News
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Blowout leaves Chalong in the dark
CHALONG: Many parts of Chalong bordering Chao Fa West Rd were without power for about four hours Monday evening after a transformer box blew out. Workers restored power at about 10:30 pm, after replacing power lines that had been damaged. Suthep Jitsiri, Manager of the Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority, told the Gazette that the blowout happened because the box was outdated.…
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Candidates register for OrBorJor election
PHUKET CITY: Two of Phuket’s top political heavyweights yesterday morning registered their candidacies for presidency of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), along with 50 other candidates for the 24 council seats available.The two rival candidates for the presidency, Anchalee Vanich Tephabutra and Paiboon Upatising, both arrived at Phuket Community Hall before its 8:30 am opening with supporters estimated at…
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Police launch manhunt for prime suspect in Hanna murder
MAI KHAO: Police have been issued an arrest warrant for Phuket native Akkaradej “Chon” Tunkae, 31, a local resident in Mai Khao, for the murder of Swedish tourist Hanna Backlund, 26.Hanna was found stabbed to death on Mai Khao Beach about 300 meters from where she was staying. Her body was discovered by Emma Stenman, who Hanna was holidaying with…
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Warcraft reef to bring back marine life
PHUKET: Ten decommissioned military aircraft will be sunk off the coast of Cherng Talay to create the largest artificial reef of its kind in Thailand. The announcement was made at a meeting and project presentation chaired by Vice-Governor Worapot Ratthasima at Phuket Provincial Hall on Thursday.Attending were representatives from several government agencies and Vittayen Muttamara, head of the Bangkok-based For…
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Police close in on prime suspect in Hanna murder
MAI KHAO: Police investigating the murder of Swedish tourist Hanna Charlotta Backlund, 26, whose body was found at Mai Khao Beach on Saturday morning, are waiting to speak to a key person before moving to arrest their prime suspect in the case, Phuket Police Deputy Commander Col Paween Pongsirin told the Gazette today.“We have received important information from villagers in the…
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No progress in Hanna murder investigation
MAI KHAO: The body of Hanna Charlotta Backlund, 27, who was found murdered on Mai Khao Beach yesterday morning, has been flown to Bangkok for forensic tests, Col Sakchai Limcharoen, Superintendent of Tah Chat Chai Police Station, told the Gazette this afternoon.“There is no news to report at this time, but police are working quickly to solve this case. We…
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Swedish tourist slain at Mai Khao
MAI KHAO: The body of a Swedish tourist was found at Mai Khao Beach, at the north end of Phuket, this morning.Lt Col Somkid Khaosang of Tah Chat Chai Police Station named the deceased as Hanna Charlotta, 27.Her body, dressed in a one-piece swimsuit, was found at about 11:30 am on the beach around 300 meters from Mai Khao Beach…
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Little support for new Chalong Marina plan
CHALONG: Scaled-down plans aimed at allaying local opposition to the second phase of the Chalong Bay Marina found few backers during a public hearing at Muang Phuket School in Rawai on Wednesday.The project, to be operated by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), is part of the provincial development strategy drawn up by the Phuket Provincial Office, which has expansion…
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Smith denies resigning as NDWC chief
BANGKOK: Dr Smith Dharmasaroja late this afternoon denied reports in the Thai media that he had resigned his position as Director of the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC), which is responsible for issuing tsunami warnings.In a telephone interview with the Gazette, Dr Smith said that he told a press conference in Bangkok yesterday that he was only considering resigning –…
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Well-known Phuket resident dies
RAWAI: Long-term Phuket resident Erika Perschbacher was found passed away in her Rawai home on Sunday. She was 69 years old.Erika, a retired German nurse affectionately referred to by locals as “Mama”, was described by those close to her as wonderful, selfless and caring.During her nine years in Phuket, Erika took it upon herself to provide a home for stray…
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Samkong shortcut to become one-way
PHUKET: In a bid to relieve traffic congestion at the Wor Kor Intersection, the Rajabhat-Samkong road, which runs from the Wor Kor Intersection, past Phuket Rajabhat University (PRU) and ends at Yaowarat Rd, will be one-way from Monday.Phuket City Police Traffic Inspector Maj Teerawat Leamsuwan said that the one-way system should ease traffic bottlenecks at the Wor Kor Intersection, where…
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Ko Noi killers sentenced
PHUKET: Two former police officers were sentenced at Phuket Provincial Court February 28 for their part in the assassination of well-known businessman Preecha “Ko Noi” Kraitas, who was shot dead on March 14, 2006.According to a report released by Phuket Provincial Court, Wanchana Polpalangkul, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, was sentenced to death for conspiracy to murder for…
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Brush with death
WICHIT: Female motorcycle rider Arisara Srimaung sustained only a cut eyebrow after colliding with a pickup truck on Chao Fa West Rd outbound near the House and Home building supply center, just before 9 o’clock this morning.Level-headed bystanders administered first aid and ensured that K Arisara remained motionless until a Phuket Ruamjai Foundation ambulance arrived about 10 minutes later to…
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Mother pleas for return of missing daughter
PHUKET: Maria Elfversson, mother of missing six-year-old girl Alicia Elfversson, has offered a US$10,000 reward to anyone who comes forward with information that leads to finding the missing girl. According to Interpol’s website, Alicia was allegedly abducted by her father, Norwegian native Torgeir Nordbo, from her home in Sweden on June 4 last year. Swedish authorities have since charged Nordbo…
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7-baht wage hike had “no effect’ – Labor chief
PHUKET: The seven-baht increase in the minimum wage in Phuket to 193 baht a day, which came into effect on January 1, has not negatively affected businesses on the island, Vice-Governor Worapoj Ratthasima announced on Monday.Before the rise from 186 to 193 baht, bestowing Phuket with the second-most-expensive minimum daily wage rate in the country – and just a baht…
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Lucky four-eared feline catnapped
