- Phuket News
Kamala hillside projects halted; others under investigation
KAMALA: A special adviser to the Minister for Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) on September 16 toured several sites in Kamala to inspect reports of encroachment and other building violations on projects there, as well as work on two hillside projects in the area that had already been ordered halted pending further investigation. Maj Gen Intarat Yodbangtoey toured the sites…
- Phuket News
Court denies bail for motorcycle taxi driver
PHUKET CITY: Chainart Yuyen, the Patong motorcycle taxi driver arrested for the September 13 shooting murder of another motorcycle taxi driver from a rival queue, has been denied bail by the Phuket Provincial Court. Accompanied by relatives, Chainart, 31, turned himself over to police on September 15. He has allegedly confessed to the murder of 31-year-old Pornchai “Ko-Cherd” Suwannakin, who…
- Phuket News
American drowns off Karon Beach
KARON: Despite relatively calm conditions at the time, an American man drowned at Karon Beach Wednesday afternoon.Chalong Police Duty Officer Sanguan Muangtham identified the deceased as 54-year-old Michael Stephen Jones, holder of an American passport. At around 4:30 pm on Wednesday, tourists and members of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) Beach Guard noticed Mr Jones was in trouble about 20…
- Phuket News
Masseuse fire attacker out of prison
PATONG: The man who set alight a beach masseuse at Loma Park last year returned to the scene of his crime yesterday morning, where he was immediately assaulted by the victim’s father and brother. The attack was quickly stopped by Kathu Police, who released the pair after fining them 500 baht each. Few Gazette readers will forget the horrific tale…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s “Android Humanoid’ shuts down
PHUKET CITY: Phuket lost one of its local characters on Friday when Andrew Newman passed away in Bangkok Hospital Phuket, aged 57, presumably of a heart attack. Andrew, a well-loved member of the local sailing community, was responsible for several local websites as he was first and foremost a computer programmer known as “Android Humanoid”. This self-penned nickname came from…
- Phuket News
Phuket divers unite for underwater cleanup
PHUKET: Several boatloads carrying teams of experienced divers visited local reefs over the weekend, taking part in the International Coastal Cleanup Day 2008 activities organized by the UN-affiliated Green Fins Thailand initiative. Off Koh Maiton, about 10 kilometers southeast of Cape Panwa, some 30 divers led by Sea Bees Diving tour operator Stefan Hinterberger descended on an open-water dive site…
- Phuket News
Patong Hospital creaking under workload
PATONG (The Nation): Medical workers, including the director at Patong Hospital in Phuket, have quit the Public Health Ministry due to the enormous workload in the area, the hospital’s director, Dr Taveesak Netwongse, said. As Phuket attracts many tourists, Patong Hospital was forced to expand from a 10-bed hospital to a 60-bed one to treat the increasing number of locals…
- Phuket News
Man executed in Thalang forest
THEPKRASATTRI: Thalang Police are investigating the murder of a man found dead from a single gunshot wound to the back of the head in a remote part of Bang Khanoon Forest in Village 5 on Wednesday afternoon. Thalang Police Duty Inspector Anukul Nuket identified the victim as Lor Ramphang, a 45-year-old resident of Thepkrasattri Village 1. Local residents discovered the…
- Phuket News
Canadian warship ports in Phuket
CAPE PANWA: The HMCS Calgary arrived in Phuket yesterday from Oman, where its mission was to boost security against pirates, Vuti Jitratkosol, ordinary consul to Phuket for the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok, told the Gazette today. Although the advanced warship’s crew of 230 sailors were called back to the ship yesterday, the seamen were allowed to resume their RnR (rest…
- Phuket News
Zebra shark dies; grim prospects for sea turtle
CAPE PANWA: Despite efforts by fishermen and marine biologists to save the life of a 1.8-meter zebra shark found off Sapan Hin on Monday, the fish died on Tuesday. An examination carried out at Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) failed to determine the exact cause of death. “The animal’s abdomen was swollen and discolored. We thought it might have been…
