News
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Sponsored Infinito helps hotels in Thailand with revenue management
Maximising revenue and profit–isn’t that the ultimate goal for every business in the hospitality industry? If you run a hotel, you might have heard that revenue management is an effective way to boost your top-line revenue. It involves using data...
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Public invited to join search and rescue drill, exhibition
PHUKET: The general public is invited to watch as rescue boats and aircraft are deployed for a two-day Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) drill and exhibition at the Ao Makham deep sea port starting tomorrow. “The drill will run from 9am to 4pm both days,” confirmed Vice Admiral Sayan Prasongsamrej, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command. “There…
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Locals discover dolphin stranded in mangroves
PHUKET: Endangered species specialists are fighting to save the life of a spotted dolphin discovered stranded in the mangrove forests bordering Phuket Town yesterday. “When we arrived, villagers were helping the dolphin by holding the exhausted animal in the water, as it was unable to swim,” said Patcharaporn Kaewmong, a veterinarian at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC). The locals…
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Bangla bars investigated for encroachment
PHUKET: Almost 30 businesses along Phuket’s primary party street Soi Bangla are being investigated for illegal encroachment, confirmed Kathu District Chief Sayan Chanachaiwong yesterday. The 28 businesses, occupying 33 units, are allegedly on one rai of land that belongs to the municipality, explained Mr Sayan. “We will be investigating exactly how the businesses located near the beachfront road, on the…
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Widow ghosts “force’ men to cross-dress for protection
PHUKET: The sudden string of deaths of ten fit and healthy men in Nakohn Phanom province has locals pulling out all the ritualistic, spiritualistic and superstitious plugs to avoid widow ghosts, pee mae mai. Red shirts hanging in front of homes to ward off the ghosts are a common sight in the Don Nang Hong sub-district, with some male teenagers…
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National Guardsman to be honored over French train attack
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community National Guardsman who helped thwart attack on French train to get medal Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A National Guardsman, one of three Americans who disarmed a gun-toting suspected Islamist militant on a high-speed train in France, will be awarded the U.S. Army’s highest non-combat medal,…
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Unfinished condo case to reach prosecutor soon
PHUKET: Police will hand the case against the developers of the unfinished condominium project Ace 1 over to the Public Prosecutor by September 9. Despite the case being submitted, pre-build purchasers will be able to continue to file complaints and submit evidence to police, confirmed Lt Col Anukul Nuket of the Patong Police yesterday. “We are still in the process…
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Powering up Coconut Island for locals, businesses
PHUKET: Much-needed mainland power is now flowing to Naka Yai and Coconut Island, off the coast of Phuket. “We have invested in the project, not because we expect to make a profit, but because we can improve the quality of life for the locals and improve their economic situation,” said Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Governor Sermsakul Klaikaew, who chaired the…
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North, South Korea reach agreement to ease tensions
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community North, South Korea reach agreement to ease tensions Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: North and South Korea reached agreement early on Tuesday to end a standoff involving anexchange of artillery fire that had pushed the divided peninsula into a state of heightened military tension. Under the…
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All hands on deck for Phuket flood prevention
PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong has ordered all relevant local authorities to tackle the chronic flooding issues on Phuket. “The recent bout of floods have highlighted how serious the problem with drainage systems are in certain areas of the island, especially villages and other low-lying places,” Governor Nisit said. “We have a team, led by Vice Governor Pallop Singhasenee, developing solutions…
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A Decade Ago: Fears of sex on the beach in Phuket
PHUKET: Facebook profile pictures turned into rainbows following the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States two months ago. The US Supreme Court ruled in the Obergefell versus Hodges case that state-level bans on same-sex marriage were unconstitutional. However, a decade ago in Phuket – now well-known for the flamboyant Pride Week – the Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual,…
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Two arrested in Phuket for pyramid scheme
PHUKET: A Phuket couple surrendered to Chalong Police yesterday for their alleged involvement in the international 10-billion-baht UFUN pyramid scheme. Damrongsak Pitisuk, 38, and his 37-year-old wife Pornthicha Pitisuk had both received ‘Achievement Awards’ at the ‘The Black Night Party by URICH’ in December last year. The party was held in order to applaud those who manged to recruit investors…
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Bangkok Bank warns of viral fraud
PHUKET: Bangkok Bank has issued a warning about malicious software designed to make bank transactions from the accounts of customers who have registered for their online banking service, ‘Bualuang iBanking’. Bangkok Bank’s warning explained that false messages have been sent to iBanking customers via SMS, MMS and emails purporting to be from the bank. The messages ask the receiver to…
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Pothole suspected in Phuket bikers death
PHUKET: Police suspect a large pothole caused the death of a man driving a Honda 150cc CBR motorcycle on a curvy road in Mai Khao last night. Pattanapong Nainet, 20, was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, said Lt Thanom Thongpan of the Tah Chat Chai Police. “There was no identification cards on his person, only 42,360…
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Video Report: Bodyslam rocks for Phuket charity
PHUKET: Five thousand fans crowded the sold-out ‘Bodyslam’ concert at Laguna Grove on Saturday evening. The charity concert featured local band ‘Boynavio Group’, as well as a performance from the local youth group ‘Umbrella’ as opening acts for Thailand’s famous rock band, ‘Bodyslam’. Bodyslam vocalist Mr Toon, who is a frequent visitor to Phuket, enjoys spending time at various sporting…
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Bill to slash cheap package tours, arrival numbers to be unaffected
