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  • Missing Chinese couple found alive after kayak swamped by waves

    Missing Chinese couple found alive after kayak swamped by waves

    PHUKET: A Chinese couple whose rented kayak was swamped by large waves off Ao Nang, Krabi, late yesterday afternoon have been found safe. Tourists Li Qi Ying, a 40-year-old businessman and his 28-year-old wife, Li Bei, were paddling with a friend when a large wave swamped the couple’s kayak, dumping the pair into the sea. “We were paddling out to…

  • Phuket taxi driver returns more than 3,000 euros to Frenchman

    Phuket taxi driver returns more than 3,000 euros to Frenchman

    PHUKET: A Phuket taxi driver yesterday returned a bag containing nearly 150,000 baht’s worth of euros and other valuables to a Frenchman who left it in his taxi. The 57-year-old tourist, Andre Cellier, arrived on January 22 and took a taxi to Patong. When he discovered he had forgotten his bag – which contained his passport and a mobile phone,…

  • Phuket Property: Building materials index “unrealistic’

    Phuket Property: Building materials index “unrealistic’

    PHUKET: Provincial authorities seek a revision to the central price index for construction materials, pointing to outdated and inaccurate value estimations for building supplies imported to the island. Meanwhile, the Revenue Department reported collecting 9.6 billion baht in tax revenue in Phuket in 2013, exceeding their target by 5%.The economic issues headlined the agenda at the latest Phuket meeting of…

  • Phuket tourism market eyed for semi-submarine pilot

    Phuket tourism market eyed for semi-submarine pilot

    PHUKET: Looking to build on its recent successful launch in Malaysia, one Korean marketeer is now eying the Phuket and Phang Nga marine leisure markets for its simple yet innovative semi-submarine vessel.“The Penguin” was one of several interesting marine products that stood out at this year’s Phuket International Boat Show (see page 44 for more details about the event); To…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Malta agrees to curtail plans to sell EU citizenship

    Phuket Gazette World News: Malta agrees to curtail plans to sell EU citizenship

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Malta agrees to curtail plans to sell EU citizenship Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Anyone wishing to buy an EU passport from Malta must first live in the island nation for a year, the European Commission and Malta agreed on Wednesday, curtailing its contentious plan to sell EU…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: U.S. readies financial sanctions against Ukraine

    Phuket Gazette World News: U.S. readies financial sanctions against Ukraine

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. readies financial sanctions against Ukraine Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Obama administration is preparing financial sanctions that could be imposed on Ukrainian officials and protest leaders if violence escalates in the political crisis gripping Ukraine, congressional aides said on Wednesday.Congressional aides, who asked not to be…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Election standoff begins; Police deployed; Reds rile rice farmers

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Election standoff begins; Police deployed; Reds rile rice farmers

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suthep threatens election day shutdown The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the ongoing anti-government protest, yesterday threatened to bring Bangkok to a “complete shutdown” on election day, while half of the 400,000-strong national police force is expected to be deployed to maintain law and…

  • Phuket Chinese New Year: fruit up 30%, no change in meat, vegetables

    Phuket Chinese New Year: fruit up 30%, no change in meat, vegetables

    PHUKET: Produce shoppers did not seem deterred by the 30% annual increase on fruit prices ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations, a visit today to one of the Phuket’s main fresh markets revealed. Meanwhile, no significant annual change was observed in the price of most vegetables and two staple meats – chicken and pork. Earlier today, the Gazette visited…

  • Phuket Old Town Festival to begin next week

    Phuket Old Town Festival to begin next week

    PHUKET: The annual three-day Phuket Old Town Festival will kick off on February 7 with a parade to celebrate the unique culture of Phuket’s residents. Events will be held along Thalang Road, Soi Rommanee and Krabi Road – the heart of the Phuket Old Town area, explained Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana. “The main purpose of this festival is to…

