Legacy Phuket Gazette
- Thai Life
A perfect model of island life
PHUKET: Hailing from another tropical paradise on the opposite side of the globe, Jamaican-born Tracy Dawkins is no stranger to island life. She has achieved some fame in Phuket as a model, actress and erstwhile PR and marketing executive and now calls the island home. In an exclusive interview, we spoke with Tracy about island life, competing to be Miss…
- Thai Life
Phuket Humour: Is there anybody out there? Yes, apparently
PHUKET: There is a video on YouTube that shows Morgan Freeman explaining a new theory in quantum physics (click here to see). The universe might be conscious. In fact, scientists think it might be a sort of cosmic brain that is constantly expanding and evolving. I had lots of questions about this. But I couldn’t interview the universe because the…
- Phuket News
Phuket drug busts net two suspects, one armed
PHUKET: Police yesterday arrested a man at a Phuket Town hotel found in possession of drugs with a street value of more than 200,000 baht. Acting on a tip-off, officers raided a room at the Sunanta mansion on Sakdidet Road (map here). “We were informed by undercover police that this man was selling drugs to teenagers in the area,” said…
- Pattaya News
Thailand Futsal: Jackson re-signs with Phuket; season opener postponed
PHUKET: Due to the ongoing social-political unrest in the Kingdom’s capital, the Futsal Thailand Premier League (FTPL) 2014 season’s planned January 25 kickoff has been postponed.It is now hoped that the season-opener will commence in February, an administrator of the island’s pro five-a-side footy club Phuket United said.“The [season] start was postponed due to the political [unrest]. The season should…
- Thai Life
Dog of the week: Rusty
PHUKET: Rusty came in two months ago and was so sick he looked as if he were left to die. He used to spend his days hiding under an old cardboard box behind a fallen tree at one of the Phuket animal holding facilities, hiding from life.He was so terrified of being attacked by one of the larger aggressive dogs…
- Thai Life
Phuket AA: Party till you drop
PHUKET: Phuket is renowned for its party scene, especially during the holidays, when tourists venture from around the globe to enjoy the island’s nightlife, and expats let their hair down. For many people, the annual revelry is marked by a few heavy drinking sessions followed by a few hangovers – and a new year resolution to take it easier next…
- Phuket News
Swedish tourist dies in Phuket motorbike crash
PHUKET: A Swedish man on his way to the beach yesterday morning was killed when his motorbike went off the road in Thalang.A friend who was following on another bike told police that the pair were headed to Nai Yang Beach.“He overtook my motorbike on the curve and lost control,” the friend said. “The bike fell over and he bounced…
- Thai Life
Phuket gardening: Heliconia and hibiscus
PHUKET: I have deliberately kept the heliconia for another day. Why? Because, despite the name, the connection with the sun is less obvious than with the sunflower brigade. I can only assume it is because one common variety has chrome yellow spikes, much used as a cut flower by florists. But whatever the reason, the heliconia is a favorite here…
- World News
Phuket Gazette world News: Italy issues 90 mafia arrest warrants, seizes pizza restaurants
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Italy issues 90 mafia arrest warrants, seizes pizza restaurants Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Italian police on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for 90 suspected members of a Naples mafia clan and seized assets worth millions of euros, including dozens of well-known pizza restaurants in Rome.One suspect, a 42-year-old…
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Ukraine braces for street battles after Yanukovich talks fail
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Ukraine braces for street battles after Yanukovich talks fail Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Ukrainian opposition leaders emerged from crisis talks with President Viktor Yanukovich on Wednesday saying he had failed to give concrete answers to their demands, and told their supporters on the streets to prepare for…
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Central African Republic children forced to commit atrocities – U.N.
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Central African Republic children forced to commit atrocities – U.N. Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: As many as 6,000 children in Central African Republic have been recruited by armed groups and forced to commit atrocities along religious lines in a conflict that is at high risk of spiralling…
- Thailand News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Kwanchai shooting political, say police; Protests spread, unfazed by emergency decree
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Political motive suspected in shooting of red-shirt leader Kwanchai The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Police suspect politics was the motive for the shooting attack that injured top red-shirt hard-liner Kwanchai Praipana in his home province of Udon Thani yesterday.Kwanchai, a local radio presenter, has played an active…
- Phuket News
Officials admit bus ban on Patong Hill not best solution
PHUKET: Officials will go ahead with a trial one-month ban on all buses and trucks travelling over the hills from Thung Thong into Patong starting next month, despite consensus among all major stakeholders that the ban is likely to result in more accidents on the west coast roads (story here). “Stopping them from using the hill road to enter Patong…
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Obama, Putin unite for Olympics security
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama, Putin discuss Olympics security in call Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed in a phone call on Tuesday how best to have a “safe and secure” Winter Olympics in Sochi, the White House said.Amid rising concerns about threats from…
- Phuket News
Vandals attack campaign posters for Phuket’s sole election candidate
PHUKET: Seven promotional posters in Koh Kaew and Sapam supporting Jirayus Songyos, the Phuket Pheu Thai candidate for Voting District 2, were found damaged by suspected vandals yesterday morning. “We cannot confirm who damaged the signs,” Mr Jirayus’ secretary, Vithiwat Kulsiriitthikorn, told the Phuket Gazette. “The signs we put up in front of Wat Sapam temple and the entrance of…
- Thailand News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Military sidelined as Bangkok security locked down