- Phuket News
Patong motorbike taxi killer in court today
PATONG: Low-season desperation for passengers took a deadly turn Saturday night, when a motorcycle taxi driver gunned down a rival from a competing queue in Patong. The alleged killer, who turned himself in the following day, was no stranger to being handcuffed: he was out on bail for the May 19 shooting murder of another man inside a 7-Eleven store…
- Phuket News
Heartbroken man takes own life with pesticide
PHUKET CITY: In what appears to be yet another case of suicide, the decomposing corpse of a Thai-American man was on Sunday found in a small apartment on Phang Nga Rd, where he took his own life by drinking insecticide. Phuket City Police Investigations Inspector Pitakpol Sompong identified the deceased as 60-year-old Narong Yingyongrattana, who was born in Thailand but…
- Phuket News
Nok Air suspends Phuket flights
PHUKET: In further bad news for the island’s immediate tourism prospects, the Gazette has confirmed that low-cost carrier Nok Air has suspended its remaining flights to Phuket, most likely for the rest of the low season. In an email reply received by the Gazette this morning, Nok Air’s Chief Executive Officer wrote, “Yes, we have suspended flights to Phuket for…
- Phuket News
Apirak angry, avers arrest over Aussie attack
PHUKET CITY: Phuket Provincial Police Commander Apirak Hongthong has stepped in to personally oversee the investigation into the brutal stabbing attack of an Australian expat and his Thai girlfriend in their home in Rawai before dawn on Wednesday (click here for our original report). Maj Gen Apirak told the Gazette today that he was so unhappy with the Chalong Police…
- Phuket News
Patong steps up surf safety
PATONG: Strong waves creating dangerous swimming conditions in Patong have prompted officers from Patong Municipality to volunteer to keep watch along Patong Beach for tourists who may get into difficulty in the heavy surf. The move follows a weather warning issued yesterday by the Meteorological Department urging people in risk areas along the Andaman Coast to beware of flash-flooding and…
- Phuket News
“State of Emergency’ order must go: Weerasak
PHUKET: Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat arrived in Phuket on Wednesday with New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand Brook Barrington and an entourage of foreign media in a bid to restore tourist confidence in Phuket after a People’s Alliance for Demorcacy (PAD) protest forced the closure of Phuket International Airport (PIA). Mr Weerasak’s visit followed his call on Tuesday for…
- Phuket News
Chalong Circle: Going, going, gone”¦
PHUKET CITY: Instead of removing and preserving the fountain that has been the centerpiece of Chalong Circle for years, workers today demolished the landmark that local residents had affectionately nicknamed “the birdbath”. The decision follows years of complaints of traffic jams at the critical southern junction. However, progress on the decision whether or not to remove the roundabout stalled as…
- Phuket News
Thai-Aussie couple survives fight with knife-wielding intruder
RAWAI: An Australian and his Thai girlfriend are both recovering from surgery at Bangkok Hospital Phuket after being attacked by a knife-wielding cat burglar in their home in Rawai early yesterday morning. The Swiss-born Australian, a retired teacher who asked that his name and address not be published, said he and his girlfriend underwent surgery yesterday and were “slowly on…
- Phuket News
Wet, wet, wet
PHUKET: Residents hoping for some sun to dry out the laundry might have to wait longer, as the Meteorological Department (MET) has issued a warning that Phuket and the other five Andaman Coast provinces remain at risk of heavy rains and flooding for the next two to three days. All ships should proceed with caution during this period, the weather warning…
- Phuket News
CMI finally paid for Coral Reef Squadron transport
PHUKET CITY: Following threats of a lawsuit, the company that transported 10 decommissioned military aircraft from Lopburi to Phuket in April finally received 2.4 million baht in payment for its work in the Coral Reef Squadron artificial reef project.Chuchard Santikanant, Managing Director of Cargo Marketing International Co Ltd (CMI), yesterday confirmed to the Gazette, by email, that he had received…
