Legacy Phuket Gazette

Archiving articles from the Phuket Gazette circa 1998 - 2017. View the Phuket Gazette online archive and Digital Gazette PDF Prints.
  • Phuket NewsDozens of fish saved from entangled net at top Phuket dive destination

    Dozens of fish saved from entangled net at top Phuket dive destination

    PHUKET: Divers saved dozens of reef fish trapped in an enormous fishing net draped over one of Phuket’s most popular dive sites: marine conservation area, Shark Point. “We had just spent five or six minutes watching a leopard shark swimming around us, and then, as we came around the corner, we saw a blanket of net covering a large amount…

  • Thai LifeVideo Report: A Phuket lesson in abstract love

    Video Report: A Phuket lesson in abstract love

    PHUKET: As part of its Valentine’s Day celebrations, Jungceylon is staging a four-day exhibition by two renowned local artists.Watcharin Rodnit and Anuwat Sirirattanajitt have been friends for over ten year; in fact it was Anuwat who introduced Watcharin to Phuket a decade ago. Abstract art for the new year. Video: PGTVDespite their long friendship, this new exhibition – Duo Abstract…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket crepe vendor’s livelihood up in flames

    Phuket crepe vendor’s livelihood up in flames

    PHUKET: A longtime vendor of Thai mini-crepes saw his sidecar shop burned to a crisp after a gas leak yesterday afternoon.It took firefighters 20 minutes to put out the fire, near Muang Municipal School in Phuket Town.“I’ve been selling mini-crepes (kanum tokyo) to Muang Phuket School students every evening for a long time,” said the 44-year-old owner of the stand,…

  • Phuket NewsDavis Cup Phuket tennis drawings held

    Davis Cup Phuket tennis drawings held

    PHUKET: The drawing for the first round of match pairs in the Davis Cup BNP Paribas Group II, Zone Asia/Oceania (Thailand vs Hong Kong) was held this morning at Phuket’s Thanyapura. Tennis superstars train at Tanyapura. Video: PGTV Starting tomorrow, players from Thailand and Hong Kong will cross rackets on Thanyapura’s world-class tennis courts in three days of intense competition.…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket booze ban keeps Cupid’s arrows flying straight

    Phuket booze ban keeps Cupid’s arrows flying straight

    PHUKET: A nationwide ban on the sale and purchase of alcohol will be in effect this Valentine’s Day in celebration of Makha Bucha Day, one of the four annual religious holidays in Thailand. “By law, alcohol sales and purchases are banned throughout the country in order to respect the holy day,” Deputy Commander of Phuket Provincial Police Peerayuth Karajedee told…

  • Thai LifeFebruary 14: Phuket’s an island alight

    February 14: Phuket’s an island alight

    PHUKET: February 14 – it’s that time of year again: a time to laugh and love for many, but certainly a time to live for all. That’s a cue to power down your tablets and smartphones, and slap on your mojo suits. This year, it’s not just Valentine’s Day we have to look forward to tomorrow, but two more important,…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Civil Defense Volunteers feted at 60th Anniversary

    Phuket Civil Defense Volunteers feted at 60th Anniversary

    PHUKET: A celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Civil Defense Volunteers was hosted by Governor Maitri Inthusut on Monday. Civil defence volunteers help law-enforcement officers fulfill a wide range of duties, such as manning checkpoints, monitoring election stations, administering urine drug tests and providing security for government buildings. At the ceremony, which took place at the…

  • Phuket NewsThird dive boat’s final plunge sparks fire-safety awareness efforts

    Third dive boat’s final plunge sparks fire-safety awareness efforts

    PHUKET: The revelation of the sinking of a third dive boat in the Andaman Sea within the last month has sparked concerns over fire safety issues on all Phuket tour boats. On February 2, the Phuket-based Bunmee I sank in Koh Lanta National Park after an electrical short circuit caused a fire to erupt in the engine room. Less than…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket hosts meeting on safe handling of radioactive materials

    Phuket hosts meeting on safe handling of radioactive materials

    PHUKET: Representatives of 15 countries are meeting in Phuket this week to discuss the safe management of used radioactive materials and the potential threats they present if mishandled. The United States, a producer and exporter of radioactive substances, sponsored the conference to discuss the handling of materials after they have been used by industry and hospitals, the Office of ‘Atoms…

