Legacy Phuket Gazette

Archiving articles from the Phuket Gazette circa 1998 - 2017. View the Phuket Gazette online archive and Digital Gazette PDF Prints.
  • Phuket NewsPhuket out of TAT promotional campaign for 2014

    Phuket out of TAT promotional campaign for 2014

    PHUKET: Phuket is one of several main tourism destinations in the country that will not be promoted under the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) international marketing campaign for next year. Instead, the focus will be on less-developed tourism areas, Director of the Phuket-TAT office Chanchai Doungjit revealed yesterday. “We will not be promoting tourism centers that are already well-established. Instead,…

  • Thai LifeCelebrate HM Queen Sirikit’s 81st birthday by donating blood

    Celebrate HM Queen Sirikit’s 81st birthday by donating blood

    PHUKET: The Phuket Regional Blood Center (PRBC) is celebrating Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 81st birthday with a special blood donations event. “This event will be held to show our respect to HM Queen Sirikit on her birthday and it will help us stock up more blood,” PRBC acting director Pornthip Rattajak said. “We will give young plants to the first…

  • Thai LifeLaguna Phuket conducts tsunami saftey drill for 700 staff | Thaiger

    Laguna Phuket conducts tsunami saftey drill for 700 staff

    PHUKET: Laguna Resorts and Hotels management team yesterday launched a mass tsunami evacuation drill code-named “Safe Haven”, with approximately seven hundred associates from Laguna Phuket’s collection of deluxe hotels participating.After a series of mass briefings were given to associates and all hotel guests were notified, the precisely-choreographed, mass drill was rolled out at 2pm, starting with communication checks, followed by…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket bombing ‘civilian scare tactic’ | Thaiger

    Phuket bombing ‘civilian scare tactic’

    PHUKET: The bomb blast at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (story here) was designed to frighten officials, and was likely not intended to kill anyone, Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) President Paiboon Upatisin said. “The rising price of rental land might be the motive for the blast. Although actually, we don’t really have problems with anyone,” President Paiboon said, mulling the…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket marine specialists helping out with Koh Samet oil spill

    Phuket marine specialists helping out with Koh Samet oil spill

    PHUKET: Five Phuket marine specialists headed to Koh Samet yesterday to help clean up the approximately 50,000 liters of crude oil that leaked into the Gulf of Thailand from a PTT Global Chemical pipeline last Saturday (story here). “Our five marine specialists will be working with their counterparts from Rayong, Chumpon, and other provinces,” Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) director…

  • Business NewsAsian demand for tablets and laptops insatiable

    Asian demand for tablets and laptops insatiable

    PHUKET: Southeast Asia’s internet infrastructure has improved by leaps and bounds, spurring the increasingly connected society to seek gratification for instant connectivity via portable devices such as tablets and laptops. In the last 12 months, demand for both devices grew to hit combined sales of nearly 14.2 million units across six of the region’s key markets – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand,…

  • Business NewsCloud computing: Forecast sunny – Phuket Business

    Cloud computing: Forecast sunny – Phuket Business

    PHUKET: Lately, I have been hearing many stories of expats and tourists in Phuket whose laptops have been stolen. Having your laptop stolen is a terrible experience. You not only feel violated, but your life was basically on that computer. Picking up the pieces can be hard, but today it can be made easier with cloud computing. Cloud computing is…

  • PropertyPhuket Property: To raise one’s roof or not to

    Phuket Property: To raise one’s roof or not to

    PHUKET: I am often asked how much one should spend on a primary residence, and while this is an area open for debate, my answer usually surprises people. I have always been baffled by arguments about mortgage interest being tax deductible and many other reasons to sink way too much into one’s primary residence. This doesn’t mean I don’t think…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket presents a successful inaugural Junior Phuket Raceweek

    Phuket presents a successful inaugural Junior Phuket Raceweek

    PHUKET: A fleet of 14 Optimists and five Toppers took part recently in the newest event on Phuket’s sailing calendar, the inaugural Junior Phuket Raceweek. Held off Panwa Beach Resort Phuket, youngsters from seven to fifteen years old completed four races in idyllic Phuket conditions under the watchful eye of Principal Race Officer Royal Thai Navy Rear Admiral Prasart Sribhadung,…

  • Phuket NewsBreaking News: Explosion at Phuket Provincial Hall, bomb suspected | Thaiger

    Breaking News: Explosion at Phuket Provincial Hall, bomb suspected

    PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette has confirmed reports of an explosion at the Phuket Provincial Hall complex in Phuket Town just after 2pm today.Police officers at the scene found the remains of a clock and batteries among the debris from an explosion that emanated from a green plastic trash can in the car park in front of the Phuket Provincial Administrative…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Video Report: 10 rescued from sea after waves swamp Phi Phi cargo boat