PHUKET: The plan by Cabinet to put an end to cheap tour group packages arriving in Thailand will not have a significant affect on the industry in Phuket, says Santi Pawai, Director of the Phuket office of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport (MOTS). “I’ve heard about the draft bill, but have yet to receive any official notification. I believe…
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Phuket and Koh Samui promoted in Australia
PHUKET: Samui and Phuket tourist associations teamed up for the first time ever to promote Thai tourism in Melbourne, Australia earlier this month. Phuket Vice Governor Suthee Thongyam and Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization members also joined in the Phuket & Samui Roadshow Table Top Sale and its mission to promote Thailand’s tourism. The group was hosted by Jirachai Pankrasin, Thailand’s…
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Business Buzz: Consistency is the key
PHUKET: One of the most frequent comments I receive from unsuccessful people is that they believe social media does not work and is all hype and myth. It is interesting that so many say this, especially when successful users swear that without social media their business would be dead. So to help the doubters, here are points that have probably…
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Phuket arrivals rise despite Bangkok bomb
PHUKET: The total number of passengers arriving at Phuket International Airport this week has increased compared with the same period last year, President of Phuket Tourism Association Sathirapong Na Takuatung said at a meeting held yesterday to discuss the aftermath of Monday’s bombing in Bangkok. “We are concerned about the number of tourists dropping, but the number of tour groups…
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Joyride ends in Patong for van thief
PHUKET: A man who stole a van and took it for a joyride to Patong was arrested by Karon Police while near Jungceylon last night. “At about 11:30pm, we were informed of a van theft at a 7-Eleven store in Nai Harn,” confirmed Lt Col Ason Jiraksa of the Karon Police. “Driver Panudet Kumuda, 25, left the engine running while…
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Electrical fire near gas station sends residents running
PHUKET: Residents in the Koh Kaew area suffered power outages and heavy traffic jams after power cables caught fire across from the PTT gas station on Thepkrasatti Road yesterday afternoon. The flames frightened many shop owners, including 70-year-old Aree Jindapol. “At about noon, while we were selling food at the market, I heard what sounded like a bomb,” Ms Aree…
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Opinion: Usual suspects
PHUKET: Authorities here in Phuket have acted sensibly in the wake of the recent terrorist bombing at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, stepping up security at popular tourist destinations across the island and urging the public not to unduly panic or believe everything they see in social media. Sadly, in this case, it was not only the social media where…
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Thai Iron Chef to cook at Andaman Hotelier expo
PHUKET: Andaman’s biggest hospitality expo, Andaman Hotelier 2015, will take place next month at Limelight Avenue with the full support of private businesses and government organizations. Kritsada Tonsakul, president of the Southern Region Hotel Association, explained that Andaman Hotelier is the biggest skill-training expo for the hospitality circle in the Andaman area. “There are eight departments, according to each career,…
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Phuket divers recovered after night lost at sea
PHUKET: Two scuba divers were found and safely rescued this morning after disappearing from the tour group they were part off yesterday evening.VTT Group brought the tourists to Koh Racha Noi to scuba dive. When it came time to bring everyone back on board the boat, the crew realized that Thai tourist Asang Saelor, 31, and Chinese tourist Huaqiu Ji,…
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Park fees plundered, millions allegedly skimmed
PHUKET: Hundreds of millions of baht disappeared during the collection of national park fees at Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park over the last three years, alleged Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a member of the National Reform Council (NRC). A two-month, national-level investigation by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) uncovered unnerving discrepancies in…
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Officials announce alternative routes for Chalong Underpass
PHUKET: Officials have released alternative routes for the first and second phase of the Chalong Underpass, with construction slated to start next month. “Though we do have routes sorted out for the first two phases of the project, we are still negotiating with private land owners in order to secure necessary alternative routes for phase three and four, which will…
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Cobra slithers into Phuket kitchen
PHUKET: A two-meter-long cobra chased a terrified homeowner out of her kitchen last week. The woman, who declined to be named, immediately fled her kitchen, closing the door behind her before calling the Kusoldharm Foundation. “At first, when we arrived, we couldn’t find the snake in the kitchen,” said Kusoldharm Foundation rescue worker Sakun Naepnean. “However, after moving the fridge,…
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Officers hunt fugitive on secluded island off Phuket
PHUKET: Police are hunting one more fugitive after catching an attempted gang murder suspect hiding out on a secluded island east of Phuket this week. A 50-man raid of the island rooted out Danai Homhuan, 36, who had given away his position by firing warning shots at local fishermen earlier this year. Mr Danai was wanted by Thalang officials for…
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Karon Plaza blaze guts ten shops
PHUKET: Police are investigating the cause of a blaze at Karon Plaza that engulfed 10 shops along the Karon beachfront road last night. Five firetrucks from Karon and Patong were called to the scene at about 11:50. It took firefighters about 40 minutes to extinguish the flames. “Luckily, the stores were closed and nobody was injured,” said Lt Weerayuth Thansirisukhaworakul…
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Budget peddles out cash for bike lanes
PHUKET: Work on Phuket’s eagerly awaited bike lanes will start in October with an already approved budget of more than 50 million baht, confirmed Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong. “Over 30 million baht from the 2016 fiscal year budget has been approved for the development of Bang Wad Reservoir, which will include the installation of bike lanes,” said Governor Nisit. “We…
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Calling all Phuket hotel beauties and footballers
PHUKET: Phuket Football Club (Phuket FC) will be holding their second Hotel Cup competition and first ever Miss Hotel competition next month at the Republic Phuket football field in Chalong. “The main purpose of organizing this event is to support the strong cooperation and friendship between all hotel businesses in Phuket through sport. Hotel employees can relax from work and…
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