Year: 2016
- Property
By the Book: Benefits of vendor financing
PHUKET: Although the property market has recently been slow in Phuket, properties are still selling. In previous years, buyers would pay full cash for properties. However, in today’s climate, sellers are being more flexible to achieve a sale. One of the main head winds Phuket’s property market faces is that the majority of foreign buyers do not live here all…
Read More » - Opinion
Opinion: Visa Overstay – Nefarious Intentions or Just Bad Planning?
PHUKET: The recent push to publicize the need for foreign tourists not to overstay their visas is long overdue, but we hope the Immigration Bureau will use its sweeping powers in fair and compassionate ways that consider extenuating circumstances – especially those involving victims of accidents or crime. The crackdown, which actually comprises little more than stricter enforcement of existing…
Read More » - Phuket News
Lone Phuket rider killed in collision with power pole
PHUKET: A helmet-less motorbike rider died after crashing into a utility pole in Phuket early this morning. Jakkrit Rungboon, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene in Kathu. The cause of death was due to serious head injuries, confirmed police. “His motorbike was heavily damaged in the accident,” confirmed Capt Wattanathorn Bamroongthin of the Thung Thong Police. “However, we have…
Read More » - Phuket News
Police to run plates of Phuket slow loris tout
PHUKET: Phuket police vowed to check the licence plate number of a motorcycle ridden by a slow loris tout who was caught on camera pushing the protected animal on tourists at Surin Beach last month. “We appreciate you forwarding the evidence to us, especially as these images show the man’s face and his motorcycle’s licence plate number,” Cherng Talay Police…
Read More » - Phuket News
Body of foreigner found on Phuket beach
PHUKET: Police are attempting to identify the body of a foreign man found on Surin Beach this morning. “We received a report at about 7am that someone working out on the beach had come across the body. The dead man was face down in the sand with his arms crossed and pressed against his chest, when we got there” said…
Read More » - Pattaya News
Confirmed: Minors to dodge overstay blacklisting
PHUKET: Children will not be blacklisted for overstaying their visas, officials confirmed today. Thailand’s implementation of a regulation to blacklist overstayers will not affect those under the age of 18, explained Immigration Commissioner Nathathorn Prousoontorn. The news follows much uncertainty in Phuket after the regulations were announced earlier this month. “The new penalties came into effect on March 20. They…
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Breaking News: At least five missing in Krabi construction accident
KRABI: At least five women are missing after the building they were working on collapsed this afternoon. The foreman at the Institute of Physical Education – Krabi Campus construction site was unable to confirm the cause of the incident. Rescue workers are on site searching for anyone trapped in the wreckage. — Kritsada Mueanhawong
Read More » - World News
Belgian police arrest six in bombing probe, French foil Paris plot
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Belgian police arrest six in bombing probe, French foil Paris plot Phuket Gazette / Reuters BRUSSELS: Belgian police arrested six people in their probe of Tuesday’s Islamic State suicide bombings in Brussels, while authorities in France said they thwarted a militant plot there “that was at…
Read More » - World News
Japanese man detained in Turkey for trying to join Islamic State
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Japanese man detained in Turkey for trying to join Islamic State Phuket Gazette / Reuters TURKEY: A Japanese man who had attempted to join the Islamic State militant group has been detained by Turkish security forces near the Syrian border early on Wednesday, security sources said.…
Read More » - Phuket News
Sidewalk barriers in Patong raise concerns
PHUKET: Patong officials have put in experimental traffic barriers to protect pedestrians and ease traffic congestion in the popular tourist town, confirmed Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup today. However, the new sidewalk railings on either side of Rat U-Thit 200 Pi Road outside of Tai Pan Discotheque and Rock City Pub have caused some concern. “The fence, all in all, is…
Read More » - Phuket News
Surin Beach wastewater to be wiped up with illegal buildings
PHUKET: The black sludge of untreated wastewater pooling on Surin Beach will remain until the illegal buildings on the sands have been destroyed, confirmed Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) President Ma-ann Samran yesterday. “The wastewater is from beachfront shops in the area. Some of the shops have acted responsibly and treated wastewater before releasing it, while others have not,”…
Read More » - Phuket News
Private company blocking beach access road ordered to meet with officials
PHUKET: Officials have called on Laem Nga Development Co Ltd to meet with representatives from the Marine Office and local authorities after receiving complaints that they were blocking an access road to Laem Nga Beach in Rassada. The complaint, submitted to the Damrongdhama Center (ombudsman’s office), saw members of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command and Damrongdhama Center inspect…
Read More » - Thai Life
