News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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DNP outlines conservation issues to be presented to CITES
PHUKET: In town yesterday for the investigation into encroachment on Phuket’s Sirinath National Park (story here), Manopat Huamuangkaew, the director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP), took time to hand out pro-conservation pamphlets to tourists at Phuket International Airport. The pamphlets also advertise the 16th annual Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna…
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Phuket Gazette Sports: Boas bounce back; Benitez’s plea; Giggs signs – again
Spurs driven by last season’s stumble, says Villas-Boas Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: One year after his axing by Chelsea left a dent in his ego, Andre Villas-Boas finds his reputation soaring again as high-flying Tottenham Hotspur prepare to host north London rivals Arsenal in a match of huge significance.Win it and Tottenham would move seven points clear of their arch-rivals…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Bomb blasts wound Southern peace talks; Bangkok election; ‘Wannabe Myanmar’ line up
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Narathiwat rocked by two blasts The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Two vehicle bombs in a span of five hours yesterday rocked Narathiwat’s Muang district less than 24 hours after the signing of an agreement in Malaysia between Thailand’s security authorities and four people purportedly representing insurgent groups…
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Phuket Gazette World News: China execution parade; Italy unravels; Syrian scuds; Cardinals pick new Pope
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community ‘Execution parade’ of four behind Mekong murders angers Chinese Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: An “execution parade” on China’s state television of four foreign men sentenced to death for killing 13 sailors on the Mekong River caused anger in China on Friday, with many people saying it was…
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DNP chief bolsters support for Phuket park probe
PHUKET: The recently installed Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) Director-General Manopat Huamuangkaew arrived in Phuket yesterday to hear firsthand the update on the investigation into 14 plots allegedly encroaching on Sirinat National Park on Phuket’s west coast. “So far we have investigated the land documents of 14 plots of land and found that all were issued…
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School girls scream with high “Scarlet Letter fever’
PHUKET: Bizarre events surround a school in Samut Prakan after eight young female students were possessed by a ghost while practicing their cheerleading moves – or so reports claim. About 20 girls from Had Amara Aksornlap School had gone to Pikka Fort Park in the Taiban area of the province to practice their dance moves. Things started to get weird…
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DSI launches fresh attack on illegally issued Phuket land title deeds
PHUKET: The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) stepped in last week to expedite the ongoing investigation of illegal land encroachment in Sirinart National Park. Acting on a complaint from The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), whose own investigation seemed to ground to a halt last year when an expected 366 investigators from Bangkok failed to arrive,…
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Thailand Futsal: Andaman Pearl clamp down on Killer Bees
PHUKET: The Andaman Pearl are floating high following back-to-back wins in the past week. Topping off Sunday’s away win to Samut Songkhram (2-6), Phuket’s latest victory was earned at home on Wednesday night against Nonthaburi FC (5-3). Played at Phuket’s Saphan Hin Indoor Sports Complex, the match was both sides’ 25th match of the 30-fixture GMM Sport Thailand Futsal Premier…
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Phuket Opinion: Fluctuating prices hard to swallow
PHUKET: No one likes being ripped off. Phuket, like many popular tourist destinations, has its fair share of scams, so living here year-round can be frustrating unless you have mastered the language. During my daily lunch break I often drive to a nearby shopping center to order a quick and filling meal at the food court there. I usually order…
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Phuket Opinion: Playing by all the rules
PHUKET: Saphan Hin’s 4,000-seat Indoor Sports Complex is where Phuket United play their Thai Futsal Premier league home games in front of a vocal crowd of around 1,000 supporters. In addition to being the home of the Andaman Pearl, the stadium was also used for several different sporting events over the past few months, including Thailand’s most significant international basketball…
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Phuket Opinion: Praise for the little ‘Heroes’ of Phuket
PHUKET: Although accorded little, if any, attention in the local media, the recent winning of a national championship in the “To Be Number One Teen Dancercise 2013” competition by a team of young dancers from the Baan Bangneaw Municipal School in Phuket Town deserves a great deal of recognition and praise. It was a considerable achievement, the first ever by…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Thailand agrees to talk peace with southern insurgent group
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thailand agrees to talk peace with southern Muslim rebel group The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thai security officials on Thursday signed a deal to start peace talks with a Muslim rebel group involved in escalating violence in the southern provinces that has killed more than…
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Miss Universe smashes pirated products in Phuket
PHUKET: Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova joined officials as they destroyed pirated goods worth about 216 million baht in a ceremony in Phuket today, which was held to demonstrate Thailand’s dedication to protecting intellectual property rights.“We are here to increase the awareness of consumers about counterfeit designer goods and to encourage them to say ‘no’ to pirated products. By completely…
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Phuket Gazette World News: India looks to head off junk status
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community India budget increases spending, taxes the rich Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: India unveiled higher-than-expected spending for fiscal 2013/14 today, aiming to fund it with higher revenues – including new taxes on the rich and large companies – in a budget aimed at reviving growth amid…
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Thailand News: Thai national and 3 others face execution for Mekong murders
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China to execute four over Mekong murders Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: China plans to execute alleged Golden Triangle drug lord Nor Kham and three accomplices after their death sentences were approved by the nation’s highest court, state media said today. The executions would be…
