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Opinion: Snorkelling safety snafu
PHUKET: The recent death of Chinese tourist Weidong Lu, 49, who was killed while snorkelling off Koh Racha Yai, further exemplifies the need to provide tourists with fully trained and certified tour guides. Though it is uncertain whether or not a tour guide was present on the speedboat that was hired to carry Mr Weidong and his family, it still…
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V/Gov to strip 10 per cent zones of unruly vendors
PHUKET: Beaches with vendors that continually break beach management rules will be stripped of their 10 per cent zones and designated as virgin beaches, confirmed Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat. The vice governor’s comments come fast on the heels of photographic evidence sent to the Phuket Gazette of beach chairs chained to trees at Kata Beach last week. “We will…
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Officials launch safe-sex campaign ahead of Valentine’s Day
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) is urging people to practice safe sex as part of an awareness campaign for Valentine’s Day this year. “HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases [STDs] can be prevented if people practice safe sex. It is crucial to be aware of ways to keep yourself protected,” says PPHO Chief Buncha Kakong. Dr Buncha is…
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Phi Phi park chief allows additional dive sites
PHUKET: After a lengthy meeting, Phi Phi officials have agreed to allow 18 dive sites to remain open following an incident on Wednesday when a speedboat seriously injured two Russian divers (story here). “After talking to all relevant parties, we have decided to allow diving to continue at many of the current sites in the park,” confirmed Sarayuth Tanthien, chief…
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Diving restricted in Phi Phi following speedboat accident
PHUKET: Diving in the Phi Phi archipelago has been limited to three dive sites following an incident on Wednesday when a speedboat seriously injured two Russian divers. “We will be strictly enforcing the rule that allows diving only at Loh Samah Bay, Bida Nai and Bida Nok,” said Boonnam Chuyradom, assistant chief of Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi…
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Pyromaniac attempts firebombing Krabi cop shop
KRABI: Police in Krabi had to hold back an angry woman intent on burning down the local police station yesterday after she pulled up outside the building in a car crammed with containers of gasoline and threatened to torch the place. Sanejan Jankert, 39, arrived at the station armed with two lighters and about 100 liters of gasoline in five…
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Ministry of Farang Affairs: Thai body language
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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Opinion: Baron vs sea gypsies
PHUKET: The ongoing land dispute between the Rawai Sea Gypsy community and a powerful real estate investment firm needs to be resolved peacefully and equitably. Working out a solution will certainly not be easy and will require concessions from both sides. Phuket has a long, rich history of land rights disputes between some of the richest and poorest elements of…
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Beefed up: McDonald’s edging out KFC, Pizza Hut in China revival battle
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Beefed up: McDonald’s edging out KFC, Pizza Hut in China revival battle Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Yum Brands Inc (YUM.N), the home of KFC and Pizza Hut, is falling behind rival McDonald’s Corp (MCD.N) as the pair battle to revive flagging sales in China –…
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PRBC calls for blood donations during Chinese New Year festivities
PHUKET: The Phuket Regional Blood Center (PRBC) has called for blood donations during the Chinese New Year festivities in a campaign entitled ‘Chinese New Year, donate blood for life happiness’. “Chinese New Year is considered a very important ceremony for Thai-Chinese people,” said PRBC Chief Pornthip Rattajak. “Donating blood to those who need it is a good way to welcome…
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Paklok to host “Yamu Night Fishing Games’
PHUKET: The mayor of Paklok announced plans this week to hold the first Yamu Night Fishing Games at Laem Yamu harbor from March 4 through 6. The fishing tournament is part of the municipality’s annual plan to develop the area with more public facilities and tourist attractions, said Mayor Panya Sampaorat on Wednesday. “Cape Yamu has an abundance of natural…
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Video Report: Quattro Design brings fine furnishings to Phuket
PHUKET: Boat Avenue has added one more top-notch outlet with the grand opening of Quattro Design’s 900-square-meter showroom. Co-owner Praowphan Laoha-pongchana, and Design Director and Co-Founder Wichada Sritakarin, hosted the stylish event on Wednesday. Following the launch of a pop-up store at the Boat Lagoon last November, the pair decided to move ahead with establishing a full-size Quattro Design showroom…
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Speedboat operator charged for maiming Russians
PHUKET: The driver of the speedboat that crashed into two Russian divers on Wednesday is being charged with reckless driving causing serious injury. Russian nationals named by police as Sergei Dmitriev, 30, and Dmitry Kurynov, 48, were diving near Maya Bay when they were hit by the speedboat, causing one diver to lose his leg and the other to suffer…
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Phuket governor orders investigation into Facebook ‘defamation’ post
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has ordered an investigation into a Facebook user who has accused him of taking sides in a dispute over land rights between the sea gypsy community in Rawai and developer Baron World Trade Co Ltd, which plans to build luxury villas on the contested beachfront land. The Facebook user, who goes by the screen name…
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New pathway planned as quick fix for sea gypsy land dispute
PHUKET: Land officials led by Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul yesterday measured out boundaries so that a three-meter-wide path can be cut through public land near Rawai Beach to allow members of the local sea gypsy community to access traditional ceremonial grounds while a dispute rages between the gypsies and a developer over land use rights. The decision to clear…
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U.S. gun traders rush to set up new sites after Facebook firearms ban
