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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Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Phuket Gazette World News: Hong Kong confirms second death from H7N9 bird flu
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Hong Kong confirms second death from H7N9 bird flu Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A 65-year-old man infected with the H7N9 bird flu virus has died in Hong Kong, the government said on Monday, the second such death in the city.The man, the third person in Hong Kong…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Nigerian leader signs anti-gay law
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nigerian leader signs anti-gay law, drawing U.S. fire Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill on Monday that criminalises same-sex relationships, defying Western pressure over gay rights and provoking criticism from the United States.The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years…
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Phuket Gazette World News: World powers, Iran eye February start to nuclear settlement talks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World powers, Iran eye February start to nuclear settlement talks Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Big powers and Iran are likely to start talks on a final settlement to the long dispute over its nuclear ambitions in February, shortly after a six-month deal curbing its atomic activity takes…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Suthep says no to talks; Bangkok roads empty; Reds rally north; Floods hit Deep South
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suthep turns down PM’s call for talks on poll delay The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The caretaker government, having repeatedly ignored calls for postponement of the February 2 election, yesterday softened its stance as pressure for a delay in holding the poll increased.Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra…
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Phuket Provincial Hall protesters peacefully move outdoors for the night
PHUKET: The protesters vacated Phuket Provincial Hall late this afternoon after holding the building all day to show support for the “Bangkok Shutdown” (story here). “We agreed to leave Provincial Hall and establish our camp outside,” Former Rassada Mayor and protest co-ordinator Suratin Lian-udom told the Phuket Gazette. “We don’t want to be responsible for any criminal activity; we just…
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Phuket tour bus avoids car, but clips motorcyclist near Kata Hill
PHUKET: A man parking his motorbike by the side of the road near Chalong Circle escaped with minor injuries this morning when a Phuket tour bus clipped him while trying to avoid an accident. The bus driver told police that he was en route to Kata when a car cut in front of him near the Sarapan Pleng bar, west…
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Phuket FC tame Ratchaburi Dragons in 2014 pre-season kickoff
PHUKET: Rebranded and reborn this year as the the “Ronins”, Phuket FC kicked off their 2014 pre-season in respectable form last night, defeating Thai Premier League squad, Ratchaburi Mitrphol FC by a score of 1-0 in an evenly-weighted friendly match at Surakul Stadium.In two 45-minute halves, under some clouds and periodic light showers, both sides employed a number of promising…
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Running red: police probe deadly DJ Doris crash
PHUKET: One of the drivers involved in the accident that killed Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’, early yesterday morning ran a red light, Phuket Police confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. “We believe that one of them drove through a red light as the lights were working at the time of the accident,” said Wichit Police Investigator Ekarat Chartthai. “However,…
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And the winners of the Boat Show lucky draw are…
PHUKET: This year’s edition of the annual Phuket boat show (PIMEX), which closed late yesterday, offered solid testimony to the improving global economy and the renewed vibrance of the marine leisure industry in Asia, particularly at its hub – Phuket. Full car parks, full restaurants and lots of action in the booths and berths at the Royal Phuket Marina –…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Russia says militants seized with bomb in south
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Russia says militants seized with bomb in south Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Five members of a banned militant group were arrested in southern Russia on Saturday and a homemade bomb packed with shrapnel was defused, in another security scare weeks before the Winter Olympics in Sochi.Islamist militants…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Turkish PM pushes judicial reforms after parliament punch-up
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Turkish PM pushes judicial reforms after parliament punch-up Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Sunday to forge ahead with judicial reforms which prompted a fist fight in parliament, denying he was trampling on the constitution as the government battles a damaging corruption…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Israelis pay last respects to warrior-statesman Sharon
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Israelis pay last respects to warrior-statesman Sharon Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s body lay in state on Sunday outside parliament in Jerusalem, where thousands of Israelis waited to bid farewell to the maverick warrior-statesman who reshaped the Middle East.Sharon died at the age…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Iran sanctions lifted under nuclear peace deal
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Deal on curbing Iran’s nuclear activity to take effect January 20 Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A deal for Iran to freeze parts of its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief will take effect on January 20, giving world powers and Tehran six months to agree a…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Bangkok shutdown begins; Pheu Thai objects May 4 polls; Businesses ready for downturn
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Stage set for huge Bangkok shutdown The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will today begin their Shutdown operation to try to seize seven sites in Bangkok at 9am after a series of blockades at state agencies – in a bid to paralyse…
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Phuket’s Paul ‘DJ Doris’ Norris dies in motorcycle accident
PHUKET: Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’ on Phuket Island Radio 91.5FM, died in a motorcycle accident early this morning. He was riding home when his motorbike and a taxi collided at an intesection on Chao Fa West Road in Chalong at about 2am, police confirmed. Mr Norris was well known and much loved by his many friends and fans…
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Phuket braces for Monday shutdown
