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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Russian, Belgian tourists drown at Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Two tourists drowned within half an hour of each other yesterday on the west coast of Phuket. In both cases, red warning flags had been posted on the beaches. Belgian Laurent Jacques Leopold Wanter, 43, was pulled from the surf at Laem Sing Beach, north of Patong at 3:30pm. Despite efforts by lifeguards to resuscitate him, Mr Wanter was…
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Phuket Town loan shop employee shot in holdup
PHUKET: Police are hunting for a man who robbed a motorcycle refinance shop in Phuket Town yesterday morning and shot one of the employees in the leg. “Before the robbery, three of us were checking a customer list,” said Somruedee Sriwichai, 26, who works at the money lenders on Kra Road (map here). “We saw a man park his bike…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Brazil mass protests; Israel accused of child torture; Pope cleared of Falklands role; Greek politics in ruins
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Brazil hit by largest protests yet Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Brazil’s biggest protests in two decades intensified on Thursday despite government concessions meant to quell the demonstrations as 300,000 people took to the streets of Rio de Janeiro and hundreds of thousands more flooded other cities.Undeterred by…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: PM to fight NSC reinstatement; Gold hits 3 year low; Supercar duo surrender; Theft named as motive in Akeyuth murder
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community PM to fight Thawil’s return as NSC chief The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has decided to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court against the reinstatement of Thawil Pliensri as secretary-general of the National Security Council.Tongthong Chandransu, PM’s Office permanent secretary, said yesterday that…
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Police suspect heroin overdose in Phuket gas station death
PHUKET: An unidentified man died shortly after taking a hit of heroin in a Phuket gas station today. Witnesses saw the man park his motorbike near the men’s toilet and then rush into one of the four stalls. After a short period of time he toppled out of the stall dead, said Sakol Krainara of the Phuket City Police. Police…
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Phuket local set to skipper Sansiri in world’s oldest yacht race
PHUKET: In a world first for Thailand, Sansiri PLC today announced they are supporting Phuket local and member of Ao Chalong Yacht Club Mr Patinyakorn Buranrom to become the first-ever Thai sailor to skipper a yacht in a major international ocean yacht race, the TRANSPAC 2013. Mr Patinyakorn, an accomplished sailor, will compete in the longest of the two oldest…
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Alleged international fraudster caught at Phuket airport
PHUKET: Bangkok Immigration Officers at Phuket International Airport on Tuesday detained a 55-year-old Chinese national who is believed to be behind a multi-million-baht international fraud.Liu Benyue was taken into custody at the airport by Bangkok Immigration and Chinese authorities.“We found Mr Liu in front of the main terminal waiting to pick up his son,” said Assawin Naksawat, Chief of the…
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Helmetless Phuket motorbike driver dies from head trauma
PHUKET: A helmetless motorbike driver from Phuket Town died last night after losing control of his motorbike and hitting a utility pole in Thalang.Police rushed to the scene to find the body of Kongkait Ngamtong, 26, in a ditch in front of the Muang Thalang School on the northbound side of Thepkrasattri Road, said Thalang Police Officer Narong Muangdoung.“Witnesses said…
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Chinese killed by speedboat at popular Phuket day-trip destination
PHUKET: A Chinese tourist bled to death after being severely cut by a speedboat propeller at Phi Phi Island yesterday afternoon.Chen Peng, 37, jumped from the boat when the engine was still on and the propeller moving, the speedboat’s owner, Chairang Weerakij, told police.The propeller slashed Mr Chen’s legs and stomach. He was taken by speedboat from Pileh Bay to…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Syria pro-rebel alliance UK, US, to meet; Suu Kyi to battle Myanmar Constitution; Kosovo envoy exits Serbia after 48 hours
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar constitution likely to dash Suu Kyi’s presidential hopes Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Her adoring compatriots believe democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi is destined to become Myanmar’s next president. But don’t bet on it.A year ago, the Nobel Peace Prize winner was feted at home and…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: FDA to torch B10bn of illicit drugs; DSI closes in on supercar duo; White elephant won’t be coming; Jet-setting monk missing
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community FDA ceremony to torch 3.4 tonnes of seized drugs The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will burn 3.4 tonnes of illicit drugs worth Bt10 billion as part of the country’s 42nd official illicit-drug incineration ceremony in Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in Industrial…
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Phuket’s new Airport Bus inked to start July 1
HUKET: The ruling committee for Phuket’s public transportation authorities has signed into effect the permit to allow the new bus service from Phuket International Airport to Patong to launch on July 1. The provincial transportation committee, chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada, voted unanimously yesterday to launch the service. The government departments represented at the meeting – and who…
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Gaping hole in Patong street blocked off, partially filled
PHUKET: Despite what the Director of the Department of Rural Roads Phuket office told the Phuket Gazette yesterday (story here), officials jumped into action to barricade a giant hole in Phang Muang Sai Kor Road in Patong after two motorbike riders found themselves over their heads in water and their motorbikes marooned at the bottom of the pit. The hole…
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US Embassy consular outreach in Phuket
PHUKET: The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Bangkok will hold an Outreach Visit at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort in Karon tomorrow, June 20. Consular staff will be available from 8am to midday to provide services on: • Passport renewal applications (US$110 or 3,300 baht for adult passports, US$105 or 3,150 baht for a child’s passport). • Notarial…
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Thailand News: Songkhla ranked fourth for human trafficking; Car tax scam; Jet-setting monks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Songkhla ranked fourth highest in human trafficking The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Royal Thai Police revealed that Songkhla ranked fourth in terms of areas most at risk for human trafficking crimes at 642, after Bangkok’s 1,108, Chumphon’s 997 and Prachuap Khiri Khan’s 848 locations.This report prompted…
