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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Kwanchai shooting political, say police; Protests spread, unfazed by emergency decree
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Political motive suspected in shooting of red-shirt leader Kwanchai The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Police suspect politics was the motive for the shooting attack that injured top red-shirt hard-liner Kwanchai Praipana in his home province of Udon Thani yesterday.Kwanchai, a local radio presenter, has played an active…
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Justice slow to arrive in Phuket child rape cases
PHUKET: Not one of the four men charged with child rape in Phuket over the past 16 months has been acquitted or found guilty of the heinous crime. One suspect, a Laotian accused of repeatedly raping his handicapped stepdaughter, fled the country and has not been captured. Of the three men arrested, two are still waiting for their trials to…
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Officials admit bus ban on Patong Hill not best solution
PHUKET: Officials will go ahead with a trial one-month ban on all buses and trucks travelling over the hills from Thung Thong into Patong starting next month, despite consensus among all major stakeholders that the ban is likely to result in more accidents on the west coast roads (story here). “Stopping them from using the hill road to enter Patong…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Obama, Putin unite for Olympics security
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama, Putin discuss Olympics security in call Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed in a phone call on Tuesday how best to have a “safe and secure” Winter Olympics in Sochi, the White House said.Amid rising concerns about threats from…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Military sidelined as Bangkok security locked down
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community City put under state of emergency for 60 days The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The caretaker Cabinet yesterday imposed an emergency decree covering the capital and its outskirts for 60 days. This will give officials more power to handle the anti-government protest, which it claims has been…
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Emotions run high at Phuket protest hero’s funeral
PHUKET: Hundreds of people turned out today to join the Choochan family in mourning the death of Phuket taxi driver Prakong Choochan. Mr Prakong,46, died on Saturday from injuries sustained when an explosive device was thrown at protesters during a street march in Bangkok on Friday (story here). His body was escorted home from Bangkok last night, and arrived in…
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Legal Central Festival Phuket taxi co-op looks to boost service quality
PHUKET: The taxi co-operative serving Central Festival Phuket announced its legality today and is looking to roll out several projects to boost its service quality. Last year, Central Festival Phuket wrangled the right to manage the group once it was legally formed. However, Central Festival Phuket Operations Division Manager Preecha Ritthiratree handed the responsibility back to Taxi Andaman Phuket Limited…
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Phuket park chief still sour over missing morning glory
PHUKET: Officers vowed to continue their investigation into a luxury resort that allegedly cleared swaths of sea morning glory from the beach as part of a beautification project, although the hotel has already replaced the plants. “We will not withdraw the complaint against the Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa, as doing so would signify that we are ignoring our…
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Southern stars to headline Phuket’s Wat Chalong Fair
PHUKET: Famed Southern Thai singers and artists including top-billing performer Bow Wee will headline at the annual Wat Chalong Fair, which starts on January 30.Other stars performing at the seven-day event include Thai country music (luk-thung) singers Det Issara, Luang Kai, Tai Orathai and Ekachai Sriwichai.“Everyone is welcome to join the fun. There will be a lot of food, entertainment,…
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Video Report: Body of Phuket protest victim receives hero’s welcome
PHUKET: The body of Prakong Choochan, who died from injuries sustained when an explosive device was thrown at anti-government protesters in Bangkok, was welcomed home to Phuket by over 100 people lining Thepkrasattri Road this morning. The crowd waved Thai flags and blew whistles as his caravan passed by. “The body left Bangkok at about 9pm last night, escorted by…
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Phuket Court denies bail for Garry Halpin, former Tourist Police Volunteer
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Court denied bail for long-term expat and former Tourist Police Volunteer Garry Halpin, who is being held at Phuket Provincial Prison. “Mr Halpin was denied bail by the court and had also been denied bail by the Chalong Police on December 16,” said Chalong Police Deputy Superintendent Jumroon Plaidoung. Police are waiting for drug test results…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Militant Islamist video threatens Winter Olympics
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Militant Islamist video threatens Winter Olympics Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Two men said by Islamist militants to have carried out suicide attacks in south Russia appeared in a video donning explosive belts and warning Vladimir Putin to expect a “present” at the Sochi Winter Olympics from fighters…
