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 NewsBad weather causes Phuket flight delays

    Bad weather causes Phuket flight delays

    PHUKET: Bad weather prevented several flights from taking off and landing at Phuket International Airport this morning, causing delays of up to five hours for some passengers. Airport Director Monrudee Gettuphan said a total of 19 flights from the following airlines were affected: Beijing Capital Airlines; Shanghai Airlines; Juney Ao Airlines; Spring Airlines; Asia Atlantic; China Southern Airlines and Bangkok…

  • Phuket NewsContractors demand fairness from Employment Office

    Contractors demand fairness from Employment Office

    PHUKET: A crowd of more than a hundred local employers of migrant workers gathered this morning at Phuket Provincial Hall to protest difficulties registering workers under their employ. A representative of the group, Wirachai Saddom, handed a letter of complaint to Phuket Vice Governor Kajornkiet Rakpanitmanee at 11am, demanding fair treatment of migrant workers and their employers while they are…

  • Thailand NewsBomb attacks in south ahead of vote

    Bomb attacks in south ahead of vote

    SONGKHLA: Four border policemen and a civilian were injured in a double bombing attack in Saba Yoi in Songkhla yesterday morning. Two village defence volunteers suffered minor injuries when a third bomb exploded in front of a school in Khok Pho in Pattani the same day. The policemen were injured in the first explosion at about 7am in Ban Daru…

  • Phuket NewsMyanmar national claims abduction, extortion in Phuket

    Myanmar national claims abduction, extortion in Phuket

    PHUKET: A Myanmar national claimed yesterday that he had been abducted the week before by a group of men claiming to be ‘Special Force officials’ investigating illegal workers, and that they robbed him of 120,000 baht. The alleged victim, ‘Mr Maung’, 40, told police that the group abducted him in Phuket Town last Thursday (July 28), then stole 120,000 baht…

  • Bangkok NewsOne killed in small plane crash in Bangkok

    One killed in small plane crash in Bangkok

    BANGKOK: The pilot of a small plane was killed and four others were injured in a crash in Bangkok yesterday. The plane, a 10-year-old Piper Chieftain registered as HS-FGB, belonged to Rabbit Wings Co Ltd. It was reportedly travelling from Nakhon Ratchasima province to Suvarnabhumi Airport when it crashed a few kilometers north of the runway. The people on board…

  • Phuket NewsSoi dog walks again

    Soi dog walks again

    PHUKET: A puppy that had its two front legs hacked off earlier in May has been fitted with new prosthetic legs, the Phuket-based charity Soi Dog Foundation announced on Sunday. Theprachen Srisoda, 36, reportedly hacked off the puppy’s front legs with a sword because it had chewed one of his shoes left outside his house. Public outcry and a 96,000-signatories…

  • Phuket NewsResort under investigation for alleged laundering

    Resort under investigation for alleged laundering

    PHUKET: A four-star hotel in Koh Yao Yai has had it’s assets frozen, after officers from the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) began investigating whether the resort is being used to launder money and evade taxes for the embattled Tranlee Travel Co Ltd. During a joint task force raid on Saturday, AMLO officers said they were inspecting Blue Bay Resort’s land…

  • Thai LifeDiving: Becoming a super dive master

    Diving: Becoming a super dive master

    PHUKET: If you’re going to be a super Dive Master (DM), going from zero to hero isn’t the ticket – at best you’ll end up as Aqualad, making his debut in the 60s as the sidekick of the already lame Aquaman. However, that doesn’t stop the trend of people going from non-divers to professionals in a couple of months in…

  • Business NewsBusinesses look to exploit halal potential

    Businesses look to exploit halal potential

    PHUKET: Phuket-based businesses are being encouraged to join a drive to promote the plethora of halal products made in the province to benefit from the billion-baht Islamic product export industry. Speaking at the Phuket Andaman Halal Tourism 2016 seminar at the Phuket Graceland Resort on July 21, Komol Dumlak, Chairman of the Phuket Islamic Council, said the province has huge…

  • OpinionOpinion: Lack of local involvement in politics

    Opinion: Lack of local involvement in politics

    PHUKET: Tueanjai Subanjong is a Phuket native who has spent more than 20 years volunteering for local projects. She is a community representative of Srisoonthorn sub-district and is also involved in many Corporate Social Responsibility projects, such as saving preserved forests and volunteering for the National Human Rights Commission, among others. Here, she talks about the problem of lack of…