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Rough surf serves up bluebottles at Phuket beach
PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) has confirmed that the stingers found washed ashore at Surin Beach this week are bluebottles, also known as Portuguese man o’ war.The stingers found so far are juveniles, reported Phuket Gazette reader Daren Jenner.“The presence of these bluebottles on the west coast started about five days ago with the onset of strong southwest…
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Chinese tourist drowns off Phuket
PHUKET: A Chinese tourist on holiday with friends in Phuket drowned this afternoon while on a day trip to Koh Racha Yai, about 25 kilometers south of Phuket. Capt Wuttiwat Liang-boonjinda of the Chalong Police named the victim as Li Ran, 28. Ms Li was travelling with five friends who joined about 40 other tourists for the trip to Racha…
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Video Report: Man in pink raincoat robs Phuket Family Mart
PHUKET: A man wielding a knife and wearing a pink raincoat jumped over the counter of a convenience store in Thalang early this morning and made off with the contents of a cash register.Police responding to a call at 3:45am found the two female employees unharmed at the Family Mart at the entrance to Baan Lipon School in Srisoonthorn.One of…
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Phuket still on the map at TTM+ 2013
PHUKET: The island is still a top tourist hub in Southeast Asia, with a wide variety of hotels, resorts and hospitality-related businesses representing Phuket at 13th annual Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2013 (TTM+ 2013), held at the IMPACT Exhibition Hall in Bangkok recently. More than 800 delegates arrived from around the region to network with the 420 hospitality related organizations…
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PIMEX 2014 organizer hyped about January date
PHUKET: The next Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) is open for business, having been taking bookings since early last month, May 2013. PIMEX 2014 is confirmed to take place between January 9 and 12 at Royal Phuket Marina and remains a permanent fixture in the island’s event calendar as it approaches its 11th year. “After careful analysis of the last…
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Phuket’s DJ Doris out of ICU
PHUKET: Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned “DJ Doris” on Phuket Island Radio 91.5FM, is out of intensive care and recovering at Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Mr Norris suffered a head injury in what is believed to have been a motorbike accident in Patong early Saturday morning. He was rushed to Patong Hospital by rescue workers. However, he remained unconscious and was transferred…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Putin, Obama face off over Syria at G8; Italy flooded with refugees; Brazil unrest swells; NK negotiator to talk in China
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community European, U.S. leaders launch free-trade talks Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The United States and the European Union launched negotiations for the world’s most ambitious free-trade deal on Monday, promising thousands of new jobs and accelerated growth on both sides of the Atlantic.Trade between Europe and the United…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Insurgent suspect testifies; 5 hurt as Army helicopter ditches; Bangkok dengue; Supercar duo called to surrender
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suspect names leaders behind bombings, murders and van heist in South: official The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A suspected insurgent now in custody, Sakariya Tohtayong, has implicated alleged masterminds of the movement behind unrest in the deep South, a senior official said yesterday.Sakariya gave useful testimony that…
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Police continue search for missing Rohingya children
PHUKET: Police continue to search for the missing 22 Rohingya children who have run away from the Phuket Shelter for Children and Families on Koh Sireh. The children have been missing since early April, says Phuket City Police Chief Sermphan Sirikong. “I have notified the investigation team, and from time to time we patrol Muslim areas to look for them…
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PHUKET VIDEO REPORT: Infamous Black Hole of Patong may not be fixed for weeks
PHUKET: After two motorbikes plunged into a giant pothole in the back streets of Patong early yesterday morning, Phuket authorities say they will not be able to start fixing the road until at least next week. A video posted on YouTube shows a foreigner having to dive into the huge puddle – measuring at least two meters deep, several meters…
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Phuket python chokes the chicken
PHUKET: A three-meter python was found choking a Phuket resident’s chicken late last night. “I was asleep in the house when I was awoken by the sound of a chicken,” said the owner of the fowl, Pairoj Denmalai. “I came outside to find a large python strangling one of my chickens, and immediately contacted Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers,” he said.…
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V-Phuket braves wild weather to stage anti-government protest
PHUKET: Hundreds of V-Phuket protesters, wearing their iconic Guy Fawkes masks, braved the strong wind and lashing rain in Phuket Town yesterday afternoon to continue their protest against the Pheu Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The rally in Phuket was held in concert with other “V for Thailand” protests in at least 22 provinces, as well as in…
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Cape Panwa Hotel to host Phuket Raceweek
PHUKET: THE 2013 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek – presented by Mount Gay Rum – celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a strong fleet of boats and international crews taking part from July 17-21 at the five-star Cape Panwa Hotel. The luxurious Cape Panwa Hotel is an ideal regatta venue with its established international reputation, private beach and pier, and spectacular…
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Iraqi wrestling coach dies of heart attack in Phuket
PHUKET: A coach with the Iraqi wrestling team in Phuket for the Asian Junior Wrestling Championships died of a heart attack on Saturday night while returning from a night out on Phuket’s renowned Soi Bangla. Kadee Abes, 44, from Iraq, was pronounced dead at 1:28am yesterday, Dr Patrinee Thammasrisawat of Patong Hospital told the Phuket Gazette. “We tried for about…
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Phuket tourist safety gets 300 CCTV camera boost in Patong
PHUKET: The push by Phuket authorities to increase tourist safety across the island has received a much welcome boost with Patong CCTV control rooms now up and running. The new system, launched as part of the Patong Safety Zone initiative (story here), displays footage from 32 high-quality police CCTV cameras and 300 private CCTV systems at three central locations, Patong…
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