- Phuket News
Little support for new Chalong Marina plan
CHALONG: Scaled-down plans aimed at allaying local opposition to the second phase of the Chalong Bay Marina found few backers during a public hearing at Muang Phuket School in Rawai on Wednesday.The project, to be operated by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), is part of the provincial development strategy drawn up by the Phuket Provincial Office, which has expansion…
- Phuket News
Kidnapped baby turns up in Krabi
THALANG: Police are searching for two people suspected of snatching a newborn baby from Thalang Hospital after a two-day ordeal ended with mother and baby being reunited in Krabi yesterday.Thalang Police have issued arrest warrants for Sunantha Sangarun, 28, and her unidentified accomplice, said Phuket Vice-Governor Worapoj Ratthasima at a press conference today.Burmese native K. Fah, 20, gave birth to…
- Phuket News
Smith denies resigning as NDWC chief
BANGKOK: Dr Smith Dharmasaroja late this afternoon denied reports in the Thai media that he had resigned his position as Director of the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC), which is responsible for issuing tsunami warnings.In a telephone interview with the Gazette, Dr Smith said that he told a press conference in Bangkok yesterday that he was only considering resigning –…
- Phuket News
Well-known Phuket resident dies
RAWAI: Long-term Phuket resident Erika Perschbacher was found passed away in her Rawai home on Sunday. She was 69 years old.Erika, a retired German nurse affectionately referred to by locals as “Mama”, was described by those close to her as wonderful, selfless and caring.During her nine years in Phuket, Erika took it upon herself to provide a home for stray…
- Phuket News
Ko Noi killers sentenced
PHUKET: Two former police officers were sentenced at Phuket Provincial Court February 28 for their part in the assassination of well-known businessman Preecha “Ko Noi” Kraitas, who was shot dead on March 14, 2006.According to a report released by Phuket Provincial Court, Wanchana Polpalangkul, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, was sentenced to death for conspiracy to murder for…
- Phuket News
Aborted fetus found on Koh Sireh
RASSADA: Villagers on Koh Sireh made a gruesome discovery on Monday, finding the corpse of an aborted fetus partially buried by the side of the main road to Koh Sireh.Pol Maj Nanon Pitakkulthorn of Phuket City Police said that on the afternoon of March 10, a villager alerted police after he found the corpse of a fetus, probably in its…
- Phuket News
Brush with death
WICHIT: Female motorcycle rider Arisara Srimaung sustained only a cut eyebrow after colliding with a pickup truck on Chao Fa West Rd outbound near the House and Home building supply center, just before 9 o’clock this morning.Level-headed bystanders administered first aid and ensured that K Arisara remained motionless until a Phuket Ruamjai Foundation ambulance arrived about 10 minutes later to…
- Phuket News
Mother pleas for return of missing daughter
PHUKET: Maria Elfversson, mother of missing six-year-old girl Alicia Elfversson, has offered a US$10,000 reward to anyone who comes forward with information that leads to finding the missing girl. According to Interpol’s website, Alicia was allegedly abducted by her father, Norwegian native Torgeir Nordbo, from her home in Sweden on June 4 last year. Swedish authorities have since charged Nordbo…
- Thailand News
Lucky four-eared feline catnapped
PATHUM THANI: The owners of a four-eared cat fear that their pet has been kidnapped, after the feline mysteriously disappeared following a story in a national newspaper highlighting the luck the homeless kitty had brought its owners after they rescued it from the side of the road. The missing cat, named Jao Chom Jan (“the one who admires the moon”),…
- Phuket News
Date set for OrBorJor elections
PHUKET: Phuket Election Committee (PEC) Director Supap Akkam has announced that the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) elections – one specifically to elect a new OrBorJor president and another to elect a new OrBorJor council – will be held on April 20.K. Supap explained that the election date satisfied statutory requirements for elections to be held within 60 days of…
- Phuket News
Phuket roads leave 2 dead, 15 injured
