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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
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Village headman gunned down in front of home
KRABI: Krabi Police are hunting for a gang of men that gunned down an influential village headman (Phu Yai Baan) in Krabi on Tuesday. Chanwit Jantharak, 50, was shot about 10 times while attempting to leave his home in Mueang Krabi district about 5:30pm, said Krabi Provincial Police Commander Nunthadej Yoinual. “Mr Chanwit’s wife told us that at least three…
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Opinion: Sailing into the future
Omsin Chivapreuk, 64, is the nation’s Deputy Transport Minister. He graduated with a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Kasetsart University and studied Advanced Management at Harvard University. Here he talks about his expectations for the Thailand Yacht Show and how Phuket will benefit from the prestigious event. PHUKET: The Thailand Yacht Show is the first time that the Thai…
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China sends missiles to contested South China Sea island
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China sends missiles to contested South China Sea island – Taiwan Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: China has deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system to one of the disputed South China Sea islands it has taken control of, Taiwan and U.S. officials say, ratcheting up tensions…
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Lucky Strike! Cigarette vendor wins B6mn in lottery
PHUKET: It was a ‘lucky strike’ this week for a cigarette vendor in Patong when she won a 6-million-baht prize in the national lottery. Puangpetch Boonpetch, 40, yesterday arrived at Patong Police Station with her partner to file a police record about her winning lottery ticket number 356364. She is set to fly to Bangkok to claim the money today.…
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Decorated former German Honorary Consul for Phuket Dirk Naumann passes away
PHUKET: Former German Honorary Consul for Phuket Dirk Naumann passed away on Monday, his family has announced. Mr Naumann was well known and respected in Phuket and in his homeland for his 12 years of dedicated service on the island. He retired from his post in July 2014. Upon his retirement, Mr Naumann was awarded the Order of Merit from…
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Health chief: Phuket on top of dengue danger
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) is on top of the island’s surge in dengue fever cases, despite figures being almost triple those of last year, confirmed officials. From January 1 to February 6 of this year, 70 cases of dengue fever have been reported in the province, compared to 22 reported cases for the same period last…
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Guns on planes argument ends in fatal Phuket shooting
PHUKET: An argument about guns on planes between two men at a seafood restaurant in Phuket last night quickly ended when one of the men pulled a firearm and shot dead the other. “The shooting took place about 9pm at a roadside seafood restaurant in Thung Thong, near See Kor market,” said Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karajedee. Witnesses…
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Phuket Governor demands investigation into security memo leak
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has demanded an investigation into the leaking of an internal memo that sparked concerns of an island-wide security boost, amid rumors that a group of trouble makers were planning unrest in the province. Governor Chamroen was forced to allay panic among Phuketians after news spread on social media that he had written to local security…
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Marine park officials launch safety campaign at Koh Hong
PHUKET: Park officials marked dangerous swimming and snorkelling areas inside Than Bok Khorani National Park following two Russian divers being maimed by a speedboat in Phi Phi earlier this month and a number of tourists dying in marine national parks. “The entrance to the lagoon at Koh Hong is very dangerous; there is a lot of boat traffic, as well…
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Afternoon collision in Phuket kills two
PHUKET: Two people were killed and another injured in a three-vehicle collision on Thepkrasattri Road yesterday afternoon. Lampoon Saeton, 56, was pronounced dead on arrival at Thalang Hospital, while Wasuwan Sae-Lu, 62, was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he later died from his injuries, confirmed Capt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police. “The other victim, Charit Saeton, 30, is…
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Phuket Governor backs B313mn plan to end sea gypsy land dispute
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has backed a plan that he believes may finally resolve one of the longest running land disputes in the province. The plan to end years of conflict between sea gypsies in Rawai and locals who claim to collectively own 19 rai of beachfront land in southern Phuket would see the central government buying the land…
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Lamar shut out as Swift, Sheeran, Mars win top Grammy awards
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Lamar shut out as Swift, Sheeran, Mars win top Grammy awards Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Rapper Kendrick Lamar led the Grammy winners on Monday with five wins but was shut out of the night’s top categories as Taylor Swift nabbed album of the year in…
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Four U.S. journalists detained in Bahrain
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Four U.S. journalists detained in Bahrain Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A U.S. journalist and three members of her camera crew were detained in Bahrain on Sunday, Reporters Without Borders said on Monday, urging Bahrain to release the four American citizens “rapidly and without harm.” In…
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Solar tower in desert promotes Israel’s renewable energy drive
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Solar tower in desert promotes Israel’s renewable energy drive Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: In a vast expanse of open desert in southern Israel a 787-foot tower (240 metres) is taking shape that its builders hope will help make solar energy much more cost effective. The…
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Investigator asks UN to notify N. Korea’s Kim of probe for crimes against humanity
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Investigator asks UN to notify N. Korea’s Kim of probe for crimes against humanity Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A U.N. expert on human rights in North Korea has asked the United Nations to officially notify North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that he may be…
