News
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More rain on the way – north, north-east and south
Phuket is facing more thunderstorms and rain until at least the weekend. Phuket Governor, Norapat Plodtong, said yesterday (October 2) that according to the Thai Meteorological Department, Phuket is one of those provinces facing downpours from October 2-5 saying locals should follow up the weather forecast closely. People in Phuket, especially those who live on the lowland areas, should be…
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More kids sailing than ever at the Phuket Dinghy Series
ON DECK By Duncan Worthington I have been critical in this column on more than one occasion of the youth sailing apparatus in Thailand. Specifically, the lack of it and of what exists its closed door nature. I was at the Third Naval Area Command at Panwa Cape this weekend to check out the first of three events that make-up…
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Army warn groups stirring up trouble during Royal Funeral period
Army Chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart Breaking News from The Nation Security officials have detected signs on social media of intent to provoke a public disturbance during the week of the funeral for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and have issued warnings to those concerned about such an attempt. Army Chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart said on Monday that those seeking to…
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JetStar flight makes an emergency landing at Chiang Mai
A Jetstar Airways plane flying from Vietnam made an emergency landing at Chiang Mai International Airport at 11.46am on Monday, officials said. The flight had taken off from Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi heading to India, they said. The Chiang Mai airport received the emergency landing request at 11:20am, and the plane landed safely. The plane had 181 passengers…
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THAIGER TODAY Monday, October 2
Coming from Bang Wad in Kathu today… A 23 year old Chinese tourist, Shi Yieing, drowned over the weekend | US President and the Thai PM meet today in Washington for talks | More pink fire jellyfish found off Koh Hong | Sunday’s Run 2Gether in Phuket Town a high success.
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Koh Racha gets a clean-up, on the beaches and underwater
Volunteer divers tackled the rubbish around Koh Racha over the weekend. They collected 2,291 pieces of trash with a total weight of 506 kilograms. Here’s a list of the rubbish they collected… 2,007 pieces of trash from beach activities 811 plastic bottles 150 glass bottles 51 drinking cans 265 bottle lids/corks 60 forks/spoons 5 toys 290 plastic glass 171 clothes…
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Things you need to know if you’re travelling to Thailand and Bangkok in October
During this month there will be a lot of small and larger changes as Thailand gets ready to bid a sad, final farewell to the much-loved and revered HM King Bhumibol who passed on October 13 last year. Most of the changes will be around Bangkok, especially the Sanam Luang Park area around the Grand Palace. But there will also…
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Missing Chinese tourist found drowned at Kata Beach
The body of a Chinese tourist, 23 year old Shi Yieing, who disappeared on September 30, has been found washed up ashore last night at Kata Beach. On September 30, her friend, Zhang Lei, reported to Karon police that at about 3pm, that he and four others, including Shi, went swimming at Karon beach before she went missing in the…
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Phew, that’s the first day done – new lifeguard regime
Today (October 1), Phuket’s Governor visited the Marine Safety Centres in Patong and Karon to cheer up the temporary beach lifeguard teams whilst two tourists were saved from the waters off Nai Harn Beach thanks to volunteers this afternoon. Following the end of the Phuket Lifeguard Company contract yesterday, Phuket Governor Norapat Plodthong visited the two locations which had gathered…
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Three foreign overstayers arrested
3 foreigners have been arrested on Bangla Road, Patong, including 33 year old Khurram Rasheed from Pakistan, 23 year old Riasat Ali from Pakistan, and 21 year old Ratnakar Reddy Singireddy from India. The police made a patrol in the area yesterday evening (September 30) following the current crackdown on illegal immigrants. Police noticed the three men looking suspicious so…
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Phuket officials get behind the ‘Run 2Gether’ in Phuket Town
Early this morning (October 1), Phuket Governor, Norapat Plodthong, hosted the “Run 2Gether Phuket Town” event, the first ever running event that gathered 1,000 runners and disabled people to join the activity together. The Governor also joined the run, leading the way for participants in the event which started in front of Limelight Avenue mall. “I’m very glad that many…
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Phang Nga family pleas for Bangkok bombing suspect to be sent back for trial
The family of Wanna Suansan, from Phang Nga, (Wanna is a suspect in the Ratchaprasong/Erawan Shrine bomb case), is calling for her return to Thailand after she has given birth and raised 2 children in Turkey’s immigration prison over the past 2 years. Right before the bomb, which happened in the middle of Bangkok at Ratchaprasong intersection on August 17,…
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More fire jellyfish found off Krabi
More of the fire jellyfish have been found at the beach at Koh Hong between Krabi and Koh Yao Noi. The Chief of Than Bok Khorani National Park, Jampen Pompakdee, and his team collected the poisonous (nasty stings but unlikely to be fatal) fire jellyfish floating along the coast of the Hong Island beach. “The number of fire jellyfish found…
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Where’s Yingluck? CNN report contradicts Thai PM
Thailand’s former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is in London and seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom, a source in her Pheu Thai Party told CNN on Thursday. The Supreme Court convicted Yingluck on Wednesday of dereliction of duty over a controversial rice subsidy program and sentenced her to five years in prison. The scheme cost Thailand billions of dollars.…
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Chinese tour bus catches fire – no injuries
We’re used to seeing smoke come out of the back of the hundreds of tour buses moving around Phuket’s roads, but not like this. 22 Chinese tourists and their 50 year old bus driver, Khunchai Pinyo, had a scare yesterday. “I was driving the bus with 22 Chinese tourists coming back from Thalang to a birds nest shop in Koh…
