Legacy Phuket Gazette
- Phuket News
Police arrest 69 for role in Phuket taxi mafia
PHUKET: Region 8 Police arrested 69 people today for their alleged roles in the Phuket taxi mafia. Police officers, joined by military personnel, swept through Patong in an attempt to serve 83 arrest warrants this morning. However, two high-profile suspects, former Patong mayor Pian Keesin and his son Prab, and 11 others remain at large. Of those taken into custody…
- Thai Life
Phuket Boating: Ao Po Grand Marina goes large
PHUKET’S Ao Po Grand Marina, which opened as the island’s latest high-end addition to the marina scene in 2008, has undergone a major upgrade to allow a growing fleet of luxury yachts to take advantage of the east coast haven. The expansion of the marina now allows 220 boats in the water, explained Marina Manager Derrick van Deventer “We can…
- Thai Life
Video Report: Blue World – Sharing moments with Phuket’s wild dolphins
PHUKET: As Sea Shepherd and marine conservationists around the world prepare to battle the opening of the Nemo dolphinarium in Phuket, Capt Mike Fallows of Blue World Safaris continues to take hundreds of tourists to see a pod of these vastly intelligent marine mammals in the wild. About 30 minutes after the captain’s safety briefing – including sea sickness tablets…
- Pattaya News
Phuket sailors top Thailand Platu 25 National Championship
PHUKET: Local sailors Scott Duncanson and Alfie Rowson have won the open division of the 2014 Platu 25 National Championship held off Jomtien, Pattaya. The championships, raced over August 16-17, saw nine teams compete in the identical class of Platu yachts, known elsewhere in the world as Farr 25s, after their designer Bruce Farr. Day one started in light winds…
- Business News
Escape Hunt’s innovative business venture expands to Phuket
PHUKET: In hopes of further capitalizing on the success of their first venue in Bangkok, Escape Hunt has opened franchises worldwide, including in Phuket, where a venue opened recently in Kathu. Business partners Jasnam Sachathep, Surasit Sachdev and Navin and Dave Anandsongvit quickly realized the business’ potential in Phuket and celebrated their grand opening on August 11, joining the 23…
- Phuket News
Phuket students petition against dolphinarium
PHUKET: Students from the Prince of Songkla University Phuket campus yesterday handed Governor Maitri Inthusut a petition with more than 400 signatures to protest the nearly-complete Nemo dolphinarium in Chalong. “We have heard about the dolphinarium set to open on Soi Palai. We do not think that it is a good idea to keep dolphins in a park,” said Latifa…
- Phuket News
Australian triathlete mistaken for illegal immigrant on Channel swim
PHUKET: An Australian triathlete was mistaken for an illegal immigrant by British residents and held up by border authorities when set to swim the English Channel, local media reported. John van Wisse was attempting to set a world record on an ultra-triathlon from London to Paris when he was swooped on by local police and the British Coastguard on Wednesday,…
- Phuket News
Party town kingpin Pian slapped with mafia charges
PHUKET: Military personnel and Region 8 Police raided the home of former Patong Mayor Pian Keesin this morning as they pursue mafia charges against the Phuket kingpin. “Mr Pian and his son Prab Keesin are both facing charges of extortion and criminal activity carried out by a criminal association,” Region 8 Commander Panya Mamen told the Phuket Gazette today. Region…
- Business News
Thai rubber farmers feel ‘betrayed’ by military government
PHUKET: Thai rubber farmers who supported anti-government protests that led to a military coup in May say they feel betrayed because the ruling military is failing to help soften the blow of plunging rubber prices. Thailand is the world’s largest rubber producer and exporter, but falling prices and a decision by the military not to extend subsidies risks alienating rubber…
- Thailand News
Neon sign power leak blamed for ATM electric shock death of baby girl
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Neon sign power leak blamed for ATM electric shock death of baby girl The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Electric shocks that killed a two-year-old girl in Trang’s Yan Ta Khao district on August 7 stemmed from a power leakage from a neon sign placed over…
- Thailand News
Video clip about cruelly-treated elephants prompts probe
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Video clip about cruelly-treated elephants prompts probe The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police and soldiers are investigating after a video about cruel treatment of elephants in Songkhla’s Haad Yai district yesterday went viral on the Internet. Hat Yai police station superintendent Pol Col Passagorn Klunwarn…
- World News
Ukraine accuses Russia of invasion on new front
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Ukraine accuses Russia of invasion on new front Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Ukraine accused Russia of launching a new military incursion across its eastern border on Wednesday, as hopes quickly faded that Tuesday’s talks between their two presidents might mark a turning point in a…
- Phuket News
Teenager gatecrashes Serena, Federer party
PHUKET: Despite boasting 34 grand slam singles titles between them, Serena Williams and Roger Federer were forced to share the spotlight with a 15-year-old at the U.S. Open on Tuesday as all three advanced to the second round. American wild card Catherine Bellis, the youngest player in the draw, took her place alongside the five-time U.S. champions by stunning 12th…
- Phuket News
Man dies as car slams into power pole at high speed
PHUKET: A 31-year-old man died after his car slid out of control on a wet road and slammed into a power pole at high speed in Koh Kaew late last night. Lt Col Sanit Nookong and fellow officers of the Thalang Police arrived at the scene, near the Tha Ruea Shrine on Thepkrasattri Road, soon after 11:45pm. “The driver, Nitikorn…
- Phuket News
DSI impostors arrested for Phuket massage parlor shakedown
PHUKET: Two men have been arrested for posing as Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers and extorting money from a Phuket Town massage parlor. Wisanusan Thipayatuch, 42, and Kanapat Khongmuang, 38, were nabbed after extorting 100,000 baht in cash from the owner of Angel Massage in Phuket Town on April 24. “The suspects, who posed as DSI officers, told the…
- Phuket News
Phuket Airport bomb scare leads to hijacking drill
