Legacy Phuket Gazette
- Phuket News
Bulgarian skimmer busted in Karon
PHUKET: Police apprehended a Bulgarian ATM skimmer on Monday after a tipoff was received from a bank in Bangkok. Boris Tulumbadzhiev, 30, was arrested at an ATM in Karon by Provincial Police after investigators were alerted to suspicious card activity by the Kasikorn Bank headquarters. “We knew we would find the suspect using a particular Family Mart ATM on Sirirat…
- Phuket News
French national found dead in Patong guesthouse
PHUKET: A French national was found dead in his Patong guesthouse last night. Police believe that Stephane Santin, 48, died two days before his body was discovered. “Mr Santin’s friend was concerned that he hadn’t heard from him since Monday,” said Lt Col Weerapong Rakhito of the Patong Police. “He went to go check on him at his room, but…
- Business News
Phuket Lighthouse Market back by popular demand
PHUKET: Building on its success last year, the Boat Lagoon Lighthouse Market is preparing to launch a redesigned layout at its venue as it continue to provide island exposure for local vendors and big-name luxury goods dealers. “We want to create an outdoor theater concept. Something similar to ‘theater in the park’ or ‘cinema in the park’, which are both…
- World News
Jailed journalists in Turkey say arrest aimed at gagging press
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Jailed journalists in Turkey say arrest aimed at gagging press Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Two jailed Turkish editors accused of spying and helping a terrorist group have told Reuters in a faxed message from prison that their arrest was designed to send a warning to…
- Phuket News
Official scolds former park chief for latest encroachment claims
PHUKET: Paiboon Koomchaya, chair of the national state land boundary enhancement committee, has called for evidence of ongoing boundary adjustment at Sirinath National Park from former national parks chief Damrong Phidet, who claimed that changes are being made for the benefit of rich land encroachers (story here). Mr Paiboon, who is also Justice minister, rebuked Mr Damrong for speaking to…
- Phuket News
Quadrilingual website to guide Phuket investors
PHUKET: A quadrilingual website to guide foreign investors will be launched through the Phuket Provincial website next month, Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada told the Phuket Gazette in an exclusive interview this week. The website will be launched in Thai, English, Chinese and Russian. “We are pushing hard to establish the Investment Institute in Phuket,” said Governor Chamroen. Phuket already has…
- Phuket News
Phuket to host “Lantern Festival’ in February
PHUKET: Phuket will hold a Lantern Festival next month as officials snowball a number of celebrations together: Valentine’s Day, the Chinese New Year and the induction of Phuket as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The event will be held throughout the island and run from February 2-22. “We will fill the island with light, as well as promote the more…
- Phuket News
Koh Yao Noi locals return missing smartphones
PHUKET: Honest Koh Yao locals were prompt in returning two smartphones lost by tourists on Koh Yao Noi last week. “In Koh Yao Noi, we are all segments of our society – police, locals, tour operators and hotel operators cooperate to take care of tourists and each other,” said Koh Yao Police Superintendent Jirasak Lamsak. The first phone was recovered…
- Phuket News
Phuket Marine Police train speedboat crews in safety, rescue
PHUKET: Marine Police launched safety and rescue education courses in Phuket following the death of a French snorkeller, who was killed by a speedboat earlier this month (story here). The campaign, entitled ‘Safety is the heart of tourist’, aims to have all crew working with tourists on the island to be trained within in two months. By January 15, more…
- World News
Philippines plans tracking system for civilian flights over disputed sea
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Philippines plans tracking system for civilian flights over disputed sea Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The Philippines plans to install a $1-million satellite-based system to track commercial flights over the disputed South China Sea, after China landed its first test flights this month on a reef…
- World News
Facebook begins Europe-wide campaign against extremist posts
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Facebook begins Europe-wide campaign against extremist posts Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Facebook Inc (FB.O) began a Europe-wide campaign on Monday to thwart extremist posts on social media, after German politicians in particular raised concerns about a rise in xenophobic comments linked to an influx of…
- Thailand News
EU team visits Thailand to assess fishing industry cleanup
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community EU team visits Thailand to assess fishing industry cleanup Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A European Union delegation that is visiting Thailand to weigh its progress in battling illegal and unregulated fishing will not make a decision this week on whether to ban Thai seafood products,…
- Cannabis News
Dirty dozen picked up in mass Phuket raid
PHUKET: A large task force swept up twelve suspects wanted for a series of crimes ranging from illegal drugs and firearms, to their role in the Thalang Police Station riot (story here). “The joint mission on Sunday saw 120 officers from local police forces, Thalang District and the Royal Thai Navy make 12 arrests with 12 search warrants,” said Phuket…
- Phuket News
PM informed: B50bn of national park land allegedly stolen by officials
PHUKET: Allegations of officials pillaging Phuket national park land, dividing it and then illegally selling it, were brought to the attention of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha today. “I have obtained and passed on information incriminating officials who abused their power and sold off about 1,200 rai of Sirinath National Park,” said Damrong Phidet, a member of the National Reform…
- World News
Many young people fear losing their jobs to robots, survey finds
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Many young people fear losing their jobs to robots, survey finds Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Four out of ten young people believe machines will be able to do their jobs within a decade, an international survey published on Monday has found. Nearly half of young…
