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 NewsSPECIAL REPORT: Fears of Phuket abductions

    SPECIAL REPORT: Fears of Phuket abductions

    Special Report: It is a typical story in Phuket: a taxi or van picks up passengers and on the way to their destination gets them to stop at a jewelry store, souvenir shop or travel agency. A familiar experience, considered no more than an irritation or a waste of time by some. But is it more serious than this? PHUKET:…

  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: Finding a cure for overloaded courts

    Phuket Opinion: Finding a cure for overloaded courts

    Parinya Chaowalittawin, 45, took up the position of Chief Judge at Phuket Provincial Court on April 1. Originally from Trang, Judge Parinya has Bachelor’s of Law, Barrister-at-law and Master of Law degree from Ramkhamhaeng University. He has served as a judge for 17 years. Here, he explains what needs to be done to help clear the backlog of cases at…

  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: Keeping pace with disaster

    Phuket Opinion: Keeping pace with disaster

    PHUKET: The construction of a wall along Kamala Beach that could be a barrier during an emergency evacuation once again highlights the need for constant vigilance and above all, common sense in the never-ending preparation for a tsunami or other natural disaster. Few places on Phuket were hit harder than Kamala, where the bathymetry and onshore topography allowed the surging…

  • Phuket NewsFive fugitives in Phuket to face Kedah royal guard probe

    Five fugitives in Phuket to face Kedah royal guard probe

    PHUKET: All five suspects accused of carrying out an attack on a Kedah royal family bodyguard at a high-end resort in Patong just after midnight on Tuesday (story here) arrived at Patong Police Station for questioning this morning. Being escorted into the compound at 8:30am were three Thais: Prakong Seesopha, 32; Sakorn Seesopha, 34; and Thanyaporn Toh-in. Joining them were…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket driver escapes injury as car flips, plunges into canal

    Phuket driver escapes injury as car flips, plunges into canal

    PHUKET: A woman was run off the road by speeding drivers as she pulled out of the Esso gasoline station on the northbound lane of the bypass road (map here) this morning. Frightened by the oncoming traffic, the woman missed her brake pedal and accidentally hit the accelerator, propelling her car over the curb, across a patch of grass and…

  • Phuket NewsAustralian world triathalon champs to go head-to-head at Challenge Laguna Phuket

    Australian world triathalon champs to go head-to-head at 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 NewsThe rise of ASEAN football

    The rise of ASEAN football

    PHUKET: The sport of football is considered by many to be the most popular game on the planet. While it has been a mainstay in the European and South American nations for decades, increased access to matches and a youthful fan base have now allowed this exciting sport to reach the far corners of the globe. A notable example of…

  • Thai LifePhuket Health and Fitness: Learn to feel good

    Phuket Health and Fitness: Learn to feel good

    PHUKET: Recently the island hosted the second Rawai-Nai Harn Health and Wellness Festival during which a gathering of highly qualified practitioners led various sessions designed to help us all lead healthier, happier, more well-balanced lives. Phuket is certainly privileged in having so many of these heath practitioners living and working here, but their presence begs the question: “Why choose Phuket…

  • Thai LifePhuket Gardening: ABC of plants – “A’ is also for almond

    Phuket Gardening: ABC of plants – “A’ is also for almond

    PHUKET: A couple of recent inquiries reminded me of another omission in my opening sorties on the subject of ‘A’ plants. Chris Sieber wrote to ask how he could find a source book where he could “find plant names in English, Latin and Thai.” And on the subject of almonds, he added: “About three years ago I brought three green…

  • Thai LifePhuket Books: An education of life in the East

    Phuket Books: An education of life in the East

    PHUKET: Jerry Hopkins was present at the creation of Rolling Stone magazine and the early hippie days of West Coast rock. After penning the definitive biography of Jim Morrison – No One Here Gets Out Alive – he took off for a long sojourn in Hawaii. He’s been in Thailand now for 20 years, still writing books, three dozen of…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Middle East news round-up

    Phuket Gazette World News: Middle East news round-up

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Egyptian draft law said to dash hopes of free civil society Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A law drafted by the Egyptian presidency for regulating non-governmental organisations dashes hopes for a free civil society after the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Obec bows over schools; Chalerm to head BRN peace talks; Hot rods a mystery; Bomb blast ‘from the heart’

