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 NewsHazardous Phuket moorings removed from Chalong Bay

    Hazardous Phuket moorings removed from Chalong Bay

    PHUKET: Eight unmarked concrete moorings near the Chalong Pier fairway that are believed to have sunk two boats within the last year were removed last Friday. “I think it is best to have the blocks near the fairway removed to prevent further accidents,” said Phuket Marine Office Chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut, maintaining that no blocks exist within the approach channel itself.…

  • Phuket NewsGerman woman takes fatal fall down stairs in Phuket

    German woman takes fatal fall down stairs in Phuket

    PHUKET: A 72-year-old German woman died yesterday after falling down a flight of steep stairs at a rented house near Nai Thon Beach. Tah Chat Chai Police were notified of the incident at 7:30pm and rushed to the scene with rescue workers. At the house on Sakoo-Nai Thon Road, police found the body of Margret Hiller lying at the bottom…

  • Phuket NewsFinn struck by car while crossing Phuket Road

    Finn struck by car while crossing Phuket Road

    PHUKET: A 25-year-old Finnish man was struck and injured by a car as he was crossing the road in Kamala early this morning. Robin Straka had crossed the Kalim-Kamala Road to use the ATM at a Tesco Lotus. On his return, he suddenly stopped walking, and seemed to be thinking about something, witnesses told police. “That was when he was…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket drug crackdown apprehends 62

    Phuket drug crackdown apprehends 62

    PHUKET: Phuket police officers apprehended 62 people on drug charges yesterday as part of an anti-drug sweep in Phuket Town and Rassada ordered by Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut. In total,180 officers took part in the late afternoon maneuver, which involved searching two houses and administering urine tests at four checkpoints. Five teenagers – two girls and three boys – aged…

  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: Navigating the ‘expat hump’

    Phuket Opinion: Navigating the ‘expat hump’

    PHUKET: I openly admit that I had no idea what I was walking into when I decided to move to Phuket last August. Not only had I never been to Thailand, but I had never even left my vacuum-sealed bubble of a home country: America. The gravity of my move became immediately apparent as I left the airport. The sights…

  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: Forging a place for women on the force

    Phuket Opinion: Forging a place for women on the force

    Chollada Chokdeesrijun, 23, graduated from the Royal Police Cadet Academy last year and started working at the Chalong Police Station on November 1. Originally from Bangkok, she and her family moved to Phang Nga when she was 13 years old. Here Lt Chollada talks about why it is important to have women on the police force, and the challenges she…

  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: ‘Bangkok-centric’ travel slows Phuket progress

    Phuket Opinion: ‘Bangkok-centric’ travel slows Phuket progress

    PHUKET: There are many different indices used to assess how developed a country is. Fortunately for Thailand, the state of the domestic aviation industry is not among them, because if it were, the country would not fare well in the ratings. In many countries, regional carriers operating small turboprop commuter planes on scheduled routes in lean markets are an important…

  • Thai LifePhuket Environment: Young sea turtles released on a lifelong journey

    Phuket Environment: Young sea turtles released on a lifelong journey

    PHUKET: Laguna Phuket marked its 20th anniversary of supporting sea turtle conservation programs by releasing 90 juvenile sea turtles into the Andaman Sea yesterday afternoon.The turtles were released at sunset into the warm waters of the Andaman Sea, on the Angsana Laguna Phuket beachfront, to begin their lifetime ocean odysseys. Over 500 donors and spectators were all smiles as they…

  • Phuket NewsPatong Tunnel compensation for evicted Phuket villagers jumps to B2.56bn

    Patong Tunnel compensation for evicted Phuket villagers jumps to B2.56bn

    PHUKET: The funds for compensating Phuket landowners who would be displaced by the construction of the Patong Tunnel have more than doubled, jumping from 1 billion baht to 2.56bn baht. The Chief Inspector-General of the Ministry of Transport, Somchai Chanrod, made the announcement in Phuket earlier this week. It was not clarified whether the government had expanded the number of…

  • Business NewsPhuket Business: Hooters restaurant to open in Patong

    Phuket Business: Hooters restaurant to open in Patong

    PHUKET: Hooters of America, LLC, the well-known hospitality franchise that employs attractive young waitresses to help lure customers, recently announced a development agreement with an international franchisee to open three Hooters locations in Thailand over the next three years. Destination Resorts Co Ltd will introduce the iconic brand and dining destination to the country, with the first Hooters location scheduled…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: CMPO seeks clarification; Social classes discovered in ancient Issan communities; WTO notified of alleged rice dumping | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: CMPO seeks clarification; Social classes discovered in ancient Issan communities; WTO notified of alleged rice dumping