- World News
Jakarta attack highlights jostle to lead Islamic State in SE Asia
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Jakarta attack highlights jostle to lead Islamic State in SE Asia Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Last week’s attack on Jakarta showed for the first time that Islamic State violence has arrived in Indonesia, but security experts believe the radical group’s footprint is still light here…
- World News
Tennis World hit by match-fixing reports, authorities back integrity unit
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Tennis-World tennis hit by match-fixing reports, authorities back integrity unit Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: World tennis was rocked on Monday by allegations that the game’s authorities have failed to deal with widespread match-fixing, just as the Australian Open, the first grand slam tournament of the…
- Pattaya News
Law and Order: When dogs attack: ownership laws
PHUKET: There are growing numbers of dog owners in Thailand who treat their animals like their children, prized possessions, or members of the family. With the surge in pet ownership, there have been more disputes involving domesticated animals. We have recently been contacted about two dog biting cases. A KIWI BITE The first case was a man from New Zealand…
- Thai Life
Diving: Go pro with PADI freediving courses
PHUKET: The branding and professional support provided by PADI, as it moves into the freediving industry with an entire set of courses specific to the sport, looks to create new opportunities for those wanting to become professional freediving instructors. PADI has a massive background in marketing and supporting businesses, which means that a sustainable career in freediving will likely become…
- Property
Property Watch: Inside look at the hotel licencing crisis
PHUKET: Crisis? What Crisis? At long last the ticking time bomb of unlicenced accommodation establishments in Phuket has finally made headlines. The furor of action was capped as the Thai Hotels Association (THA) Southern Chapter issued a formal letter of complaint to the Governor’s Office asking for action, given an out-of-control spread of hotels operating without licences. To fully understand…
- Opinion
Ministry of Farang Affairs: Asleep in two seconds
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.…
- Phuket News
Myanmar national crushed by cement truck in Phuket
PHUKET: A Myanmar national was killed after he fell off his motorbike and under the wheel of a cement truck in Thalang yesterday evening. Named on his identification card as ‘Mr Tengsor’, the 39-year-old man was crushed by the truck after he allegedly over took it and collided with another motorbike, said Lt Suporn Muangkhai of the Thalang Police. “The…
- Opinion
Opinion: Solving tuk-tuk woes
Supap Pramkaew, 49, is head of the Karon tuk-tuk consortium. He has been a tuk-tuk driver in Phuket for 20 years and has lived on the island for more than 30 years. He is originally from Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Here he talks about the current issues that tuk-tuk drivers face and how the government could help alleviate some of those…
- Phuket News
Park chief kills Koh Yao Noi climbing
PHUKET: A new national park chief has banned rock climbing on a number of internationally popular limestone outcroppings in areas under his jurisdiction, ruling the sites as unsafe. “Climbing is an extreme sport and a risky activity. Even though there are safety regulations, and well-tested equipment is being used, there is still the possibility of someone falling and dying,” said…
- Opinion
Island View: Law of retaliation
PHUKET: An eye for an eye, or the law of retaliation, is the mentality that seems to be taking over Phuket these days. There have been several recent incidents where tempers flared and punches (or worse) were pulled at the slightest provocation. However, the recent video of a Krabi van driver attacking a foreigner on a motorbike, after the foreigner…
- Property
Layan luxury at Pavilions Phuket
PHUKET: Holiday makers to Phuket’s shores are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a vacation spot. Boasting more than two dozen beaches, Phuket offers plenty of variety and flexibility for all tastes and budgets. For seasoned travellers who value tranquility and privacy above all else, Layan Beach is a good option to explore. One of Phuket’s lesser known…
- Phuket News
Phuket beach covered with umbrellas, chairs
PHUKET: Though all umbrellas and beach chairs on Phuket’s Laem Sing Beach are banned, photographs taken today from above the beach show beach furniture obscuring much of the sand. Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat, who is in charge of the island’s beach management, vowed to take action against the violation of provincial rules next week. “Laem Sing is not listed…
- Phuket News
Many Phuket tourism venues illegal, says government
PHUKET: Almost 50 per cent of private tourist attractions on Phuket have been operating illegally, confirmed Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul. The in-depth investigation into animal shows and other tourism hot spots, including ATV adventures, shooting ranges and go-kart tracks, was initiated following a tourist being bitten on the nose by a snake show python after she kissed the serpent…
- World News
High waves hamper search for Marines missing in Hawaii helicopter crash
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community High waves hamper search for Marines missing in Hawaii helicopter crash Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: High waves expected for the next several days will hamper the search for 12 Marines missing at sea after two helicopters collided near the island of Oahu in Hawaii, U.S.…
- World News
Malaysia arrests suspected IS militant with weapons in Kuala Lumpur
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Malaysia arrests suspected IS militant with weapons in Kuala Lumpur Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Malaysian police said on Saturday they had arrested a suspected militant with weapons anddocuments related to the Islamic State group at a train station in the capital Kuala Lumpur. Inspector-General of…