Excuse Buster: Problems of chronic inflammation
PHUKET: Last week I described an important test I often recommend to clients called HbA1c. As I wrote, this test is one marker for identifying blood sugar issues and a person’s tendency toward diabetes, but it is also now seen to be related to many conditions – including dementia and even cancer. Sugar strikes again. As a nutritionist, I spend…
Read More » - Phuket News
Police hope peacock tattoo leads to identification of body
PHUKET: Police are attempting to identify a dead man who was found hanging from a tree along the bypass road near the Bang Khu intersection this morning. The man, thought to be 25 to 35 years old, was found by a Koh Kaew local. Officers found no identification on the body. However, the man does have a prominent tattoo of…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Regional Blood Center calls for O+ donors to replenish stocks
PHUKET: The Phuket Regional Blood Center (PRBC) is calling for blood donations from donors with blood type O-positive to help replenish stocks for use at local hospitals. Supplies of O-positive blood are down to just 20 units (pints) at the center, said PRBC Chief Pornthip Rattajak. The blood bank aims to maintain a daily minimum stock of 200 units of…
Read More » - Phuket News
One killed in Phuket drive-by shooting
PHUKET: Police are hunting the gunman in a Phuket drive-by shooting early this morning. Visan Khunmanit, 23, was shot in the chest at about 3:20am. He was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital, and pronounced dead at about 4am. “Witnesses told us that Mr Visan was visiting friends in Wichit. They were talking outside of his friend’s house when the shooting…
Read More » - Phuket News
Marine police arrest boat captain with shotgun
PHUKET: Phuket Marine Police arrested a man piloting a boat with a hunting gun and ammunition on board just off Koh Yao yesterday. Officers discovered the firearm – a 12 gauge single-barrel shotgun – and eight shotgun cartridges during a random inspection of the boat. “Warayuth Mayer, 39, claimed that he was hired by Rung Nok Satun-Trang Ltd to protect…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket police hunt slow loris tout on Kata Noi Beach
PHUKET: Karon Police are patrolling the sands of Kata Noi Beach in hopes of netting a slow loris tout who was spotted there yesterday. Police were alerted to the tout’s activities after being given photographic evidence that was originally sent to the Phuket Gazette by a concerned reader. “We will search the beach today. If he thinks he can earn…
Read More » - Phuket News
Second suspect arrested for fatal stabbing of French tourist
PHUKET: Police today arrested a second man in connection with the slaying of a French tourist in Patong yesterday. (story here). “We tracked down Somkid Lhemood, 30, after checking CCTV in the area, which showed that another man was involved in the fight,” said Lt Col Sutthichai Thianpho of the Patong Police. The first suspect, 33-year-old Somporn Kakkaew, was arrested…
Read More » - World News
U.S. frustration simmers over Belgium’s struggle with militant threat
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. frustration simmers over Belgium’s struggle with militant threat Phuket Gazette / Reuters WASHINGTON: Shortly after last November’s attacks on Paris by a Brussels-based Islamic State cell, a top U.S. counter-terrorism official traveling in Europe wanted to visit Brussels to learn more about the investigation. When…
Read More » - World News
Chinese man named in Bangladesh cyber heist to ‘answer everything’
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Chinese man named in Bangladesh cyber heist to “answer everything” Phuket Gazette / Reuters MANILA: A Chinese man settled in the Philippines who is suspected to have received part of the $81 million (£57.3 million) stolen from the Bangladesh central bank will reveal all he knows…
Read More » - World News
Indonesia tells Grab, Uber to partner with transport firms
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Indonesia tells Grab, Uber to partner with transport firms Phuket Gazette / Reuters JAKARTA:Taxi-hailing apps Grab and Uber Technologies Inc must partner with a transport business and register their cars by the end of May if they want to go on operating in Southeast Asia’s largest…
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Phuket expat’s Row2Rio begins push to equator
PHUKET: The two men and two women undertaking the Row2Rio challenge have launched into the third section of the trip – the longest leg of the journey with the most unknown factors that could end up making or breaking this unprecedented adventure. “It’s a 950 nautical mile push to the equator. This stage will dictate whether we can get this…
Read More » - Phuket News
YouTube video helps nab 30kg king cobra
KOH LANTA: A Koh Lanta local was able to catch a five-meter-long king cobra that made its way into his neighbor’s garden, using a stick-and-rope technique that he learned on YouTube. Worawut Longasan, 56, volunteered to nab the snake, which was hiding under a wooden bench. It only took him a few minutes to bag the nearly 30 kilogram cobra…
Read More » - Phuket News
Governor orders tsunami evacuation brochures
PHUKET: Tsunami evacuation brochures will be drawn up and printed following a request by Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Phuket Office has been put in charge of the project, which will see the pamphlets handed out to locals and tourists via local authorities, tour operators, and hotel and business operators. “This project was thought up…
