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TAT sees only small growth in Songkran visitors
PHUKET: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that only 2.1 per cent more foreign tourists are coming to Thailand to celebrate Songkran this week compared to last year. “It seems that overall tourism during Songkran this year will likely not be as bustling. This could be due to the economic decline, which is a major cause for many people…
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Surge in registrations of new companies
PHUKET: New company registrations in the country set a two-year high last month, which the Commerce Ministry attributed to the government’s investment promotion measures and strong tourism growth. New business registrations reached 6,176 in March – up eight per cent year on year and 10 per cent from February. Pongpun Gearaviriyapun, director-general of the Business Development Department, said yesterday that…
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Britain finds a buyer for one Tata steel plant, saving a third of jobs at risk
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Britain finds a buyer for one Tata steel plant, saving a third of jobs at risk Phuket Gazette / Reuters LONDON: Tata Steel (TISC.NS) agreed to sell one of its main British steelworks to investment firm Greybull Capital for 1 pound on Monday, saving a third…
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Phuket governor tells motorists to ‘play it safe for Songkran’
PHUKET: ‘Play it safe for Songkran’ was the message put out by Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada ahead of the new year festivities, when he made an inspection visit to the main bus terminal on Thepkrasattri Road in Rassada yesterday. “Please don’t drink and drive. Play it safe for Songkran,” urged the governor, who was at the bus terminal to oversee…
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New diversions in place at Samkong intersection
PHUKET: Motorists heading for Kathu and Patong from the bypass road can now turn right at the Samkong intersection, following the preliminary opening of the new underpass on Sunday (story here). However, motorists heading north from Central Festival and wishing to make the turn to Kathu cannot turn left at the intersection, as access is blocked while construction on the…
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Phuket Immigration offices closed for Songkran break
PHUKET: Phuket Immigration offices, as well as other government offices on the island, are closing for the Songkran break from Wednesday April 13 to Sunday April 17. The Phuket Immigration office in Saphan Hin opens again on April 18, confirmed Phuket Immigration Chief Sunchai Chokkajaykij. The Patong Immigration Office on the beach road (Taweewong Road) is also closing for the…
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Propeller kills Phuket fisherman taking a leak
PHUKET: A Myanmar fisherman urinating off the back of a boat was killed after getting caught in the propeller on Saturday. The 30-year-old fisherman, named by police only as Mr Nai, reportedly fell off the edge of the fishing boat, Eakmomgkolchai 111, and into the spinning blades below. “Nitikorn Sangklapo, 43, the captain of the boat, reported that the incident…
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Phuket police prevent violent clash in sea gypsy property dispute
PHUKET: Police and military officers rushed to Rawai this morning to prevent a violent clash between private investors and local sea gypsies in a beachfront property dispute. “Men hired by Baron World Trade Co had gone to the disputed plot to start developing the property, but locals were trying to stop them – filling up holes that were being dug,”…
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Traffic finally flows through Samkong Underpass
PHUKET: The northbound lane of the long-awaited Samkong Underpass was finally opened for traffic yesterday, after being marred with a deluge of problems. “The lane opened up at about 4pm,” said Chalermpol Wongkiattikun, the project engineer from the Department of Highways. “So far, traffic has been moving through it very smoothly.” Construction on the project is now expected to end…
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Brussels bombers had planned new attack in France
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Brussels bombers had planned new attack in France Phuket Gazette / Reuters BRUSSELS: The militant cell behind bombings in Brussels had been plotting to hit France again after carrying out the Paris attacks in November, but was forced to strike closer to home as police closed…
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Philippine troops clash with Muslim rebels; 23 killed, 73 hurt
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Philippine troops clash with Muslim rebels; 23 killed, 73 hurt Phuket Gazette / Reuters MANILA: Philippine soldiers battled a group of about 120 Muslim rebels linked to Islamic State in a ten-hour assault on a southern island that killed 23 people, an army spokesman said on…
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Cold business for Songkran
PHUKET: Songkran can be a lucrative time of year for the island’s ice makers as sales rise with the summer heat. Many revellers load barrels onto pick-up trucks, filling them up with water and a big block of ice. In fact, Songkran ice sales are a good barometer for measuring the state of the tourism industry on the island, according…
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A Decade Ago: Parliamentary elections and cable thieves
PHUKET: In A rare move, the Phuket Gazette dove into politics in the April 8-14, 2006 edition as the Democrat Party announced a boycott of the parliamentary election polls, despite Thaksin Shinawatra announcing that he would step down from the Premiership. “What the PM did last night was for his own benefit; ordinary people who do not understand politics in…
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Tough new laws to help clear Phuket beaches of animal touts
PHUKET: The stakes will be raised for those engaged in the illegal, exotic-animal trade once the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment signs a new law draft, which is expected to take place after the Songkran break. “For more than 20 years we have witnessed the illegal killing and exploitation of endangered and protected wild animals for tourism. Every day,…
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Phuket security force boosted by 200 for Songkran
PHUKET: An additional 200 officers will be added to security forces in Phuket for the Songkran holiday, confirmed Phuket Provincial Police Commander Teeraphol Thipjaroen yesterday. “Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year celebration, many people travel during this period of time, which increases the likelihood of criminal activity and road accidents,” Lt Gen Tesa said. “The extra help on the…
