- Phuket News
Dubai student drowns north of Phuket near Phang Nga waterfall
PHUKET: A student from Dubai drowned near a Phang Nga waterfall, north of Phuket, on Valentine’s Day after having left his friends to explore the area.Muhammad Ali, 20, had separated from his friends to “walk around and take photos” in the Ton Pariwat Wildlife Conservation Area after a morning of rafting at Kong Songprak, said the conservation area chief Uthen…
- Phuket News
Swiss man dies allegedly avoiding police checkpoint
PHUKET: A Swiss visitor allegedly trying to avoid a police checkpoint in Chalong died early this morning after his car hit a shelter in Rawai, on Phuket’s south coast, flipped and landed in the sea below.The 46-year-old was driving with a female companion when he hit the shelter at the sea gypsy village in Rawai.“We got the report at about…
- Phuket News
Toilets run dry in Rassada despite well endowed reservoirs
PHUKET: Despite the assurance that water supplies were going to keep taps in Phuket wet (see here), the Phuket Gazette received a report on February 14 that a resident of Baan Rockgarden 5 in Rassada had been without water for three days. The Gazette relayed the information to Mr Pisak and learned that a water pipe had broken, preventing water…
- Phuket News
No shortage of water in Phuket this dry season, officials say
PHUKET: Phuket has enough water on hand to supply the whole province this dry season, said Pisak Chonlayut, Manager of the Phuket Provincial Waterworks Authority on February 13. At a meeting to discuss Phuket water supplies chaired by Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut, Mr Pisak said that 48.5 millions cubic meters of water are currently in reservoirs in Phuket province, with…
- Phuket News
German tourist on life support after fall from Patong hotel balcony
PHUKET: A German tourist tumbled from a balcony in Patong early this morning and is on life support at Vachira Phuket Hospital. Patong Police received a report at 2:45am that the 35-year-old German had fallen from the 3rd floor balcony of his room at the Kalim Resort. “At the scene we found the man, dressed in a striped shirt and…
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: 6-year-old girl raped in northern India
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community 6-year-old girl violently raped, dumped on street in northern India Phuket Gazette / News WiresPHUKET: A six-year-old girl was raped and physically brutalized last week before being dumped on the side of a street in northern India, local media reported yesterday. It is the latest incident in…
- Phuket News
Phuket: Drug store to the world
PHUKET: The recent fining of a pharmacy owner in Chalong Police District (story here) for the illegal sale of prescription drugs is just the tip of an iceberg that needs to be urgently addressed by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and law enforcement agencies in Phuket. The year 2012 was the first ever that death by overdose of prescription…
- Phuket News
Phuket Gazette Sports: FA Cup
United to make changes for Reading FA Cup clash Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Manchester United will ring the changes for their FA Cup fifth-round clash with Reading on Monday (Tuesday morning Phuket time), but manager Alex Ferguson still expects his new-look side to get through against the Premier League strugglers. United came through their midweek Champions League last-16 1-1…
- Phuket News
Image of Chinese Goddess of Mercy moved for Old Town Phuket Festival
PHUKET: An image of the revered Chinese Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin, and a jade stamp from China made their annual journey from Pud Jor Shrine to Queen Sirikit Park today as the Old Town Festival commences (see story). The white jade stamp is a replica of a 1,000-year-old stamp in a shrine in Suining, China, and was presented to…
- Phuket News
Teachers, students plant rare species of palm in Phuket National Park
PHUKET: Phuket teachers and students helped plant 100 of the rare White Back Palm trees near Ton Sai Waterfall yesterday in honor of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut led the tree planting ceremony, which included officers from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Teachers and students from Muang Thalang School and Weerasatree Anusorn School joined…
- Phuket News
Three beached dolphins treated and released in Phang Nga
PHUKET: The three Spotted dolphins that beached themselves on February 7 in Khao Lak have not returned to land after being treated and released back into the sea, Patcharaporn Kaewmong, a veterinarian at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. “I think they are safe since they have not come back to us,” said Dr Patcharaporn.…
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Meteorite shower in Russia – 400 injured; Asteroid passing-by
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Meteorite hits central Russia, 400 hurt Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: About 400 people were injured when a meteorite shot across the sky in central Russia today sending fireballs crashing to Earth, smashing windows and setting off car alarms. Residents on their way to work in…
- Phuket News
Motorbike with sidecar backslides down hill and flips, killing one
PHUKET: A motorbike with a sidecar carrying six Burmese workers slid down a hill and flipped over in the Blue Canyon Country Club in northern Phuket yesterday, killing one and seriously injuring two. Police received the report of the accident at 6:50 pm and rushed to the scene with Kusoldharm foundation rescue workers. “One of the passengers, Mr Muang, told…
- Thailand News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Calls to recognize gay marriage made
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Same-sex couples call for marriage rights Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: Valentine’s Day yesterday saw lovebirds register their unions at district offices, especially those with “lucky” names such as Bangkok’s Bang Rak (“Village of Love”). Same-sex couples who showed up only to be turned down, as such…
- Phuket News
Myanmar Navy coming to Phuket in historic diplomatic visit
PHUKET: Two warships from the Myanmar Navy are due to arrive in Phuket on February 20 in the navy’s historic first-diplomatic visit to a foreign country. The Myanmar Navy, which currently operates more than 122 vessels, will arrive in Phuket to mark 65 years of diplomatic relations with Thailand, and offers the chance for joint military discussions, Lieutenant Commander Chaloemsak…
