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. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
-
Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
-
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: PM to fight NSC reinstatement; Gold hits 3 year low; Supercar duo surrender; Theft named as motive in Akeyuth murder
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community PM to fight Thawil’s return as NSC chief The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has decided to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court against the reinstatement of Thawil Pliensri as secretary-general of the National Security Council.Tongthong Chandransu, PM’s Office permanent secretary, said yesterday that…
-
PLTO chief demands Phuket Airport Bus service start rolling July 1
PHUKET: The Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) chief insisted today that the Phuket Airport Bus “hop on, hop off” service needs to be in gear and serving tourists by July 1. “The first airport bus route, which will go to Patong, must be launched by July 1,” PLTO Chief Terayout Prasertphol told the Phuket Gazette today. “The bus owner told…
-
Police suspect heroin overdose in Phuket gas station death
PHUKET: An unidentified man died shortly after taking a hit of heroin in a Phuket gas station today. Witnesses saw the man park his motorbike near the men’s toilet and then rush into one of the four stalls. After a short period of time he toppled out of the stall dead, said Sakol Krainara of the Phuket City Police. Police…
-
Phuket local set to skipper Sansiri in world’s oldest yacht race
PHUKET: In a world first for Thailand, Sansiri PLC today announced they are supporting Phuket local and member of Ao Chalong Yacht Club Mr Patinyakorn Buranrom to become the first-ever Thai sailor to skipper a yacht in a major international ocean yacht race, the TRANSPAC 2013. Mr Patinyakorn, an accomplished sailor, will compete in the longest of the two oldest…
-
Helmetless Phuket motorbike driver dies from head trauma
PHUKET: A helmetless motorbike driver from Phuket Town died last night after losing control of his motorbike and hitting a utility pole in Thalang.Police rushed to the scene to find the body of Kongkait Ngamtong, 26, in a ditch in front of the Muang Thalang School on the northbound side of Thepkrasattri Road, said Thalang Police Officer Narong Muangdoung.“Witnesses said…
-
Gone fishing: Man snags Siamese crocodile at Phuket pond
PHUKET: An elevator technician who went night fishing in central Phuket on Tuesday thought he had caught a monitor lizard.But when he got to his house, he discovered he had manhandled a meter-long Siamese crocodile and brought it home on his motorbike.Charee Pattangtanang, 31, went fishing with a friend, Wanchai Hansopa, at their usual spot – a lagoon behind The…
-
Chinese killed by speedboat at popular Phuket day-trip destination
PHUKET: A Chinese tourist bled to death after being severely cut by a speedboat propeller at Phi Phi Island yesterday afternoon.Chen Peng, 37, jumped from the boat when the engine was still on and the propeller moving, the speedboat’s owner, Chairang Weerakij, told police.The propeller slashed Mr Chen’s legs and stomach. He was taken by speedboat from Pileh Bay to…
-
Phuket Gazette World News: Syria pro-rebel alliance UK, US, to meet; Suu Kyi to battle Myanmar Constitution; Kosovo envoy exits Serbia after 48 hours
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar constitution likely to dash Suu Kyi’s presidential hopes Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Her adoring compatriots believe democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi is destined to become Myanmar’s next president. But don’t bet on it.A year ago, the Nobel Peace Prize winner was feted at home and…
-
Phuket’s new Airport Bus inked to start July 1
HUKET: The ruling committee for Phuket’s public transportation authorities has signed into effect the permit to allow the new bus service from Phuket International Airport to Patong to launch on July 1. The provincial transportation committee, chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada, voted unanimously yesterday to launch the service. The government departments represented at the meeting – and who…
-
Phuket birthday fight ends in stabbing death
PHUKET: Two men were stabbed in a fight at a live-music venue near Chalong Circle early this morning. One of the men died; the other is expected to recover from his wounds.Police have arrested one suspect and are searching for four more.Officers received the report of the stabbing at 3am. When they arrived at Saraphanpleng bar on Patak Road, about…
-
Gaping hole in Patong street blocked off, partially filled
PHUKET: Despite what the Director of the Department of Rural Roads Phuket office told the Phuket Gazette yesterday (story here), officials jumped into action to barricade a giant hole in Phang Muang Sai Kor Road in Patong after two motorbike riders found themselves over their heads in water and their motorbikes marooned at the bottom of the pit. The hole…
-
US Embassy consular outreach in Phuket
PHUKET: The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Bangkok will hold an Outreach Visit at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort in Karon tomorrow, June 20. Consular staff will be available from 8am to midday to provide services on: • Passport renewal applications (US$110 or 3,300 baht for adult passports, US$105 or 3,150 baht for a child’s passport). • Notarial…
-
Rough surf serves up bluebottles at Phuket beach
PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) has confirmed that the stingers found washed ashore at Surin Beach this week are bluebottles, also known as Portuguese man o’ war.The stingers found so far are juveniles, reported Phuket Gazette reader Daren Jenner.“The presence of these bluebottles on the west coast started about five days ago with the onset of strong southwest…
-
Aussie envoy thrusts weapons in Phuket into the spotlight
PHUKET: The Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, Jonathan Kenna, yesterday placed the carrying of weapons on the streets of Phuket into the spotlight at a meeting with the Phuket Governor. “I told the governor that the safety of the tourist is the most important issue,” Mr Kenna, speaking in Thai, told the press following a…
-
Chinese tourist drowns off Phuket
PHUKET: A Chinese tourist on holiday with friends in Phuket drowned this afternoon while on a day trip to Koh Racha Yai, about 25 kilometers south of Phuket. Capt Wuttiwat Liang-boonjinda of the Chalong Police named the victim as Li Ran, 28. Ms Li was travelling with five friends who joined about 40 other tourists for the trip to Racha…
