Legacy Phuket Gazette
- Phuket News
Democrats file complaint against smear campaign
PHUKET CITY: On the eve of the national general election yesterday, Democrat Party MP candidates for Phuket Tossaporn Thepabutr and Rewat Areerob on Saturday handed a petition to the Phuket Election Commission (PEC) complaining that leaflets attacking them have been distributed around the island in violation of election law.The pair of political hopefuls handed the complaint and a copy of…
- Phuket News
Luangpoo Supha, 114, blesses “safe teddies’
CHALONG: Phuket Vice-Governor Tri Augkaradacha traveled to Wat Luang Phu Supha Saturday morning to present 2,000 “Nong Prodpai” (“safe sister bear”) teddy bears for blessing by revered monk Luangpoo Supha.The teddy bears are to be distributed to motorists at police checkpoints during the “seven days of danger” period, from December 28 to January 3.Luangpoo Supha, who is reputed to be…
- Phuket News
The Metropole lights huge Xmas tree
PHUKET CITY: Expats feeling a twinge of homesickness for the sights and sounds of Christmas may wish to pay a visit to The Metropole hotel on Phuket Rd, where Christmas carols fill the air and an enormous Christmas tree was lit up in a ceremony on Thursday night. Staff at the hotel say the 10-meter-tall tree is the largest in…
- Phuket News
Phuket welcomes first Estonia charter flight
MAI KHAO: The first charter flight from Tallinn in the Republic of Estonia to Phuket touched down at Phuket International Airport on December 19.At 8 pm, a group of 220 Finnish and Estonian tourists arrived in Phuket aboard a Boeing 757-200 operated by Air Finland.The tourists were welcomed by members of the local press, Phuket International Airport Deputy Director Yutthana…
- Phuket News
Ya bah bust in Thalang
THALANG: During a sting operation near the Heroines’ Monument yesterday, Phuket Provincial Police special investigations unit arrested a Thalang man for possession of 400 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills with intent to sell.Lt Anukul Nukate of Thalang Police explained that undercover police arranged to meet Surachai Maimad, 29, at 3 pm on Srisoonthorn Rd [Route 4025] to buy the pills for…
- Thailand News
Going out with a bang
YALA: The risk of being blown to smithereens has become an fact of everyday life for people in the Deep South as attacks by insurgents continue to occur on an almost daily basis. However, the insurgents are not the only threat in such a weapons-saturated environment. Even close friends can be dangerous, as five young men found out when their…
- Thailand News
Ghostly goings on
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: In the West nowadays, fears over the safety of children have reached the point where many parents are reduced to nervous wrecks at the thought of letting their little ones out of sight. Predatory priests, pedophiles and high-profile disappearances – notably that of Madeleine McCann just six months ago – have all taken their toll on parents’ sanity…
- Thailand News
Incombustible cleric
RANONG: Funerals of esteemed monks are always auspicious occasions for believers, a chance to bid farewell to a spiritual leader and wonder what rewards he will get for his life-long accumulation of merit. At the funeral of an abbot in Ranong, the deceased clergyman’s spiritual power was reportedly so strong that his mortal remains refused to burn. Phrakhru Praphasawiriyakhun, abbot…
- Phuket News
Couple arrested, 2000 pills seized in ya bah bust
THALANG: Thalang Police made two arrests and confiscated about 2,000 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills on December 13, said Maj Anukul Nuket of Thalang Police Station.The arrests were made after an undercover police officer posing as a buyer arranged to buy 400 ya bah pills for 90,000 baht from Sitthichai Prasit, 20, a native of Nakhon Sri Thammarat Province, and Kanjana…
- Phuket News
Phuket prisoners pardoned
PHUKET CITY: Phuket Provincial Prison yesterday released 147 prisoners, 136 were men and 11 women, at 9 am following a royal decree from HM King Bhumipol Adulyadej to mark his 80th birthday.Also released from Baan Bang Jo detention center were two women and two men who had been detained there instead of paying fines.The royal decree was issued on December…
- Phuket News
Strong turnout for absentee vote
PHUKET: There was a strong voter turnout in advance polling for the December 23 general election, with 25,956 voters from around the country making their way to Phuket Community Hall on December 15 and 16 to cast absentee ballots in their home constituencies. Phuket Election Commission (PEC) Director Supap Akkam told the Gazette that the turnout exceeded 85% of the…
- Phuket News
Tsunami memorial services
PHUKET-PHANG NGA: To mark the third anniversary of the Asian tsunami on December 26, a number of services will be held throughout the region. In Patong, there will a merit-making ceremony at Loma Park involving 108 Buddhist monks, along with speeches and a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims, from 10 am to 10:30 am.Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit…
- Phuket News
Land acquisition funds approved for Chalong dam
CHALONG: Some 160 million baht for the final land acquisition for the Klong Krata reservoir project has been approved and landowners will receive compensation payments within two months.News that the funding had been made available under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives was reported during a project update meeting chaired by Phuket Vice-Governor Smith Palawatwichai at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday…
- Phuket News
Bars must close this weekend – and the next
PHUKET: The upcoming general election will be a sobering experience for the island’s party people, as a ban on alcohol sales will force bars to close for two consecutive weekends – starting at 6 pm tomorrow night.Phuket Election Commission Director Supap Akkam this morning confirmed that the new election law prohibits alcohol sales not only on election day, but during…
- Phuket News
Frenchman dies in mystery fall
PATONG: A Frenchman died at Patong Hospital in the early hours of this morning after falling off a bar stool and banging his head early last night.Kathu Police Superintendent Pol Col Grissak Songmoonnark identified the deceased as Gros Laurent, who had been drinking happily with friends at Tiger Entertainment Complex on Soi Bangla. After consuming two beers at the venue,…
