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Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort puts sustainability at its heart
The term sustainability is often thrown around as a buzzword in the hospitality industry, but at Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort, it’s genuinely part of their mission. Located in Makham Bay, just south of Phuket Town, the beautiful resort puts...
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Phuket teenaged delinquents in riot at juvenile observation center
PHUKET: A group of 12 juvenile delinquents wreaked havoc at the Phuket Juvenile Observation and Protection Center (JOPC) at Saphan Hin yesterday afternoon, causing major damage there. At about 3:30pm, the Phuket City Police were called in to control the situation. The call came from JOPC Director Rawee Kuhapimook. “The riot was in the canteen, where 12 of the teens…
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Phuket soldier killed yesterday by bomb in Pattani honored, buried here this morning
PHUKET: At 11:30am yesterday (June 19), a car bomb in Pattani province killed 6 soldiers, including a Phuket man whose body arrived here late last night. Phuket Vice Governor Sanit Sriwihok and related officials honored the arrival of the body of Pvt Kittipong Bornar, 23, which traveled by car in a parade to honor the hero. “I feel deep sorrow…
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Phuket’s Mai Khao Beach disgraced in social media
PHUKET: Governor Norraphat Plodthong is demanding fast action from officials in Sirinat National Park over a stream of complaints from tourists and local villagers about an accumulation of ‘huge’ amounts of trash on the beach at the threshold to the runway at Phuket International Airport. Access to that stretch of beach is through Soi Mai Khao 4, next to the…
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Erection of fence angers Phuket market vendors on Koh Siray
PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Siwaporn Chuasawad held a meeting at Provincial Hall yesterday over an erection on Koh Siray of a fence that is alleged to have damaged the income of vendors in a local market. At the meeting, among others, were concerned officials, vendor leader Sontaya Chulpum, and a representative of Siam Dock Yard Co (SDYC) who had installed…
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Phuket police nab, charge man selling drugs to teenagers
PHUKET: A man from Sukhothai has been apprehended and charged with selling drugs to teenagers in Phuket. The arrest of Nawareuk Lekam, 35, was announced yesterday by Capt Amphon Samorthai of the border patrol police. The arrest occurred in front of a shop on Phuket’s Pattana Rd on June 15. “We learned from local police patrols that Mr Nawareuk had…
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Opinion: Medical Certificates – Who’s Fooling Whom?
PHUKET: As part of its ongoing reforms, the current government should revise or eliminate the Medical Certificate (bai raprawng phaet) as a requirement in so many government application procedures. In the process of renewing his work permit, this editorialist was recently handed a form citing, among numerous other documentary requirements, “a medical certificate certifying that the applicant is free from…
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Half a million baht worth of goods confiscated in Phuket raid
PHUKET: A Patong raid led to half a million baht’s worth of pirated goods being seized from 19 shops this morning. “After learning from our source that there were many shops selling pirated goods in Patong, we took teams of officers to the area for inspection. The shop owners managed to escape the scene as soon as we arrived,” said…
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Officials try to curb growing numbers of beggars in Phuket
PHUKET: Officials are trying to counter the increasing numbers of beggars in Phuket, particularly in Rawai. Phuket Vice Governor Siwaporn Chuasawad yesterday held a meeting with concerned officials and sea gypsy representatives to discuss ideas and solutions after a growing number of sea gypsy children were seen pestering tourists for money. “We have been informed by Rawai residents that a…
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Thailand receives ranking upgrade for combating IUU fishing
PHUKET: The European Commission has formally upgraded Thailand’s fisheries ranking, citing the Kingdom’s efforts to tackle illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing over the past two years. Vice Admiral Surapol Kuptaphan, commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, announced the news during a ‘Point of Contact’ marine resources conference with Andaman officials at Royal Phuket City Hotel yesterday.…
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Technician injured from electric shock in Phuket
PHUKET: A 24-year-old man was injured from an electric shock after he accidentally stepped on a wire while fixing an electronic display sign in Kamala this morning. “The incident occurred in front of Tesco Lotus. The sign was located above a 7/11 store. Rescue workers climbed up a ladder to bring him down,” said Capt Chatchawan Poonaruemit of Kamala Police.…
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Phuket police issue warning against ‘belt guns’
PHUKET: Police have issued a warning about ‘belt guns’ after another drug dealer was caught in possession of one last week. Capt Kraisorn Boonprasob of Thalang Police yesterday held a press conference to display the weapon and warn against its potential dangers. The gun and bullets were seized from Bundit Chaiwandud, 38, who was charged with possession of category 5…
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Phuket gov announces improvement plans at Tah Chat Chai checkpoint
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong has announced plans to boost security protocols at Tah Chat Chai checkpoint to ensure that no illegal substances are being smuggled in or out of Phuket. The governor unveiled his plans during a meeting with relevant officers at the Mai Khao OrBorTor office yesterday. “The final improvement plans have already been laid out. Some of…
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Teenaged tourist drowns, four others rescued on Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Another Chinese tourist drowned and four others were rescued at Phuket beaches in two days, prompting the Phuket Governor to urge officials to find better safety solutions for tourists. The governor was present at the scene when the body of an 18-year-old Chinese tourist, Wei Peixin, washed up at Kamala Beach this morning after rescue workers were unable to…
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Aussie, Argentinian hospitalized after Krabi rock climbing accident
PHUKET: Two tourists were rescued but suffered serious injuries after falling off a cliff while rock climbing in Krabi yesterday. The accident occurred while climbing a cliff between Ao Ton Sai and Ao Pai Plong. Rescue teams, including tourist police, marine police and Nopparat National Park officers, went in search of them after the mishap was reported. Australian national Thomas…
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Phuket gov urges citizens to participate in PM’s poll