  • Thai LifeProfile: Lisa Haydon – Bollywood superstar in Phuket

    Profile: Lisa Haydon – Bollywood superstar in Phuket

    PHUKET: Supermodel, Bollywood star and host of ‘India’s Next Top Model’, Lisa Haydon has an enjoyably hectic professional life. Riding the wave of her popularity gives her little time to relax, however, particularly following her critically acclaimed role in the 2015 movie ‘Queen’ and her appearance in this year’s top-grossing madcap comedy-romance ‘Housefull 3’. But when the star does squeeze…

  • OpinionIsland View: And then there was beef

    Island View: And then there was beef

    PHUKET: For me, one of the most exciting things about moving to Phuket was all the delicious Thai food one could ask for. However, once I had moved, there was just one thing I craved – a nice, juicy beef steak. Thai people can cook a lot of different kinds of food, with spices that can make the sweat drip…

  • PropertyModern loft-style villas launched in Chalong

    Modern loft-style villas launched in Chalong

    PHUKET: A new residential project was launched in Chalong last month, revealed Wanthwa Phuengchai, marketing manager of the Phuket Exclusive Development Company Limited. The project will be called Aticha Villa Town, and will be suitable for residents who want to live in Phuket in a modern, loft-style villa, close to the amenities of urban living, but within the atmosphere of…

  • Bangkok NewsPhuket V/Gov pushes Bangkok reps to buy disputed land

    Phuket V/Gov pushes Bangkok reps to buy disputed land

    PHUKET: Phuket’s Vice Governor yesterday advocated national intervention in the ongoing land dispute between private property developer Baron World Trade Co and the sea gypsy community in Rawai. Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul encouraged the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) to convince Bangkok to buy up the disputed property near Rawai Pier from the developer. The ongoing land dispute surrounding the…

  • Phuket NewsThief defecates on victims’ doorstep

    Thief defecates on victims’ doorstep

    PHUKET: A thief in Chalong defecated on one of her victims’ doorsteps early yesterday morning. The perpetrator reportedly broke into four homes, primarily occupied by foreigners, at the Nga Chang villa complex in Rawai. Police reported that the crapper focused on stealing cash, although she clearly had access to other valuables. Jake Newton, 19, an Australian Muay Thai fighter training…

  • Phuket NewsThree hurt as boat bursts into flames, sinks off Phang-nga

    Three hurt as boat bursts into flames, sinks off Phang-nga

    PHUKET: Seven crew members of a fishing vessel were saved in a dramatic rescue off Phang Nga yesterday afternoon when their boat burst into flames and sank after refueling at sea. Three crew members were injured in the fire, one of them suffering severe burns to at least 20 per cent of his body, mostly to his back and arms.…

  • Phuket NewsGov pushes BKK to finalize light rail project

    Gov pushes BKK to finalize light rail project

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada is fed up. After years of talking and planning a province-wide light rail project, Governor Chamroen is ready for officials to put up or shut up. The governor has called on the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) in Bangkok to sort things out in his office next week or dismiss the…

  • Business NewsFinance: Five emerging leadership stocks

    Finance: Five emerging leadership stocks

    PHUKET: From a technical standpoint, the stock market is starting to look more and more like a strong bull market rather than another counter-trend rally, but we can’t be absolutely certain the worst is over – especially with earnings season underway, the ever present possibility of another black swan event, like the Paris and Brussels terrorist attacks, and some scheduled…

  • OpinionMinistry of Farang Affairs: Befriending local fishermen

    Ministry of Farang Affairs: Befriending local fishermen

    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.…

  • Thai LifeKing’s Cup holds course as marquee sailing event

    King’s Cup holds course as marquee sailing event

    PHUKET: The prestigious Phuket King’s Cup was first held in 1987 to mark the auspicious 60th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning living monarch. His Majesty the King was a passionate sailor and created yachting history in 1967 when he and his daughter Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya won a gold medal in the OK dinghy class at…