    Phuket Video Report: 10 rescued from sea after waves swamp Phi Phi cargo boat

    PHUKET: Ten men were rescued after spending two hours holding onto floating debris between the Krabi coast and Phi Phi Island, off Phuket, late yesterday afternoon.The cargo boat Unity, carrying food, construction materials and other supplies bound for Phi Phi, was struck by large waves reaching up to four-meters high after passing Koh Por Da, the boat’s captain, Thaweep Choonoon…

  • Phuket News“Bombs’ detonated at Phuket Airport drill

    “Bombs’ detonated at Phuket Airport drill

    PHUKET: A simulated terrorist bomb drill held at Phuket International Airport yesterday went off without a hitch, organizers said.In the exercise, members of the Phuket Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit and Airports of Thailand (AoT) staff short-circuited one bomb with a high-pressure water device, responded to a “fire” when a second was detonated, and cared for “injured” participants.When the first…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Oil spill mop up continues; Bangkok under ISA ahead of rallies; North braces for more floods

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Oil spill mop up continues; Bangkok under ISA ahead of rallies; North braces for more floods

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Oil spill probe to be finished in 7 days The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Energy Ministry promises to complete its investigation into the cause of the disastrous offshore oil spill within seven days and to ensure full compensation by PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC).“The situation is under…

  • Phuket NewsThai musicians arrested for murder of American tourist

    Thai musicians arrested for murder of American tourist

    PHUKET: Three Thai musicians have been arrested for the murder of 51-year-old American tourist Bobby Ray Carter Jr and the assault of his 27-year-old son in Krabi early this morning.According to one of the suspects, Ratikorn Romin, 27, from Phang Nga, a fight broke out between the three musicians and the Americans, who had joined them on-stage last night at…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket security guard chose wrong bag when he turned to crime

    Phuket security guard chose wrong bag when he turned to crime

    PHUKET: A Phuket security guard who turned to crime may have regretted his decision after the bag he stole turned out to contain nothing more than cosmetics, and CCTV images led police to his rented room the same day.Rungnapa Bunnamee left her cosmetics bag in the basket of her motorbike when she stopped to shop at a 7-Eleven on Phuket…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket crane loses balance, operator flees scene of destruction

    Phuket crane loses balance, operator flees scene of destruction

    PHUKET: A crane manipulating a heavy section of concrete pipe toppled over in Phuket this afternoon, demolishing the second floor of two shops, and though no one was injured, the driver fled the scene.“As the crane was lifting a section of pipe, land subsided under the crane arm, causing the operator to lose control,” said Sumpawat Wannasangkam of the Department…

  • Business NewsLaguna Phuket announces major staff restructuring

    Laguna Phuket announces major staff restructuring

    PHUKET: Laguna Phuket has announced that it is undergoing a significant departmental restructuring and downsizing, but the company declines to confirm or deny reports that as many as 300, or 10 per cent, of its associates have left or are in the process of leaving.According to a press statement issued today (July 31), Laguna Phuket currently employs close to 3,000…

  • Phuket News‘Nobody helped us,’ South African family attacked by six men claim

    ‘Nobody helped us,’ South African family attacked by six men claim

    PHUKET: The South African family attacked near Soi Bangla (map here) after midnight on Tuesday morning said they “called for help, but nobody helped”. The family of four – mother, father and two children in their 20s – were “hanging out near the beach road” when they were suddenly attacked, the father later told rescue workers. Six men appeared “out…

  • PropertyPhuket Property: Commercial real estate investment soars

    Phuket Property: Commercial real estate investment soars

    PHUKET: Direct commercial real estate investment in the Asia Pacific region has exceeded market expectations in the first half of 2013, reaching US$59.7 billion, 21% up on the first half of 2012. According to the latest Jones Lang LaSalle capital markets research, transaction volumes in the region have also increased quarter on quarter, topping US$32.6 billion in the second quarter…

  • Phuket NewsVIDEO REPORT: Phuket king cobra attempts to swallow baby python for breakfast

    VIDEO REPORT: Phuket king cobra attempts to swallow baby python for breakfast

    PHUKET: A huge king cobra about five meters long was captured while attempting to swallow a baby python on Tuesday morning in a fruit plantation off Patak Road near Karon. “Mr Yo, a Burmese man who lives in a labor camp in the fruit plantation, saw the king cobra first,” said Wisit Chuanchit, a villager who witnessed the snake-on-snake incident.The…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Airport to undergo full-scale “explosive’ emergency drill | Thaiger

