25. “The British Embassy and Royal Thai Police are going to host the seminar, titled ‘Victim Handling Protocols when Dealing with Rape and Sexual Assault Cases’,” said Martin Carpenter, British honorary consul for Phuket. The employees of the Phuket Public Health…
Read More » - Business News
Asia Marine moves into motors
PHUKET: Asia Marine has been building, selling, chartering and managing yachts in Phuket for more than 25 years, and was voted ‘Best Asia based Yacht Charter Agent’ in the 2007 Asian Boating Awards. In December last year, Asia Marine CEO Vincent Tabuteau took the company in a new direction by joining forces with Frenchman Eric Noyel, founder of Asia Marine…
Read More » - Business News
Galileo Maritime Academy sends ambassadors to TYS
PHUKET: Thalang’s Galileo Maritime Academy is shining at the first-ever Thailand Yacht Show. Founded in 2012 by Brian Murray, a career chief engineer in the British Royal Navy and a superyacht captain for 30 years, Galileo offers courses that combine skill sets from the hospitality trade to the skills needed for working as superyacht crew. “The Thailand Yacht Show is…
Read More » - Business News
Battling boat show inertia
PHUKET: In a region already swamped with boat shows, the development of a new show has not been an easy undertaking, admitted Andy Treadwell, managing director of 3L Events, organizers of the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) 2016 as well as the Singapore Yacht Show. The biggest problem with launching such a show is convincing the industry that you know what…
Read More » - Opinion
Opinion: Directing ships of cash to Phuket
PHUKET: After months of reporting one marine mishap after another, the inaugural Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) comes as a refreshing and long overdue reminder of just how important the marine leisure industry is to the island – and why all sides need to work harder to further develop the province into the true marine hub of the region. Phuket’s marine…
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More than 5 dozen tourists saved after speedboat sinks
PHANG NGA: More than five dozen tourists were safely rescued after their overloaded speedboat sank near the Similan Islands yesterday evening, reported officials. The 50-passenger boat, owned by the Rak Talay tour company, was carrying 63 tourists at the time of the incident, said Phang Nga Marine Police Chief Jakkree Mekumphonsuit. “According to the captain, they were headed back to…
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Australian cuts to climate change research may hit drive into Asia
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Australian cuts to climate change research may hit drive into Asia Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Funding and job cuts at Australia’s climate change research body could undermine the country’s goal of dominating the Asian premium food market by placing farmers at a disadvantage to U.S.…
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Massive granite slab kills one, critically injures another
PHUKET: One Myanmar national was killed and another seriously injured last night after an enormous slab of granite that they were delivering fell on them. Mong Mia, 23, was part of a four-man crew unloading the slabs in a warehouse in Kathu, when they lost control of a piece they were carrying, estimated to weigh between 300 to 500 kilograms.…
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World’s top scientists pledge to share all findings to fight Zika
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World’s top scientists pledge to share all findings to fight Zika Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Thirty of the world’s leading scientific research institutions, journals and funders have pledged to share for free all data and expertise on Zika to speed up the fight against an…
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Google: U.S. guidance crucial to development of self-driving cars
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Google: U.S. guidance crucial to development of self-driving cars Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Alphabet Inc’s Google (GOOGL.O) unit told U.S. auto safety regulators that the government’s interpretation of motor vehicle safety rules is “extremely important” to its further development of fully self-driving cars. In a…
Read More » - Phuket News
Superyachts arrive: Thailand to be Asean marine hub
PHUKET: Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn opened the inaugural Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) in Phuket on Thursday, as the country positions itself to directly, and indirectly, benefit from superyachts and their ultra-wealthy owners. TYS, currently underway at Ao Po Grand Marina, will run until February 14, with about 40 yachts and at least 14 superyachts on display. Gracing the waters…
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CPR brings tourist back to life
KRABI: Rescue workers revived a Chinese tourist after she was pulled unconscious from Krabi waters by friends Tuesday afternoon. “Jian Jingpia, 28, was swimming with a large group of friends at a depth of about one meter, when she lost her footing and began floundering and choking,” said Jumpen Pompakdee, head of the Koh Hong National Park. Ms Jian lost…
Read More » - Thai Life
Witness spectacles at the Thailand Yacht Show
PHUKET: The very first state-sponsored Thailand Yacht Show promises a whole lot of fun on the water, showcasing the latest luxury yachts available for charter and aquatic toys, plus the latest offerings from the region’s top boating industry specialists and suppliers at Ao Po Grand Marina today through February 14. Additionally, there will be exhibitions and displays on the water,…
