Legacy Phuket Gazette

Archiving articles from the Phuket Gazette circa 1998 - 2017. View the Phuket Gazette online archive and Digital Gazette PDF Prints.
  • Phuket NewsChinese tourists missing after ignoring red flag at Phuket beach

    Chinese tourists missing after ignoring red flag at Phuket beach

    PHUKET: Police are searching for two Chinese tourists who have been missing since yesterday afternoon when they disregarded red flag warnings and entered the water at Freedom Beach. Patong Police officers and rescue workers rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the situation. “The waves were very strong, which is why there were red flags in the area. Rescue…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket taxi driver charged with sexual harassment and indecent exposure

    Phuket taxi driver charged with sexual harassment and indecent exposure

    PHUKET: A Phuket motorbike taxi driver was charged with sexual harassment and indecent exposure after he was recorded ‘pleasuring himself’ in public yesterday afternoon. A teacher from a well known Phuket school posted a video of the incident on Facebook to express her anger and to warn others to be aware of the suspect, who was later revealed to be…

  • Phuket NewsPolice hunt for suspects in murder of Krabi headman and family

    Police hunt for suspects in murder of Krabi headman and family

    KRABI: Police are still searching for suspects involved in the murder of a village headman and his family on Tuesday. Worayuth Sunglung, a village headman in Krabi’s Ao Luk district, and seven of his family members were gunned down at their home while three others survived with serious injuries (story here). The only family member unscathed was Mr Worayuth’s three-month-old…

  • Thai LifeHooper Trips Asia: Tennger Farmer

    Hooper Trips Asia: Tennger Farmer

    The Tengger Hill People of East Java, Indonesia are a strong, proud people rich in culture and full of life. Their livelihood is dependent on the volcano Mt Bromo that dominates their landscape. It brings them the fertile soil from which they so proudly grow their beautiful, giant vegetables. Their homes are perched precariously on the cliffs of the Bromo…

  • Phuket NewsShooting suspect surrenders, denies “attempted murder’ charges

    Shooting suspect surrenders, denies “attempted murder’ charges

    PHUKET: The second suspect in the shooting of a police assistant surrendered himself to police yesterday. Suthiwut Thawan, 21, is a native of Phang Nga. Following the shooting, he returned to his family home in Phang Nga, but surrendered himself after police appraised his family of the situation. Mr Suthiwut and another suspect named Sathaporn Kuoaywanich were involved in a…

  • Phuket NewsAmanpuri luxury villa fire causes 3 million baht in damages

    Amanpuri luxury villa fire causes 3 million baht in damages

    PHUKET: A luxury villa at the prestigious Amanpuri in Phuket caught fire last night, causing about 3 million baht’s worth of damages. “This is a standalone villa connected to the resort. It has five rooms, three of which (covering an area of 210sqm) caught fire. Firefighters took an hour and a half to control the flames and prevent them from…

  • Phuket NewsTwo arrested for spree of robberies in Phuket

    Two arrested for spree of robberies in Phuket

    PHUKET: Two suspects were arrested on Tuesday night for a spree of robberies in Phuket. A Burmese fisherman filed a report against the two for robbing and stabbing him at Sea Angel Pier in Rassada Monday night. The first suspect, Panuwat Kaewpoh, 24, was apprehended on Narisorn Road in Phuket Town. “We have seen many similar cases involving Burmese workers…

  • Phuket NewsJoint venture to develop senior living village in Phuket

    Joint venture to develop senior living village in Phuket

    PHUKET: A joint venture company, Kamala Senior Living Co Ltd, has been set up to develop an upscale ‘Lifestyle Senior Living Village’ worth 3.5 billion baht in Phuket. The company is a partnership between property firm Nye Estate Co Ltd, Chewathai Public Co Ltd, LPN Development Plc and CH Karnchang Plc. The project would be equipped with a full range…

  • Phuket NewsPolice assistant shot at checkpoint, hospitalized in critical condition

    Police assistant shot at checkpoint, hospitalized in critical condition

    PHUKET: A Phuket City Police assistant was shot early this morning while attempting to stop a motorbike at a checkpoint. “We had set up a checkpoint on Anuphatkarn Road. Two men on a motorbike were coming toward the checkpoint, but turned around to flee as soon as they saw the officers there,” said Lt Col Sakol Krainara of Phuket City…

  • Thai LifeCape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek 2017 set to welcome sailors from around the world

    Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek 2017 set to welcome sailors from around the world