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Suspect confesses to fatal Pattani bombing
One of the six detainees who were allegedly involved in a bomb attack that killed fours rangers in Pattani’s Sai Buri district last week, has confessed to the crime, Pattani Taskforce commander Maj-General Jatuporn Klampasut told a press conference on Friday. Following the September 22 attack that also wounded six others including a civilian, Jatuporn led a 500-strong manhunt at…
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Laypang, Phuket’s star croc, has finally started to eat
The crocodile captured from the tin mine lake near Laypang and Bang Tao Beach last month has started to eat some chicken today (September 29) after rejecting the tasty morsels for a month. The crocodile’s complete DNA test is expected early next month. The 200 kilogram reptile, that remains in the rehabilitation pond at the Phuket Coastal Aquatic Animals Development…
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Ao Sane luxury villa being investigated by the DSI
The 12 metre high beach villa project on the cliff at Ao Sane has been proven to be illegal according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The owners were instructed to demolish the upper structure to meet the legal height of 6 metres back in August. In the meantime DSI (Department of Special Investigations) officials have been on…
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Punching above its weight – Rayong, Thailand
Singapore has been crowned as the Asia-Pacific city of the future by the Financial Times. The city/state was able to attract the largest share of investment in the region in the period 2012 – 2016, putting on top of the Economic Potential category. Asia-Pacific Cities of the Future, by Economic Potential: 1. Singapore 2. Tokyo 3. Shanghai 4. Hong Kong 5.…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, September 29
Phuket OrBorJor says it will continue the existing contract until a new contract is negotiated for Phuket’s Lifeguards | Custard Pie led police to the ATM bomber | May Bay to be closed next year | Two men arrested over rape of a woman in Ubon Ratchathani. Plus all the fun of the Cake & Coffee day at Kajonkiat International…
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Maya Bay being closed for three months next year
Park officials say they’re going to close Phi Phi island’s famous Maya Bay from June for three months next year. Officials of the Koh Phi Phi National park authority held crisis talks yesterday where they were told that the bay has been ravaged by too much tourism. So it’s going to be shut to allow the beach side of Maya Bay, as well…
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UPDATE: Phuket’s beach lifeguard emergency sorted, in the short-term
Phuket’s Governor Norapat Plodthong hosted a meeting at the provincial hall today (September 28), gathering all local authorities, including the Tambon administration organisation with defence volunteers and Royal Thai Navy area 3, to discuss about the beach security measures after the Phuket Lifeguard Company finishes its contract on Saturday night. The Governor says the team of defence volunteers, working with…
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Thailand unfurls National Flag Day
Citizens across the country united in singing the national anthem at 8am on Thursday to celebrate the centenary of the national flag. At 7.45am at Government House in Bangkok, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha formally presented the flag to a guard of honour to be flown in front of the Santi Maitree Building. He then led officials and members of…
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Yingluck says she’ll stay out of politics
Fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is in Dubai and has promised not to be involved in any political activities, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said on Thursday. Authorities in Dubai have also promised the Thai Foreign Ministry that they would keep an eye on Yingluck and ensure she did not take part in any political campaigns, Prawit said. Prime…
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THAIGER TODAY Thursday, September 28
PM says Yingluck is in Dubai | Polish man suspected of blowing up an ATM ‘planning more attacks’ | Crisis meeting in Pattaya to sort out Taxi/Uber turf wars | UN Aid agencies visiting Rhakine State today
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Don’t hold your breath! Unless it’s for a good cause.
Today in Rawai Phuket, a rather unusual challenge took place with Krix Luther, founder of Clean The Beach Boot Camp, Phuket taking to the water in an attempt to hold his breath underwater. For 10 minutes! The purpose of the challenge was to raise funds, through sponsorship, for the Clean The Beach Boot Camp now in its 4th year. The…
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Unanimous verdict against Yingluck Shinawatra
Update from The Nation The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled unanimously to sentence fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to five years in prison. The fugitive politician was convicted of negligence in preventing corruption and irregularities in her government’s rice-pledging scheme prior to the 2014 coup. The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders ruled that Yingluck had acknowledged…
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DSI checking alleged Phang Nga National Park encroachment
The DSI (Department of Special Investigations) are checking two luxury houses located on Pa Kuantohla and Pa Laemsam mountains alongside another 2,000 rai of land that is alleged to have an illegal land deed. After checking the land document at the local land office, DSI have found that the names of landlords are a famous millionaire and his children who…
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Crisis unfolding on our doorstep
PHOTO: Voice of America A significant regional humanitarian crisis is underway only a few thousand kilometres from our tropical island. Â Whilst the situation for the Rohingya has been parlous for decades, it’s only recently become acute after a group calling itself the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army attacked several Myanmar Army outposts on August 25 – the Myanmar Army has…
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UPDATE: Phuket Lifeguard boycott of OrBorTor contract
The Governor said today (September 27) that there is no auctioneer joining the bid so far, possibly because of the lower budget of this year. “I can see that the budget has been cut down every year, from 25 million to 22 million and this year 19.8 million Baht. Today is the last day for interested auctioneers to file their…
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