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.
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Phuket Gazette World News: Man shot dead over Lone Survivor texting
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Man shot dead at Florida theatre showing ‘Lone Survivor’ Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A moviegoer shot and killed one person and wounded another on Monday when an argument over text messaging in a Florida theatre showing the hit new war film Lone Survivor erupted in gunfire, authorities…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Hong Kong confirms second death from H7N9 bird flu
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Hong Kong confirms second death from H7N9 bird flu Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A 65-year-old man infected with the H7N9 bird flu virus has died in Hong Kong, the government said on Monday, the second such death in the city.The man, the third person in Hong Kong…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Nigerian leader signs anti-gay law
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nigerian leader signs anti-gay law, drawing U.S. fire Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill on Monday that criminalises same-sex relationships, defying Western pressure over gay rights and provoking criticism from the United States.The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years…
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Phuket Gazette World News: World powers, Iran eye February start to nuclear settlement talks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World powers, Iran eye February start to nuclear settlement talks Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Big powers and Iran are likely to start talks on a final settlement to the long dispute over its nuclear ambitions in February, shortly after a six-month deal curbing its atomic activity takes…
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Political accessories market heats up in Phuket
PHUKET: The number of vendors selling political paraphernalia at the Phuket Provincial Hall protests has significantly increased since the protest on December 9, despite the number of protesters decreasing, vendors explained to the Phuket Gazette today.“I sold whistles at the last big protest. Since then, the number of vendors has increased by about 20 per cent,” said 50-year-old Monthathip Jormtai.Kanokphan…
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Phuket Provincial Hall protesters peacefully move outdoors for the night
PHUKET: The protesters vacated Phuket Provincial Hall late this afternoon after holding the building all day to show support for the “Bangkok Shutdown” (story here). “We agreed to leave Provincial Hall and establish our camp outside,” Former Rassada Mayor and protest co-ordinator Suratin Lian-udom told the Phuket Gazette. “We don’t want to be responsible for any criminal activity; we just…
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Phuket tour bus avoids car, but clips motorcyclist near Kata Hill
PHUKET: A man parking his motorbike by the side of the road near Chalong Circle escaped with minor injuries this morning when a Phuket tour bus clipped him while trying to avoid an accident. The bus driver told police that he was en route to Kata when a car cut in front of him near the Sarapan Pleng bar, west…
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Phuket FC tame Ratchaburi Dragons in 2014 pre-season kickoff
PHUKET: Rebranded and reborn this year as the the “Ronins”, Phuket FC kicked off their 2014 pre-season in respectable form last night, defeating Thai Premier League squad, Ratchaburi Mitrphol FC by a score of 1-0 in an evenly-weighted friendly match at Surakul Stadium.In two 45-minute halves, under some clouds and periodic light showers, both sides employed a number of promising…
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Phuket protest underway, thousands expected to join
PHUKET: Organizers expect over 3,000 people to gather in central Phuket Town today in support of the anti-government “shutdown” now going on in Bangkok. One group is already assembled on the grounds of Provincial Hall (map here), and another group is marching through town to Saphan Hin. “Suratin Liang-udom, the former mayor of Rassada, will lead the group at Provincial…
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And the winners of the Boat Show lucky draw are…
PHUKET: This year’s edition of the annual Phuket boat show (PIMEX), which closed late yesterday, offered solid testimony to the improving global economy and the renewed vibrance of the marine leisure industry in Asia, particularly at its hub – Phuket. Full car parks, full restaurants and lots of action in the booths and berths at the Royal Phuket Marina –…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Russia says militants seized with bomb in south
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Russia says militants seized with bomb in south Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Five members of a banned militant group were arrested in southern Russia on Saturday and a homemade bomb packed with shrapnel was defused, in another security scare weeks before the Winter Olympics in Sochi.Islamist militants…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Turkish PM pushes judicial reforms after parliament punch-up
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Turkish PM pushes judicial reforms after parliament punch-up Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Sunday to forge ahead with judicial reforms which prompted a fist fight in parliament, denying he was trampling on the constitution as the government battles a damaging corruption…
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Phuket Gazette World News: French first lady in hospital after reports of Hollande affair
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community French first lady in hospital after reports of Hollande affair Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: French first lady Valerie Trierweiler has been admitted to hospital following reports of an affair between President Francois Hollande and an actress, but will be discharged on Monday, sources said on Sunday.The daily…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Iran sanctions lifted under nuclear peace deal
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Deal on curbing Iran’s nuclear activity to take effect January 20 Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A deal for Iran to freeze parts of its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief will take effect on January 20, giving world powers and Tehran six months to agree a…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Bangkok shutdown begins; Pheu Thai objects May 4 polls; Businesses ready for downturn
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Stage set for huge Bangkok shutdown The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will today begin their Shutdown operation to try to seize seven sites in Bangkok at 9am after a series of blockades at state agencies – in a bid to paralyse…