    PHUKET: Entries continue to be received for the 14th Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek which takes place July 19-23 off Phuket’s east coast. The four-day four-party format has proven popular with sailors from around the globe as the fleet is expected to grow to approximately 40 boats come race day, with up to 500 sailors from more than 25 countries…

  • Thai LifeExcuse Buster: Importance of protein in our daily diets

    Excuse Buster: Importance of protein in our daily diets

    PHUKET: I recently consulted with a client who was preparing for a triathlon here. It was clear from his lab results and symptoms (poor recovery and fatigue) that his protein consumption was too low. When we analyzed his daily protein amount, it was only about 50gs per day, when it was clear based on his weight and training routine that…

  • Phuket NewsHuman remains discovered in Phuket forest believed to be those of a Burmese woman’s

    Human remains discovered in Phuket forest believed to be those of a Burmese woman’s

    PHUKET: Police are trying to identify the cause of death of a woman whose skeleton was discovered in a Kathu forest yesterday afternoon. At about 4:45pm, police received a report from locals that they had found human remains in a forest beside the King Kong water park. Kathu Police Superintendent ML Pattanachak Jakkapan led a team to the scene to…

  • Phuket NewsEight murdered, three wounded in execution-style home massacre in Krabi

    Eight murdered, three wounded in execution-style home massacre in Krabi

    KRABI: A village headman and 10 members of his family were shot in the head in an execution style massacre at their home in Krabi. Carried out by several assailants yesterday, the massacre left eight dead and three others with serious injuries. Captain Suwit Kaewpreecha, deputy inspector of the Ao Luek Police Station in Krabi, was alerted to the massacre…

  • Phuket News67-year-old tourist drowns on Racha Island

    67-year-old tourist drowns on Racha Island

    PHUKET: Another Chinese tourist has drowned in Phuket, this time at Racha Island yesterday afternoon. “The family of the deceased, Dong Shukui, 67, said that they had arrived in Thailand on July 7 and were scheduled to fly back on August 4. They were staying at the Rayaburi hotel on Racha Island from July 9-11,” said Capt Somkiat Sarasit of…

  • Phuket NewsVideo: Ten-year-old tourist and father killed in another Phuket bus crash on Patong Hill

    Video: Ten-year-old tourist and father killed in another Phuket bus crash on Patong Hill

    PHUKET: Two Chinese tourists were killed and 22 others injured after a tour bus flipped to its side while coming down Patong Hill, hitting several motorbikes and houses near the Suwankiriwong Temple last night. The bus driver, Kritaporn Nuandua, 36, blamed ‘brake failure’ for the incident. “The accident occurred at about 11pm. A 10 year-old boy died at the scene…

  • Phuket NewsMore than 4,000 cyclists join Phuket biking event

    More than 4,000 cyclists join Phuket biking event

    PHUKET: A 20-kilometer bike ride organized as part of the ‘Nation Bike Thailand 2017’ event was held in Phuket yesterday and attracted more than 4,000 cyclists to the island. “The event was held under the theme of ‘Pan Yon Muang, Chim Ahan, Laokhan Reung Muang Too at Phuket’, or ‘Cycling for city sight seeing, tasting food and telling stories of…

  • Phuket News35-year-old Phuket woman reported missing

    35-year-old Phuket woman reported missing

    PHUKET: Police are searching for a Phuket woman who has reportedly been missing for seven days. Relatives of 35-year-old Picha Nampadung filed a missing persons report with Chalong Police. Facebook user R’forey Rujirada (whose real name is Rujirada Ornkorat) shared a post on social media saying she was the missing woman’s niece. Ms Rujirada provided a picture of her aunt…

  • Phuket NewsIllegal migrant workers given 15 days to register

    Illegal migrant workers given 15 days to register

    PHUKET: The Ministry of Labor has revamped its registration process for illegal migrant workers after a new law announcing heavy fines for their employers was revealed last month. Starting July 24, migrant workers will be given 15 days to submit their documents to the ministry in order to receive a work permit. Governor Norraphat Plodthong yesterday chaired a meeting at…

  • Phuket NewsFive houses burned down in two Phuket fires

    Five houses burned down in two Phuket fires

    PHUKET: More than 700,000 baht’s worth of damages were caused as five houses burned down in two separate incidents in Phuket. The first fire broke out at Baan Klang in Chalong yesterday. Chalong Police received reports of the fire and contacted the municipality for help. Firefighters spent 30 minutes battling the flames, but the whole house was burned to the…

  • Phuket NewsAngry mob protests against arrest of mentally disabled man

    Angry mob protests against arrest of mentally disabled man

    PHUKET: Baan Thasak locals on Wednesday gathered in front of Thalang District Office to demand justice for a mentally disabled man who was allegedly attacked by police officers during a drug arrest earlier that day. About 50 locals gathered at the scene and demanded that the arresting officers be held responsible for what they did. On Wednesday evening, civil defense…