  • PropertyLight up your bathing experience

    Light up your bathing experience

    PHUKET: Many of the villas I have inspected have had one light for a good size bathroom, no wonder we guys miss the toilet so often. If you’re updating, there are many wonderful options. When you visit a lighting supply house you may get a headache from the mind-numbing task of looking at all of the delightful lighting fixtures. To…

  • Thai LifeLocals, tourists team up to clean up

    Locals, tourists team up to clean up

    PHUKET: The Rawai Nai Harn Business Community organized a beach cleaning event last weekend at Nai Harn Beach. Supported by the Rawai OrBorTor and moderated by DJ Tom Tank of Radio 89.75, more than two tonnes of rubbish were collected from the front and back of Nai Harn Beach. Spearheaded by Claude Baltes of Sunsuri Phuket and in cooperation with…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Lobster Festival now on

    Phuket Lobster Festival now on

    PHUKET: The Phuket Lobster Festival 2016 announced its arrival with a splash at a press conference held at the Tukabkhao Restaurant in Phuket Town on Tuesday. The restaurant was decorated with a giant lobster attached to the door to commemorate the event. The festival officially begins August 1 and will last throughout the month. More than 30 local eateries from…

  • Phuket NewsSevere weather warning issued for southern provinces

    Severe weather warning issued for southern provinces

    PHUKET: Heavy rains and high seas are expected across southern and central Thailand, the Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has announced. DDPM officials have issued weather warnings for the weekend and into next week for Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Petchaburi, Prachuap, Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Suratt Thani, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Chonburi, Rayong, Chantaburi, Trat and Ranong provinces. DDPM officials…

  • Thailand NewsFarmers choose solar farm over our endangered spoon-billed sandpipers

    Farmers choose solar farm over our endangered spoon-billed sandpipers

    SAMUT SAKHON: Given a choice between renewable energy and wildlife conservation, the people of Samut Sakhon have opted for a solar farm. Tractors and trucks loaded with soil were seen busily working in a field yesterday to fill a salt basin in Ban Khok Kham, where a three-megawatt solar farm project, costing about 180 million baht, is set to start…

  • Phuket NewsProbe launched into fierce cinema fire

    Probe launched into fierce cinema fire

    BANGKOK: The fire at Major Cineplex Pinklao that caused part of Central Festival to collapse yesterday afternoon is being probed by investigators. Metropolitan Police chief Sanit Mahathavorn said an investigation team in cooperation with the local District Office is looking into the cause of the fire and the structural integrity of the building. The fire broke out in a theater…

  • Phuket NewsPair arrested for illegal weapons

    Pair arrested for illegal weapons

    PHUKET: Two men were arrested after a police raid on their Kamala house turned up illegal firearms and ammunition on Wednesday. Col Sirisak Wasasiri of the Kamala police said officers were tipped off by informants that the suspects possessed illegally obtained and homemade weapons. “Thitiwat Prateep Na Thalang,19, a Phuketian, was found in possession of two guns and two .22…

  • Phuket NewsFoul-smelling fowl farm irks locals

    Foul-smelling fowl farm irks locals

    KRABI: Krabi locals filed a complained about a less-than-sanitary chicken farm in Klong Hin sub-district, which led officials from the Krabi Livestock Office to inspect the premises on Wednesday. Dr Narong Benjakun led a team of officers to check the fly-infested, feces-covered facility. Farm manager Panthep Kanyuenyong helped with the inspection by showing officials around the farm and machinery control…

  • Koh Samui NewsSuspected Slovakian embezzler captured on Koh Samui | Thaiger

    Suspected Slovakian embezzler captured on Koh Samui

    KOH SAMUI: A Slovakian man suspected of siphoning of 283,000 euros (about 10.9 million baht) while working as a hospital director in Zlate Moravce City was arrested in Koh Samui earlier this week. Police arrested Michal Grujbar, 38, in front of a Koh Samui hotel and initially charged him with overstaying his visa. “Police investigators later learned that the Slovakian…

  • Bangkok NewsMassive blaze breaks out at Bangkok cinema

    Massive blaze breaks out at Bangkok cinema

    BANGKOK: A faulty billboard was blamed for sparking a massive fire at the Major Cineplex in the Central Pinklao shopping mall in Bangkok this morning. Police said the fire broke out at 11:15 and within 20 minutes had caused the third-floor roof to collapse, just as a team of firefighters pulled out of the building. No one was trapped inside…