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 NewsTaekwondo star: ‘My coach hit me’

    Taekwondo star: ‘My coach hit me’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Taekwondo star: ‘My coach hit me’ The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Taekwondo Association of Thailand will launch an investigation into national coach Chai Young Seok after his charge – Asian Championship bronze medallist Rungrawee Kurasa – alleged he physically assaulted her. The 23-year-old taekwondo…

  • PropertyProperty Watch: Life in the days of future past

    Property Watch: Life in the days of future past

    PHUKET: In my lifetime, small men in white suits have walked on the moon. Well, at least they seemed tiny on the television screen. Now, strangers’ voices come out of an iPhone acting as a personal concierge. I still can’t figure out how they fit a tiny person into the iconic Apple device. Yes, technology is a fast-moving landscape that…

  • Phuket NewsGermany’s strength in depth delivers ultimate prize

    Germany’s strength in depth delivers ultimate prize

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Germany’s strength in depth delivers ultimate prize Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Germany’s impressive strength in depth proved the decisive factor in their 1-0 extra-time World Cup final victory over Argentina on Sunday as Lionel Messi failed to deliver the golden touch for the South Americans.…

  • Phuket NewsDNP chief locked and loaded: targets high-ranking officials over Phuket land snatching

    DNP chief locked and loaded: targets high-ranking officials over Phuket land snatching

    PHUKET: More than 1,000 rai of Phuket land illegally owned by former ministers, deputies and provincial governors will be returned to the public, said Samak Donnapee, director of the Bureau of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). “The 92 plots being taken back are in Sakoo and Cherng Talay,” confirmed Sirinath National Park Chief Kitiphat Tharapiban to the Phuket…

  • Phuket NewsSpeedboat rescues Phuket captain found floating at sea in life jacket

    Speedboat rescues Phuket captain found floating at sea in life jacket

    PHUKET: A boat captain bobbing at sea in a life jacket was rescued by a speedboat 20 minutes after his boat sank near Koh Yao Yai yesterday afternoon. Apichart Lawthong, 51, was the only person on board when the boat, which was carrying construction supplies, foundered in rough seas. “I left Phuket at about 11am, headed to Phi Phi,” Mr…

  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: It’s up to all of us to save the foolish from Phuket’s rips

    Phuket Opinion: It’s up to all of us to save the foolish from Phuket’s rips

    PHUKET: A friend and I who were surfing in Kata last year came across two young Phuket natives who had gotten into trouble when they were pulled into deep water. We put them on our boards and swam them in to shore, only to watch one of them fade away in front of our eyes. The sight of the 20-year-old’s…

  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: Taxing alcohol – a taxing issue

    Phuket Opinion: Taxing alcohol – a taxing issue

    Sean Gabb is Director of the Libertarian Alliance in London and has written on subjects as diverse as gay marriage, handicapped parking and second-hand smoke. From 1991 to 1992, he served as Economic and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister of Slovakia. He is the author of 20 books, including novels and poetry. His new novel, The Break, has been…

  • OpinionBan monkey business

    Ban monkey business

    PHUKET: The recent introduction of two gibbons rescued in Phuket into the wilds of Northern Thailand is a landmark achievement for the Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand (WARF) and the many affiliated groups and volunteers who played roles in making it happen. We join the rest of the island in thanking them all and wishing them the best of…

  • Phuket NewsPolice suspect kickstand played role in fatal Phuket motorbike crash

    Police suspect kickstand played role in fatal Phuket motorbike crash

    PHUKET: A helmet-less Myanmar national was killed after losing control of his motorbike on a curve while driving with his kickstand down in Phuket yesterday. When police arrived at the scene on Phra Phuket Kaew Road, they found 27-year-old Phyo Maung Maung’s motorbike, with the kickstand down, on the median and Mr Phyo’s body in a lane of oncoming traffic.…

  • World NewsGaza toll passes 100; Israel to counter rockets ‘with all power’

    Gaza toll passes 100; Israel to counter rockets ‘with all power’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Gaza toll passes 100; Israel to counter rockets ‘with all power’ Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ori Lewis PHUKET: An airstrike outside a family home early Saturday pushed the Palestinian death toll past 100 in four days of cross-border fighting as Israel…