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut today assured that the island’s authorities were well prepared to peacefully deal with a large protest planned for Monday in front of Provincial Hall. The protest will be held at Sanam Chai field (map here) in Phuket Town, in line with the “Bangkok shutdown” being organized by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), led by…
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Phuket Gazette World News: U.S. to withdraw diplomat from India as dispute festers
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. to withdraw diplomat from India as dispute festers Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The United States said on Friday it would withdraw one of its diplomats from New Delhi at India’s request after Washington effectively expelled an Indian envoy at the centre of a dispute between the…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Celebrations in Central African Republic as leader resigns
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Celebrations in Central African Republic as leader resigns Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Central African Republic’s interim President Michel Djotodia caved in to international pressure and resigned on Friday after failing to halt inter-religious violence, drawing thousands onto the streets in celebration.The resignations of Djotodia and his Prime…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Falluja residents flee feared Iraq army assault
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bewildered Falluja residents flee feared Iraq army assault Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Iraqis fleeing from Falluja question whether the masked gunmen who overran their city 10 days ago are really al Qaeda-linked militants as the government says, but fear their presence will draw a ferocious response from…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: PDRC guards injured in gun attacks; 45 countries issue travel warnings; EC calls to delay polls
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Seven PDRC guards injured in attacks near Democracy Monument The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: At least seven men serving as security guards for the People’s Democratic Reform Committee were injured in sporadic attacks near the Democracy Monument rally site early Saturday, police and protesters said.The first attack…
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Phuket ‘backpack bomb’ fears disarmed by underwear
PHUKET: A lottery ticket seller raised the alarm of a potential backpack bomb outside of a Phuket bank yesterday. However, a police investigation revealed only various female garments, including underwear. “She saw a teenager put several things in the bag and then drop it near the stairs of the Kasikorn Bank branch on Chana-Charoen Road. She got scared, and asked…
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Phuket Election Commission seeks to re-open candidate registration
PHUKET: The Phuket Election Commission (PEC) has sent a formal request to Bangkok asking for permission to re-open registration so more candidates can contest the February 2 national election. “It’s not fair to hold an election with only one candidate. There is no choice for the people,” Tassaneeya Srirattanaprapan, chief of the PEC’s Political Party Division, said at a news…
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Phuket Customs yet to enforce new rules for boat stays
PHUKET: Phuket Customs will hear the opinions of representatives from throughout Phuket’s marine industry before deciding whether or not to enforce new regulations that would reduce boat stays in Thailand to two months. The new rules were announced by Phuket Customs Chief Nanthita Sririkub in a meeting at Provincial Hall yesterday. “According to new regulations handed down from Bangkok on…
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Investigation against Phuket violent taxi station postponed
PHUKET: The investigation of a violent Phuket taxi rank whose behavior was exposed in a sting operation in November has been postponed. “We expected the investigation against the Merlin Beach Resort taxi station to get official sanction at our December 2 meeting,” said Somboon Sarasit, head of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Special Crime Unit 3. “However, there were…
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Murder fugitive in Phuket land dispute surrenders to police
PHUKET: The man wanted for shooting dead a rival in a land dispute yesterday surrendered to Phuket police last night. Supongdeth Vetchatam, 53, presented himself at the Phuket City Police Station at about 7:30pm. He brought with him his lawyer and the murder weapon – a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver. Mr Supongdeth told police that he fatally shot Echa…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Fidel Castro, 87, makes rare public appearance
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Fidel Castro, 87, makes rare public appearance Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Former Cuban President Fidel Castro made a surprise appearance on Wednesday evening at the opening of a Havana cultural centre sponsored by one of his favourite Cuban artists.State television on Thursday broadcast images of Castro arriving…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Security alert in southern Russia after at least five bodies found
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Security alert in southern Russia after at least five bodies found Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Russia has put security forces on combat alert in the southern Stavropol region after the discovery of at least five corpses with gunshot wounds and an explosive device there barely a month…
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Phuket Gazette World News: India diplomat indicted, asked to leave U.S.
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community India diplomat indicted, asked to leave U.S. Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Indian diplomat whose arrest and strip-searching in New York caused a major rift between India and the United States was indicted for visa fraud on Thursday, and the U.S. government immediately asked her to leave…
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Deadly Phuket shooting over land, say police
PHUKET: Police believe a conflict over land was the motive for the deadly shooting in Phuket today. Echa Yala, 49, was shot dead while out in his garden, not far from a lagoon, after having a heated argument with a man who arrived in a white Toyota Fortuner (story here). “There were two men in the Fortuner. One man walked…
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Aussie fraud, embezzlement trial to start in June
PHUKET: Rell Hayes, the Australian founder of the Stoney Monday Oasis Hotel in Phuket, has denied criminal charges of embezzlement and six counts of fraud involving more than 80 million baht. His defense will be heard in court when his trial begins on June 10. Rell Vivien Hayes, 51, was arrested in Krabi in November after Phuket Provincial Court issued…
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