Legacy Phuket Gazette
- World News
Colombia’s Santos wins re-election, to push on with peace talks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Colombia’s Santos wins re-election, to push on with peace talks Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos won a second term on Sunday with an election victory that allows him to continue peace talks with Marxist guerrillas to end a half-century war. Santos…
- Property
Prime deals on eight Sansiri developments
PHUKET: Sansiri, one of the largest real estate developers in Thailand, recently launched the “It’s Prime Time” promotional event in Phuket, offering a “Time for Best Units” promotion across all eight of the company’s completed developments on the island. Buyers will have to move quickly to get a bargain though, as the discount offers are only available until the end…
- Phuket News
Pick-up avoiding motorcyclist flips onto rocky Kalim shore
PHUKET: A pick-up truck avoiding a motorcyclist on the Kalim-Kamala Road last night flipped over onto the Kalim shore. The driver suffered only minor injuries. Preecha Hachaiboon, 37, was headed from Patong to Kalim at about 11pm on a road slick with rain and spray from large waves when a motorcyclist allegedly cut in front of him. Mr Hachaiboon swerved…
- Phuket News
Tourists told to avoid speedboat trips as weather warning issued
PHUKET: The Thai Meteorological Department has warned tourist against joining speedboat day trips, as a small boat warning is now in effect in Phuket due to big waves and high winds. “Wave heights are at 2-4 meters, and we will have wind speeds of up to 45k/h,” said Santhad Panbanpeaw, director of the Thai Meteorological Department’s Phuket Office. “All small…
- Phuket News
Lifeguards beg beachgoers to stay safe as waves become deadly
PHUKET: Phuket lifeguards are imploring beachgoers to respect the dangerous ocean conditions and stay out of the water as the annual southwest monsoon season comes into full swing. Phuket Lifeguard Club President Prathaiyut Chuayuan issued the plea this morning. “Please do not go into the sea, especially at Kata and Karon. I have also received reports of heavy, high waves…
- Phuket News
Messi strike lights up Maracana as Argentina sink Bosnia
PHUKET: Lionel Messi finally made his mark on the World Cup and lit up the Maracana with his first goal in the finals for eight years as Argentina were forced to battle for a 2-1 win over debutantes Bosnia in their opening Group F match on Sunday. Messi, four-times world player of the year and Argentina’s best footballer since Diego…
- Phuket News
Rumors fried: Phuket KFC certified halal
PHUKET: A furor among local Muslims over whether the fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) serves halal food, which Islamic law permits to be eaten, has been resolved – yes it does. Rumors were circulating on Facebook and Thai forums that KFC’s food was not halal because the chain does not display a “halal approved” sign on its shops, Komol…
- Phuket News
One still missing after wave on Phuket’s deadliest beach sweeps six into deep water
PHUKET: Two foreigners and four others were caught by a single wave and dragged away from shore at Phuket’s deadliest beach this afternoon. Lifeguards were able to immediately save five of them. One is still missing. “Apisit Songkert, 13, went missing at about 5:50pm,” said Uten Singson, chief lifeguard Kata-Karon Beach. Mr Apisit, a Karon local, was at the beach…
- World News
Thousands of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon forced to work, says aid group
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thousands of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon forced to work, says aid group Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: At least 50,000 Syrian refugee children in Lebanon are working, often in dire conditions and for 12 hours a day, to pay for food and shelter for their…
- World News
Russia to submit draft UN resolution on Ukraine
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Russia to submit draft UN resolution on Ukraine Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Russia plans to submit a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council to put pressure on Ukraine to implement a “road map” to peace, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying on…
- Phuket News
Crazed World Cup fans in Phuket: “Get it here!’
PHUKET: The FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3am tomorrow with the opening match between Brazil and Croatia, marking the 19th edition of the renowned tournament that has simply become known as the World Cup. An estimated 3.2 billion people around the world – roughly half the global population – are projected to watch the world’s finest players compete for…
- World News
Iraq Kurds seize Kirkuk; Sunni militants surge toward Baghdad
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Iraq Kurds seize Kirkuk; Sunni militants surge toward Baghdad Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Iraqi Kurds seized control of the northern oil city of Kirkuk on Thursday, while surging Sunni Islamist rebels advanced towards Baghdad, as the central government’s army abandoned its posts in a rapid…
- Phuket News
Red flags up on Phuket’s deadliest beach
PHUKET: Lifeguards on Phuket’s deadliest beach have put out red flags to warn of strong surf. The warnings have been set up on Kata Beach and Karon Beach. Eight people drowned at Karon Beach between October 2012 and September 2013, making it the deadliest beach in Phuket (story here). “There have been strong, high waves lately. I would like to…
- Phuket News
Body of newborn found in Phuket rubber plantation
PHUKET: Police are hunting for the mother of a newborn baby found dead in a Phuket rubber plantation this afternoon. Patong Police were notified of the body at about 12:30pm today by a resident who had gone to the Baan Kaen Lek plantation on Phetchakut Road to pick mushrooms. “The man told officers that he smelled something bad, followed the…
- Phuket News
Road divider to feature lights and landscaping
PHUKET: A road divider to improve safety and relieve traffic congestion on Chao Fa East Road is expected to be finished in two months. “We’re building it because of the number of accidents and traffic jams that occur on this stretch,” said Phuket Highways Office Director Samak Luedwonghad. People making u-turns on the road pose a particular danger, Mr Samak…
- Phuket News