PHUKET: At least two people are dead and many more injured after a truck overturned in Kamala this morning and a tour bus slammed into a house in Patong yesterday evening.About 9 am today, a 10-wheeled truck carrying mattresses from Bangkok to Phuket overturned on a hill in front of the Kamala Falls condo project site.Lt Col Warit Jado, Duty…
- Phuket News
Wounded tuk-tuk driver still missing
PHUKET CITY: Police have yet to hear back from a tuk-tuk driver who appeared at Phuket City Police Station early Friday morning drunk and bleeding from an apparent gunshot wound – and told to come back later.Pol Lt Saran Redeng, Duty Officer at Phuket City Police Station, said that Somkid Huangsrapram, 42, arrived at the station about 2:50 am, complaining…
- Phuket News
WiMax tests positive, but roll-out not likely this year
PHUKET: Although the recent high-profile testing of WiMax Internet access technology aboard a sailboat off Karon proved successful, the high-speed wireless service is not likely to grace Phuket’s shores until next year, the Gazette has learned.The WiMax tests were carried out on February 22 by broadband service provider the Benchachinda Group with its affiliate companies United Information Highway Co Ltd…
- Phuket News
4 charged, 566 pills seized in ya bah busts
PHUKET CITY: Four people have been charged and more than 500 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills seized in two separate cases in Phuket City on Thursday.Maj Wichan Suwannasit of the Phuket City Police told the Gazette that about 6:30 pm police arrested Thanat “Ped” Soithong with 10 ya bah pills at the home of 23-year-old Chamaiphon “Ann” Kanrit on Luang Por…
- Phuket News
Forest fire on Karon hills
KARON: Yesterday at dusk, Karon Municipality firefighters were called in to fight a forest fire in the Nakkerd Hills, upslope from the desalination plant on Siriraj Rd.Firefighters tried to gain access to the blaze for two hours before giving up.Fortunately, the fire burned itself out during the night.No injuries or property damage were reported.
- Phuket News
One dead, three injured in motorbike accident
PATONG: A young French tourist has been charged with negligent driving resulting in accidental death after the motorcycle he was driving collided with another motorbike early Thursday morning, killing the driver and leaving two passengers critically injured. Kathu Police Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt Col Chawalit Niamwadee identified the Frenchman as Diallo Guimba, 24. At about 4:20 am, Guimba was riding…
- Phuket News
Shops warned over trading stolen goods
PHUKET CITY: Secondhand-goods shops found trading or in possession of stolen goods may soon face legal action, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Piya Bharatasilpin warned at a special meeting convened to tackle the issue on Tuesday.“This is a problem in many provinces, not just Phuket. Thieves often sell stolen property to secondhand-goods stores for cash. We need government officers…
- Phuket News
Major blackouts announced for March
PHUKET: In order to continue its work on high-voltage power lines, the Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) has announced scheduled blackouts that will affect major business areas as follows:March 7, from 9 am to 5 pmKoh Kaew: the west side of Thepkrasattri Rd, from Soi Harnfarang in Baan Sapam to the Isuzu showroom in Koh Kaew, including Soi Bangku 1…
- Phuket News
Three Brits still in Phuket jail
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Court has denied bail to a British family charged with bank fraud after they were caught using counterfeit cards to withdraw more than 100,000 baht from a Kasikorn Bank ATM in downtown Phuket City. Lt Col Chakaphol Suchon of Phuket City Police Station told the Gazette that the three suspects are still being held at Phuket Provincial…
- Phuket News
Patong bars to fight 2 am closing
PATONG: Bar, discotheque and pub owners will be given a 90-day grace period before police begin to strictly enforce a 2 am closing time at all nightlife venues on the island, authorities have announced.Starting at 2 am on February 27, police presence was unexpectedly heavy on Soi Bangla and along nearby roads that make up the heart of Phuket’s nightlife…
- Phuket News
Thanyarat wins Senate race, again
