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5 best wine bars in Bangkok offering rich and quality wine
It’s wine o’clock! Whether you’re all about fruity reds, sweet whites, or funky naturals, Bangkok has many great spots to sip your favourite varieties. But with an array of options to choose from, and the constant rise and fall of...
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Child brides in Africa to more than double by 2050
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Child brides in Africa to more than double by 2050 Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The number of child brides in Africa will soar to 310 million by 2050 from 125million now if current trends persist, due to slow rates of reduction combined with rapid population…
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Myanmar’s Suu Kyi blames lack of safety regulations for deadly landslide
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar’s Suu Kyi blames lack of safety regulations for deadly landslide Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A disregard for the rule of law in the jade mining industry in Myanmar had made accidents such as the landslide that killed more than 100 people at the weekend…
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Man pleads guilty to stealing human brains from Indiana medical museum
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Man pleads guilty to stealing human brains from Indiana medical museum Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A 23-year-old Indiana man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to breaking into a medical museum and stealing preserved human brains and other tissue that he then sold online, authorities said. David…
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Thailand adopts 911 as emergency number
PHUKET: Thailand has officially adopted 911 as its emergency hotline number, confirmed Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada. The decision to implement the emergency number was due to tourists’ familiarity with the 911 hotline number already, prompting several other countries to implement its use as well. “The Cabinet approved the use of the number months ago,” said Governor Chamroen. “For some reason,…
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Phuket safe, confirm police after US issues world-wide travel alert
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police confirmed that international-quality security was in place ahead of the United States Embassy in Bangkok sending a security message to US citizens yesterday. The US travel alert set to expire on February 26 stated: “The State Department alerts US citizens to possible risks of travel due to increased terrorist threats. Current information suggests that ISIL (aka…
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OrBorTor boss not worried by beach businesses’ 10mn-baht lawsuit
PHUKET: The controversial president of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) yesterday shrugged off a 10-million-baht lawsuit filed against him for alleged dereliction of duty. “The owners of two establishments, named Beach Bar and Paul Restaurant, located on Laypang Beach are claiming that I ruined their businesses,” OrBorTor President Ma-ann Samran told the Phuket Gazette. The two restaurants were…
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Smartphones may have role in rise of U.S. traffic deaths
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Smartphones may have role in rise of U.S. traffic deaths Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The number of deaths from traffic accidents in the United States jumped 8.1 percent in the first half of 2015, suggesting smartphones and other driving distractions could be making America’s roadways…
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Amazon ads for Nazi-themed TV show pulled from N.Y. subway
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Amazon ads for Nazi-themed TV show pulled from N.Y. subway Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Advertisements for a new Amazon.com Inc show featuring Nazi-inspired imagery have been pulled from a busy New York City subway line after Governor Andrew Cuomo intervened, a transit spokesman said late…
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China fines five phony Disney hotels
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China fines five phony Disney hotels Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Nov 25 China has fined five knock-off Disney hotels for infringing on the iconic U.S. entertainment company’s trademarks, state-run Xinhua news agency said on Wednesday in the run-up to the opening of a Walt Disney…
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Police hunt Phuket purse snatcher
PHUKET: Police are hunting a snatch thief that made off with a woman’s purse near the Heroines’ Monument last night. Sukanya Koisinsok, 40, was on the way to a bus stop with her husband in preparation for a trip to Hat Yai. “As my husband slowed down our motorbike, a man in a white shirt rode by and grabbed my…
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A Decade Ago: Development zoning takes center stage
PHUKET: Though the page one story of the 2005 November 19-25 issue is without a doubt the sexiest story of the week, it is the editorial that strikes to the heart of an issue that remains unresolved even now, ten years later: land zoning. Just 15 years ago it was apparently easy enough for corrupt officials in the Land Office…
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Opinion: Celebrating Loy Krathong responsibly
Uhai Pattanapichai, 53, is the chief of the Phuket Cultural Office. Originally from Bangkok, she has been living in Phang Nga since 1992, taking up her position in Phuket last month. She graduated from Suan Dusit Rajabhat University with a Master’s Degree in business administration. Here, she looks beyond the celebrations of Loy Krathong to the meaning of tradition, emphasizing…
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Two busted for smuggling 2.6kg of cocaine into Krabi
KRABI: Officers arrested two women on Sunday for their alleged role in smuggling more than 10 million baht worth of cocaine into the country via Krabi International Airport. Siriwan Yodtheerak, 32, arrived in Krabi on a flight from Manila on Saturday. However, she came to claim luggage on Sunday at about 7:30am, explained Vichak Apirugnunchai, director of Thailand Customs Department’s…
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Methods of developing sustainable growth
PHUKET: In six months, Thanyapura has doubled web traffic and engagement with our audience. But how did we do this? Is it possible for anyone to do so? These are all questions we were asking several months ago when we turned a corner in our marketing efforts and began to look at different strategies to make sure we saw growth,…
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Educator dreams up hydropower plant
BANGKOK: Vocational teachers and students have joined forces with local people to construct a hydropower plant at the foot of Doi Luang Chiang Dao Mountain in Chiang Mai. Manus Daomanee, president of the Toyota Automotive Technological College, is credited with starting the innovative project in the remote location. Mr Manus hopes his charity-funded project will provide free electricity for a…
