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Military summons Phuket sea gypsies, activists over land dispute
PHUKET: A total of twelve sea gypsies and human rights activists have been summoned by the 41st Military Circle for questioning about an on-going land dispute between Baron World Trade Company and a sea gypsy community in Rawai. An official letter, issued on April 20, was sent to Rawai sea gypsy community leader Ngeem Damrongkaset. It summoned nine sea gypsies…
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Bangladesh Bank exposed to hackers by cheap switches, no firewall
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bangladesh Bank exposed to hackers by cheap switches, no firewall Phuket Gazette / Reuters DHAKA: Bangladesh’s central bank was vulnerable to hackers because it did not have a firewall and used second-hand, $10 switches to network computers connected to the SWIFT global payment network, an investigator…
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Island View: Treacherous Thais? I don’t think so.
PHUKET: Thailand is to Asia what Vegas is to America, or at least it’s thought to be. The sin-capital of Asia where ‘anything goes’, or at least that’s what I was told. When I first decided to visit Phuket, it set off alarm bells for everyone around me. I received calls from friends and family members who I hadn’t heard…
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Finance: The right time to get back into the stock market
PHUKET: While all of my long term clients (and myself) have been in cash for some time, there will be a time to get back into the stock market, but when will that be? To recap recent market action: major United States and global indices have already moved higher off their panic February lows, led by retail, gold, materials and…
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Phuket Lifeguard Club signs B22mn contract ahead of monsoon season
PHUKET: The Phuket Lifeguard Club (PLC) renewed its contract last month, extending the island’s life-saving services through the southwest monsoon season, when the waters are most tempestuous. PLC President Prathaiyut Chuayuan told the Phuket Gazette that the 22-million-baht contract with the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) will end in 10 months, on January 20 next year. “The budget for our…
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Ministry of Farang Affairs: Finding a wife in Thailand
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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One tonne of dead fish found in Phuket park
PHUKET: A large number of fish and shrimp have died in a pond in Suan Luang Park in Phuket Town from either a rise in temperature or polluted water, confirmed officials. “The local community around the park has complained about the dead fish,” said Phuket City Deputy Mayor Thavorn Jirapattanasophon. “About one tonne of dead fish have been found since…
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Asleep at the wheel: driver hits eight motorbikes in Phuket
PHUKET: A pick-up truck driver, who fell asleep at the wheel, flipped his vehicle into eight motorbikes and another truck parked along Thepkrasattri Road early this morning. “Wasan Wijitwithayakul, 46, confessed to having dozed off while heading home to Thalang from Bang Neow Shrine in Phuket Town,” Lt Col Chaliao Thaihoo of the Phuket City Police said. Mr Wasan was…
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Must stamp out illegal migrant camps, says Phuket V/Gov
PHUKET: Local officials must prevent illegal migrant camps from popping up along construction sites throughout the province, Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul said on Tuesday. “Foreign workers build their shacks in and around local communities. They live in unhygienic conditions that spread disease, and indulge in the illegal trade of vegetables, fish and drugs,” said Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul. The…
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Excuse Buster: The hidden health dangers of fungi
PHUKET: “It is ironic that this humble fungus, hailed as a benefactor of mankind, may by its very success prove to be a deciding factor in the decline of the present civilization”, said Dr John I Pitt, in The Genus Penicillin, 1979. ‘Antibiotics save lives.’ But has our overuse of antibiotics for killing bacteria contributed to creating a dangerous internal…
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Another Electrician killed, while tampering with a kitchen fan
PHUKET: An electrician was electrocuted and died while installing an exhaust fan in a Kathu house this afternoon. “We received a report around midday that a man was seriously injured from an electric shock in Moo Baan Sinthong Thani,” Lt Sawanya Eiadtrong of the Thung Thong Police said. “We found him lying on the ground in the kitchen, pale-faced and…
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Phuket voted 8th among world’s top 10 islands
PHUKET: Phuket has won eighth place among the world’s top 10 islands in the latest reader survey conducted by travel review website TripAdvisor. Phuket was described by TripAdvisor as an island with “blue lagoons and salmon sunsets [that] make for a dream-like atmosphere, and indeed, a vacation here can feel a bit surreal”. It also said: “Water sports are the…
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Video report: New demolition plan brings Surin businesses to the ground
PHUKET: A number of iconic beach clubs on Phuket were crushed during the demolition of the shop houses along the Surin Beach boardwalk yesterday (story here). “We are not ruining Surin Beach; we are returning it back to the unobstructed, beautiful beach it once was,” Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat insisted, attempting to explain to a group of stunned tourists…
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Songkran crime sweep nets hundreds of suspects
PHUKET: More than 1,500 arrests related to drug, illegal firearms, gambling and other criminal activities were made in Phuket and the surrounding provinces between April 1 and 17. “In the raids, a total of 171 suspects were arrested for firearms offences. A total of 165 unregistered guns were seized along with 750 rounds of ammunition, as well as two bombs…
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Tickle your tastebuds at Saphan Hin
PHUKET: More than 100 food stalls are cooking up delectable local delicacies for the 18th annual ‘Phuket Good Taste Food Festival’ at Saphan Hin until April 26. “Food aficionados can tuck in to a fantastic range of culinary creations by the first generation of Phuket food vendors, who have been making mouth-watering dishes for more than 30 years,” said the…
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Communist Laos appoints new president, prime minister