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community City put under state of emergency for 60 days The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The caretaker Cabinet yesterday imposed an emergency decree covering the capital and its outskirts for 60 days. This will give officials more power to handle the anti-government protest, which it claims has been…
- Phuket News
Legal Central Festival Phuket taxi co-op looks to boost service quality
PHUKET: The taxi co-operative serving Central Festival Phuket announced its legality today and is looking to roll out several projects to boost its service quality. Last year, Central Festival Phuket wrangled the right to manage the group once it was legally formed. However, Central Festival Phuket Operations Division Manager Preecha Ritthiratree handed the responsibility back to Taxi Andaman Phuket Limited…
- Phuket News
Phuket park chief still sour over missing morning glory
PHUKET: Officers vowed to continue their investigation into a luxury resort that allegedly cleared swaths of sea morning glory from the beach as part of a beautification project, although the hotel has already replaced the plants. “We will not withdraw the complaint against the Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa, as doing so would signify that we are ignoring our…
- Thailand News
Phuket Gazette Thailand Breaking News: State of emergency announced
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community State of emergency announced in Bangkok Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: The caretaker Cabinet announced a 60-day state of emergency for Bangkok and some parts of nearby provinces.The state of emergency was announced on TV by caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung. It will take effect on…
- Phuket News
Southern stars to headline Phuket’s Wat Chalong Fair
PHUKET: Famed Southern Thai singers and artists including top-billing performer Bow Wee will headline at the annual Wat Chalong Fair, which starts on January 30.Other stars performing at the seven-day event include Thai country music (luk-thung) singers Det Issara, Luang Kai, Tai Orathai and Ekachai Sriwichai.“Everyone is welcome to join the fun. There will be a lot of food, entertainment,…
- Phuket News
Phuket Court denies bail for Garry Halpin, former Tourist Police Volunteer
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Court denied bail for long-term expat and former Tourist Police Volunteer Garry Halpin, who is being held at Phuket Provincial Prison. “Mr Halpin was denied bail by the court and had also been denied bail by the Chalong Police on December 16,” said Chalong Police Deputy Superintendent Jumroon Plaidoung. Police are waiting for drug test results…
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Militant Islamist video threatens Winter Olympics
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Militant Islamist video threatens Winter Olympics Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Two men said by Islamist militants to have carried out suicide attacks in south Russia appeared in a video donning explosive belts and warning Vladimir Putin to expect a “present” at the Sochi Winter Olympics from fighters…
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Central African Republic names new leader, EU to send troops
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Central African Republic names new leader, EU to send troops Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Central African Republic lawmakers chose their capital’s mayor to become interim president on Monday and lead the country out of months of sectarian killings, as the European Union agreed to send in 500…
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: U.N. chief Ban withdraws Iran invite for Syria peace talks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.N. chief Ban disinvites Iran from Syria peace talks Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon withdrew a last-minute invitation to Iran to attend peace talks on Syria on Monday after the Syrian opposition threatened to boycott this week’s conference if President Bashar al-Assad’s main sponsor…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s “invisible moorings’ sink B10mn luxury cruiser
PHUKET: The luxury charter cruise boat Lady Andaman sank after striking a concrete mooring in the approach channel to Chalong Pier late yesterday afternoon.The mooring punched a hole in the hull of the Phuket motor yacht as it was returning from Coral Island with 32 tourists on board, explained Australian boat owner “Sando”, who declined to be named in full.“It…
- Phuket News
Phuket police chase ends in fiery crash, suspects flee without handgun
PHUKET: A police chase ended in flames yesterday after two men blew through a Phuket City Police checkpoint.Officers pursued the suspects’ silver Honda Civic until the driver took a sharp turn into Soi Nimit 1 in Phuket Town and crashed into the side of a house. The men managed to escape the vehicle after an engine fire erupted, explained Lt…
- Phuket News
Protesters target offices in “Phuket Shutdown’
PHUKET: Phuket anti-government protesters are on the move to close every government office in the province today.“We will spend the whole day closing every government office by covering their sign with a black cotton sheet,” Phuket protest co-ordinator Amnuay Kumban said.The Phuket Gazette has learned that in addition to Phuket Provincial Hall, the Phuket Employment Office, which issues work permits…
- Business News
Qatar Airways launches three day sale for Phuket international flights
PHUKET: From today until Wednesday, January 22, Qatar Airways is offering some irresistible deals on international flights this year, with round trip fares on offer for as low as 1,700 baht!For these three days only, as part of its “New Year, New Journey three day sale”, Qatar airlines is offering deals of up to 50% off economy class and 25%…
- Phuket News
Flames engulf Phuket housing complex near Kajonkietsuksa School
PHUKET: A fire erupted in a Phuket housing complex off Chao Fa West Road this morning about 500 meters from Kajonkietsuksa School in Wichit (map here). The Phuket City Fire Department was notified of the blaze at about 10am. “The Wichit Fire Department called us, and we rushed to the scene,” explained one firefighter. The fire swept through the building,…
- Phuket News
Winner of Phuket Red Cross top prize steps forward at last
PHUKET: The top prize winner of the Phuket Red Cross lucky draw didn’t know for several days that he had won because he didn’t check his tickets. “I never expected to win,” said Jittipong Sungthong, 34, a science and technology teacher at Phuket Rajabhat University. “I buy these tickets every year to show my support for the Red Cross. This…
