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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Sponsored How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
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Futsal World Cup: Thailand falls to Ukraine
BANGKOK: Reinforced by a loud and synergetic home crowd, the ‘War Elephants’ climbed back from a five goal deficit, only to fall 3-5 to Ukraine in the two sides’ second group-stage match of the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup. Played last night at a full-capacity Huamark Indoor Stadium in East Bangkok, the match’s first half was dominated by the world’s…
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FIFA Futsal World Cup: Day 3 roundup
EXCLUSIVE REPORT BY STEVEN LAYNEBANGKOK: The Futsal World Cup 2012 concluded the first of three rounds in the group stage, with the final eight teams in groups E and F playing their opening matches last night in Bangkok.It was the first night since the tournament kicked off on Thursday that there were no shared points – only winners and losers.Guatemala,…
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Phuket land raids spread, two resorts seized in Krabi land probe
PHUKET: Two beachfront resorts on Koh Si Boya, an island just offshore from Krabi Town and across the bay from Phuket, were raided and seized for allegedly encroaching on a protected forest area. The Krabi raids come after 366 officials were named to carry out a huge investigation into every plot of privately owned land along the border of Phuket’s…
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Human Rights Commission investigates Racha Yai land titles
PHUKET: The Human Rights Commission of Thailand is investigating claims by villagers on Koh Racha Yai that the Phuket Land Office is refusing to issue title deeds for plots that families there have been living on for generations. The land in question is not in a national park and is not registered as any type of protected area. The villagers…
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World News: Colin Duffy arrested over prison officer’s murder
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Prominent Irish nationalist arrested over Northern Ireland shooting Reuters PHUKET: An Irish nationalist acquitted earlier this year of the murder of two British soldiers in Northern Ireland was arrested yesterday in connection with the fatal shooting of a prison officer, a security source said. The murder…
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Weird World News: Shocking news connections
PHUKET: This week’s Weird World News Roundup is all about making the connection, from a flasher at a wedding to a wedding with a deadly-electric ending and finally arriving conveniently at the end with a cleaner and his electric out-of body experience. Naked flasher ruins wedding A bride and groom had their their marriage vows interrupted when a flasher threw…
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A Muslim voice lost in translation
SPECIAL REPORT PHUKET: Seven banners have appeared in Rawai in front of Muslim shops, houses and even a mosque. The English words dominating the banners are jarring to many. However, the Thai translation and the meaning behind the signs tells a very different story. The Phuket Gazette‘s Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai reports. The signs appeared overnight in a Rawai Muslim community with…
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World News: Freddie Starr arrested in Savile sex scandal
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community British police arrest second celebrity in Savile sex scandal Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: British police on Thursday arrested well-known comedian Freddie Starr in connection with an investigation into allegations that the late BBC entertainer Jimmy Savile and others were involved in the sexual abuse of…
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World News: New York marathon canceled
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community New York cancels Sunday marathon in wake of deadly storm Reuters PHUKET: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg abruptly reversed course and canceled Sunday’s marathon, a beloved annual race that had become a lightning rod for people frustrated by the disastrous aftermath of megastorm Sandy. The…
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International Sport: FIFA Futsal World Cup gains momentum on day two
BANGKOK: A total of 31 goals were scored in four high-intensity, memorable matches taking place on day 2 of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand.In the first match, played yesterday evening at Bangkok’s Nimibutr Stadium, world number 3 Italy opened its Group D campaign in fine form, making easy work of Australia, ranked 30th, with a final score of 9-1.The…
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Phuket B2.7mn KBank robber arrested, confesses
PHUKET: Police late this afternoon arrested Anusit Kaewmookda, the man wanted for the armed robbery of a Kasikornbank (KBank) branch north of Phuket Town on Wednesday. A reported 2.7 million baht was stolen in the heist. Police moved in and made the arrest soon after 5pm at an apartment behind Surakul Stadium where Mr Anusit was in hiding with one…
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Phuket Court to try Swedish “killing’ duo separately
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Court today ruled that it will hear the cases of Swedish nationals Johan Sebastian Ljung and Tommy Viktor Soderlund separately. The pair both stand charged with the premeditated murder of Maksim Schantz, collaboration in robbery and carrying a knife and an unlicensed firearm with ammunition on August 2 last year. The court made its ruling after…
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Phuket Sports: Red Bull’s Indian take-away keeps them ahead
PHUKET: The 2012 season was McLaren’s to lose, and they lost it. In a smoggy and boring Indian GP, Red Bull reaffirmed its control. As in Korea, Sebastian Vettel dominated for the second successive year. Mark Webber had a KERS problem, so Fernando Alonso managed second place for Ferrari. McLaren chose the wrong tyre strategy and underperformed until they switched…
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Destitute British man in death plunge
PHUKET: A financially destitute 64-year-old British national took a plunge from a radio mast at the Phuket Tourist Police Station in Phuket Town this morning.Tourist Police Sgt Maj Phayong Tipsombat, who was on duty at the station, told the Phuket Gazette that about 7:15am he heard shouting from the back of the police station and went to investigate. On discovering…
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World News: Two toddlers among the dead as toll spirals from Sandy; Fury race to go ahead
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Scope of Sandy’s destruction widens; Death toll spirals Reuters PHUKET: From New York City’s Staten Island to the popular beach towns of the Jersey Shore, rescuers and officials today faced growing evidence of widespread destruction wrought by super-storm Sandy, mounting anger over delayed relief and a…
