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    Thailand health insurance that covers chronic conditions: What expats need to know

    The Thaiger key takeaways Managing chronic conditions in Thailand requires health insurance that covers specialist visits, medications, tests, and hospital stays. Cigna offers high-coverage plans with access to top hospitals, direct billing, and telemedicine support for convenient long-term care. Expats...

  • Phuket airport aims to bring swift justice to shoplifters | Thaiger

    Phuket airport aims to bring swift justice to shoplifters

    PHUKET: Phuket International Airport has established a new policy for dealing with airport shoplifters.Passengers suspected of shoplifting in the airport who attempt to escape prosecution by boarding their flights will now be asked to deplane to be arrested. However, the arrest and the retrieval of the passenger’s luggage must all be completed within an hour.The announcement, made on October 29,…

  • Phuket woman transfers over 2 million baht to alleged Facebook scammer | Thaiger

    Phuket woman transfers over 2 million baht to alleged Facebook scammer

    PHUKET: A woman believed by police to be entangled in an intricate Facebook scam transferred 2 million baht into a Thanachart Bank account and 48,000 baht into a Bangkok Bank account based in Phuket. The 53-year-old woman, named only as “Ms A” by police, filed a complaint to Wichit Police yesterday after being asked to transfer an additional 2.3 million…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Council to name top monk; Nurses apologize; Naomi Campbell pales | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Council to name top monk; Nurses apologize; Naomi Campbell pales

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Council to name top monk soon The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: BECAUSE of the position left vacant by the passing away on October 24 of the late Supreme Patriarch, His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, at the age of 100, the Sangha Supreme Council would soon…

  • King cobra joins guest in hotel room, gets evicted [video report] | Thaiger

    King cobra joins guest in hotel room, gets evicted [video report]

    PHUKET: A foreign tourist staying at at hotel in Bang Tao on Tuesday night had an uninvited visitor enter his room: a two-meter long king cobra.Thanakorn Puyati, 29, a security guard at Bangtao Beach Gardens, was called to the scene, and quickly summoned Kusoldharm rescue workers. “We rushed to the hotel and found a frightened foreigner and his Thai girlfriend…

  • USA’s Kessy joins up with Sweat to top Pool G at Phuket Open | Thaiger

    USA’s Kessy joins up with Sweat to top Pool G at Phuket Open

    PHUKET: USA’s Jennifer Kessy and Brooke Sweat top Pool G after securing two wins on the first day of pool play at the 2013 FIVB Beach Volleyball Phuket Open yesterday. The penultimate Open of the year is back in Thailand for its eighth consecutive year, taking place from October 28 to November 3. Kessy/Sweat were first on court at 9:00…

  • Report: Global wealth has doubled since 2000 | Thaiger

    Report: Global wealth has doubled since 2000

    PHUKET: A decade of negative real returns on equities, as well as more recent bear markets and housing bubbles bursting, has understandably made commentators cautious, even when there is good economic news. Nevertheless, the 2013 Crédit Suisse Global Wealth Report published recently has concluded that in spite of all this, global wealth has more than doubled since 2000, reaching a…

  • Baburina/Mulenko dig deep to knock out top seeded qualifiers at Phuket Open | Thaiger

    Baburina/Mulenko dig deep to knock out top seeded qualifiers at Phuket Open

    PHUKET: Svitlana Baburina and Diana Mulenko from Ukraine knocked out top seeded qualifiers Sweden’s Nina Grawender and Karin Lundqvist at the 2013 FIVB Beach Volleyball Phuket Open yesterday. The penultimate Open of the year is back in Thailand for its eighth consecutive year, taking place from October 28 to November 3. Baburina/Mulenko had the longest time on court in the…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Dogged by dissent, Israel frees 26; Politicians talk too much – Britain; NSA defends spying | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: Dogged by dissent, Israel frees 26; Politicians talk too much – Britain; NSA defends spying

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Dogged by dissent, Israel frees 26 Palestinian prisoners Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Israel freed 26 Palestinian prisoners on Wednesday, the second stage of a limited amnesty designed to help U.S.-sponsored peace talks that have been dogged by divisions on both sides.The inmates, convicted of murder in the…

  • It’s raining snakes in Phuket Town | Thaiger

    It’s raining snakes in Phuket Town

    PHUKET: Recent heavy rainfall has led to a jump in large snakes being nabbed in Phuket, with four rounded up in Phuket Town in the last 24 hours.One of the four giant snakes, a three-meter python, made a dramatic entry into a Phuket Town bedroom by tumbling through a vent.“I heard noise that sounded like something had fallen off my…

  • In memory of “Mrs Palmer of the Phuket Hash House Harriers’ | Thaiger

    In memory of “Mrs Palmer of the Phuket Hash House Harriers’

