Legacy Phuket Gazette

Archiving articles from the Phuket Gazette circa 1998 - 2017. View the Phuket Gazette online archive and Digital Gazette PDF Prints.
  • PropertyIndustrial real estate demand on rise

    Industrial real estate demand on rise

    PHUKET: This fiscal year, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has forecasted sales and rentals to cover between 3,600 to 3,800 rai (1,440 to 1,520 acres) of land in both its own and privately owned industrial estates. The 2013 Thai fiscal year began on October 1, 2012 and will last until the end of September, this year. IEAT governor…

  • Phuket NewsRussian tourist dies in ICU after fateful Phuket swim

    Russian tourist dies in ICU after fateful Phuket swim

    PHUKET: The Russian tourist who was comatose after being pulled from the water at Karon Beach on June 23 died on Tuesday at Vachira Phuket Hospital. Kho Khay Gym, 31, had gone swimming with friends at Karon Beach when he was struck by big waves and dragged out to sea. His friends called for help and he was rescued by…

  • PropertyHow to legally own Thai land

    How to legally own Thai land

    PHUKET: I think there is a common misconception in Phuket, and in Thailand generally, that is often reinforced by many long term expats, who are always very eager to give their opinions to new-comers. It goes like this: As long as you remain a foreigner in this country, you will always have to use one of the available loopholes to…

  • Thai LifePhuket Regional Blood Center calls for life saving blood donations

    Phuket Regional Blood Center calls for life saving blood donations

    PHUKET: The Phuket Regional Blood Center (PRBC), often called upon to save the lives of Thais and foreigners, is low on stocks of blood type A Rhesus-negative“As this is the beginning of [the Thai school] semester period, we got blood [donations] from students that makes us have sufficient stock of blood as we maintain a daily minimum stock of 200…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket raid nets B100mn of pirated goods in Patong

    Phuket raid nets B100mn of pirated goods in Patong

    PHUKET: A Department of Special Investigation (DSI) task force in Phuket yesterday arrested seven people and seized pirated goods with an estimated street value of more than 100 million baht. Armed with a search warrant and joined by officers from the Patong Police, the DSI agents raided two three-story shophouses in Soi Sukcharoen, off Phang Muang Sai Kor Road in…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket rescue launched for Bangladeshi cargo ship: 17 crew rescued, 13 missing

    Phuket rescue launched for Bangladeshi cargo ship: 17 crew rescued, 13 missing

    PHUKET: The Royal Thai Navy has launched an air-sea rescue effort to recover the missing crew from Bangladeshi cargo ship MV Hope after the vessel capsized in heavy seas south of Phuket early this morning.The MV Hope, registered at 97 meters long, started taking on water in heavy seas at about 1:10am, reported Capt Thammawat Malaisukkarin, Director of the Naval…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket road work forces motorists to seek bypass road bypass

    Phuket road work forces motorists to seek bypass road bypass

    PHUKET: The long tailbacks on Thepkrasattri Road caused by the resurfacing of the bypass road at the Bang Khu Intersection in Koh Kaew has forced police to urge motorists to use alternative routes. “We need to resurface about 1.5km of the [bypass] road, starting at the Bang Khu intersection,” said Phuket Highways Office Director Samak Luedwonghad. “The road surface is…

  • Phuket NewsYoung cricketers deliver in Phuket Sawadee League

    Young cricketers deliver in Phuket Sawadee League

    PHUKET: Young cricket talent took part in another round of the Phuket Cricket Group’s (PCG) “Sawasdee League” at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) last weekend. Although the international school teams were absent, four teams including representatives from the PCG’s Youth Academy, Baan Sapam and Thai Hua played some closely contested matches. The ACGround officially opened last year. Video: Phuket Today…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: World Peace under fire; Cabinet wows with vows; Five supercars seized; White masks suspend protest

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: World Peace under fire; Cabinet wows with vows; Five supercars seized; White masks suspend protest

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World Peace chief welcomes DSI probe The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The World Peace University (WPU) yesterday denied any wrongdoing in the wake of emerging evidence that it has never been accorded the status of a “higher-education institute”.“We don’t cause any trouble. We just confer honorary doctorates,”…

  • Phuket NewsMore rain forecast as Phuket housing estate goes underwater

    More rain forecast as Phuket housing estate goes underwater

    PHUKET: More rain is forecast for the coming days as Phuket suffers heavy deluges causing minor flooding at locations across the island. More than 68mm of rainfall was recorded at Phuket International Airport yesterday and 56mm fell on Phuket Town, with both locales recording more than 25mm within a three-hour period. A three-hour rainstorm on Tuesday brought flooding again to…