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Famous actor hit with computer crimes act in Phuket land case
PHUKET: The alleged owner of 24 rai of land on Naka Noi Island yesterday filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against a famous Thai actor involved in the land dispute on the small island off Phuket’s east coast. The owner of Six Mountains Co Ltd, Chanwit Kitlertsiriwattan, who bought the land in 2014, claims that allegations made by the actor could…
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Alcohol-free Songkran celebration at Limelight Avenue
PHUKET: Limelight Avenue will be hosting a clean fun Songkran party on April 13 to encourage people to partake in the wet holiday in a responsible manner. Under the slogan ‘Songkran No Alcohol and Discovery Thainess’, the party will run from 4:45pm to 9pm, with musical performances by Absolution, Black Sheep and Zeal. The following will be banned in the…
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Immigration denies claim of ‘Intelligence report’ citing Uyghur terrorists in Phuket
PHUKET: A recently leaked ‘intelligence report’ that has created a stir on social media was knocked back yesterday when Immigration Commissioner Nathathorn Prousoontorn told local media in Phuket that there were no records of the the report’s alleged terrorist suspects entering Thailand. The report had indicated that four terrorists had entered Phuket and Samui to destabilize the popular holiday destinations.…
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Promising prospects for Phuket marine industry
PHUKET: With clear signals from the government that it is serious about transforming Phuket into an Asean marine leisure and yachting hub, key figures in the province’s public and private business sectors are forging alliances to help bring that vision to fruition. Marine business representatives, members of the Phuket Tourist Association, the Chamber of Commerce and local councilors met at…
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Samkong Underpass opens Sunday, not completely finished until July
PHUKET: The northbound lane of the long-awaited Samkong Underpass will be open to traffic on Sunday, confirmed the project engineer today. “Northbound motorists will have to use the underpass as the construction company works on the road surface of the northbound, ground-level roadway,” explained Chalermpol Wongkiattikun, the project engineer from the Department of Highways. Just last week, Boon Tapanadul from…
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Surin Beach businesses beg Bangkok to stop demolition
PHUKET: About 20 evicted Surin beachfront shop owners appealed to the Justice Minstry in Bangkok yesterday in hopes of stopping or delaying the demolition of their restaurants, shops and clubs. Ma-ann Samran, president of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor), told the Phuket Gazette today that he is aware of the complaint, but was not worried about it. “We…
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A pint or a prayer? Monks in Japan put Buddhism on the menu
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community A pint or a prayer? Monks in Japan put Buddhism on the menu Phuket Gazette / Reuters TOKYO: The hum of conversation and the clinking of spoons and coffee cups fills the wood-panelled cafe in a fashionable Tokyo neighborhood as more than a dozen customers sip…
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Fidel Castro, 89, makes rare public appearance
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Fidel Castro, 89, makes rare public appearance Phuket Gazette / Reuters HAVANA: Former Cuban President Fidel Castro, 89, made a rare appearance outside his home on Thursday, visiting a school to mark the birthday of a late revolutionary heroine days after penning a scornful critique of…
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Europe’s banks under scrutiny as regulators look into Panama Papers
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Europe’s banks under scrutiny as regulators look into Panama Papers Phuket Gazette / Reuters BERN/GENEVA: Banking watchdogs across Europe have begun checking whether lenders have ties to a massive document leak from Panama that showed how offshore companies are used to stash clients’ wealth. Switzerland’s financial…
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Row2Rio more than halfway through epic adventure
PHUKET: Battered by waves, flying fish and brutal heat, the adventurers of Row2Rio left the African coastline, pulling themselves through the middle of the Atlantic in their pioneer voyage from Portugal to Brazil (story here). “30 days doing two hours on, two hours off – it sounds ridiculous when I say it,” wrote Luke Richmond, Aussie expat and head coach…
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No proof of guns in Naka encroachment case
PHUKET: Officials this morning found no evidence to back allegations of gunmen preparing to clear a piece of island forest in a land encroachment case on Naka Noi Island. “A group of men with guns, claiming to be hired by the land owner, were about to clear the forest, which is home to our precious hornbills. The land itself [sic]…
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Fruit truck flips, spills load, makes squash on Kamala Hill
PHUKET: A six-wheel truck laden with fruit flipped on Kamala Hill, spilling its load across the road yesterday afternoon. The single-vehicle accident caused tailbacks for several hours while a clean-up team righted the truck and cleared the road of produce. “A crane was brought in to pull the truck out of a ditch. The driver, Somparn Talunai, 42, escaped with…
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Transport Minister opens Phuket’s Thep Srisin Bridge
PHUKET: Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith chaired the grand opening of the much-anticipated Klong Koh Pee Flyover yesterday morning. The roadway, officially named Thep Srisin Bridge, connects Sakdidet Road Soi 7 directly to Saphan Hin. “The bridge will improve traffic flow. Additionally, it is a beautiful structure that is a boon to Phuket tourism,” Minister Arkhom said. The bridge was originally…
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Finance: Understanding Counter Trend Rallies
PHUKET: In early March, US and global markets began a short-term counter trend rally that has seen these markets regain about 50 per cent of their prior decline. However, there are reasons you need to remain cautious by staying largely in cash. The stock market began to rally in 2009, hitting an all-time high last summer. Since then, the market…
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Ministry of Farang Affairs: Overenthusiasm at Songkran
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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