Legacy Phuket Gazette

Legacy Phuket Gazette

Archiving articles from the Phuket Gazette circa 1998 - 2017. View the Phuket Gazette online archive and Digital Gazette PDF Prints.
  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: Rescue worker dances with king cobra | Thaiger

    Video Report: Rescue worker dances with king cobra

    PHUKET: A two-meter-long cobra was successfully wrangled after hiding from rescue workers at the back of a rental room in Chalong yesterday evening. Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers received the call from a woman who had seen the reptile while getting water from her well at Baan Na Bon. “When we arrived, we couldn’t find the cobra, but after searching around…

  • Phuket NewsCzech man killed after night out in Patong

    Czech man killed after night out in Patong

    PHUKET: A Czech man was killed after crashing his motorbike into a utility pole on his way home from Patong early this morning. Jaroslav Krupka, 44, was on his way to Phuket Villa in Kathu when he lost control on a curve, hitting and splitting a tree, before crashing into a power pole near Kathu Temple, confirmed Lt Sawanna Iadtrong…

  • Phuket NewsChinese tourist runs over Phuket traffic cop

    Chinese tourist runs over Phuket traffic cop

    PHUKET: A Chinese tourist drove his rented motorbike into the back of a traffic police officer in Karon yesterday evening. Sen Sgt Maj Chaichana Phatikabot was only minorly injured in the incident. “There were four of them on two motorbikes. They had already been stopped and fined for driving without a licence at our checkpoint,” said Sgt Maj Chaichana. “After…

  • Phuket NewsWanna-be gunmaker busted in Patong

    Wanna-be gunmaker busted in Patong

    PHUKET: Gun raids in Patong turned up a wanna-be gunmaker in the Kok Moo community on Tuesday. “We found Mr Sommart Wandee, 44, in possession of two illegal homemade guns and three partially constructed guns,” said Lt Col Sutthichai Thianpho of the Patong Police. “Mr Sommart told us that he had bought the two guns from a Myanmar national, and…

  • OpinionOpinion: Cyclocops roam

    Opinion: Cyclocops roam

    PHUKET: THE recent launch of two-wheeled ‘Beach Police’ patrols at every police district on the island is a small, yet potentially positive pedal forward for a provincial police force that has developed a dubious reputation for ensuring tourist safety along our world-famous shorelines. But it’s sad that the initiative, ordered by Police Region 8, had to come in direct response…

  • Phuket NewsFisherman mutilates co-worker’s genitalia

    Fisherman mutilates co-worker’s genitalia

    PHUKET: A man confessed to killing a fellow fisherman by stabbing him in the groin at Phuket’s main fishing port yesterday afternoon. “Witnesses told us that they saw a man dragging the body of Mu Sor and leaving it at Rassada Pier,” said Lt Col Chana Sutthimat of the Phuket City Police. Eventually, police were able to track down the…

  • Thai LifeWell being: Male eating disorders on rise

    Well being: Male eating disorders on rise

    PHUKET: Low-self esteem, poor body image and a perception of not meeting the modern ideal of masculinity are driving more men to consume over-the-counter body-building supplements, constituting what researchers believe is an emerging eating disorder. Supplements such as whey protein, creatine and L-cartinine are used to improve athletic performance and physique and are sold in grocery stores, vitamin shops and…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket haze not Indonesia’s fault, says expert

    Phuket haze not Indonesia’s fault, says expert

    PHUKET: The Indonesian fire haze that has settled over Kula Lumpar is not associated with the thick haze that Phuket residents woke up to this morning, confirmed a top official at the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). “This is ‘wet haze’, which is normal,” said Suntad Panbanpaew, director of the Phuket TMD weather center. “This weather condition often occurs with high…

  • Thai LifeFood: Benny’s: a bite of classic Americana

    Food: Benny’s: a bite of classic Americana

    PHUKET: Tucked away between four and five-star hotels by the sea in Surin, you’lll find Benny’s Cocktails and Grill. This eight-table eatery, created by gutting an old Thai-style house, offers a wonderfully intimate, cozy and comfortable ambiance, enhanced (somewhat uniquely for Phuket) by diner-friendly noise levels that enable conversation. “All of my cocktails are original recipes” says Italian proprietor Benedikt…

