Legacy Phuket Gazette
- Phuket News
PHUKET VIDEO REPORT: Infamous Black Hole of Patong may not be fixed for weeks
PHUKET: After two motorbikes plunged into a giant pothole in the back streets of Patong early yesterday morning, Phuket authorities say they will not be able to start fixing the road until at least next week. A video posted on YouTube shows a foreigner having to dive into the huge puddle – measuring at least two meters deep, several meters…
- Phuket News
Phuket python chokes the chicken
PHUKET: A three-meter python was found choking a Phuket resident’s chicken late last night. “I was asleep in the house when I was awoken by the sound of a chicken,” said the owner of the fowl, Pairoj Denmalai. “I came outside to find a large python strangling one of my chickens, and immediately contacted Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers,” he said.…
- Phuket News
V-Phuket braves wild weather to stage anti-government protest
PHUKET: Hundreds of V-Phuket protesters, wearing their iconic Guy Fawkes masks, braved the strong wind and lashing rain in Phuket Town yesterday afternoon to continue their protest against the Pheu Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The rally in Phuket was held in concert with other “V for Thailand” protests in at least 22 provinces, as well as in…
- Phuket News
Cape Panwa Hotel to host Phuket Raceweek
PHUKET: THE 2013 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek – presented by Mount Gay Rum – celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a strong fleet of boats and international crews taking part from July 17-21 at the five-star Cape Panwa Hotel. The luxurious Cape Panwa Hotel is an ideal regatta venue with its established international reputation, private beach and pier, and spectacular…
- Phuket News
Iraqi wrestling coach dies of heart attack in Phuket
PHUKET: A coach with the Iraqi wrestling team in Phuket for the Asian Junior Wrestling Championships died of a heart attack on Saturday night while returning from a night out on Phuket’s renowned Soi Bangla. Kadee Abes, 44, from Iraq, was pronounced dead at 1:28am yesterday, Dr Patrinee Thammasrisawat of Patong Hospital told the Phuket Gazette. “We tried for about…
- Phuket News
Phuket tourist safety gets 300 CCTV camera boost in Patong
PHUKET: The push by Phuket authorities to increase tourist safety across the island has received a much welcome boost with Patong CCTV control rooms now up and running. The new system, launched as part of the Patong Safety Zone initiative (story here), displays footage from 32 high-quality police CCTV cameras and 300 private CCTV systems at three central locations, Patong…
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Sloan ranger named for Gitmo closure; Iran parties for cleric president-elect; Czech out in graft scandal; Kremlin says kiss my Superbowl ring
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community State Department to name lawyer Cliff Sloan to close Guantanamo Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The State Department on Monday is expected to announce the appointment of Washington lawyer Cliff Sloan to oversee the closure of the controversial Guantanamo detention camp, sources familiar with the decision said on…
- Thailand News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: White masks rally; Democrats win Don Mueang; Monks and supercars; Crime re-enactments under the gun
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community White mask rallies spread The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Anti-government white-mask protesters gathered in many provinces yesterday despite opposition from red-shirt supporters of the government.In Bangkok, about 1,000 people – many wearing white Guy Fawkes masks – gathered at the Central World shopping complex yesterday afternoon.It was…
- Phuket News
One dead as Phuket pickup slams into tree
PHUKET: One man died and another was injured when a pickup truck slammed into a tree in central Phuket early this morning. Rescue workers and Thalang Police were called to the scene on Srisoontorn Road, about 300 meters from Baan Manik School (map here), at about 2:10am. The driver, Jaroendham Thepraksa, 25, died instantly in the impact. The passenger, Montri…
- Phuket News
Phuket payout for Chinese tourist drowning victim
PHUKET: Representatives from Phuket’s tourism industry stepped forward this week to provide one million baht in compensation to the family of a Chinese tourist who drowned while swimming off Racha Yai Island last year. Yuan Dingrong, 56, drowned after getting into difficulties while snorkeling off La Bay at Rachai Yai Island, about 25 kilometers south of Phuket, on November 20…
