- Phuket News
A-negative blood needed for Canadian crash victim
PHUKET: Vachira Phuket Hospital requires donations of A-negative blood to save the life of a 35-year-old Canadian motorcyclist who was seriously injured in a collision with a 10-wheel truck in Phuket yesterday. “Connelly Bavid Lee was admitted to Vachira Phuket Hospital early yesterday morning with serious injuries to his chest, back, and legs. We have given him four units of…
- Phuket News
B2.4mn Provincial Hall roundabout opens today
PHUKET: The grand opening of the Narisorn roundabout near Phuket Provincial Hall was held at midday today, with Phuket Vice Governor Kajornkiet Rakpanitmanee, Phuket City Deputy Mayor Thavorn Jirapattanasophon and other officials in attendance. Construction of the 2.4-million-baht roundabout was funded last year by the UK-based non-profit Safer Roads Foundation at the island’s deadly Narisorn-Surin intersection. Last year, a total…
- Phuket News
Job-training program graduates prisoners
PHUKET: Certificates were awarded to prisoners who completed a sticker-cutting course yesterday, officials confirmed. The ceremony marked the end of a cooperation course by Phuket Provincial Prison, Southern Media Co Ltd and the Thai Advertising Business Development Association, under the ‘Building Sustainable Future’ project. The course aimed to help prisoners acquire knowledge and employable skills that might be useful after…
- Phuket News
UNESCO announces May public education conference in Phuket
PHUKET: Phuket City Municipality is to host the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Education Conference from May 9-11 at the Phuket Graceland Resort in Patong. Representatives from a number of distinguished international organizations will be providing education-related advice and assistance to the public. “The conference is under the banner ‘New Paradigm of Community Learning Center through Online Lifelong Education’,” said Phuket City Deputy…
- Thailand News
No respite from heat; rains may be delayed
THAILAND: The country continues to suffer scorching temperatures this month and the rainy season may be further delayed due to the lack of moisture in the air, meteorologists have warned. Wattana Kanbua, senior meteorologist and Marine Meteorological Centre director, revealed yesterday that Thailand may start getting some rain from May 14 onward, as the moisture-bearing southwestern wind from the Indian…
- Phuket News
Suspect at large after one killed in Krabi shootout
KRABI: A shootout in the early morning hours today left one man dead in Krabi, allegedly slain by his close friend. Somyot Kuantai, 20, reportedly fired 10 rounds into the home of the victim while he and his family cowered inside. Police are collecting evidence to issue an arrest warrant for the shooter, who reportedly attacked the family after arguing…
- Phuket News
Spin out on slippery road injures teen passenger
PHUKET: A teenage woman was injured in an accident on Thepkrasattri Road at about 8:15pm last night, when a pick-up truck spun out of control on the slippery road, hitting two motorbikes parked on the side. Krittiya Kengreng, 19, a passenger in the pick-up truck, suffered injuries to her right leg and forehead. Rescue workers rushed her to Vachira Phuket…
- Phuket News
Depressed Krabi man dumped by wife threatens to jump from pylon
KRABI: A domestic dispute led a Krabi man to attempt leaping off a high-voltage electric pylon yesterday, confirmed officials from the Naneu Administration Organization (OrBorTor) in Ao Leuk. Prasit Duangjan, a 66-year-old resident of Ao Leuk District, climbed about 30 meters up the pylon, dodging live power lines, and threatened to jump for nearly two hours. Rescue teams from Ao…
- Phuket News
Thailand commemorates Coronation Day
PHUKET: Thailand commemorates Coronation Day (Wun Chatramongkhon) today, which marks the ascension to the throne of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej on May 5, 1950. The auspicious date is a public holiday and this year’s commemorations mark the 66th anniversary of His Majesty’s reign. Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada today gathered officers at Satree Phuket School to pay their respects to HM…
- Phuket News
Austrian paraglider warned over Nai Harn flights
PHUKET: An Austrian expat allegedly running an illegal paragliding business received an official warning from the municipality and narrowly escaped charges on Tuesday. “We were informed by a concerned resident that Kurt Pirker was operating an illegal paragliding business at the windmill in Nai Harn,” said Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos. “We sent out municipality officers to warn him, but he…
- Phuket News
Miracle escape for family of four in Phuket car-flip horror
PHUKET: A family of four escaped serious injury when their car skidded off the road, smashed into trees and flipped over early this morning. The accident occurred at 3:40am on Thepkrasattri Road during a rainstorm. The driver, Somchai Kennadam, 44, said he lost control of the car as he took a bend on the slippery road heading towards Mai Khao.…
- World News
Stealing food not a crime if homeless and hungry – Italian court
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Stealing food not a crime if you’re homeless and hungry – Italian court Phuket Gazette / Reuters ROME: Stealing a little food should not be considered a crime if you really need it, Italy’s highest court has ruled. Ukrainian national Roman Ostriakov was living rough in…
- Phuket News
Stone thower charged after road rage injures family of three
PHUKET: A Phuket man who pelted a car with stones, making the driver lose control and crash, has been charged for assault and causing damage to property after the family of three in the car was hospitalized. Police received a call at 1:10pm yesterday that a car had lost control and hit a power pole in the Laem Hin area,…
- Phuket News
Social media sleuth snares smokey bus
PHUKET: A pollution-emitting tour bus was banned from service after a Facebook user posted a video showing clouds of thick, black smoke emanating from it, confirmed officials on Sunday. Facebook user Joke Moodie, who posted the video, immediately alerted authorities to take action and shut the bus down. Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) Chief Policy Adviser Jaturong Kaewkasi said that…
