Year: 2016

  • Phuket NewsV/Gov clears Laem Sing Beach of illegal vendors

    V/Gov clears Laem Sing Beach of illegal vendors

    PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat this week removed all the beach chairs and umbrellas set up by illegal vendors on Laem Sing Beach – one of Phuket’s ‘virgin beaches’. The Vice Governor ordered the beach to be cleared after aerial photographs of furniture strewn across its sands were published by the Phuket Gazette, and went viral on social media…

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  • Phuket NewsV/Gov orders Laem Sing Beach cleanup

    V/Gov orders Laem Sing Beach cleanup

    PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat this week has ordered the removal of all furniture on Laem Sing Beach. The Vice Governor imposed the order after aerial photographs showing furniture strewn on the sands went viral on social media earlier this month (story here). “As soon as I received the report, I gave vendors five days to take all of…

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  • Phuket NewsDeputy PM happy with Phuket’s progress

    Deputy PM happy with Phuket’s progress

    PHUKET: During a tour of five Andaman provinces, Deputy Prime Minister Admiral Narong Pipatanasai visited Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday to express his satisfaction with officials’ progress in solving local issues. Deputy PM Narong stopped by the Damrongdhama Center (ombudsman’s office) and met with Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada to discuss current issues facing the island and the actions taken to resolve…

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  • Phuket NewsNavy saves Norwegian couple after sailboat capsizes

    Navy saves Norwegian couple after sailboat capsizes

    PHUKET: The Royal Thai Navy saved a Norwegian couple after the pair’s small catamaran capsized off Koh Lanta yesterday afternoon. The sailors, named by officers as ‘Thongunnor Bue’ and ‘Caron Bue’, but believed to be Thom Bue and Carol Bue, struggled to control the boat after their tiller broke. “Unable to control the boat, a large wave hit them broadside…

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  • Phuket NewsAll rock climbing banned on Phi Phi

    All rock climbing banned on Phi Phi

    PHUKET: All rock climbers, including independent climbers, are banned from scaling the bolted rock faces on Phi Phi Don as officials look to regulate safety standards. “We have already explained to nine tour operators offering climbing tours in the Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park area that they must suspend their services until they gain the necessary…

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  • World NewsNATO looks to combat Russia’s ‘information weapon’ | Thaiger

    NATO looks to combat Russia’s ‘information weapon’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community NATO looks to combat Russia’s ‘information weapon’ Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: NATO may combat Kremlin “weaponisation of information” used to support action such as the 2014 seizure of Crimea by creating a new more powerful communications section and declassifying more sensitive material, according to draft…

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  • World NewsChinese man pleads guilty for plot to steal U.S. corn secrets | Thaiger

    Chinese man pleads guilty for plot to steal U.S. corn secrets

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Chinese man pleads guilty for plot to steal U.S. corn secrets Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A Chinese man charged with conspiracy to steal high-tech U.S. corn seeds pleaded guilty in federal court in Iowa on Wednesday for participating in the theft of the patented seeds…

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  • Phuket NewsSerial Phuket burglary suspect to surrender

    Serial Phuket burglary suspect to surrender

    PHUKET: A suspect wanted for a series of burglaries that led to the arrest of his girlfriend on Monday will surrender to police, confirmed a family member. Mac Kotter, 27, is behind a number of thefts in Phuket, alleged 23-year-old Soraya Chantasri after she was arrested. Police apprehended Ms Soraya after she fell from her third-floor balcony and through the…

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  • World NewsFacebook shares soar as mobile drives big jump in ad sales | Thaiger

    Facebook shares soar as mobile drives big jump in ad sales

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Facebook shares soar as mobile drives big jump in ad sales Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Facebook Inc smashed investors’ expectations with a 52-percent jump in quarterly revenue as it sold more ads targeted at a fast-growing number of mobile users, sending its shares sharply higher…

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  • Phuket NewsDozens injured in violent clash at Phuket sea gypsy village