- Phuket News
Police probe suicide at Phuket workers camp
PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of a woman who reportedly committed suicide while her husband was out drinking and her 14-year-old son was next door playing with neighbors yesterday afternoon.Phuket City Police officers were called to the scene, a construction workers camp on Soi Kingkaew Uthit in Rassada, at about 5pm.They arrived to find Saeng-ngern Trairoj 54, dead from…
- Phuket News
Phuket Immigration Tourist Service Point opens in Patong
PHUKET: Phuket Immigration’s Tourist Service Point in Patong re-opened on Thursday to a flurry of activity, with about 20 expats and tourists taking advantage of the immigration services provided. “Most of them came to do their 90-day resident reporting and for extensions to permits-to-stay,” said Patong Immigration’s Capt Angkarn Yasanop, who now heads the office with a staff of five.…
- Phuket News
Phuket teens in gang attack, motorbike theft
PHUKET: Police are urging motorists to exercise caution when travelling alone late at night in the Thalang area after a man was kicked off his motorbike while in motion and robbed of his motorcycle by a gang of youths late Thursday night. Chatmongkol Sukmak, 17, was riding home from Phuket Town at about 11pm when a gang of youths travelling…
- Thai Life
Phuket Health: Back to the bare basics
PHUKET: Dr Thomas Walton is the newest member of the team at Thanyapura’s Integrated Health Clinic in Thalang. In addition to being a Chiropractic Sports Physician, Dr Walton, a native of Buffalo, New York, is also a US-licensed Massage Therapist and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified Personal Exercise Trainer, with some 25 years experience in the chiropractic profession.…
- World News
Phuket Gazette World News: Rohani leads Iran polls; Tabasco graft; Rupert and Wendi get divorced; UK calls for Snowden no fly zone
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Iran votes for new president, Khamenei slams U.S. doubts Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Moderate cleric Hassan Rohani took a commanding lead ahead of conservative rivals in Iran’s presidential election, according to initial results, but his tally appeared narrowly insufficient to avoid a second round run-off…
- Thai Life
Phuket History: Early Portuguese forays into Siam
PHUKET: The Portuguese were the first European power to arrive in the Far-East and established a diplomatic relationship with Thailand, which at that time was known as the Kingdom of Siam. Portuguese diplomatic missions arrived in Siam in the early 16th Century. During that period the Kingdom’s capital and center of authority was based in the ancient city of Ayutthaya.…
- Phuket News
French Open: Powerful pair
PHUKET: When Serena Williams powered down three aces in the final game to beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-4 at Stade Roland Garros, she cemented her already legendary status in the game. The oldest winner – at 31 – of a Grand Slam in the modern era, the victory was, coincidentally, her 31st straight success. She has now won every Major…
- Chiang Mai News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: National lottery impossible, says expert; Supercar hit list targets rich; Akeyuth murder suspect surrenders; Mobs face off in Chiang Mai
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai national lottery ‘statiscally impossible’: expert The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: After conducting a three-decade-long study, Chulalongkorn University statistician Theeraporn Verathaworn has discovered that the numbers drawn fortnightly in the state lottery are highly improbable. Hence, he said, the system should become fully automated and…
- Phuket News
Schaefer takes over Muang Thong, Thailand play China
PHUKET: Winfried Schaefer quit his role last week as manager of Thailand’s national football team to replace Slavisa Jokanovic as manager of Muang Thong United. He lost his first game in charge 1-0 to Bangkok Glass last Sunday. Schaefer’s move to Muang Thong represents a solution to the headache suffered by the Thai Football Association as it sought to end…
- Phuket News
Lions Tour: Upping the tempo
PHUKET: After two relatively straightforward workouts – against the Barbarians in Hong Kong and the Western Force in Perth, the Lions encountered their first real test at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the setting for the first Test on June 22. Against the Barbarians, the heat had been enervating, with Welsh prop Adam Jones declaring it “like nothing I have…