- Phuket News
Manhunt for murderer after rotting body found in forest
PHUKET: Police have launched a murder investigation after the decomposing body of a Myanmar national was found this morning, wrapped in a mattress and dumped in a mangrove forest in Rassada. The body, identified by locals as a 52-year-old fisherman named Tai Jor, was found at 7:30am. “The body was found rolled up in a mattress that had been bound…
- Phuket News
Phuket now home to largest marine service center in Thailand
PHUKET: The largest Yamaha marine service center in Thailand opened for business in Phuket on April 30. Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul attended the grand opening of the 70-million-baht Yamaha Marine Service Center covering three rai in Koh Kaew. Watchara Marine Co Managing Director Tanate Satienpan said the opening of the facility marks an ambitious expansion into the marine…
- Thai Life
Family fun and adventure at Hanuman World
PHUKET: Zip-lining, abseiling and sky walking are among the adventurous activities on offer for thrill-seeking nature lovers at the recently opened Hanuman World, located in a forest off Chaofah Road in Wichit. The family-oriented treetop attraction is an opportunity for adventurous visitors to ‘fly’ through the forest and take in a bird’s-eye view, and if lucky, spot a rainbow across…
- Thai Life
On Deck: Phuket King’s Cup Regatta wins ‘Best Asian Regatta’
PHUKET: It was a big night at the recent Asia Boating Awards for Phuket and Thailand, with many of the country’s leading marine personalities being nominated for an award. In total, 12 Thailand businesses and events made it onto the short-lists, vying against companies from all around Asia for the 25 awards. Organized by Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines,…
- Property
Property Watch: Impact of tourism on real estate
PHUKET: Statistics are regularly reported by tourism organizations – public and private, which break down the number of visitors arriving in Phuket. Are Phuket visitors domestic travelers, or business-people commuting? Do we count arrivals and departures, or just arrivals? How do we know the information received is accurate and are people leaving Phuket by other means? Just as this information…
- Opinion
A Decade Ago: Election day grumbles, then and now
PHUKET: Election polls were again on page one of the Phuket Gazette at the end of April 2006, after the first round of voting failed to meet the necessary requirements to nominate Phuket representatives to Parliament. The election followed the decision by then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to dissolve the House of Representatives. Five citizens, angry with the government and the…
- Business News
Phuket cashew nut industry goes global
PHUKET: Metee Company Phuket Ltd’s unique cashew-nut cooking process and new packaging is bringing the company international recognition and larger revenues. The Chalong-based company is just one of several local businesses that have changed the quality of their products and branding in order to compete in larger markets. The company has since been accredited by the Ministry of Commerce as…
- Thai Life
Profile: Adriano Trapani’s journey from Milan to Phuket
PHUKET: Adriano Trapani left Kamala Beach, heading up the steep northern hill, when the tsunami struck Phuket’s west coast. “Initially, I thought it was my bike breaking down again, so I stopped and checked it. Everything was fine with the bike, but soon after, people on foot, bikes and in cars started gathering around me, as I was in a…
- Opinion
Island View: Letting go off cultural baggage
PHUKET: When I learned that Thailand’s former Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-archa passed away last weekend, I began recalling events around the time Mr Banharn led his party to victory and enjoyed just over a year as prime minister from 1995 to 1996. That was 20 years ago and things certainly have changed since then; for the country as well as…
- Phuket News
Krabi woman gives birth on boat
KRABI: Two Krabi police officers helped deliver a baby at sea on Sunday morning, when the mother could not make it to a hospital on time. Capt Prayong Pongsawang of the Khao Phanom Police and Lt Rawi Praekpan of the Krabi Provincial Forensic Police are being called heroes on social media for safely delivering the baby. The Krabi woman, who…
- Phuket News
Australian in fatal fall photographing fireworks from Patong balcony
PHUKET: An Australian man fell to his death from the 19th floor of a high-rise hotel in Patong as he attempted to take photos of fireworks. Major Pattapee Srichai of the Patong Police was alerted at about 11:37pm on Thursday that Jamie William Brown, 30, had fallen from the balcony of his room at a high-rise hotel on Rat-U-Thit 200…
- World News
Eyeing an Indiana victory, Trump says ‘It’s over’
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Eyeing an Indiana victory, Trump says ‘It’s over’ Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Front-runner Donald Trump said on Sunday that he will have essentially sealed the Republican U.S. presidential nomination if he wins Tuesday’s contest in Indiana, where he holds a big lead over chief rival…
- World News
Foreign minister reaffirms Japan’s economic ties to Thailand
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Foreign minister reaffirms Japan’s economic ties to Thailand Phuket Gazette / Reuters BANGKOK: Japan’s foreign minister arrived in Bangkok on Sunday aiming to reaffirm economic ties after Japanese investments in Thailand slumped last year amid political concerns as well as stiff competition emerging from more nimble…
- Phuket News
V/Gov cracks down on ‘slovenly’ tour guides
PHUKET: What began as new regulations aimed at curbing cheating and poorly dressed taxi drivers has now turned into an additional island-wide action to imporve tour guides’ dress codes, officials announced last week. “From now on, all tour companies must provide staff uniforms for their employees with company logos and names,” said Santi Pawai, director of the Ministry of Tourism…
