Legacy Phuket Gazette

Archiving articles from the Phuket Gazette circa 1998 - 2017. View the Phuket Gazette online archive and Digital Gazette PDF Prints.
  • Phuket NewsPhuket blood donors save American’s life

    Phuket blood donors save American’s life

    PHUKET: Thanks to the generosity of at least 20 blood donors in Phuket, an American car crash victim is now out of danger and recovering from a second round of surgery. Chonita Michelle Cleary, 24, and two of her friends were involved in a collision with a taxi when heading from Cherng Talay to Thalang town at about 1am on…

  • Phuket NewsBREAKING NEWS: Foreigner killed at Phuket shooting range | Thaiger

    BREAKING NEWS: Foreigner killed at Phuket shooting range

    PHUKET: A foreigner allegedly shot himself in the head at a Phuket firing range at about 2pm today. The man, who registered at the Patong Hill Shooting Range under the name ‘Andres’, reportedly fired seven shots at the target before discharging the eighth round into his head, confirmed Lt Sawanya Eiadtrong of the Thung Thong Police. Police are at the…

  • World NewsDanish 16-year old girl charged with planning to bomb schools | Thaiger

    Danish 16-year old girl charged with planning to bomb schools

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Danish 16-year old girl charged with planning to bomb schools Phuket Gazette / Reuters COPENHAGEN: A 16-year-old Danish girl has been charged with planning a “terrorist” attack on two schools, one of them Jewish, after acquiring chemicals for bombs, police said on Tuesday. A police press…

  • World NewsClouds over Indonesia obscure total eclipse of the sun for many | Thaiger

    Clouds over Indonesia obscure total eclipse of the sun for many

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Clouds over Indonesia obscure total eclipse of the sun for many Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A solar eclipse enthralled Indonesia on Wednesday but clouds over some parts of archipelago spoiled the view for many of the skywatchers who had the opportunity to see it in…

  • Phuket NewsHealth, safety top priorities for Phuket beach volley tournament

    Health, safety top priorities for Phuket beach volley tournament

    PHUKET: Preparations for the 2016 Thailand Beach Volley Festival Phuket powered by PTT are in high gear ahead of the international tournament to be held at Karon Beach, March 23-27 (story here), with security at the top of the agenda. Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul said this morning that with more than 300 participants – about 100 athletes and 200…

  • Phuket NewsKrabi adds buoys to protect corals

    Krabi adds buoys to protect corals

    KRABI: In an effort to protect marine life, Krabi officials yesterday announced the installation of 16 additional buoys near popular tourist attractions. “The purpose of the buoys is to mark the presence of coral reefs so that ships and boats can avoid anchoring there,” said Sarayuth Tanthien, chief of the Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.…

  • Phuket NewsKrabi officials find Chikungunya virus in monkey, public urged not to panic

    Krabi officials find Chikungunya virus in monkey, public urged not to panic

    KRABI: Krabi officials are asking the public not to panic after monkeys at popular tourist areas were found to be infected with the dengue-like virus Chikungunya. “This viruses cannot be directly transmitted from monkeys to humans. It is passed through mosquitoes only, so there is a very low probability that humans will be infected,” said Chief of the Krabi Provincial…

  • Phuket NewsA Decade Ago: Coral reefs and tidal waves of wastewater

    A Decade Ago: Coral reefs and tidal waves of wastewater

    PHUKET: As the Phuket Gazette scuba diving columnist for the last four years, I was dumbfounded when I stumbled over the headline screaming from page one of the 2006 March 4-10 issue: HUGE REEF DISCOVERED. A unique swath of biodiversity for Thailand that consumed at least four square kilometers of seabed off Tai Muang in Phang Nga was the biggest…

  • Phuket NewsForeign tenants told to go to court for property dispute

    Foreign tenants told to go to court for property dispute

    PHUKET: A group of tenants living at The Aspasia Phuket, who were hoping to have issues about the property’s management ironed out by the governor, have been told to go to court to settle their disputes. The group of ten expat tenants led by Dutch national Jan Cornelis van Zuilekom were told by Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul yesterday that they…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket sea hare mass spawning caused by water temperature rise [video] | Thaiger

    Phuket sea hare mass spawning caused by water temperature rise [video]

    PHUKET: The millions of sea hares that washed onto a Phuket beach yesterday (story here) were part of a mass spawning due to a slight increase in the temperature of the sea. “It is normal during warmer months for the temperature to rise just enough to trigger a spawning response in sea hares. The animals die shortly after spawning, which…

