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.
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The Thaiger key takeaways Valid passport, visa documents, health certificate, and vaccination records are essential for immigration and medical care in Thailand. Health insurance that meets visa requirements, like Cigna, provides protection, direct billing, and access to a wide hospital...
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Phuket Immigration not demanding social media account details – yet
PHUKET: Immigration forms asking foreigners to detail their regular hangouts, social media accounts, bank accounts and other personal information are not being used in Phuket, according to a source in the local provincial Immigration office. “The form is only being used in Bangkok, at least until further notice,” the local Immigration officer told Phuket Gazette on condition of anonymity today.…
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Baba Museum artwork to be removed amid outcry
PHUKET: A controversial mural painted on the wall of the Phuket Baba Museum will be removed by the artist following a public outcry. Painted on one of the city’s most historic buildings, the ‘Three-Eyed Kid’ garnered mixed public opinions since its unveiling on April 10. Through social media, residents criticized the artwork’s placement at what was formerly the Standard Chartered…
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Video is the future of digital ads
PHUKET: Digital ad spend is projected to be 9.9 billion baht this year, up almost 25 per cent from last year as a direct result of advertisers shifting from traditional media like print and television to digital media and online marketing. This is believed to be partly because of the cheaper cost of digital advertising and partly because it’s much…
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Former Thai PM Banharn Silpa-archa passes away
THAILAND: Former Prime Minister of Thailand Banharn Silpa-archa died at the age of 83, following an asthma attack last week. The Chart Thai Pattana patriarch passed away peacefully in the early hours yesterday, after two days of treatment at Siriraj Hospital. Mr Banharn was born on August 19, 1932 in Suphan Buri Province as the fourth of six children of…
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Phuket orangutan in critical condition
PHUKET: An orangutan recently confiscated from Phuket Zoo is in critical condition. The beloved 13-year-old orangutan Milo was moved from the Phang Nga Wildlife Nursery Station to the intensive care unit of the Pasupalun Livestock & Wildlife Hospital in Kanchana Buri on Thursday. “Initial tests have shown that her red blood cell count is very low. She also has vitamin…
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Military summons Phuket sea gypsies, activists over land dispute
PHUKET: A total of twelve sea gypsies and human rights activists have been summoned by the 41st Military Circle for questioning about an on-going land dispute between Baron World Trade Company and a sea gypsy community in Rawai. An official letter, issued on April 20, was sent to Rawai sea gypsy community leader Ngeem Damrongkaset. It summoned nine sea gypsies…
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Bangladesh Bank exposed to hackers by cheap switches, no firewall
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bangladesh Bank exposed to hackers by cheap switches, no firewall Phuket Gazette / Reuters DHAKA: Bangladesh’s central bank was vulnerable to hackers because it did not have a firewall and used second-hand, $10 switches to network computers connected to the SWIFT global payment network, an investigator…
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Island View: Treacherous Thais? I don’t think so.
PHUKET: Thailand is to Asia what Vegas is to America, or at least it’s thought to be. The sin-capital of Asia where ‘anything goes’, or at least that’s what I was told. When I first decided to visit Phuket, it set off alarm bells for everyone around me. I received calls from friends and family members who I hadn’t heard…
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Tourists escape another Phuket bus fire
PHUKET: A group of Chinese tourists narrowly escaped serious injury after fleeing a burning tour bus in Karon yesterday. “The driver was en route from the airport to Patong via Karon at about 5:30pm. After spotting thick, black smoke emanating from the back of the bus, the driver stopped and evacuated the 24 tourists,” said Lt Col Sathid Noorit of…
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Phuket Lifeguard Club signs B22mn contract ahead of monsoon season
PHUKET: The Phuket Lifeguard Club (PLC) renewed its contract last month, extending the island’s life-saving services through the southwest monsoon season, when the waters are most tempestuous. PLC President Prathaiyut Chuayuan told the Phuket Gazette that the 22-million-baht contract with the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) will end in 10 months, on January 20 next year. “The budget for our…
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Ministry of Farang Affairs: Finding a wife in Thailand
The Ministry of Farang Affairs is a one-stop shop where foreigners in Thailand can learn all they need to know about living here. No, we’re not talking about work permits, visas or taxes. We’re talking about day-to-day life in the Land of Endless Shocks and Riddles, of Blur, Befuddlement and the Bizarre. Stay tuned for weekly insights from Minister Stephff.…
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One tonne of dead fish found in Phuket park
PHUKET: A large number of fish and shrimp have died in a pond in Suan Luang Park in Phuket Town from either a rise in temperature or polluted water, confirmed officials. “The local community around the park has complained about the dead fish,” said Phuket City Deputy Mayor Thavorn Jirapattanasophon. “About one tonne of dead fish have been found since…
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Opinion: Will clubbing Phuket’s beach venues prove to have been worth it?
