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 motorists in three death-defying accidents in one day
PHUKET: With the tourism high season fast approaching and Phuket’s roads about to become much busier, several Phuket motorists managed to escape death in three separate serious accidents all occurring within 18 hours. The most recent was a collision between a tour van and a six-wheeled dirt truck on the Patong-Kamala road at about 11:30am today. Capt Jakkapong Luang-aon of…
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Krabi Police reject YouTube rapist bail blame
PHUKET: The Krabi Provincial Police will post a YouTube video in response to the “Evil man in Krabi” music video that has caused a furore in Phuket’s sister tourism province across Phang Nga Bay. The news was announced at a press conference yesterday called by Krabi Governor Prasit Osathanon to answer publicly what action has been taken in the case.…
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Phuket Sports: Breaking free from the fear of choking
PHUKET: It’s been an eventful few weeks with Sumitra “Dear” Basnyat winning the inaugural Sugarpova contest and playing events in Bahrain and Bangkok. Sumitra concluded a major change with her equipment sponsor, which means for the next critical phase of her career we will be using and promoting Pacific racquets/grips and strings. Maria Sharapova launched her Sugarpova candy brand a…
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Phuket Sailing: Youth sailing club
PHUKET: It was a slow start to the day as sailors were greeted with blue skies and no wind. The morning was spent under the guidance of Akapoj Kankeaw (Tik) and Teerapong Tokratoak (Nu), both previous winners of the Phuket King’s Cup Optimist Regatta 2011, on racing tactics and boat tuning. After lunch, a steady breeze picked up, which provided…
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Phuket Sports: English Premier League review and look ahead
PHUKET: Robin Van Persie scored his 10th league goal of the season against his former team, Arsenal, to help send Manchester United on their way to a comfortable 2-1 win. On this showing, Arsenal have a long way to go if they want to be taken seriously as title contenders. The sending off of Jack Wilshere for two yellow cards…
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Phuket incinerator struggling to cope with landfill, rising tide of trash
PHUKET: Phuket’s main landfill site on the outskirts of Phuket Town is a long way from disappearing, despite the new 960-million-baht incinerator working at near-capacity of 700 tons of trash a day. Prachum Suriya, chief of the Phuket City Municipality Environment Office, confirmed to the Phuket Gazette on Wednesday that the landfill site is “100 per cent full”. Earlier in…
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World News: Syria – Millions in need of aid as winter sets in
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thousands flee Syria in exodus, millions more in need of aid Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Thousands of Syrians fled their country yesterday in one of the biggest refugee exoduses of the 20-month civil war after rebels seized a border town, and the United Nations warned that…
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Brazil Ambassador announces Honorary Consul for Phuket
PHUKET: Brazilian Ambassador Paulo Cesar Meira de Vasconcellos was in Phuket this week to install Jiratha Thavornwongwong as the Brazilian Honorary Consul for Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.At the Kata Beach Resort and Spa on Thursday, Ambassador Meira de Vasconcellos was joined by Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut, Phuket Senator Thanyarat Achariyachai and host of other Phuket dignitaries. “I am very…
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Phuket Opinion: Let crime take center stage
PHUKET: Having an apprehended bank robber give advice on how to keep banks safe from similar armed felons was just one of the interesting developments regarding “financial security” in Phuket this week. Confessed bank robber Anusit Kaewmookda suggested that each bank branch have a security guard on duty to deter robbers. Despite Mr Anusit’s good intentions with such advice, the…
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International Cricket: Rain delays start of Aussie test
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World sporting news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Rain delays start in Australia-South Africa test Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Heavy rain at the Gabba prevented the second day of the first test between Australia and South Africa from getting underway today.South Africa had reached 255 for two in their first innings with Hashim Amla…
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Krabi Tourism chief blames police rape case cover-up for tourism backlash
PHUKET: The president of the Krabi Tourism Association has criticized the police for their handling of a rape case, accusing the local authorities of a failed cover-up that has now backfired and is costing local resorts lost revenues through booking cancellations by tourists.The news follows the posting online of a YouTube music video called “Evil man from Krabi”. The video,…
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Phuket hoteliers claim Paris Hilton party sparks B8mn in room cancellations
PHUKET: The hoteliers of eight resorts who have appealed to the Phuket Governor to not approve the huge Sydictive new year party at Surin Beach have claimed that just the announcement of the event by global celebrity Paris Hilton has already cost the resorts 8 million baht in room cancellations. Among the hoteliers chief concerns are the level of noise…
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Phuket-based hotel booking site sells for US$25mn
PHUKET: Blair Speers, founder of the Phuket-based hotel booking website HotelTravel.com, sold the company to Indian online travel agency (OTA) MakeMyTrip.com for US$25 million (over 760mn baht).Mr Speers, a resident of Phuket for the past 20 years, founded HotelTravel.com in 1999.MakeMyTrip.com reportedly paid US$15mn in both cash and shares upfront, with the remaining US$10mn to be paid in MakeMyTrip shares…
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New generation of rescue workers train up for marine incidents
PHUKET: A new generation of rescue workers and Phuket Marine Police received necessary training in marine search and rescue as part of their adaptation to the growing number of water related deaths on the island, said the Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation President.Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation workers, who are more normally associated with the grisly business of saving lives on the roads, spent…
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Baby elephant DNA results finally revealed
PHUKET: After months of silence, the DNA results needed to determine the legality of three baby elephants seized in raids on Phuket in February have been released for two of the three young pachyderms, while one’s fate is still undetermined. The DNA results for the baby elephant seized from the Phu Thai Souvenir Market in Chalong proved that it was…
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FIFA Futsal World Cup: Thai fans keeping fingers crossed for Serbia/Russia win