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Communist Laos appoints new president, prime minister Phuket Gazette / Reuters BANGKOK: Laos’s National Assembly on Wednesday appointed Communist Party chief Bounnhang Vorachit as the country’s new president and named foreign minister Thongloun Sisoulith as prime minister. The picks are seen by many analysts as a…
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Belgium says seen signs that IS has sent more fighters to Europe
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Belgium says seen signs that IS has sent more fighters to Europe Phuket Gazette / Reuters BRUSSELS: There are signs that more Islamic State inspired militants have been sent to Belgium and Europe, Belgian authorities said on Tuesday, maintaining the country’s threat status at the second-highest…
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Phuket man injured in drive-by shooting
PHUKET: One man was injured in a drive-by shooting in Srisoonthorn yesterday. “Weerachart Laloy, 20, was shot twice on his left hip at about 6pm,” said Lt Suporn Muangkai of the Thalang Police. Mr Weerachart was riding pillion behind his friend Nattapong Kerdthai at the time of the attack. Mr Nattapong rushed him to the emergency room at Thalang Hospital.…
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Police suspect arson in Phuket speedboat blaze
PHUKET: Police suspect arson may be the motive behind a fire that engulfed five speedboats at Chalong Pier yesterday (story here). Forensic officers believe the fire started on the middle of the row of boats, quickly spreading to those around it. The boats were removed from the scene for further examination. “There are two possible scenarios. Either someone set the…
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Breaking News: Surin Beach demolition underway
PHUKET: Demolition of the last remaining buildings along Surin Beach is underway. Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat and Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization(OrBorTor) President Ma-ann Samran, accompanied by military personnel, were on site as a backhoe digger began pulling apart the buildings that once housed beachfront shops, bars and restaurants. “Finally, the day we have been waiting for has arrived…
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‘Fire jellyfish’ invade islands in Krabi
KRABI: National Park officials yesterday erected signs warning visitors of venomous jellyfish at Koh Hong, Koh Lao Lading and Koh Pak Bia after thousands of purple-colored jellies appeared in the water off the islands in Krabi. “The signs are in English and Thai. They have been put up to warn the public about the venomous jellyfish,” said Jampen Pormpakdee, chief…
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Patong Bay water sent to Bangkok for testing
PHUKET: Officials have recently collected samples of water in Patong Bay and sent them to Bangkok to determine whether it is pollution or algae that has caused the sea water to turn brown. Akkarawat Hirunphun, an environmental specialist in the Phuket-based Regional Environmental Office, and his staff inspected the green-brown water along the Patong coast (story here) for contamination. “We…
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Jerusalem bus bomb wounds 16, Netanyahu hints at Palestinian link
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Jerusalem bus bomb wounds 16, Netanyahu hints at Palestinian link Phuket Gazette / Reuters JERUSALEM: A bomb blew up a bus and set fire to another in Jerusalem on Monday, wounding 16 people in an attack that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linked to a six-month-old…
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Somalia estimates 200-300 citizens may have died in migrant drowning
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Somalia estimates 200-300 citizens may have died in migrant drowning Phuket Gazette / Reuters NAIROBI: Somalia’s government said on Monday that between 200 and 300 Somalis may have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to cross illegally to Europe, based on information it has gathered…
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Major steel producers fail to reach deal on overcapacity, U.S. chides China
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Major steel producers fail to reach deal on overcapacity, U.S. chides China Phuket Gazette / Reuters BRUSSELS/BEIJING: China and other major steel-producing countries failed to agree measures to tackle a global steel crisis as the sides argued over the causes of overcapacity, prompting U.S. criticism of…
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Three days after Ecuador quake, hopes for survivors dwindle
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Three days after Ecuador quake, hopes for survivors dwindle Phuket Gazette / Reuters ECUADOR: Earthquake-stricken Ecuador faced the grim reality of recovering more bodies than survivors as rescue efforts moved into a third day on Tuesday and the death toll climbed over 400 in the poor…
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Swimmer succumbs after leaving ICU
PHUKET: A Thai woman in her twenties, who was pulled unconscious from the surf at Nai Harn Beach on Sunday, died while being transported home yesterday. The woman, who hospital staff refused to name, was one of six people rescued by lifeguards after they ignored red flags warning people not to swim due to dangerous rip currents (story here). Although…
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Surin beachfront operators make one last plea
PHUKET: More than 30 Surin business operators begged the Phuket Governor to postpone the looming demolition of their shops along the recently dubbed ‘Honorary Beach’. Though the well-known Catch Beach Club had already thrown in the towel with its ‘One More Time’ party held on Saturday night (story here), other business operators were hoping that the governor would step in…
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Text messages may offer clues in fatal fall of Finnish tourist
PHUKET: Police investigating the death of a 19-year-old Finnish woman, who fell from the rooftop of a Patong guesthouse last month, have so far ruled out foul play in her death. However, they are hoping that her final text messages will reveal clues about her state of mind that night. Ida Maria Bexar fell from the rooftop of the Good…
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Loose flip-flop causes flip out near monument
PHUKET: A barefoot truck driver who flipped his vehicle near Heroines’ Monument last night said he lost control because his loose shoe got in the way when he tried to hit the brakes. “Subin Kulmuangdoan, 31, was driving back after delivering mushrooms in Patong at about 11:50pm,” reported Capt Santichai Srimai of the Thalang Police. “As he approached the monument,…
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