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 NewsUpcoming alcohol ban for Makha Bucha Day

    Upcoming alcohol ban for Makha Bucha Day

    PHUKET: A nationwide ban on the sale and purchase of alcohol will be in place for 24 hours on Monday out of respect for Makha Bucha Day. “Letters will be sent to night entertainment business operators to inform them of the ban,” Peerayuth Karajedee, Phuket Provincial Police deputy commander, told the Phuket Gazette this morning. “According to trading laws, entertainment…

  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: Officials hunt boat caught anchoring on corals | Thaiger

    Video Report: Officials hunt boat caught anchoring on corals

    PHUKET: Officials are hunting down the company that owns a boat that was caught on video anchoring in fragile corals off Koh Racha Yai. The video shows the anchor biting into a coral bommie with the metal chain laying across a few species of corals. The anchor is connected to a rope tied to the boat, which the cameraman clearly…

  • Phuket NewsTurkish Ambassador blasts Phuket airport

    Turkish Ambassador blasts Phuket airport

    PHUKET: The Turkish ambassador to Thailand blasted Phuket International Airport during a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday. “Phuket is a beautiful place and many Turkish people want to travel to the island. However, they always complain about three aspects of their trip: the narrow airport terminal, communication issues with airport employees, and immigration,” Ambassador of the Republic of…

  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: First Thailand Yacht Show a resounding success | Thaiger

    Video Report: First Thailand Yacht Show a resounding success

    PHUKET: The first government-sponsored Thailand Yacht Show attracted almost 5,000 visitors in four days, say the organizers, who hailed the inaugural event a resounding success and believe it will put Phuket firmly on the map as a regional hub for the marine leisure industry. A total of 43 boats from a variety of locala and international boat builders and brokers…

  • Thai LifeOn Deck: The case for in-water zones

    On Deck: The case for in-water zones

    PHUKET: Phuket’s ten per cent beach rule and the issue of beach and sea zoning has received a lot of attention recently and yet here we are mid high season and it’s easy to see the problems haven’t been fixed. Head down to Patong Beach any day of the week and you will see roped off swim areas. You might…

  • Phuket NewsAlmost A Decade Ago: WWII relics and superyachts

    Almost A Decade Ago: WWII relics and superyachts

    PHUKET: As the Phuket Gazette plunged in with its first-ever Thailand Yacht Show Special Edition, we narrowed the gap in ‘A Decade Ago’ to 9-years-and-9-months ago… for the sake of marine thematics. Skipping over what is without a doubt a very dry page one at the beginning of the rainy season, let’s dive to the depths of a small story…

  • World NewsZika vaccine shows promise in mice, lifting maker Inovio | Thaiger

    Zika vaccine shows promise in mice, lifting maker Inovio

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Zika vaccine shows promise in mice, lifting maker Inovio Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Hopes of developing a vaccine against Zika took a small step forward on Wednesday as Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc. said its experimental shot had induced a robust and durable response in mice. Shares…

  • World NewsCar bomb attack on military in Turkish capital kills 28 | Thaiger

    Car bomb attack on military in Turkish capital kills 28

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Car bomb attack on military in Turkish capital kills 28 Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Twenty-eight people were killed and dozens wounded in Turkey’s capital Ankara on Wednesday when a car laden with explosives detonated next to military buses near the armed forces’ headquarters, parliament and…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket to double direct flights from St Petersburg

    Phuket to double direct flights from St Petersburg

    PHUKET: Phuket will double its weekly flights to and from St Petersburg, Russia due to a sharp increase in the number of Russian tourists on the island, a government spokesperson confirmed. “We will add 14 weekly flights between St Petersburg and Phuket to the already existing flights,” said Deputy Government Spokesman Maj Gen Sunsern Kaewkumnerd. During Tuesday’s Thailand-Russia aviation conference…

  • Phuket NewsMystery still surrounds Nong DJ’s disappearance

    Mystery still surrounds Nong DJ’s disappearance

    PHUKET: Mystery still surrounds the disappearance of three-year-old Nong DJ, who went missing while playing outside his home in Wichit. He was found six days later, scared, weak and alone in a forest about three kilometers from the spot he had last been seen (Video report here). Nong DJ is still recovering in hospital from his ordeal but there have…

