Legacy Phuket Gazette

Archiving articles from the Phuket Gazette circa 1998 - 2017. View the Phuket Gazette online archive and Digital Gazette PDF Prints.
  • Phuket NewsSouth African family searches for missing son last seen in Phuket

    South African family searches for missing son last seen in Phuket

    PHUKET: The family of a South African man who went missing after arriving in Phuket in June is asking for any information about his whereabouts or safety. Ezra Jansen, 31, last contacted his mother on June 11, the day after he arrived in Phuket. “I tried to call him on his phone on June 11, but I could not get…

  • Phuket NewsBeach-umbrella ban remains, confirms Phuket Governor

    Beach-umbrella ban remains, confirms Phuket Governor

    PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong has confirmed that umbrellas are not allowed on Phuket’s beaches until further notice. “If people keep bringing their own umbrellas to the beach, it will only cause confusion and endless misunderstandings,” he told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. “Until an official announcement is made, bringing umbrellas to the beach is not permitted. This is what we must…

  • Phuket NewsNFL Week 12 underway as Raiders record first win

    NFL Week 12 underway as Raiders record first win

    PHUKET: Beleaguered Thailand-based fans of the Oakland Raiders finally had a reason to cheer on Friday morning local time, when their team chalked up its first win of the season, 24-20, against AFC East division rivals the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football (TNF). Even though playing in the friendly confines of Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, the 0-9 Raiders…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket officials consider postponing Christmas Day tsunami drill

    Phuket officials consider postponing Christmas Day tsunami drill

    PHUKET: Officials are considering postponing the Christmas Day tsunami drill in Phuket after receiving complaints from tsunami victims preparing for the 10th anniversary of the tragedy (story here). “Several foreigners filed complaints directly to me saying that they don’t want to witness the full-scale tsunami drill so close to the 10th anniversary day,” Governor Nisit Jansomwong told Phuket Gazette today.…

  • Phuket NewsBritish woman reunited with birth mother decades later in Phuket

    British woman reunited with birth mother decades later in Phuket

    PHUKET: A British national, born to an Aussie mining-site manager and a Thai woman in 1960 and then given up for adoption six months later, was reunited with her birth mother in Phuket after 54 years apart. Kimberley Ferreira, 54, was able to hold her 79-year-old mother, Yoklern Jankaew, in her arms for the first time yesterday due to the…

  • Phuket NewsNorwegian Dokset, on trial for Phuket murder, faces verdict in January

    Norwegian Dokset, on trial for Phuket murder, faces verdict in January

    PHUKET: Stein Harvard Dokset, a retired car dealer from Norway and long-term Phuket expat on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Rungnapa Suktong, will have his verdict handed down after the New Year. The news came today after Mr Dokset testified in court. “Mr Dokset today gave his own testimony as a defense witness,” said the public prosecutor involved…

  • Phuket NewsCentral Group opens its first learning center in Phuket

    Central Group opens its first learning center in Phuket

    PHUKET: Central Group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, opened Phuket’s first learning center last week at Baan Sapam Mongkol Wittaya School. Built and equipped with 3 million baht in funding donated by the Central Group, the new Chirativat Community Learning Center is part of the mall developer’s nationwide plan to build such centers in all 77 of Thailand’s…

  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: Muay Thai starts swinging for the Olympics

    Video Report: Muay Thai starts swinging for the Olympics

    PHUKET: The head of the two leading sports associations representing the Thai national martial art Muay Thai submitted a formal request on Tuesday for the sport to be included in the next edition of the Asian Games, to be held in Indonesia in 2018. The ultimate goal is to see the sport included in the Olympics, explained Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan,…

  • OpinionOpinion: Saying it with puppets in Phuket [video] | Thaiger

    Opinion: Saying it with puppets in Phuket [video]

    Rat Puanrak, 40, graduated with an electronic engineering degree from Ragamangala University of Technology in Nonthaburi. However, he made a career switch to the tourism industry before becoming a professional freelance photographer. He then began studying the art of puppetry and eventually founded the Phuket Marionette. Here, he talks about how the art of puppetry can help children develop into…

  • OpinionWaves of kindness in Phuket

    Waves of kindness in Phuket

    PHUKET: Phuket is famous and infamous for a list of commendable and questionable attributes. One thing that seems to have made it onto the list in certain circles is surfing. Because of the teasingly short surfing season and fickle beach breaks, Thailand will never qualify as a dedicated surfing destination. However, for beginners or less-seasoned surfers whose standards for waves…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket to hold full-scale tsunami drill on Christmas Day

