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 honorary consuls request better coordination with airport

    Phuket honorary consuls request better coordination with airport

    PHUKET: Phuket honorary consuls on Wednesday pushed for better access and resources for providing support to foreigners during emergency situations at Phuket International Airport. “We have requested a contact point, as well as a contact person, who will – in case of an emergency – allow us to quickly get all the necessary information and provide whatever services we can,”…

  • Phuket NewsGet tested: Phuket cancer survivor says you could be next

    Get tested: Phuket cancer survivor says you could be next

    PHUKET: The months leading up to July 2015 were the self-described happiest times of Nora Galgoczy’s life. The 29-year-old Hungarian expat was freediving, climbing and in love. She also had cervical cancer, but she didn’t know it. “I expected that I would feel something: something odd, something bad or just something. I thought cancer didn’t attack people like me,” Ms…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket road-safety campaign continues after initial success

    Phuket road-safety campaign continues after initial success

    PHUKET: A road-safety campaign encouraging Phuket motorcyclists to wear helmets has been hailed a success in Kathu, where less riders are being arrested for not wearing protective head gear. The progress has prompted officials to extend the campaign at least until the Songkran break in April. The ‘One District, One Road, with 100 Per Cent Helmets’ campaign was launched on…

  • Phuket NewsB4bn Phuket land seizure not to impact Big Buddha

    B4bn Phuket land seizure not to impact Big Buddha

    PHUKET: Despite photographs of Phuket’s Big Buddha appearing along side news stories about the seizure of land valued at 4 billion baht in the same area, the iconic statue will be unaffected by the Anti-Money Laundering Office’s (AMLO’s) investigation. The AMLO transaction board resolved to seize a 45-rai plot and a 19-rai plot of land along Freedom Beach and in…

  • World News‘Hearts are in pieces’ five years after tsunami hits Japan | Thaiger

    ‘Hearts are in pieces’ five years after tsunami hits Japan

    RIKUZENTAKATA: Japan on Friday mourned the thousands who lost their lives in a massive earthquake and tsunami five years ago that turned towns to matchwood and triggered the world’s worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986. The nine-magnitude quake struck offshore on a chilly Friday, sparking huge black waves along a vast swathe of coastline and killing nearly 20,000 people.…

  • World NewsHow a hacker’s typo helped stop a billion dollar bank heist | Thaiger

    How a hacker’s typo helped stop a billion dollar bank heist

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community How a hacker’s typo helped stop a billion dollar bank heist Phuket Gazette / Reuters DHAKA: A spelling mistake in an online bank transfer instruction helped prevent a nearly $1 billion heist last month involving the Bangladesh central bank and the New York Fed, banking officials…

  • World NewsFukushima’s ground zero: No place for man or robot | Thaiger

    Fukushima’s ground zero: No place for man or robot

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Fukushima’s ground zero: No place for man or robot Phuket Gazette / Reuters JAPAN: The robots sent in to find highly radioactive fuel at Fukushima’s nuclear reactors have “died”; a subterranean “ice wall” around the crippled plant meant to stop groundwater from becoming contaminated has yet…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket athletes bag top spots at Philippines Ironman

    Phuket athletes bag top spots at Philippines Ironman

    PHUKET: Phuket native Jaray Jearanai – Thailand’s top triathlete – and his fellow team members at Z-Coaching Phuket made quite the impression at the Subic Bay Ironman 70.3 held in the Philippines last weekend. The Phuket-based triathlon academy bagged several victories and top spots at the competition. Mr Jaray put in one of his best performances yet to go sub…

  • Thai LifeProfile: Drifting from Australia to Asia

    Profile: Drifting from Australia to Asia

    PHUKET: Anthony Cameron, originally from Melbourne, Australia has led an interesting life compared to most. Escaping from Melbourne in his early twenties to central Victoria, he designed and built a sustainable house and raised two sustainable children, before finally settling in Phuket in 2012. Over the years, Tony has worked as a sound engineer, fruit picker, tour manager, teacher, factory…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket police told to keep close watch on mass SIM purchases

    Phuket police told to keep close watch on mass SIM purchases

    PHUKET: Phuket police say they were unaware of mass SIM purchases before the arrest of a suspect in Phuket on Saturday, but are keeping an eye on such activities following orders from the national police chief. National Police Commissioner General Chakthip Chaijinda has been in touch with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to discuss security concerns, Region 8…

