Legacy Phuket Gazette
- Phuket News
Battling mob mentality
PHUKET: Though blockades, protests and other forms of mob rule appear to be an effective way for local Phuket villagers to kick-start official action, justice eventually catches up with the instigators, says Teenachat Jindangen, Commanding General of the 41st Military Circle. The commander’s comments come fast on the heels of an unprecedented riot and attack on the Thalang Police Station…
- Phuket News
Police mum on rioters’ arrest warrants
PHUKET: Police officials are still playing mum on the distribution of arrest warrants for those who instigated last weekend’s riots at Thalang Police Station. Deputy National Police Chief Chalermkiat Srivorakarn paid a visit to the island yesterday to commend officers for their patience and hard work over the last week, and to offer support to those who were injured. “I…
- Phuket News
Aussie attacked by Phuket tiger returns to Kingdom
PHUKET: The Australian tourist who was mauled by a Phuket tiger last year returned to Tiger Kingdom yesterday to visit the big cats. “This is my first time on the island since the last visit twelve months ago. My leg is good… it healed well,” said Paul Goudie, who immediately set off for Tiger Kingdom with his wife Jennifer and…
- Phuket News
Video Report: Haze doesn’t hamper Aussie’s fight against child abuse
PHUKET: As part of his battle against child abuse, Damien Rider successfully circumnavigated Phuket on his standup paddle board (SUP), despite the dense Indonesian haze leaving him lost at sea earlier this month. Mr Rider, a victim of child abuse, first caught the media’s attention with Paddle Against Child Abuse (PACA) when he completed an 800 kilometer prone paddle through…
- Phuket News
Island View: Tradition of bouncers beating punters
PHUKET: The tradition of bouncers beating punters more than likely goes back to the first brewers and distillers. The first confirmed creation of fermented beverages dates back to 6,650 BC. However, it is widely believed that humans were brewing beverages as early as the Neolithic period (10,000 BC), which very likely indicates a long history of those protecting their fermented…
- Phuket News
Free trolly tour offered for Veg Fest
PHUKET: Phuket municipality has launched a new trolly service for those wanting to see Old Phuket Town during the Vegetarian Festival. The free service will provide tours on a set route through Thalang, Krabi, Satun, Dibuk, Rassada, Phang Nga, Phuket and Montri Road. The service, which will be offered until October 21, will begin at the 72nd Anniversary Queen Sirikit…
- Phuket News
“Heartbroken’ Polish expat found dead
PHUKET: A Polish expat was found dead in his Cherng Talay rental home yesterday, about one week after the Thai woman he was seeing left him, said police. Leszek Jerzy Warzynski, 57, was found hanging by his neck near a fishpond behind the house. Police believe Mr Warzynski had died two days before his body was discovered. “There were empty…
- Phuket News
Paragliding temporarily banned in Rawai
PHUKET: Paragliding at Phuket’s iconic Promthep Cape has been temporarily banned, confirmed Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos. The ban follows earlier complaints of paragliders blocking public land and telling visitors to get out of their way during takeoffs (story here). “We held a meeting last week about the issue,” Mr Aroon told the Phuket Gazette. “Paragliding is temporarily banned until further…
- Phuket News
British expat found dead by friends
PHUKET: A British expat was found dead in his Thalang home by concerned friends this morning. Friends of Daniel Burke Whittington, 51, went to check on him after he failed to show up at work at Laguna Holiday Club where was a sales and marketing assistant manager. Police believe that Mr Whittington died three days before his body was discovered.…
- Phuket News
Police silent on rioters “fleeing’ Phuket
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police Commander Patchara Boonyasit declined to confirm or deny rumors that some of those wanted for instigating the violent attack on Thalang Police Station had already fled the province. “Police are working on the case. I prefer not to talk about what progress has been made,” Maj Gen Patchara told the Phuket Gazette this afternoon. Thalang Police…
- Phuket News
Expert to fix Phi Phi national park
PHUKET: A special adviser will set up his office within Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park to review the national treasure’s policies and developments, as the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) continues to investigate hundreds of millions of baht disappearing during the collection of national park fees over the last three years.…
- Business News
Business Buzz: Facebook goes beyond “likes’ to “Reactions’
PHUKET: After many people asking for it, and rumors abounding as to how it will work, it is finally here: Facebook has announced a trial in Ireland and Spain for a new series of emoji called ‘Reactions”. Users now have the choice to rate posts with ‘like’, ‘love’, ‘haha’, ‘yay’, ‘wow’, ‘sad’ or ‘angry’, quite similar to the emoji responses…
- Opinion
Opinion: History of mob rule repeats itself
PHUKET: The Royal Thai Police must conduct a full and transparent investigation into the sad chain of events that led up to the riot at Thalang Police Station – all instigators must face justice. Issues of democratic development aside, one of the silver linings of living under de facto martial law for almost a year-and-a-half has been the dramatic reduction…
- Thai Life
Gardening: Answer lies in top soil
PHUKET: When steam radio was in its heyday, an English comedy show called ‘Beyond Our Ken’ had a ‘joke’ gardening expert called Arthur Fallowfield. His answer to every query, couched in a ripe west country accent, was: “The answer lies in the soil.” Hardly earth-shattering (if you’ll pardon the pun), but true as well as trite. After all, soil is…
- Phuket News
Phuket shrine members demand financial transparency
PHUKET: As swords are drawn and firecrackers thrown for the Vegetarian Festival, a very different procession yesterday saw dozens of members of the Pud Jor Shrine marching to the Muang District Office to file a complaint against the shrine’s president. The group requested that the office investigate the financial transactions of the shrine and that complete transparency be put in…
- Thai Life
Books: New Western novel a Wild West of cliches
