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 NewsPhuket survives first day of Songkran Seven Days of Danger

    Phuket survives first day of Songkran Seven Days of Danger

    PHUKET: The nationwide Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign for the Songkran holidays came into effect in Phuket at midnight last night.As of 5:30pm today, Phuket had yet to record its first fatality for the period, which is notorious for the number of deaths and injuries on Thailand’s roads as millions of people make the journey home to celebrate Thai…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket gold shop killing: Leads point police to two suspects

    Phuket gold shop killing: Leads point police to two suspects

    PHUKET: Testimony from witnesses has helped police narrow their focus to two possible suspects in the gold shop shooting on Monday (story here), Phuket Provincial Police Commander Choti Chavalviwat told the Phuket Gazette today. However, no match has been found for the killer’s fingerprints. “We are continuing to get information from witnesses,” said Gen Choti, “which has led us to…

  • Phuket NewsTopper Sail Phuket is tops

    Topper Sail Phuket is tops

    PHUKET: Topper Sail Phuket is the first sailing school in Southeast Asia to gain Royal Yachting Association (RYA) approval for dinghy sailing and power boating. The center also offers dinghy sailing, keelboat sailing (day boats), power boating, safety boats, and shore-based theory courses. Topper Sail Phuket can now offer RYA qualifications, which are highly regarded worldwide due to the high…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s TSLC will again host International Tennis Federation round

    Phuket’s TSLC will again host International Tennis Federation round

    PHUKET: Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club (TSLC) will once again host a round of the prestigious International Tennis Federation (ITF) pro tennis circuit. The 2013 ITF round, sponsored by Chang (ThaiBev Pcl) and the Sports Association of Thailand (SAT), will consist of two consecutive women’s tournaments, from April 20 to April 27, and then April 27 to May 4. This…

  • Phuket NewsTour of Thailand official slams into power pole during Phuket storm

    Tour of Thailand official slams into power pole during Phuket storm

    PHUKET: An official of the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Cup Tour of Thailand 2013 cycling event, whose riders were in Phuket earlier this week (story here), was injured when his pickup truck slid off the road during the storm yesterday afternoon and slammed into a power pole. Surasak Ritphirat, 39, suffered a head wound in the impact and was rushed…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: South Korea on high alert; Uruguay says yes to gay marriage; Louvre closes to pickpockets; Lufthansa danger flight

    Phuket Gazette World News: South Korea on high alert; Uruguay says yes to gay marriage; Louvre closes to pickpockets; Lufthansa danger flight

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community South Korea, U.S. remain on missile watch as North lauds Kims Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: South Korea and the United States remained on high alert for any North Korean missile launch on Thursday as the hermit kingdom turned its attention to celebrating its ruling Kim dynasty and…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Cricket 7s start in a blaze of glory

    Phuket Cricket 7s start in a blaze of glory

    PHUKET: Play got under way on a glorious morning of the second running of ACST’s ‘Kata Group International Cricket 7’s at Phuket’s Alan Cooke Cricket Ground (ACG – click here for map). Teams from Australasia and Asia joined local outfits to play in matches consisting of five overs per side. Tournament Director Brad Tarr paid tribute to the facilities on…

  • Phuket NewsGold shop owner increases reward for killer-thief; police issue warrant

    Gold shop owner increases reward for killer-thief; police issue warrant

    PHUKET: Though the identity of the man who robbed a gold shop and killed a man on Monday night is still unknown, there is now a warrant out for his arrest, and the bounty on his head has been doubled to 400,000 baht. (Story our earlier story here.) Phuket Provincial Police Commander Choti Chavalviwat has told the media, “We believe…

  • Thai LifeLooking Back: Thailand’s paradisal prison

    Looking Back: Thailand’s paradisal prison

    PHUKET: Koh Tarutao, one of Thailand’s southern most islands, is located off the coast of Satun province. The island is situated close to the Adang-Rawi archipelago in the Andaman Sea, close to the famed Lipe Island and just a few kilometers north of Langkawi island, which is part of Malaysia. Koh Tarutao boasts some of the most secluded and pristine…

  • Business NewsPhuket Business: Budgeting tips and concerns for expats

    Phuket Business: Budgeting tips and concerns for expats

    PHUKET: Becoming and remaining an expat in Phuket, Thailand will require careful budgeting to avoid potential minefields or serious financial problems down the road. With that in mind, here are concerns or tips to keep in mind to help you avoid blowing a hole in your expat budget: Track your living expenses Most personal finance software like newer versions of…