    Well-known local healer and Phuket triathlete Richard Patrick Cracknell, 66, passed away in Hawaii in the care of his son Jesse on October 24. He succumbed to complications arising from an idiopathic degenerative motor neuron disease (MND).PHUKET: This singular American athlete and healer, known by the Phuket Hash House Harriers (Phuket HHH) as Mrs Palmer, arrived in Phuket in the…

  • Traffic resumes after 10-wheeler flips on Patong Hill | Thaiger

    Traffic resumes after 10-wheeler flips on Patong Hill

    PHUKET: Both lanes of traffic resumed up Patong hill (map here) shortly after a flipped 10-wheeler was hauled away. The driver of the truck lost control at about 11:30am on the notorious section of road in Phuket. The truck flipped and crashed into a sedan, Lt Jaruwat Tiamnaka told the Phuket Gazette. “Fortunately nobody was injured,” Lt Jaruwat said. —…

  • Phuket Opinion: Climate change of opinion | Thaiger

    Phuket Opinion: Climate change of opinion

    PHUKET: Whenever I read the letters in a national newspaper, or dare to utter the phrase “climate change” in a bar, someone invariably seems to want to take issue with the idea of global warming. There have always been skeptics – usually from vested commercial or political interests. Proponents of climate change have been branded “criminals” by Lord Monckton, advocates…

  • New Region 8 Police Commander demands crime-free beaches | Thaiger

    New Region 8 Police Commander demands crime-free beaches

    PHUKET: The new Police Region 8 Commander on Sunday demanded that officers in Karon and Patong include beaches in their patrol zones. “In order for tourists to truly relax and have a good time, they must feel safe, even on the beach,” said Police Region 8 Commander Panya Mamen on his first official visit to Phuket. In Karon, Lt Gen…

  • Phuket’s Thanyapura extends its challenge | Thaiger

    Phuket’s Thanyapura extends its challenge

    PHUKET: The island’s active and healthy lifestyle destination, Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Center, is extending its commitments to developing sporting excellence in athletes and enthusiasts of all abilities and ages by hosting the Thanyapura Junior Challenge Triathlon, part of the Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest 2013, on Saturday, November 30. With participants divided into Junior (6-8 years), Intermediate (9-12) and Senior…

  • FIVB Phuket Open starts today – Beach Volleyball | Thaiger

    FIVB Phuket Open starts today – Beach Volleyball

    PHUKET: World No 1 Taiana Lima and Talita Da Rocha Antunes of Brazil head the seedings of the Phuket Thailand Open, powered by PTT, which starts at Karon Beach today. Seeded second in the six-day competition are compatriots Maria Clara Salgado Rufino and Carolina Solberg Salgado, ranked No 3 in the world. Other seeds include the German pair of Laura…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Bomb disposal veteran killed; Business says no to blanket amnesty; Drug mule caught with 7kg of cocaine | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Bomb disposal veteran killed; Business says no to blanket amnesty; Drug mule caught with 7kg of cocaine

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Revered bomb disposal expert among 3 killed The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Pol Sub-Lt Shaen Warongphaisit, a police bomb-disposal veteran whose face was familiar to both locals and reporters covering the South insurgency, was yesterday laid to rest from his tiring and dangerous job after succumbing to…

  • Former Central Festival Phuket security guard robs shops of ex-employer | Thaiger

    Former Central Festival Phuket security guard robs shops of ex-employer

    PHUKET: Police arrested a former Central Festival mall security guard yesterday for stealing over two dozen phones from the mall.Kitti Pueanrak, 23, went to the mall to watch an evening movie on October 21, said Wichit Police Deputy Superintendent Jakkrawath Boontaweekulsawas.When the movie ended, Mr Kitti went down the escalator and slipped into the mobile phone section one floor below.…

  • Low minimum access to a Wall Street legend | Thaiger

    Low minimum access to a Wall Street legend

    PHUKET: I have followed the performance of the Abraham Trading Company for many years but it has always been off limits for use with the vast majority of my clients. As has happened with a lot of high-class money managers recently, a low minimum feeder has been opened that allows access to your average offshore investor. What I like about…

  • Understanding financial adviser fees – Phuket Investor | Thaiger

    Understanding financial adviser fees – Phuket Investor

    PHUKET: Let’s be upfront and say that while no one likes paying fees, there is no such thing as a free lunch, and I, as a financial adviser providing financial advice, along with those on Wall Street who create investment products all need “to eat”, so to speak. That said, there is no reason for you to pay unnecessary or…

