Month: March 2016
- Phuket News
Phuket alcohol zones still fuzzy
PHUKET: The Phuket Excise Office (PEO) chief has asked the Cabinet for another six months to measure out potential alcohol zones in an effort to suppress underage drinking in the province. The cabinet initially gave the PEO until January to chart all shops selling alcohol within 300-meters of ‘educational institutions’. However the rules remained foggy as officials tried to clarify…
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Manhunt launched for Mai Khao murderer
PHUKET: Police have launched a manhunt after the lacerated body of a 25-year-old man was found lying in a pool of blood in front of a shack at a rubber plantation in Mai Khao yesterday morning. The body of Myanmar worker, known only as Mr Sor, was discovered in the plantation near Phuket International Airport at about 10:50am on Sunday…
Read More » - Thai Life
[Video Report] Profile: Knight from the wrong side of the tracks
PHUKET: The last thing on the mind of 14-year-old Nick Faldo, when he was on his knees rummaging around in bushes looking for lost golf balls so he could practice his swing, was to one day be kneeling in front of the Queen of England to receive a knighthood. Hailing from ‘the wrong side of the tracks’ in Hertfordshire, England,…
Read More » - Opinion
Island View: Banning climbing and scuba diving will not prevent stupidity [video]
PHUKET: We are all capable of stupidity; for some it is easy, for others – myself included – the stupidity starts when the dawn breaks. Whether it’s walking into doors, tripping over cats, sticking the car in reverse instead of drive, or falling off mountains, none of us intends to do these obviously stupid things… but they still happen. Which…
Read More » - Phuket News
Moscow-bound flight grounded at Phuket airport after passenger voices fears
PHUKET: A flight from Phuket to Moscow was evacuated yesterday after a passenger said he felt threatened. The captain of Russia’s Nordwind Airlines called the airport office to request an emergency inspection after Alexander Nozof, 25, said he felt threatened for reasons that were unspecified. Monrudee Gettuphan, director of Phuket International Airport, denied rumors that the plane had been hijacked.…
Read More » - Property
Video Report: Trends in Phuket’s Sustainable Hospitality
PHUKET: Grace Kang is a managing partner at Greenview, a Singapore-based sustainability advisory company that specializes in tracking and measuring sustainability performance for hotels, convention centers and commercial buildings. Ms Kang shared some pearls of wisdom on sustainable practices with local industry specialists at the recent American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) meeting at the Keemala Resort, Phuket.During her talk on…
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Checkpoint police nab 21 taxi drivers, most for poor dress sense
PHUKET: Police have arrested a total of 21 taxi drives at a checkpoint in Patong in the past two days, 19 of whom were fined for being inappropriately dressed. Patong traffic policeman Ekkarat Plaiduang and Tourist Police Chief Urumporn Koondejsumrit led the checkpoint in front of the Patong Police Station in order to crack down on fixed-price taxi services and…
Read More » - Business News
Finance: Building a larger stream of future income
PHUKET: I am often contacted by people without massive amounts of cash asking me what they can do to prepare for the future. Early in my career I tended to take the approach most people in the industry do, which is to focus on the rich and let everyone else know that you are sorry about not being able to…
Read More » - Opinion
Ministry of Farang Affairs: Speeding Taxi Drivers
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 » - Phuket News
Fans requested at high-ranking Krabi official’s funeral
KRABI: The family of a high-ranking officer in Krabi has requested that fans be brought to the late lieutenant colonel’s funeral in lieu of wreaths. The funeral of Lt Col Kliang Maneechote, 50, of the Krabi Provincial Police was held at a temple in Krabi Town after he passed away on March 13 after suffering a stroke. Col Kliang’s wife,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Visa overstayers get a watery warning from Immigration
PHUKET: Water bottles with labels displaying the newly implemented overstay rules will be handed out to attendees at a public meeting with Immigration Commissioner Natthorn Phrosunthorn next week. The meeting, to be held at Boat Lagoon on March 25, is aimed at clarifying the new rules as part of the Immigration Bureau’s national campaign on reinforcing rules on foreigners who…
Read More » - Opinion
Opinion: Time to rethink Thailand’s wildlife protection laws [video]
PHUKET: The online petition by the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) calling for an end to the illegal use of protected animal species as photo props by touts working in tourist destinations in Thailand deserves the full support of locals, expats and tourists. The petition statement summarizes just how damaging this illegal trade is to the many affected species. These…
Read More » - Phuket News
Tougher rules introduced to curb cheating taxi drivers
PHUKET: Phuket taxi drivers are facing tough new regulations and harsher punishments in a renewed effort to prevent them from overcharging and cheating customers. The new regulations are aimed predominantly at taxi drivers based at Phuket International Airport, where cabbies are frequently accused of refusing to turn on their meters, overcharging and making unwanted diversions, said Jaturong Kaewkasi, chief policy…