- Phuket News
VIDEO REPORT: European Union tackles Phuket tourism woes
PHUKET: Ambassadors from 17 European nations today brought to the Phuket Governor’s attention four critical issues plaguing Phuket’s tourism industry: road transport, boat safety, tourist security and jet-skis.“The meeting today was held to identify several key issues affecting European tourists to Thailand and to come up with solutions to these problems,” said European Union (EU) Ambassador to Thailand David Lipman,…
- Phuket News
Triathlon champs coming to Challenge Laguna Phuket
PHUKET: Reigning World Champion Pete “PJ” Jacobs has confirmed he will race the inaugural Challenge Laguna Phuket half distance triathlon on December 1 – setting up an intriguing contest with fellow Australian Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack, the defending title-holder and two-time world champion, for a slice of the race’s 25,000 euro prize purse. The elite pair will compete at Challenge Laguna…
- Phuket News
LPIM: Testing ground for evolution of species
PHUKET: Homo sapiens have evolved as persistence hunters. We are designed to go the distance, to plod along behind any quick footed antelope on the open prairie until the poor bugger, all sprints and no stamina, gives up the ghost – the Laguna Phuket International Marathon was a testing ground of our evolution. “We are a species of runners,” I,…
- Phuket News
No Phuket cars on DSI supercar list
PHUKET: No Phuket luxury cars are on the list of 488 supercars whose owners are being investigated for tax evasion, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. The DSI on Monday revealed the names of the owners of 488 luxury cars who will be called in for questioning in a nationwide crackdown on supercar tax…
- Opinion
Phuket Opinion: Airports welcoming pros, avoiding cons
Angkarn Yasanop, 29, graduated from the Sampran Royal Police Cadet Academy in Nakhon Pathom in 2007. After he served as an immigration officer at Phuket International Airport, he was moved to Phuket Town to work as an immigration office Sub-Inspector. Here he discusses the need to pair swift immigration processing at the airport with sufficient security. PHUKET: People are working…
- Phuket News
Phuket security guard saved from suicide leap
PHUKET: A security guard sacked after two days on the job in Phuket was talked down from a four-storey building in Phuket Town yesterday after he threatened to jump. Police arrived at the Phoonphol Night Plaza just before 4pm, along with Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers and a medical team from Vachira Phuket Hospital. Officers were dispatched to the rooftop to…
- Thai Life
Phuket Books: Whitey – Life of a Boston mob boss
PHUKET: In Martin Scorsese’s celebrated film, The Departed, Jack Nicholson turns in a bravura performance as a Boston Irish crime boss, throwing a maniacal rant against ‘rats’ (informers) in which he scrunches up his face and flashes rodent-like incisors. It’s one of the great moments of movie history. Ironically, Whitey Bulger, the real Boston mobster upon whom Nicholson’s character was…
- Opinion
Phuket Opinion: Deputy PM adds insult to injury
PHUKET: Recent protests over inflammatory comments made in Chiang Mai by controversial Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi are just one small reflection of growing national unease with the administration of Yingluck Shinawatra. In an address to the people of Chiang Mai, Deputy PM Plodprasop said the refusal of the people of Phuket to elect a Pheu Thai Party candidate would…
- Thailand News
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Akeyuth murder mired in complicity; Supercar importers in tax spin; Borrowing the Burmese White Elephant; Ramadan ceasefire; School’s out
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Akeyuth murder motive more than ‘theft’: Panel The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Senate panel on human rights yesterday called on the Royal Thai Police to change the chief investigator in the case involving the murder of businessman and government critic Akeyuth Anchanbutr. Somchai Sawaengkarn,…
- Phuket News
Mass tourism market blamed for degradation of Phuket
PHUKET: The Senate Standing Committee on Tourism yesterday highlighted a series of issues plaguing Phuket due to the rapid development of the province into a major center for mass tourism in Thailand.“The growth of the tourism industry in Phuket is the source of many problems at its natural tourist attractions. Land and beach encroachment, as well as air and water…
