Legacy Phuket Gazette

Archiving articles from the Phuket Gazette circa 1998 - 2017. View the Phuket Gazette online archive and Digital Gazette PDF Prints.
  • Thai LifePhuket Environment: Young sea turtles released on a lifelong journey

    Phuket Environment: Young sea turtles released on a lifelong journey

    PHUKET: Laguna Phuket marked its 20th anniversary of supporting sea turtle conservation programs by releasing 90 juvenile sea turtles into the Andaman Sea yesterday afternoon.The turtles were released at sunset into the warm waters of the Andaman Sea, on the Angsana Laguna Phuket beachfront, to begin their lifetime ocean odysseys. Over 500 donors and spectators were all smiles as they…

  • Phuket NewsIllegal wedding photographers busted in Phuket

    Illegal wedding photographers busted in Phuket

    PHUKET: Two photographers, a makeup artist and an owner of a Phuket photography studio were caught working without work permits yesterday after their rude behavior was flagged by local residents. Phuket Old Town residents filed a complaint to police against Love Island Wedding Studio Co Ltd, which had been using their homes as backdrops for pre-wedding photos without asking permission.…

  • Phuket NewsPatong Tunnel compensation for evicted Phuket villagers jumps to B2.56bn

    Patong Tunnel compensation for evicted Phuket villagers jumps to B2.56bn

    PHUKET: The funds for compensating Phuket landowners who would be displaced by the construction of the Patong Tunnel have more than doubled, jumping from 1 billion baht to 2.56bn baht. The Chief Inspector-General of the Ministry of Transport, Somchai Chanrod, made the announcement in Phuket earlier this week. It was not clarified whether the government had expanded the number of…

  • Business NewsPhuket Business: Hooters restaurant to open in Patong

    Phuket Business: Hooters restaurant to open in Patong

    PHUKET: Hooters of America, LLC, the well-known hospitality franchise that employs attractive young waitresses to help lure customers, recently announced a development agreement with an international franchisee to open three Hooters locations in Thailand over the next three years. Destination Resorts Co Ltd will introduce the iconic brand and dining destination to the country, with the first Hooters location scheduled…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Nepal tightens controls of climbers after Everest brawl

    Phuket Gazette World News: Nepal tightens controls of climbers after Everest brawl

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nepal tightens controls of climbers after Everest brawl Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: Nepal will enforce tighter controls of climbers on Mount Everest to ensure the world’s highest peak is safe, officials said on Friday, after a fight last April between three Europeans and a large group of…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Syria submits new 100-day plan for removal of chemical weapons

    Phuket Gazette World News: Syria submits new 100-day plan for removal of chemical weapons

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Syria submits new 100-day plan for removal of chemical weapons Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: Syria has submitted a new 100-day plan for the removal of its chemical weapons after failing to meet a February 5 deadline, but the international mission overseeing the operation believes it can be…

  • Hua Hin NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Obama meets with Dalai Lama, upsetting China

    Phuket Gazette World News: Obama meets with Dalai Lama, upsetting China

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama meets with Dalai Lama, upsetting China Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: President Barack Obama held low-key talks with the Dalai Lama on Friday, prompting the Chinese government to ask why the White House ignored Beijing’s warnings that the meeting with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader would damage…

  • Phuket News[Video Report] Alleged French ATM scammers caught bribing Phuket police | Thaiger

    [Video Report] Alleged French ATM scammers caught bribing Phuket police

    PHUKET: Phuket Police arrested two French nationals for bribing an officer of the law yesterday, while a third man is still on the run. Karin Radoun, 28, was also charged with ATM fraud and being in the country illegally. He and Karim Akrour, 36, denied all the charges when presented to the press this morning. Police are still hunting for…

  • Thai LifePhuket Humor: Introducing the Eezeewee

    Phuket Humor: Introducing the Eezeewee

    PHUKET: Some time ago, a company in South Africa invented a device designed to break down one of the last barriers between the sexes. The Eezeewee is billed as “a reusable device with a shaped plastic cup and a length of pipe” that enables women to urinate while standing. It is touted as “invaluable for women who are traveling, hiking,…

  • Phuket NewsLocal Phuket fishing competition out to catch it all

    Local Phuket fishing competition out to catch it all

    PHUKET: The annual “Yamu Night Fishing Game” kicks off tomorrow morning.The annual competition, aimed at promoting local fishing traditions in the area, is put on by Paklok Subdistrict Municipality (OrBorTor).“Only those fishing from longtail boats with local fishing equipment are allowed to participate. However, both Thais and foreigners are welcome to get involved,” said Paklok Public Relation staffer Samart Sensai.“If…