-
Video Report: Man in pink raincoat robs Phuket Family Mart
PHUKET: A man wielding a knife and wearing a pink raincoat jumped over the counter of a convenience store in Thalang early this morning and made off with the contents of a cash register.Police responding to a call at 3:45am found the two female employees unharmed at the Family Mart at the entrance to Baan Lipon School in Srisoonthorn.One of…
-
PIMEX 2014 organizer hyped about January date
PHUKET: The next Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) is open for business, having been taking bookings since early last month, May 2013. PIMEX 2014 is confirmed to take place between January 9 and 12 at Royal Phuket Marina and remains a permanent fixture in the island’s event calendar as it approaches its 11th year. “After careful analysis of the last…
-
Phuket storm topples marquee at festival, man crushed by speakers
PHUKET: A Phuket Town motorbike taxi driver died after strong wind toppled a marquee covering the stage at Saphan Hin last night, sending speakers crashing down on him. Police and rescue workers arrived at the 10th Annual Southern Prison Products Fair (story here) at about 7:45pm to find Muhammad Poksakul, a 62-year-old motorbike driver at the nearby Phun Pol Night…
-
Phuket’s DJ Doris out of ICU
PHUKET: Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned “DJ Doris” on Phuket Island Radio 91.5FM, is out of intensive care and recovering at Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Mr Norris suffered a head injury in what is believed to have been a motorbike accident in Patong early Saturday morning. He was rushed to Patong Hospital by rescue workers. However, he remained unconscious and was transferred…
-
Phuket Gazette World News: Putin, Obama face off over Syria at G8; Italy flooded with refugees; Brazil unrest swells; NK negotiator to talk in China
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community European, U.S. leaders launch free-trade talks Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The United States and the European Union launched negotiations for the world’s most ambitious free-trade deal on Monday, promising thousands of new jobs and accelerated growth on both sides of the Atlantic.Trade between Europe and the United…
-
Police continue search for missing Rohingya children
PHUKET: Police continue to search for the missing 22 Rohingya children who have run away from the Phuket Shelter for Children and Families on Koh Sireh. The children have been missing since early April, says Phuket City Police Chief Sermphan Sirikong. “I have notified the investigation team, and from time to time we patrol Muslim areas to look for them…
-
Elephant smugglers caught at work in Phuket
PHUKET: Thalang police seized three elephants being illegally transported into Phuket this morning. Nine people were arrested in the early-morning raid and the two trucks transporting the elephants were seized. Suspects told police that a “Piang Sala-ngam” had sent his son-in-law Sa-ngad Padphai down with the trucks from an elephant camp in the northeastern province of Surin. The trucks departed…
-
PHUKET VIDEO REPORT: Infamous Black Hole of Patong may not be fixed for weeks
PHUKET: After two motorbikes plunged into a giant pothole in the back streets of Patong early yesterday morning, Phuket authorities say they will not be able to start fixing the road until at least next week. A video posted on YouTube shows a foreigner having to dive into the huge puddle – measuring at least two meters deep, several meters…
-
Phuket python chokes the chicken
PHUKET: A three-meter python was found choking a Phuket resident’s chicken late last night. “I was asleep in the house when I was awoken by the sound of a chicken,” said the owner of the fowl, Pairoj Denmalai. “I came outside to find a large python strangling one of my chickens, and immediately contacted Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers,” he said.…
-
Cape Panwa Hotel to host Phuket Raceweek
PHUKET: THE 2013 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek – presented by Mount Gay Rum – celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a strong fleet of boats and international crews taking part from July 17-21 at the five-star Cape Panwa Hotel. The luxurious Cape Panwa Hotel is an ideal regatta venue with its established international reputation, private beach and pier, and spectacular…
-
Young American dies in Phuket motorbike crash
PHUKET: A 27-year-old American man died instantly on Saturday when he was hit by a Chang beer delivery truck on Wiset Road, in Rawai. “According to witness reports, American Nicolas Javier Solis exited Soi Kok Ma… onto Wiset Road, heading to Rawai Beach,” said Lt Wuthiwat Leangboonjinda of the Chalong Police. “As he exited Soi Kok Ma, he was struck…
-
Iraqi wrestling coach dies of heart attack in Phuket
PHUKET: A coach with the Iraqi wrestling team in Phuket for the Asian Junior Wrestling Championships died of a heart attack on Saturday night while returning from a night out on Phuket’s renowned Soi Bangla. Kadee Abes, 44, from Iraq, was pronounced dead at 1:28am yesterday, Dr Patrinee Thammasrisawat of Patong Hospital told the Phuket Gazette. “We tried for about…
-
Phuket tourist safety gets 300 CCTV camera boost in Patong
PHUKET: The push by Phuket authorities to increase tourist safety across the island has received a much welcome boost with Patong CCTV control rooms now up and running. The new system, launched as part of the Patong Safety Zone initiative (story here), displays footage from 32 high-quality police CCTV cameras and 300 private CCTV systems at three central locations, Patong…
-
Phuket Gazette Thailand News: White masks rally; Democrats win Don Mueang; Monks and supercars; Crime re-enactments under the gun
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community White mask rallies spread The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Anti-government white-mask protesters gathered in many provinces yesterday despite opposition from red-shirt supporters of the government.In Bangkok, about 1,000 people – many wearing white Guy Fawkes masks – gathered at the Central World shopping complex yesterday afternoon.It was…
-
Dorked in the dark: YouTube video sees Chiang Mai biker arrested
PHUKET: A CHIANG MAI man was arrested by police after a video surfaced on YouTube of him driving around the northern city on a 1.2-million-baht superbike. That might not sound criminal in itself. The issue of concern to the cops was that Chetaphon Chantarabunthawi, 25, was completely naked at the time. Mr Chetaphon told reporters that he had made the…
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.