PHUKET: Phuket International Airport held an airplane hijacking drill today in the wake of a bomb scare yesterday morning. Phuket Airport received an anonymous call yesterday threatening to blow up AirAsia flight FD 3003, which departed from Don Mueang Airport at 10:55am, bound for Phuket. On board were 167 passengers and six crew. The plane was immediately escorted to an…
- Business News
Singaporean wine expert leads two day California wine training seminar
PHUKET: Times when a waiter in a restaurant could get away with just about any wine recommendation – a white for the fish or a random red to go with meat – are luckily over. These days, customers are more and more knowledgeable and demand an ever-growing level of service. Better trained staff can be the key to success, especially…
- Phuket News
Phuket officials target trash-clogged drains in flood-defense plan
PHUKET: Phuket officials confirmed yesterday that Patong’s drains will be dredged after an inspection revealed they had become clogged with sediment and trash, contributing to recent flooding in the area. The inspection of the roads and of Pak Bang Canal also revealed that many of the buildings there had been extended beyond the legal limit of three meters from the…
- Phuket News
Phi Phi and Krabi beaches targeted for encroachment demolitions
PHUKET: Phi Phi and Krabi are next in line for beach encroachment demolitions, the Navy has revealed. “We have already removed beach chairs and umbrellas from Phi Phi’s beaches. The next step will be the clearance of illegally-erected structures encroaching on the island’s beach areas. This will begin very soon,” Commander Prinyatham Poonpitagtham of the Royal Thai Marine Corps, told…
- Phuket News
Phuket blackout leaves underpass underwater
PHUKET: Traffic ground to a crawl at the Darasamuth underpass on Monday after a three-hour power outage rendered pumps useless and allowed heavy rain to flood the underground road. The underpass construction site, located in front of the Central Festival Phuket shopping mall on the bypass road, lost power supply after a transformer blew, explained Samak Luedwonghad, director of the…
- Thailand News
Panadda urges ethics panels be set up
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Panadda urges ethics panels be set up The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: PM’s Office permanent-secretary ML Panadda Diskul yesterday suggested that ethics committees be established to check local government agencies as part of efforts to fight corruption. Panadda made the proposal after members of the…
- Thailand News
French boy, 5, dies after being stung by jellyfish off Pha-ngan
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community French boy, 5, dies after being stung by jellyfish off Pha-ngan The Nation/ Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Koh Pha-ngan authorities have warned people to beware of box jellyfish after a |five-year-old French boy died on Saturday after being stung while swimming at a beach of this resort…
- World News
Nearly 2,000 Europe-bound migrants have drowned this year – U.N.
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nearly 2,000 Europe-bound migrants have drowned this year – U.N. Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Nearly 2,000 people fleeing Africa and the Middle East have drowned in the Mediterranean this year, most of them in the past three months as they tried to reach Europe from…
- World News
Japan could offer unapproved Ebola drug
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Japan could offer unapproved Ebola drug Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Japan could offer an unapproved drug under certain circumstances to help treat the deadly Ebola virus even before the World Health Organization has decided to make a request for the drug, the country’s top government…
- Thailand News
Thai ‘baby factory’ doctor to turn himself in
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai ‘baby factory’ doctor to turn himself in – police Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A Thai doctor who performed in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for women involved in a surrogate baby business dubbed the “baby factory” has agreed to turn himself in, police said on Monday.…
- Phuket News
Sepak Takraw competition in Sri Soonthorn
A competition of Sepak Takraw, known also as kick volleyball, was held in Phuket’s Sri Soonthorn on 23-24 August. Players from 21 teams divided into three age categories could showcase their acrobatic skills while competing for the prizes with another 10 teams playing Freestyle Sepak Takraw. “The purposes of this competition is to encourage people, especially teenagers, to spend time…
- World News
No let-up in Gaza war, Israel moves to protect its economy
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community No let-up in Gaza war, Israel moves to protect its economy Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: An Israeli air strike on Tuesday destroyed much of one of Gaza’s tallest apartment and office buildings, setting off huge explosions and wounding 20 people, Palestinian health officials said. Israel…
- World News
Australia unveils measures to tackle rise of foreign fighters
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Australia unveils measures to tackle rise of foreign fighters Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Australia unveiled counter-terrorism measures on Tuesday to prevent young people from becoming radicalised and going to fight in overseas conflicts such as Iraq and Syria, where scores of Australians have joined militant…
- Thailand News
Surrogate mums admit lying in court over Shigeta’s babies
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Surrogate mums admit lying in court over Shigeta’s babies The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Two Thai surrogate mothers told police yesterday they were instructed to lie to the courts during adoption hearings – to say that their babies were conceived during affairs with the Japanese…
- World News
French PM to unveil pro-reform cabinet after rebel ministers’ eviction
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community French PM to unveil pro-reform cabinet after rebel ministers’ eviction Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: France’s prime minister will scramble to put together a new pro-reform government on Tuesday, a day after the surprise eviction of rebel ministers who had opposed budgetary rigour. Manuel Valls will…