  • FoodPhuket Dining: Not just another chef

    Phuket Dining: Not just another chef

    PHUKET: “It was quite stressful,” replies Angsana’s Executive Sous Chef Yi-fan Chu when I ask him about his recent appearance on the ever popular “Iron Chef” series on Thai TV. No wonder – with limited time to impress the judges, the special ingredient kept a secret to the very last moment (this time it was a snow crab from Japan)…

  • Phuket NewsWind at yachties’ backs in Phuket as boom swings against boat-stay law

    Wind at yachties’ backs in Phuket as boom swings against boat-stay law

    PHUKET: The law reducing the time limit of boat stays in Thailand to two months is on hold starting today, and the old law will be applied in the interim, Phuket Customs Chief Nanthita Sririkub confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. As of today, yachts entering Thailand will be permitted to stay for up to six months. “I received official notification…

  • Phuket NewsAirport-bound foreigners safe after illegal taxi catches fire

    Airport-bound foreigners safe after illegal taxi catches fire

    PHUKET: A black-plate taxi carrying two foreigners to Phuket International Airport burst into flames on Thepkrasattri road at about 2pm today.It took villagers about 15 minutes and seven fire extinguishers to put out the fire, explained a Kusoldharm Foundation rescue worker. No one was injured.“By the time we got there, the fire was already under control. At the scene were…

  • Thai LifeBlazing Saddles: Cycling to happiness

    Blazing Saddles: Cycling to happiness

    PHUKET: In 2006 the United Nations announced that more than half the world’s population was now living in urban areas and that by 2030 almost five billion of us will be urbanized.Like most areas of rapid urbanization, Phuket has being deeply wounded by the rush to develop. Firstly, the island has become progressively reoriented around motorized traffic and secondly many…

  • Phuket NewsKrabi resort owner vows legal action over demolition

    Krabi resort owner vows legal action over demolition

    PHUKET: The owner of the Poda Island Resort is threatening to sue the Department of National Parks (DNP) for dismantling his facilities. Chuan Pukaoluan, who has operated the resort for about 20 years, says that he had bought the plots of land the resort was built on legitimately. However, the courts determined that the structures were encroaching on a national…

  • Pattaya NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Farmers return home; More Southern violence; Russian wanted for extortion caught in Chon Buri | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Farmers return home; More Southern violence; Russian wanted for extortion caught in Chon Buri

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Farmers from northern provinces return home Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: About 10,000 farmers who travelled from the lower northern provinces to Bangkok resolved on Friday to return home rather than head to Suvarnabhumi Airport for a rally.The farmers decided to return home after their leader, former…

  • Thai LifePhuket Travel: Camp like a champ

    Phuket Travel: Camp like a champ

    PHUKET: In high season everyone is attempting the paradise-island cliche of beating the crowds. So standing on the beach front of Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park it’s time for an umbrella count. Nothing on the right, nothing on the left – that was easy enough. But perhaps it’s unfair to compare a pristine national park beach area with the…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket EC not enrolling MP candidates by mail, yet

    Phuket EC not enrolling MP candidates by mail, yet

    PHUKET: Despite an announcement by the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday that they would accept additional candidate registrations for the April MP election by mail, Phuket election officials have received no official instructions to enroll new candidates. Anti-government protesters in Phuket blocked MP candidates from registering last December. Only one person, Jirayos Songyos of the Pheu Thai party, was able…

  • Business NewsLocal tourism industry unfazed by Bangkok turmoil

    Local tourism industry unfazed by Bangkok turmoil

    PHUKET: Wanprapha Suksomboon, acting director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office, recently said that the political turmoil in Bangkok has had minimal negative effects on local tourism.There have been only “a few” booking cancellations, she said, citing the fact that Phuket can be accessed by direct international flights that don’t need to connect in the Thai capital. Since…

  • Phuket NewsAirAsia flight makes emergency landing in Phuket after Mecca pilgrim suffers heart failure

    AirAsia flight makes emergency landing in Phuket after Mecca pilgrim suffers heart failure

    PHUKET: An AirAsia plane made an emergency landing at Phuket International Airport after a Malaysian man returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca suffered heart failure while in Thai airspace. The crew of flight D7 171 from Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur attempted to resuscitate Ridzwan Bin Jamaludin, 64, while still in the air, explained Thalang Police Deputy Superintendent Amnuay Kriwuttianant. “The…

