Month: February 2017

  • Phuket News

    B200k worth of drugs nabbed in ‘random check’ in Phuket

    PHUKET: A man was arrested with about 200,000 baht’s worth of ya bah (methamphetamine) pills while trying to enter Phuket yesterday. “We caught him at the Tah Chat Chai checkpoint just as he had arrived in Phuket from Narathiwat,” said Lt Col Thawat Tansakun of Tah Chat Chai Police. The suspect, named by the police as Apisee Ya, 26, had…

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  • Phuket News

    Police hunting for gunmen in Krabi van driver’s murder

    KRABI: Police are hunting for at least two gunmen who killed a van driver in Krabi yesterday. “The victim’s van was found in a palm plantation on Petch Kasem road in Ao Luek Tai sub-district. On the driver’s seat, we found Chalee Petchpuang, 48, covered in blood, with bullet wounds to his neck and forehead,” said Capt Manas Inthornprom of…

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  • Phuket News

    Photos of foot waving foreigner criticized in Phuket

    PHUKET: A foreigner who stuck his foot out the window of a passenger van has received a lot of criticism on social media after pictures of the incident were posted online. The pictures were taken two weeks ago by a Facebook user, who wishes to remain anonymous, driving behind the van on Thepkrasattri Road near the Bang Koo junction in…

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  • Thailand News

    Threat of mass rallies after Krabi coal plant approved

    BANGKOK: Protestors have vowed to continue their campaign with mass demonstrations in Bangkok, after the controversial Krabi coal-fired power plant project finally got the go-ahead yesterday, following two years of resistance. After an Energy Policy Planning Office (EPPO) committee meeting at Government House yesterday, Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha said the new power plant was needed to ensure power stability…

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  • Phuket News

    French, Italian tourists rescued from Phuket speedboat crash

    PHUKET: Forty four Italian and French tourists were rescued yesterday after a speedboat crashed into an underwater concrete pole about a hundred meters away from shore. The boat, named Ao Ja Sira, left the Gypsy Pier behind the Westin Siray Bay resort in Rassada at about 10am. The crash occurred less than five minutes into the journey. A passing tourist…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket police confiscate krathom stash from secret underground room

    PHUKET: A Myanmar man was arrested with nearly 100 kilograms of krathom hidden in a secret underground room at his house yesterday evening. The suspect, named Too Naing, 37, was living at a Burmese camp in Moo 1, Kamala. Police seized 75kg of krathom, 10 packs of fresh krathom leaves and some unprocessed stale leaves, nine bottles of cough syrup,…

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  • Phuket News

    Krabi police crack down on drug network; nab weapons, pills

    KRABI: Krabi police yesterday revealed a series of drug-related arrests, including three members of a major drug network named ‘Add Nanon’. “The leader of the network, Kittisak Nanon, 25, and two of his associates, Suphap Reaproi, 28, and Kittiphan Sukdam, 25, were arrested with about 40,000 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills, a shotgun, revolver and handgun, and several rounds of ammunition,”…

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  • Phuket News

    NEPC approves Krabi coal-fired power plant

    KRABI: The National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) has resolved to continue the construction of the Krabi coal-fired power plant, Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha announced today. The decision was made by the committee during a meeting at Government House this morning, amid an uproar about the value of the plant and Thailand’s future energy policy. Gen Prayuth said the project…

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  • Thai LifeUnderstanding your place on the happiness scale [video] | Thaiger

    Understanding your place on the happiness scale [video]

    PHUKET: There is no single key to happiness that will work for every single person out there, which is what makes Lisa Cypers Kamen’s holistic approach to understanding where we are on the happiness scale, and where we want to be, so insightful. ‘Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life’ is a hands-on guide to changing…

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  • Thai Life

    Law, Life and Society: Consequences of holiday debauchery

    PHUKET: There are numerous ‘dek khrueng’ or ‘half-children’ born to women who work in Thailand’s red-light districts. Many foreign men come to Thailand for a short holiday to spend their time with Thai women. Some of them leave without knowing that they have a child. Others know about, but still decide to return to their home country. These women are…

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  • Phuket News

    B16m traffic cams unveiled as Phuket named in top 5 deadliest provinces

    PHUKET: Five new high-tech ‘red light cameras’ were launched this morning in response to Phuket’s recognition as one of Thailand’s five most dangerous provinces for road travel. “These cameras can help catch those who are speeding, not wearing helmets or running red lights. A computer then automatically prints a penalty notice, which will be sent to the driver’s residence,” said…

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  • Phuket News

    Another boat capsizes in Phuket

    PHUKET: A cargo boat capsized and sank in rough rough water and strong currents off Koh Gai (Chicken Island) this afternoon. The boat, named Chok Suthida 2, left Jian Wanich pier in Phuket at 8:40am to deliver supplies and daily usage items to hotels on Phi Phi. A Thai captain and Burmese crew member were the only ones on board.…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket restaurant charged for improper waste management