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Demolition day announced for buildings on Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Local authorities have today announced a final deadline for businesses encroaching on public land at Surin, Lay Pang and Layan beaches, informing business owners that they have to demolish all illegal buildings by next month. “We have decided, once and for all, to demolish the premises of private businesses encroaching on public land at all three ot these Phuket…
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Phuket van man disappears owing B10mn to his drivers
PHUKET: A contingent of minivan drivers gathered at Thalang Police Station yesterday morning to demand help tracking down their employer, who has disappeared owing more than 10 million baht (approx US$ 285,000) to about 115 Phuket-based drivers. “We are here because we did not get paid by our employer, Puripatara Weerawatara, the owner of World Express Co Ltd,” said Thammarat…
Read More » - World News
SeaWorld to end controversial killer whale breeding program
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community SeaWorld to end controversial killer whale breeding program Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: SeaWorld said on Thursday it will stop breeding killer whales in captivity, bowing to years of pressure from animal rights activists, but the orcas already at its three parks will continue performing as…
Read More » - World News
S. Korea suspects second projectile launched by N. Korea
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community S.Korea says suspects second projectile launched by N.Korea Phuket Gazette / Reuters SEOUL: South Korea’s military said it suspects North Korea fired a second missile this morning, after the North earlier launched a projectile that flew about 800 km (500 miles) and into the sea off…
Read More » - Property
Across the land: Is Airbnb taking a slice of Phuket hotels’ profits?
PHUKET: For those not so active in the online community, Airbnb may sound completely alien, and you may well ask what they are selling. According to San Francisco-based Airbnb, it is a trusted community marketplace for people to go online and list, discover, and book unique accommodation around the world, using a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. And, whether you…
Read More » - Phuket News
Vessel accused of dumping waste off Krabi
KRABI: A large vessel commissioned by the Krabi government to dredge near the Krabi Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) pier received some bad publicity this week after a Facebook user accused it of dumping waste into the Andaman. The photos posted by the Facebook user, showing black ‘wastewater’ surrounding the vessel, quickly went viral. However, the Krabi Marine Office was quick…
Read More » - Phuket News
Dutchman dies in three-vehicle smash
PHUKET: A 45-year-old Dutch man died in a three-vehicle crash in Phuket last night, which also left an unidentified Thai woman severely injured. Witnesses told police that a collision between the Dutchman and a Thai woman riding a motorcycle near Chalong Circle caused the man’s bike to cross over the road into oncoming traffic and collide with a bus. Witnesses’…
Read More » - Phuket News
Deputy PM dives into Phi Phi’s wastewater woes
PHUKET: Phi Phi officials are looking to secure a multi-million-baht budget to plug the free flow of untreated wastewater into the sea. Deputy Prime Minister Adm Narong Pipatanasai visited the island yesterday to review a number of projects that the local administration plan to implement to stem the daily tide of 1,800 cubic meters of wastewater spewing into the marine…
Read More » - Phuket News
Man killed in Phuket defending shoes
PHUKET: A man was killed after allegedly attempting to defend his shoes from a thief in Phuket this morning. “Neighbors told us that Niwat Linooi, 24, caught someone trying to take his shoes from in front of his home and allegedly punched the thief,” said Lt Col Suchart Meelampong of the Phuket City Police. The man then supposedly called out…
Read More » - World News
North Korea sentences U.S. student to hard labour; Washington condemns punishment
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community North Korea sentences U.S. student to hard labour; Washington condemns punishment Phuket Gazette / Reuters SEOUL: North Korea’s supreme court sentenced American student Otto Warmbier, who was arrested while visiting the country, to 15 years of hard labor on Wednesday for crimes against the state, a…
Read More » - World News
Trump warns of riots, pulls plug on Republican presidential debate
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Trump warns of riots, pulls plug on Republican presidential debate Phuket Gazette / Reuters PALM BEACH: Florida, U.S. Republican front-runner Donald Trump warned on Wednesday of riots if he is denied the party’s presidential nomination and pulled the plug on a scheduled debate among candidates, raising…
Read More » - Phuket News
Fortuner driver cleared of hit-and-run charges
PHUKET: Police cleared a suspected hit-and-run driver of any involvement in the accident that killed one and injured two in Wichit on Monday morning (story here). Witnesses told officers that a Toyota Fortuner of an unknown color was heading toward Phuket Town when it struck Narakorn Onthong, 30, and Pa Yasamut, 54, before crossing lanes and fatally injuring 17-year-old Sittichai…