  • Phuket NewsMilitary silent on ‘cash for clearance’ at Phuket Airport

    Military silent on ‘cash for clearance’ at Phuket Airport

    PHUKET: Navy officers have fallen silent over their investigation into immigration officials at Phuket International Airport who allegedly solicit cash payments from tourists to clear immigration queues. On Wednesday, one of the top-ranking officers who led a Monday raid of the airport declined to reveal to the Phuket Gazette whether or not his officers were continuing their investigation into the…

  • Thailand NewsSecond man charged in train rape-murder | Thaiger

    Second man charged in train rape-murder

    PHUKET: Police have charged a second State Railway of Thailand employee over his alleged involvement in the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl on an overnight train to Bangkok. After the interrogation of a 19-year-old train worker by Prachuap Khiri Khan police chief Maj Gen Thanes Sunthornsuk, an informed source reported that the teenager confessed that he was drinking…

  • Phuket NewsPolice warn local officers over taxi mafia revival

    Police warn local officers over taxi mafia revival

    PHUKET: The leading police officer who spearheaded the recent purge of Phuket’s illegal taxi mafia has vowed to investigate any local police officers who allow illegal taxi drivers to return to their regular roosts. Maj Gen Paween Pongisirin of Region 8 Police said that he considered any further action against illegal taxi operators a matter to be dealt with by…

  • Phuket NewsBig snake caught choking the chicken in Phuket

    Big snake caught choking the chicken in Phuket

    PHUKET: A Phuket resident woke with a start in the middle of the night Tuesday after a python started dining in his chicken coop. “I heard my chickens panicking, so I went to the henhouse to see what was wrong,” Thanarat Manlin told the Phuket Gazette. “I was so shocked when I peeked inside and saw a big python killing…

  • Phuket NewsKathu Culture Street Festival kicks off today

    Kathu Culture Street Festival kicks off today

    PHUKET: The Kathu Culture Street Festival, showcasing the unique blend of cultural heritage of the area, starts today with a parade at 4:00pm. The parade will begin at Kathu Municipality and end at the Kathu Public Health Center, followed by an opening ceremony at 6pm. “The goal of the festival is to encourage locals and tourists to learn more about…

  • Phuket NewsUnemployed Phuket tour bus staffers plead for help

    Unemployed Phuket tour bus staffers plead for help

    PHUKET: Local tour operator staff made redundant by companies using their own buses, drivers and guides to provide tours of Phuket appealed yesterday to the Governor’s Office for help in alleviating their plight. Kanlaya Rakvaree, the lead representative of the group, explained that many local jobs had been lost to companies that no longer hire Phuket tour companies to conduct…

  • Phuket NewsTwin Sharks turns turtle, to rejoin regatta racing tomorrow

    Twin Sharks turns turtle, to rejoin regatta racing tomorrow

    PHUKET: Hot favorite Twin Sharks, which capsized during practice in strong winds off Phuket yesterday, is expected to begin its campaign in the Firefly Sport 850 class in the Multihull Solutions Regatta tomorrow. The racing catamaran turned turtle in Chalong Bay yesterday afternoon amid strong winds gusting up to 25 knots (story here). Skipper and owner John Newnham and his…

  • Phuket NewsPressure on Phuket Governor over Surin Beach ‘failure’

    Pressure on Phuket Governor over Surin Beach ‘failure’

    PHUKET: Three Cherng Talay residents who last week filed a petition and a police complaint against Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut over the clearing of Surin Beach returned to Cherng Talay Police Station on Wednesday. The complaint alleged that Governor Maitri had failed to perform his duties as the Governor of Phuket by not clearing all structures from Surin Beach (story…

  • World NewsGaza dead reach 78 as Israelis hint at invasion

    Gaza dead reach 78 as Israelis hint at invasion

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Gaza dead reach 78 as Israelis hint at invasion Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: At least 78 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel’s Gaza offensive, Palestinian officials said on Thursday as militants in the enclave kept up rocket attacks on Tel Aviv,…

  • Phuket NewsArgentina and Germany start final preparations

    Argentina and Germany start final preparations

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Argentina and Germany start final preparations Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Argentina and Germany were both back at work on Thursday, secretly hatching their plans for Sunday’s World Cup final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. While their contrasting styles promise a classic battle between…

