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.
  • Business NewsPhuket cashew nut industry goes global

    Phuket cashew nut industry goes global

    PHUKET: Metee Company Phuket Ltd’s unique cashew-nut cooking process and new packaging is bringing the company international recognition and larger revenues. The Chalong-based company is just one of several local businesses that have changed the quality of their products and branding in order to compete in larger markets. The company has since been accredited by the Ministry of Commerce as…

  • Thai LifeProfile: Adriano Trapani’s journey from Milan to Phuket

    Profile: Adriano Trapani’s journey from Milan to Phuket

    PHUKET: Adriano Trapani left Kamala Beach, heading up the steep northern hill, when the tsunami struck Phuket’s west coast. “Initially, I thought it was my bike breaking down again, so I stopped and checked it. Everything was fine with the bike, but soon after, people on foot, bikes and in cars started gathering around me, as I was in a…

  • OpinionIsland View: Letting go off cultural baggage

    Island View: Letting go off cultural baggage

    PHUKET: When I learned that Thailand’s former Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-archa passed away last weekend, I began recalling events around the time Mr Banharn led his party to victory and enjoyed just over a year as prime minister from 1995 to 1996. That was 20 years ago and things certainly have changed since then; for the country as well as…

  • Phuket NewsKrabi woman gives birth on boat

    Krabi woman gives birth on boat

    KRABI: Two Krabi police officers helped deliver a baby at sea on Sunday morning, when the mother could not make it to a hospital on time. Capt Prayong Pongsawang of the Khao Phanom Police and Lt Rawi Praekpan of the Krabi Provincial Forensic Police are being called heroes on social media for safely delivering the baby. The Krabi woman, who…

  • Phuket NewsAustralian in fatal fall photographing fireworks from Patong balcony

    Australian in fatal fall photographing fireworks from Patong balcony

    PHUKET: An Australian man fell to his death from the 19th floor of a high-rise hotel in Patong as he attempted to take photos of fireworks. Major Pattapee Srichai of the Patong Police was alerted at about 11:37pm on Thursday that Jamie William Brown, 30, had fallen from the balcony of his room at a high-rise hotel on Rat-U-Thit 200…

  • World NewsEyeing an Indiana victory, Trump says ‘It’s over’ | Thaiger

    Eyeing an Indiana victory, Trump says ‘It’s over’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Eyeing an Indiana victory, Trump says ‘It’s over’ Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Front-runner Donald Trump said on Sunday that he will have essentially sealed the Republican U.S. presidential nomination if he wins Tuesday’s contest in Indiana, where he holds a big lead over chief rival…

  • World NewsForeign minister reaffirms Japan’s economic ties to Thailand | Thaiger

    Foreign minister reaffirms Japan’s economic ties to Thailand

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Foreign minister reaffirms Japan’s economic ties to Thailand Phuket Gazette / Reuters BANGKOK: Japan’s foreign minister arrived in Bangkok on Sunday aiming to reaffirm economic ties after Japanese investments in Thailand slumped last year amid political concerns as well as stiff competition emerging from more nimble…

  • Phuket NewsV/Gov cracks down on ‘slovenly’ tour guides

    V/Gov cracks down on ‘slovenly’ tour guides

    PHUKET: What began as new regulations aimed at curbing cheating and poorly dressed taxi drivers has now turned into an additional island-wide action to imporve tour guides’ dress codes, officials announced last week. “From now on, all tour companies must provide staff uniforms for their employees with company logos and names,” said Santi Pawai, director of the Ministry of Tourism…

  • Phuket NewsGlimpse into the mind of Phuket’s Row2Rio adventurer

    Glimpse into the mind of Phuket’s Row2Rio adventurer

    PHUKET: Australian head coach at Phuket’s Unit 27, Luke Richmond, sat down in an exclusive interview with the Phuket Gazette after completing a world-record setting rowboat journey from Portugal to Brazil. Divided into three legs, Row2Rio honors the Olympics as the Olympic stadium moved from London to Rio de Janeiro. The test of endurance began with a cycling trek setting…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket lifeguards warn of deadly rip-currents

    Phuket lifeguards warn of deadly rip-currents

    PHUKET: Seasonal changes have brought strong rip currents to the shores of Phuket. With them comes a sharp rise in the number of rescues this month, prompting lifeguards to issue stern warnings to would-be swimmers. “Swimmers who ignore warning flags are risking their lives and those of the lifeguards,” said the president of the Phuket Lifeguard Club (PLC), Prathaiyut Chuayuan.…