PHUKET: With the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 preparing for its final four matches of the group stage tonight, local fans will be closely monitoring the results, which will have an impact on the fate of the Thailand national squad. Despite losing two of its three Group A matches, this year’s hosts, Thailand, may still advance to the second round…
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Retired Swedish expat found hanged at Phuket shopping mall
PHUKET: Staff arrived at the HomePro Village in Chalong this morning to find a retired Swedish expat hanged from a drainpipe at the back of the complex. Sub Lt Kraisorn Boonprasob of the Chalong Police told the Phuket Gazette that he was notified of the discovery at 7:30am. “When we arrived, the wife of the man was already at the…
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World Sports: Update of action and news from across the globe
PHUKET: A round-up of the latest news from the world of sport for Phuket’s international community. Football – European footballInter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen cruised into the Europa League knockout stage with emphatic wins last night, but holders Atletico Madrid and former winners Liverpool suffered surprise defeats. Russia’s Rubin Kazan, Olympique Lyon, Hanover 96 and Metalist Kharkiv joined Bayer and…
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Thailand News: Landmark visit by Obama to Myanmar part of Southeast Asia tour
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama to make landmark visit to Myanmar Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: President Barack Obama later this month will become the first US leader to visit Myanmar, marking the strongest international endorsement so far, of the fragile democratic transition in the once-isolated Southeast Asian country, after…
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World News: Formal warning to Tehran for attack on drone
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Iranian warplanes fired on U.S. drone over Gulf – Pentagon Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Iranian warplanes fired at an unarmed U.S. drone in international airspace last week but did not hit the aircraft, the Pentagon said yesterday, disclosing details of an unprecedented incident that triggered…
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Phuket youth crime blitz nets 220 arrests for weapons, drugs charges
PHUKET: In a 12-day blitz on youth crime in Phuket Town, Phuket City Police arrested 220 people on drugs and weapons charges – and six youths for attempted murder after being caught in two separate gang sword fights at Saphan Hin.Phuket City Police chief Col Sermphan Sirikong told the Phuket Gazette today that the campaign began on October 25 and…
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Phuket Sport: Jones Lang LaSalle Cricket league launched
PHUKET: The Jones Lang LaSalle Cricket League was launched last Sunday, complementing a fun family day at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG). Teams with players representing the Southern and Northern hemispheres, as well as the Subcontinent vied for the inaugural 10 over tri-series crown. The first match of the round robin structured tourney set the pace for the day, with…
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Phuket Sport PSS Academy host local tournament
PHUKET: The Phuket Soccer Schools (PSS) Academy Program welcomed Kajonkiet FC, Bang Jo and a Thalang team to Thanyaura Sports and Leisure Club for a three-team training tournament on Saturday. The PSS Under-8 team played two matches against Bang Jo. In the first game, the U8s went 1-0 up with a goal by Daniel C, but were pegged back by…
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Phuket Andaman Culture Festival deferred until December
PHUKET: The deputy chief of the Phuket Provincial Public Relations Department Sophon Kiemkarn today confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that the Andaman Culture Festival, which was due to start tomorrow, has been postponed until December. “We have yet to be informed of the exact dates when the festival will be held,” Mr Sophon told the Gazette. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck…
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Futsal World Cup: Thailand may still qualify for second round despite losing
PHUKET: Despite losing two of their group stage matches, hosts of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012, Thailand, still have a chance to make history by advancing to the second round of the prestigious tournament. If Thailand does advance, it would be the first time in its four appearances. Going into the match last with a world ranking of 13,…
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Governor urges prompt completion of Phuket mangrove flyover
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut yesterday urged officials to complete the Klong Koh Pee flyover, which will traverse 600 meters of protected mangrove forest on the border of Phuket Town, as quickly as possible.During an inspection visit to the site at Saphan Hin, officials told Governor Maitri that Cabinet had approved a budget of 170-million-baht for the project and that…
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Phuket Sports: IronKids by the kids
PHUKET: In the build up to IronKids 2012 on December 1, the Phuket Gazette interviewed six participants who will be featured throughout November. The first IronKid is 13-year-old Malaysian, Zoe Bowden. Phuket Gazette:Why are you competing in the IronKids competition?Zoe Bowden: To meet new people, to learn from others and also to have some exposure.Every time you go for a…
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Phuket Sports: BIS football tourney kicks-off tomorrow
PHUKET: British International School (BIS) Phuket opens its gates to the local and international community tomorrow, hosting for the eleventh year, the BIS Phuket International 7-a-side Football Tournament. Mr Rex Grey, event organizer and athletic director at BIS Phuket says: “We know from previous tournaments that competition will be keen, but first and foremost there is always good sportsmanship. We…
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World Sports: Man Utd through; Celtic hold-up Barca
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World sporting news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Barca stunned by Celtic as United reach last 16 Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Barcelona wasted their first chance to reach the Champions League last 16 after a surprise defeat by Celtic but Manchester United edged through and six-goal Bayern Munich rocketed closer to progression…
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World News: Turkey to ask for Patriot missiles; Britian hardens stance on Syria
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Turkey to ask NATO for Patriot missiles – report Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Turkey will imminently lodge an official request with NATO asking the military alliance to deploy Patriot missiles along its border with Syria to guard against violence spilling over, a senior Turkish foreign…
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