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Obec bows over schools; Chalerm to head BRN peace talks; Hot rods a mystery; Bomb blast ‘from the heart’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Pupils at small schools to use facilities at other sites: OBEC The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) bowed to public pressure yesterday, with Obec secretary-general Chinnapat Bhumirat announcing no small schools would be closed this academic year. Instead, pupils will be…

  • Phuket NewsFive arrested over attack on Kedah royal family bodyguard

    Five arrested over attack on Kedah royal family bodyguard

    PHUKET: Police today arrested five men for the attack on a Kedah royal family bodyguard at a high-end resort in Patong just after midnight on Tuesday. Four of the men, including three Malaysians, were arrested while trying to exit Thailand at the busy Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla province. The first arrest was made at a rented house in Sikao District…

  • Phuket NewsNo blockade: Phuket taxis called to the rescue [Video Report] | Thaiger

    No blockade: Phuket taxis called to the rescue [Video Report]

    PHUKET: Following the confusion at Phuket’s Deep Sea Port this morning (story here), it has come to light that the hundreds of taxis, tour vans and tuk-tuks at the gate to Phuket’s key port facility were called to the rescue of the thousands of US Navy servicemen and women looking to enjoy shore leave on the island. The armada of…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket murder trail leads to Hungary

    Phuket murder trail leads to Hungary

    PHUKET: Royal Thai Police investigating the murder of 39-year-old Hungarian businessman Laszlo Csapai may travel to Hungary to question a key witness, the Phuket Gazette has confirmed. The witness, currently jailed in Hungary, claims he saw prime suspect Moshe David murder Mr Csapai and bury the body, Surat Thani Provincial Police Commander Kiattipong Khaosum-ang explained. Following the witness’ testimony, Thai…

  • Phuket NewsUS Navy sailors caught in Phuket taxi blockade

    US Navy sailors caught in Phuket taxi blockade

    UPDATE: This story has since been updated through the stories ‘No blockade: Phuket taxis called to the rescue [Video Report]’ (click here) and ‘US Navy transport contractor reaches agreement with Phuket taxis’ (click here). PHUKET: Taxi drivers have set up a blockade at Phuket’s Deep Sea Port, where the USS Nimitz and the USS Princeton are anchored. According to reports,…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket FC swoops down on Krabi Andaman Eagles

    Phuket FC swoops down on Krabi Andaman Eagles

    PHUKET: The Islanders advanced to 4th place of the 18-team Yamaha League One (YL1) after downing Krabi FC in a Phang Nga Bay derby match last night in Phuket Town. Despite Krabi dominating the attack early on, the two Southern sides went into the locker rooms at half time scoreless. The deadlock was broken eight minutes into the second half,…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket hosts full-scale tsunami drill

    Phuket hosts full-scale tsunami drill

    PHUKET: A total of about 300 emergency-response officers from Phuket and Phang Nga joined forces to stage a full-scale tsunami evacuation and sea rescue drill off the northern tip of Phuket yesterday.The drill started with the sounding of the tsunami warning alarm, prompting the officers from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) in Phuket and Phang Nga to…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Luxury cars gone in 60 seconds

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Luxury cars gone in 60 seconds

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Luxury cars worth Bt100 million destroyed in semi-trailer fire Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: A semi-trailer transporting six luxury cars caught fire on the Mitraparp Highway in Nakhon Ratchasima early yesterday morning.The fire destroyed one BMW, two Lamborghinis and a Mercedes Benz, causing damage of about Bt100…

  • Phuket NewsSwedish Muay Thai fighter found dead on Koh Lanta | Thaiger

    Swedish Muay Thai fighter found dead on Koh Lanta

    PHUKET: The body of a Swedish Muay Thai fighter was found yesterday at the popular tourist island Koh Lanta, across the bay from Phuket.Police and rescue workers arrived at a rental room at the Otto Bar after receiving a report of a dead foreigner. Police named the man as “Kasper Pobias Byreborg”, 29.“We believe he had been dead for about…

  • Phuket NewsDamaged Phuket tourist ferry to be recovered

    Damaged Phuket tourist ferry to be recovered

    PHUKET: Efforts are underway to recover the ferry Puean Foong II, which started taking on water in heavy seas yesterday afternoon with more than 100 tourists on board (story here). The boat was returning from Phi Phi Island to Phuket when strong waves punctured the hull, explained Samphan Aiyara, managing director of Friendship Sea Tour Co Ltd, which owns the…