  • Phuket NewsHighway Office demands underpass road hazard be fixed

    Highway Office demands underpass road hazard be fixed

    PHUKET: The Phuket Highways Office is pushing the repair of the dangerously rough road surface on both sides of the Samkong intersection underpass construction site. “Construction is well on its way at the site and it is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year,” said Samak Luedwonghad, director of the Phuket Highways Office. “However, there are some…

  • Phuket NewsPublic invited to join search and rescue drill, exhibition

    Public invited to join search and rescue drill, exhibition

    PHUKET: The general public is invited to watch as rescue boats and aircraft are deployed for a two-day Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) drill and exhibition at the Ao Makham deep sea port starting tomorrow. “The drill will run from 9am to 4pm both days,” confirmed Vice Admiral Sayan Prasongsamrej, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command. “There…

  • Phuket NewsLocals discover dolphin stranded in mangroves

    Locals discover dolphin stranded in mangroves

    PHUKET: Endangered species specialists are fighting to save the life of a spotted dolphin discovered stranded in the mangrove forests bordering Phuket Town yesterday. “When we arrived, villagers were helping the dolphin by holding the exhausted animal in the water, as it was unable to swim,” said Patcharaporn Kaewmong, a veterinarian at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC). The locals…

  • Phuket NewsWidow ghosts “force’ men to cross-dress for protection | Thaiger

    Widow ghosts “force’ men to cross-dress for protection

    PHUKET: The sudden string of deaths of ten fit and healthy men in Nakohn Phanom province has locals pulling out all the ritualistic, spiritualistic and superstitious plugs to avoid widow ghosts, pee mae mai. Red shirts hanging in front of homes to ward off the ghosts are a common sight in the Don Nang Hong sub-district, with some male teenagers…

  • Thai LifeOn Deck: “Deck drain’ for Thai sailing

    On Deck: “Deck drain’ for Thai sailing

    PHUKET: Thailand has a very strong national youth sailing team based in Sattahip in the Gulf of Thailand. Run by the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand (YRAT) they have had increasing success on the international stage in recent years. The breakthrough happened in 2010 when a young Thai girl called Noppakao Poonpat won the Optimist World Championships. Not only did…

  • Phuket NewsBeach police confident about positive effect [video] | Thaiger

    Beach police confident about positive effect [video]

    PHUKET: The Phuket Beach Police program is rolling forward successfully despite having booked no cases yet, said Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayut Karajedee. “Things are going well. However, we will run the program for a bit longer before we do our own evaluation and source community feedback,” Col Peerayut said. “It’s just too early to know what the exact…

  • World NewsNational Guardsman to be honored over French train attack | Thaiger

    National Guardsman to be honored over French train attack

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community National Guardsman who helped thwart attack on French train to get medal Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A National Guardsman, one of three Americans who disarmed a gun-toting suspected Islamist militant on a high-speed train in France, will be awarded the U.S. Army’s highest non-combat medal,…

  • Phuket NewsPowering up Coconut Island for locals, businesses

    Powering up Coconut Island for locals, businesses

    PHUKET: Much-needed mainland power is now flowing to Naka Yai and Coconut Island, off the coast of Phuket. “We have invested in the project, not because we expect to make a profit, but because we can improve the quality of life for the locals and improve their economic situation,” said Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Governor Sermsakul Klaikaew, who chaired the…

  • World NewsNorth, South Korea reach agreement to ease tensions | Thaiger

    North, South Korea reach agreement to ease tensions

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community North, South Korea reach agreement to ease tensions Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: North and South Korea reached agreement early on Tuesday to end a standoff involving anexchange of artillery fire that had pushed the divided peninsula into a state of heightened military tension. Under the…

  • PropertyProperty Watch: Island remains worthy investment

    Property Watch: Island remains worthy investment

    PHUKET: Like many Phuketians, I took a ‘green season’ break with my family. I chose Sydney and the Gold Coast, and inevitably a visit of this nature leads to comparisons with my home island of Phuket. Property investors interested in Phuket will also conduct their own comparisons and therefore agents, developers and owners who wish to sell should take note…

  • World NewsChina stocks give up year’s gains as | Thaiger

    China stocks give up year’s gains as

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China stocks give up year’s gains as “national team” stays on bench Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: China stock markets slumped again on Monday, giving up all their gains for the year on amassive sell off that dragged down regional markets, with even some state media…