  • Business NewsPhuket Finance: Buy Priceline and book your visa run

    Phuket Finance: Buy Priceline and book your visa run

    PHUKET: Just the other day I had a client ask me how he can save some money on his next visa run. He wants to explore more of Southeast Asia and has gotten tired of making the usual trip to Cambodia, Laos or Kuala Lumpur. That’s when I told him about Priceline.com. Priceline (PCLN) is the famous “Name Your Price”…

  • Thai LifePhuket Health: When I’m 64

    Phuket Health: When I’m 64

    PHUKET: Early in the New Year I woke up to the stunning realization that “When I’m 64” wasn’t just the title of a Beatles hit, but in my case had become a statement of reality. In a lather of vitamin supplements and desperation I set out to discover whether there was in fact a Fountain of Youth in Phuket. In…

  • Phuket NewsVictim of Phuket gold shop shooting remembered as good Samaritan

    Victim of Phuket gold shop shooting remembered as good Samaritan

    PHUKET: Apichet Chooklang, killed in a gold shop robbery Monday evening (story here), was remembered by his girlfriend as a man who greatly enjoyed helping others. As relatives and friends waited at Vachira Phuket Hospital yesterday for doctors to finish removing the bullets from his chest and release his body for the trip home to Nakhon Sri Thammarat for his…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Iran quake near nuclear town; Texas stabbing spree; FBI probes KPMG

    Phuket Gazette World News: Iran quake near nuclear town; Texas stabbing spree; FBI probes KPMG

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Quake hits near Bushehr, Iran’s nuclear city, 37 dead Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A powerful earthquake struck close to Iran’s only nuclear power station on Tuesday, killing 37 people and injuring 850 as it destroyed homes and devastated two small villages, Iranian media reported.The 6.3 magnitude quake…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: North Korea warns foreigners to leave South

    Phuket Gazette World News: North Korea warns foreigners to leave South

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community North Korea warns foreigners to leave South Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: North Korea intensified threats of an imminent conflict against the United States and the South on Tuesday, warning foreigners to evacuate South Korea to avoid being dragged into a “merciless, sacred, retaliatory war”. The North’s…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: “Iron Lady’ Thatcher mourned, but critics speak out

    Phuket Gazette World News: “Iron Lady’ Thatcher mourned, but critics speak out

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community ‘Iron Lady’ Thatcher mourned, but critics speak out Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Britain and admirers worldwide are mourning Margaret Thatcher, who has died aged 87, as the “Iron Lady” who rolled back the state and faced down her enemies during 11 years as Britain’s first…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Media Record: Gazette Facebook breaks through 10,000 fans in four months

    Phuket Media Record: Gazette Facebook breaks through 10,000 fans in four months

    PHUKET: Anna Bolkowska this afternoon became the 10,000th person to ‘like’ the Phuket Gazette on Facebook since the new fan page was launched just four months ago. In so doing, this stunning professional model from Scotland received a large surprise: a free flight over Phuket and Phang-nga Bay in a luxury private plane, courtesy of Pat James of Aero Pro…

  • Thai LifePhuket Tech: Measuring (actual) internet speed – Live Wire

    Phuket Tech: Measuring (actual) internet speed – Live Wire

    PHUKET: Over the years we’ve had a lot of ups and downs with the Phuket Internet Speed reporting site, phuketinternetspeed.com. We’ve gathered 30,000 speed tests from around the island, from almost 900 computer users, covering nearly 100 different internet packages. That makes Phuket Internet Speed, by far, as best I know, the largest community-based independent speed reporting site on the…

  • Phuket NewsPolice offer B200k reward for gold shop robber

    Police offer B200k reward for gold shop robber

    PHUKET: Police are offering a reward of 200,000 baht for information leading to the arrest of the man who robbed the C.P. Gold Master & Jewelry store at gunpoint yesterday evening, shooting dead a customer at the store in the process. Apichet Choo-kliang, 32, was shot in the chest trying to stop the gold heist (story here). Mr Apichet was…

  • Phuket NewsCity keep slim hope of retaining title alive with win at Old Trafford