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community CMPO seeks understanding over inability to control rallies Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: The government’s Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) called for understanding from the public yesterday about its inability to enforce the law and control anti-government rallies following Civil Court’s ruling on Wednesday.CMPO member…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Nepal tightens controls of climbers after Everest brawl

    Phuket Gazette World News: Nepal tightens controls of climbers after Everest brawl

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nepal tightens controls of climbers after Everest brawl Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: Nepal will enforce tighter controls of climbers on Mount Everest to ensure the world’s highest peak is safe, officials said on Friday, after a fight last April between three Europeans and a large group of…

  • Hua Hin NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Obama meets with Dalai Lama, upsetting China

    Phuket Gazette World News: Obama meets with Dalai Lama, upsetting China

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama meets with Dalai Lama, upsetting China Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: President Barack Obama held low-key talks with the Dalai Lama on Friday, prompting the Chinese government to ask why the White House ignored Beijing’s warnings that the meeting with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader would damage…

  • Phuket News[Video Report] Alleged French ATM scammers caught bribing Phuket police | Thaiger

    [Video Report] Alleged French ATM scammers caught bribing Phuket police

    PHUKET: Phuket Police arrested two French nationals for bribing an officer of the law yesterday, while a third man is still on the run. Karin Radoun, 28, was also charged with ATM fraud and being in the country illegally. He and Karim Akrour, 36, denied all the charges when presented to the press this morning. Police are still hunting for…

  • Phuket NewsFrenchwoman in fatal crash identified as Phuket yacht staff trainer

    Frenchwoman in fatal crash identified as Phuket yacht staff trainer

    PHUKET: The foreigner killed in a car accident on Thepkrasattri Road before dawn yesterday has been identified as French national Julie Humbert, 31. Her identity was confirmed by an employee of Thalang Hospital, where her body was taken after the crash (story here). “A co-worker contacted the hospital this morning after she heard the story. She identified Ms Humbert’s body…

  • Thai LifePhuket Humor: Introducing the Eezeewee

    Phuket Humor: Introducing the Eezeewee

    PHUKET: Some time ago, a company in South Africa invented a device designed to break down one of the last barriers between the sexes. The Eezeewee is billed as “a reusable device with a shaped plastic cup and a length of pipe” that enables women to urinate while standing. It is touted as “invaluable for women who are traveling, hiking,…

  • FoodPhuket Dining: Not just another chef

    Phuket Dining: Not just another chef

    PHUKET: “It was quite stressful,” replies Angsana’s Executive Sous Chef Yi-fan Chu when I ask him about his recent appearance on the ever popular “Iron Chef” series on Thai TV. No wonder – with limited time to impress the judges, the special ingredient kept a secret to the very last moment (this time it was a snow crab from Japan)…

  • Phuket NewsWind at yachties’ backs in Phuket as boom swings against boat-stay law

    Wind at yachties’ backs in Phuket as boom swings against boat-stay law

    PHUKET: The law reducing the time limit of boat stays in Thailand to two months is on hold starting today, and the old law will be applied in the interim, Phuket Customs Chief Nanthita Sririkub confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. As of today, yachts entering Thailand will be permitted to stay for up to six months. “I received official notification…

  • FoodPhuket Dining: Fired up for the perfect Crust

    Phuket Dining: Fired up for the perfect Crust

    PHUKET: When I got back from a visit to the US recently, a friend asked if I had missed Thai food. I had not. I love it, but what I hankered to eat in Phuket was pizza at “Crust”, a stylish but welcoming little place in the Sino-Portuguese gallery next to Index Living Mall off the Bypass road. Nattanee “Annabelle”…

  • Phuket NewsAirport-bound foreigners safe after illegal taxi catches fire

    Airport-bound foreigners safe after illegal taxi catches fire

    PHUKET: A black-plate taxi carrying two foreigners to Phuket International Airport burst into flames on Thepkrasattri road at about 2pm today.It took villagers about 15 minutes and seven fire extinguishers to put out the fire, explained a Kusoldharm Foundation rescue worker. No one was injured.“By the time we got there, the fire was already under control. At the scene were…