    Phuket to hold full-scale tsunami drill on Christmas Day

    PHUKET: A full-scale tsunami emergency-response drill will be held in Phuket on Christmas Day, ahead of three days of official events to remember those who perished in the disaster 10 years ago. The decision to stage the drill on December 25 was announced at a Provincial Hall meeting on Wednesday, attended by Russ Jalichandra, deputy director-general of the Department of…

  • OpinionOpinion: Remember, Phuket, it’s a long road ahead to road safety

    Opinion: Remember, Phuket, it’s a long road ahead to road safety

    PHUKET: Phuket’s yet-to-be-observed first marking of the annual World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (story here) needs to serve not only as a memorial to those who have perished on our roads, but also as a reminder that we have a long way to go in raising road safety to something resembling acceptable international standards. Statistics indicating a…

  • Thai LifeA bounty for the Phuket balcony

    A bounty for the Phuket balcony

    PHUKET: A few months ago Larry Flynn asked for suggestions in regard to potted plants for a balcony. The balcony in question was about one and a half meters wide and six meters long – the kind of setting I’m sure many other apartment dwellers here have to work with. Moreover, the balcony was overlooked by other buildings and did…

  • FoodWhen a plate is turned into a canvas

    When a plate is turned into a canvas

    PHUKET: Sitting at JW Marriott’s Cafe, I look down on my plate and see a piece of art. Ingredients are elaborately piled up to form a miniature sculpture, and there are swooshes of sauce and sprinkles of spices, all resembling a contemporary painting. On top of these visual impressions, is the aroma rising to my nostrils and soon after, the…

  • Thailand NewsDrafting of new Constitution to begin after New Year

    Drafting of new Constitution to begin after New Year

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Drafting to begin after New Year: CDC The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Borwornsak said 2015 was the most appropriate time to start the process after charter drafters receive opinions and proposals on reforms from the National Reform Council on December 19, while the CDC’s public…

  • Thailand NewsCorruption: B1bn deals tied to nationwide school futsal pitch scandal | Thaiger

    Corruption: B1bn deals tied to nationwide school futsal pitch scandal

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Corruption: B1bn deals tied to nationwide school futsal pitch scandal The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: More than than 10 legal entities, with the help of several individuals, conducted transactions worth more than Bt996 million related to a futsal-pitch corruption scandal, according to the Anti-Money Laundering…

  • Pattaya NewsAsian Beach Games: China makes its move

    Asian Beach Games: China makes its move

    PHUKET: Thailand were given a scare yesterday when their grip on the Asian Beach Games crown was loosened by a strong surge from reigning champions China, who scooped nine golds to leapfrog into second. At press time, the hosts lead the medal charge with 34 gold, 25 silver and 28 bronze medals, with China on 14 golds. Thai athletes enjoyed…

  • Thailand NewsFlood, landslide warnings for four provinces in the South

    Flood, landslide warnings for four provinces in the South

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Flood, landslide warnings for four provinces in the South The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The National Disaster Warning Centre yesterday issued a flooding and landslide warning to four southern provinces – Phatthalung, Songkhla, Trang and Satun – for yesterday and today. Early yesterday morning, in…

  • Thailand NewsFive Khon Kaen students let free without charge | Thaiger

    Five Khon Kaen students let free without charge

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Five Khon Kaen students let free without charge The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Five Khon Kaen University students who were rounded up after surprising Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during his first official visit to Khon Kaen with an anti-coup protest – including a three-finger salute…

  • Phuket NewsWelding sparks blamed for Phuket quarry facility fire

    Welding sparks blamed for Phuket quarry facility fire

    PHUKET: Sparks from a welder fixing a roof are believed to have set a quarry building on fire in Baan Yamu, on Phuket’s east coast, late last night. Two teams of firefighters arrived at the quarry at about 11:20pm. They brought the blaze under control within about 30 minutes. “One of our staff was welding on the roof,” said 49-year-old…

  • Phuket NewsGovernor joins merit-making for new Phuket Provincial Hall

    Governor joins merit-making for new Phuket Provincial Hall

    PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong has given his stamp of approval to the new 449-million-baht Phuket Provincial Hall, hoping that its traditional Sino-Portuguese design will impress visitors. The governor recently made merit at the construction site, located on a 50-rai plot on Phang Muang Sai Kor, opposite Suan Luang (Rama IX or King’s Park) in Phuket Town, and participated in a…

