News

French expat rescued off Phuket, jet-ski and parasail ban remains in force today

Published

10 months ago

June 20, 2018

French expat rescued off Phuket, jet-ski and parasail ban remains in force today | The Thaiger

A French expat on a dinghy has been rescued in Ao Yon, Wichit yesterday (June 19) while the Phuket Marine Office has announced that jet-skis and parasails will remain beached until today (June 20).

Maj Eakkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police was notified at 1.30pm yesterday that a French man, 78 year old Claude Gasca, had been rescued off the coast of Cape Panwa.

Maj Eakkachai says, “Mr Gasca disappeared after took off from Chalong Pier on a dinghy on Monday (June 18) night heading to his sailboat name ‘Striana’ which was moored off Ao Yon beach. “

“Yesterday (June 19) his Thai wife, Montatip Tongkhao, said she was unable to contact him. So she called the police. The search was lunched by the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command (NAC3).”

“At 5.30pm yesterday, we were notified that Mr Gasca had been found safe by a friend and taken back to Chalong Pier. He was taken to the Mission Hospital as he was very weak.”

“Mr Gasca told us that after he had retired, he lived in Phuket with his Thai wife. Every day he travels in his dinghy to his sailboat in the sea. On Monday night there were very strong winds and waves. The dinghy was washed ashore and got stuck in a mangrove forest.”

“His friend, who was on another boat, had rescued him. His mobile phone was soaking with water. So he cannot contact his wife.”

The chief of the Phuket Marine Office has ordered authorities at all ports and piers, as well as the boat operators, to be careful heading out to sea, including today (June 20).

South

SUV catches fire sitting in Trang’s hot sun

Published

2 hours ago

April 23, 2019

The Thaiger

PHOTOS: Earn Benjakun

A SUV has caught fire while it was parked in the hot southern sun in Trang over the weekend.

Fire fighters in Trang were notified of the burning SUV in Yan Ta Khao District in Trang at 2pm on Sunday.

Fire fighters arrived to find the SUV ablaze. It took about 15 minutes to control the fire.

The SUV owner, 35 years old Tanchanok Sasri, says that she has parked the SUV outside her home for about two hours under the hot midday sun. A neighbour alerted the woman that her SUV had caught fire.

Tanchanok says she also lost 200,000 baht cash which was left inside the SUV.

Investigators are trying to find the cause of the original ignition of the fire that destroyed the black SUV.

SUV catches fire sitting in Trang's hot sun | News by The Thaiger

Koh Samui

Massive fire at Koh Samui incinerator – VIDEO

Published

3 hours ago

April 23, 2019

The Thaiger

PHOTOS/VIDEO: The Government Public Relation Department Region 5

An incinerator caught fire on Koh Samui, off the coast of Surat Thani last night.

“That’s what incinerators are meant to do,” we hear you cry. But this one was totally out of control destroying the entire structure.

The Government Public Relation Department Region 5 reports that the fire started at the incinerator at 6pm last night. The fire spread across the facility, an area of 50 x 100 metres.

Seven fire units along with five water trucks arrived at the scene. Fire fighters took about four hours to get the fire under control.

Surat Thani Governor Wichawut Jintoe inspected the scene last night. No deaths or injuries were reported.

At this stage it is believed that the fire might have started from a combination of hot weather, festering garbage and the strong winds.

Forensic Police are on location today to investigate the cause of the big fire.

Massive fire at Koh Samui incinerator - VIDEO | News by The Thaiger

Phuket

Phuket’s ‘seastead’ is now a sad ‘homestead’ back on shore – VIDEO

Published

3 hours ago

April 23, 2019

Kritsada Mueanhawong

Phuket’s ‘seastead’ is now a sad ‘homestead’ back on shore – VIDEO | The Thaiger

The Phuket seastead removal operation was a success yesterday, according to the Royal Thai Navy. The controversial seastead structure is now under guard at the Port of Thailand. The Royal Thai Navy says they are confident with the evidence they have for any litigation that may follow the removal of the structure from its offshore home, some 22 kilometres off the coast of Phuket.

About 300 navy officers were involved in the process removing the structure from the south east coast of the island yesterday morning.

Read more about yesterday’s pack-up and removal operation HERE.

The seastead finally arrived at the Phuket Deep Sea Port in Cape Panwa at about 10pm last night.

The Royal Thai Navy says they are not afraid of being sued over their actions.

The Ocean Builders Company has foreshadowed legal action over the Thai Government and Navy’s actions in relation to the seastead which was proposed to be the first of many similar structures for an offshore colony.

Read more about proposed legal action from Ocean Builders HERE.

PHUKETThe Royal Thai Navy today separated the 'seastead' structure from its pylon and floating pontoon today for its new home back at the Port of Phuket in Cape Panwa where it will be held as evidence in whatever legal proceedings which are to follow.VIDEO: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Posted by The Thaiger on Monday, April 22, 2019

Phuket's 'seastead' is now a sad 'homestead' back on shore - VIDEO | News by The Thaiger