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 NewsFormer illegal taxi drivers pressure AOT chief over Phuket Airport counter

    Former illegal taxi drivers pressure AOT chief over Phuket Airport counter

    PHUKET: About 50 taxi drivers who previously operated illegal “black plate” taxis arrived at Phuket International Airport on Monday to request permission to open a counter inside the terminal. The drivers, all members of the newly-formed Mook Andaman Business & Travel Co-operative Ltd, asked to open a counter inside the main terminal while Airports of Thailand (AOT) chiefs decide on…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Gazette Thailand News: Army explosives expert says IEDs best defused ‘on-site’

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Army explosives expert says IEDs best defused ‘on-site’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bombs ‘best defused on site’ Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: Insurgent bombs should be defused or dismantled at the site instead of being done at military ordnance labs, a senior Army explosives expert said yesterday.He was referring to an explosion on Monday, which killed three…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Myanmar releases political prisoners; FBI grilled on Boston bombers; Ricin letter man freed; France same-sex marriage approved

    Phuket Gazette World News: Myanmar releases political prisoners; FBI grilled on Boston bombers; Ricin letter man freed; France same-sex marriage approved

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar frees 56 political prisoners one day after sanctions dropped Reuters/ Phuket GazettePHUKET: Myanmar’s president announced an amnesty on Tuesday for about 100 prisoners, a senior official said, 56 of whom were confirmed as political detainees by a group monitoring activists held in the country’s jails.The release…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket motorbike arson continues to spread

    Phuket motorbike arson continues to spread

    PHUKET: Two more motorbikes and the front of a small restaurant went up in flames in Phuket yesterday, bringing the total number of motorbikes scorched by arson since the beginning of March to nearly 30, say police. At 2pm yesterday, Kamala Police received three reports of fires: two were of motorbikes ablaze and the third was of flames at the…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Sports: Brothers Grimes step up a gear

    Phuket Sports: Brothers Grimes step up a gear

    PHUKET: After completing their rookie karting season at the national level in 2012, Phuket’s Ben and Sam Grimes took a well-earned rest for a couple of months over the New Year and reviewed their options and priorities for 2013. For Ben, it was about improving on his 3rd place finish in last year’s Thai National Championship and consistently competing at…

  • Thai LifePhuket Pets: Dog(s) of the week – Angel and Silver

    Phuket Pets: Dog(s) of the week – Angel and Silver

    PHUKET: My baby (Angel) and I (Silver) are madly in love and spend most of our days curled up in the corner snuggling together. A few months ago we were found and rescued from a local animal holding facility. Our owners dumped us there in bad health, since they were going away on holiday and didn’t know what to do…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Sports: Day 2 results of the ITF at TSLC

    Phuket Sports: Day 2 results of the ITF at TSLC

    PHUKET: Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC) is hosting a round of the prestigious International Tennis Federation (ITF) pro tennis circuit. The 2013 ITF round consists of two consecutive women’s tournaments from April 20 to April 27 and April 27 to May 4. Result for Main Draw 1st round, April 22: Luksika Kumkhum ( THA ) beat Yi Chen (…

  • Thai LifePhuket Pets: Working dogs

    Phuket Pets: Working dogs

    PHUKET: Previously we have looked at the power of canine senses. Most of us are aware of some of the uses these powers are put to: guide dogs for the blind or police dogs sniffing out drugs or explosives at airports. But the role of the humble dog in our lives is vast and they are doing much more than…

  • Phuket NewsMelbourne Super Kings Win 10th Asia Escape Phuket International Cricket Sixes

    Melbourne Super Kings Win 10th Asia Escape Phuket International Cricket Sixes

    PHUKET: The Melbourne Super Kings were crowned Cup champions at the 10th annual Asia Escape Phuket International Cricket Sixes. The Super Kings demolished defending champions MG7 from Kuwait in the Cup final. In other tournament divisions, MG Warriors won the Bowl, Phuket Cricket Group won the Plate and Lamma CC won the Spoon. Eighteen teams from around the world have…

  • Phuket NewsPolluted water plagues Phuket beach

    Polluted water plagues Phuket beach

    PHUKET: Dirty water emptied into the canal that separates Phuket’s Bang Tao and Layan Beaches has caused a spate of health problems and has even sent unsuspecting people to the hospital for skin rashes and blood infections, local residents claim.To bring the issue to the public’s awareness, the Bang Tao Longtail Boat Club and local restaurant owner Chaiya Boonyuen on…