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. gun traders rush to set up new sites after Facebook firearms ban Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: U.S. gun traders are setting up new websites to arrange deals after Facebook Inc barred private gun sales on its platform. With gun rights and safety registering as…
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PewDiePie, others set to star in YouTube’s first original shows
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community PewDiePie, others set to star in YouTube’s first original shows Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: YouTube’s viral video stars, many of whom have a fan following in the millions, are set to appear next week in original movies and a show, as the video site attempts…
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Austrian suffers fatal heart attack on Patong Beach
PHUKET: An Austrian tourist died yesterday evening while swimming with his partner at Patong Beach. Anton Heigl, 73, was out in the water with his partner Maria Tretthann, 63, when he fell unconscious, confirmed Patong Police Lt Col Anukul Nuket. Mr Heigl was rushed to Patong Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Ms Tretthann told police that Mr…
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‘Phuket Brand’ logo to revive consumer confidence, says Gov
PHUKET: A newly revived ‘Phuket Brand’ logo can now be used by businesses to boost consumer confidence, the Phuket Office of Commercial Affairs announced yesterday. “The logo has been designed and approved since 2009 in order to promote the island’s goods and services,” said Decha Phetwong, chief of Phuket’s Office of Commercial Affairs. “But for some reason, it has not…
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Krabi hero attains Volunteer Defense Corp certification
KRABI: A Krabi man who was hailed a hero after rescuing two tourists stuck knee-deep in mud in October last year (video report here) has now become a certified member of the Krabi Volunteer Defense Corps. Chat Ubonjinda, 44, was one of 31 new defense volunteers presented with a certificate by Muang Krabi District Chief Suriyun Damrongkul yesterday, after successfully…
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Samkong junction set to close for two nights
PHUKET: The road at Samkong junction in front of Tesco Lotus will be partially closed between 10pm and 4am tonight and tomorrow to allow heavy lifting equipment to be used for construction of the underpass. “The section of road is being closed off at the request of the construction company in order to speed up completion of construction,” said Phuket…
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Phi Phi scuba divers mangled by speedboat
PHUKET: A Russian diver lost his leg and another was seriously injured after being hit by a speedboat near Maya Bay this morning. “I was taking 30 tourists to Ao Maya when it felt like we struck a submerged object. I turned the boat around and saw scuba diving tanks, and the water began to fill with blood,” said Adisorn…
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Phuket sea gypsies allowed access to ceremonial site, for now
PHUKET: Private land owners have temporarily allowed Rawai sea gypsies access to a traditional ceremonial site, pending consideration of donating the land to the seafaring nomads. The issue was brought to a head after more than 30 sea gypsies were injured in a violent confrontation with private business owners after they blocked access to the sea gypsies’ Balai table, a…
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AMCHAM Phuket presents trends in sustainable hospitality
PHUKET: The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Greater Phuket Chapter has organized a tourism seminar on Friday (Feb 5) that will address how sustainability helps hotels cut costs and increase overall satisfaction and loyalty from both their associates and guests. The event will be led by Grace Kang of Singapore’s Greenview Hospitality company and will be held at the Keemala…
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First U.S. Zika virus transmission reported, attributed to sex
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community First U.S. Zika virus transmission reported, attributed to sex Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The first known case of Zika virus transmission in the United States was reported in Texas on Tuesday by local health officials, who said it likely was contracted through sex and not…
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Social media make hay of Trump’s Iowa defeat
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Social media make hay of Trump’s Iowa defeat Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: After what seemed like a long silence by his standards, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump returned to Twitter yesterday morning, striking an uncharacteristically low-key tone after his defeat in the Iowa caucuses. “Because…
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Phuket police hunt company after tourist’s watery death
PHUKET: Police are hunting representatives of a tour company after a Chinese tourist died on a snorkelling trip off Koh Racha Yai yesterday morning. The company that booked Weidong Lu, 49, and his family on the boat, does not appear to have provided a tour guide, explained Lt Wuthiwat Leangboonjinda of the Chalong Police. “We are now trying to contact…
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Friend identifies British man killed by Patong bus
PHUKET: A Phuket expat today was able to identify a British man who allegedly jumped in front of a bus in Patong last week. The foreigner, who asked to be named only as Darren, recognized the British national after seeing a picture of him supplied by Patong Police and published by the Phuket Gazette. Following the identification of the man,…
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Human skulls in Krabi mark possible ancient burial site
KRABI: The discovery of human skulls, bones, pottery and cave paintings in Krabi could mark a fishermen’s burial site dating as far back as 700 years ago, experts announced yesterday. “Everything was found in a cave about 56 meters above sea level and about three kilometers from Ao Naam Port,” explained Phuket archaeologist Tawatchai Chanpaisansilp, who visited the site yesterday.…
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Brit arrested at Phuket airport after “tempting’ discovery
PHUKET: Police charged a British national who found an envelope of mixed currency and pocketed the cash at Phuket International Airport yesterday. Darren Chapman, 49, was arrested while checking in at the Bangkok Airways counter after having taken US$320 and CA$100 cash from the envelope, which had been left at an Air Asia counter. “Mr Chapman confessed that he took…
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