    Dozens injured in violent clash at Phuket sea gypsy village

    PHUKET: More than 30 people were injured in a violent confrontation between private investors and sea gypsies in Phuket today. “At least 100 men came to our village and attacked us. They put up rock blockades to keep us from accessing our village and an area where we perform traditional ceremonies,” alleged Nirund Yangpan, 40, a Rawai sea gypsy representative.…

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  • Phuket NewsBlood surge saves German in Phuket, more donations needed

    Blood surge saves German in Phuket, more donations needed

    PHUKET: Though news of the desperately needed A-negative blood to save the life of a German man produced eight units, more is still needed. Bernd Langer, 51, was involved in a single vehicle motorcycle crash in Rawai at about 5am on Sunday. “Witnesses said that Mr Langer fell over while driving his motorcycle,” explained Lt Chollada Chokdeesrijan of the Chalong…

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  • World NewsCentral European countries push for back-up EU border plans over migrants | Thaiger

    Central European countries push for back-up EU border plans over migrants

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Central European countries push for back-up EU border plans over migrants Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The European Union should be ready with alternative plans to reinforce its borders until Turkey and Greece do more to reduce the number of refugees streaming into the bloc, the…

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  • World NewsDoomsday Clock stays unchanged at three minutes to midnight | Thaiger

    Doomsday Clock stays unchanged at three minutes to midnight

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Doomsday Clock stays unchanged at three minutes to midnight Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The Iran nuclear deal and movement on climate change prompted the scientists who maintain the Doomsday Clock, a symbolic countdown to global catastrophe, to keep it unchanged on Tuesday at three minutes…

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  • World NewsGoogle files patent for drone | Thaiger

    Google files patent for drone

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Google files patent for drone “delivery receptacle” Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Google’s secretive drone delivery project could include a component designed to store packages securely. A patent filed Tuesday in the United States by the company, a unit of Alphabet Inc, describes a “delivery receptacle”…

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  • Phuket NewsHeroin dealer arrested in Phuket

    Heroin dealer arrested in Phuket

    PHUKET: Police arrested a confessed drug dealer yesterday for selling heroin to Phuket teenagers and others in the Thalang area. “Nikom Damrongrit, 40, was arrested with 81.39 grams of heroin and other drug paraphernalia at his house in Paklok,” said Lt Col Kritsana Jannit of the Thalang Police said. “We searched his house after a tip-off led us to find…

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  • World NewsWith China weakening, Apple turns to India | Thaiger

    With China weakening, Apple turns to India

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community With China weakening, Apple turns to India Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: As red-hot sales in China show signs of cooling, Apple Inc (AAPL.O) executives are touting India’s growing appetite for iPhones. In an earnings call in which the company reported meager iPhone growth and forecast…

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  • Phuket NewsSurin demolition pushed to next month

    Surin demolition pushed to next month

    PHUKET: The expected demolition of buildings on Surin Beach has been pushed back to next month, announced Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat. “The problem we are facing is with the documentation process,” Vice Governor Chokdee said. “We have to ensure that we are following all legal processes and are being very careful when demolishing government buildings.” V/Gov Chokdee noted that…

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  • Phuket NewsUnidentified foreigner killed after allegedly jumping in front of tour bus

    Unidentified foreigner killed after allegedly jumping in front of tour bus

    PHUKET: Police are working to identify a foreigner who was killed after allegedly jumping in front of a tour bus in Patong early this morning. Bus driver Somkhit Wongpan, 33, told officers that he was on his way to Patong after picking up about 20 Chinese tourists from the airport, confirmed Maj Pattapee Srichai of the Patong Police. “Mr Somkhit…

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  • Phuket NewsMOTS director lays out strict guidelines for tour operators