  • Phuket NewsBillionaire’s bones: another skeleton in closet of alleged Phuket killer

    Billionaire’s bones: another skeleton in closet of alleged Phuket killer

    PHUKET: Samui police, acting on a tip from their counterparts in Hungary, yesterday dug up a skeleton in the basement of a villa owned by Moshe David, who is currently awaiting trial in Phuket for the murder of Hungarian Peter Reisz last year (story here). The bones are believed to belong to Laszlo Csepai, 39, a Hungarian billionaire and business…

  • Phuket NewsSecond big bike fatality in 24 hours claims life of British national

    Second big bike fatality in 24 hours claims life of British national

    PHUKET: A British national died in a high-speed motorbike crash on Chao Fa East Road early this morning. The 31-year-old man, whose name the Phuket Gazette is withholding until family members are notified, overshot a curve while driving a 1000cc Yamaha R1 and crashed into a roadside post near Wat Ladthiwanaram (map here) just after midnight, explained Sub Lt Kraisorn…

  • Phuket NewsRash of motorbike burnings in Phuket continues

    Rash of motorbike burnings in Phuket continues

    PHUKET: Eight more motorbikes have been torched in Phuket, this time in a housing estate off of Vichit Songkram Road, near Prince of Songkla University. At 3:30 this morning, police were called to the C apartment block in the Moo Baan Irawadee Ketho Yee Teng housing estate, where they found eight burned motorbikes. “I believe the fire started from a…

  • Business NewsPhuket’s Autoexpress remains in driving seat

    Phuket’s Autoexpress remains in driving seat

    PHUKET: Demand on the island for imported luxury cars does not look like it will subside any time soon. Saksri Kerdphol, GM of Autoexpress, Phuket’s premier foreign automobile dealership and service provider, gives a brief update about local market trends. This is followed by some customer testimonials. Phuket Gazette: What is the current state of the auto luxury import market…

  • Business NewsSingaporean investor sniffs out tuna ops in Phuket

    Singaporean investor sniffs out tuna ops in Phuket

    PHUKET: An investor from Singapore has expressed interest in expanding Phuket’s Tuna industry through the establishment of a new commercial longline fishing partnership with local operators. Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut, along with Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosut-tirak, last week welcomed the Singapore-based businessman, Yong Juang, who came to the island to discuss investment guidelines, regulations and laws. Mr Yong Juang is…

  • Business NewsPhuket Business: Ideas bounced around at rubber meeting

    Phuket Business: Ideas bounced around at rubber meeting

    PHUKET: A three-day rubber industry convention and study-tour event wrapped up in Thalang recently. The meeting/event, dubbed “ASEAN Rubber Day 2013”, brought together industry experts, operators and researchers from Thailand, Malaysia an Indonesia. Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the meeting was part of a private-public collaborative effort to create greater investment opportunities for the rubber industry, as…

  • Phuket NewsNervous Phuket duo reveal drug bulge in underpants to police | Thaiger

    Nervous Phuket duo reveal drug bulge in underpants to police

    PHUKET: Police stationed at a Thalang checkpoint discovered three packages of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) after they delved into the pants of two “nervous” men on Friday. Officers manning a checkpoint on Thepkrasattri Road in Srisoonthorn stopped Tossawat Meesukanukoon, 22 and Pasit Kittijaruensin, also 22, because they looked “suspiciously nervous” as they approached the checkpoint on their motorbike. “We found…

  • Phuket NewsMalaysian biker dies in crash on last day of Phuket Bike Week

    Malaysian biker dies in crash on last day of Phuket Bike Week

    PHUKET: A second Malaysian biker participating in the Phuket Bike Week died on Sunday morning after losing control of his motorbike on the infamous Baan Kor En curve and crashing into the median strip in Thalang. Zhi Wei Loh, 29, was starting the return journey to Malaysia with a group of friends when he approached Baan Kor En curve on…

  • Thai LifePhuket Humor: In praise of sitting

    Phuket Humor: In praise of sitting

    PHUKET: A recent article claimed that too much sitting can kill you. It causes heart attacks, diabetes and a bigger bum. The author worried about the health of people who spend all their working days sitting in cubicles in front of computers, then go home to spend their entire evenings sitting in front of TV sets. Indeed, I have often…

  • PropertySlave to the bean

    Slave to the bean

    PHUKET: I’ve just checked out of the emergency room, covered in bandages not dissimilar to those worn by the damaged star of the movie The English Patient, or perhaps more fittingly, Return of the Mummy. Anyway, same-same but different, said the man outside the sliding hospital door. My horrific accident that will no doubt result in permanent scars, comes from…