  • Phuket NewsRio’s Christ to light up Twitter’s World Cup campaign

    Rio’s Christ to light up Twitter’s World Cup campaign

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World sport selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Rio’s iconic Christ statue will be lit up on the eve of Sunday’s World Cup final in the colours of each of the finalists’ flags with Twitter users to determine which is displayed the longest. Starting on Wednesday, Twitter Inc users around the world can participate by…

  • Phuket NewsICC win the first match of the Outrigger T20 League

    ICC win the first match of the Outrigger T20 League

    PHUKET: In the first outrigger 20/20 cricket league match of the season, Island Cricket Club (ICC) played Village Cricket Team in the morning match on the 6th July 2014. Village captain Martin Platts won the toss and elected to Bat. Village opening batsman Divan Mydeen (1) was caught behind early on from the bowling of Arun Virdikar, who struck again…

  • PropertyA symbol of prosperity in Koh Kaew

    A symbol of prosperity in Koh Kaew

    PHUKET: The number 88 has long been symbolic of good fortune, joy and prosperity in Asian cultures and the premium housing development “88 Land & Houses Koh Kaew Phuket” by Land & Houses, one of the country’s leading development groups, is seeking to provide just those for its customers. The 52 rai development is located near the geographical center of…

  • Thai LifeOutrigger beach BBQ puts the sun in Sunday

    Outrigger beach BBQ puts the sun in Sunday

    PHUKET: I’m writing this on Monday morning, the universally detested time of the week. But the memory of Sunday evening, the whole of Sunday in fact, allows me to keep my head up and face the challenges of the upcoming days. This is what Sundays are all about – recharging your batteries ahead of a new work week – and…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket catamaran flips in regatta warm-up | Thaiger

    Phuket catamaran flips in regatta warm-up

    PHUKET: All crew are safe after a Phuket boat flipped in practice this afternoon ahead of the Multihull Solutions Regatta, which starts tomorrow. Twin Sharks, one of the fastest Firefly catamarans in the fleet, flipped in strong winds gusting up to 25 knots on Chalong Bay. The boat owner, John Newnham, and his three crewmen are safely back on shore…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket to observe two-day alcohol ban starting at midnight

    Phuket to observe two-day alcohol ban starting at midnight

    PHUKET: The sale of alcohol will be prohibited in Phuket tomorrow and Saturday as part of a nationwide ban to honor the Buddhist holiday of Asarnha Bucha and the start of Buddhist Lent. “Alcohol sales are prohibited from midnight tonight until midnight Saturday,” Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Sakchai Limcharoen told the Phuket Gazette this morning. The Saturday alcohol ban…

  • Thailand NewsNationwide checks continue to find fault with rice stocks

    Nationwide checks continue to find fault with rice stocks

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nationwide checks continue to find fault with rice stocks The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Inspections reveal that the rice stocks from the controversial pledging scheme have become mired in both quality and quantity problems. An informed source said yesterday that inspections had found that most…

  • Thailand NewsState rail chief rejects calls for resignation

    State rail chief rejects calls for resignation

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community SRT governor rejects calls for resignation The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Prapat Chongsanguan yesterday vowed to stay on as SRT chief, saying his resignation would be deemed an escape from the problems surrounding the railways. “I am begging for…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket beach shops fetched B7mn apiece, B400k a year in rent, say officials

    Phuket beach shops fetched B7mn apiece, B400k a year in rent, say officials

    PHUKET: Shops and restaurants torn down by officials at Nai Thon Beach yesterday were bought for as much as 7 million baht apiece and fetched rental fees of up to 400,000 baht a year, officials have revealed. “It is obvious that the people who run these shops are business operators, not local people living day by day,” Sirinath National Park…

  • World NewsBoth candidates in Indonesia election claim victory

    Both candidates in Indonesia election claim victory

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Both candidates in Indonesia election claim victory Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Both candidates claimed victory in Indonesia’s presidential election on Wednesday, suggesting there could be a drawn out constitutional battle to decide who will next lead the world’s third-largest democracy. Just a few hours after…