    MOTS director lays out strict guidelines for tour operators

    PHUKET: Hundreds of tour operators gathered earlier this month to listen in on the government’s plans for Phuket’s tourism industry for the upcoming year. Santi Pawai, director of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) Phuket Office revealed his plans, which include the completion of several projects already in the works (story here). “We talked to the tour operators about…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket airport on high alert for MERS

    Phuket airport on high alert for MERS

    PHUKET: Health officials at Phuket International Airport have ramped up efforts to identify any Phuket travellers who could be infected with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (Mers-CoV). The news follows Thailand’s second confirmed case of the virus on Saturday (story here). Officials have been checking to ensure that airport screening is being strictly enforced. “All staff members at the airport…

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  • Phuket NewsTension builds at Phuket sea gypsy village

    Tension builds at Phuket sea gypsy village

    PHUKET: Tension mounted again at the Rawai sea gypsy village as the local community prevented alleged landowners from blocking access to the area yesterday. “Representatives of Baron World Trade Co, which claims it owns the land, attempted to blockade the area with the help of about 40 officers from the Army, Provincial Office and Chalong Police, said Rawai Mayor Aroon…

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  • Phuket NewsTwo fires burn hot in Phuket

    Two fires burn hot in Phuket

    PHUKET: Firefighters from five firetrucks spent 30 minutes battling the flames from a house fire in Phuket Town, which was only one of two fires that erupted yesterday. “The 60-year-old homeowner, Sookjai Teerapittayanon, was running errands in the neighborhood when the fire started in her kitchen,” said Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karajedee. “Fortunately, nobody was in the house…

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  • World NewsSouth Africa policing women’s bodies with bursaries for virgins | Thaiger

    South Africa policing women’s bodies with bursaries for virgins

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community South Africa policing women’s bodies with bursaries for virgins Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: By giving scholarships to girls who are virgins, South Africa is trying to control women’s bodies while ignoring the role of men and sexual violence in spreading HIV/AIDS, a campaigner said.In KwaZulu-Natal…

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  • World NewsProbe clears Malaysian PM Najib, says $681 mlllion transfer just a Saudi gift | Thaiger

    Probe clears Malaysian PM Najib, says $681 mlllion transfer just a Saudi gift

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Probe clears Malaysian PM Najib, says $681 million transfer just a Saudi gift Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Malaysia’s attorney-general cleared Prime Minister Najib Razak of any criminal offense or corruption on Tuesday, and said a controversial transfer of $681 million into his personal bank account…

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  • World NewsThailand quarantines 32 people after second MERS case confirmed | Thaiger

    Thailand quarantines 32 people after second MERS case confirmed

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thailand quarantines 32 people after second MERS case confirmed Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Bangkok, Thailand has quarantined 32 people as it seeks to prevent the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) after a second case of the virus was detected on Friday, a health…

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  • Phuket NewsBar patron batters police officer for closing pub

    Bar patron batters police officer for closing pub

    PHUKET: An allegedly drunk man attacked a Phuket police officer after learning that the bar where he was drinking was being forced to close for the night. “Lt Col Wanchana Assompoch of the Phuket City Police was attacked while he was on patrol, closing down venues that had continued to operate past legal hours early Sunday morning,” said Lt Col…

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  • Phuket NewsDesperate plea for blood made to save German in Phuket

    Desperate plea for blood made to save German in Phuket

    PHUKET: Vachira Phuket Hospital is making a desperate call for A-negative blood to save a German man who was involved in a motorcycle accident this morning. “We gave him the only two units we had in our stock, but we need more, as he will probably need to undergo three more surgeries,” Ampai Saengwichitr, medical technologist of Vachira Phuket Hospital…

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  • Phuket NewsAnother marine tragedy hits Phuket: one killed, one injured

    Another marine tragedy hits Phuket: one killed, one injured

    PHUKET: One man was killed and another injured after the boat they were crewing from Phuket to Phi Phi Island burst into flames and sunk this afternoon. “The boat, which was transferring supplies to the Phi Phi Village Hotel, was near Koh Dok Mai when it caught fire,” explained Phuket Marine Police Chief Panya Chaichana. “We received an SOS from…