PHUKET: The Phuket Governor has invited citizens to respond to Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha’s televised and nationally broadcast poll regarding governance and politics in Thailand. The poll was launched on May 26, but June 12 marked the first day for citizens to submit their written responses. Day 1 drew in 264 people at Damrongdhama centers in Thalang, Muang, and…
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Belgian tourist arrested for shoplifting in Phuket
PHUKET: A Belgian tourist was arrested at Phuket International Airport yesterday, more than two weeks after he reportedly stole a mobile phone accessory from an electronics store in Phuket. Tourist Police were able to apprehend the suspect, Oliver Jerome Georges Verhaeghe, 58, while he was waiting to board Qatar Airways flight QR841 to Doha. Mr Verhaeghe was originally seen stealing…
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Body of missing swimmer found in Phuket
PHUKET: The body of a Thai man who went missing after swimming in a red-flagged zone at Karon Beach on Sunday (story here) was found near Laem Sai yesterday. The victim, Arnon Rodjui, was found about 2km from where he first disappeared. Fishermen in the area informed Karon Police of a body floating near the rocks at about 3pm. “We…
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One missing, six rescued from drowning at Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Two Thai tourists were safely rescued while one is still missing after the trio went swimming in a red-flagged area at Karon Beach yesterday afternoon. The missing man, Arnon Rodjui, is originally from Samuthprakan, reported Col Charnarong Krongkue of Karon Police. Officers from the Karon Tourist Help Center and Karon Police searched for Mr Arnon using jet-skis this morning,…
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Phuket gov tightens security measures amid reports of bomb threats
PHUKET: The Phuket Governor has ordered a security boost in Phuket, particularly at crowded areas such as department stores and fresh markets, as well as at all entry and exit points such as Phuket International Airport, bus terminals, deep sea ports and checkpoints. Following reports of bomb threats in Phuket and bomb blasts in Bangkok last month (story here), Governor…
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Two charged for stealing Phuket tourist’s gold jewelry
PHUKET: An Indian tourist was reunited with his stolen jewelry after Patong Police tracked down the snatchers via CCTV footage and arrested them last night. The victim, Dr Deepak Kumar Sharar, was visiting Phuket for a conference. He reported the incident, which occurred near Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort on Saturday night, to Patong Police. “Mr Kumar told us that…
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Coldwell Banker launches operations in Phuket
PHUKET: American real estate firm Coldwell Banker this week announced its launch in Phuket. The agency has officially opened its doors in Baan Don Cherngtalay, bringing to the island the strength and reach of its global brand with a real estate network of 3,000 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 50 countries and territories, and more than 86,000…
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Opinion: Struggling to preserve natural resources
PHUKET: The recent arrest of a bus driver en route to Phuket with over 1,000 protected marine creatures raises a number of important issues that should be addressed by authorities. First is the issue of Thai law enforcement’s ongoing struggle to preserve what little remains of our natural resources. One week we read that a foreign tourist is behind bars…
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Ministry of Farang Affairs: Reading maps
PHUKET: 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…
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Thailand ‘among top 20 most dangerous countries’ to visit
THAILAND: Thailand has been ranked as one of the 20 most dangerous countries in the world for tourists to visit, with high rates of crime and violence and ‘low reliability’ of police assistance, according to a recent survey. Of the 136 countries around the world covered by the World Economic Forum’s ‘Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report’, which was released last…
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Huge amounts of trash on Phuket beach ‘normal’ at this time of year, Mayor says
PHUKET: Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup has responded to complaints of trash on Patong Beach after the Phuket Gazette submitted photos of the depressing landscape to her office today. The photos, showing a sea of trash throughout Patong Beach, were sent to the Gazette by a concerned reader. “This type of thing is normal during the monsoon season, when the wind…
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Thai, Russian tourist team up to save injured turtle at Phuket national park
PHUKET: A Thai and Russian tourist received praise for rescuing an injured turtle stuck in a fishing net at Sirinath National Park yesterday. Officers from the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) came to examine the creature after receiving reports from the Thai tourist, Chanyut Butrgrim, who was visiting the park at Nai Yang Beach. “It is an olive ridley sea…
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Fake Facebook profile of Phuket vice governor sparks concerns
PHUKET: A Phuket vice governor has warned the public to be wary of his Facebook impostor after a user with a fake profile added people and asked to borrow money from them. Vice Governor Teera Anantaseriwidhya said he will today file a complaint against the Facebook user who created a profile in his name (in Thai). “Please do not accept…
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TCEB, Phuket officials request hotels to participate in MICE database initiative
PHUKET: Officials from the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) are seeking help from private sector businesses and hotels in Phuket after coming up nearly empty handed in a search for information to build a Phuket database. The information is required to sustain and promote MICE initiatives in Phuket and other provinces of Thailand. MICE, which stands for ‘Meetings, Incentives,…
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Phuket beachgoers warned of ‘Portuguese Men of War’
PHUKET: Lifeguards have warned Phuket beachgoers to be wary of ‘Portuguese Men of War’, poisonous siphonophores that deliver a painful sting if touched. “One of our lifeguards spotted a Portuguese Man of War on the beach yesterday. This is not the first one we have found during this monsoon season – several of them have been seen on Phuket beaches…
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Malaysian fraudsters arrested for skimming Phuket bank accounts
PHUKET: Three Malaysian ATM skimmers were arrested at the Sadao border checkpoint between Malaysia and Thailand on Tuesday. The arrests were made by the Songkla Immigration Office and Sadao Provincial Police. The suspects were wanted for conducting unauthorized money withdrawals in Songkla and Phuket, skimming more than 600,000 baht from 13 Phuket and Songkla-based accounts last month (story here). “We…
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