News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
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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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People with health issues may be banned from driving
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community People with health issues may be banned from driving The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Medical Council is planning to propose a driving ban for patients whose health condition could turn them into dangerous drivers. In foreign countries, people with heart diseases, severe forms of…
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Junta makes assurances to stop the exodus of migrant workers
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Junta makes assurances to stop the exodus of migrant workers The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: To stem the exodus of much-needed migrant workers, notably Cambodians, the junta and the authorities yesterday quashed rumours of a crackdown, gave another chance to their employers and vowed to…
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U.S. captures suspected leader of 2012 Benghazi attack
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. captures suspected ringleader of 2012 attack in Benghazi Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The United States said on Tuesday it had captured a suspected ringleader of the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, a raid that killed four Americans including the…
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Phuket radio stations remain off-air as “collateral damage’
PHUKET: Popular English-language radio stations in Phuket remained off-air today, 27 days since the military seized power and silenced the airwaves with a ban on all private community radio broadcasts. The ban continues despite the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announcing on Saturday that Voice TV, which is owned by fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra (story here), may…
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Surin beach clearout “70 per cent complete’ as deadline looms
PHUKET: Surin Beach is a flurry of activity as businesses big and small seek to comply with the June 18 deadline to dismantle illegal structures on the beach. The clear-out is part of an official crackdown on more than 100 businesses operating along the beachfronts at Surin, Bang Tao, Laypang and Layan beaches (story here). Vendors who refuse to comply…
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Interpol discusses Asean counter-terrorism in Phuket
PHUKET: More than 50 high-ranking police officers from eight Southeast Asian nations met in Patong this morning to discuss strategies to counter chemical and explosive terrorist attacks. Lt Gen Panya Mamen, Commander of the Royal Thai Police Region 8 division, welcomed the delegates, which included representatives from the Asean member states of Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos…
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Thai parks chief turns to junta to reclaim Phuket national park
PHUKET: Thailand’s national parks chief has appealed to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to take over investigations into encroachment of Sirinath National Park to expedite the return of 360 illegally seized plots of park land. “This process has taken far too long already. We want the NCPO to take over so we can finally return the land…
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Early-bird deadline for Raceweek entries extended (video)
PHUKET: Due to a flurry of late bookings, the organizers of the Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek have extended the early-bird discount deadline to allow more crews to take advantage of the reduced price. Raceweek organizers are predicting a large and competitive field this year, with many local, regional and some chartered entries from afar having already registered, booked their…
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Junta: No crackdown on foreign workers
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Junta: No crackdown on foreign workers The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Video of shooting of pickup carrying cambodians may have raised fears THE MILITARY junta yesterday reiterated it has no policy to crack down on migrant workers here despite the exodus of more than 120,000…
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U.S. considers air strikes on Iraq, holds talks with Iran
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. considers air strikes on Iraq, holds talks with Iran Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: President Barack Obama considered options for military action to support Iraq’s besieged government on Monday, and U.S. and Iranian officials held talks to stabilise the region, which has been roiled by…
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Gambling den raided; police announce zero tolerance for World Cup betting
PHUKET: Police are keeping a close eye out for gambling during the World Cup, and yesterday nabbed one suspect and five computers in a raid in Patong. “We were notified by an undercover officer of an illegal online gambling den in a retail shop on Soi Paradise,” Lt Col Sutthichai Thianpho of the Patong Police told the Phuket Gazette. “We…
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Cambodian exodus continues, 37 more illegals arrested in Phuket
PHUKET: Immigration officers at Phuket’s Rassada Pier last night arrested 37 Cambodian workers who claimed to be fleeing Thailand amid fear a coup-related crackdown on illegal immigrants. One of the workers told the Phuket Gazette that the workers were trying to leave Thailand as soon as possible for fear that the Army would crack down on foreigners living in the…
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Phuket Police hunt suspected bike thief, arson
PHUKET: Police are investigating the possible theft and arson of a motorbike that was found engulfed in flames in the middle of a street in Bang Tao early this morning. Local villager Sompong Samerpop, 35, notified Cherng Talay Police of the blazing motorbike on Soi Bang Tao 4 at about 1:30am. Police officers promptly called the Cherng Talay Fire Department,…
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Phuket power down starts tonight
PHUKET: The reduction of power usage throughout Southern Thailand provinces, including Phuket, is urged between 6:30pm and 10:30pm from today until July 10. “We would like everyone to conserve power during peak usage hours,” said Phuket Energy Chief Wiroj Damkong. However, the Phuket Energy Office and Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut have both confirmed that there will be no enforced blackouts…
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Schumacher comes out of coma
PHUKET: Formula One ex-champion Michael Schumacher, who sustained severe head injuries in a ski accident in late 2013, is no longer in a coma and has left the French hospital where he was being treated since the accident, his spokeswoman said on Monday. “Michael has left the CHU Grenoble (hospital) to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not…