Read More » - Phuket News
Witnesses to superyacht crew death stay silent
PHUKET: Mystery still surrounds the death of a Bulgarian crew member who died after both his legs sustained massive injuries on board the superyacht Ocean Victory. Witnesses to the incident have remained silent and not responded to requests to be questioned by Kuraburi Police. “I have sent out letters to all relevant people who were on the yacht on the…
Read More » - World News
Australian airports have sufficient security
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Australian airports have sufficient security Phuket Gazette / Reuters SYDNEY: Australia’s airports have sufficient security in the wake of the deadly attack in Brussels, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Wednesday, although a planned strike by immigration workers ahead of the busy Easter holiday weekend was…
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No red carpet for ‘Batman v Superman’ London premiere after Brussels attacks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community No red carpet for ‘Batman v Superman’ London premiere after Brussels attacks Phuket Gazette / Reuters LONDON: Movie studio Warner Bros went ahead with yesterday’s London premiere of “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” its new superhero movie, but skipped the traditional red carpet press interviews…
Read More » - World News
Belgians hunt Islamic State suspect after blasts kill 30
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Belgians hunt Islamic State suspect after blasts kill 30 Phuket Gazette / Reuters BRUSSELS: Belgian police are hunting an Islamic State suspect seen with two supposed suicide bombers shortly before they struck Brussels Airport in the first of two attacks that also hit the city’s metro,…
Read More » - Phuket News
Drunk drivers to lose vehicles for entire Songkran ‘Seven Days of Danger’
PHUKET: In line with national policy, Phuket’s top policeman vowed to impound drunk drivers’ vehicles during the Songkran ‘Seven Days of Danger’ road-safety campaign. Police will not return the vehicle until the end of the campaign. “Impounding a vehicle and seizing a driver’s licence in a drunk driving case is nothing new – it’s just common sense,” said Phuket Provincial…
Read More » - Phuket News
Frenchman, 23, stabbed to death in Phuket
PHUKET: A 23-year-old Frenchman was stabbed to death in Phuket early this morning. His Moroccan friend, also 23, was injured in the violent altercation in front of the Orchid Resortel on Soi Sansabai in Patong. The Frenchman’s name is being withheld by the Phuket Gazette pending confirmation that next of kin have been informed. “Said Missoury told us that they…
Read More » - Phuket News
Krabi City officials drowning in dead fish
KRABI: Krabi officials are scrambling to find a solution to the tens of thousands of dead fish found in a pond in Krabi City over the weekend. The pond, which houses numerous types of fish for fishing competitions, started emanating a bad smell as the fish started to die off on Sunday. “We tested the water for poisonous substances, but…
Read More » - Phuket News
Phuket Airport boosts security after Brussels blasts
PHUKET: A bomb disposal squad is on standby and extra military personnel are on guard at checkpoints in and around Phuket International Airport. “We have raised the security status to ‘level three plus’ and have implemented extra safety measures throughout the airport and surrounding area,” said Phuket Airport Director Monrudee Gettuphan. Checkpoints at the airport’s entrance went up at 8pm…
Read More » - Phuket News
Bus banned for smoking is alreay back in business
PHUKET: A Phuket bus that was banned from the roads for belching out black smoke and failing an exhaust emission test on Monday was back in business the next day. “The amount of black smoke in the bus’s emissions has been reduced from 99.8 per cent to 12 per cent,” confirmed Jaturong Kaewkasi, chief policy adviser at the Phuket Land…
Read More » - Phuket News
Tourists safe after Phuket bus catches fire
PHUKET: More than a dozen tourists are safe after the bus they were taking to Patong caught fire yesterday afternoon. The bus, owned by Jetour Thailand Limited Company, was delivering 14 Chinese tourists from Nonthasak Pier in Rassada to their hotel when the driver noticed smoke emanating from the dashboard. “I couldn’t stop the bus immediately because there was no…
Read More » - World News
Attacks on Brussels airport, metro station kill about 20: Belgian media
PHUKET: A suicide bomber blew himself up at Brussels airport on Tuesday killing at least 11 people and a further blast tore through a rush-hour metro train in the capital shortly afterwards, claiming 10 lives, according to public broadcaster VRT. A witness said he heard shouts in Arabic shortly before two blasts struck the packed airport departure lounge. Pictures on…
Read More » - World News
Explosions hit Brussels airport, one killed
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Explosions hit Brussels airport, one killed Phuket Gazette / Reuters BRUSSELS: Explosions tore through the departure hall of Brussels airport on Tuesday morning killing one person and injuring several others, the Belgian news agency Belga said. The agency said shots were fired and there were shouts…
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