  • Daughter pleas for help in finding missing father | Thaiger

    Daughter pleas for help in finding missing father

    PHUKET: A distressed woman made a public plea for help in the search for her father, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and wandered away from home on Saturday afternoon.Benjawan Moonket, 29, filed a missing person report with the Thalang Police at about 5:30pm yesterday.“The missing person is Muang Moonket, 60. He was last seen at about 1pm on Saturday,…

  • Ships, planes north of Phuket warned of possible Indian rocket fallout | Thaiger

    Ships, planes north of Phuket warned of possible Indian rocket fallout

    PHUKET: Ships and planes were warned yesterday to stay away from the Phang Nga coast, north of Phuket, on November 5 as India will launch a rocket that might jettison a fuel tank into the area.“India’s space center told us that the launch would possibly be on November 5, because the weather on that day is expected to be suitable…

  • 100 SuperCheap workers unaccounted for at Employment Office | Thaiger

    100 SuperCheap workers unaccounted for at Employment Office

    PHUKET: None of the 100 Burmese staff who reportedly resigned from SuperCheap after the fire at the megashop have reported their resignations to the Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO).The workers are required by law to report their resignation by November 1, Yaowapa Pibulpol, chief of the PPEO, told the Phuket Gazette.“I have no idea why none of them have shown…

  • South Africa considers consulate in Phuket | Thaiger

    South Africa considers consulate in Phuket

    PHUKET: South African Ambassador Ruby Marks met with Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut on Friday to discuss the possibility of opening a consulate on the island.“South Africa has a consulate in Chiang Mai, and now they are considering adding one in Southern Thailand,” Gov Maitri said.“Phuket is a logical choice because we have so many South African visitors – 77,915 last…

  • Heavy drinking Phuket chef, 44, found dead from heart failure | Thaiger

    Heavy drinking Phuket chef, 44, found dead from heart failure

    PHUKET: A 44-year-old chef was found dead from heart failure in his room on Friday, just a week after starting a new job. The body of Chalong Tiwiyang was found on the floor of his staff bedroom at Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa at about 6pm on Friday evening. Police estimate Mr Chalong had been dead for about 10 hours.…

  • Kvik-start your future – Phuket Business | Thaiger

    Kvik-start your future – Phuket Business

    PHUKET: The Danish kitchen brand Kvik, known for its high-quality, low prices and fast delivery times, has rapidly expanded its presence in Thailand over the last year and is on the lookout for business partners in Phuket. Kvik Associate Thomas Sorensen explained that as part of Kvik’s current expansion, the company is offering an unprecedented support package to its new…

  • FIVB beach volleyball is looking good | Thaiger

    FIVB beach volleyball is looking good

    PHUKET: The venue at Karon beach which is hosting the US$146,400 Phuket Thailand Open powered by PTT beach volleyball tournament, the penultimate stop on the 2013 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour is ready for start of play tomorrow. The courts have been laid down and the center court grandstand is in place, along with the temporary offices for the various…

  • Phuket tour bus slams into motorists, shophouse; ‘brake failure’ cited, again | Thaiger

    Phuket tour bus slams into motorists, shophouse; ‘brake failure’ cited, again

    PHUKET: Three people were injured when a Phuket tour bus slammed into traffic waiting at the busy Slaughterhouse Intersection in Phuket Town (map here) just after midday yesterday. No tourists were on board the bus at the time of the accident, but the juggernaut slammed into two cars and three motorbikes before it came to a halt when it plowed…

  • Phuket Police searching for karaoke assault gang | Thaiger

    Phuket Police searching for karaoke assault gang

    PHUKET: Police are on the lookout for a gang of youths wanted for a vicious attack on two men outside a karaoke bar in Thalang early yesterday morning. Officers were called to the scene, an unnamed karaoke bar in Soi Ta Mhen, Muang Mai, at 3am. “When we arrived we found Wicharn Mueanprasart, 34, with a knife wound to his…

  • Phuket devout demand apology from drunken Russian | Thaiger

    Phuket devout demand apology from drunken Russian

    PHUKET: About 200 Phuket residents yesterday demanded an apology from the Russian tourist who damaged a statue of revered historical abbot Luang Por Kongdet during a drunken spree late Tuesday night. If the tourist, Oleg Fomenko, 31, or the Russian honorary consul for Phuket do not apologize within seven days, there will be protests, the residents warned. Mr Fomenko was…

  • Phuket’s illegal tour van drivers granted temporary amnesty | Thaiger

    Phuket’s illegal tour van drivers granted temporary amnesty

    PHUKET: The Phuket Land Transportation Office (PLTO) will issue documents to certify illegal tour van drivers who have applied to become legal so they may continue working until their applications are processed. The news follows a group of illegal van drivers appealing to Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut yesterday for the right to keep working until their applications to become legal…