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Serenity in the heart of Patong
PHUKET: Stress, lack of sleep, an unbalanced diet, air pollution, smoking – most of us are affected by one or more of these on a daily basis. So let the crew at Ryn Spa, Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas, melt them away for you. Every aspect of the service, from the soothing welcome drink to the lighting and…
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Rescued three-year-old boy transferred to PICU
PHUKET: The three-year-old boy who was found after going missing for six days, has been transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Vachira Phuket Hospital, confirmed hospital staff. Nong DJ was rescued yesterday from a shallow waterway about three kilometers away from his home (video report here). “Nong DJ is now in the PICU due to a stomach…
Read More » - Hua Hin News
China confirms first case of Zika virus
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China confirms first case of Zika virus Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: China has confirmed its first case of the Zika virus in a man who had recently travelled to South America, the official Xinhua news agency reported. The virus, which is causing international alarm after…
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Australia set to legalise cultivation of medical cannabis
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Australia set to legalise cultivation of medical cannabis Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Australia is expected to legalize the cultivation of cannabis for medical or scientific purposes with a bill introduced to parliament on Wednesday – the first step towards doctors eventually prescribing it to patients…
Read More » - World News
Hong Kong riot police fire warning shots in bloody street clashes
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Hong Kong riot police fire warning shots in bloody street clashes Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Hong Kong riot police fired warning shots on Tuesday during clashes that erupted in the Chinese-ruled city when authorities tried to remove illegal street stalls set up for Lunar New…
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Taiwan developer in custody after deadly quake fells building
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Taiwan developer in custody after deadly quake fells building Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A local court in the southern Taiwan city of Tainan ruled on Tuesday to take into custody the developer of a building which collapsed during an earthquake at the weekend that killed…
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Krabi Police bust illegal gun ring
KRABI: Krabi Police captured one suspect and are searching for two others who were able to flee the scene of a raid on Monday in Ao Luek. Police were alerted to the location after neighbors complained of an illegal gun production ring. “We were able to capture Noppadon Surachawadee, 34. However, his younger brother, Prasit Surachawadee, 28, and their associate,…
Read More » - Thai Life
On Deck: At last, good news for our oceans
PHUKET: Ocean trash is growing. It’s an important issue that gets a lot of attention, at times, but little is actually done about it. Two Spain-based Aussie surfers, Pete Ceglinski and Andrew Turton, are about to change that. In a former life, Turton was a product designer who realized that the plastic products he was designing were sources of pollution.…
Read More » - Property
Property Watch: Foreigners: beware of condo laws
PHUKET: Every year I learn a host of new rules and regulations which impact property investors in Thailand, sometimes positively but often detrimentally. This year I learned something new, which either by chance or good fortune, my clients over 13 plus years here have never experienced. Unfortunately, I view the situation as being severely detrimental and anti-foreign investment in nature.…
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Prime Minister to open Thailand Yacht Show [video]
PHUKET: PHUKET: Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha* will officially open the inaugural Thailand Yacht Show this week, on Thursday, February 11 at the Ao Por Grand Marina. The event will run until February 14 and showcase the latest luxury yachts available for charter, as well as the latest offerings from the region’s top boating industry specialists and suppliers. “I am…
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Video Report: Missing boy reunited with family
PHUKET: Tireless efforts made by police, search teams and rescue workers today helped reunite a missing three-year-old boy with his family. Nong DJ was recovered safe and sound on a hill about three kilometers from his home in Wichit, where he went missing on Wednesday (story here). “We found him at about 11:40am lying in a shallow waterway, covered by…
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Canadian national dies after night out in Patong
PHUKET: Police are waiting for doctors to confirm the cause of death of a Canadian man who died in his hotel room in Patong this morning. Micheal Jerry Talbot, 28, collapsed at about 5:30am after suffering from chest pain and shortness of breath, confirmed Capt Yingyong Chuoykij of the Patong Police. “Mr Talbot’s roommate told us that Mr Talbot went…
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