  • Phuket NewsKrabi resort owner vows legal action over demolition

    Krabi resort owner vows legal action over demolition

    PHUKET: The owner of the Poda Island Resort is threatening to sue the Department of National Parks (DNP) for dismantling his facilities. Chuan Pukaoluan, who has operated the resort for about 20 years, says that he had bought the plots of land the resort was built on legitimately. However, the courts determined that the structures were encroaching on a national…

  • Pattaya NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Farmers return home; More Southern violence; Russian wanted for extortion caught in Chon Buri | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Farmers return home; More Southern violence; Russian wanted for extortion caught in Chon Buri

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Farmers from northern provinces return home Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: About 10,000 farmers who travelled from the lower northern provinces to Bangkok resolved on Friday to return home rather than head to Suvarnabhumi Airport for a rally.The farmers decided to return home after their leader, former…

  • Business NewsTAT, AirAsia join campaign to drive travel to three regions

    TAT, AirAsia join campaign to drive travel to three regions

    PHUKET: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is cooperating with AirAsia on a campaign to promote travel to the North, Northeast and South of Thailand. The “All Out Fun! Discover Thailand with AirAsia” campaign seeks to enliven travel in those three regions with low fares starting from 555 baht one-way, inclusive of airport tax and fees. Tickets may be booked…

  • Thai LifePhuket Travel: Camp like a champ

    Phuket Travel: Camp like a champ

    PHUKET: In high season everyone is attempting the paradise-island cliche of beating the crowds. So standing on the beach front of Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park it’s time for an umbrella count. Nothing on the right, nothing on the left – that was easy enough. But perhaps it’s unfair to compare a pristine national park beach area with the…

  • Business NewsLocal tourism industry unfazed by Bangkok turmoil

    Local tourism industry unfazed by Bangkok turmoil

    PHUKET: Wanprapha Suksomboon, acting director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office, recently said that the political turmoil in Bangkok has had minimal negative effects on local tourism.There have been only “a few” booking cancellations, she said, citing the fact that Phuket can be accessed by direct international flights that don’t need to connect in the Thai capital. Since…

  • Phuket NewsAirAsia flight makes emergency landing in Phuket after Mecca pilgrim suffers heart failure

    AirAsia flight makes emergency landing in Phuket after Mecca pilgrim suffers heart failure

    PHUKET: An AirAsia plane made an emergency landing at Phuket International Airport after a Malaysian man returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca suffered heart failure while in Thai airspace. The crew of flight D7 171 from Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur attempted to resuscitate Ridzwan Bin Jamaludin, 64, while still in the air, explained Thalang Police Deputy Superintendent Amnuay Kriwuttianant. “The…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket canal reeking again, noodle factory blamed

    Phuket canal reeking again, noodle factory blamed

    PHUKET: For the second time in a year, Samkong residents have filed a formal complaint over a sickening stench emanating from the Bang Yai Canal. In April last year, the source was allegedly raw sewage dumped into the canal further upstream, in Rassada. This time, residents blamed an upstream noodle factory. During an inspection on Tuesday, Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut…

  • Phuket NewsWidow of slain Phuket protester returns from Bangkok before fresh wave of violence

    Widow of slain Phuket protester returns from Bangkok before fresh wave of violence

    PHUKET: It has been a month since Phuket taxi driver Prakong Choochan died at the age of 46 from injuries sustained from an explosive device thrown at protesters in Bangkok. His widow, Tippayao Choochan, vowed to continue supporting the “Bangkok Shutdown” protests after his death, and was in the capital last week to join the rally (story here). However, she…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Obama warns Ukraine military not to ‘step over the line’

    Phuket Gazette World News: Obama warns Ukraine military not to ‘step over the line’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama warns Ukraine military not to ‘step over the line’ Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: U.S. President Barack Obama called on Ukraine’s armed forces on Wednesday to stay out of the country’s political crisis and warned that there would be consequences for those who “step over the line.”Using…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Both sides suffer from violent clashes; New plan to pay rice farmers; MP registration by mail; Foreign investors continue retreat from stock market

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Both sides suffer from violent clashes; New plan to pay rice farmers; MP registration by mail; Foreign investors continue retreat from stock market

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community On both sides, victims share the bitter pain of street clashes Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: A junior policeman has become a hero for kicking away a grenade in his bid to protect colleagues during a Bangkok clash – but his wife thinks his fame…