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Phuket’s Paul ‘DJ Doris’ Norris dies in motorcycle accident
PHUKET: Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’ on Phuket Island Radio 91.5FM, died in a motorcycle accident early this morning. He was riding home when his motorbike and a taxi collided at an intesection on Chao Fa West Road in Chalong at about 2am, police confirmed. Mr Norris was well known and much loved by his many friends and fans…
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Phuket celebrates Children’s Day
PHUKET: Today is Children’s Day, and youngsters across the island are being feted with games, prizes, and free food and drink in the annual celebration. In Phuket Town, Governor Maitri Inthusut hosted activities at his official residence, including a tour, while other events were underway at Provincial Hall and Saphan Hin. At a celebration sponsored by Phuket Marine Police, the…
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Phuket Gazette World News: U.S. to withdraw diplomat from India as dispute festers
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. to withdraw diplomat from India as dispute festers Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The United States said on Friday it would withdraw one of its diplomats from New Delhi at India’s request after Washington effectively expelled an Indian envoy at the centre of a dispute between the…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Celebrations in Central African Republic as leader resigns
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Celebrations in Central African Republic as leader resigns Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Central African Republic’s interim President Michel Djotodia caved in to international pressure and resigned on Friday after failing to halt inter-religious violence, drawing thousands onto the streets in celebration.The resignations of Djotodia and his Prime…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Falluja residents flee feared Iraq army assault
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bewildered Falluja residents flee feared Iraq army assault Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Iraqis fleeing from Falluja question whether the masked gunmen who overran their city 10 days ago are really al Qaeda-linked militants as the government says, but fear their presence will draw a ferocious response from…
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Tiger Disco trial over inferno deaths to start next month
PHUKET: The long-awaited manslaughter trial over the deaths of four people in Patong’s Tiger Disco inferno, in August 2012, will begin next month. Tiger Group CEO Piya Isaramalai and Sara Entertainment Co Ltd each face a charge of causing death through negligence under Section 291 of the Thai Criminal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.…
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Phuket ‘backpack bomb’ fears disarmed by underwear
PHUKET: A lottery ticket seller raised the alarm of a potential backpack bomb outside of a Phuket bank yesterday. However, a police investigation revealed only various female garments, including underwear. “She saw a teenager put several things in the bag and then drop it near the stairs of the Kasikorn Bank branch on Chana-Charoen Road. She got scared, and asked…
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Phuket Election Commission seeks to re-open candidate registration
PHUKET: The Phuket Election Commission (PEC) has sent a formal request to Bangkok asking for permission to re-open registration so more candidates can contest the February 2 national election. “It’s not fair to hold an election with only one candidate. There is no choice for the people,” Tassaneeya Srirattanaprapan, chief of the PEC’s Political Party Division, said at a news…
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Phuket Customs yet to enforce new rules for boat stays
PHUKET: Phuket Customs will hear the opinions of representatives from throughout Phuket’s marine industry before deciding whether or not to enforce new regulations that would reduce boat stays in Thailand to two months. The new rules were announced by Phuket Customs Chief Nanthita Sririkub in a meeting at Provincial Hall yesterday. “According to new regulations handed down from Bangkok on…
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Phuket greenlights trial ban on buses over deadly Patong hill
PHUKET: Within two weeks, buses and trucks headed to Patong will be barred from using the Patong Hill road, government officials and bus operators agreed at a meeting yesterday. The one-month trial ban will force most heavy vehicles to choose alternate roads into Patong, but will permit them to use the hill road when they exit the resort town. Not…
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Murder fugitive in Phuket land dispute surrenders to police
PHUKET: The man wanted for shooting dead a rival in a land dispute yesterday surrendered to Phuket police last night. Supongdeth Vetchatam, 53, presented himself at the Phuket City Police Station at about 7:30pm. He brought with him his lawyer and the murder weapon – a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver. Mr Supongdeth told police that he fatally shot Echa…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Fidel Castro, 87, makes rare public appearance
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Fidel Castro, 87, makes rare public appearance Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Former Cuban President Fidel Castro made a surprise appearance on Wednesday evening at the opening of a Havana cultural centre sponsored by one of his favourite Cuban artists.State television on Thursday broadcast images of Castro arriving…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Security alert in southern Russia after at least five bodies found
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Security alert in southern Russia after at least five bodies found Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Russia has put security forces on combat alert in the southern Stavropol region after the discovery of at least five corpses with gunshot wounds and an explosive device there barely a month…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Protests may cost B40bn; Tourism fears rise; Army maintains no coup; OAG stirs elections wasteful
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Prolonged siege may cost Bt40 bn The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Bangkok Shutdown is expected to whack Bt40 billion off the economy or 0.2 percentage point off its growth as consumers cut back on daily living and travel expenses, according to the University of the Thai…
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Deadly Phuket shooting over land, say police
PHUKET: Police believe a conflict over land was the motive for the deadly shooting in Phuket today. Echa Yala, 49, was shot dead while out in his garden, not far from a lagoon, after having a heated argument with a man who arrived in a white Toyota Fortuner (story here). “There were two men in the Fortuner. One man walked…
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