Legacy Phuket Gazette

Archiving articles from the Phuket Gazette circa 1998 - 2017. View the Phuket Gazette online archive and Digital Gazette PDF Prints.
  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Dour Christmas for Philippines typhoon survivors; China down on Mao birthday; Russia releases Greenpeace activists

    Phuket Gazette World News: Dour Christmas for Philippines typhoon survivors; China down on Mao birthday; Russia releases Greenpeace activists

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Remittances throw lifeline to Philippines’ typhoon survivors Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A sister living on the other side of the world gave Roberto Retanal what he needed most to piece his humble home back together after the devastating typhoon that tore through his village in the central…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Protesters storm Bangkok stadium; Yingluck plan shot down; Thaksin calls for calm; DSI shoots for PRDC arrests

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Protesters storm Bangkok stadium; Yingluck plan shot down; Thaksin calls for calm; DSI shoots for PRDC arrests

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police battle protesters at Thai-Japanese Stadium The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Police used teargases and rubber bullets to fend off protesters from storming into the compound of the Thai-Japanese Stadium Thursday morning.Police started firing teargases at about 7:20 am after protesters led by the Students and People…

  • Phuket NewsA New Year gift from Phuket Police

    A New Year gift from Phuket Police

    PHUKET: Patong Police are looking forward to giving the people of Phuket a gift for the New Year – public parking spaces along the Patong beach road that are free of taxi and tuk-tuk thugs. Lt Col Akanit Danpitaksat, Deputy Superintendent of the Patong Police, said his team was ready to enforce the new regulation to reduce the number of…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s top politicians send holiday wishes

    Phuket’s top politicians send holiday wishes

    PHUKET: The island’s top two officials, Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut and Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) President Paiboon Upatising, took a few minutes out of their busy schedules today to wish everyone in fair Phuket happy holidays. In addition, President Paiboon invited one and all to celebrate Christmas with the OrBorJor at 6pm on Friday at Surakul stadium (map here).…

  • Phuket NewsBeautiful Christmas weather, but stay safe in the water, says lifeguard

    Beautiful Christmas weather, but stay safe in the water, says lifeguard

    PHUKET: On another stunning sunny day in Phuket, the head lifeguard at the island’s deadliest beach wishes all a happy holiday and a very safe New Year.“It is a beautiful day in Kata, Karon and across the island, and it will remain beautiful for the holiday season. There are no rip currents to worry about right now,” Kata-Karon head lifeguard…

  • PropertyPhuket Town’s Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel acquired by Accor Group

    Phuket Town’s Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel acquired by Accor Group

    PHUKET: Some good news for the property market in the heart of Phuket Town: the old Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel has been acquired by an owner affiliated with the Accor Group of hotels and is now undergoing a complete renovation for a scheduled rebranding under one of that group’s many hotel chains. Work at the site had been underway for…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket taxi drivers join forces for good, not evil

    Phuket taxi drivers join forces for good, not evil

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut yesterday officiated the launch of a new consortium of taxi and tuk-tuk drivers at Kata Noi that may herald a new era for taxi services on the island. The Kata Noi Community Taxi Service was formed by the 63 drivers who serve four taxi and tuk-tuk ranks stationed along the length of Kata Noi Beach…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket cows freed to honor HM The King’s birthday

    Phuket cows freed to honor HM The King’s birthday

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut led a ceremony at Saphan Hin on Sunday to free 22 cows and over a million marine animals in honor of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 86th birthday on December 5th. “Making merit by releasing life is a wonderful activity, as it feels so good to give something so special,” Gov Maitri said. “It makes you…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Protests disrupt poll registrations; Red Shirts say dump Yingluck; Baht lowest in four years

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Protests disrupt poll registrations; Red Shirts say dump Yingluck; Baht lowest in four years

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Protesters disrupt poll registration The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Anti-government protesters yesterday managed to interrupt the first day of candidate registration for the February 2 election, which demonstrators have vowed to disrupt as they push for national reform by a people’s council.Hundreds of protesters began to besiege…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket car bomb linked to dead man in Deep South

    Phuket car bomb linked to dead man in Deep South

    PHUKET: The pickup truck rigged with a bomb that was found parked at Phuket City Police Station over the weekend belonged to a man who was shot dead in Pattani on May 9, police have confirmed. The truck, found on Saturday (story here), was loaded with 180kg of explosive material. “The registered owner was Withan Yachumnan, 34, from Songkhla,” Phuket…