  • PropertyPhuket airport’s expansion progress to ease overcrowding

    Phuket airport’s expansion progress to ease overcrowding

    PHUKET: The Airport Authority of Thailand (AoT) has accelerated the construction of a temporary terminal building at Phuket International Airport (HKT) in order to ease passenger overload ahead of the next tourism high season. Quoted in a recent report by BangkokBizNews, AoT Board Director Sitha Tiwaree announced that the construction schedule for the temporary terminal had been tightened due to…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket dengue numbers highest in 20 years

    Phuket dengue numbers highest in 20 years

    PHUKET: As the number of patients in Phuket diagnosed with dengue fever reached the highest level in 20 years, health officials met at Patong Hospital yesterday to discuss dengue-prevention measures in Kathu. Patong was chosen as the location and the target focus for the meeting as the beach resort town is the most popular district for tourists on the island,…

  • PropertyPhuket Property Watch: Just how real is real?

    Phuket Property Watch: Just how real is real?

    Phuket Property Watch: It’s Wednesday and far too early in the day for an epiphany. I’ve just been online trying to book a trip to Nirvana and even my trusty sidekick Jimmy Zen can’t help. No leap of faith here, no walking on water, just an aisle seat on the big bus. In the whole wired world of travel, more…

  • PropertyAqua Villas: East coast luxury

    Aqua Villas: East coast luxury

    PHUKET: Located down a quiet soi in Rawai, 150 meters from the beach, Aqua Villas will have nine luxury private villas with three or four bedrooms. The custom built four-storey tropical villas, ideal as holiday homes or permanent residences, will be designed to envelope owners in a totally unique tropical living experience that brings them closer to the natural seafront…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: 45 dead in Iraqi bombings; Mandela family feud twist; Wikileaks trial update; Outsiders are in – Tennis

    Phuket Gazette World News: 45 dead in Iraqi bombings; Mandela family feud twist; Wikileaks trial update; Outsiders are in – Tennis

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nearly 50 killed in Iraq bombings Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: At least 45 people were killed in bomb attacks across Iraq yesterday, most of them in busy markets and commercial areas of the capital Baghdad, police and medics said.The deadliest assault took place in the predominantly Shi’ite…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Missing monk wanted for money laundering; Chalerm unhappy; Yingluck warned of impeachment

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Missing monk wanted for money laundering; Chalerm unhappy; Yingluck warned of impeachment

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Monk had 10 bank accounts with daily transactions of Bt2m The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has found 10 bank accounts under the name of Luang Pu Nenkham, who calls himself the abbot of Si Sa Ket’s “Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma”…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Immigration: British realtor to be deported

    Phuket Immigration: British realtor to be deported

    PHUKET: Phuket immigration today arrested for illegal entry a British man who had been working on the island as a realtor, a profession reserved for Thais, since 2011.Richard James Daffund, 44, was picked up by police as he walked along Phuket Road, just several hundred meters from the Phuket Immigration Office.The Englishman was recognized by police, who notified immigration, Capt…

  • Cannabis NewsKratom user rats out Phuket drug dealer

    Kratom user rats out Phuket drug dealer

    PHUKET: A nervous drug suspect brought police back to his kratom dealer’s house after being busted at a Phuket checkpoint. The 19-year-old appeared suspicious to police as he arrived at a checkpoint established at Muang Mai – Pa Khlok Road yesterday. “We had the checkpoint set up to search for drugs and weapons in the crime prone area,” Thalang Police…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Police urge motorist safety as car flips into canal, more wet weather forecast

    Phuket Police urge motorist safety as car flips into canal, more wet weather forecast

    PHUKET: Phuket drivers are urged to drive defensively during the current rainy weather, said Patong Police Superintendent Chiraphat Pochanaphan this afternoon. “Wet roads have already caused several accidents in Phuket. Everyone should slow down while driving in rainy conditions,” he said. The warning follows an early morning accident in Patong today when a car flipped over into the Pak Bang…

  • Phuket NewsPhantom sex noises in Phuket, voodoo suspected

    Phantom sex noises in Phuket, voodoo suspected

    PHUKET: An inconclusive police investigation has prompted a Phuket woman to publicly appeal for help in unravelling the mysterious “sex noises” she keeps hearing at her Chalong home. Onanong Waltham, 46, accompanied by her housemate Sujittraporn Tephabutra, made her public appeal at the Phuket Press Club yesterday afternoon. “I keep hearing moaning sounds in my house. It sounds like people…

