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    Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?

    Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...

  • Phuket Survivor: Man survives slaughter by “playing dead’

    Phuket Survivor: Man survives slaughter by “playing dead’

    PHUKET: Phuket police are investigating the murder of a man and woman whose bodies were discovered thrown off a cliff along a coastal road in Thalang this morning. The key witness, a man who apparently escaped the same fate by playing dead, is now in police custody and under heavy guard. Tah Chat Chai Police were notified of the deaths…

  • Crisis? What Crisis?

    Crisis? What Crisis?

    PHUKET SPORTS – Quote of the day: “Crisis? What Crisis? There is no crisis in football.” Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, confirming his delusions as to the state of world football. — Neil Quail

  • Phuket discharge: Officials confirm wastewater release “safe’ | Thaiger

    Phuket discharge: Officials confirm wastewater release “safe’

    PHUKET: Wastewater discharged into the sea at Karon and Kata beaches is safe, a review committee headed by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha was told yesterday. Environmental engineer Siripong Pasari of Southern Thai Consulting Co Ltd was called in to explain to Gov Tri what exactly caused the discharge filmed by a German TV crew in Phuket earlier this month. The…

  • Phuket gets first dedicated cricket ground

    Phuket gets first dedicated cricket ground

    PHUKET: Construction of Phuket’s first dedicated cricket ground, to be called the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG), will start on June 27. News of the development, announced on the ACG website, adds that the 10-rai site in the lakes area of Baan Lipon, will be called the ACG Cricket and Sports Ground. The sports facility will be mainly for cricket, but…

  • Fans fury forces FC Phuket coach to quit

    Fans fury forces FC Phuket coach to quit

    PHUKET: Sompong Wattana from Rajvithee FC will be the new coach of FC Phuket. The news was released at 5pm today, ahead of a scheduled sanctioned press release tomorrow. A fourth straight game without a win for FC Phuket incensed the team’s distraught fans yesterday and led to a blockade of Surakul Stadium by angry fans, known as the “Hulks”.…

  • Two more candidates register for Phuket polls

    Two more candidates register for Phuket polls

    PHUKET: Two more people on Saturday signed up as candidates to contest the Phuket 1 constituency in the July 3 national election. The last-minute registrations came on the last day the Phuket Election Commission would accept applications for candidacy. In the morning, Weerasak “Ko Sak” Woranetiwong registered as a candidate representing the Thaen Khun Phaendin Party, which is listed as…

  • The Phuket International Rugby 10s is a great tournament

    The Phuket International Rugby 10s is a great tournament

    Phuket Rugby 10s: “The Phuket International Rugby 10s is a great tournament and is certainly helping youth rugby in Thailand move from strength to strength.” Matthew Oakley MVO MBE – International Rugby Board (IRB) West Asia Project Manager and the 2011 Rugby 10s Referee’s Manager, commenting on the value of the 10s for the future of rugby in Thailand. —…

  • Contest to decide name for Phuket Town shortcut

    Contest to decide name for Phuket Town shortcut

    PHUKET: Phuket City Municipality will hold a contest to see who can think up the best name for the new road that connects Saphan Hin with Chao Fa East Road, with 10,000 baht going to the winner. The 50-million-baht road was officially opened in late December last year. It has thus far kept its uninspiring name Phang Muang Sai Khor…

  • Phuket stray sends Koreans plowing into power pole

    Phuket stray sends Koreans plowing into power pole

    PHUKET: Two Koreans were fortunate to escape serious injury when their car crashed into a power pole in Phuket early yesterday morning. Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers were called to the scene just after midnight. Arriving at the crash site on Thepkrasattri Road southbound in Srisoonthorn subdistrict, they found the two Koreans – identified only as the driver Mrs Songjer and…

  • Royal Thai Police secure Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10s

    Royal Thai Police secure Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10s

    Phuket Rugby 10s: In a thrilling final played on Sunday evening at Karon Stadium, a robust Royal Thai Police (RTP) team stole the title from last year’s winners, Kriel Roosters by a score of 31 – 5. The game was full of big tackles and charging runs to the try line. The first half ended with RTP holding a 12…

  • Phuket Opinion: Consuls could help break the choke hold on tourism

    Phuket Opinion: Consuls could help break the choke hold on tourism

    PHUKET: The latest meeting of Phuket’s honorary consuls with provincial authorities was rather unremarkable, but as the gatherings remain the only official forum for tourists and expatriate residents of Phuket to have their concerns presented directly to the people in charge, they need to continue. [See ‘Tourists beaten, cheated and cursed’, current issue of the Phuket Gazette. Digital subscribers click…