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Islanders appeal to Phuket Governor over “Rape of Racha’ inaction
PHUKET: The head of a group of residents on Racha Yai Island, located about 25 kilometers south of Phuket, filed a complaint on Tuesday over alleged inaction by government officials in following up on publicly announced promises to take necessary steps in preserving the island’s natural environment. The complaint, addressed to Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut, was filed by Racha Yai…
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Show some respect – Wenger
PHUKET: Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has called on fans to “show respect” to Manchester United’s Robin Van Persie when he faces his old club for the first time tomorrow. The Dutch striker spent eight years with the Gunners before shifting to Manchester United in the close season for a reported 24 million pound transfer fee. Arsenal travel north to Old…
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US$245mn approved for Myanmar from World Bank
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World Bank earmarks US$245 million for Myanmar, outlines 18-month work plan ReutersPHUKET: The World Bank yesterday earmarked US$245 million in credit and grant funding for Myanmar under an 18-month work plan, the first lending to the southeast Asian nation in 25 years and another sign the country…
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Market vendors protest relocation from new Phuket hospital site
PHUKET: About 50 market vendors gathered at the Phuket Provincial Office yesterday afternoon to protest being relocated to a new market site near Phuket Country Home in Chalong. The vendors are facing eviction from their current site of 10-rai where the Chalong Clinic (also called the “Chalong Health Promoting Station”) now stands, but is hoped to soon become home to…
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Thailand Sports: 21 goals scored on day 1 of Futsal World Cup, Thailand tops group A
BANGKOK: The 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup kicked off in extraordinary fashion last night with four sensational matches in Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasimaj, highlighted by a total of 21 goals scored. Hosts Thailand lived up to the Asian futsal world’s expectations in their Group A opener with CONCACAF champions Costa Rica, in which the War Elephants prevailed by a score…
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Thailand News: Park fees cut; BMA told to pay; Myanmar opium output rises
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community New parks chief cuts entry fees Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: Admission fees to 29 national parks have been significantly reduced thanks to an order signed by new Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) chief Rerngchai Prayoonvej. Rerngchai signed documents yesterday canceling rules…
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Toddler, grandfather drown at Phuket beach
PHUKET: A 2-and-a-half-year-old boy and his grandfather drowned at Mai Khao Beach in Thalang, in the north of Phuket, this morning during a walk along the beach. Sem Meesak, 57, dropped his wife off at work at a nearby resort at about 9am, then took his grandson, Anachin Meesak, to Pru Jeh San Lake for a walk, Tah Chat Chai…
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Similan National Park opens, fees remain the same for Phuket tourists
PHUKET: The Similan National Park officially re-opened today with its park fees remaining unchanged as Phuket’s tourism high season approaches. Admissions fees were expected to take a sharp jump after Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) chief Damrong Phidet, now retired, announced in September the need to increase the price of fees to raise money to carry…
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“… most successful doping program that sport has ever seen.”
A USADA report that included testimonies from several former team mates against Lance Armstrong and themselves, called it the “most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen”. PHUKET: The International Olympic Committee will launch an investigation into Lance Armstrong‘s 2000 Olympics bronze medal after the American was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles in…
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World Sports: Halloween nightmare for the “Red Devils”
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World sporting news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Reuters / Gazette EditorsPHUKET: Chelsea came from behind three times to overhaul Manchester United 5-4 after extra time and book a spot in the League Cup quarter-finals last night, earning sweet revenge for Sunday’s controversial 3-2 league defeat. Holders Liverpool, fielding a weakened side for…
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Chinese tourist dies in Phuket after speedboat accident
PHUKET: A 24-year-old Chinese woman died in Phuket International Hospital this morning after being involved in a heavy collision between two speedboats off Koh Khai island in Phang Nga Bay yesterday.Chinese tourist Kang Xiao Xue was rushed to Phuket along with “many others” who sustained injuries in the collision, the Phuket Gazette was told.She was one of three tourists who…
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Might not be Phuket “Minute Man’ bank robber’s first heist: Police
PHUKET: The “Minute Man” who made off with 2.7 million baht in a bank robbery yesterday displayed similar behaviors to the uncaught bank thief who robbed a Kasikorn Bank branch in Witchit January last year, said Phuket City Police Superintendent Sermphan Sirikong. In both cases, the robbery was made at gunpoint by a man wearing a helmet and took less…
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Phuket Halloween kratom party a bust
PHUKET: Police arrested a Phuket hotel staff member with five kilograms of kratom leaves, allegedly being prepared for a “kratom party” on the island. On the eve of Halloween, Thanit Praditnipol, 21, was picked up by a sortie of officers led by Muang Chief Administrative Officer Thammarong Chuayaksorn as Mr Thanit stepped off a bus arriving from Trang province at…
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UN says Myanmar must protect Rohingya minority Muslims
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar must protect Muslims and halt discrimination, U.N. says ReutersPhuket: U.N. human rights investigators called on Myanmar yesterday to halt deadly sectarian violence and warned it not to use the conflict as a pretext to remove Rohingya minority Muslims. Some 89 people have been killed in…
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World News: Obama edges into the lead in U.S. presidential race
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Race tight in 4 states, Obama holds slight edge Reuters President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney are neck and neck in four of the most hotly contested states in next week’s election, but Obama holds a slight advantage in two of them, according to a…
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