    PHUKET: Complaints from Koh Kai locals led to a restaurant being charged for releasing untreated waste water into the sea yesterday. “We officially filed charges against Sansern Sringam, 55, manager of Nontasak Marine Co Ltd, which owns the restaurant,” said Suchat Rattanaruengsri, head of the regional office of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation (DMCR). “We received reports…

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  • Phuket News

    French tourists, taxi driver killed in crash with 10-wheel-truck

    KRABI: Two French tourists and a Thai taxi driver were killed in a collision between an airport taxi and a 10-wheel-truck in Krabi yesterday afternoon. The victims were Victoria Bureau, Betrice Bureau and Thanat Pankhwan. Two other French tourists, namely Julien Remy Viallet and Alian Nicolas Bureau, as well as the driver of the 10-wheel-truck, Boonrit Senasamorn, were injured. “The…

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  • Phuket News

    Anti-corruption boss says Phuket ‘most corrupt’ in Thailand

    PHUKET: A Facebook post by the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand prompted an emergency meeting of the island’s top bosses yesterday to ‘investigate’ allegations of corruption laid against officials from major sectors of the government. Phuket Governor Chokchai Dejamorthan, while insisting that he himslef had not accepted bribes, did launch an initiative called “White Phuket'”for the public to provide him with…

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  • Phuket News

    Breaking: Anti-Corruption agency, Phuket Gov lock horns over corruption

    PHUKET: The Phuket Governor has denied accepting bribes and urgently ordered officers to investigate corruption allegations made by the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand in a Facebook post yesterday. “I have never accepted tea money, or ordered any of my officers to do so, from any business – legal or illegal,” said Gov Chokchai Dejamornthan. The governor set up a committee…

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  • Phuket News

    Monitor lizards celebrate Valentines Day

    KOH LANTA: Monitor lizards celebrated Valentines Day today by professing their love openly in Koh Lanta. The two reptiles, who asked to remain nameless, were found hugging each other in a pond in front of the Pimalai Resort & Spa. Locals and tourists gathered around the pond to take a peek, as it was surely a sight to see. The…

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  • Phuket News

    Soi Dog founder Gill Dalley to be cremated in Phuket

    PHUKET: The body of Gill Dalley, long-time Phuket expat and co-founder of the Soi Dog Foundation, will remain at her family home in Laguna until Saturday. Friends and family are welcome to pay their respects today, Thursday and Friday between 7pm-9:30pm. On Saturday morning, the house will be open again from 10am for a short prayer ceremony, before Ms Dalley’s…

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  • Phuket News

    Foreigner survives hanging attempt from Phuket bridge

    PHUKET: Valentine’s Day in Phuket started with an unidentified foreigner attempting to hang himself from a pedestrian bridge in Thalang early this morning. The man survived, but sustained serious injuries from falling on to the road after the wire he was using snapped. One end of it was tied around his neck and the other was attached to the bridge.…

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  • Thai Life

    Profile: What victory means for Miss Grand Krabi 2017

    PHUKET: Phuket native Pamela Pasinetti was recently crowned ‘Miss Grand Krabi 2017’. Poised and elegant in her gown and tiara, Pamela spoke to Simon J Hand of Gazette Radio to talk about her pageant experience. Now 23 years of age, Pamela has always had big dreams. “I’ve always wanted to be a pageant queen,” she smiled. “It’s something every young…

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  • Koh Samui News

    Staff involvement suspected in Samui bank break-in

    SAMUI: Police are hunting for masked robbers who broke into a Krungsri Bank branch located only about 100 meters from a police station in Samui on Friday night. Lt Col Vachara Somsri of Samui Police received the report soon after the incident took place. “We believe that at least two suspects were involved in the affair. They didn’t manage to…

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  • Phuket News

    Phuket mourns death of Soi Dog co-founder

    PHUKET: The untimely death of Gill Dalley, who was a prominent member of the Phuket community and co-founder of the Soi Dog Foundation, was announced early this morning by foundation representatives. Ms Dalley was 58 years old and battled cancer for a short period of time. She was the inaugural winner of the ‘Canine Hero of the year’ award at…

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  • Phuket News

    Falling tree damages tuk-tuk, injures driver in Phuket

    PHUKET: A tuk-tuk driver escaped with minor injuries after a palm tree fell directly on top of his vehicle at a crowded shopping district in Karon yesterday. Prawi Sangkaew, 49, was driving past Karon Plaza when a strong gust of wind caused the 40-year-old palm tree to fall. The tree narrowly missed the driver’s section of the vehicle. There were…

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  • Phuket News

    Swedish tourist survives stabbing, balcony fall

    PHUKET: A Swedish tourist luckily escaped death after he jumped off the balcony of his hotel room in Karon yesterday morning. The victim, Lennart Sundstorm, 52, was staying at the Kata Green Beach Hotel. Police believe he had pressing financial issues which led him to perform the desperate act. Maj Patiwat Yodkhwan of Karon Police, Tourist Police officers and rescue…

