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Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
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Investment strategies for large sums of cash
PHUKET: Consider the following investing dilemma: You have recently received a large sum of money (from a pension payout, inheritance, the sale of property or a business) and you want to put this money to work for you. However, interest rates and returns on what are considered to be the safest investments (for example US and European bank deposits and…
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Locals attack Phuket police station, set fire to cop cars
PHUKET: An angry mob attacked Thalang Police Station and blockaded Thepkrasattri Road in an attempt to get to Superintendent Amnuay Kraiwuttianan last night. The group of about 60 of the protesters descended on the station at about 6pm, setting fire to at least six police vehicles. The outraged mob claimed that police used excessive force in their attempt to arrest…
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Police arrest minivan driver for drug running
PHUKET: Police last night arrested a van driver at the Tah Chat Chai Checkpoint after officers discovered 3,921 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills and four grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) in the vehicle he was driving. The driver, Sutthichai Kongsamut, 34, told police that he was running methamphetamine for a drug lord operating out of a prison in Nakhon Sri…
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Phuket-Satun bus fire claims second life
PHUKET: One of the four victims admitted to Phang Nga Hospital ICU from a Phuket-Satun bus fire died from smoke inhalation on Thursday. Sunisa Chookaew, 25, was the second person to die from injuries sustained in the fire. Daeng Thaharat, 76, was pronounced dead at the scene. Three others remain in comas at the hospital. On Wednesday, a total of…
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![Gazette’s Vegetarian Festival’s must sees [video] | Thaiger](https://thethaiger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1_2015109174147320_pwKRkxzdIRQWDDDRVlNnFTotQagHoWteHHzsrHDq_jpeg.jpeg)
Gazette’s Vegetarian Festival’s must sees [video]
PHUKET: As the sun sets on Phuket on October 12, all Chinese shrines taking part in the annual Vegetarian Festival will raise their go-teng poles so that the Jade Emperor, among the Nine Emperor Gods, can descend from the heavens, heralding the beginning of this year’s event. It can all be overwhelming for first timers. So, here at the Gazette,…
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A Decade Ago: Do you remember the TTVI Center?
PHUKET: Those new to the island – relatively speaking – might not have the visceral churning in their guts when they hear the name ‘TTVI center’. However, island residents who were here at least a decade ago know that TTVI stands for Thai Tsunami Victim Identification. The center was tasked with identifying 3,777 of the bodies recovered from the six…
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Phuket Town meth network unraveled, guns seized
PHUKET: Police confiscated four firearms, 194 rounds of ammunition, 3,507 ya ba (methamphetamine) pills and 31 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) during a two-day raid on a Phuket Town drug network. “The contraband seized was in the possession of the four suspects we arrested,” Lt Col Prawit Engchuan of Phuket Provincial Police said yesterday. The string of arrests started…
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Opinion: Action against smog
PHUKET: The unprecedented expanse of smog blanketing Phuket in recent months has quite rightly trained the spotlight on Indonesia, where out-of-control forest fires continue to belch smoke into the atmosphere at a dangerous rate. Although illegal in Indonesia, ‘slash-and-burn’ land clearing techniques that set off these annual conflagrations have long been a source of friction between Indonesia and its neighbors,…
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Phuket air pollution back to safe level
PHUKET: Air pollution levels in Phuket have dropped back down to safe levels today, following the Indonesian haze descending on Phuket this week. “The 24-hour average was down to 89 micrograms [PM10] per cubic meter, which is already within safe limits,” said Pornsri Suthanarak, the director of the Regional Environmental Office. Average air pollution levels climbed up to 201 earlier…
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Phuket Governor cautious, but ready to demolish Surin beach clubs
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada vowed to be cautious in his dealings with the numerous beach businesses, including several iconic beach clubs, occupying government buildings along Surin Beach. “If it was up to me, I would have them torn down,” Governor Chamroen said yesterday. “However, I don’t have the authority to do that. We will need to review the appropriate…
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Haze causes more delays for flights at Phuket Airport
PHUKET: All flights were back on schedule by noon today after seven planes were delayed due to the dense Indonesian haze, confirmed Amnuay Sarachart, deputy director of the AoT Phuket Office. “However, we are worried about the conditions tonight and will be monitoring visibility closely,” said Mr Amnuay. This morning, pollution levels from the haze continued to climb with an…
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Phuket night club fires bouncers after brutal beating of Aussie tourists
PHUKET: Management from the White Room Night Club in Patong today denounced the violent actions of five of their bouncers in a confrontation with six Australian tourists last night. A video of security guards brutally beating two of the Australian tourists was shared on Facebook and quickly went viral. “We, the management of White Room Night Club, are shocked and…
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Opinion: Fixing potholes and mindset
Kanin Raksaraj, 31, owns a recycling business in Paklok, Phuket. A native of the island, he is also currently studying toward a bachelor’s degree in political science at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. He and his friends are noted as the team who fixed the potholes on the bypass road. Here he talks about why he and his friends find this…
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Foreign Ministry shifts gear as smog tightens grip on South