PHUKET: There was a time, for about three decades in the middle of the last century, when Westerns were the predominant form of American entertainment. Books, magazines, movies and television shows were all devoted to tales of the Old West. Cowboy writer Louis L’Amour was the country’s bestselling author, and even the great Elmore Leonard got his start writing pulp…
- Phuket News
Myanmar national brutally beats friend to death
PHUKET: Police arrested a Myanmar national in Phuket Town yesterday for brutally beating a man to death with a metal bar in Chalong. After being apprehended, Lek, 39, confessed to police that he had become angry with fellow Myanmar national Keng, 35, and beat him to death. Earlier that day, officers were called out to a home office on Chao…
- Thailand News
Thirsty spirit photographed in daylight
PHUKET: The strawberry drinks set out by locals to score winning lottery ticket numbers from an unlucky section of road, which was once home to a very lucky tree, are being drunk by either a ‘daytime’ spirit or just a bum, depending on who you speak to. The offerings, normally nam daeng (‘strawberry drink’), are usually left by people seeking…
- Opinion
Opinion: Funding national parks will lead to long-term results
Assistant Professor Thon Thamrongnawasawat, 49, is a member of the National Reform Council and a professor at Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Fisheries. He has a doctorate in Marine Science from James Cook University, Australia and is currently a writer, ichthyologist and an environmental activist. Here he talks about finding a balance between tourism and preserving the environment at national parks…
- Phuket News
Phuket riot damage totals more than B6mn
PHUKET: Initial estimates of the cost of damage caused by the riot at the Thalang Police Station amount to more than 6 million baht, confirmed Thalang Police Superintendent Chanuchan Cholsuwat. “However, this is just how much it will cost to repair the vehicles set on fire and the damage done to the building,” Col Chanuchan said. “We are keeping a…
- Thai Life
Blazing Saddles: Combining passion of rugby and cycling
PHUKET: My passion for the game of rugby union blossomed about the same time as my passion for cycling and both were formed in the crucible of early boyhood experience. At age eleven I was sent to one of those all-male schools that believes the formation of character and excellence in young men is greatly enhanced by a regimen of…
- Property
Phuket Pads: Mediterranean style in Rawai
PHUKET: While other real estate markets on the island seem to be struggling, the luxury villa sector remains steady, making room for those looking for unique, stylish villas jumping to buy. Such is the case with a five-bedroom Mediterranean inspired villa with stunning views from its rooftop. Located in Rawai Beach’s Saiyuan Med Village, this three-year-old split level, five-bedroom, three-bathroom…
- Phuket News
Phuket Riot: Police deny planting drugs
PHUKET: Provincial Police Commander Patchara Boonyasit this morning denied that officers planted drugs on the bodies of the two men killed in a police chase on Saturday. Patomwat Panarak, 22, and Teerapong Srisamut, 17, allegedly refused to be searched at a checkpoint and fled the scene. They were brought to a stop after their motorbike and a police vehicle collided.…
- Phuket News
Police delay seeking arrest warrants for Phuket rioters
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police have identified nine people as instigators in the violent attack on Thalang Police Station last week. “We are very clear on who these individuals are and where they live. However, we will be collecting more evidence before asking the court to issue arrest warrants,” Provincial Police Commander Patchara Boonyasit said this morning. “We will seek the…
- Phuket News
Phuket Riot: Cause of motorists’ deaths confirmed, intent under investigation
PHUKET: The cause for the two men’s deaths that was the catalyst for the Phuket riot has been confirmed. However, Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat will continue his investigation for the Ministry of Interior on whether or not the officers who crashed into the men’s motorbike were using excessive force. “A doctor has verified that Patomwat Panarak, 22, and Teerapong…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok Airways’ Phuket-Hat Yai route launched
PHUKET: Bangkok Airways officially launched its daily direct flights between Phuket and Hat Yai on Sunday. Bangkok Airways will serve daily flights between Phuket and Hat Yai, on a 70-seat ATR72-500/600, with flights from Phuket to Hat Yai departing at 7:25am and arriving in Hat Yai at 8:30am and Hat Yai to Phuket departing at 9:10am and arriving in Phuket…
- Phuket News
Go Teng poles raised, Phuket Vegetarian Festival underway
PHUKET: Vegetarian Festival participants raised Go Teng poles at every Chinese shrine in Phuket at sunset yesterday to allow the Jade Emperor, one of the Nine Emperor Gods, to descend from the heavens – marking the start of the 2015 festivities. Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada was one of hundreds of white-clad observers who attended the pole raising at the Jui…
- Phuket News
Injured police say no force used against protesters
PHUKET: Some police officers injured during the Phuket riot testified yesterday that they did not respond violently when protesters attacked them. About 20 policemen were injured when protesters threw rocks, bricks and wooden objects at them, Patong Police Deputy Superintendent Akanit Danpitaksat explained. Mueang Police Superintendent Sompong Boonyarat, Kamala Police Deputy Superintendent Boriboon Yusuksomboon and Lt Col Akanit all gave…
- Thai Life
Life of a ma song
PHUKET: One of the most famous ceremonies that is synonymous with Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival, or Jia Chai, is the soul-stirring parade of ‘ma song’ (‘spirit mediums), who are often seen stabbing objects through their cheeks or slashing their tongues with knives, as they believe this sacrifice will take away bad fortune, sickness and danger from those who take part in…
- Phuket News
One dead as mob blockade delays rescue efforts
PHUKET: A Phuket rescue worker believes that the rioters who attacked Thalang Police Station and blockaded Thepkrasattri Road (story here) might have played a role in the death of a patient who was being transferred from a hospital in Krabi to a better equipped Phuket hospital. “An ambulance from Krabi was blocked from going to Bangkok Hospital Phuket by the…