- Phuket News
Memorial service for One-Two-Go victims
MAI KHAO: To mark the one-year anniversary of the One-Two-Go flight OG 269 tragedy and to honor its victims, there will be a memorial service on Mai Khao Beach, near the end of the runway, at 3 pm on Tuesday, September 16. Some spirit houses have already been installed at the service site, and Christy Sweet will be putting one…
- Phuket News
Samak’s out, but PAD protests to continue in Phuket
PHUKET CITY: Despite the Constitution Court today ordering Samak Sundaravej to resign his post as prime minister, the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in Phuket will continue to protest at Saphan Hin to add pressure on the coalition government to step down.PAD Phuket leader Natjarong Ekpermsup told the Gazette, “The PAD will not leave Saphan Hin. Although Samak and his…
- Phuket News
PM Samak forced to step down
Bangkok (The Nation): Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has lost his post and his cabinet will function as a caretaker cabinet following this afternoon’s Constitution Court verdict that the PM is guilty of violating the nation’s charter. Six judges considered Samak to be the “employee” while three others considered him a “business partner” of a TV studio, a constitutional offence in…
- Phuket News
Major blackouts announced
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) has announced scheduled blackouts in order to continue its work on high-voltage power lines. The blackouts, which will occur from 9 am to 5 pm, will affect the following populated areas: September 10, Rawai: from Rawai Pier to Moo Baan Promthep, including all along Rawai Beach, Rawai Happy Home and Soi Ya Nui.…
- Phuket News
Samak’s Judgement Day
BANGKOK (Gazette/Nation News Pool): Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej’s fate will be decided this afternoon when the Constitution Court rules on whether he violated the charter by hosting commercial television shows while in office. The court, led by President Chat Chonlaworn, is scheduled to read its verdict at 2pm. If Samak is found guilty, he will have to step down. The…
- Phuket News
Students take to the streets
PHUKET: Thousands of flag-waving students led by about 100 youths on motorcycles began an anti-government protest march from Provincial Hall to Sapan Hin at about 9:30 this morning. Traffic delays are expected as the kilometer-long procession marches along Narisorn Rd towards Phuket City center. The protest is expected to be peaceful. The mood among the protesters is upbeat and police…
- Phuket News
Met warns of floods, landslides
BANGKOK (Nation, Gazette): Phuket is among seven provinces for which warnings of heavy rains and possible flash flooding today and tomorrow were issued by the Meteorological Department earlier this morning. In its forecast, issued at 4 am, the department said a low-pressure ridge over the central, eastern and lower northeastern regions coupled with the influence of the southwest monsoon would…
- Phuket News
Deadly corner claims speeding Brit
RAWAI: An Englishman has died of injuries sustained in a high-speed crash on a curve on Wiset Rd early this morning. Capt Tienchai Duangsuwan of Chalong Police identified the victim as Mark Anthony Crosby, age 43. Mr Crosby had been drinking with his father in Rawai earlier that night, Capt Tienchai said, adding that the accident occurred after Mr Crosby drove…
- Phuket News
Politicians viewed with increasing disdain
BANGKOK (The Nation): The political situation in Thailand is boring, plagued by problems and has no solution in sight. That is the assessment of 60 per cent of the people surveyed across the country by a Suan Dusit Poll released yesterday. The opinion survey was an attempt to glimpse what people are thinking about the political turmoil. Politicians are viewed…
- Phuket News
Floods in Chalong and Patong
PHUKET: Heavy rains since this morning have caused flooding at many locales around the island, causing long tailbacks along major roads and damage to shops inundated with water. Patong suffered minor floods this morning before the rain stopped to give the resort town a midday reprieve, but the skies opened again this afternoon and brought more flooding. Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi…