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  • Phuket NewsThailand Yacht Show attracts elite

    Thailand Yacht Show attracts elite

    PHUKET: The inaugural edition of the Thailand Yacht Show, to be held February 8-14 at the Ao Po Grand Marina, continues to attract the elite of the superyacht industry. Burgess Yachts, one of the world’s largest and most internationally renowned brokerage and charter companies, is using the event to showcase an exciting and diverse range of yachts. The distinctive 73…

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  • Phuket NewsIllegal fishing vessel owner arrested in Phuket

    Illegal fishing vessel owner arrested in Phuket

    PHUKET: A man was arrested this weekend for his role in two Phuket-based boats illegally fishing in international waters. “We were contacted by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) about 37-year-old Thanongsak Raksawong being in charge of two of the six Thai-flagged boats currently under investigation for illegal fishing,” said Phuket Marine Police Chief Panya Chaichana. Officers arrested Mr Thanongsak at…

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  • Thai LifeOn Deck: Best toys for seagoing girls and boys

    On Deck: Best toys for seagoing girls and boys

    PHUKET: For some, size is everything. Perhaps you’ve already got the superyacht and your crew are waiting on you 24/7; the question is ‘what’s next?’ Toys are where it’s at. The jetski is so 2000. The water Jetpacks and Flyboards are so yesterday. You need something better. Something newer. Here are three toys that should be on every sea-lover’s gift…

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  • Phuket NewsA Decade Ago: TAT battles direct flights to key markets

    A Decade Ago: TAT battles direct flights to key markets

    PHUKET: More direct flights from key tourist source markets to Phuket were put forward as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office scrambled out of a ‘lion’s den’ of hoteliers and property industry figures a decade ago. “It seems to me, from what I have heard here, that there are tourists who want to come, but there are no…

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  • OpinionOpinion: Protection from yourself

    Opinion: Protection from yourself

    Sirisak Skoonsorutcha, originally from Surin Province, is the newly appointed chief of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Phuket Office. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Sukhothai Thammathirat University. Here, he talks about the difficulties of preventing casualties caused by human error, as opposed to natural disasters. PHUKET: Of course the DDPM rigorously tries to prevent…

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  • Hua Hin NewsUniversity students to perform Chinese opera at Central Festival today

    University students to perform Chinese opera at Central Festival today

    PHUKET: Central Festival Phuket started off Chinese New Year celebrations in style on Sunday with a sensational ensemble of martial arts, dragon dance, folk music and Chinese opera from an all-Chinese cast of professional artisans and performers. Celebrations will continue today with a Chinese opera and other performances from Wenzhou Medical University students. Organized by the Confucius Institute at Phuket…

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  • World NewsIndia to build satellite tracking station in Vietnam that offers eye on China | Thaiger

    India to build satellite tracking station in Vietnam that offers eye on China

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community India to build satellite tracking station in Vietnam that offers eye on China Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: India will set up a satellite tracking and imaging centre in southern Vietnam that will give Hanoi access to pictures from Indian earth observation satellites that cover the…

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  • World NewsNew York rebounds after blizzard, Washington shuts down government | Thaiger

    New York rebounds after blizzard, Washington shuts down government

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community New York rebounds after blizzard, Washington shuts down government Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: New York City emerged on Sunday from a massive blizzard that paralyzed much of the U.S. East Coast, while snowy gridlock gripped the nation’s capital and surrounding areas, where federal, state and…

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  • Hua Hin NewsTwo Chinese killed in | Thaiger

    Two Chinese killed in

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Two Chinese killed in “bomb” blast in Laos Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Two Chinese nationals were killed and another wounded in a suspected bomb blast in Laos, Chinese state media said on Monday, the latest incident in which Chinese citizens have been killed abroad as…

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