  • Business NewsFinance: Impact of gap years on your finances

    Finance: Impact of gap years on your finances

    PHUKET: As the Phuket Gazette‘s managing editor is imminently departing on his possibly crazy adventure to wherever the dice will take him, I thought it might be a good time to discuss gap years and how they tie in to your long-term financial well-being. There are two main types of gap years. The first is either before, or immediately following…

  • OpinionMinistry of Farang Affairs: Magic buffalo

    Ministry of Farang Affairs: Magic buffalo

    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 LifeGardening: Growing healthy fan palms in Phuket

    Gardening: Growing healthy fan palms in Phuket

    PHUKET: When I was a boy I had to endure long waits on sooty railway stations – yes, it was the age of steam – whose walls were plastered with gaudy and incongruous posters of seaside resorts with azure seas, golden sands, bronzed maidens and palm trees. Of course, no beach in the UK actually looked remotely like that, and…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket plays its part in International Jazz Day festivities tonight

    Phuket plays its part in International Jazz Day festivities tonight

    PHUKET: More than 40 local and international musicians are putting on a free jazz concert in Phuket Town tonight for the 5th Phuket UNESCO International Jazz Day . Music Matters Collective, in collaboration with Phuket City Municipality, has organized what is expected to be the biggest annual jazz day the island has seen yet to promote music culture and tourism.…

  • Phuket NewsFill ‘n’ run leaves gas attendant fuming

    Fill ‘n’ run leaves gas attendant fuming

    KRABI: A gas station attendant was forced to pay for a man who filled the tank of his pick-up truck and then drove off without paying yesterday morning. Harutai Kriangtapong, 25, who works at the PTT petrol station in Krabi Town, had to pay 1,000 baht to cover the cost of the alleged delinquency, which occurred at 7:10am “A well-dressed…

  • Phuket NewsDrug-crazed Phuket man charged with killing grandmother

    Drug-crazed Phuket man charged with killing grandmother

    PHUKET: A man who allegedly murdered his 74-year-old grandmother while high on drugs was arrested on Thursday after a violent confrontation with police. The arrest followed the death of Jintana Chairab, who suffered severe head injuries when her grandson attacked her; repeatedly banging her head on the ground at her house in Kathu, according to eye-witnesses, said Thung Thong Police…

  • FoodCelebration of good food and good friends at Da Maurizio

    Celebration of good food and good friends at Da Maurizio

    PHUKET: It would best be described as a celebration of good friends sharing great cuisine when Rose Maitland-Smith, brand ambassador for Pommery, hosted an evening of fine dining at the beautiful Da Maurizio Bar Ristorante. Invited guests at the event last month included famed vintner Pascal Jolivet, who flew in from his Loire Valley estate in France to taste Chef…

  • Pattaya NewsThailand Optimist National Championships to launch in Pattaya

    Thailand Optimist National Championships to launch in Pattaya

    PATTAYA: The next generation of Olympic sailors from Thailand and around Asia are heading to Ocean Marina Yacht Club this weekend to compete in the Thailand Optimist National Championships. Now in its 41st year, the Thailand Optimist National Championships is the country’s second oldest sailing trophy and the pinnacle of competitive youth sailing in Thailand. The Thailand Optimist National Championships…

  • Phuket NewsDrug mule busted with 1.8kg of chocolate cocaine

    Drug mule busted with 1.8kg of chocolate cocaine

    PHUKET: A 21-year-old Thai woman who attempted to smuggle 1.8 kilograms of cocaine disguised as chocolate through Phuket International Airport was arrested by customs officers this morning. The chance discovery by officers was made at 4:15am after the woman, named as Oatchara Wikho, arrived in Phuket on a plane from Dubai. The cocaine had been molded into pellets and disguised…

  • Phuket NewsMassive public support for reclamation of illegal land

    Massive public support for reclamation of illegal land

    PHUKET: Hundreds of supporters gathered outside Phuket Provincial Hall today, flowers and appreciative messages in hand, to thank Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada for reclaiming illegally occupied beach land and restoring it to the public. The controversy and delays surrounding the illegal business demolitions came to a head yesterday, when a local seafood restaurant at Lay Pang Beach was demolished despite…