  • Phuket NewsAMCHAM forum to tackle Phuket’s critical marine tourism issues

    AMCHAM forum to tackle Phuket’s critical marine tourism issues

    PHUKET Registration is building for the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Thailand’s special forum focusing on the future of Phuket’s marine tourism industry, to be held tomorrow evening (click here). “Many people have expressed great interest in the joining the forum and we’re looking forward to a large turnout from people who have concerns to be addressed and ideas…

  • Phuket NewsTwo men nabbed in Phuket for posing as monks, begging for “alms’

    Two men nabbed in Phuket for posing as monks, begging for “alms’

    PHUKET: Patong Police arrested two men yesterday for posing as monks after their odd behavior aroused suspicion and gave the charlatans away. Manit Keawsen, 33, and Sod Nhamjaidee, 49, both from Suphan Buri, were arrested in front of a 7-Eleven store on Sainamyen Road, while they were begging for “alms” from passersby. “I saw them just before noon while I…

  • Thai LifeMake-A-Wish, catch a fish at Exotic Fishing Thailand charity tournament [video] | Thaiger

    Make-A-Wish, catch a fish at Exotic Fishing Thailand charity tournament [video]

    PHUKET: Just days after the Phuket International Fishing Tournament (PIST) concludes in Chalong this Saturday (click here), Exotic Fishing Thailand (EFT) will be hosting a tournament to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation Thailand. Discover what lurks in the waters of the Phang Nga Fishing Lake. Video: PGTV The the main event is on November 25 from 8am to 6pm at…

  • Phuket NewsPolice hunt for Phuket teen motorbike gang after two men assaulted, robbed

    Police hunt for Phuket teen motorbike gang after two men assaulted, robbed

    PHUKET: Police are hunting down a teen motorbike gang after two men were kicked off their motorbike, beaten and robbed in Phuket on Tuesday night. Police received a report that there had been an assault and snatch-and-run case near Baan Ya village in Srisoonthorn at about 11:30pm, said Capt Narong Malavaechan of the Thalang Police. The two victims, Sattawat Pohab,…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket cement-truck driver charged over fatal collision killing student

    Phuket cement-truck driver charged over fatal collision killing student

    PHUKET: The driver of the cement-mixer truck that crushed and instantly killed an 18-year-old student in Rassada last week has surrendered to police and been charged with reckless driving causing death. Chalermchai Lakbaan, a student at Phuket Rajabhat University, died instantly when his motorbike collided with a cement truck entering* the Phuket Cement Co Ltd site on Prachasamakkee Road in…

  • Phuket NewsAsian Beach Games: Thailand eyes overall prize

    Asian Beach Games: Thailand eyes overall prize

    PHUKET: Thana Chaiprasit, chef-de-mission of the Thailand athletes’ delegation in the 4th Asian Beach Games, currently being contested in Phuket, expressed his confidence that the Thai athletes will capture more gold medals than the 40 they had initially targeted. Thailand currently leads the medal tally with 71 medals, comprising 29 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze. Japan is second place…

  • World NewsNBC, Netflix cancel Bill Cosby’s shows after sex assault claims

    NBC, Netflix cancel Bill Cosby’s shows after sex assault claims

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community NBC, Netflix cancel Bill Cosby’s shows after sex assault claims Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: NBC said on Wednesday it has canceled an upcoming project with veteran comedian Bill Cosby, his second show to be pulled after accusations that he sexually assaulted women resurfaced in recent…

  • Thailand News‘Hunger Games’ sequel preview screenings cancelled | Thaiger

    ‘Hunger Games’ sequel preview screenings cancelled

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community ‘Hunger Games’ sequel preview screenings cancelled The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Special previews set for today at two cinemas in Siam Square of the latest in the series idolized by coup protesters, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, have been abruptly cancelled. The anti-coup movement…

  • Thailand NewsFlights suspended after Army helicopter crash kills nine

    Flights suspended after Army helicopter crash kills nine

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Flights suspended after copter crash kills nine The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Third Army Area has suspended all helicopter flights in the wake of a Bell 212 crash that killed all nine soldiers on board on Monday evening. The family of one crash victim…