Legacy Phuket Gazette
- Phuket News
Migrant worker registration deadline pushed forward, again
PHUKET: The deadline for illegal migrant workers to register in Phuket has been extended until the end of August, officials confirmed yesterday. According to the original schedule, the registration was to have finished by the end of July (story here). Launched in April, the registration campaign is part of a nationwide push to legalize unregistered migrants from Myanmar, Cambodia and…
- Phuket News
Chinese tourist run over, killed, in front of wife and kids
PHUKET: A father of two on holiday with his family was run over by a car and killed in front of his wife and children while crossing Thepkassattri Road during a stop-off to shop at 7-Eleven late last night. The 54-year-old man, identified as Shengbin Lu, was part of a group of Chinese tourists on their way to Phuket Airport…
- Phuket News
Cash reward offered to find missing Phuket man
PHUKET: The daughter of an 80-year-old man who allegedly disappeared from a hotel in Patong in the early hours of August 3 has appealed for help locating her father. Kanjana Danaisuthikul and her husband Praditsakan Danaisuthikul filed a missing person report with Patong Police the same day but after not hearing anything for almost a week, the couple yesterday went…
- Thai Life
Melting your worries away at Breeze Spa
PHUKET: Breeze Spa, located in the four-star Amari Phuket hotel in Patong, recently announced its partnership with leading American dermatologist Dr Howard Murad. Combining Dr Murad’s innovative skin therapies with Breeze Spa’s facilities, the partnership introduces five new facial treatments this month, which I, of course, had to try. Once I arrived at the reception area, I was welcomed by…
- Phuket News
Phuketians say ‘yes’ to Thailand’s draft charter
PHUKET: More than half of Phuket’s eligible voters turned out to cast their ballots yesterday over the draft constitution referendum, Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada told the Phuket Gazette today. Almost 90 per cent of the 150,326 voters in the province voted to accept the proposed draft constitution. Provincial Election Commission officials said they had hoped for an 80 per cent…
- Phuket News
Man dies after jumping off Sarasin Bridge
PHUKET: A 51 year-old man died after he and a 15 year-old girl jumped off the Sarasin Bridge at about 7pm yesterday. The Thai pair, who police believe to have been father and daughter, were rescued by fishermen passing by on a boat. Police said that the man, named as Ruab Duangjan, was unconscious at the time of his rescue,…
- Thai Life
Profile: Wicky Sundram – Boat Lagoon’s new brand builder
PHUKET: Last week, the Global Marina Institute (GMI) announced that Wicky Sundram, the new executive director at Phuket Boat Lagoon, was the latest ‘Certified Marina Professional’ (CMP) to join its ranks. Wicky is only the sixth person in Asia to receive this accolade and the first in Thailand. That’s a fine achievement for someone who, when he first joined the…
- Opinion
Opinion: Tracking tourists for ‘national security’
PHUKET: An online forum recently published an article titled ‘NBTC to propose special SIM cards for foreign tourists so they can be traced’. The article states that the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) intends to introduce ‘special’ SIM cards for mobile users, in order to ‘track’ foreigners while they are staying in Thailand. The news is worrying on so…
- Phuket News
Police arrest bag-snatching brothers, recover stolen items
PHUKET: Phuket City Police on Saturday night captured robbers who stole a bag from a Slovakian tourist at Phuket Downtown Fresh Market on Friday. Riding a motorbike, the robbers snatched a bag from Domonkoso Vaniko, 28, after pulling up beside her. It was initially believed that the suspects threatened their victim with a small hammer. However, it was revealed following…
- Thailand News
Thai weightlifter wins first gold at Rio Olympics
THAILAND: Thailand’s national anthem was played at the Olympic Games for the first time in eight years yesterday after determined weightlifter Sopita Tanasan captured the first Rio Games gold and became the fourth women’s weightlifter from Thailand to win an Olympic gold. The pint-sized lifter from Chumphon, 22, dominated the women’s 48kg event, lifting 92kg in the snatch and 108kg…
- Phuket News
Nocturnal fly tippers trash Krabi mangrove