  • Phuket NewsGhost riding Russian injured in Phuket motorbike crash

    Ghost riding Russian injured in Phuket motorbike crash

    PHUKET: A ghost-riding Russian was injured in a crash just after midnight yesterday on Thepkasattri Road.Eyewitnesses told police that the man was driving as if he was drunk. He allegedly took a spill near the Thai Watsadu megastore, then got back on his bike and drove toward the Heroine’s Monument, where he continued heading south toward Phuket Town, but in…

  • Phuket NewsChinese tourists rescued from sinking speedboat in Phuket’s Chalong Bay

    Chinese tourists rescued from sinking speedboat in Phuket’s Chalong Bay

    PHUKET: A speed boat carrying Chinese tourists from Koh Lone to Chalong Pier took on water yesterday morning and sank about 500 meters from Chalong Pier.A passing longtail boat safely transferred the 16 passengers and three boat crew members from the speedboat to the pier.The speed boat Alisa 2 was nearing Chalong at about 8am when the boat crew noticed…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Khodorkovsky challenges Putin; Bus bomb in Israel; Sweden rallies; Sudan war; Iran nuclear talks pause for Christmas

    Phuket Gazette World News: Khodorkovsky challenges Putin; Bus bomb in Israel; Sweden rallies; Sudan war; Iran nuclear talks pause for Christmas

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Khodorkovsky challenges Putin over political prisoners Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky on Sunday promised not to seek power in Russia but said he would fight for the freedom of people he considered political prisoners, challenging Vladimir Putin two days after a presidential pardon…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Bangkok seized by protest; Bomb blasts rock Sadao; THAI president resigns; Bankruptcies forecast

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Bangkok seized by protest; Bomb blasts rock Sadao; THAI president resigns; Bankruptcies forecast

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bangkok overrun by huge protest The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Thailand’s vast urban-rural divide was never more obvious than the contrasting images from the two major events yesterday: Bangkok overrun by a massive anti-government protest and the caretaker prime minister greeting admirers on a tour of the…

  • Phuket NewsCement truck juggernaut demolishes small car, driver safe [Video] | Thaiger

    Cement truck juggernaut demolishes small car, driver safe [Video]

    PHUKET: A cement truck jumped a median strip at an intersection near Phuket Town last night and rammed a small car coming towards it. The truck was headed south on Chao Fa East Road and had reached the intersection at the Dowroong Wittaya School (map here). In the dramatic police CCTV footage (click here), the juggernaut can be seen entering…

  • Phuket NewsRecord drug bust in Krabi nets 48K meth pills, B17mn assets

    Record drug bust in Krabi nets 48K meth pills, B17mn assets

    PHUKET: Police in Krabi province, across the bay from Phuket, have arrested three suspects and seized more than 48,000 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) in what is being hailed as the largest drug bust in Southern Thailand.The arrests were announced at a press conference today, when Krabi Governor Prasit Osathanon presented Bancha Janchamroen, 36; Sompot Janchamroen, 30; and Pattara Dechaporn,…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket beach pollution readings to remain secret

    Phuket beach pollution readings to remain secret

    PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) will not post the pollution readings of its seawater quality tests online, the Phuket Gazette has confirmed. Instead, the center will publish only its self-determined star rating system, PMBC Director Ukkrit Satapoomin told the Gazette this week. The PMBC issued a press release last week announcing that the reports were now available online…

  • Phuket News“Evil man of Krabi’ eligible for bail during appeal process

    “Evil man of Krabi’ eligible for bail during appeal process

    PHUKET: A tour guide was sentenced to 20 years in jail last week for the rape and assault of a Dutch tourist in Krabi last year. However, Chumpol Khanonuang, 27, can appeal the case in the Appeals Court, said Krabi Provincial Police Commander Nantadech Yoinuan. “Chumpol’s bail has been set at 700,000 baht,” he added. It was this bail that…

  • Phuket NewsPolice raids uncover drug dens in Soi Ya Bah, Phuket Town

    Police raids uncover drug dens in Soi Ya Bah, Phuket Town

    PHUKET: Police yesterday arrested two men after separate raids on the same small street in Samkong, Phuket Town, resulted in the seizure of 1,818 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) and 4.99 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine). Acting on a tip-off, officers arrived at the house of Worasak Bamrung, 30, in Soi Prayoon 3/1 (map here) at 3am. A search…

  • Phuket NewsMerry Christmas Phuket! Governor to announce bypass road speed limit