  • Phuket NewsVillage headman gunned down in front of home

    Village headman gunned down in front of home

    KRABI: Krabi Police are hunting for a gang of men that gunned down an influential village headman (Phu Yai Baan) in Krabi on Tuesday. Chanwit Jantharak, 50, was shot about 10 times while attempting to leave his home in Mueang Krabi district about 5:30pm, said Krabi Provincial Police Commander Nunthadej Yoinual. “Mr Chanwit’s wife told us that at least three…

  • OpinionOpinion: Sailing into the future

    Opinion: Sailing into the future

    Omsin Chivapreuk, 64, is the nation’s Deputy Transport Minister. He graduated with a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Kasetsart University and studied Advanced Management at Harvard University. Here he talks about his expectations for the Thailand Yacht Show and how Phuket will benefit from the prestigious event. PHUKET: The Thailand Yacht Show is the first time that the Thai…

  • Thai LifeBattle the dark side of gourmet toothfish dishes

    Battle the dark side of gourmet toothfish dishes

    PHUKET: There are a number of reasons that toothfish, more commonly known at the dinner table as Chilean Sea Bass, are coveted by chefs – on and off the fine china of word-class restaurants and superyachts. “Chilean Sea Bass has a fabulous taste and an almost sinful mouth-feel. Its high-fat content keeps it moist during cooking and gives it a…

  • World NewsChina sends missiles to contested South China Sea island | Thaiger

    China sends missiles to contested South China Sea island

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China sends missiles to contested South China Sea island – Taiwan Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: China has deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system to one of the disputed South China Sea islands it has taken control of, Taiwan and U.S. officials say, ratcheting up tensions…

  • Phuket NewsLucky Strike! Cigarette vendor wins B6mn in lottery

    Lucky Strike! Cigarette vendor wins B6mn in lottery

    PHUKET: It was a ‘lucky strike’ this week for a cigarette vendor in Patong when she won a 6-million-baht prize in the national lottery. Puangpetch Boonpetch, 40, yesterday arrived at Patong Police Station with her partner to file a police record about her winning lottery ticket number 356364. She is set to fly to Bangkok to claim the money today.…

  • Phuket NewsSchools react to alleged Phuket kidnapping

    Schools react to alleged Phuket kidnapping

    PHUKET: At least two Phuket schools have boosted security following an alleged kidnapping attempt at Plookpanya School Phuket. The scare started after a mother from the school posted a message on her Facebook page alleging that a man exited a van, approached her 14-year-old son and attempted to cover his nose and mouth with a cloth. She explained that her…

  • Phuket NewsHealth chief: Phuket on top of dengue danger

    Health chief: Phuket on top of dengue danger

    PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) is on top of the island’s surge in dengue fever cases, despite figures being almost triple those of last year, confirmed officials. From January 1 to February 6 of this year, 70 cases of dengue fever have been reported in the province, compared to 22 reported cases for the same period last…

  • Phuket NewsGuns on planes argument ends in fatal Phuket shooting

    Guns on planes argument ends in fatal Phuket shooting

    PHUKET: An argument about guns on planes between two men at a seafood restaurant in Phuket last night quickly ended when one of the men pulled a firearm and shot dead the other. “The shooting took place about 9pm at a roadside seafood restaurant in Thung Thong, near See Kor market,” said Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karajedee. Witnesses…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Governor demands investigation into security memo leak

    Phuket Governor demands investigation into security memo leak

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has demanded an investigation into the leaking of an internal memo that sparked concerns of an island-wide security boost, amid rumors that a group of trouble makers were planning unrest in the province. Governor Chamroen was forced to allay panic among Phuketians after news spread on social media that he had written to local security…

  • Phuket NewsSpeedboat crew member slashed by propeller

    Speedboat crew member slashed by propeller

    PHUKET: A speedboat crew member was rushed to hospital after having his back slashed open by a boat propeller at Koh Lao Lading in Krabi this morning. “According to witnesses, 33-year-old Kreetha Sarawaree was helping to make room for another boat to park at the pier when he lost his balance and fell into the spinning propeller,” explained Maj Suphat…