  • Phuket NewsMiss Andaman Power 2016 makes sparks at Jungceylon

    Miss Andaman Power 2016 makes sparks at Jungceylon

    PHUKET: Andaman Power is celebrating sexual diversity and spreading sexual health awareness with its upcoming competition ‘Miss Andaman Power 2016’ to be held at various locations from March 25-30. However, the real fun for the public won’t be until the finalists take the stage in Jungceylon for the beauty pageant part of the event, which will include a fashion show,…

  • Phuket NewsFrench pensioner mugged by Phuket ‘teenage’ thugs

    French pensioner mugged by Phuket ‘teenage’ thugs

    PHUKET: Phuket police are hunting for two men who mugged a 70-year-old French woman as she was riding a bicycle along Lay Pang Beach yesterday evening. Martine Delaloy was riding her bicycle along the beach at about 5pm when two suspects, thought to be teenagers, drove past her on a motorbike and snatched her bag, causing her to fall. “When…

  • OpinionOpinion: Cops and Canines

    Opinion: Cops and Canines

    Suthee Sirianun is the assistant chief of the Phuket Drug Prevention and Suppression Center. He is originally from Phatthalung Province and graduated from Ramkhamhaeng University with a double Masters in Law and Art. Here he talks about the island’s need for police dogs and the issues associated with being able to care for them. PHUKET: Currently, Phuket doesn’t have any…

  • Business NewsBuilding a medical tourism hub

    Building a medical tourism hub

    PHUKET: Phuket has the potential to become a leading regional hub for medical tourism, an industry that is well positioned for exponential growth primarily led by the demand for aesthetic treatments. Investment opportunities in medical facilities and premises are increasingly attractive amid the backdrop of a global economic slowdown. Despite the diminishing legacy market for ‘Gender Reassignment’ Surgery (GRS), more…

  • Phuket NewsUnderstanding what AEC means for Phuket

    Understanding what AEC means for Phuket

    PHUKET: The feared impact the Asean Economic Community (AEC) will have on Thais in Phuket’s tourism industry is unwarranted, said AEC Information Center Director Thitipasook Jaratjessada. After years of anticipation and some delays, the AEC was officially launched on January 1, 2016. However, there are no changes to visa requirements or labor laws for citizens of member nations seeking employment…

  • Phuket NewsBoat owner gets warning for coral damage [video] | Thaiger

    Boat owner gets warning for coral damage [video]

    PHUKET: The operator of a boat that was filmed anchored on fragile coral off Koh Racha Yai on February 16 has escaped a hefty fine and possible prison time after apologizing for the incident. Officials tracked down the owner after a diver took underwater video of the boat’s anchor line trailing across the coral. The diver also recorded the name…

  • Business NewsBoard of Trade plans SME matchmaking fairs

    Board of Trade plans SME matchmaking fairs

    BANGKOK: Thailand’s Board of Trade is inviting newly established businesses across the country to join a ‘Business Matching’ event in Bangkok. The event is aimed at giving SMEs the opportunity to meet consumer giants such as department stores and retailers. The event will take place at the Bangkok Convention Center in Lat Prao on April 26. Board of Trade Chairman…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket school for adults welcomes freshies

    Phuket school for adults welcomes freshies

    PHUKET: A school for adults in Rassada welcomed a new batch of students aged between 40 and 80 years old on Friday. Rassada Mayor Phudit Raksarat presided over a ceremony to welcome the new students. Operated by Rassada Municipality, the school aims to support self-development and lifetime learning for elderly members of the community, said Mayor Phudit. “The school encourages…

  • World NewsAustralian police respond to shooting, report of hostages at Sydney factory | Thaiger

    Australian police respond to shooting, report of hostages at Sydney factory

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Australian police respond to shooting, report of hostages at Sydney factory Phuket Gazette / Reuters SYDNEY: Three people have been shot and hostages may have been taken at a factory on the outskirts of Sydney, Australian police said on Monday, although it was not immediately clear…

  • World NewsTwo years on, MH370 families say search for missing jet must continue | Thaiger

    Two years on, MH370 families say search for missing jet must continue

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Two years on, MH370 families say search for missing jet must continue Phuket Gazette / Reuters KUALA LUMPUR:The families of passengers lost aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 say the two-year search for the missing aircraft must go on beyond a June deadline, as new hope emerged…

