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. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Sponsored Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Laguna Tri-Fest organizers announce Phuket road closures
PHUKET: Officials will close down sections of road to accommodate Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest practice events and races. This will cause traffic tailbacks during the 10-day triathlon extravaganza starting this weekend. Race organizers are asking that all drivers prepare for a 30-minute increase in travel time due to traffic congestion. Additionally, the following roads should be avoided if possible: 4030,…
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Finance: Growth or value stocks, that is the question
PHUKET: Many investors do not understand the differences between growth stocks and value stocks, with the latter often being synonymous with Warren Buffett, the disciple of Benjamin Graham, who’s classic 1949 book The Intelligent Investor is considered the value stock investing bible. GROWTH STOCKS Growth stocks tend to be high-quality stocks of successful companies whose earnings are expected to continue…
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Ministry of Farang Affairs: Cooling off beverages
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.…
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Opinion: Time to mobilize Phuket speed traps
PHUKET: Efforts to crack down on speeding and other forms of reckless driving took a turn for the serious recently with the news that the Phuket Provincial Police Office is seeking assistance from the Royal Highway Police to set up radar-equipped ‘mobile units’ to help catch offenders (story here). Phuket has emerged as seventh in the nation for the most…
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Phuket boarder among world’s best
PHUKET: Phuket surf star Anni Flynn has added another trophy to her collection, beating most of the best flowboarders from around the world to take second place at the World Flowboarding Championships in Bangkok last weekend. In a field dominated by pro-flowboarders from the US, Anni trounced last year’s world champion, and her personal idol, Xana Kai-Nash, but was held…
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Video Report: Police fail to bust gibbon touts despite video evidence
PHUKET: Officers have yet to arrest a gibbon tout caught on video earlier this week while working on the walking streets of Phi Phi Don. The video, sent to the Phuket Gazette by a reader, clearly shows the culprit’s face and was forwarded to officials on Tuesday evening. As of today, no arrest has been made, confirmed Lt Col Danai…
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Thanyapura Junior Challenge returns
PHUKET: Junior athletes and sports enthusiasts throughout the region will face off against each other and optimize their potential at Thanyapura’s third Junior Challenge Triathlon. Following the success of last year’s event, the 2015 competition will be held on November 28 and will be staged alongside the Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest, which attracts thousands of avid triathletes every year. This…
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Phuket beach-wedding ban lifted
PHUKET: The Phuket ban on beach-wedding ceremonies was lifted earlier this week. The ban was put in place earlier this year as the province attempted to prevent private entrepreneurs from staking public beach areas for profit making endeavors. “Even though such events can bring publicity to Phuket, we cannot allow them to take place on our beaches, as that is…
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Philippines bets on appeal of education to fight child labour
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Philippines bets on appeal of education to fight child labour Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Marnel Arcones’s face lights up with a huge smile when he talks about going back to school after years of toiling as a child worker in factories, on farms and as…
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North Korea proposes talks with South Korea for next week
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community North Korea says proposes talks with South Korea for next week Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: North Korea has proposed talks with South Korea to be held on Nov. 26 at the Truce Village ontheir militarised border, the North’s KCNA news agency reported on Friday. The…
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Wait time for vessels to pass Panama Canal shortens to four days
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Wait time for vessels to pass Panama Canal shortens to four days Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The wait time to pass through the Panama Canal has shortened to four days, down frommore than 10 days last month, the authority that runs the waterway said on…
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Moment of silence observed at Phuket French Consulate
PHUKET: About 40 French nationals, as well as a few Thai citizens and police officers, joined in a moment of silence observed in Phuket for the victims of the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris. “I acknowledge that it was very short notice, but everyone came together to show their support regardless,” French Honorary Consul Claude de Crissey told the…
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Young minds tackle global issues at One Young World Summit 2015
BANGKOK: The ‘One Young World Summit 2015’ kicked off at Sanam Luang in Bangkok on Wednesday. About 1,300 delegates from 196 countries are participating in the event, which brings together young leaders from all over the world to discuss critical global issues. Participants were warmly welcomed on a flotilla of boats and then taken to the venue located on the…
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Annual Petanque tournament returns this weekend
PHUKET: Dubai Petanque is back in Phuket to take on three Thailand-based teams in a four-way tournament this weekend. An expansion on earlier versions of the Dubai-Phuket Challenge, this year’s tournament will consist of four clubs – Dubai Petanque; Phuket’s Saphan Hin Club; the French Rawai Petanque Club; and Pattaya’s Khao Rai Club. Each club will play five sets against…
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Airplane makes emergency landing in Bulgaria over bomb threat
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Airplane makes emergency landing in Bulgaria over bomb threat Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: An airplane with 161 people aboard made an emergency landing in the Black Sea city of Burgas on today following a bomb threat while en route to Egypt from Poland’s capital of…
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Fishermen ready to get PIST