  • Phuket Rugby 10s: Singapore Centaurs take the U15s title

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Singapore Centaurs take the U15s title

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Spectators at Karon Stadium were treated to a fine display of youth rugby when Singpore Centaurs defeated Phuket Lomas in the under 15 Cup Final. Centaurs’ fly-half, Alex Ducourneau broke through the Lomas’ defense to score after just two minutes. No reply from the Phuket Lomas gave the score as 5 – 0 at half-time. A tense…

  • Phuket expat suffers 180,000 baht dive tank theft

    Phuket expat suffers 180,000 baht dive tank theft

    PHUKET: Following a tip-off from a cook, an expat dive instructor and equipment provider in Rawai believes a Thai employee may have stolen 30 diving tanks worth 180,000 baht. German national Armin Rudloff, 43, filed a report at Chalong police station yesterday morning. He told police that earlier yesterday he had discovered the tanks missing from an equipment storage room…

  • Phuket Rugby 10s: Sunday’s knockout games decided

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Sunday’s knockout games decided

    Phuket Rugby 10s knockout stages begin at 8.30am with the Emirates Flying Muppets meeting the Al Ain Amblers in Bowl B. Games follow every twenty minutes leading to the main final at 5.40pm. See below for today’s end results: Bucket Brigade 0Phuket Vagabonds 12 Dubai Exiles 14 Qantas Koalas 10 Bangkok Bangers Colts 0 Rebel Dubai Dragons 19 Taipei baboons…

  • Phuket Rugby 10s: Dragons and Barbarians through to the cup round

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Dragons and Barbarians through to the cup round

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Asian Japanese Dragons defeated INSEAD 21-0, and will join Singapore Barbarians who beat Al Ain Amblers 5-0, into the cup rounds.All photos by Dean Noble — Neil Quail

  • Phuket Rugby 10s: Group stages draw to a close

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Group stages draw to a close

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Group stages of the 10s have reached their conclusion. The next round sees the determination of finalists. Asian Japanese Dragons 5 Taipai baboons 21 INSEAD 0 Rebel Dubai Dragons 7 Bangkok Bangers Colts 7 Bucket Brigade 0 Emirates Flying Muppets 0 Qantas Koalas 7 Moorabbin Rams 26 Sinagapore Barbarians 0 Al Ain Amblers 7 San Miguel Wanderers…

  • Phuket Rugby 10s: Referees stamp their authority

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Referees stamp their authority

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Referees stamping their authority on the games.

  • Phuket Rugby 10s: Great day, great atmosphere and great rugby

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Great day, great atmosphere and great rugby

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Mid-day round-up. Royal Thai Police 38 INSEAD 0 Bedhoff Kings RFC 10 Bangkok Bangers Colts 10 Thai Legends 12 Emirates Flying Muppets 0 Dubai Exiles 12 Moorabbin Rams 19 Kriel Roosters 31 San Miguel Wanderers 0 All photos by Dean Noble — Neil Quail

  • Phuket Rugby 10s: Kriel Roosters strut and Royal Thai Police give arresting performance

    Phuket Rugby 10s: Kriel Roosters strut and Royal Thai Police give arresting performance

    PHUKET: Phuket Rugby 10s with a combined score of 70 points from their first games, the Royal Thai Police and the Kriel Roosters are proving to be the teams to beat. Rebel Dubai Dragons 0 Royal Thai Police 32 Bucket Brigade 14 Bedhoff Kings RFC 5 Qantas Koalas 0 Thai Legends 14 Singapore Barbarians 0 Dubai Exiles 10 Al Ain…

  • Phuket Property Review on news stands now

    Phuket Property Review on news stands now

    PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette is pleased to announce that its Phuket Property Review is now available as a free 16-page supplement to the May 28 issue, on sale at newsstands around the island today. The Phuket Property Review analyzes market trends in five parts of the island: North, South, East, West and ‘Inland’, and provides additional advice on such topics…

  • Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10s main tournament under starter’s orders

    Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10s main tournament under starter’s orders

    PHUKET: Good morning Phuket! Welcome to the 13th Rugby 10s main event. Following yesterday’s exciting Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers competition the main tournament has already kicked off at 8.30am with the Royal Thai Police taking on the Rebel Dubai Dragons at Karon Stadium. Games start every twenty minutes. Bring friends and family for a fun filled day of festival rubgy…