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Border patrols to closely monitor infectious diseases
RANONG: The Public Health Ministry has ordered that three contagious diseases be closely monitored along the border region in Ranong province as the establishment of the Asean Community will encourage movement of more people. Dr Sopon Mekthon, permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry, said the ministry has asked hospitals and clinics in the Thai-Myanmar border area at Ranong to…
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Region 8 Police seize more than 100 guns in crackdown
PHUKET: Region 8 Police sized more than 100 firearms, including one weapon of war, in a week-long crackdown ahead of tomorrow’s Loy Krathong festivities (story here). “Region 8 Police and local officers in Surat Thani, Nakorn Sri Thammarat, Chumphon, Ranong, Krabi, Phang Nga and Phuket conducted massive raids to get guns and drugs off the streets this week,” said Chalermkiat…
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All invited to cleanup Nai Harn Beach today
PHUKET: Representatives of the Rawai and Nai Harn Business Community, along with staff and other members of the southern Phuket area, are invited to take part in the Nai Harn Beach cleanup from 3pm to 5pm today. Drinking water, bags and gloves will be provided, so participants just need to show up to the beach and be ready to clean,…
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Flight bookings to Paris down over a quarter after attacks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Flight bookings to Paris down over a quarter after attacks Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: New flight bookings to Paris, one of the world’s most visited cities, have fallen by over a quarter in the week following attacks there that killed 130 people. Bookings to Paris…
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Phuket divers lift 400kg of rubbish from Karon waters [video]
PHUKET: More than 400 kilograms of trash were swept out of a catchment area between Kata and Karon Bay by divers yesterday. The about 25 meter by seven meter patch of rubbish contained numerous plastic products, metal cans, organic material and even underwear and a plastic gun, explained a diver who had scouted out the area prior to the cleanup.…
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Phuket Governor hosts five ambassadors for roundtable talk
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada sat down with ambassadors from five countries today to review a number of issues affecting citizens from their nations. The ambassadors in attendance were from Canada, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Some of the major issues raised included marine and road safety, prison conditions, drug use and visa overstays. “After discussing a…
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ASEAN establishes landmark economic and security bloc
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community ASEAN establishes landmark economic and security bloc Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Southeast Asian nations yesterday established a formal community that attempts to create freer movement of trade and capital in an area of 625 million people with a combined economic output of $2.6 trillion. The…
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Phi Phi management plan tackles anchors on corals, feeding fish
PHUKET: The first step in saving the marine ecosystem within Phi Phi National Park is to put an end to boats dropping anchor on corals and tour operators allowing clients to feed fish (story here), an expert study announced last week. Damage done by the tourism industry was seen at 12 of the 14 marine areas within Hat Noppharat Thara…
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Phi Phi requests more patrol boats, buoys and staff
PHUKET: An expert adviser from Bangkok submitted a proposal for more boats, buoys and staff to man Phi Phi national park. The proposal was submitted to the Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) this month. “The national park covers more than 200,000 rai. However, they only have four officers and two small boats, which is just unbelievable,”…
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Security beef-up ordered for Loy Krathong, festive season
BANGKOK: Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered security agencies and related ministries to beef up security during the Loy Krathong and New Year festivals. Government spokesman Maj General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said PM Prayut had instructed security agencies and the ministries of Tourism and Sport, Transport and Culture to be extra vigilant. The prime minister has instructed the Department of…
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Join Angsana Laguna’s stuffed turkeys for Thanksgiving lunch
PHUKET: People of all nationalities, prepare to gobble up a hearty American serving of Thanksgiving specialties at a networking lunch at Angsana Laguna Phuket on Thursday. The Greater Phuket Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) is celebrating this American holiday with a festive turkey lunch for everyone and their colleagues, friends and family members. The event, running from…
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World champion returns to win Laguna Phuket Triathlon
PHUKET: More than 1,300 athletes representing 44 nationalities crowded Laguna Phuket this weekend to participate in the 22nd Laguna Phuket Triathlon. Germany’s two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion Michael Raelert made an impressive comeback to take the top position on the podium with a time of 2:30:14 (swim 23:55, bike 1:20:06, run 43:44), followed by Switzerland’s Ruedi Wild (2:32:57) and Stuart…
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Phuket locals victorious in battle to save Nai Harn trees
PHUKET: The plan to construct the controversial Nai Harn Movie Museum was dashed at a public meeting last night, confirmed Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos. “We of course listened to what the community had to say,” Mr Aroon told the Phuket Gazette. Mr Aroon explained that after the public hearing, it was clear that a new location would need to be…
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Push for 24-hour tourist help centers on Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Plans are underfoot to establish 24-hour tourist service centers at more than a dozen popular Phuket beaches, Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul announced on Friday. “We all know that millions of tourists visit our island every year. It is our responsibility to come together and ensure their safety and security while on holiday here,” said V/Gov Prajiad. “We can…
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Facebook CEO Zuckerberg to take two months of paternity leave
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Facebook CEO Zuckerberg to take two months of paternity leave Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Facebook Inc Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said on Friday he will take two months of paternity leave after his daughter’s birth, a strong statement from one of the busiest and…
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