Year: 2016

  • Phuket NewsBritish expat found dead at Kamala home

    British expat found dead at Kamala home

    PHUKET: A British expat was found dead in front of his home in Kamala this morning. A neighbor discovered Thomas Robert Putnam, 52, hanging by his neck from a beam in his front yard. “We received a call from Mr Putnam’s landlord, Jarin Sattaman, whose father found him hanging in front of the house,” confirmed Lt Navin Petchjan of the…

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  • Phuket NewsResort employee beat by taxi driver for hailing tuk-tuk

    Resort employee beat by taxi driver for hailing tuk-tuk

    PHUKET: Police arrested a taxi driver Wednesday after he was caught on CCTV cameras assaulting a Holiday Inn Resort Phuket employee in Patong on Tuesday. Officers used the footage to identify Chamni Khaiduang, 50, who was seen viciously attacking Human Resources Director Tawatchai Kwanchum, 37, after he hailed a tuk-tuk for hotel guests. “Mr Tawatchai flagged down a tuk-tuk at…

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  • Phuket NewsPolice hunt driver in fatal hit-and-run

    Police hunt driver in fatal hit-and-run

    PHUKET: Police are hunting the driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a woman in Paklok this morning. Obrom Daengprapai, 68, was dropping her 5-year-old granddaughter off at school when her motorbike was hit by a car while changing lanes, confirmed Lt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police. “Witnesses told us that Ms Obrom attempted to change from the…

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  • Thai LifeUp in the air: Aviators hit Hat Yai for huge airshow

    Up in the air: Aviators hit Hat Yai for huge airshow

    PHUKET: For the second consecutive year, a large contingent of recreational aviation enthusiasts from Phuket flew southeast to Songkhla Province to take part in what may have been the largest and most exciting air show in Thailand’s history. The show was staged for Thailand’s National Children’s Day, an annual event which is celebrated on the first Saturday after New Year.…

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  • Phuket NewsMOTS to complete ongoing projects this year

    MOTS to complete ongoing projects this year

    PHUKET: Officials aim to boost tourism this year by focusing on several projects that have been previously laid out. Santi Pawai, director of the Phuket Office of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS), revealed his plan to the public on Monday, noting that it is necessary to build up the island’s standards to ensure tourist quality and safety. “Our…

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  • Phuket NewsOpen house to be held by Phuket Homeschooling Network

    Open house to be held by Phuket Homeschooling Network

    PHUKET: The Phuket Homeschool Network will be staging an all day open house at Rajabhat Univeristy’s Arts and Cultural Center on January 24 to present the achievements of the homeschooling network throughout the island. The event aims to present an alternative education system to the public and display the achievements of homeschooled children, explained Pakawan Chaimaneekorn, representative of Phuket Homeschool…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand offers condolences after Jakarta bombings

    Thailand offers condolences after Jakarta bombings

    PHUKET: Thailand has expressed regret and sadness over yesterday’s bombings in Jakarta that resulted in the loss of several lives and left many injured. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said in a statement that he was deeply saddened to learn of the blasts and shootings in the Indonesian capital (story here). “On behalf of the Royal Thai Government and the…

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  • World NewsIndonesia says attack underlines emergence of Islamic State threat | Thaiger

    Indonesia says attack underlines emergence of Islamic State threat

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Indonesia says attack underlines emergence of Islamic State threat Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Indonesia must strengthen its defenses against Islamic State and work with neighboring countries to fight it, Jakarta’s police chief said on Friday, a day after an attack by suicide bombers and gunmen…

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  • Phuket NewsPolice continue to pursue riot suspects

    Police continue to pursue riot suspects

    PHUKET: Officials announced this week that they have apprehended 17 suspects wanted in connection with October’s Thalang Police Station riot that saw more than 6 million baht worth of damage to the station and nearby vehicles (story here). Region 8 Police Commander Tesa Siriwato confirmed that most suspects were arrested on unrelated drug charges and will be dealt with through…