    Merry Christmas Phuket! Governor to announce bypass road speed limit

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut on December 25 will announce the speed limit for motorists travelling along the bypass road, officially called Chalermprakiat Ror IX Road and unofficially one of Phuket’s deadliest motorways. The move will be the first of many measures taken in the hope of achieving zero fatalities over the new year holidays. “The usual ‘Seven Days of…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Spain graft probe bites hard; Putin critic Khodorkovsky free; Indian push to lift gay sex ban

    Phuket Gazette World News: Spain graft probe bites hard; Putin critic Khodorkovsky free; Indian push to lift gay sex ban

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Spanish police raid ruling party HQ in graft probe Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Spanish police searched the headquarters of the ruling People’s Party (PP) for 14 hours on Thursday and Friday as part of a corruption investigation that earlier this year threatened to destabilize the government of…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Suthep for cash; Baht falls; Temperatures plummet; Feb 2 polls to go ahead

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Suthep for cash; Baht falls; Temperatures plummet; Feb 2 polls to go ahead

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community People show support by handing over cash to Suthep The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Apart from addressing social issues, the People’s Democratic Reform Committee led by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban has now started focusing on collecting donations.During the march down Bangkok yesterday, Suthep was seen waving…

  • Phuket NewsColorful New Year coming to Phuket

    Colorful New Year coming to Phuket

    PHUKET: “Colorful Countdown Phuket 2014” is set to usher in the new year with light shows and live concerts at Sanam Chai Park (map here) from December 29 to 31. This year’s theme for the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) event is “The Charm Wonderland of Light”, explained PPAO President Paiboon Upatising, also known as “the pink panther” for his…

  • Phuket NewsMore human remains found believed to be those of missing Phuket 7-year-old

    More human remains found believed to be those of missing Phuket 7-year-old

    PHUKET: More human remains were found today in the pine woods where family members of missing 7-year-old Nong Dear and villagers yesterday discovered fragments of a human skull, along with shorts and a pair of slippers that matched those the girl was wearing at the time of her disappearance. It was a spirit medium who led the family to the…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Scores injured in London theatre collapse; Castro praises Obama handshake; World Bank names corruption Public Enemy No 1

    Phuket Gazette World News: Scores injured in London theatre collapse; Castro praises Obama handshake; World Bank names corruption Public Enemy No 1

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Scores injured in London theatre collapse Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Emergency services said nearly 90 people were injured on Thursday when part of the ceiling collapsed during a performance at a packed London theatre, bringing the city’s West End entertainment district to a standstill.The audience was showered…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: EC calls to reconsider election date; Yingluck accused of using state funds; DSI to press sedition charges against PDRC

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: EC calls to reconsider election date; Yingluck accused of using state funds; DSI to press sedition charges against PDRC

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Reconsider poll date: EC The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Election Commission yesterday appealed for cooling-off period out of fears that the wrangling over when the snap election should be held could lead to an escalation in unrest and a dispute over the poll results.“The Election Commission…

  • Phuket NewsSkull fragment found in Phuket believed to be of missing 7-year-old

    Skull fragment found in Phuket believed to be of missing 7-year-old

    PHUKET: Fragments of a human skull have been found in Chalong along with clothing and slippers that match those of missing 7-year-old Natthapa “Nong Dear” Papkaew (story here). The relatives of the missing girl uncovered fragments of bone while searching the forested area near Palai Beach yesterday. Chalong Police were notified of the discovery at about 3pm. “While our forensic…

  • Phuket NewsFour injured in Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa fire

    Four injured in Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa fire

    PHUKET: Three staffers and a carpenter were injured in a fire that broke out yesterday afternoon in the laundry facilities at the Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa in Patong. “When I realized there was a fire, I order hotel staffers to notify guests to evacuate the hotel. We were at about 70 to 80 per cent occupancy, but got all…

  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: Seduced by parking

    Phuket Opinion: Seduced by parking

    PHUKET: I didn’t know what the Thai Watsadu superstore in Thalang sold when I pulled into the parking lot over the weekend, but I wasn’t there to shop in any case. I went just to enjoy the parking lot, which I had admired from the road. It’s completely covered, offering protection rain or shine, and very well laid out. That…

  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: Hold the icy judgments of police volunteers

    Phuket Opinion: Hold the icy judgments of police volunteers

    PHUKET: The arrest of well-known former Tourist Police Volunteer Gary Halpin, and the very serious charge of selling the illegal narcotic ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), rocked the Phuket expat community this week (story here). For many people in the local English-language media, the New Zealander was relied on as a valuable and trusted source of information on numerous high-profile cases…