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Military Rule in Phuket: I’m thinking Maldives
PHUKET: Ask anyone, and their first impression of the Maldives is the iconic Indian Ocean archipelago with possibly the most beautiful beaches in the world. Everyone has heard of them, and most have wanted to visit them. What most people do not know about this collection of 1,192 islands is that it has developed its reputation as one of the…
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Relative psychology in Phuket: coup, curfew, news
Patrick Mattimore, now retired, was an Adjunct Professor of Legal Reasoning and Case Briefing: Tsinghua/Temple Law School LLM Program in Beijing, teaching psychology to students there. He has also been an online columnist for Gazette partner newspaper the China Daily, covering a variety of topics from why rumors spread panic to selfies among the tuhao. Here, he takes a look…
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Phuket crowds throng to revel in free Naresuan epic
PHUKET: Hundreds of people turned out at major cinemas throughout Phuket yesterday to enjoy a free screening of The Legend of King Naresuan 5. The latest cinematic installment recounting the insurmountable odds overcome by the famed king who laid the foundation for Thailand as a nation was shown free of charge at cinemas throughout the country under the “Return Happiness…
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Russian tourist dies after overshooting curve on wet Rawai road
PHUKET: A Russian tourist was thrown from his vehicle and died last night after overshooting a curve and crashing into a wall on Wiset Road. Chalong Police were called to the scene at about 11:30pm. “When we arrived, we found a badly damaged Toyota Fortuner lying on its side in the middle of the road. On the side of the…
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Heavy weather continues: Two Phuket drivers escape injury as wind levels trees
PHUKET: A motorist narrowly escaped injury last night when a falling tree toppled power poles onto the road, tearing off the driver’s rearview mirror, but leaving the rest of the car undamaged. Worawut Trisook, 32, was driving along the Baan Sakoo-Nai Yang Road at about 8:30pm when a rubber tree fell, striking power lines and pulling down five utility poles.…
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Pakistan resumes air strikes on volatile border region
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Pakistan resumes air strikes to flush insurgents from volatile border Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Pakistani fighter jets resumed air strikes in North Waziristan on Monday, a day after the army announced the start of a major military operation to flush insurgents out of the volatile…
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Iraq rebels seize Northwest town in heavy battle
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Iraq rebels seize Northwest town in heavy battle Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Sunni insurgents seized a mainly ethnic Turkmen city in northwestern Iraq on Sunday after heavy fighting, solidifying their grip on the north after a lightning offensive that threatens to dismember Iraq. Residents reached…
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Disaster averted at Phuket gas station as toddler rescued from locked BMW
PHUKET: Rescue workers safely averted a potential disaster early yesterday morning when they recovered a two-year-old boy from a locked BMW that was still running while parked at a Phuket gas station. Manus Chailiem, the boy’s grandfather, alerted Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers to the danger at 6:30am. Mr Manus, his daughter and Nong Phi, age 2, were en route to…
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Phuket Police hunting boyfriend after woman slashed, beaten
PHUKET: Police are searching for the boyfriend of a woman who was repeatedly slashed and beaten in Thalang yesterday. Amporn Parawech, 23, suffered a deep cut in the neck and had multiple cuts and bruises on her back when she arrived at a shop near her house pleading for help, said Lt Col Sanit Nookong of Thalang Police. Rescue workers…
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122,000 Cambodians flee from Thailand
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community 122,000 Cambodians flee from Thailand The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: More than 120,000 Cambodians have fled Thailand to return home in the past week, fearing a crackdown on migrant workers after last month’s military takeover, an official said yesterday. The mass exodus of labourers –…
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Colombia’s Santos wins re-election, to push on with peace talks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Colombia’s Santos wins re-election, to push on with peace talks Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos won a second term on Sunday with an election victory that allows him to continue peace talks with Marxist guerrillas to end a half-century war. Santos…
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Pick-up avoiding motorcyclist flips onto rocky Kalim shore
PHUKET: A pick-up truck avoiding a motorcyclist on the Kalim-Kamala Road last night flipped over onto the Kalim shore. The driver suffered only minor injuries. Preecha Hachaiboon, 37, was headed from Patong to Kalim at about 11pm on a road slick with rain and spray from large waves when a motorcyclist allegedly cut in front of him. Mr Hachaiboon swerved…
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Tourists told to avoid speedboat trips as weather warning issued
PHUKET: The Thai Meteorological Department has warned tourist against joining speedboat day trips, as a small boat warning is now in effect in Phuket due to big waves and high winds. “Wave heights are at 2-4 meters, and we will have wind speeds of up to 45k/h,” said Santhad Panbanpeaw, director of the Thai Meteorological Department’s Phuket Office. “All small…
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Lifeguards beg beachgoers to stay safe as waves become deadly
PHUKET: Phuket lifeguards are imploring beachgoers to respect the dangerous ocean conditions and stay out of the water as the annual southwest monsoon season comes into full swing. Phuket Lifeguard Club President Prathaiyut Chuayuan issued the plea this morning. “Please do not go into the sea, especially at Kata and Karon. I have also received reports of heavy, high waves…
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Messi strike lights up Maracana as Argentina sink Bosnia
PHUKET: Lionel Messi finally made his mark on the World Cup and lit up the Maracana with his first goal in the finals for eight years as Argentina were forced to battle for a 2-1 win over debutantes Bosnia in their opening Group F match on Sunday. Messi, four-times world player of the year and Argentina’s best footballer since Diego…
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