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  • Phuket NewsHelmet-less drivers to have bikes seized

    Helmet-less drivers to have bikes seized

    PHUKET: In an effort to improve Phuket’s road safety, officials will soon be launching a new campaign that will see the motorbikes of helmet-less drivers seized on the spot. Offenders will be released and their motorbikes returned only after being escorted to the police station to view road-accident videos, to purchase a 99-baht helmet, and to pay the maximum fine,…

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  • Phuket NewsOfficials to mandate international driving licence for foreigners

    Officials to mandate international driving licence for foreigners

    PHUKET: Officials will soon require all foreign drivers on Phuket’s roads to be in possession of an international driving licence, confirmed Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat on Tuesday. In an effort to protect tourists, renters and business owners, as well as to lower road accidents and fatalities, Vice Governor Chokdee established a committee whose aim is to help monitor the…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket Governor declares war on trash

    Phuket Governor declares war on trash

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada openly declared war on island rubbish in a meeting on Monday. “I would like to improve CCTV on the island to the point that we can use the footage to document people littering and charge them accordingly,” Governor Chamroen said. “In this fight against trash, members of the public must use social media to raise…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket named richest province

    Phuket named richest province

    PHUKET: Data compiled by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has dubbed Phuket the richest among Thailand’s 77 provinces. The NESDB list, headed “Human Achievement Index (HAI) 2015, shows that Phuketians not only have the highest income but also relatively low poverty in comparison with the rest of the country. Following Phuket on the list…

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  • Phuket NewsSnake show halted pending municipality approval

    Snake show halted pending municipality approval

    PHUKET: Officials have shut down a snake show in Chalong this week after finding that it did not hold proper documentation from the municipality to operate. The show, held at the Phuket Bio Technology Co Ltd, came under fire on Saturday after a 2.5-meter-long python bit a Chinese tourist when she attempted to kiss it (story here). Chalong Municipality Deputy…

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  • Phuket NewsView the ocean realm through the eyes of award-winning photographer Pete Atkinson

    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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  • Phuket NewsSuspects arrested in Finnish assault case

    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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  • Phuket NewsFailed underpass company to continue project with hefty fines

    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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  • Phuket NewsSnake show python that attacked tourist in Phuket ruled illegal [video] | Thaiger

    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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  • Phuket NewsBody found with throat slit off Phuket

    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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  • Phuket NewsTour bus flips north of Phuket

    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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  • Phuket NewsIllegal Phuket tour guides to be deported, blacklisted

    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)…

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  • Phuket NewsBoat Lagoon’s Children’s Day an event for all

    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…

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  • World NewsJapan to patrol disputed islands if China sails too close | Thaiger

    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…

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  • World NewsNew app to help police in Kenya to jail child rapists | Thaiger

    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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  • World NewsCanadian man captured by Taliban five years ago freed | Thaiger

    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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  • Phuket NewsBISP swimmer wins six golds at Thailand National Games | Thaiger

    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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  • Phuket NewsIllegal gibbon touts spotted on Phi Phi again [video] | Thaiger

    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…

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  • Phuket NewsFinnish tourist slashed while fighting off bag thieves

    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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  • Phuket NewsPolice arrest drug runners with meth

    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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  • Phuket NewsGerman’s partner forces confession of deadly reckless driving

    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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  • Phuket NewsTAT sets sights on Vietnamese, Indonesian tourists

    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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  • Phuket NewsMarine Police increase safety checks after death of French tourist

    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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  • Phuket NewsDiver rescued in Similans by navy [video] | Thaiger

    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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  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: Phuket snake bites tourist after attempted kiss, officials review safety measures

    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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  • Phuket NewsRohingya escape Phang Nga shelter again

    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…

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  • World NewsU.S. flies B-52 over S.Korea after North’s nuclear test | Thaiger

    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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  • World NewsFrance pays tribute to 2015 terrorism victims in silent ceremony | Thaiger

    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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