  • Phuket Police vow to protect voters, despite manpower shortage

    Phuket Police vow to protect voters, despite manpower shortage

    PHUKET: Despite a shortage of officers, the Phuket Provincial Police have vowed to protect voters from any violence on election day with a special task force. The group of 41 officers will be made up of five fast-response inspectors, 18 undercover officers and 18 officers on standby. “Officers manning the polling stations have been instructed not to interfere with peaceful…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Ukraine PM resigns amid unrest, parliament revokes anti-protest laws

    Phuket Gazette World News: Ukraine PM resigns amid unrest, parliament revokes anti-protest laws

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Ukraine PM resigns amid unrest, parliament revokes anti-protest laws Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned on Tuesday while deputies loyal to President Viktor Yanukovich, acting to calm violent street protests, back-tracked and overturned anti-protest laws they rammed through parliament 12 days ago.The first…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Poll set for Sunday amid fears of further violence; Man shot, gunman caught; Reds to rally nationwide

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Poll set for Sunday amid fears of further violence; Man shot, gunman caught; Reds to rally nationwide

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Poll set for Sunday amid fears of further violence The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The decision to go ahead with the February 2 election would only mount pressure on the caretaker government because it would provide “ammunition” to the protesters, a leader of the People’s Democratic for…

  • B12mn canal extension project to begin in March

    B12mn canal extension project to begin in March

    PHUKET: A 12-million-baht project to dredge the Koh Kaew Canal and deepen the existing approach channel from Phang Nga Bay will begin in March.The six-month project was approved at a public hearing led by Governor Maitri Inthusut at the Royal Phuket Marina last Thursday.“Our officers found that the canal is not deep enough for big boats or yachts and could…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Police rescue hundreds of Rohingya in raid on suspected traffickers’ camp

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Police rescue hundreds of Rohingya in raid on suspected traffickers’ camp

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai police rescue hundreds of Rohingya in raid on suspected traffickers’ camp Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Thai police have rescued hundreds of Rohingya Muslims from a remote camp in a raid prompted by a Reuters investigation into human trafficking, police officials said on Monday.Police detained 531 men,…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: US, UK spy agencies schemed data raids from Angry Birds, smartphone apps

    Phuket Gazette World News: US, UK spy agencies schemed data raids from Angry Birds, smartphone apps

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S., British spy agencies exploit ‘leaky’ apps for intel: report Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: U.S. and British intelligence agencies have plotted ways to gather data from Angry Birds and other smartphone apps that leak users’ personal information onto global networks, the New York Times reported on Monday.It…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Sri Lanka says international war crimes probe would bring chaos | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: Sri Lanka says international war crimes probe would bring chaos

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Sri Lanka says international war crimes probe would bring ‘chaos’ Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: An international inquiry into war crimes in Sri Lanka would bring “chaos,” and the government’s national reconciliation process must be given several more years to work, a top aide to Sri Lanka’s president…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Protesters mourn Suthin, murder witness steps up; Election date looms; Rice corruption plagues Yingluck

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Protesters mourn Suthin, murder witness steps up; Election date looms; Rice corruption plagues Yingluck

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Govt may let EC decide election date The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The caretaker government is likely to pass the hot potato of rescheduling the February 2 elections over to the Election Commission (EC) when caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra meets election commissioners today.A source in the…

  • US embassy consular outreach clinic in Phuket

    US embassy consular outreach clinic in Phuket

    PHUKET: The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Bangkok will hold an Outreach Visit at Le Meridien Hotel in Karon on January 29. Consular staff will be available from 8am to midday to provide the following services: • Passport renewal applications (US$110 or 3,410 baht for adult passports, US$105 or 3,255 baht for a minor’s passport). • Notarial Services…

  • Three arrested for role in fatal Phuket bag-snatch, one still at large

    Three arrested for role in fatal Phuket bag-snatch, one still at large

    PHUKET: Phuket Police have arrested three of the four suspects involved in the fatal stabbing of bag-snatch victim Dithchart Insom, who was killed on December 16 (story here). One suspect is still at large. Police were put on the killers’ trail after interrogating one of their friends who witnessed the killing, named by officers only as “Jib”. On January 22,…