PHUKET: The demolition of the government-built buildings along Surin’s beachfront, which once housed a number of iconic Phuket beach clubs, marks the end of an era on the island. Unlike numerous other beach venues that have been demolished since the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) started to sweep opportunistic, mafia-style business ventures from Phuket’s sands, tearing down these…
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Must stamp out illegal migrant camps, says Phuket V/Gov
PHUKET: Local officials must prevent illegal migrant camps from popping up along construction sites throughout the province, Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul said on Tuesday. “Foreign workers build their shacks in and around local communities. They live in unhygienic conditions that spread disease, and indulge in the illegal trade of vegetables, fish and drugs,” said Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul. The…
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Excuse Buster: The hidden health dangers of fungi
PHUKET: “It is ironic that this humble fungus, hailed as a benefactor of mankind, may by its very success prove to be a deciding factor in the decline of the present civilization”, said Dr John I Pitt, in The Genus Penicillin, 1979. ‘Antibiotics save lives.’ But has our overuse of antibiotics for killing bacteria contributed to creating a dangerous internal…
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Another Electrician killed, while tampering with a kitchen fan
PHUKET: An electrician was electrocuted and died while installing an exhaust fan in a Kathu house this afternoon. “We received a report around midday that a man was seriously injured from an electric shock in Moo Baan Sinthong Thani,” Lt Sawanya Eiadtrong of the Thung Thong Police said. “We found him lying on the ground in the kitchen, pale-faced and…
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Video Report: Portraits of Princess on show in Phuket Town
PHUKET: An exclusive collection of portrait photographs of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is on display at two exhibition venues in Phuket Town throughout April. Photographs by esteemed national artist Nitikorn Kraivixien, who is the president of The Royal Photographic Society of Thailand, are on show at the Baba Museum (Peranakan Nitat) and the On-On Hotel on Phang…
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Video report: New demolition plan brings Surin businesses to the ground
PHUKET: A number of iconic beach clubs on Phuket were crushed during the demolition of the shop houses along the Surin Beach boardwalk yesterday (story here). “We are not ruining Surin Beach; we are returning it back to the unobstructed, beautiful beach it once was,” Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat insisted, attempting to explain to a group of stunned tourists…
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Songkran crime sweep nets hundreds of suspects
PHUKET: More than 1,500 arrests related to drug, illegal firearms, gambling and other criminal activities were made in Phuket and the surrounding provinces between April 1 and 17. “In the raids, a total of 171 suspects were arrested for firearms offences. A total of 165 unregistered guns were seized along with 750 rounds of ammunition, as well as two bombs…
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Tickle your tastebuds at Saphan Hin
PHUKET: More than 100 food stalls are cooking up delectable local delicacies for the 18th annual ‘Phuket Good Taste Food Festival’ at Saphan Hin until April 26. “Food aficionados can tuck in to a fantastic range of culinary creations by the first generation of Phuket food vendors, who have been making mouth-watering dishes for more than 30 years,” said the…
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Thai police say 15 bomb suspects at large as two appear in court
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai police say 15 bomb suspects at large as two appear in court Phuket Gazette / Reuters BANGKOK: Thai police cannot find 15 suspects in connection with a bomb at a shrine in Bangkok last year that killed 20 people, an officer said on Wednesday, as…
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Belgium says seen signs that IS has sent more fighters to Europe
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Belgium says seen signs that IS has sent more fighters to Europe Phuket Gazette / Reuters BRUSSELS: There are signs that more Islamic State inspired militants have been sent to Belgium and Europe, Belgian authorities said on Tuesday, maintaining the country’s threat status at the second-highest…
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Phuket man injured in drive-by shooting
PHUKET: One man was injured in a drive-by shooting in Srisoonthorn yesterday. “Weerachart Laloy, 20, was shot twice on his left hip at about 6pm,” said Lt Suporn Muangkai of the Thalang Police. Mr Weerachart was riding pillion behind his friend Nattapong Kerdthai at the time of the attack. Mr Nattapong rushed him to the emergency room at Thalang Hospital.…
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Police suspect arson in Phuket speedboat blaze
PHUKET: Police suspect arson may be the motive behind a fire that engulfed five speedboats at Chalong Pier yesterday (story here). Forensic officers believe the fire started on the middle of the row of boats, quickly spreading to those around it. The boats were removed from the scene for further examination. “There are two possible scenarios. Either someone set the…
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Phuket bomb squad called to Daorung Intersection
PHUKET: A bomb disposal squad was called on to deal with an abandoned suitcase at the Daorung Intersection in Wichit this afternoon. Passing motorists, fearing that the lone suitcase lying in the road might be a bomb, took snapshots, which quickly went viral on social media. “Luckily, the case was empty,” said Lt Prachpong Keawkamjan, head of the Phuket Provincial…
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‘Fire jellyfish’ invade islands in Krabi
KRABI: National Park officials yesterday erected signs warning visitors of venomous jellyfish at Koh Hong, Koh Lao Lading and Koh Pak Bia after thousands of purple-colored jellies appeared in the water off the islands in Krabi. “The signs are in English and Thai. They have been put up to warn the public about the venomous jellyfish,” said Jampen Pormpakdee, chief…
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Patong Bay water sent to Bangkok for testing
PHUKET: Officials have recently collected samples of water in Patong Bay and sent them to Bangkok to determine whether it is pollution or algae that has caused the sea water to turn brown. Akkarawat Hirunphun, an environmental specialist in the Phuket-based Regional Environmental Office, and his staff inspected the green-brown water along the Patong coast (story here) for contamination. “We…
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Jerusalem bus bomb wounds 16, Netanyahu hints at Palestinian link
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Jerusalem bus bomb wounds 16, Netanyahu hints at Palestinian link Phuket Gazette / Reuters JERUSALEM: A bomb blew up a bus and set fire to another in Jerusalem on Monday, wounding 16 people in an attack that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linked to a six-month-old…
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Officials mull big bike licence
PHUKET: A specific driver’s licence for those wanting to mount a big bike is still in the works, officials told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. “I know that there are ongoing discussions about the possibility of creating a separate driver’s licence for motorcycles with engines that are at least 400cc,” said Jaturong Kaewkasi, chief policy adviser at the Phuket Land Transport…
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Major steel producers fail to reach deal on overcapacity, U.S. chides China
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Major steel producers fail to reach deal on overcapacity, U.S. chides China Phuket Gazette / Reuters BRUSSELS/BEIJING: China and other major steel-producing countries failed to agree measures to tackle a global steel crisis as the sides argued over the causes of overcapacity, prompting U.S. criticism of…
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