PHUKET: The Phuket International Sportfishing Tournament (PIST) returns with three days of fun fishing and four nights of parties at the Tamarind Bar and Grill on Chalong Pier road. The opening night event was held on November 18 with fisher-folk from around the world lining up to register for the tournament. Last year the tournament celebrated its tenth anniversary and…
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Korean honeymooner dies after diving lesson
PHUKET: Officials are investigating the death of a Korean honeymooner who died after an introductory diving lesson at Koh Hei on Tuesday. Hyunju Ahn, 36, was in about one meter of water with her new husband Minchul Shin, 33, when she informed instructors that she was having trouble. “Diving instructors and staff helped Ms Ahn out of the water. She…
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Police arrest 13 in kratom bus-delivery bust
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police arrested 13 suspects as they picked up packages containing 41 kilograms of kratom from a bus company office on Tuesday morning. Officers waited at the office of Srisuchart Transport (1989) Co Ltd on bypass road after receiving a tip-off from one of their sources that packages of kratom would be transported from Bangkok on one of…
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Thanyapura athletes win big at World Travel Joy
PHUKET: It was a clean podium sweep for Thanyapura at the World Travel Joy East Coast Challenge in Ranong last weekend where their athletes won HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup in the 151 kilometer race. Phuket’s former Tour de France cyclist Nick Gates triumphed in first place, followed shortly by four-time World Champion Chris McCormack. Clint Kimmins came in…
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Paris attack suspect reportedly sighted in Phuket
PHUKET: A man wanted in connection to the devastating terrorist attacks in Paris that left 129 people dead and more than 240 injured was reportedly seen in Phuket earlier this year, a well-informed source within Phuket’s French-speaking community revealed to the Phuket Gazette. Police forces in Europe are currently hunting 26-year-old Brussels-born Abdeslam Salah for his alleged involvement in the…
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Thalang Police Station rioter arrested for unrelated crime
PHUKET: A teen wanted for his role in the Phuket police station riot last month was arrested for an unrelated crime two weeks ago. The 16-year-old, who police declined to identify, was arrested for possession of kratom in Thalang, explained Thalang Police Superintendent Chanuchan Cholsuwat. “When we ran his name in the system, an arrest warrant for his alleged involvement…
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Uber can’t appeal class certification order in U.S. driver lawsuit
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Uber can’t appeal class certification order in U.S. driver lawsuit Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday denied ride service Uber’s request to immediately appealan order approving class certification in a lawsuit filed by drivers who wish to be deemed employees. The…
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Phuket to host southern region Bike for Mom photo exhibition
PHUKET: Phuket has been chosen as the southern region’s venue for the Bike for Mom photo exhibition, which will be held November 21-24 at Limelight Avenue. “The exhibition will display the best photos from the Bike for Mom nationwide photo contest and about 1,000 other memorable images for the people of Phuket and the southern region to enjoy,” said Limelight…
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Myanmar parliament chief asks losing lawmakers to play fair
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar parliament chief asks losing lawmakers to play fair Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Myanmar’s parliament chairman on Monday urged lawmakers from the ruling partythrashed at the polls to play fair in the outgoing legislature’s remaining debates, which could determine the budget a new opposition-led government…
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On World Toilet Day, one billion people have nowhere to go
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community On World Toilet Day, one billion people have nowhere to go Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Some 2.4 billion people around the world don’t have access to decent sanitation and more than a billion are forced to defecate in the open, risking disease and other dangers,…
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A Decade Ago: Chasing the white dragon
PHUKET: Headlines about methamphetamine, kratom, marijuana and even a little cocaine find their way into the Phuket Gazette fairly regularly. But, heroin… that’s a beast that rarely surfaces on this paradise island. There was of course 22-year-old John Cawley, who was busted for running ‘birdie powder’ from Phuket to Koh Samui in 2013, but smack in general is either very…
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Opinion: Positive effects of alcohol zones
Pairuch Kulima, 54, has been the chief of the Phuket Excise Office (PEO) since 2011. He is a Phuket native and graduated with a master’s degree in public administration from The National Institute of Development Administration. Here he talks about the responsibilities of the PEO, the pros and cons of selling alcohol and the positive effects that the new alcohol…
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Phuket RevPAR takes hit with source market transition
PHUKET: Differences in source markets and government spending have forced Bali and Phuket to take dramatically different approaches to adjusting to the recent tourism climate with regards to balancing occupancy and rates. Hotels and resorts in Bali have taken a mostly unified approach by holding rates and allowing occupancy to dip. In Phuket, however, even within market segments, a number…
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Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya see glimmer of hope in Suu Kyi victory
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya see glimmer of hope in Suu Kyi victory Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Noor Bagum would have to have been able to vote for Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) but, like the majority of Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority,…
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Illegal migrant workers, boat captain arrested
PHUKET: Three illegal migrant workers were arrested on a fishing boat during a random check by the Phuket Marine Police and the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command on Friday. “Myanmar nationals Jor Heng, 30; Nai, 25; and Mong Pu, 24, were arrested on Choksarawut 18 at Ao Makham port, along with the boat’s captain Kittisak Limwattanakpat, 37,” confirmed Phuket…
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