  • Phuket NewsA Decade Ago: Fears of sex on the beach in Phuket

    A Decade Ago: Fears of sex on the beach in Phuket

    PHUKET: Facebook profile pictures turned into rainbows following the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States two months ago. The US Supreme Court ruled in the Obergefell versus Hodges case that state-level bans on same-sex marriage were unconstitutional. However, a decade ago in Phuket – now well-known for the flamboyant Pride Week – the Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual,…

  • Phuket NewsTwo arrested in Phuket for pyramid scheme

    Two arrested in Phuket for pyramid scheme

    PHUKET: A Phuket couple surrendered to Chalong Police yesterday for their alleged involvement in the international 10-billion-baht UFUN pyramid scheme. Damrongsak Pitisuk, 38, and his 37-year-old wife Pornthicha Pitisuk had both received ‘Achievement Awards’ at the ‘The Black Night Party by URICH’ in December last year. The party was held in order to applaud those who manged to recruit investors…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok Bank warns of viral fraud

    Bangkok Bank warns of viral fraud

    PHUKET: Bangkok Bank has issued a warning about malicious software designed to make bank transactions from the accounts of customers who have registered for their online banking service, ‘Bualuang iBanking’. Bangkok Bank’s warning explained that false messages have been sent to iBanking customers via SMS, MMS and emails purporting to be from the bank. The messages ask the receiver to…

  • Thai LifeProfile: Surf star searches for balance

    Profile: Surf star searches for balance

    PHUKET: Grom surf star Annissa (‘Anni’) Flynn, 17, took the local surf scene by storm in her younger years, regularly beating older, more experienced board riders. Now she is competing in the top regional competitions, most recently at the Quiksilver Challenge, which took place in June at Canggu in Bali. “I placed sixth at Canggu,” she says with a shrug.…

  • Phuket NewsPothole suspected in Phuket bikers death

    Pothole suspected in Phuket bikers death

    PHUKET: Police suspect a large pothole caused the death of a man driving a Honda 150cc CBR motorcycle on a curvy road in Mai Khao last night. Pattanapong Nainet, 20, was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, said Lt Thanom Thongpan of the Tah Chat Chai Police. “There was no identification cards on his person, only 42,360…

  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: Bodyslam rocks for Phuket charity

    Video Report: Bodyslam rocks for Phuket charity

    PHUKET: Five thousand fans crowded the sold-out ‘Bodyslam’ concert at Laguna Grove on Saturday evening. The charity concert featured local band ‘Boynavio Group’, as well as a performance from the local youth group ‘Umbrella’ as opening acts for Thailand’s famous rock band, ‘Bodyslam’. Bodyslam vocalist Mr Toon, who is a frequent visitor to Phuket, enjoys spending time at various sporting…

  • Thai LifeBooks: Get lost in an epic Jamaican novel

    Books: Get lost in an epic Jamaican novel

    PHUKET: Trinidad had V S Naipaul and Jamaica now has Marlon James through his third novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings (Riverhead Books, New York, 2014, 688pp), which is an epic tale of gang warfare in Jamaica, spilling over to Miami and New York and spanning the years 1976 to 1991. Like a Russian novel, a big cast of…

  • Business NewsBill to slash cheap package tours, arrival numbers to be unaffected

    Bill to slash cheap package tours, arrival numbers to be unaffected

    PHUKET: The plan by Cabinet to put an end to cheap tour group packages arriving in Thailand will not have a significant affect on the industry in Phuket, says Santi Pawai, Director of the Phuket office of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport (MOTS). “I’ve heard about the draft bill, but have yet to receive any official notification. I believe…

  • Business NewsFinance: Cash in on six forms of passive income

    Finance: Cash in on six forms of passive income

    PHUKET: I have written before about the ideal financial situation. This exists when you have multiple streams of passive income which exceed your desired lifestyle. In this scenario, you can live as long as you want and your means will continue to grow, allowing you to contribute to society with the excess. There are different forms of passive income, and…

  • Business NewsBusiness Buzz: Consistency is the key

    Business Buzz: Consistency is the key

    PHUKET: One of the most frequent comments I receive from unsuccessful people is that they believe social media does not work and is all hype and myth. It is interesting that so many say this, especially when successful users swear that without social media their business would be dead. So to help the doubters, here are points that have probably…