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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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Formula 1 powerboat race coming to Phuket
PHUKET: The Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) has good news for water-sport enthusiasts as Phuket plans to host a Formula 1 powerboat race in November to promote the island as an international tourist and water-sport destination. “This is a joint venture between Thailand and Singapore. The expected date of the event is November 4-6,” MOTS Phuket Office Director Santi…
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Phuket officials confirm no troubled waters for bridge players
PHUKET: Phuket police have confirmed that playing bridge in Phuket is not illegal as long as there is no gambling involved. The confirmation follows reports of police and military officers raiding a bridge club earlier this month in Pattaya, which led to the arrest of 32 foreigners, including an 84-year-old Dutch woman (story here). “I was unaware of the arrests…
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Finance: Understanding stop loss orders
PHUKET: With global stock markets off to a rough start this year, it’s time to take a closer look at stop loss orders and how they can help as well as hinder you from achieving your investment goals. So what exactly are stop loss orders? A stop loss, or simply a stop order, is an automatic trade placed in advance…
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Ministry of Farang Affairs: Crossing compassion wires
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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U.S., backed by China, proposes tough N. Korea sanctions at UN
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S., backed by China, proposes tough N.Korea sanctions at UN Phuket Gazette / Reuters UNITED NATIONS: The United States presented a draft Security Council resolution on Thursday that it had negotiated with China, that would dramatically tighten existing restrictions on North Korea after its Jan. 6…
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Canadian teacher re-arrested for sex abuse to return to Jakarta prison
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Canadian teacher re-arrested for sex abuse to return to Jakarta prison Phuket Gazette / Reuters JAKARTA: A Canadian teacher is expected to return to a Jakarta prison on Friday, a family member said, a day after Indonesia’s Supreme Court overturned his acquittal on charges of sexually…
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Teenager near Tokyo found to have Zika virus after returning from Brazil
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Teenager near Tokyo found to have Zika virus after returning from Brazil Phuket Gazette / Reuters TOKYO: A male teenager near Tokyo was found to have been infected with the Zika virus after a visit to Brazil, Japan’s first case of the infection since the virus…
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New wave of Burmese hackers behind Thai website attacks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community New wave of Burmese hackers behind Thai website attacks Phuket Gazette / Reuters SINGAPORE/YANGON: Burmese hackers say they have attacked Thai government websites since early January and stolen data, part of a long-running, broader campaign against those critical of Myanmar’s government. The Blink Hacker Group said…
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Phuket fears motor home stampede
PHUKET: Nearly a dozen motor homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) recently spotted on the island prompted officials to rethink regulations for such vehicles entering Thailand. “I was told that these vehicles stay over night in public places, such as Saphan Hin, Ya Nui and Nai Yang beaches,” said Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul at a meeting on Wednesday. “I’m worried…
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Opinion: Orchestrating freedom for orangutans
PHUKET: The tale of the disappearance of orangutan Milo from a local zoo and her subsequent rediscovery a few days later deserves a slot in the annals of the ‘Amazing Thailand Always Amazes’ series. Now that the issue has drawn the interest of the national and international media, the Phuket Gazette hopes that sustained interest will pressure the Department of…
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Maimed Phi Phi divers return to Russia
KRABI: Two Russian divers who were seriously injured in a speedboat accident earlier this month have safely returned home, confirmed a Krabi official. Sergei Dmitriev, 30, and Dmitry Kurynov, 48, were diving near Maya Bay on February 5 when they were hit by a speedboat, causing one diver to lose his leg and the other to suffer serious injuries (story…
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Delivery truck downs power lines, throws rider over wall
PHUKET: A fish delivery truck left a trail of destruction down a back road in Rassada yesterday morning when the high-sided vehicle snagged overhead power lines and pulled down a row of five electricity poles like dominoes. Meanwhile, the oblivious driver charged down the road towards his depot. Caught up in the entanglement and lucky to escape serious injury was…
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Phuket Heroines’ Memorial Festival March 5-19
PHUKET: This year’s Heroines’ Memorial Festival, running March 5-19, is sure to impress all in attendance with cultural and historical activities to honor war heroes Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn. “The purpose of this event is to honor the heroism of Lady Thepkrasattri and Lady Srisoonthorn, who sacrificed their blood and lives for generations to come,” said Phuket Governor Chamroen…
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U.S. looks to Facebook, private groups to battle online extremism
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. looks to Facebook, private groups to battle online extremism Phuket Gazette / Reuters WASHINGTON: The U.S. government, acknowledging its limited success in combating Islamic extremist messaging, is recruiting tech companies, community organizations and educational groups to take the lead in disrupting online radicalization. The change…
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Tens of thousands of Fijians homeless after cyclone
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Tens of thousands of Fijians homeless after cyclone Phuket Gazette / Reuters SYDNEY: Tens of thousands of Fijians remain homeless and living in evacuation shelters in the aftermath of a devastating cyclone at the weekend, officials said on Thursday, as aid began trickling in to the…
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Philippine bishop tells Catholics to boycott Madonna concert