  • Phuket NewsAfternoon collision in Phuket kills two

    Afternoon collision in Phuket kills two

    PHUKET: Two people were killed and another injured in a three-vehicle collision on Thepkrasattri Road yesterday afternoon. Lampoon Saeton, 56, was pronounced dead on arrival at Thalang Hospital, while Wasuwan Sae-Lu, 62, was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he later died from his injuries, confirmed Capt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police. “The other victim, Charit Saeton, 30, is…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Governor backs B313mn plan to end sea gypsy land dispute

    Phuket Governor backs B313mn plan to end sea gypsy land dispute

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has backed a plan that he believes may finally resolve one of the longest running land disputes in the province. The plan to end years of conflict between sea gypsies in Rawai and locals who claim to collectively own 19 rai of beachfront land in southern Phuket would see the central government buying the land…

  • World NewsLamar shut out as Swift, Sheeran, Mars win top Grammy awards | Thaiger

    Lamar shut out as Swift, Sheeran, Mars win top Grammy awards

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Lamar shut out as Swift, Sheeran, Mars win top Grammy awards Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Rapper Kendrick Lamar led the Grammy winners on Monday with five wins but was shut out of the night’s top categories as Taylor Swift nabbed album of the year in…

  • World Newsin Syria kill 50 as schools, hospitals hit; Turkey accuses Russia | Thaiger

    in Syria kill 50 as schools, hospitals hit; Turkey accuses Russia

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community in Syria kill 50 as schools, hospitals hit; Turkey accuses Russia Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Turkey on Monday accused Russia of an “obvious war crime” after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned Kurdish militia fighters there they would face the…

  • World NewsSolar tower in desert promotes Israel’s renewable energy drive | Thaiger

    Solar tower in desert promotes Israel’s renewable energy drive

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Solar tower in desert promotes Israel’s renewable energy drive Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: In a vast expanse of open desert in southern Israel a 787-foot tower (240 metres) is taking shape that its builders hope will help make solar energy much more cost effective. The…

  • World NewsInvestigator asks UN to notify N. Korea’s Kim of probe for crimes against humanity | Thaiger

    Investigator asks UN to notify N. Korea’s Kim of probe for crimes against humanity

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Investigator asks UN to notify N. Korea’s Kim of probe for crimes against humanity Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A U.N. expert on human rights in North Korea has asked the United Nations to officially notify North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that he may be…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket underpass checkpoint scoops up dozens of motorists

    Phuket underpass checkpoint scoops up dozens of motorists

    PHUKET: More than 40 motorists were fined in a span of two hours at a checkpoint at the northbound exit of the Darasamuth Underpass next to Central Festival Phuket yesterday. “This is part of the push by the Phuket governor and the Phuket Provincial Police commander to better enforce traffic laws on the island as a way to reduce the…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket fishmonger slices Russian tourist’s ear

    Phuket fishmonger slices Russian tourist’s ear

    PHUKET: A fishmonger is on the run after slashing a Russian tourist’s ear in a fight over a 400-baht fish at a fresh market in Patong on Saturday. The pair came to blows when the Russian paid for a fish worth 400 baht with a thousand-baht note and then accused the fishmonger of not handing over his change, explained Lt…

  • Phuket NewsChinese cash pours into popular tourist provinces

    Chinese cash pours into popular tourist provinces

    PHUKET: A spate of Chinese investment has flooded into the real-estate and tourism sectors in Chiang Mai and Phuket, two of the most popular destinations for Chinese travellers. While the investment has contributed to the growth of both sectors, local operators have been advised to improve their products and services to compete with the Chinese or they will risk losing…

  • Thai LifeIsland View: Beauty, boats and bays

    Island View: Beauty, boats and bays

    PHUKET: Waking up on a boat in Phang Nga Bay fills a person with wonder. Looking out across the bay, a magical, surreal sensation consumes you. It is not waking up from a dream, but waking up into one; the calm azure sea weaves its way around countless limestone outcroppings, the karst topography almost an extension of the water’s flow.…