  • Abhisit launches Democrat election campaign in Phuket

    Abhisit launches Democrat election campaign in Phuket

    PHUKET: Caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva arrived in Phuket this afternoon ahead of a rally at Saphan Hin in Phuket Town tonight to mark the launch of the Democrat Party campaign for the July 3 national election. Top of his agenda was to inspect the site of the Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Center in Mai Khao, while accompanied by…

  • Phuket Viagrabonds into the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers Cup

    Phuket Viagrabonds into the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers Cup

    PHUKET: Phuket 10s Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers competition finished its qualifying stages , with home favourites Phuket Viagrabonds reaching the cup final due to be played on Sunday at Karon Stadium. All results from the semi finals are detailed below: Cottesloe Pirates 5 Arabian Gulf Legends 24 Selangor Old Dog 5 Asian Japanese Dragons 0 Bedhoff Kings 5 Bucks Stags…

  • Phuket ‘hashers’ mourn three fallen comrades | Thaiger

    Phuket ‘hashers’ mourn three fallen comrades

    PHUKET: Two more members of the Phuket Hash House Harriers died this week following the death of a “hasher” in a motorcycle accident on Monday. The most recent was Ruurd Jansen, 66, who died after the roof of his house collapsed on him on Wednesday. Mr Jansen and his wife ran a beach-side restaurant called “Som” (“Orange”) near the Laguna…

  • Anti-protest protest gets rolling in Phuket

    Anti-protest protest gets rolling in Phuket

    PHUKET: A small band of activists have been rolling through the streets of Phuket in salaeng (motorbikes with sidecar) in recent days, urging the public to ignore a campaign to cast “no” votes in the upcoming general election. The 30-strong group travels with Thai flags hoisted high and carrying signs that read: “If we vote for nobody, who will run…

  • Phuket Rugby 10s kick off today

    Phuket Rugby 10s kick off today

    PHUKET: The 13th Phuket International Rugby 10s kicked off today with Phuket’s own Vagabonds intent on providing stiff opposition for the challengers in the event. Karon Stadium again plays home to the hugely popular tournament, and after recent rains the surface is in ideal condition for rugby. For information on the tournament and updates on games as they are played,…

  • Phuket Rugby 10s at Karon Stadium hots up for the semis!

    Phuket Rugby 10s at Karon Stadium hots up for the semis!

    PHUKET: The Phuket Rugby 10s Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers Cup moves into the final group matches with the results at the Karon Stadium being: Stray Cats 0 Taipei Silverbacks 12 Cottesloe Pirates 0 Bedhoff Kings 10 Hong Kong Bulls 5 Cottesloe Old Gulls 17 Selangor Old Dog 5 Wanderers Jagermeister Wrinklies 7 Asian Japanese Dragons 7 Old Bangkok Bangers 10…

  • “It’s a shame the scrums are not contested.” at Phuket 10s

    “It’s a shame the scrums are not contested.” at Phuket 10s

    PHUKET: Susanne Olovsson, a member of Sweden’s International women’s rugby team playing for Kuala Lumpur’s Selangor Old Dogs in the Phuket Rugby 10s at Karon Stadium. Susanne is the prop forward for her country, which placed 12th in the last women’s World Cup. “I’m really enjoying the Phuket 10s, a great competition, though suffering with the heat and humidity,” she…

  • Phuket Rugby 10s at Karon Stadium simmers!

    Phuket Rugby 10s at Karon Stadium simmers!

    PHUKET: The Phuket Rugby 10s simmers with the Phuket Viagrabonds, Cottesloe Old Gulls, Morrabbin Rams and the Taipei Silverbacks all showing themselves as potential winners. The results from games nine to 12 in the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers Competition at Karon Stadium were: Selangor Old Dogs 0 Cottesloe Old Gulls 15 Wanderers Jagermeister Wrinklies 24 Hong Kong Bulls 7 Old…

  • Phuket Rugby 10s heats up!

    Phuket Rugby 10s heats up!

    PHUKET: The Phuket rugby 10s continues, in glorious sunshine, though harsh for the players. The standard is high with top scorers so far, our very own Phuket Viagrabonds and the Morrabbin Rams. The results from the following four games in the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers Comp were: Phuket Viagrabonds 31 Asian Japanese Dragons 0 Morrabbin Rams 38 Aarabian Gulf Legends…