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Phuket underpass checkpoint scoops up dozens of motorists
PHUKET: More than 40 motorists were fined in a span of two hours at a checkpoint at the northbound exit of the Darasamuth Underpass next to Central Festival Phuket yesterday. “This is part of the push by the Phuket governor and the Phuket Provincial Police commander to better enforce traffic laws on the island as a way to reduce the…
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Chinese cash pours into popular tourist provinces
PHUKET: A spate of Chinese investment has flooded into the real-estate and tourism sectors in Chiang Mai and Phuket, two of the most popular destinations for Chinese travellers. While the investment has contributed to the growth of both sectors, local operators have been advised to improve their products and services to compete with the Chinese or they will risk losing…
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Nok Air strike leaves 1500 passengers in turmoil
PHUKET: One Phuket flight was cancelled after a strike was initiated by Nok Air pilots protesting against new policies – in compliance with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) safety standards – that deemed them unqualified to fly. In total, nine flights were cancelled or delayed, said a statement issued by Nok Air yesterday. The statement went on to assure…
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Police bust two suspects in B5mn meth deal
PHUKET: Police arrested two key members of a major drug-dealing ring run by an inmate at Yala prison, after the pair confessed to their roles in moving about 5 million baht worth of ya ba (methamphetamine) from Chiang Rai to Southern Thailand. “This is one of the largest ya ba drug busts that we have been a part of,” Phuket…
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First technical flight arrives at Phuket Airport’s new terminal
PHUKET: Phuket International Airport rolled out the red carpet at Terminal 2 yesterday to welcome passengers arriving on the first ‘technical flight’ to disembark at the new terminal. Airports of Thailand President Nitinai Sirismatthakarn along with Phuket Airport Director Monrudee Gettuphan personally welcomed the passengers and other airport staff. A violinist serenaded the passengers for the Valentine’s Day-themed event, which…
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Sky lantern sets Phuket hillside ablaze
PHUKET: A sky lantern released on Valentine’s Day left the hillside between Ya Nui and Nai Harn Beach in flames. “The lantern was released from Promthep viewpoint. However, a shift in the wind caused it to crash back into the hill,” explained Jessica Lee, who witnessed the event from a sailboat anchored off Nai Harn. It took firefighters more than…
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Phuket tourist dies after resort swimming pool incident
PHUKET: A Chinese tourist was pronounced dead at Phuket International Hospital after she was recovered unconscious from a Phuket resort swimming pool yesterday morning. Police asked the Phuket Gazette not to reveal the identity of the 61-year-old woman, who was quickly pulled out of the water by hotel staff and given CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation], explained Lt Charus Lempand of the…
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Woman rescued after suicidal leap from Phuket’s “love bridge’
PHUKET: A self-proclaimed brokenhearted woman was safely rescued after she jumped off Sarasin Bridge a day before Valentine’s Day. “Ueangporn Thongsakul, 28, was rescued by a nearby speedboat driver after he saw her jump at about 8pm on Saturday,” said Lt Col Anek Mongkol of the Tah Chat Chai Police. Ms Ueangporn was taken to Thalang Hospital. “Thankfully, Ms Ueangporn…
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German charged for Polish pedestrian’s death in Phuket
PHUKET: A German man is out on bail after being charged for fatally colliding with a Polish pedestrian in Chalong. Miroslav Slanina, 73, ran into Malgorzata Regina Szczygiel, 44, while she was crossing the road in front of Soi Thao Daeng on Wiset Road about 8pm* on Saturday night. “Mr Slanina was taken to Chalong Police Station and charged with…
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Putin, Obama agree on cooperation to implement Syria agreement
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Putin, Obama agree on cooperation to implement Syria agreement Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed to intensify diplomatic and other cooperation to implement an agreement on Syria struck at talks in Munich, the Kremlin said on Sunday.…
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New Zealand’s Christchurch rocked by 5.7 magnitude quake, cliffs collapse into sea
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community New Zealand’s Christchurch rocked by 5.7 magnitude quake, cliffs collapse into sea Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A strong 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Christchurch in New Zealand on yesterday, causing cliffs to collapse into the sea but no major damage to the city, which was…
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Ethnic rebels’ show of force highlights Suu Kyi’s peace challenge
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Ethnic rebels’ show of force highlights Suu Kyi’s peace challenge Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Speaking to 1,000 of his soldiers at a mountain base on Myanmar’s border with Thailand, the leader of a powerful ethnic armed group called on other rebels to join government-led peace…
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Bigger budget needed to boost Phuket image
PHUKET: The central government needs to reassess how it determines Phuket’s budget due to the vast number of tourists for which the island’s infrastructure needs to cater, said Phuket Honorary Consul for Nepal Pranee Sakulpipatana at a seminar on the island’s image on Friday. “The central government calculates the budget for the island based on its registered residential population of…
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Tourist dies scuba diving in Phi Phi national park
PHUKET: A tour company, a boat operator and a British dive professional are all in hot water after a tourist died in their care while scuba diving in Phi Phi national marine park yesterday. Chinese national Minghua Jiang, 62, was recovered unconscious at about noon while scuba diving for the first time near Koh Poda (Koh Yawasam), which is part…
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Phuket land owners offer sell-off solution for sea gypsy conflict
PHUKET: Exasperated by the never-ending battle over land ownership rights with the sea gypsy community in Rawai, some land owners involved have offered to sell their plots to the government in order to resolve the dispute. Weerachai Tantiwattanawalop, who claims to own five rai of land currently occupied by the sea gypsies, said he and other land owners were planning…
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