  • Phuket NewsDrug addict arrested for Family Mart robbery

    Drug addict arrested for Family Mart robbery

    PHUKET: Police on Tuesday arrested a drug addict wanted for the armed robbery of a Family Mart convenience store on Thepkrasattri Road last Friday. Police captured Krittanai Maneechote, 20, as he was leaving his rented apartment in Rassada. “The suspect fit the description of the man who held up the staff at knife point, forcing them to hand over 5,000…

  • Phuket NewsPower cuts in Koh Kaew, Phuket Town

    Power cuts in Koh Kaew, Phuket Town

    PHUKET: Scheduled electricity shut-offs will affect residents in areas of Phuket Town today and in the Koh Kaew sub-district tomorrow. The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) announced that there will be no electricity along parts of Rassada Road, Yaowarat Road, Phang Nga Road, Thalang Road, Deebuk Road, Takuapa Road, and Soi Sun U-thit from 9am-4.30pm today. Electricity in the Koh Kaew…

  • Phuket NewsRestaurant torn down despite owner’s last-ditch effort

    Restaurant torn down despite owner’s last-ditch effort

    PHUKET: A local restaurant at Lay Pang Beach was demolished yesterday, despite a final effort by the owner to save it from being razed (story here). Tony Restaurant was torn down after a lengthy explanation by Thalang District Chief Wikrom Jakthee, who read out a court order approving the demolition by the Nakhon Sri Thammarat Administrative Court. This was the…

  • Thai LifeVideo report: Volleyball’s dream girl gives back to community

    Video report: Volleyball’s dream girl gives back to community

    PHUKET: If you have recently wandered along Karon Beach in the late afternoon, you will have seen a considerable number of volleyball courts stretched across the sandy lot between the road and beach. No, it’s not an international tournament coming to town – that was last month – this is the daily beach volleyball games instigated by one of Thailand’s…

  • Phuket NewsMilitary to ask Baron to halt development

    Military to ask Baron to halt development

    PHUKET: The Royal Thai 41st Military Circle will ask Baron World Trade Company to halt construction on a long-disputed Rawai development, Commanding General Teenachat Jindangen told the Phuket Gazette on Tuesday. The general made the remarks after meeting with sea gypsy community leaders in an effort to mediate between the two sides and avoid any further conflicts erupting. The land…

  • World NewsTrump sweeps five states, moves closer to Republican nomination | Thaiger

    Trump sweeps five states, moves closer to Republican nomination

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Trump sweeps five states, moves closer to Republican nomination Phuket Gazette / Reuters NEW YORK/PHILADELPHIA: Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton rolled up wins in Northeastern states on Tuesday in a major show of strength and immediately turned their fire on each other in a…

  • World NewsJournalists protest against arrest of colleagues in Cairo | Thaiger

    Journalists protest against arrest of colleagues in Cairo

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Journalists protest against arrest of colleagues in Cairo Phuket Gazette / Reuters CAIRO: Around 100 Egyptian journalists staged a protest in central Cairo on Tuesday against the arrest of colleagues for covering demonstrations opposing President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Security forces arrested at least 33 reporters trying…

  • Phuket NewsBoy survives savage jellyfish stings

    Boy survives savage jellyfish stings

    KRABI: A Krabi boy is recovering from savage jellyfish stings sustained while fishing with his father in Ao Nang Monday evening, confirmed doctors at Krabi Provincial Hospital. Suttitaste Tuekkuntos, 12, suffered scarring on both his calves, after diving into the water from his boat to disentangle fishing tackle. The boy’s life was possibly saved by his quick-thinking father, who treated…

  • OpinionOpinion: Educating Phuket locals about city planning

    Opinion: Educating Phuket locals about city planning

    Rakkiet Deedpin, a native of Patthalung, is the City Planner for the Public Works and Town and Country Planning office in Phuket, having previously worked for that office as a policy analyst. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Architecture and Planning from Thammasat University. Here, he talks about ways to educate Phuket locals about town planning. PHUKET: The…

  • Phuket NewsCouples invited to participate in traditional wedding ceremony

    Couples invited to participate in traditional wedding ceremony

    PHUKET: Couples intending to ‘Thai’ the knot are invited by the Thai Peranakan Association and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to join a traditional ‘Baba Yaya’ wedding ceremony. The June 19 ceremony in Phuket Town celebrates more than 200 years of local traditional weddings and is intended to promote the island as a wedding and honeymoon destination. ‘Baba’ and…