  • PropertyProperty Watch: Welcome to Phuket’s Darwinian season

    Property Watch: Welcome to Phuket’s Darwinian season

    PHUKET: I love nature, the environment, and all it has to offer. However, I know that my shark fin soup eating ways aren’t popular, and my Darwinistic sympathies applied to nature will be mocked on social media as simplistic and outdated. However, Darwin’s Theory and Phuket are linked. Phuket has it’s own environments – natural and economic, and these environments…

  • Thai LifeHooper Trips Asia: Mt Bromo Sunrise

    Hooper Trips Asia: Mt Bromo Sunrise

    As I sat in the darkness of the chilly pre-dawn morning, I just had a feeling that this day would be a special one. I had woken up groggily at 3:00am to start the long journey to this viewpoint that overlooks the incredible active volcano Mt Bromo in East Java, Indonesia. While sitting patiently waiting for the sun to shed…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Gov chairs opening ceremony of tourism fair

    Phuket Gov chairs opening ceremony of tourism fair

    PHUKET: The opening ceremony of the ‘Andaman Hotelier and Tourism Fair 2017’, the biggest hotel fair in the south, was held at Homeworks yesterday afternoon. “The tourism industry is vital for Phuket’s economy. This event aims to enhance our standard of service and make us more competitive with other countries,” said Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong, who chaired the ceremony. The…

  • HealthDo we need a Last Will and Testament in Thailand?

    Do we need a Last Will and Testament in Thailand?

    With the growing number of people retiring in Thailand, our firm has received several inquiries for a Last Will and Testament. The primary question that we receive is, “Do I need a will?” What does a Last Will and Testament do? The purpose of a Last Will and Testament is to direct funeral arrangements, determine property distributions, assign a guardian…

  • Phuket NewsInjured dolphin stranded at Patong Beach

    Injured dolphin stranded at Patong Beach

    PHUKET: An injured spinner dolphin was stranded on the shore at Patong Beach yesterday. The dolphin was 1.2 meters long and weighed about 20kg. Tourists found him yesterday evening. He looked weak and was struggling to get back into the sea. Rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation used specialized equipment to lift the dolphin and transfer him to the Phuket…

  • Phuket NewsAngry mob burns effigy to protest falling palm oil prices

    Angry mob burns effigy to protest falling palm oil prices

    KRABI: An angry mob of more than 100 people gathered outside Krabi Provincial Hall this morning and burned an effigy of the Deputy Director General of the Department of Internal Trade to protest against the falling prices of palm oil. Members of the protest, who had gathered from Krabi and nearby provinces, including Trang, Phanag Nga, Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani…

  • Phuket NewsOne killed in collision with garbage truck

    One killed in collision with garbage truck

    PHUKET: A 41-year-old biker was killed in a crash with a Phuket Municipality garbage truck early yesterday morning. “The victim, Chote Promphan, was driving toward Saphan Hin. The accident occurred at the Phuket Vocational College intersection,” said Lt Col Sakchai Chunyong of Phuket City Police. The severely injured driver was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital by Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers,…

  • Phuket NewsSlow loris released back into the wild

    Slow loris released back into the wild

    PHUKET: Officers from the Office of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Phuket helped release a slow loris back into the wild on Monday. “A villager in the Baan Kuku area found the loris in the middle of the road, so he kindly brought it to us,” said NRE Director Kasem Sookwaree. The loris was delivered to Pongchat Chuehorm, head of…

  • Phuket NewsZipline business under investigation for forest encroachment

    Zipline business under investigation for forest encroachment

    PHUKET: A team of officials from the Royal Forestry Department (RFD) yesterday visited four ziplining facilities in Phuket and uncovered one allegedly guilty of forest encroachment. Nationwide raids of such facilities are being conducted after a tourist died in a ziplining accident in Chiang Mai late last year. Six operators in Chiang Mai and one in Rayong have been charged…

  • Phuket NewsUzbek tourist arrested with fake US dollars in Phuket

    Uzbek tourist arrested with fake US dollars in Phuket

    PHUKET: A tourist from Uzbekistan was arrested for trying to exchange fake US dollars at a money exchange in Rawai yesterday. “Karnika Patkong, 59, the owner of M&P money exchange on Patak Rd, informed us that a tourist asked for Thai baht and Malaysian ringitt in return for US$1,700. He suspected the US dollars were forged, so he called us…