Read More » - Phuket News
DSI being unfair in land probe, says Phuket company owner
PHUKET: The owner of Six Mountains Co Ltd yesterday called on the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to look into his adversary land ownership documents in Koh Nakha Moo 5 in Thalang district. Chanwit Kijlertsiriwattana claimed that his company was being singled out by the DSI in its investigation over the Hiranpruk family’s allegations that his firm had used illegitimate…
Read More » - Thai Life
Law and Order: Beware of double taxation
PHUKET: Clients who have businesses in multiple countries have called me in fear of the tax man. Their fears are based on the unknown. They don’t understand the tax laws in Thailand and fear the confiscatory powers of the revenue department for errors in their filings. For foreign nationals living in Thailand, Thai tax laws and forms are written in…
Read More » - Phuket News
Jungceylon security guard returns tourist’s lost cash
PHUKET: A forgetful tourist in Patong was lucky to have a big wad of cash returned to him on Monday after leaving an envelope containing 350,000 baht at the Jungceylon shopping center. The abandoned cash was found by Madae Mateha, a security guard working at the mall. “Ms Madae found the envelope in a shopping cart near the elevator on…
Read More » - Phuket News
Krabi kratom thief found dead near tree
KRABI: Police have not ruled out foul play in the death of an unidentified man who was found dead in Krabi yesterday. Police found the shirtless body of the man lying on the ground, clutching kratom leaves in his hand, near an empty bungalow in Khlong Thom. “We believe the man received a fatal electric shock, as about two meters…
Read More » - World News
Police kill gunman in Brussels siege linked to Paris attacks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police kill gunman in Brussels siege linked to Paris attacks Phuket Gazette / Reuters BRUSSELS: Belgian police killed a gunman after several officers were wounded on Tuesday in a raid on a Brussels apartment linked to investigating November’s Islamist attacks in Paris, public broadcaster RTBF said.…
Read More » - World News
Argentina sinks Chinese trawler fishing illegally
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Argentina sinks Chinese trawler fishing illegally Phuket Gazette / Reuters BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s coast guard has sunk a Chinese trawler that was fishing illegally within its territorial waters, the coast guard said on Tuesday, marking a first test for relations between President Mauricio Macri and Beijing.…
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Kratom dealers busted in Krabi raid
KRABI: Krabi Police apprehended five kratom dealers along with 10 customers during a raid in Muang district Monday afternoon. “We conducted a raid after receiving complaints from neighbors who suspected that they were selling drugs to teenagers in the area. We believe they have been doing this for a long time,” said Muang District Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Sophon Suvannakarat.…
Read More » - Phuket News
Police seize knock-off goods worth B500,000 in Patong
PHUKET: Officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) seized pirated goods worth 500,000 baht at a market stall in Patong on Monday night. Acting on a tip-off, ECD and Patong police officers discovered fake brand-name products being sold at a stall in Baan Thai Market, said ECD Maj Apichat Amornpradit. “The stall was selling counterfeit glasses, shirts, bags and…
Read More » - Thai Life
Diving: Protect our new divers
PHUKET: Countless instructors have posted stunning images of the ocean with a phrase similar to: ‘Welcome to my office’. Such romantic, well-promoted images on social media, of course, resonate with us restless office junkies, drawing us out of our cubicles to the wonders of the open waters. However, a series of small neglectful actions and breaches in standards will not…
Read More » - Koh Samui News
Property Watch: Less is more for Koh Samui
PHUKET: We live in a world where percentages seem to matter and growth dominates our horizon. I still recall growing up and marking off on a wall in our house how tall I was. I could not wait to be older, and the irony today is how I wish that I could instead roll back the clock. In Phuket’s crowded…
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Phuket property management firm shrugs off “military threats’
PHUKET: Unhappy foreign tenants will be filing an official letter of complaint with the Department of Special Investigations (DSI) and the Army as they battle a property management company on the island. The move follows the tenants allegedly bringing representatives of the DSI and Army onto the property to ‘resolve’ the dispute with the company. “If we were to receive…
Read More » - Hua Hin News
Last toothfish poaching vessel of ‘Bandit 6’ sunk
PHUKET: Authorities in Indonesia have sunk the last of the ‘Bandit 6’ toothfish-poaching vessels, the Viking. Sea Shepherd representatives were on the ground to film the sinking of Viking, which marked the end of over a decade of toothfish poaching in the Southern Ocean at the hands of the Bandit 6, and the conclusion of Sea Shepherd’s Operation Icefish 2015-16.…
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