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  • Phuket News

    Patong parking complaints spark military blitz

    PHUKET: Officers from the Region 4 Army Headquarters in Phuket visited Patong Beach last week to address complaints about the bike rental management system, particularly the decades-old problem of theft of space from the public. Vendors and locals in the area said that the beach looked disorganized as dozens of rental bikes were parked chaotically and illegally along the road.…

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  • Phuket News

    Sentenced to jail, woman fights against ‘false’ evidence

    PHUKET: A therapist accused of stealing a necklace in Trang and sentenced to jail is set to appeal. The theft occurred back in 2011, when the victim reported to Trang police officers that she was drugged by a waitress named Ploi, and her necklace with a Buddha pendant, worth 700,000 baht, was stolen. The accused, Pavitra Kongampon, 32, also known…

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  • Phuket News

    Thai man’s body discovered after two days

    PHUKET: A man’s rotting corpse was found in his house in Thalang this morning. The victim, Thaweechai Noppakao, 54, is believed to have been dead for at least two days before his bdoy was discovered by his daughter. Officers believe he died due to health complications. Locals of Moo 8, Baan Liporn in Srisonthorn reported the incident to Thalang Police.…

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  • Phuket News

    Another drug dealer arrested, charged in Phuket

    PHUKET: Another drug dealer was charged with several crimes in Phuket this morning, after he was busted arrested with a homemade gun, ammunition and ya ice (crystal Methamphetamine) on Wednesday afternoon in Wichit. Maj Thanasak Sawangsri with his team took the lead on the case after receiving a tip-off at about 3:30pm two days ago. “We spotted Keerati Laocome, 27,…

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  • Business News

    Finance: Markets favor active selection

    PHUKET: There is value in having an active stock selector as your money manager – especially right now when individual stocks are starting to break out and the market is favoring them over passive investment. Consider some of the following stocks that are in my watch list and portfolios as of late January. Small cap Internet services stock Tucows Inc…

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  • Opinion

    Ministry of Farang Affairs: Needlessly hating all farangs

    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.…

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  • Opinion

    Opinion: Drawing lines in the sand

    PHUKET: The lack of any significant official response to encroachment at Laem Singh Beach seems to indicate that those behind it are well-connected. The fight to save our beautiful beaches from the forces of corruption is no doubt as relentless and difficult as that against global climate change. Recent developments at Laem Singh (story here), therefore, justify urgent action to…

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  • Thai Life

    ‘Flying moth’ comes to town

    PHUKET: There’s a new bird in town that goes by the name of Shadow. Light as a feather and built entirely with carbon fiber, the Shadow is a Moth equipped with hydrofoils that allow it to ‘fly’ up to a height of at least 5 feet. The idea of the ‘Moth’ dates back to 1928 when the first model of…

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  • Phuket News

    Video: Yet another crash occurs at Heroines Monument

    PHUKET: A crash occurred early this morning when a salaeng (motorbike with a sidecar) crashed into a taxi, which then slammed into a barrier at the Heroines’ Monument roundabout. Capt Kraisorn Boonprasob of Thalang Police received the report at about 5:30am. “The taxi, driven by Prapoj Boontang, was heading to Patong from Phuket Airport,” Capt Kraisorn told the Phuket Gazette.…

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  • Property

    Property Watch: Seeing through Phuket property transience

    PHUKET: There are many themes of life in Phuket that are either interwoven or operate independently. It is possible, as many local Phuketians will testify, to exist in Phuket without even meeting your friends on a regular basis because you live on ‘different sides of the island’, or ‘don’t like driving over the hill’, or because of the traffic jams.…

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  • Phuket News

    Australian jet-ski victim’s partner awaits trial in Phuket

    PHUKET: The partner of a 20-year-old Australian woman who was killed in a jet-ski collision with him at Kata Beach on Sunday, is expected to be charged with reckless driving causing death and is awaiting trial in Phuket. Thomas Keating, 22, and his partner Emily Jayne Collie, 20, came to Phuket for a holiday and had rented jet-skis to ride…

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  • Phuket News

    Thai woman found hanged in Phuket apartment

    PHUKET: A Thai woman was found hanged in a Patong apartment yesterday with a note that explained her health and money issues. “The apartment is located on Pisitkoraneee Road. We found the body of Chantraporn Martphanna, 47, hanging by electric wires tied to the closet bar,” said Capt Yingyong Chuoykij of Patong Police. “The body was taken to Patong Hospital…

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  • Phuket News

    Mayor reveals tentative solution for brown water in Patong Bay

    PHUKET: Officials have found an experimental or ‘beta’ solution for the repeated appearance of brown water in Patong Bay, which is caused by a plankton bloom. Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup yesterday revealed that the proposed solution is to grow eichhornia crassipes, better known as water hyacinths, to counter the plankton. Tourists and Patong beach operators complained about the presence of…

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