  • Phuket NewsElectrical short started fire on Phuket’s MV Blue Star, says chief

    Electrical short started fire on Phuket’s MV Blue Star, says chief

    PHUKET: The fire that caused the liveaboard dive boat MV Blue Star to sink in Myanmar waters was started by an electrical short circuit in the engine room, confirmed Ranong Marine Office Deputy Chief Pramuan Thessana this morning. “The dive boat left from Thap Lamu Pier in Khao Lak on January 29,” Mr Pramuan said. “It took the tourists on…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Marine Office offers B10,000 reward for pictures of oil-dumpers

    Phuket Marine Office offers B10,000 reward for pictures of oil-dumpers

    PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Office is offering a 10,000 baht reward for photographs of people dumping oil into the sea.It is illegal to release oil into the sea, said Phuket Marine Office chief Phuriphat Teerakulpisut.“But we can only arrest suspects if we have enough proof or catch them in action. In the past, we have been too late, and the…

  • PropertyUrban lifestyle options dominate Phuket Real Estate Expo

    Urban lifestyle options dominate Phuket Real Estate Expo

    PHUKET: The latest condos, compact houses and home building supplies catering to Phuket’s urban living trend have launched their new year promotions at the Phuket Real Estate Show 2014 held at Central Festival Phuket, which ends tomorrow, February 12.City dwellings dominated the rows of properties and products at the expo featuring affordable accommodation options under 2 million baht for young…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket rubber tapper fatally felled by tree branch

    Phuket rubber tapper fatally felled by tree branch

    PHUKET: A Phuket rubber farmer was struck and killed by a falling tree branch while tapping his trees early yesterday morning in Thalang.Jaroon Tankongkoy, 67, left for the rubber plantation at 3am, said his wife, Pranom Tankongkoy.“I was waiting to have lunch with him, but he didn’t come back. At 3pm, I went out to look for him,” Mrs Pranom…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: First rally leader detained; Labour Ministry compiles human-trafficking report; Threat to block rice storage

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: First rally leader detained; Labour Ministry compiles human-trafficking report; Threat to block rice storage

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Sonthiyarn arrested; first rally leader to be detained The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Sonthiyarn Chuenruethai-naitham, owner and director of T-news agency, yesterday became the first anti-government protest leader to be arrested. He was having a meal alone in the Central Lat Phrao shopping complex when apprehended by…

  • World NewsAsylum seekers accuse Australian navy of abuse as boat towed to Indonesia

    Asylum seekers accuse Australian navy of abuse as boat towed to Indonesia

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Asylum seekers accuse Australian navy of abuse as boat towed to Indonesia Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: On New Year’s day, 45 asylum seekers in a ramshackle wooden boat slid ashore on a small island off the Australian city of Darwin. Four others had been swept overboard that…

  • Hua Hin NewsChina in rare crackdown on sex industry in southern vice hub

    China in rare crackdown on sex industry in southern vice hub

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China in rare crackdown on sex industry in southern vice hub Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Chinese authorities have carried out a rare crackdown on the sex trade in the “sin city” of Dongguan following a candid report by the state broadcaster on the underground industry.China outlawed prostitution…

  • Phuket NewsAll safe after Phuket dive boat sinks off Myanmar

    All safe after Phuket dive boat sinks off Myanmar

    PHUKET: Everyone has been safely rescued from a Phuket dive boat that sank in Myanmar waters, said the Managing Director of Chalong Sea Sports, Pekka Torri. However, the cause of the fire that erupted aboard the MV Blue Star and led to its sinking has yet to be confirmed. Mr Pekka declined to reveal any details about the incident, other…

  • EntertainmentKnocked out by Beatles in the Boat Lagoon

    Knocked out by Beatles in the Boat Lagoon

    PHUKET: “We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine”… There are songs that make your head rock, your fingers click and your feet stomp. There are days when you can’t get a tune out of your head; it follows you around, you keep whistling it, you catch yourself singing it out loud under the shower…

  • Phuket NewsArgument leads to fatal fight outside Phuket karaoke bar

    Argument leads to fatal fight outside Phuket karaoke bar

    PHUKET: A violent argument in a Phuket karaoke bar on Saturday ended in the death of a fisherman.The unidentified man was drinking with friends at Nong Man Karaoke bar on Sri Sena Road when they began arguing with four fisherman at a nearby table, witnesses told police.“They started fighting outside the karaoke bar,” said Capt Udom Petcharat of the Phuket…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Passport Office re-opens despite protesters