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Philippine bishop tells Catholics to boycott Madonna concert Phuket Gazette / Reuters MANILA: A Roman Catholic bishop in the Philippines on Wednesday urged the faithful to stay away from American pop singer Madonna’s two-night concert in Manila, calling her music “suggestive” and her clothes “vulgar”. Madonna,…
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Car-bomb suspect arrested after 16 years on the run
PHUKET: A man wanted in connection with a car bombing in Patong more than 16 years ago was arrested at his home in Trang yesterday. Police were acting on an arrest warrant issued in May 2003 by the Phuket Provincial Court following a car-bomb attack that seriously injured three people outside of a gold shop in 1999. Police officers from…
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Zika may have been sexually transmitted in 14 cases -U.S. CDC
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Zika may have been sexually transmitted in 14 cases -US CDC Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: US health officials are investigating 14 reports of the Zika virus that may been transmitted through sex, including to several pregnant women, raising new questions about the role sexual transmission…
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Teen driver kills two teachers, injures head monk
KRABI: A 17-year-old was charged with reckless driving causing death after the car he was driving collided with a van, killing two teachers and severely injuring a head monk in Krabi yesterday afternoon. Three teachers from Kanchanapisek Wittayalai School, as well as Phra Kru Sri Thammawutti, head of Wat Phokha Chuthamas and Lord Abbot of Muang Krabi District Buddhist Monastery,…
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German cancer patient dies in Phuket fall
PHUKET: A German man died after falling from the balcony of his seventh-floor condo room in Phuket yesterday evening. “Karl Geier, 76, was reportedly living alone at the building on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road,” said Lt Col Jetsada Saengsuree of the Patong Police. “There were no signs of a struggle or robbery in his room.” Police questioned a number of…
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A Decade Ago: Visa runs and the ‘Ranong 12’
PHUKET: Phuket is changing at exponential speed. The transformation from what this little island looked like ten years ago, to the traffic-congested mayhem we now see on our roads, is dramatic to say the least. But some things never change, or at least they don’t change for long. ‘Visa runners released after four nights of fear’ reads the sub-headline on…
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Aussie survives Phuket balcony fall
PHUKET: A conscious Australian tourist was rushed to hospital after falling from the third-floor balcony of a Patong hotel just after midnight today. “Jonann Petschauer, 65, fell off the balcony attached to his room and through a glass ceiling at Charm Resort Phuket,” said Lt Col Anukul Nuket of the Patong Police. Mr Petschauer was on holiday with Jacqi Lillian…
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Bodies of two missing canoers found in Rassada
PHUKET: Rescue workers this morning recovered the bodies of two men who had been missing since their canoe capsized near Koh Sireh on Sunday. “The body of Mat Panthip, 51, was found floating near Ruen Talay Seafood restaurant in Rassada at about 9:30am,” said Phuket Marine Police Chief Panya Chaichana. “About two hours later, we found the body of Laong…
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British backpacker found safe and well in Krabi
PHUKET: Police in Krabi have tracked down a 21-year-old British woman who disappeared for six days while travelling in Thailand, prompting a social media frenzy to help find her. Krabi Tourist Police confirmed that they found Ms Taylor at Krabi International Airport earlier today. Tourist police stayed with her to ensure her safety, while awaiting the arrival of a family…
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Michigan Uber driver admits role in deadly shooting spree
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Michigan Uber driver admits role in deadly shooting spree Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A man working as an Uber driver admitted to the fatal weekend shootings of six people in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a police detective testified on Monday in a case raising questions about how…
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Australia to start register of foreign ownership of water rights
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Australia to start register of foreign ownership of water rights Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The Australian government said on Monday it plans to start a register of foreign ownership of water rights, redoubling its efforts to appease voters concerned about the amount of farming assets…
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One dead, 17 injured in another Patong Hill bus crash
PHUKET: A Phuket bus driver was killed and 17 tourists injured when the bus crashed into an electricity pole while descending Patong Hill last night. Bus driver Jeerasak Kimbuathong, 40, was pinned in the driver’s seat by the the pole, which fell on the vehicle. “It took rescue workers nearly an hour to pry him out, but he could not…
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Peeking behind Phuket’s lace veil
PHUKET: With its idyllic beaches and beautiful beachfront resorts, Phuket is not only a hub of tourist activity, but with Asean integration now a factor, it is also well on its way to becoming a key global economic player. One industry that has seen sustained growth in the past decade is wedding planning and luxury events management. Here is a…
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Prime Minister keeps controversial comedian off stage
PHUKET: The show of controversial comedian and hate-speech convict Dieudonne M’bala M’bala, scheduled to take place last month at Illuzion night club in Phuket, was cancelled after the venue pulled the plug less than 24 hours ahead of the Frenchman taking the stage. Since then, Mr M’bala M’bala has struggled to find his footing in Asia. “One of the owners…
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Bangkok Airways flight postponed due to “bomb’ scare
PHUKET: Panic ensued on a Bangkok Airways flight when cabin crew feared a bomb threat after overhearing a conversation between a group of passengers yesterday afternoon. Staff on Bangkok Airways flight PG 924 from Bangkok to Phuket reported that prior to take-off, four passengers on the flight were overheard talking about ‘explosions’ with each other, said Sirote Duangratana, the general…
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