- Phuket News
Supreme Court upholds SorPorKor ruling
PHUKET CITY: (Nation/Gazette): The Supreme Court yesterday confirmed an appellate decision to evict members of the Tantiwit family from a 69-rai plot designated for landless farmers in Kathu.“The national-land-reform [SorPorKor] program is reserved for farmers. Non-farming individuals are not qualified to utilize land-reform plots,” the High Court said in its verdict, read out at the Phuket Provincial Court Building.The Supreme…
- Phuket News
Three years on: Phuket marks tsunami anniversary
PATONG: Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) is organizing Light Up Phuket on December 26 to mark the third anniversary of the tsunami tragedy in 2004.More than 100,000 candles will be lit along the three-kilometer stretch of sand at Patong Beach.At 10:50 am, 108 monks will pray during a ceremony at Loma Park, Patong.Candles will be placed in the sand on…
- Phuket News
B-negative blood needed urgently
PHUKET CITY: The blood bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital is in urgent need of type B Rhesus-negative blood to treat a patient needing a blood transfusion. Anyone with this blood type is urged to contact the hospital as soon as possible.Donations of any blood type are also welcome and first-time and regular donors with at least three months since their…
- Phuket News
Democrats hit back
PHUKET: A lawyer representing the two Democrat Party candidates running in the December 23 general election has filed a complaint with the Phuket Election Commission (PEC) against a local Thai-language newspaper Siang Tai and several opposition candidates.Alleging numerous violations of the 2007 Election Act, the lawyer has asked the PEC to ban three candidates from political activities for one year…
- Phuket News
Home blaze in Koh Kaew
KOH KAEW: A house near Muslim Wittaya Phuket School in Koh Kaew caught fire early in the evening of December 9, causing damages estimated at 500,000 baht. No injuries were reported.Phuket City Police Duty OfficerPol Lt Somchai Noobun described the gutted dwelling as a one-story property in a small soi near the school. He identified the homeowner as Amarin Phinyo,…
- Phuket News
Jelik wins King’s Cup Regatta
PHUKET: Under pressure for a perfect start in strong winds this morning, Ray Roberts’ Quantum Racing crossed the start line just three seconds before the start horn sounded, leaving Frank Pong’s 75-foot Jelik to sail off round the course and win the 21st King’s Cup Regatta.The windiest King’s Cup since 1994 sorted the men from the boys to end on…
- Phuket News
Blackouts scheduled for Chalong and Wichit
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) has announced scheduled blackouts that will leave residents in Wichit and Chalong without power on December 12 and 13.The power cuts will allow the authority to carry out necessary maintenance and inspection work on high-voltage power lines in both vicinities.The areas will be affected as follows:December 12, 9 am to 5 pm.WICHIT: Pattana…
- Phuket News
Jelik holds lead in King’s Cup Regatta
PHUKET: After the lay day yesterday to conduct minor repairs and regroup the troops, racing in the 21st King’s Cup Regatta resumed today. Crews may have appeared subdued in the light morning air, but underneath the determination to improve their standings over the last two days of racing was greater than ever. The scoring team have worked tirelessly and assured…
- Phuket News
New company to operate airport limos
TAH CHAT CHAI: Phuket Mai Khao Co Ltd has won a concession to operate a new taxi and passenger van service at Phuket International Airport (PIA). The company will operate 60 vans and 20 cars under a three-year concession won with a bid of 33 million baht, Phuket Airport Director Sq Ldr Pornchai Eua-aree told the Gazette.The company can begin…
- Phuket News
Gangs war with “swords’ at Saphan Hin
SAPHAN HIN: Two gangs each of about 40 teenagers battled with long-bladed weapons, reported as swords, at Saphan Hin about 1 am on Sunday. In the melee, a 16-year-old died after being struck down while riding his motorbike and a member of the same gang fled his attackers by jumping into Klong Bangyai, but with his right hand severed and…
- Phuket News
Cop shoots self by accident
WICHIT: A police officer on a solo stakeout on Monday accidentally shot himself in the wrist, the Gazette has learned.Following up a report that an officer had been shot by motorcycle thieves, the Gazette today spoke to Sgt Rakchart Suksrinuan of the Phuket City Police.Speaking from a hospital bed at Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he is being treated, Sgt Rakchart…
- Phuket News
King’s Cup honors HM The King’s birthday with sail-past salute
PHUKET: Before racing got underway in the 21st King’s Cup Regatta today, a royal sailpast was held to honor HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday. A majestic sight to behold as crews lined the 103 competing yachts chanting three cheers, doffing their sailing caps and some even singing Happy Birthday.A parade of sail is an appropriate way for international sailors…
- Phuket News
Long Live The King
PHUKET: In honor of HM Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday today, more than 100 yachts taking part in the 21st King’s Cup Regatta completed a sail-past salute before taking to deeper waters for today’s racing.If it were not for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej being a keen yachtsman and master craftsman of sailing dinghies, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta would not…
- Cannabis News
Chalong dope bust: 3 arrested, 9 kilos seized
CHALONG: Chalong Police seized nine kilograms of marijuana last Wednesday after a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of three men.Chalong Police Superintendent Pol Col Samarn Chainarong told a press conference on Thursday that after gathering intelligence from informants, police received information about a group of men who had been selling marijuana in Phuket.Pol Maj Veerayut Sitthirattakul of Chalong…
- Phuket News
Collisions mar Day 2 of King’s Cup Regatta
PHUKET: After yesterday’s passage race around the islands, the sailors got down to the serious business of racing on multiple windward/leeward courses. Once again it was an idyllic day for sailing with gusts of 15 to 20 knots of northeasterly breeze fanning the boats along under clear blue skies. Several collisions on the course saw a huge attrition rate in…