    Phuket Passport Office re-opens despite protesters

    PHUKET:The Phuket Passport Office opened its doors today despite the fact that Provincial Hall remains closed due to anti-government protests. The office closed last month after the Passport Division in Bangkok terminated its server connection with provincial passport offices as a precaution during protests in the capital (story here). Many of the people who queued for service today were turned…

  • Phuket NewsOne at large after drug dealers open fire on Krabi Police

    One at large after drug dealers open fire on Krabi Police

    PHUKET: One suspect is still at large after a gunfight broke out between Krabi Police and two drug dealers on Saturday.“Their car approached the Khao Phanom-Nua Khlong Road checkpoint at high speed just after midnight. We ordered them to stop, but instead of slowing down, they sped up and started shooting at officers,” Sen Sgt Maj Krit Kaewsrion said.“Police returned…

  • Pattaya NewsPhuket United ready for futsal season opener

    Phuket United ready for futsal season opener

    PHUKET: Get ready for one of the most exciting indoor team sports in the country – the Futsal Thailand Premier League (FTPL) kicks off this weekend, with the island’s pro five-a-side squad, Phuket United to host CAT FC in their season opener on Sunday night. To be played at Saphan Hin’s two-year-new 4,000-seat Indoor Gymnasium, the match will kick off…

  • Pattaya NewsPhuket FC give local expats a lickin’ – soccer superstars get ready

    Phuket FC give local expats a lickin’ – soccer superstars get ready

    PHUKET: Following their epic 1-1 draw with Thai Premier League powerhouse Chonburi FC last weekend, (click here for video highlights), the island’s pro soccer outfit Phuket FC had a much easier pre-season friendly work-out this past weekend, squashing local expat team Pluto Ice Cream in a 5-1 drubbing at Surakul Stadium. With only several scattered pockets of supporters turning out,…

  • Phuket NewsRussian tourist, 42, drops dead while chatting with friends

    Russian tourist, 42, drops dead while chatting with friends

    PHUKET: Police have yet to determine why a Russian tourist died suddenly in a Phuket hotel room early yesterday morning.Timur Ivanov and his two traveling companions were eating fruit and drinking a hot beverage together at a hotel at Bang Tao Beach when he suddenly passed out. The friends called hotel staff for help, and rescue workers were summoned to…

  • PropertyPhuket Property Watch: Out of the room and into the fire

    Phuket Property Watch: Out of the room and into the fire

    PHUKET: Did you get the memo? For god’s sake, why didn’t you just fall into line and do like everyone else does? Like it or not, hotel life can pretty much be summed up in these two sentences; Go to work, disconnect all logic and brainpower and just follow the leader like a xanaxed-out flock of sheep. A few days…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Eleven dead after worst snowfall in decades hits Tokyo

    Phuket Gazette World News: Eleven dead after worst snowfall in decades hits Tokyo

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Eleven dead after worst snowfall in decades hits Tokyo Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Eleven people died, more than a thousand were injured and tens of thousands lost power when the worst snowstorm in decades hit Tokyo and areas around the Japanese capital before heading north to blanket…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Falling rock derails train in French Alps, two dead

    Phuket Gazette World News: Falling rock derails train in French Alps, two dead

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Falling rock derails train in French Alps, two dead Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A huge falling rock derailed a train in the French Alps on Saturday, killing two people and partly pushing one of its carriages over the edge of a mountain slope, local officials said.At least…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Spanish princess questioned in corruption investigation

    Phuket Gazette World News: Spanish princess questioned in corruption investigation

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Spanish princess questioned in corruption investigation Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Spain’s Princess Cristina was questioned by a judge on Saturday in a corruption case that has deepened public anger over graft among the ruling class and discontent with the royal family.It was the first time that a…

  • Phuket NewsGerman man, 70, found dead with sex drug

    German man, 70, found dead with sex drug

    PHUKET: The discovery of a 70-year-old German man who appears to have died after taking a generic version of Viagra has prompted public health officials in Phuket to issue a warning about such drugs.“People should take care when taking erectile dysfunction drugs, especially if they are older and have underlying medical conditions,” said Orachorn Atthaveelarp of the Phuket Provincial Health…

  • Phuket NewsOwners of abandoned Phuket resort refuse to give way

    Owners of abandoned Phuket resort refuse to give way

    PHUKET: Owners of an abandoned resort in the foothills of Patong have refused to take down part of their structure to re-open access to the land behind it. The land in question, valued at 40 million baht per rai because of its panoramic view of Patong, cannot be developed without access, said landowner Utaiwan Van-Zandt, who has been fighting to…