KRABI: Officials are taking on a fly tipping complaint that has been riding the social media airwaves for about a week. In the online post, locals and tourists complained about a mangrove forest at Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, publicly asking for help from officers in charge of the area. The trash was located in front…
- Phuket News
Youths wreak havoc, destroy property at juvenile center
PHUKET: A group of 35 juvenile delinquents, including at least one charged for involvement in the Thalang riot last October, wreaked havoc at the Phuket Juvenile Observation and Protection Center (JOPC) at Saphan Hin yesterday afternoon. Phuket City Police was called in to control the situation by JOPC Director Rawee Kuhapimook. “The group grabbed hold of fire extinguishers and sprayed…
- Phuket News
Phuket prepared for floods with B433.5mn budget, officials say
PHUKET: There will be no flooding in Patong this year, Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup told the Phuket Gazette last week following approval of a 420-million-baht budget for flood prevention in densely developed Patong. Ms Chalermluck said she was confident that the implementation of several short-and-long-term flood prevention measures currently underway will ensure that Patong is not inundated with runoff during the…
- Opinion
Ministry of Farang Affairs: Careful in the crapper
The Ministry of Farang Affairs is a one-stop shop where foreigners in Thailand can learn all they need to know about living here. No, we’re not talking about work permits, visas or taxes. We’re talking about day-to-day life in the Land of Endless Shocks and Riddles, of Blur, Befuddlement and the Bizarre. Stay tuned for weekly insights from Minister Stephff.…
- Business News
Finance: Hedging your way through Brexit
PHUKET: There has already been a lot written in this paper – and many others – about Brexit, but I’m getting lots of questions from both sides of the investment coin, so I thought it a good idea to highlight some of the things to think about before doing anything drastic. Are there any opportunities to exploit now that British…
- Opinion
Opinion: Turning the tide on flooding
PHUKET: As the annual monsoon strengthens and the gripefest begins, Phuket residents might want to pause for a moment to reflect on what a wonderful climate we enjoy year round, every year. According to records dating back to 1951, the temperature ‘extremes’ in Phuket Town are listed as follows: record high 37.8°C (about 100°F); record low 17.4°C (63.3°F). That is…
- Phuket News
Gun-toting teens threaten bikers in Cherng Talay
PHUKET: Two men filed a complaint against two unidentified teenagers who allegedly threatened them with a gun in Cherng Talay last night. Satja Kongrat, 20, and Ekkachai Chaidam, 19, were both riding on a bike on Srisoonthorn Road, heading to Bangtao from Baan Pa Sak, when the incident took place. “Mr Satja and Mr Ekkachai said they arrived at Cherng…
- Phuket News
Police apprehend suspect behind Phuket Town crime spree
PHUKET: Phuket City police revealed this morning that they have captured the man responsible for a recent spate of robberies in and near Phuket Town. “The suspect, named Jakkarin Seesong, 27, was arrested and his motorbike confiscated at Karn Keha (Baan Porn) in Thalang on Tuesday,” said Lt Col Naruebadin Pangleesen of the Phuket City Police. Mr Jakkarin reportedly could…
- Phuket News
V/Adm wants to limit number of tourists visiting islands
PHUKET: A Royal Thai Navy Vice Admiral criticized local officials’ management of tourism in the Andaman at a meeting held on Wednesday. Royal Thai Navy Third Area Commander Sayan Prasongsamrej was particularly critical of the Phuket Marine Office, saying that officials there needed to do a better job of documenting international vessels anchoring or docking in Thai waters. “A major…
- Phuket News
Muslim cleric shot, takes on attackers
PHUKET: A Muslim cleric was injured in a drive-by shooting in Koh Kaew last night, after which he attempted to chase down his attackers, seriously injuring both. Weerachat Kahapana, 49, an Imam at Bang Pae mosque, received one bullet wound in his rib-cage, while his 3-year-old son, who was in the car with him, escaped unscathed. The perpetrators were seriously…
- Phuket News
Tour guide apologizes for attempted rape
