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.
-
Phuket Gazette World News: U.S. spy chief questions whether Russia behind Snowden leaks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. lawmaker investigates whether Russia behind Snowden’s leaks Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The head of the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee said on Sunday he is investigating whether former spy agency contractor Edward Snowden had help from Russia in stealing and revealing U.S. government secrets.“I believe…
-
Phuket Gazette World News: Protesters clash with police at large Ukraine rally
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Protesters clash with police at large Ukraine rally Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Protesters attacked riot police with sticks in Kiev on Sunday and tried to overturn a bus blocking their path to parliament, as up to 100,000 Ukrainians massed in defiance of sweeping new laws aimed at…
-
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Second grenade attack in Bangkok injures 28; Agitators blamed for Friday blast; Rice farmers warn of final showdown
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Second grenade attack The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Some 28 people, including a number of anti-government protesters, were wounded yesterday afternoon when two grenades were thrown at a rally site at Victory Monument.Seven victims sustained serious injuries and were receiving treatment at four hospitals. One of the…
-
Phuket wife grieves death of Bangkok bomb victim
PHUKET: Tippayao Choochan, the grief-stricken wife of the Phuket taxi driver who died in the Bangkok bombing (story here), spoke with reporters this morning. “This was the fourth time Prakong attended the protests in Bangkok. Every time Suthep called for people to come, he joined them,” Mrs Tippayao said. “My husband desperately wanted the right things for the political system…
-
Second unidentified body recovered in Phuket in two days
PHUKET: A second unidentified body was found floating in the sea off Rassada this week. Unlike in the first case being investigated by police (story here), there were no signs of violence on the body recovered at Por Pichainawa fishing pier yesterday afternoon. “It looked like the man, who was probably 30-35 years old and 170cm tall, died about 24…
-
Phuket Poll: How to stop Patong Hill carnage?
PHUKET: Two people crushed to death by a runaway bus in December is only the most recent disaster on the notorious Patong Hill road (story here). In response, Phuket officials are scrambling to find solutions to stop the carnage (story here). To this, the Phuket Gazette asks our readers in our latest online poll: “What is the best way to…
-
Phuket’s 250-million-baht provincial mosque to be built in forest reserve
PHUKET: Land within a forest reserve was approved this week for the construction of the 250-million-baht Phuket provincial mosque complex in Thalang. On January 15, Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut signed off on the use of over nine rai of the Pa Bang Khanun Forest Reserve near the Thalang Technical College. “Our budget was approved by Cabinet last year, and we…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Police pounce on pot peddler in Phuket
PHUKET: Police arrested a Myanmar national yesterday morning for selling marijuana at the Phuket Fishing Port in Koh Sirey. Min Min, 38, was caught with 295 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and 980 baht in cash by officers from the Region 8 Police Crime Suppression Division.“Undercover officers tipped us off, so we staked out the port,” Maj Roongsak Maichandee said.“We…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Phuket Police attempt to identify dumped body
PHUKET: The body of a man who had been violently assaulted was retrieved from the water near Chokpanuchit fish processing plant in Rassada yesterday afternoon.“We think he was attacked about 24 hours earlier and then dumped from a fishing vessel,” said Lt Col Chaleaw Taihoo of the Phuket City Police.The man was about 165-170 meters tall. There was a stab…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: PM Yingluck faces corruption probe over rice scheme; EC urges to delay polls; Navy personnel caught armed amid protests
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community PM being probed in fake G2G rice deal The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: In another blow to embattled caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the anti-graft agency yesterday decided to investigate her in connection with the alleged irregularities in the government’s controversial rice pledging scheme.The fact-finding committee of…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.…
-
Phuket Airport Terminal X on target to open in February
PHUKET: The new terminal at Phuket International Airport is on track to open on February 5, boosting the capacity of the island’s critical tourism portal by 4,000 people per hour.Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut announced the news yesterday during an inspection of the new facility, currently called “Terminal X”.“The actual construction of the terminal is finished. There is only cleaning up…
-
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?…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Phuket Gazette World News: Egypt voters overwhelmingly back constitution, say officials
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Egypt voters overwhelmingly back constitution, say officials Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Egyptians who voted in a referendum overwhelmingly approved a new constitution, official sources said, citing early results of a ballot that could set the stage for army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to declare his candidacy…
-
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…
-
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,…
-
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…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.