    City keep slim hope of retaining title alive with win at Old Trafford

    Special Aguero goal helps City sink United Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Sergio Aguero tore through the Manchester United defence to score a dazzling winner as Manchester City beat the Premier League leaders 2-1 yesterday evening to remind them they are still champions for a few more weeks. Second-placed City’s second successive league win at Old Trafford, following last term’s…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Putin laughs off topless protest; Body in Paris plane; UN whistleblower in spotlight | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: Putin laughs off topless protest; Body in Paris plane; UN whistleblower in spotlight

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Putin laughs off topless protest, defends NGO moves Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Russian President Vladimir Putin laughed off a protest against him by topless women in Germany on Monday, joking that he liked what he had seen while sharply rebuffing German criticism of his human…

  • Phuket NewsRussian tour company worker freed after proved legal

    Russian tour company worker freed after proved legal

    PHUKET: The Russian woman arrested for working illegally at a tour counter in Kata last week has been released after her company proved to Phuket police that she was legal. Natalia Nikiforova, 33, was arrested at the Rus Info Tour Center in Kata last Wednesday for working without a work permit and for illegally entering the country (story here). Karon…

  • Phuket NewsMan shot dead in B2.3mn Phuket gold heist

    Man shot dead in B2.3mn Phuket gold heist

    PHUKET: A man was shot dead while trying to stop a hold-up at the C.P. Gold Master & Jewelry store at Tesco Lotus on the bypass road (map here) early this evening. The robber made off with gold jewelry with a reported value of more than 2.32 million baht, The shop’s CCTV security cameras show the robber parked his motorbike…

  • World NewsBreaking News: Margaret Thatcher dies, aged 87

    Breaking News: Margaret Thatcher dies, aged 87

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Britain’s “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher dies Reuters /Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Margaret Thatcher, the “Iron Lady” who dominated British politics for two decades, died today following a stroke, a spokesman for her family said. She was 87. Britain’s only woman prime minister, the tough, outspoken Thatcher led…

  • PropertyPhuket Property: Resorts help water crisis

    Phuket Property: Resorts help water crisis

    PHUKET: According to the World Travel and Tourism Council there are around 12.7 million hotel rooms around the world, and another 1.3 million are in development, half of them being built in the Middle East and Africa. Bottled water is as common a sight in hotel rooms as thin-screen televisions and mass-produced art. Given that hotels generally charge for bottled…

  • Business NewsPhuket Business: Job fair expected to fill 30% of vacancies

    Phuket Business: Job fair expected to fill 30% of vacancies

    PHUKET: Of the 6,000 job vacancies offered through the “e-jobs@Phuket 2013” job fair held recently at Phuket Rajbhat University, only 118 positions were immediately filled, the Phuket Gazette has learned. Phuket Provincial Employment Office chief Yawapa Pibulpol said that a total of 1,578 job applications were submitted. Of these, she said 548 were submitted at the fair itself, while the…

  • Business NewsPhuket Business: B28bn worth of 20-baht notes to get exchanged

    Phuket Business: B28bn worth of 20-baht notes to get exchanged

    PHUKET: As part of the Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) policy to make its banknotes more modern and user friendly, 4 billion baht worth of new series-16 20-baht banknotes are being put into circulation. Until now, the Kingdom’s lowest-value, yet most widely used banknotes have not been fraud-proof in synchronizing with electronic finance machines. “The new design incorporates a range of…

  • World NewsPhuket Gazette World News: Prof Nutt mad at magic mushroom testing stall

    Phuket Gazette World News: Prof Nutt mad at magic mushroom testing stall

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community First magic mushroom depression trial hits stumbling block Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The world’s first clinical trial designed to explore using a hallucinogen from magic mushrooms to treat people with depression has stalled because of British and European rules on the use of illegal drugs in…

  • PropertyPhuket Property: Central bank fears bubble

    Phuket Property: Central bank fears bubble

    PHUKET: The Bank of Thailand (BoT) might reel in the real estate market after detecting some hot spots, especially in the condominium segment for units priced under 3 million baht. “A restriction on banks for 0% interest rates is one of the measures to control the market. But the central bank will have other measures such as tightening the loan-to-value…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket luminaries attend revered Abbot’s cremation

    Phuket luminaries attend revered Abbot’s cremation

    PHUKET: The Governor of Phuket, Maitri Inthusut, all three Phuket Vice Governors and both of Phuket’s members of parliament were present at the cremation ceremony yesterday of the former abbot of Wat Chalong, Phra Ajarn Udomwetchakit Uttamuyano. Also in attendance were local leaders and the general public, bringing the total number to about 2,000. The Abbot – Phra Ajarn Lim…