65 Cambodian laborers arrested on their way home – to be deported
PHUKET: A group of 65 Cambodian construction workers preparing to return home were arrested in Rassada yesterday and charged with illegally entering the country. Phuket City Police received information from undercover officers that the group would be arriving at a pier in Rassada in the evening. “We waited at the pier for an hour, and then the group of Cambodians…
- Thai Life
International Surfing Day event in Patong cancelled
PHUKET: The International Surfing Day festivities that were announced in the June 7-13 issue of the Phuket Gazette have been cancelled. Organizers announced the cancellation of the June 21 event amid concerns of violating the martial law restriction of gatherings of more than five people. People are still encouraged to visit the beach and pitch in to clean up trash…
- Phuket News
Officials clear vendors from four Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Officials yesterday gave vendors at four popular tourist beaches in Cherng Talay just seven days to vacate their plots or face forced eviction and legal action. Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada and Cherng Talay Mayor Ma-ann Samran, supported by about 50 officers, informed the beach vendors of the deadline in the morning. “More than 100 businesses are operating along…
- Phuket News
Gun-toting Aussie re-arrested with drugs while on bail
PHUKET: Mark Robert Coutelas, 53, was arrested again for drug possession last night, while the Australian was out on bail waiting for his trial to be heard on previous drug and illegal handgun charges. Patong Police arrested Mr Coutelas on May 27 after finding him in possession of 530mg of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), a handgun and ammunition (story here).…
- Pattaya News
Curfew lifted in more districts across 17 provinces
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Curfew lifted in more districts across 17 provinces The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The curfew has been lifted across certain districts in another 17 provinces, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announced on Tuesday night. The order applies to two districts in Songkhla…
- World News
Isolated North Korea a visitor draw, but sometimes literally a tourist trap
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Isolated North Korea a visitor draw, but sometimes literally a tourist trap Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: “Taking you to places where your mother would rather you stayed away from.” That’s how one Western travel agency advertises its tours to North Korea. The U.S. government doesn’t…
- Phuket News
All World Cup matches to air live on free TV
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Free World Cup telecast The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: In a bid to live up to its motto of “Bringing happiness back to Thai people”, the junta yesterday managed to pull off a deal for the live telecast of all World Cup 2014 matches on…
- World News
Four young students killed as ex-director has seizure behind wheel
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Four young students killed as ex-director has seizure behind wheel The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Four primary-school students were killed and at least 10 others wounded in Nong Bua Lamphu’s Muang district after a former school director slammed into them with his car while suffering…
- Phuket News
Video Report: Coping with the Phuket taxi crackdown
PHUKET: Island taxi drivers talk about the effects of the police crackdown on their businesses, as well as their fears and hopes for the future. PGTV reports on the current Region 8 police crackdown on Phuket’s so-called taxi mafia and details some of the history of passenger abuse, unfair trading practices, intimidation and acts of violence against tourists and residents…
- World News
Sunni insurgents close in on Iraq’s biggest oil refinery
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Sunni insurgents close in on Iraq’s biggest oil refinery Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Sunni insurgents from an al Qaeda splinter group closed in on Iraq’s biggest oil refinery yesterday after seizing the northern city of Mosul in a devastating show of strength against the Shi’ite-led…
- World News
Philippines captures top al Qaeda-linked militant
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Philippines captures top al Qaeda-linked militant Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Philippine security forces yesterday captured a top al Qaeda-linked Islamist wanted by the United States and involved in the kidnapping of Western tourists, and hailed the arrest as a major blow to his militant network.…
- Entertainment
Crowning glory of a great novelist
PHUKET: Once a decade, Donna Tartt produces a hefty, great novel. At age 28, she published The Secret History, a murder mystery centered on a clique of young classical scholars at Bennington. A decade later, she returned to her Mississippi childhood for The Little Friend. And now she has just won the Pulitzer Prize for her third and best novel,…
- Phuket News
Thongchai seeks major breakthrough at US Open
PHUKET: Asian Tour legend Thongchai Jaidee steps into his fourth US Open appearance this week eager to finally stamp his mark on the Major stage. The decorated Thai star, the only man to win three Asian Tour Order of Merit crowns, arrives at Pinehurst No 2 with his confidence sky-high after securing a play-off victory at the Nordea Masters over…
- World News
Japan blasts Chinese bid for U.N. recognition of Nanjing massacre
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Japan blasts Chinese bid for U.N. recognition of Nanjing massacre Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Japan protested to China on Wednesday after Beijing applied for the inclusion of the 1937 Nanjing massacre and the “comfort women” forced to work in wartime military brothels in a UNESCO…
- Business News
International arrivals and hotel occupancy strong in first quarter
PHUKET: The number of international tourist arrivals to Phuket grew by 6.9% year-over-year (YOY) to 962,953 arrivals in the first quarter of 2014. An increase in direct international flights to Phuket have helped insulate it from any negative impact from the ongoing political turmoil in Bangkok, according to CBRE. The average occupancy of upscale hotels (with rates over 2,000 baht…