  • Phuket NewsCanadian expat, 64, faces deportation from Phuket for visa overstay

    Canadian expat, 64, faces deportation from Phuket for visa overstay

    PHUKET: A 64-year-old expat from Canada will be deported from Thailand after being caught in Phuket after overstaying his visa by three years.James H Nelson was arrested in Thung Thong yesterday afternoon.“Officers approached him and asked for his passport. He said he didn’t have it because he had sent it to the Canadian embassy in Bangkok to be renewed,” explained…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: US seeks to calm Europe; Firefighter deaths – Bow hunter gave warning; Monsignor code words

    Phuket Gazette World News: US seeks to calm Europe; Firefighter deaths – Bow hunter gave warning; Monsignor code words

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. seeks to calm European outrage over alleged spying Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: U.S. President Barack Obama tried to reassure European allies affronted by reports of U.S. spying yesterday, but suggested all the world’s intelligence services were involved in finding out the thinking of opponents and allies…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Healthcare funds in intensive care; Govt caves in on rice; Secret Deep South talks; Supercar probe: DSI IDs BMW

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Healthcare funds in intensive care; Govt caves in on rice; Secret Deep South talks; Supercar probe: DSI IDs BMW

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Govt urged to find new funds for health security The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Given the rising cost of the country’s healthcare costs, prominent health economists yesterday urged the government to seek alternative financial sources to support medical insurance schemes.Collecting tax from the sale of unhealthy food…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket lifeguard contract signed – budget remains unaltered

    Phuket lifeguard contract signed – budget remains unaltered

    PHUKET: In the aftermath of Phuket’s deadliest beach weekend and the first-time-ever forced closure of sections of beaches by lifeguards, the Phuket Lifeguard Club’s contract with the local government has been renewed, but only for 10 months (story here). “The contract was renewed on June 28 and will last for 10 months,” an officer at the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization…

  • Phuket NewsNine Phuket students given anesthesia after suffering from Khao Lak “curse’

    Nine Phuket students given anesthesia after suffering from Khao Lak “curse’

    PHUKET: Nearly two dozen Phuket students were rushed to Patong Hospital this morning after they collapsed screaming and convulsing during morning assembly – three out of the nine students who were administered anesthesia by doctors at the hospital remain there. According to reports, the culprit seems to be a ghost in the tourist haven Khao Lak who was offended by…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Grimes brothers’ karting season speeds up

    Phuket Grimes brothers’ karting season speeds up

    PHUKET: Ben and Sam Grimes’ 125cc Junior Class karting season continues at a blistering pace. The brothers recently completed two rounds of the Thai National Championship and two rounds of the Rotax Asia Max Challenge (AMC) series, held in Malaysia. At round two of the Thai Championship in Saraburi, Ben qualified fourth with Sam coming in seventh. An erratic race…

  • Phuket NewsRetired Microsoft expat found dead in Phuket luxury villa pool

    Retired Microsoft expat found dead in Phuket luxury villa pool

    PHUKET: A retired Microsoft engineer was found dead this morning in his Phuket luxury villa pool located at Ao Makham.The body of the 69-year-old American expat was floating face down in the pool when police arrived at the scene.“He was wearing black swimming trunks. There was blood around his ear – but no trace of a struggle,” said Lt Anurak…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket FC loses direction as FA Cup draws them to Bangkok

    Phuket FC loses direction as FA Cup draws them to Bangkok

    PHUKET: The Islanders were unable to maintain their top-five standing in conclusion to the Yamaha League One (YL1) 2013 season’s first half, losing at home 0-1 on Saturday evening to a more-determined Nakhon Ratchasima FC. Phuket FC’s fixture list is rapidly becoming congested facing two-and-a-half matches in just eight days, including an away match in the FA Cup to SCG…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket family man struggling with debt hangs himself

    Phuket family man struggling with debt hangs himself

    PHUKET: A 52-year-old Phuket ice cream vendor who was despondent over heavy debts was found hanged at his home in Baan Don, Thalang, yesterday.Police presume the death to be suicide.Rabieb Kasiraksa woke at 5:20am to find her husband Chinda hanged from a beam in the kitchen, said Lt Thani Petchswee of the Thalang Police.“When we arrived at the house, Mrs…

  • Phuket NewsBlaze engulfs Phuket cable yard

    Blaze engulfs Phuket cable yard

    PHUKET: Fire broke out at the TT&T cable yard on Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew last night, causing an estimated 10 million baht in damage. No injuries were reported. Firefighters arrived soon after 8pm to find the yard next to the TT&T main office building – located opposite the Isuzu showroom, north of Boat Lagoon (map here) – engulfed in…