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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Phuket taxi driver killed in Bangkok bombing
PHUKET: A Phuket protester was the first to die in the “Bangkok Shutdown” after an unidentified person lobbed a bomb at a procession of demonstrators yesterday (story here). Prakong Choochan, 46 years old and a member of the Royal Paradise taxi rank, died at 1:57am from complications brought on by severe injuries sustained during the bomb attack. Bomb shrapnel pierced…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Up to 15, mostly foreigners, killed in Kabul suicide attack
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Up to 15, mostly foreigners, killed in Kabul suicide attack Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Up to 15 people, mostly foreigners, were killed on Friday when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a popular Lebanese restaurant in the Afghanistan capital of Kabul, police said.Islamist Taliban insurgents claimed…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Syria offers Aleppo truce as rebels argue over talks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Syria offers Aleppo truce as rebels argue over talks Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Syrian government, preparing for peace talks with rebels next week, handed the Russian co-sponsors of the conference a proposal on Friday for a local ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners.There was no immediate…
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Governor paves way for congestion free Phuket
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut led a survey yesterday of two road projects that should ease traffic congestion on the island. “With more than 50,000 vehicles travelling between Chalong Circle and Bang Khu Intersection in Kho Kaew daily, it is important to provide alternative routes and improve traffic flow,” Governor Maitri said. One of the projects examined was a two-lane…
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Phuket Opinion: Stiffer penalties needed for those going for gold
Chaiyut Prayoonyong, 65, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, is the president of the Phuket Gold Shop Association. The owner of three gold shops on the island, Mr Chaiyut has over 40 years’ experience as a gold trader.Here, he talks about the steps gold shop owners should take to protect their shops against robberies, and suggests that the government create stricter punishments…
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Phuket Opinion: You call that a hill?
PHUKET: I operated very large trucks, buses, cranes and earth-moving vehicles for more years than I care to remember, in various countries including Austria – whose mountain passes make “monster” Patong Hill look like a pimple on an elephant – and Australia, in giant mines in the northwest.The cardinal rule for going downhill is: Let your engine help retard your…
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Phuket Opinion: Success of bus ban relies on enforcement
PHUKET: The Phuket Land Transport Office’s trial ban on bus and truck traffic to Patong via the infamous Phra Barami Road over Patong Hill is a good idea. However, lack of proper enforcement by responsible officials, especially Traffic Police units, has the potential to jeopardize success during the trial period – and in the long term, if the measure is…
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Breaking News: 28 protesters injured in bomb attack against Suthep’s procession
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community 28 protesters injured in bomb attack against Suthep’s procession The Nation/Phuket GazettePHUKET: An unknown assailant lobbed a grenade at the procession led by People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban on Banthad Thong Road at noon today, injuring 28 protesters.As of 2:07pm, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Erawan…
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Phuket Town shop fire doused
PHUKET: Police presume an electrical short circuit started a fire that broke out in a small ceramics store in Phuket Town late last night. No one was injured in the blaze, which caused an estimated 50,000 baht in damage. Two fire teams were called to the scene on Bangkok Road (map here), at 11:10pm. “Firefighters took 30 minutes to put…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Vatican grilled over scale of child sex abuse
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Vatican grilled over scale of child sex abuse Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: United Nations child protection experts pushed Vatican delegates on Thursday to reveal the scope of the decades-long sexual abuse of minors by Roman Catholic priests that Pope Francis called “the shame of the Church”.The delegates,…
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Phuket Gazette World News: In lair of Mexico drug boss, vigilantes hold sway
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community In lair of Mexico drug boss, vigilantes hold sway Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: His AK-47 tossed onto a pristine leather sofa in the plush lair of a leader of one of Mexico’s most feared drug cartels, vigilante fighter “El Love” says he is longing for an end…
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Phuket Gazette World News: NSA collects millions of text messages globally – Guardian
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community NSA collects millions of text messages globally – Guardian Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The U.S. National Security Agency has been gathering nearly 200 million text messages a day from around the world, gathering data on people’s travel plans, contacts and credit card transactions, Guardian newspaper reported on…
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Night vision: No more faulty infrared sensors for Phuket speed cameras
PHUKET: Speed cameras which had faulty infrared sensors are now in full working order on the bypass road in Phuket. “After installing cameras to monitor speeds on several major roads on the island, we found that the cameras on the bypass road were not reading speed levels at night,” Lt Col Rungrit Rattanapagdee of the Phuket City Traffic Police told…
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Phuket bus drivers test positive for ya bah
PHUKET: Two more Phuket bus drivers tested positive for ya bah (methamphetamine) yesterday afternoon during an anti-drug blitz led by Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut. “We tested 33 bus drivers from two companies: Je-Siam Holiday Phuket and MKR Transportation,” Muang District Chief Administrative Officer (palad) Suthee Sirianan said. “Natthapong Chimree and Udon Sainate, both from MKR Transportation, tested positive for ya…
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Yingluck pushes for elections, Phuket prepares for booze ban
PHUKET: Phuket will face an alcohol ban starting on February 1 as caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra pushes ahead with the February 2 national elections (story here). “According to the Election Act, all alcohol sales in Phuket are banned from 6pm on February 1 until midnight on February 2 because of the MP elections,” Phuket Election Commission (PEC) Director Kittipong…
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Phuket earns 21 medals at 42nd Thailand National Games
PHUKET: Athletes representing Phuket at the 42nd National Games, contested in Suphanburi from January 5-15, brought home 21 medals – five golds, five silvers and 11 bronzes. Based on medal tally, Phuket placed 25th out of 77 provinces and Bangkok. The National Games’ hosts Suphanburi cleaned up the event with 358 medals including 198 gold, 80 silver and 80 bronze.…
