-  Phuket News  Phuket resort looks to bring to heel Kata Noi taxi rankPHUKET: Reform for the 60-vehicle taxi rank operating at the Katathani Phuket Beach Resort is on the horizon, said Katathani President and CEO Sombut Atiset yesterday. The hotel is working together with the Karon Municipality and Karon Police to establish a balance where everyone can “live together”, explained Mr Sombut. “We are working with the Kata Noi Taxi Service, and… 
-  Phuket News  Phuket Governor pushes ‘Visiting 3K Police Stations’ projectPHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut inspected Karon Police Station yesterday as part of his “Visiting 3K Police Stations” campaign to promote Phuket as a safe holiday destination. The governor is using the project to keep a close eye on police stations at three key tourism beach areas – Kathu (Patong), Kamala and Karon. In October Governor Maitri was given a… 
-  Phuket News  Another Phuket taxi driver arrested for assaulting a touristPHUKET: Karon Police yesterday arrested a taxi driver for threatening and assaulting a tourist with a piece of bamboo. Narongsak “Petch” Kongsawat, 19, was arrested at the taxi rank in front of the Centara Grand Beach Resort, Phuket, at about 4:30pm. “Police identified themselves, showed the arrest warrant and took Mr Narongsak to the police station for questioning over an… 
-  Thai Life  To infinity and beyond – Phuket DivingPHUKET: A tiny helmet diver stands at attention on the red rocks of a five-gallon freshwater aquarium. Having explored the treasure chest blowing bubbles through fake gold coins, as well as the single strand of Brazilian Pennywort – and even poked around the filter, he simply stands there watching sediment build on his feet, the occasional gold fish going belly… 
-  Phuket News  Desperate Phuket mother turns to spirit medium to find missing daughterPHUKET: The mother of missing 7-year-old Nong Dear has resorted to consulting a spirit medium after police efforts have failed to yield any results in the week the girl has been missing (story here). “It’s been a week now; I know police are working hard, but they are still unable to find my daughter,” Jaroon Papkaew said. “I didn’t know… 
-  Phuket News  Russia Beyond the Headlines – all about it, in a language you can understandPHUKET: The latest issue of the Phuket Gazette, on newsstands across the island this weekend, includes our launch edition of Russia – Beyond the Headlines (RBTH).Like the China Daily we pioneered two years ago as a free supplement for our valued readers, RBTH delivers insights into its host country’s relationships with Thailand and Asia. It also explores Russian culture, sports,… 
-  Phuket News  Phuket Drift: Pickup makes move, flips, crashesPHUKET: A pickup truck thwarted in a passing maneuver on Thepkrasattri Road flipped over and landed upside down on the median in Mai Khao yesterday morning. The cab was partially crushed by the impact, but the passenger and driver escaped with only minor injuries. Called to the scene at Baan Suan Maphrao at about 10:30am, police found Wutirai Chuchuay, 26,… 
-  Thai Life  The Rendezvous returns – Phuket LifestylePHUKET: Final preparations are underway for the 13th Asia Superyacht Rendezvous. With nine confirmed superyachts, a stunning venue, and captains, owners and crew flying in from all over the world to attend, this looks to be the best Rendezvous to date. The Rendezvous will commence on Monday and conclude on Wednesday. With such a mix of captains and crew, from… 
-  Phuket News  Man caught exposing his “big gun’ to Patong ladiesPHUKET: A man who thought it was a good idea to show all the ladies along his street in Patong that he had a big gun in his pants has been arrested and charged with possession of an illegal firearm. He was also charged with carrying a naked weapon in a public place. Officers were alerted to the man’s antics,… 
-  World News  Phuket Gazette World News: Kim Jong Un executes uncle; France calls to extradite Kazakh billionaire; 15 wedding guests killed in drone strikePHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community North Korea leader Kim Jong Un has powerful uncle executed Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: North Korea said on Friday the uncle of leader Kim Jong Un, previously considered the second most powerful man in the secretive state, has been executed for treason, the biggest upheaval since the… 