    Phuket Airport to undergo full-scale “explosive’ emergency drill

    PHUKET: A full-scale emergency-response drill will take place at Phuket International Airport today – Wednesday, July 31 – as part of the Phuket International Airport Emergency Plan 2013.“The exercise will begin at 10am and last for one hour, at the parking lot, right in front of Phuket Airport Terminal 2,” said Airports of Thailand’s Acting Phuket Director Somsiri Kuengsopha.“The drill…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Suit filed against PTTGC; Sting operation ends in shoot-out; Flash floods hit Mae Sot; Social media shows outrage over oil spill, calls for hair donations[VIDEO] | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Suit filed against PTTGC; Sting operation ends in shoot-out; Flash floods hit Mae Sot; Social media shows outrage over oil spill, calls for hair donations[VIDEO]

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Case filed against PTTGC The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Marine Department yesterday lodged a police complaint against PTT Global Chemical over the crude oil leak from the undersea pipeline it owns in the Gulf of Thailand. The department’s strategic move is aimed at ensuring…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Manning verdict – not guilty of aiding enemy; Pentagon warns against zero option; Iraeli-Palestinian peace deal

    Phuket Gazette World News: Manning verdict – not guilty of aiding enemy; Pentagon warns against zero option; Iraeli-Palestinian peace deal

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Private Manning acquitted of aiding enemy in WikiLeaks case Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A military judge yesterday found U.S. soldier Bradley Manning not guilty of aiding the enemy – the most serious charge among many he faced for handing over documents to WikiLeaks.But Col. Denise Lind, in…

  • Phuket NewsGreed jeopardizing tourists’ safety, says Racha group | Thaiger

    Greed jeopardizing tourists’ safety, says Racha group

    PHUKET: Reckless speedboat captains and tour guides chasing day-trip commissions have been named as the leading culprits jeopardizing tourists’ safety at Koh Racha, a popular day-trip island south of Phuket.Sarit Jandee, president of the Racha Conservation Club, blamed tour guides for encouraging day-trippers to swim and rent water-sports equipment on the west side of the island, which at this time…

  • PropertyPhuket Property: Green living condo town

    Phuket Property: Green living condo town

    PHUKET: Rising demand for residential properties in Phuket is being driven by both locals and tourists, evidenced in the rapid growth in both Phuket Town and beach-side areas. Sam Kong is a popular residential neighborhood where there are a number of property projects under construction, including both houses and condominiums. One such project, the Green Place Condominium by local developer…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket officials seize machinery, halt construction at protected mangroves site

    Phuket officials seize machinery, halt construction at protected mangroves site

    PHUKET: The Phuket Land Office will be called on to answer how three Nor Sor 3 land-use documents came to be issued for “plots” within a protected mangroves site on the outskirts of Phuket Town. Officials from the Royal Forest Department (RFD) yesterday raided a seven-rai site in the Klong Koh Pee area, near Saphan Hin in Phuket Town. Land…

  • Phuket NewsFour youths charged over Phuket machete attack

    Four youths charged over Phuket machete attack

    PHUKET: Police have arrested four youths for a savage attack on a man who was repeatedly beaten and hacked with a machete in Karon last Thursday, after the incident was recorded on CCTV. “We went to the scene and found the victim, Silert Pong-Aroon, seriously injured,” Karon Police Superintendent Weerawat Jantarawichit told the Phuket Gazette. “Rescue workers rushed him to…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Oil spill update; Pension issues; Thaksin clip was foreigners; Emergency decree before amnesty bill

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Oil spill update; Pension issues; Thaksin clip was foreigners; Emergency decree before amnesty bill

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Black day for Samet The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET:Authorities yesterday feared the entire tourist island of Koh Samet in Rayong would be affected by Saturday’s oil spill.The island’s Ao Phrao (Phrao Bay) is being closed for three days to permit a cleanup of spilled crude oil that…

  • Phuket NewsDrunk man rails against Phuket police, damages vehicles

    Drunk man rails against Phuket police, damages vehicles

    PHUKET: Officers stationed at the Pa Khlok Police Box were in for a startling surprise last night when a drunk man arrived to report his son missing, but erupted in a violent rampage after police could not immediately locate the missing son.The man, identified as 41-year-old Pa Khlok villager Sunchai Fordkaew, arrived at the police box at 8pm.“He said his…

  • Phuket NewsBelarus woman hospitalized in Phuket after slamming motorbike into tree

    Belarus woman hospitalized in Phuket after slamming motorbike into tree

    PHUKET: A Phuket tourist from the Republic of Belarus was injured on Friday night when she lost control of her motorbike and slammed into a pine tree close to Patong Beach at about 10pm.“The accident took place at the entrance to Lai Mai Beach Resort. The injured woman was Yuliya Kavaliova, a 26-year-old. When we arrived, she was crying in…