  • Phuket NewsWidow of slain Phuket protester returns from Bangkok before fresh wave of violence

    Widow of slain Phuket protester returns from Bangkok before fresh wave of violence

    PHUKET: It has been a month since Phuket taxi driver Prakong Choochan died at the age of 46 from injuries sustained from an explosive device thrown at protesters in Bangkok. His widow, Tippayao Choochan, vowed to continue supporting the “Bangkok Shutdown” protests after his death, and was in the capital last week to join the rally (story here). However, she…

  • Phuket NewsUnidentified foreign woman killed in Phuket crash

    Unidentified foreign woman killed in Phuket crash

    PHUKET: An unidentified foreign woman died in a car accident on Thepkrasattri Road early this morning.Police were called to the scene, on the southbound side of the road opposite the entrance to Bang Kanun Forest, at 5am.“We found a car flipped over in the middle of the road and the body of a foreign woman inside. We searched the car,…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Obama warns Ukraine military not to ‘step over the line’

    Phuket Gazette World News: Obama warns Ukraine military not to ‘step over the line’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama warns Ukraine military not to ‘step over the line’ Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: U.S. President Barack Obama called on Ukraine’s armed forces on Wednesday to stay out of the country’s political crisis and warned that there would be consequences for those who “step over the line.”Using…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Both sides suffer from violent clashes; New plan to pay rice farmers; MP registration by mail; Foreign investors continue retreat from stock market

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Both sides suffer from violent clashes; New plan to pay rice farmers; MP registration by mail; Foreign investors continue retreat from stock market

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community On both sides, victims share the bitter pain of street clashes Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: A junior policeman has become a hero for kicking away a grenade in his bid to protect colleagues during a Bangkok clash – but his wife thinks his fame…

  • Cannabis NewsItalian busted for drug dealing in Phuket

    Italian busted for drug dealing in Phuket

    PHUKET: An Italian man was busted for selling ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) to undercover cops in a sting operation in Patong Monday evening.Fabio Milan Bocca, 35, was arrested at a rental house on Pisitkoranee Road in possession of 8.52 grams of ya ice, 6.79g of marijuana and a single ya bah (methamphetamine) pill. “Our superintendent asked us to stomp out…

  • Phuket NewsChalong steals Phuket’s booze ban spotlight this weekend

    Chalong steals Phuket’s booze ban spotlight this weekend

    PHUKET: Parts of Chalong will be effected by a booze ban this weekend for local elections.“Alcohol sales will be banned in District 2 of Chalong from 6pm on February 21 until midnight on Saturday due to local elections,” Phuket Election Commission Director Kittipong Thiengkunakrit told the Phuket Gazette.The ban will cover five Chao Fa West villages, Chalong Municipality Election Commission…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket protesters head to Bangkok despite deadly violence

    Phuket protesters head to Bangkok despite deadly violence

    PHUKET: An anti-government co-ordinator in Phuket believes hundreds of Phuket residents will join a mass rally in Bangkok tomorrow, despite the violent clashes between protesters and police that have left at least one officer dead (story here). Suthep Thaugsuban, Secretary General of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) last night called for supporters to join the protest tomorrow as a…

  • Thailand NewsThailand Breaking News: Erawan Centre says three killed, 59 injured in clash | Thaiger

    Thailand Breaking News: Erawan Centre says three killed, 59 injured in clash

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Erawan Centre says three killed, 59 injured in clash Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Erawan Emergency Medical Centre reported at 3pm today that two civilians and a policeman had been killed. Additionally, 58 others were injured in the clash between police and protesters…

  • Business NewsPhuket Gazette appoints new Managing Editor

    Phuket Gazette appoints new Managing Editor

    PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Isaac Stone Simonelli to the position of managing editor. Having spent his years at the Gazette in various roles, including PGTV news presenter, news editor and then head of both the news and reporter teams, Mr Simonelli is well versed in the major local, national and international issues…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Crackdown sees several injured, including police

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Crackdown sees several injured, including police

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Crackdown sees several injured Phuket Gazette/ The NationPHUKET: At least two policemen were reportedly shot and injured and a protester was hurt in a clash on Rajdamnoen Road.The clash started at 11:20 when police opened fire on the protesters.Since then, sounds of gunfire were heard now and…