  • PropertyNo cooling measures needed in BKK

    No cooling measures needed in BKK

    PHUKET: As concerns of a real estate bubble escalate, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) recently asked commercial banks to become more cautious about mortgage lending, particularly to borrowers who are suspected of buying houses or condominiums for speculative purposes. While the BOT’s position is reasonable, as easy lending can inflate real estate bubbles, cooling measures are not needed at this…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Gazette Sports: London does it; EPL nail-biters; Vettel wins

    Phuket Gazette Sports: London does it; EPL nail-biters; Vettel wins

    Big crowds, black ribbons for Boston at London Marathon Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Undaunted by the Boston Marathon bombings, big crowds lined the route of London’s mass road race to cheer on around 36,000 runners, many of whom wore black ribbons to remember the dead and wounded. Hundreds of extra police were deployed to secure the first race in…

  • Phuket NewsTennis Update: Chang-SAT ITF Pro Circuit 2013

    Tennis Update: Chang-SAT ITF Pro Circuit 2013

    PHUKET: Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC) is currently hosting a round of the prestigious International Tennis Federation (ITF) pro tennis circuit. Scroll down for today’s schedule and yesterday’s results. The 2013 ITF round consists of two consecutive women’s tournaments from April 20 to April 27 and April 27 to May 4. The highlight of the Chang-SAT ITF Pro Circuit…

  • Phuket NewsThai Football: Phuket FC buries Khon Kaen’s ‘T-Rex’ in injury time

    Thai Football: Phuket FC buries Khon Kaen’s ‘T-Rex’ in injury time

    PHUKET: A late winner by Brazilian striker Luiz “Dudu” Purcino secured all three points for Phuket FC in their home match against Yamaha League One rivals, Khon Kaen FC, last night. Phuket wasted a number of chances throughout the game and the match looked destined to end 0-0, until Dudu scored his last gasp winner with one of the last…

  • Phuket NewsRaw sewage leaves Phuket residents retching

    Raw sewage leaves Phuket residents retching

    PHUKET: Polluted water with a stench so overpowering it is making people physically ill has become the bane of residents along the banks of the Bang Yai Canal in Phuket Town. “People vomit and get serious headaches,” said Samkong resident Lek Bumrung. “Dirty water is released into the canal at odd intervals, day or night,” she said. “But each time…

  • Phuket NewsDead dugong discovered east of Phuket prompts local resident action

    Dead dugong discovered east of Phuket prompts local resident action

    PHUKET: A dead dugong was found floating just off the coast of Koh Pu in Krabi by a local crab fisherman yesterday morning, prompting villagers to take action.The young marine mammal was discovered with a long gash across its snout in front of the Baan Koh Pu village port and was dragged to shore by villagers before it was reported…

  • Phuket NewsEarth Day celebrated with Phuket beach cleanup

    Earth Day celebrated with Phuket beach cleanup

    PHUKET: Earth Day, underway in Phuket and around the world Monday, will see local residents, tourists and island visitors take to Kata Beach in an effort to preserve the island’s environment with Go Eco Phuket’s beach cleanup. Those wanting to take part in the Earth Day activity on Kata Beach are encouraged to meet at 8:30am at the north end…

  • PropertyUp-country condo market not flooded

    Up-country condo market not flooded

    PHUKET: The head of the Agency for Real Estate Affairs Company Limited (AREA), has rejected reports that Thailand’s key up-country condominium markets are currently being oversupplied. The markets in question include Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Khon Kaen as well as the Gulf of Thailand coastline stretch between Hua Hin and Cha-am. AREA President, Dr Sopon Pornchokchai, PhD, said that such…

  • Phuket NewsLondon Marathon is on

    London Marathon is on

    London lays on 40 percent more police for marathon Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Britain is increasing police numbers by 40 percent for tomorrow’s London marathon as part of an effort to reassure competitors and spectators after bombs devastated the Boston race on Monday (click here for the latest update). Two explosions near the finish line of the Boston race…

  • Thailand NewsFake “yogi’ nabbed by cops

    Fake “yogi’ nabbed by cops

    PHUKET: A 35-year-old Indian Sikh is in police custody after allegedly tricking villagers in Surin Province into believing he was a yogi with magic powers. Balvinder Singh extracted thousands of baht from at least five believers to “cleanse” them of their bad karma, police say. Mr Singh was arrested while he performed a “magical” ceremony for “Mr Ek”, a 31-year-old…