PHUKET: A tour guide has confessed that he attempted to rape a receptionist in Cherng Talay early this morning, police confirmed. Captain Sakkarin Pankhan of Cherng Talay Police said officers responded to a call from the Imperial Ocean Palms apartment complex about 4am. “When we arrived, the victim was with office staff and security guards in a shocked condition,” said…
- Entertainment
Laguna to hold charity concert
PHUKET: Laguna Phuket is holding a charity concert at Laguna Grove on Saturday, August 13. The ‘Big Body + Charity Concert’ and will feature Thai rockers ‘Bodyslam’ and ‘Big Ass’, as well as up and coming artist Justin Pongumpai. Part of the proceeds of the concert will go to Phuket Punyanukul School located in Pa Khlok, a special school for…
- Phuket News
First Thai Muslims depart for Hajj via Phuket airport
PHUKET: One hundred fifty-eight Thais left Phuket International Airport on Tuesday to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, as this year’s Hajj begins. This was the first flight of Thai nationals leaving for the Hajj this year. Seventy-nine of the passengers were from Pattani Province, and the other half from Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Muslims are required to make the pilgrimage to…
- Thai Life
Municipality to hold mini-marathon in honor of HM Queen’s birthday
PHUKET: Cherng Talay Municipality will stage the ’12th Cherng Talay mini-half marathon’ on August 12 in honor of HM the Queen’s 84th birthday. The purpose of the marathon is to encourage locals to stay healthy. “About 800 people registered for the race last year,” said Somsak Limpawitthayanon of the Cherng Talay Municipality. “We are expecting about the same number this…
- Phuket News
Tourists rescued from sinking longtail, drowning
PHUKET: Four Chinese tourists aboard a sinking longtail boat were rescued from Phang Nga Bay yesterday evening. The director of Krabi Chao Fah Rescue Center, Nithipat Monkulpradit, told the Phuket Gazette today that he received a distress report following the incident and immediately took action. “At about 3:20pm, a longtail boat named Nateesup was on its way from Koh Ngai…
- Thai Life
Law, Life and Society: Waiver for prostitution
PHUKET: In my immigration practice, I assist many US citizens obtain visas for their Thai spouse or fiance. Last month, a client went to the final interview and came out distraught and crying. During the interview, the officer informed my client that they received an anonymous message from someone informing them that she was engaged in prostitution. My client was…
- Phuket News
List alleges massive extortion scheme among Phuket officers
PHUKET: The publication of a list of 20 government offices whose officers are allegedly extorting bribes from employers of migrant workers has prompted an embarrassed Phuket governor and the provincial police head to condemn corruption and vow to investigate the allegations. The list, which details officers’ names, departments and phone numbers, went viral across social media sites including Facebook and…
- Thailand News
Thai students snag multiple awards at international math competition
BANGKOK: Thai students snagged 50 prizes at the International Mathematics Contest (IMC) 2016 held in Singapore last month, returning home this week with five gold, 10 silver and 20 bronze medals. They also won 13 special prizes plus two Grand Champion awards. Thanisorn Auttawetchakul from Chulalongkorn University’s Demonstration Elementary School and Vorapas Meejitpaisarn from the Bangkok Christian College were named…
- Phuket News
Livestock office shuts down illegal slaughterhouse in Kathu
PHUKET: A slaughterhouse operating illegally in a residential area of Kathu was shut down by the Phuket Provincial Livestock Office (PPLO) yesterday. Livestock officers carried out an inspection of the premises, in Moo 7 near Vichit Songkram Road, following complaints made the day before by residents in the neighborhood. “We found 19 pigs crowded in a small space and in…
- Property
Movenpick Karon certified as Asian leader in sustainability
PHUKET: Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket was named Asia’s top performer in certified sustainable practices by Green Globe, an industry renowned certification body. Green Globe’s 2015 report on Movenpick Hotels & Resorts revealed that the Karon-based resort has an overall compliance score of 86 per cent, while the group’s overall average compliance score is 84 per cent, 2.5…