PATHUM THANI: The owners of a four-eared cat fear that their pet has been kidnapped, after the feline mysteriously disappeared following a story in a national newspaper highlighting the luck the homeless kitty had brought its owners after they rescued it from the side of the road. The missing cat, named Jao Chom Jan (“the one who admires the moon”),…
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Phuket roads leave 2 dead, 15 injured
PHUKET: At least two people are dead and many more injured after a truck overturned in Kamala this morning and a tour bus slammed into a house in Patong yesterday evening.About 9 am today, a 10-wheeled truck carrying mattresses from Bangkok to Phuket overturned on a hill in front of the Kamala Falls condo project site.Lt Col Warit Jado, Duty…
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Wounded tuk-tuk driver still missing
PHUKET CITY: Police have yet to hear back from a tuk-tuk driver who appeared at Phuket City Police Station early Friday morning drunk and bleeding from an apparent gunshot wound – and told to come back later.Pol Lt Saran Redeng, Duty Officer at Phuket City Police Station, said that Somkid Huangsrapram, 42, arrived at the station about 2:50 am, complaining…
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Case closed on Korean drowning
PHI PHI ISLANDS: The drowning of a Korean tourist while on a Hana Tour to Phi Phi Don Island last month is not being treated as suspicious, the Gazette has learned.Sen Sgt Maj Suwan Tuamsri of Krabi Tourist Police told the Gazette the drowning death of 35-year-old Kang Kyong while she was swimming with her tour group at Loh Dalam Bay…
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WiMax tests positive, but roll-out not likely this year
PHUKET: Although the recent high-profile testing of WiMax Internet access technology aboard a sailboat off Karon proved successful, the high-speed wireless service is not likely to grace Phuket’s shores until next year, the Gazette has learned.The WiMax tests were carried out on February 22 by broadband service provider the Benchachinda Group with its affiliate companies United Information Highway Co Ltd…
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Forest fire on Karon hills
KARON: Yesterday at dusk, Karon Municipality firefighters were called in to fight a forest fire in the Nakkerd Hills, upslope from the desalination plant on Siriraj Rd.Firefighters tried to gain access to the blaze for two hours before giving up.Fortunately, the fire burned itself out during the night.No injuries or property damage were reported.
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One dead, three injured in motorbike accident
PATONG: A young French tourist has been charged with negligent driving resulting in accidental death after the motorcycle he was driving collided with another motorbike early Thursday morning, killing the driver and leaving two passengers critically injured. Kathu Police Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt Col Chawalit Niamwadee identified the Frenchman as Diallo Guimba, 24. At about 4:20 am, Guimba was riding…
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Drug dealer avoids capture
KATHU: Following a series of tip-offs, Kathu Police seized a suitcase containing 510 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills in a sting operation on March 3. However, police narrowly failed to snare the intended target, a major drug dealer from Chiang Mai known as Suphawat, who fled the scene before he could be arrested.Police set a trap to catch Suphawat following inquiries…
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Shops warned over trading stolen goods
PHUKET CITY: Secondhand-goods shops found trading or in possession of stolen goods may soon face legal action, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Piya Bharatasilpin warned at a special meeting convened to tackle the issue on Tuesday.“This is a problem in many provinces, not just Phuket. Thieves often sell stolen property to secondhand-goods stores for cash. We need government officers…
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Three Brits still in Phuket jail
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Court has denied bail to a British family charged with bank fraud after they were caught using counterfeit cards to withdraw more than 100,000 baht from a Kasikorn Bank ATM in downtown Phuket City. Lt Col Chakaphol Suchon of Phuket City Police Station told the Gazette that the three suspects are still being held at Phuket Provincial…
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Patong bars to fight 2 am closing
PATONG: Bar, discotheque and pub owners will be given a 90-day grace period before police begin to strictly enforce a 2 am closing time at all nightlife venues on the island, authorities have announced.Starting at 2 am on February 27, police presence was unexpectedly heavy on Soi Bangla and along nearby roads that make up the heart of Phuket’s nightlife…
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Four Phuket police stations upgraded
PHUKET: As part of a nationwide reorganization of the Royal Thai Police Force, Phuket’s four subdistrict police stations have been upgraded to district police stations, effective from an order dating back to January 16, the Gazette has learned.Col Phuwanart Rithawej, Phuket Provincial Police Superintendent of General Staff, told the Gazette that the order is intended to improve investigation and budget management…
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Thanyarat wins Senate race, again
PHUKET: Unofficial results of yesterday’s senatorial election indicate that Thanyarat Achariyachai won the contest, garnering 39,574 votes to win a surprisingly close race over second-place finisherAdirek Engchuan, with 35,471votes.In third place was Cherdchai Wongseree, with 9,947 votes.The results, posted on the Phuket Election Committee (PEC) board at Saphan Hin, will be announced officially only after Phuket Vice-Governor Tri Augkaradacha, in…
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Anchalee resigns OrBorJor presidency
PHUKET: Anchalee Vanich Tephabutra, president of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), yesterday tendered her resignation to the Governor’s Office, the Gazette has confirmed.Manus Nooluck, Secretary to Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit, this morning confirmed receipt of the letter.No reason was given for the resignation, which takes effect today, he said.However, a source in the OrBorJor told the Gazette the move…
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Top cop toppled after Phuket visit
THALANG: Royal Thai Police Commissioner Gen Sereepisut Taemeeyavej had a busy day in Phuket yesterday, attending two important dedication ceremonies.However, it turned out to be his last day as national police chief as Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej today announced his abrupt transfer to a temporary post in the Prime Minister’s Office.Gen Sereepisut arrived in Phuket from Bangkok yesterday and at…
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