-  Opinion  Phuket Opinion: Providing justice for aggrieved consumersPHUKET: A friend came to see me the other day. He had a problem. He had fully paid for a pool to be built at his rental house. The pool, measuring only 6m x 8m, took the contractor 11 months to build – and within a few months of completion, it was falling apart. The concrete on the pool terrace… 
-  Opinion  Phuket Opinion: Pushing for an Old Town revivalPhuket native Don Limnun-thaphisit, 49, is the project leader of Lardyai walking street and the head of the Phuket Old Town community. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Prince of Songkhla University in the faculty of Science. Here he talks about the need to revive Phuket Old Town and increase the popularity of the Lardyai street market with tourists.… 
-  Thailand News  Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Abhisit pleads not guilty to murder; Reform tussle; 2-yr-old shot in Pattani; DSI hits abortion-pill websitesPHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Ex-PM Abhisit pleads not guilty to murder charge The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is determined to appear in court to fight accusations that he is responsible for the deaths and injuries of many people during the bloody dispersal of red-shirt demonstrators in… 
-  Phuket News  Phuket’s iBless Philippines donations reach typhoon victimsPHUKET: Funds and relief goods collected for victims of Typhoon Haiyan under the iBless Philippines campaign have been sent to the Philippines, and more fund raising events are in the works. “We sent 139,468 baht and 2,700kg of emergency relief goods to the Philippines on November 29,” Bernardita Sanchez, an iBless committee member, told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. Some of… 
-  Phuket News  Patong ghost-resort owners ordered to clear way for residentsPHUKET: The absent owners of an abandoned resort in the foothills overlooking Patong have been given three months to respond to an order to allow access across their 200-million-baht plot of land – or face a court order to do so.Phuket Vice Governor Somkiat Sangkhaosutthirak delivered the news yesterday at the site of The Crest resort, on Phra Barami Road,… 
-  Phuket News  New Kathu District Chief vows to continue beach free-zone projectPHUKET: The new Kathu District Chief vowed today to pick up the reins of the Patong “beach clear” zone, which was set in motion by former Kathu chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol. In July Mr Veera requested that the Patong Municipality clear all vendors – including sun bed operators – from a large section of Patong Beach (story here). Mr Veera’s parting… 
-  Hua Hin News  Thai stars to shine at Phuket’s Patong CarnivalPHUKET: Thai pop stars Sarunyu “Ice” Winaipani and Rattapoom “Film” Toekongsap are among the headline acts to perform at this year’s Patong Carnival, which is held annually to usher in the tourism high season. Also on the bill of performers to entertain the crowds are renowned Thai country music bands Maleehuana and Kangkeng, and nationwide star Bow Wee. This year’s… 
-  Phuket News  Health woes blamed for Swedish expat suicide in PhuketPHUKET: A Swedish expat who had repeatedly told his girlfriend he wanted to die because of health problems killed himself yesterday after sending his girlfriend out to buy lunch.When Kotchamon Boonraksa, 38, returned to the house in Rawai an hour later, the doors and windows were locked. “I called his phone again and again, but he didn’t answer,” she said.… 
-  World News  Phuket Gazette World News: Cameron, Obama in Mandela funeral selfie; Rio plundered in storm; Ukraine protest holds fast; Aussie gay marriage illegalPHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Cameron defends Mandela funeral selfie with Obama Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday defended his behaviour at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in South Africa after he was criticised at home for posing with U.S. President Barack Obama for what some said was… 
-  Thailand News  Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Six die in Deep South attacks; Suthep may meet top brass; New fish foundPHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Six killed, 10 hurt in 2 attacks in South The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Five soldiers were killed and 10 others injured – four seriously – in a bomb attack yesterday in Pattani’s Kapho district, while a police officer was gunned down earlier in Yala’s Muang district.… 