  • Phuket NewsBeiber to race into Phuket on Formula 1 Powerboat’s dollar

    Beiber to race into Phuket on Formula 1 Powerboat’s dollar

    PHUKET: Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Adele are slated to headline concerts at Phuket’s first Formula 1 Powerboat race in November, said event organizer Lucky Triple T. The artists are expected to grace the Phuket stage for one evening each of the three-night event. Despite his love for fast, expensive vehicles, Mr Bieber is not expected to race. The UIM F1H2O…

  • Phuket NewsSelf-proclaimed prophet’s wrath descends on Phuket lottery shop

    Self-proclaimed prophet’s wrath descends on Phuket lottery shop

    PHUKET: A man who claimed to be a prophet of the ‘God of the Sun’ was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital yesterday after turning violent at a lottery shop in Phuket Town. Suktiporn Onsuwan, 45, claimed that the God of the Sun had divulged to him the winning lottery numbers on the auspicious day of the solar eclipse (story here).…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket motorbike gang attack German tourist in Rawai

    Phuket motorbike gang attack German tourist in Rawai

    PHUKET: Police are hunting a Phuket motorbike gang member who attacked a German tourist and a Thai woman in Rawai early this morning. Siegfried Kiesl, 58, told police that he was crossing the Rawai beachfront road with three friends – a German man and two Thai women – when a young man racing on a motorbike crashed into him. “Mr…

  • Phuket NewsNotes found on dead Estonian at Phuket shooting range

    Notes found on dead Estonian at Phuket shooting range

    PHUKET: Police have found two hand-written notes on the body of an Estonian national who allegedly shot himself in the head at the Patong Hill Shooting Range yesterday. Andres Podra, 38, reportedly rented a .45 handgun at the range and fired seven shots at a target before turning the gun on himself and discharging the eighth round into his head…

  • World NewsMyanmar on edge as long wait for new president ends | Thaiger

    Myanmar on edge as long wait for new president ends

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar on edge as long wait for new president ends Phuket Gazette / Reuters NAYPYITAW: Myanmar’s National League for Democracy (NLD) has proposed a close friend of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as its presidential candidate, ending a four-month wait for the identity of a…

  • World NewsYazidi teenager escaped Islamic State, appeals for help for sex slaves | Thaiger

    Yazidi teenager escaped Islamic State, appeals for help for sex slaves

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Yazidi teenager escaped Islamic State, appeals for help for sex slaves Phuket Gazette / Reuters LONDON: It was a “black morning” two years ago when Islamic State militants seized the Yazidi town of Sinjar in northwest Iraq, abducting thousands of civilians including a 15-year-old girl and…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s Row2Rio adventurer nearly obliterated by cargo ship

    Phuket’s Row2Rio adventurer nearly obliterated by cargo ship

    PHUKET: The Row2Rio challenge was almost cut short earlier this week when the boat’s auto tiller went on the fritz as a 180-meter cargo ship barrelled toward the four-person crew rowing across the Atlantic. “Our AIS alarm (close proximity to other vessels) went off and in the distance the ship’s spotlight came on. They were sweeping the water looking for…

  • Phuket News“Fastest man in Phuket’ bags top spot at Powerman Malaysia

    “Fastest man in Phuket’ bags top spot at Powerman Malaysia

    PHUKET: Thanyapura triathlon coach Ricky Ekkarat Phanthip announced his return to form with a win at the Powerman Malaysia – Asia Duathlon Championships last weekend. The ‘fastest man in Phuket’ sped his way back into action, after taking a year off following knee surgery, and won first place in the men’s 30-34 age group category. Mr Phanthip led his athletes…

  • OpinionMinistry of Farang Affairs: Souvenirs for Thai colleagues

    Ministry of Farang Affairs: Souvenirs for Thai colleagues

    The Ministry of Farang Affairs is a one-stop shop where foreigners in Thailand can learn all they need to know about living here. No, we’re not talking about work permits, visas or taxes. We’re talking about day-to-day life in the Land of Endless Shocks and Riddles, of Blur, Befuddlement and the Bizarre. Stay tuned for weekly insights from Minister Stephff.…

  • PropertyProperty Watch: Realities of a dream clubhouse

    Property Watch: Realities of a dream clubhouse

    PHUKET: When we think of a clubhouse, many of us start to dream. Sipping cocktails overlooking the hills, or even facing the sandy beaches and sea. A place where an agreed set of rules are adhered to by all with a sense of what is right and proper. Ladies wear comfortable but appropriate attire and the gentlemen will be similarly…

  • 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…