  • Phuket NewsAmerican, 26, found dead in Patong

    American, 26, found dead in Patong

    PHUKET: Police are looking into the authenticity of a hand-written letter found in the room of a Patong hotel where the body of a 26-year-old American man was discovered on Saturday. The body of Nathan D House was discovered by housekeeping staff, said Lt Col Jessada Saengsuree of the Patong Police. “Inside the room we discovered a plastic bag with…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok boat explosion prompts safety overhaul

    Bangkok boat explosion prompts safety overhaul

    BANGKOK: The Marine Department plans to require the owners of commuter boats to check the engine and fuel system of vessels twice a year, in the wake of an explosion on a commuter boat on Bangkok’s Saen Saeb Canal on Saturday that injured 71 people. Boat owners were previously required to perform the check annually. Marine Department Deputy Director-general Nat…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket to host ACM-ICPC World Finals

    Phuket to host ACM-ICPC World Finals

    PHUKET: Phuket is set to host the 40th Association for Computing Machinery – International Collegiate Programming Contest (ACM-ICPC) World Finals from May 15-20. The ACM-ICPC is a multi-tiered annual programming competition sponsored by IBM, held among universities throughout the world. “We have been submitting requests to host the world finals every year since 2011 and finally we were chosen,” said…

  • OpinionIsland View: Travelling responsibly

    Island View: Travelling responsibly

    PHUKET: The recent incident involving Grace Taylor, a British backpacker in Krabi who made a frantic phone call to her family alleging that people were ‘trying to hurt her’, sparked a lot of debate on social media about the ethics of travelling responsibly. Fortunately, Ms Taylor’s family was able to get to her in time and she was soon in…

  • Phuket NewsKrabi police scoop up reef thieves

    Krabi police scoop up reef thieves

    KRABI: Krabi officials arrested three men yesterday after they were apprehended illegally collecting coral and sea anemone near Koh Pu. Samart Janlamoon, 39, Natthapol Watjinda, 21, and Somrit Suksai, 41, were found in possession of 15 boxes of the precious marine life after officers inspected their boat, confirmed Jaroenchai Srisuwan, chief of the Krabi Fishery Management Center. “Last night, five…

  • Phuket NewsPolice commander assures island safety amid foiled gang plot

    Police commander assures island safety amid foiled gang plot

    PHUKET: Local officials are assuring the island’s safety after a member of the gang that attempted to rob a Bangkok gun shop revealed that the weapons may have been destined for either Chiang Mai or Phuket. Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karajedee this morning reaffirmed that all necessary security measures were already in place on the island. “We have…

  • Phuket NewsPublic asked not to rely on social media for tsunami warnings

    Public asked not to rely on social media for tsunami warnings

    PHUKET: Officials are warning the public not to rely too heavily on social media when it comes to earthquake and tsunami warnings. There are currently 40 seismometers throughout the Kingdom, which alert the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) in Bangkok of any seismic activity in the area, confirmed Deputy Director-General of the Meteorological Department Burin Wechbunthung. “The NDWC evaluates data…

  • Phuket NewsExperts unable to confirm species of Kata jellyfish

    Experts unable to confirm species of Kata jellyfish

    PHUKET: A Phuket diver photographed what he believed to be a box jellyfish while diving off of Kata Beach last Sunday. The photo was supplied to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) Region 5 by Kanawut Krongraksa, who spotted the creature at a depth of about eight meters. However, experts have yet to confirm the exact species. “I…

  • Phuket NewsForeign tenants ask Phuket Governor to mediate property dispute

    Foreign tenants ask Phuket Governor to mediate property dispute

    PHUKET: A contingent of tenants leasing rooms at a luxury resort in Kata met with the governor at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday to hand him a letter demanding an investigation into issues over the property’s management. Leading the ten foreign tenants from The Aspasia Phuket resort was Dutch national Jan Cornelis van Zuilekom. Mr Zuilekom, who referred to himself as…

  • Business NewsFinance: Tech stocks are still dangerous

    Finance: Tech stocks are still dangerous

    PHUKET: You would think the lessons learned in the dotcom bubble and subsequent crash would not be so quickly forgotten, but last year’s purchase by Facebook of the free smartphone app Whatsapp for 22 billion dollars was a very good reminder of how quickly we forget. There is no reason to put your life savings at risk with individual stocks…