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Phuket Gazette World News: U.N. chief Ban withdraws Iran invite for Syria peace talks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.N. chief Ban disinvites Iran from Syria peace talks Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon withdrew a last-minute invitation to Iran to attend peace talks on Syria on Monday after the Syrian opposition threatened to boycott this week’s conference if President Bashar al-Assad’s main sponsor…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Army-police rift widens; Yingluck ponders martial law; Rice farmers join PDRC; Rhino horn for Hanoi bagged
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Army-police rift widens The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Rifts between the police and the military appeared to be widening yesterday, as the Army commander in chief asked the national police chief to speed up investigation into recent attacks and a senior naval commander threatened to sue the…
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Phuket’s “invisible moorings’ sink B10mn luxury cruiser
PHUKET: The luxury charter cruise boat Lady Andaman sank after striking a concrete mooring in the approach channel to Chalong Pier late yesterday afternoon.The mooring punched a hole in the hull of the Phuket motor yacht as it was returning from Coral Island with 32 tourists on board, explained Australian boat owner “Sando”, who declined to be named in full.“It…
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Phuket police chase ends in fiery crash, suspects flee without handgun
PHUKET: A police chase ended in flames yesterday after two men blew through a Phuket City Police checkpoint.Officers pursued the suspects’ silver Honda Civic until the driver took a sharp turn into Soi Nimit 1 in Phuket Town and crashed into the side of a house. The men managed to escape the vehicle after an engine fire erupted, explained Lt…
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Qatar Airways launches three day sale for Phuket international flights
PHUKET: From today until Wednesday, January 22, Qatar Airways is offering some irresistible deals on international flights this year, with round trip fares on offer for as low as 1,700 baht!For these three days only, as part of its “New Year, New Journey three day sale”, Qatar airlines is offering deals of up to 50% off economy class and 25%…
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Phuket protesters to give Bangkok Shutdown victim a hero’s return
PHUKET: Anti-government protesters will mass at Sarasin Bridge tomorrow night to give a hero’s welcome to the remains of Prakong Choochan. Mr Prakong, 46, died early Saturday morning from injuries sustained when an explosive device was thrown at protesters during a street march in Bangkok on Friday (story here). “His body is being kept at Wat Thepsirin in Bangkok. It…
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Flames engulf Phuket housing complex near Kajonkietsuksa School
PHUKET: A fire erupted in a Phuket housing complex off Chao Fa West Road this morning about 500 meters from Kajonkietsuksa School in Wichit (map here). The Phuket City Fire Department was notified of the blaze at about 10am. “The Wichit Fire Department called us, and we rushed to the scene,” explained one firefighter. The fire swept through the building,…
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Winner of Phuket Red Cross top prize steps forward at last
PHUKET: The top prize winner of the Phuket Red Cross lucky draw didn’t know for several days that he had won because he didn’t check his tickets. “I never expected to win,” said Jittipong Sungthong, 34, a science and technology teacher at Phuket Rajabhat University. “I buy these tickets every year to show my support for the Red Cross. This…
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Phuket garbage truck downs streetlight near airport
PHUKET: The driver of a garbage truck lost control of his vehicle on the main route to the airport yesterday afternoon, knocking over a light pole on his way to landing the truck in a ditch, injuring himself and his helper. Theerawut Nasalhae, the 19-year-old driver of the Sakoo Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) garbage truck, was returning from a run…
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Phuket Gazette World News: UN chief invites Iran to Geneva 2, Syria opposition threatens to withdraw
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community UN chief invites Iran to Geneva 2, Syria opposition threatens to withdraw Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Syria’s political opposition said on Monday it will withdraw from international peace talks scheduled this week unless United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon retracts an invitation to Iran, President Bashar al-Assad’s main…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Quake measuring 6.3 strikes NZ’s north island
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Quake measuring 6.3 strikes NZ’s north island Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: An earthquake measuring 6.3 magnitude struck New Zealand’s north island on Monday, 63 km (40 miles) southeast of the town of Palmerston, the U.S. Geological Society said.The quake, at a depth of 29 km (18 miles),…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Phuket protesters mourn death of Prakong, blame government
PHUKET: Protesters will gather tonight at Phuket Provincial Hall (map here) to mourn the death of Prakong Choochan, who died from injuries sustained in an attack on anti-government demonstrators in Bangkok yesterday. “We are devastated by what happened. He was fighting for our country,” said Phuket protest co-ordinator Amnuay Kumban. The 46-year-old taxi driver was one of 36 people injured…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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