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Khao Lak – our neighbor to the north
PHUKET: These are exciting times for long-term Khao Lak resident Sascha Meissmer, Sales Manager of the all-new Khaolak Magazine. As the first issue of the quality magazine rolled off the presses recently to considerable acclaim, we managed to grab a moment with Sascha, 44, to find out more. So Sascha, tell us, what is the purpose of the new magazine?…
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Phuket resort raided over beach beautification project
PHUKET: National park officers yesterday raided the Anantara luxury resort in Phuket and filed a police complaint for alleged encroachment on park land. The Mai Khao resort stands accused of clearing swathes of sea morning glory from the beach and planting palm trees as part of a beach beautification project. Sirinath Marine National Park Chief Cheewapap Cheewatham, who led the…
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Phuket Gazette World News: World may have to suck gases from air to meet climate goals
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World may have to suck gases from air to meet climate goals – U.N. Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Governments may have to extract vast amounts of greenhouse gases from the air by 2100 to achieve a target for limiting global warming, backed by trillion-dollar shifts towards clean…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Violences kills 75 in Iraq, PM seeks world’s support
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Violence kills 75 in Iraq, PM seeks world’s support Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Bomb attacks and shootings killed at least 75 people in Iraq on Wednesday, police and hospital sources said, making it one of the bloodiest days in months.In the deadliest incident, a bomb blew up…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Feb 2 election to go ahead; Violence fears raised; Rescue worker charged for rape
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Feb 2 elections will go ahead: Yingluck The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: After holding a meeting with representatives from different political parties and officials from agencies related to the election, caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra decided yesterday to go ahead with the February 2 poll.Insisting that her…
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![Phuket Vice Governor, other officials, join anti-government protesters [Video Report] | Thaiger](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0naHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmcnIHZpZXdCb3g9JzAgMCAyMDQgMjIwJz48L3N2Zz4=)
Phuket Vice Governor, other officials, join anti-government protesters [Video Report]
PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Sommai Prijasilpa, along with three mayors and one district chief, joined the crowd of protesters gathered in front of Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday evening.The protesters vowed to provide their full support should the officials face criticism later.V/Gov Sommai was joined by Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana, Rawai Mayor Arun Solos, Kathu Mayor Chaianan Sutthikul and Thalang…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Four arrested for alleged involvement in attack at Abhisit’s house
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Four arrested for allegedly attacking Abhisit’s house The Nation/Phuket GazettePHUKET: Bangna Police have apprehended a woman and three men for alleged involvement in a series of attacks in Bangkok on anti-government rallies including a bomb attack at Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s Sukhumvit residence last night.Thaworn Senneam,…
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Too fast to be furious: Phuket speed cameras can’t keep up
PHUKET: Drivers on Phuket moving at reckless speeds of over 200km/hr are outpacing the ability of the island’s new speed cameras to capture clear images of them. “In Thalang, the cameras are set to photograph cars travelling in excess of 120km/hr. However, the images of the licenses plates on cars going extremely fast are too blurry to read,” Thalang Police…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Mexico vigilantes refuse to lay down arms
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Mexico vigilantes refuse to lay down arms in troubled state Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Vigilante groups battling a powerful drug cartel in a troubled region of Mexico on Tuesday rejected a government call to lay down their arms, raising the risk of an increased security headache for…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Protesters threaten SET, AEROThai; Delay poll says expert; Yala blast kills 2
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community AeroThai and SET are in protesters’ sights The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: In an attempt to increase pressure on the government, the hard-line movement Students and People Network for Thailand’s Reform (STR) yesterday confirmed it planned to blockade the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the offices of…
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Fatal accident on Kata Hill raises concerns about Patong Hill bus ban
PHUKET: Yet another bus accident, this time killing a motorcyclist on the Kata Hill road yesterday morning, has raised concerns about increased bus traffic in the area after the controversial Patong Hill bus ban takes effect. Worrapong Chaichomphu, 25, was travelling downhill toward Chalong when a bus travelling uphill crossed the center line and struck him in front of the…
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Phuket protest forces Provincial Hall to remain closed
PHUKET: Police today closed Surin Road in Phuket Town after anti-government protesters expanded their camp and forced Provincial Hall to remain closed for a second consecutive day. The protesters, led by former Rassada Mayor Suratin Lian-udom, compelled officials to close Provincial Hall (map here) yesterday as they staged a mass rally in support of the “Bangkok Shutdown” (story here). “The…
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Phuket’s DJ Doris to be honored with Celebration of Life
PHUKET: Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’ from Phuket Island Radio 91.5FM, will be honored with a Celebration of Life. The news follows the death of Mr Norris in a motorcycle accident early Sunday morning, a tragedy which prompted an outpouring of grief among friends, family and fans (story here). “Paul Norris is being repatriated to his home in Scotland.…
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Iraqi tourist, 27, dies after fall from Phuket jet-ski
PHUKET: Police have yet to establish what caused a 27-year-old Iraqi tourist to die after he fell from his jet-ski at Naka Island, off the east coast of Phuket, yesterday afternoon. Mariwan Qader Salim was pronounced dead by doctors at Thalang Hospital at 5pm, Thalang Police Deputy Superintendent Kitthiphum Thinthalang told the Phuket Gazette. “He was staying at a resort…
![Phuket Vice Governor, other officials, join anti-government protesters [Video Report] | Thaiger](https://thethaiger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/phuketnews_201411514375226_iuwVEPtRSioXRlmDcIQvKhTfcodHpVEGYzYJNoHc_jpeg.jpg)
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