-  Phuket News  Krabi Police ramp up tourist security as trial looms for Bobby Carter murder suspectsPHUKET: Police in the tourist area of Ao Nang, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, have beefed up patrols and launched a tourist-friendly campaign to heighten security ahead of the huge influx of visitors expected during the tourism high season. The move to boost safety comes as the public prosecutor prepares to bring to trial three musicians for the stabbing… 
-  Thai Life  Phuket Boat Show (PIMEX) looks set to break recordsPHUKET: From small trailer-boats to luxury sailing and motor yachts, the on-water line-up for the upcoming Phuket International Marine Expo (PIMEX) is set to be the best yet. Virtually all of the major dealers and brokers in Thailand and the region are signed up and will represent all of the major global brands, including Ferretti, Pershing, Riviera, Jeanneau, Cantiere Della… 
-  Thai Life  Phuket Food: Think globally cook locallyPHUKET: First on a speedboat, through the deep blue waters, east from Phuket, then in a song taew, across the lush green jungle of Khao Yao Yai – and finally I’m there: a stone’s throw away from a fisherman’s village, surrounded by rubber trees, talking to a chef. Or should I say – a celebrity. With his recent appearance on… 
-  Phuket News  Phuket Governor affirms Phuket Prison’s “white’ statusPHUKET: A pre-dawn search of Phuket Prison today failed to uncover any drugs or contraband being hidden by prisoners. The mass raid of the entire compound was held to establish the facility’s status as a Department of Corrections “White Prison”. Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusutwas led about 100 officers, including Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Arayapan Pukbuakao and Phuket Prison Chief… 
-  Thailand News  Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Bangkok deadlock; Academics fear coup; No bail for Abhisit; Tortoises snared at airport; B77mn ya bah bustPHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Game reaches dead end The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra fought back tears yesterday when asked by reporters to respond to the anti-government group’s demand that the whole Shinawatra clan leave the country.In a shaky voice, her eyes welling with tears, she said… 
-  Phuket News  Search begins for missing Phuket girl, 7PHUKET: A distraught mother has made a heartfelt plea to find her seven-year-old daughter, Natthapa “Nong Dear” Papkaew, last seen in a Chalong neighborhood on Friday. Nong Dear is about 120cm tall and about 16kg. “She has long black hair and is missing her two front teeth,” Ms Jaroon Papkaew, 45, told the Phuket Gazette. “She was wearing a yellow… 
-  Phuket News  Aussies dominate 2013 Phuket King’s Cup RegattaPHUKET: Australian entries won four of the 14 scheduled classes, followed by Japan with three classes racked up, in the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, sailed off Kata Beach all last week. As expected, in the Phuket Dinghy Series, raced as an integral part of the Regatta proper, Thai sailors – boys and girls – reigned supreme in the Optimists, the… 
-  Phuket News  Baby abandoned in front of Phuket mayor’s housePHUKET: Police are questioning residents in the central Phuket area of Srisoonthorn after a baby was found abandoned in front of the local mayor’s house on Sunday. A maid discovered the newborn boy in front of Mayor Worrawut Songyot’s house when she arrived for work at 9am. “When we arrived, the infant male was wrapped in a yellow towel. His… 
-  Phuket News  Body believed to be western woman retrieved from water off Ranong, brought to PhuketPHUKET: The body of a woman believed to be a westerner was found by a fishing boat off Ranong on November 30, and brought to Phuket yesterday.The woman was estimated to be 40-50 years old, about 170-180cm tall, and had white hair. She was wearing a green shirt and brown underwear when she was found, said Capt Weerachart Srira of… 
-  World News  Phuket Gazette World News: Putin tightens grip on Russian media; World mourns Mandela; Singapore riots; Jakarta train crash; Lake remains on MarsPHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Putin dissolves state news agency, tightens grip on media Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Vladimir Putin tightened his hold on Russia’s media on Monday by dissolving the main state news agency, seen by hawks as too liberal, and creating a new outlet to improve Moscow’s image under a… 
 
 




