  • Phuket lucky license plate auction pulls up short of the mark

    Phuket lucky license plate auction pulls up short of the mark

    PHUKET: The Phuket Lucky License Plate Auction fell short of a 30-million-baht goal this year (story here) with bidders handing over just 23mn baht for road-safety campaigns and traffic-victim rehabilitation programs. The two-day auction organized by the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) was held at the Phuket Merlin Hotel (map here) on Saturday and Sunday. More than 300 license plates…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Chalerm gives protesters 72 hours to quit

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Chalerm gives protesters 72 hours to quit

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Chalerm tells protesters to leave govt offices in 72 hours or face arrest The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, the director of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), today issued an ultimatum to protesters to halt their siege of government offices…

  • Lone voter casts ballot in Phuket poll shutdown

    Lone voter casts ballot in Phuket poll shutdown

    PHUKET: Phuket protesters arriving late to shut down the polling station in Thalang yesterday resulted in one lone voter casting a ballot in the advance voting for the February 2 national election. “We cannot reveal who that person was, but he arrived and voted before the protesters turned up at about 9:30am,” said polling station chief Chaiya Khamsaad. Once the…

  • Phuket FC down Brunei DPMM for pre-season hat-trick

    Phuket FC down Brunei DPMM for pre-season hat-trick

    PHUKET: The new-look Phuket FC “Ronins” continued their perfect pre-season form, downing Malay and Singapore League contenders Brunei DPMM FC 2-0 in a friendly match last night at Surakul Stadium. The friendly match is part of a three-team “Saksee Cup” which will conclude this afternoon with a match between Phuket FC and Thai Division Two contenders, Nakhon Si Heritage from…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Syrian government to allow women, children to exit war zone

    Phuket Gazette World News: Syrian government to allow women, children to exit war zone

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Syria talks bring offer of exit from siege of Homs Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Syrian government offered to let women and children leave the besieged city of Homs on Sunday as negotiators from the warring sides discussed humanitarian gestures on a second day of face-to-face talks…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Police name gunman in Maryland mall shooting; motive still unclear

    Phuket Gazette World News: Police name gunman in Maryland mall shooting; motive still unclear

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police name gunman in Maryland mall shooting; motive still unclear Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A gunman who shot and killed two people at a Maryland mall was a 19-year-old who lived with his mother in a nearby Washington suburb and arrived at the shopping centre in a…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Tunisia approves new constitution, appoints government

    Phuket Gazette World News: Tunisia approves new constitution, appoints government

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Tunisia approves new constitution, appoints government Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Tunisia’s national assembly approved the country’s new constitution on Sunday in one of the final steps to full democracy three years after protests erupted into an uprising that toppled autocrat Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.Just before the constitution’s…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: U.S. carries out air strike in Somalia | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: U.S. carries out air strike in Somalia

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. carries out air strike in Somalia targeting militant suspect Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The U.S. military carried out a missile strike in Somalia on Sunday targeting a suspected militant leader with ties to al Qaeda and al Shabaab, a U.S. military official told Reuters, speaking on…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Quebec premier vows ‘never again’ after 32 die in senior residence fire

    Phuket Gazette World News: Quebec premier vows ‘never again’ after 32 die in senior residence fire

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Quebec premier vows ‘never again’ after 32 die in senior residence fire Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Quebec Premier Pauline Marois on Sunday said a fatal fire in a seniors’ residence was “unacceptable” but stopped short of saying her government would make sprinklers mandatory in homes for the…

  • Phuket landlord, son, slain in lease dispute

    Phuket landlord, son, slain in lease dispute

    PHUKET: A Phuket landlord and her son were gunned down in front of their family home in Thung Thong yesterday afternoon amid a heated a dispute over continuing a lease for a local curry shop that sold sugarcane juice. Police arrived at the scene (map here) at about 4:30pm to find Boonlet Thanom-anantakun, 42, standing next to the house with…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Anti-Thaksin protest leader slain in public shooting

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Anti-Thaksin protest leader slain in public shooting

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Anti-Thaksin protest leader slain in public shooting The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Suthin Taratin, one of leaders of People’s Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime, was killed by a gunshot to the head as he was leading a blockade at an advance polling station in Bangkok’s Bang…