- Phuket News
Phuket-Ranong visa-run van flips three times in Phang Nga
PHUKET: A visa-run van returning to Phuket from Ranong with 10 Russian passengers flipped three times as it took a sharp turn at “high-speed” on the wet roads of Phang Nga yesterday. None of the passengers were seriously injured. “On the way to Ranong the driver was going very, very fast. We understood that he was a professional driver, but…
- Thai Life
Phuket Books: One more head for the chopping block
PHUKET: In my last column, I reviewed Hilary Mantel’s extraordinary novel Wolf Hall, winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize (click here), which chronicled the rise of Thomas Cromwell from a blacksmith’s son to trusted advisor to King Henry VIII. Three years later, Mantel won a second Man Booker Prize for her sequel Bring Up the Bodies (Henry Holt and…
- Phuket News
Brake failure on fleeing bus causes second accident
PHUKET: A tour bus fleeing the scene of an accident suffered brake failure and crashed into a utility pole on Patong Hill yesterday, causing a three-hour traffic jam. Patong Police received the accident report at 4pm and arrived at the scene to find that the bus driver had fled. “A bus with a Pegas Touristik company logo heading from Phuket…
- Thai Life
Phuket Diving: A communal recovery from the myths of DCS
PHUKET: Recovered from her diving accident, Nicole still combs through the details of the day, searching for the tiny factors that might have contributed to the serious case of neurological decompression sickness (DCS Type II) she faced a year and half ago after a 22-meter dive in the Similan National Park. Unless it’s a ruthless horror story about DCS, where…
- Phuket News
Government stages lottery draw in Phuket to fight rumors of rigging
PHUKET: To dispel rumors of the national lottery being rigged, the Government Lottery Office (GLO) will be staging one of its lucky draw mobile events in Phuket at the Metropole Hotel in Phuket Town (map here) on March 1. “The rumor was started by a scam letter which guaranteed that the numbers people chose would be drawn, for a fee,”…
- Phuket News
Phuket Gazette Sports: Paralympic Pistorius shoots girlfriend dead – South Africa media
Paralympic star Pistorius shoots girlfriend – South Africa media Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: South African paralympic star Oscar Pistorius is being questioned by South African police for shooting dead his girlfriend at his home in Pretoria, domestic media said today. Johannesburg’s Talk Radio 702 said Pistorius was understood to have shot his girlfriend in the head and arm, although…
- Thai Life
Phuket Lifestyle: A Rotary roundup; Golf tourney
PHUKET: Members of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach recently purchased some much-needed necessities for the Banjo school for migrant workers with money raised by the club. “Supercheap arrived at the school and assembled the goods one hour before they were expected,” said Club member Patricia Mitchell. “Consequently, Stewart and I arrived to find the children and teachers happy and…
- Thai Life
Phuket Lifestyle: Rally round the family
PHUKET: Gentlemen, start your engines. A family event dedicated to making a positive difference is racing back to Phuket for the third straight year. The Phuket Invitational Car Rally is a family day out like no other. You won’t need to pack a food hamper or fix the ski rack, just fill up with fuel, bring the family and make…
- Phuket News
Phuket Live Wire: Woody’s laws for land lines
PHUKET: In the past four editions of Live Wire, I’ve been talking about the things you need to consider if you want to get a good internet connection in Phuket. Believe me, it ain’t easy. I’m moving to Kathu shortly, and the kind of problems I’m having are no doubt indicative of the kind you’ll have, the next time you…
- Phuket News
Travel-weary Phuket United downed by Lampang in away match
PHUKET: Goals in each half secured a 2-0 victory for Lampang United last night against a travel-weary Phuket United in Lampang city, just south of Chiang Mai. Lampang’s Natee Ji-pon scored half way through the first half, while Naritcha Saengthong solidified his side’s victory with a goal late in the second half. As a result, Phuket dropped down to 10th…
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Mega-projects underscoring China’s growing economic clout – Insight
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Insight – Cambodia’s $11-billion mystery Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The remote district of Rovieng was once a battleground between Cambodian government troops and Pol Pot’s genocidal Khmer Rouge. Unexploded bombs still lurk in its fields and forests. So does something more desirable – iron ore – and…
- Phuket News
Russian motorcyclist hit by runaway wheel dies in ICU
PHUKET: The Russian motorcyclist who was hit by a runaway wheel on Thepkrasattri Road on February 6 has died (story here). Alexey Balabko, 26, had been in the ICU at Bangkok Phuket Hospital since February 7. “He was taken off life support on February 12 because he was not responding to stimuli,” a hospital representative told the Phuket Gazette. Mr…
- Phuket News
Phuket Gazette World Sports: Ronaldo rescues draw for Real against gritty United
Ronaldo rescues draw for Real against gritty United Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Cristiano Ronaldo rescued Real Madrid with a brilliant header against former club Manchester United to salvage a 1-1 draw in last night’s heavyweight Champions League last 16 first leg showdown at the Bernabeu. Real gave the Premier League side a torrid time in the early stages but United…
- Thailand News
Thailand News: Impact of the clash in the deep South
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Raids aim for psychological impact Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: Separatist attempts to overrun military bases in the deep South, like the one that occurred yesterday morning in Narathiwat’s Bacho district, are rare. Most attacks involve roadside bombings, ambushes on patrolling troops or point-blank shootings…
- Phuket News
Phuket Gazette World Sports: Real Madrid vs Man United
Ronaldo in showcase as United come to town Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo faces former club Manchester United for the first time in a mouth-watering Champions League last-16 first leg at the Bernabeu tonight dripping in history and intrigue. The world’s most expensive player has won over the Bernabeu faithful with some breathtaking performances and…