PHUKET: Unofficial results of yesterday’s senatorial election indicate that Thanyarat Achariyachai won the contest, garnering 39,574 votes to win a surprisingly close race over second-place finisherAdirek Engchuan, with 35,471votes.In third place was Cherdchai Wongseree, with 9,947 votes.The results, posted on the Phuket Election Committee (PEC) board at Saphan Hin, will be announced officially only after Phuket Vice-Governor Tri Augkaradacha, in…
- Phuket News
Two Princesses to visit Phuket
PHUKET: HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will visit Phuket on March 11 and HRH Princess Ubol Ratana Rajakanya will visit Phuket City on March 14, the Phuket Provincial Office announced at a meeting held on February 26 in preparation for their arrival.Princess Sirindhorn will make stops in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga during her trip.On March 11, Princess Sirindhorn will…
- Phuket News
Anchalee resigns OrBorJor presidency
PHUKET: Anchalee Vanich Tephabutra, president of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), yesterday tendered her resignation to the Governor’s Office, the Gazette has confirmed.Manus Nooluck, Secretary to Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit, this morning confirmed receipt of the letter.No reason was given for the resignation, which takes effect today, he said.However, a source in the OrBorJor told the Gazette the move…
- Phuket News
Top cop toppled after Phuket visit
THALANG: Royal Thai Police Commissioner Gen Sereepisut Taemeeyavej had a busy day in Phuket yesterday, attending two important dedication ceremonies.However, it turned out to be his last day as national police chief as Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej today announced his abrupt transfer to a temporary post in the Prime Minister’s Office.Gen Sereepisut arrived in Phuket from Bangkok yesterday and at…
- Phuket News
Classic ketch gutted in boatyard blaze
RASSADA: Police suspect that a smoldering cigarette butt caused an early-morning fire that gutted a 25-meter yacht in dry dock at Phuket Fishing Port. Maj Wicharn Suwannasit of Phuket City Police told the Gazette that he was notified of a boat ablaze just before midnight on Monday night. Police and firefighters arrived to find several people trying to douse the…
- Phuket News
Dr Anuroj dies of cancer
PHUKET CITY: Dr Anuroj Tharasiriroj, 66, founder of Phuket International Hospital, passed away at 3 am today after a long battle against cancer of the large intestine.Dr Anuroj founded Siriroj Hospital on Krabi Rd, Phuket City, in 1982. The hospital opened with just 35 beds.The hospital moved to its current site on the bypass road in 1993 and began trading…
- Cannabis News
Police raid Patong bars in Chalerm’s crackdown
PATONG: Last night’s police crackdown on Soi Bangla entertainment venues trading past 2 am was in response to an order by new Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung, Kathu Police chief Col Grissak Songmoonnak has confirmed.Col Grissak, Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, told the Gazette today that he ordered the crackdown after Interior Minister Pol Capt Chalerm told police nationwide to get…
- Thailand News
Mischievous monkey meddlers meet their match
SRISAKET: A man was arrested in the early hours of February 21 for kidnapping monkeys from a popular tourist spot in Rasi Salai District. Police believe the monkeys were to be smuggled to Korea, to be eaten for perceived health-giving benefits.At 3:30 am, Pol Lt Col Wisanu Reuangsri, an investigating officer at Rasi Salai District Police Station, received a phone…
- Phuket News
Outrigger to operate West Sands resort
MAI KHAO: Lifestyle-property developer and management company Outrigger Enterprises Group announced on Thursday that it will manage West Sands Resort, Phuket, a mixed-use luxury resort and residential development currently under construction by Central & City Developments at Mai Khao Beach.West Sands is seen by Outrigger Enterprises as a showcase resort as the company moves to establish a strong presence in…
- Phuket News
Missing monk found dead in PSU lagoon
KATHU: Police are treating as a case of accidental drowning the death of a monk whose body was found in a pond at the Phuket campus of Prince of Songkla University on Sunday.Maj Passakorn Sonthikun of the Tung Tong Police identified the monk as Phra Thawat Theerawiniyo.The body of the 29-year-old monk, originally from Nongkhai province, was discovered by a…