  • Business NewsPhuket Finance: Golden rules for investing | Thaiger

    Phuket Finance: Golden rules for investing

    PHUKET: Being a successful investor over the long-term is not going to be easy, but if you have been a bad investor in the past, who has lost money investing, chances are it is because you didn’t follow these simple, yet essential rules.Educate yourself about investing Walk into any bookstore and you will likely see several shelves of books covering…

  • Phuket NewsAustralian ‘Couple on the Run’ to tackle Laguna Marathon

    Australian ‘Couple on the Run’ to tackle Laguna Marathon

    PHUKET: Australian ‘Couple on the Run’ Andrew and Sue O’Brien will take on the Laguna Phuket International Marathon on June 9 in the latest step of their worldwide running mission to promote shared exercise as a means of achieving personal goals.Melbourne based Sue and Andrew became known as the Couple on the Run in 2008 when they ran eight marathons…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket FC look to swoop down on Krabi Andaman Eagles tonight

    Phuket FC look to swoop down on Krabi Andaman Eagles tonight

    PHUKET: Despite a tough away draw last Saturday in Trat, Phuket FC are in high spirits ahead of tonight’s Yamaha League One (YL1) Phang Nga Bay derby match with Southern rivals, Krabi FC. The all-Southern match-up, both sides 13th of the 34-fixture YL1 2013 season, will be played at Phuket’s Surakul Stadium with a 6:30pm kickoff (click here for map).…

  • PropertyFearless forecast for Phuket hotels; Branded residences capture investors’ interest

    Fearless forecast for Phuket hotels; Branded residences capture investors’ interest

    PHUKET: We are still less than five months into the Year of the Water Snake and as I sit at my desk on a rainy Sunday, my mood turns aquatic. I grind out any thoughts of the past, like stubbing out a spent cigarette with a worn heel of a scuffed pair of working shoes. Not content with only a…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket motorbike thief blames island’s lack of public transport

    Phuket motorbike thief blames island’s lack of public transport

    PHUKET: A 24-year-old local handyman says Phuket’s lack of public transport is the reason he stole a motorbike to go visit a friend. Phuket City Police arrested Koson Hongthong yesterday morning at the old weekend market on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town (map here). Mr Koson was found in possession of a Yamaha Fino that was reported stolen by…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: F-15 crashes – pilot safe; Obama to discuss security concerns; US workers injured in strip club crossfire

    Phuket Gazette World News: F-15 crashes – pilot safe; Obama to discuss security concerns; US workers injured in strip club crossfire

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. Air Force fighter jet crashes off Japan, pilot survives Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: A U.S. Air Force fighter jet crashed in the Pacific Ocean off the Japanese island of Okinawa yesterday morning, but the pilot was safely recovered after ejecting from the aircraft,…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket on alert for German fugitive

    Phuket on alert for German fugitive

    PHUKET: Police across Phuket are on alert for a German fugitive who managed to escape Australian police officers guarding him as they waited for a connecting flight at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.Carlo Konstantin Kohl, a 25-year-old burglary suspect, escaped from the airport’s “day room” – a waiting room for transit passengers who do not need to go through immigration formalities –…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Video Report: More than 100 tourists rescued from sinking ferry

    Phuket Video Report: More than 100 tourists rescued from sinking ferry

    PHUKET: More than 100 people were rescued from a tourist boat that started sinking while returning from Phi Phi Island to Phuket this afternoon after being damaged by big waves.No injuries were reported.The ferry, Puean Foong II, was near Chicken Island (Koh Kai), about 15 nautical miles from Phuket, when it took on water, said Phuket Marine Police Inspector Chatchai…

  • Business NewsNavy shore-leave to inject 1 million dollars into economy

    Navy shore-leave to inject 1 million dollars into economy

    PHUKET: The island’s economy – especially at the party town of Patong – will be getting an early low-season boost thanks to this week’s visit by the American Navy supercarrier, USS Nimitz along with its armed missile-cruiser escort, the USS Princeton, which both moored off Phuket early this morning. Topping off a week-long journey through the South China Sea, and…