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Phuket Gazette Sports: Swimming great wants life bans
Fraser wants life ban for Australian 4x100m swimmers Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Swimming great Dawn Fraser wants life bans imposed on members of the Australian men’s 4x100m freestyle relay squad who admitted using a banned sedative in a bonding session before last year’s London Olympics. James Magnussen and team mates Matt Targett, Eamon Sullivan, Cameron McEvoy and Tommaso DOrsogna…
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Phuket Gazette office closed today
PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette would like to inform our readers and advertisers that our office in Koh Kaew had to be closed today, Thursday, February 28, due to yet another all-day blackout in the area to upgrade power lines. The blackout affects Soi Harn Farang and Soi Koh Kaew 33, and may affect adjoining areas that are supplied electricity from…
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Thailand News: Thais score lowest in English; Money laundering blacklist; Bangkok Flood Center opens
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thais score lowest in TOEFL Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: With TOEFL scores averaging at 450, Thai students’ proficiency in the English language appears to be the lowest in the Asean region. In order to overcome this, academics are urging universities to seriously start strengthening students’ English-language…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Pope leaves quietly as cardinals plan future
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Low-key departure as pope steps down and hides away Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Pope Benedict slipped quietly from the world stage today after a private last goodbye to his cardinals and a short flight to a country palace to enter the final phase of his life “hidden…
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DSI raids Phuket building supplies operator
PHUKET: Officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) today raided a local construction supply company suspected of stealing sand from a National Forest to sell for use in Phuket’s booming property industry.The DSI made headlines last week for investigating illegal land title deeds in Sirinart National Park, on Phuket’s west coast.The raid started at 8am today when DSI chief…
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All safe after Phuket tour boat hits mooring, sinks in Chalong Bay
PHUKET: A tour boat carrying 15 tourists collided with a concrete mooring and sank during its approach to Chalong Pier during low tide yesterday afternoon. All 15 tourists on board, and the skipper, were safely rescued. The accident occurred when the tourist boat Darunee, skippered by Suthip Kasathit, 50, was returning with about 15 passengers from a snorkeling trip to…
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Police suspect Chevy driver in Phuket hit-and-run
PHUKET: Police are searching for the driver of a Chevrolet vehicle believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run in Phuket Town last night. Phuket City Police duty officer Akaradech Phongprom received a report that a man riding a motorcycle had been struck down on Narisorn Road, near Phuket Provincial Hall (map here), at about 10:30pm. Officers arrived at the…
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Bourgeois tsunami sculptures to return to beach
PHUKET: “Hold me close”, the two sculptures designed by late French artist Louise Bourgeois to commemorate victims of the 2004 tsunami along the Andaman coast, will be given a new, secure home in Krabi. Local officials plan to provide a place on the beach at Hat Noppharat Thara where the metal sculptures can be admired, but will remain safe from…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: NACC freezes B65mn of general’s assets in corruption probe
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international communityPHUKET: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday froze 65 million baht of assets belonging to retired General Satien Permthong-in pending a judicial review, on suspicion that they are ill-gotten gains.Well-known Thammasat University Professor Sombat Chantarawong’s name has surfaced in relation to the case, as Satien’s adopted daughter asked…
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2013 ACYC Keel Boat and Multihull Club Championship Race Series 2 announced
PHUKET: Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) has announced the 2013 ACYC Keel Boat and Multihull Club Championship Race Series 2 – FCI Watermaker Series. The first race will be on March 3. Eligibility and entry: The series is open to all keel yachts and multihulls with an overall length of greater than six meters. Eligible boats may enter by completing…
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Vicious Pit Bull Attack: Phuket mother files for compensation
PHUKET: A compensation complaint for a hospital bill totalling nearly 700,000 baht was filed with Wichit Police yesterday after a man was savaged in a vicious pit bull attack.Benjarat Ekpaiboon’s 33-year-old son, Tiensak Ekpaiboon, was attacked by three of their neighbor’s five pit bulls around 8am on February 6.“He’s been in hospital for almost three weeks now. Some of the…
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Phuket Lifestyle: Day-Lewis makes history as Oscars shared around
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Argo wins best picture Oscar, Ang Lee takes best director Phuket Gazette / The Nation / DPA PHUKET: The political hostage drama Argo won the Oscar for Best Picture on Sunday as the Academy Awards were spread among a wealth of nominees. Life of Pi picked…
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Phuket Live Wire: Anatomy of a land line meltdown
PHUKET: As I continued my pursuit of a decent internet connection in Phuket for the house I’m moving into, a funny thing happened. That’s funny as in strange, not funny as in hilarious. Depending on where you lived in Thailand, at about 2am on Friday morning, February 15, if you had internet service from TOT your line went down. Again,…
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Phuket Finance: The many laws of averaging
PHUKET: Averaging is a word that has many meanings when it comes to investing. The investment world is full of conflicting opinions and advice, and a very common mistake people make is following advice that may be intended for short term speculative money and applying it to long term investment money, or money that is meant to be generating a…
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Phuket Business: Expats rank Thailand highly in global survey
PHUKET: One of the largest ‘expat living’ surveys conducted last year ranked Thailand second in terms of experience and quality of life, while ranking the Kingdom third in economics. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) recently published the results of its 2012 Expat Explorer Survey, which encompassed responses from more than 5,000 expats residing in thirty countries.The same…
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