BANGKOK: The Foreign Ministry is exploring all possible means, including diplomacy, in its bid to tackle the spread of haze into southern Thailand from agricultural fires in neighboring Indonesia. “We would like to assure people living in Thailand’s South and anyone affected by the haze that we are doing our best,” Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai said yesterday, as smog…
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![Phuket air pollution levels climb to new heights [video] | Thaiger](https://thethaiger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1_2015108105728488_aaDvvYDMKRsjAOZPUJLgOMToNyzMlWYZqLqrtWjE_jpeg.jpeg)
Phuket air pollution levels climb to new heights [video]
PHUKET: Pollution levels from the Indonesian haze that has descended on Phuket continued to climb over the last 24-hours, with an average of 201 micrograms (PM10) per cubic meter. Tourists are still going to Phuket’s beaches despite the health risks from the Indonesian haze. The reason: no one has told them a health warning has been issued. Video: PGTV The…
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One dead, 12 injured in Phuket-Satun bus fire
PHANG NGA: Locals were able to save the lives of all but one person trapped inside a flaming Phuket-Satun bus this morning. A total of 21 passengers were on the bus, which was parked on the hard-shoulder of Petchkasem Road, in Phang Nga province, while the 54-year-old driver, Prathueng Sakkaew, used a borrowed welding torch to fix his seat. “While…
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Snorkelling tourist dies on Phuket day trip
PHUKET: Employees of a speedboat tour company were unable to save the life of a snorkelling client at Koh Kai yesterday evening. Despite their efforts, the 32-year-old Chinese tourist, Daliang Wang, was declared dead by medical staff upon arrival at Rassada Pier. “Employees explained that Mr Daliang was snorkelling when he was spotted struggling in the water. He appeared to…
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![Free air pollution masks distributed at Phuket hospitals, government offices [video] | Thaiger](https://thethaiger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1_201510712183882_lwfGNEYichDKYeOAEfzKPkHEuwEKbycTqMYRVnvc_jpeg.jpeg)
Free air pollution masks distributed at Phuket hospitals, government offices [video]
PHUKET: Government hospitals and offices on the island are handing out free air pollution masks due to the steadily thickening Indonesian haze that has settled over Phuket. Tourists are still going to Phuket’s beaches despite the health risks fromthe Indonesian haze. The reason: no one has told them a health warning hasbeen issued. Video: PGTV “Due to the current air…
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Video Report: Phuket air pollution steadily rising
PHUKET: The haze caused by Indonesian wildfires continues to cover Phuket with an average air pollution level of 163 micrograms (PM10) per cubic meter for the last 24-hour period, confirmed Pornsri Suthanarak, director of the Regional Environmental Office. The new reading marks a steady increase from yesterday’s average of 136 PM10, which forced Phuket officials to issue a health warning…
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American yachtie dies on Angel Langkawi
PHUKET: Police have yet to confirm the cause of death of the American owner of the 25 million baht Angel Langkawi yacht yesterday. However, preliminary evidence is pointing toward a heart attack or other related health problems, confirmed Lt Col Boonlert Onklang of the Thalang Police. James Edward Cross, 66, died while emergency medical technicians transferred him from his yacht…
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Indonesia haze prompts Phuket boat warning
PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Office has issued a warning to all boat captains to beware of the decreased visibility caused by the Indonesian haze, which has blanketed the region. “Vision is limited to about one nautical mile. Therefore, all vessels must proceed with caution,” said Phuket Marine Office Chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut, who signed the warning into effect yesterday. This morning,…
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Malaysia PM urges Indonesia to tackle fires, as haze moves to Thai sky
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Malaysia PM urges Indonesia to tackle fires, haze drifts to Thai sky Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has called on Indonesia to take action against peoplesetting fires that have caused choking smoke to drift across the region, with the sky over…
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Star Philippine boxer Pacquiao declares he’ll fight for Senate seat
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Star Philippine boxer Pacquiao declares he’ll fight for Senate seat Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Philippine boxing world champion and congressman Manny Pacquiao has announced he will take up a new challenge by running for a Senate seat in national elections next year. Pacquiao, whose popularity…
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Sea Gypsy Cultural Center to be turned into “4D’ museum
PHUKET: A budget of 20 million baht has been injected into the stumbling, soon-to-be animatronic Sea Gypsy Cultural Center, which saw costs of the facility balloon from 2mn baht to 5.4mn baht before it started to deteriorate into a derelict shell of a building that has become a shelter for the homeless. Located in a small, nondescript soi at Laem…
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![Officials issue health warning for Indonesian haze [video] | Thaiger](https://thethaiger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1_201510610125898_LEXeckTdDriTlWgsIgHOIjDYDmxPozDIzJPToogd_jpeg.jpeg)
Officials issue health warning for Indonesian haze [video]
PHUKET: Phuket officials issued a health warning today, after air pollution on the island maintained levels above the public safety standard for the last 24 hours. The haze situation grew so bad yesterday afternoon, that Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos handed out free face masks for his staff, local teachers and students. Video: PGTV “The average air pollution level for the…
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![There’s money in trash [video] | Thaiger](https://thethaiger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1_201510517160984_lCMwKNQcoVZOlryHPlbUBjVbkorXxoiBovNFmOMF_jpeg.jpeg)
There’s money in trash [video]
PHUKET: The island’s monsoon-season seas continue to plaster popular beaches with rubbish, while the growing urban environment produces an average of 729 tonnes of trash a day. Though deemed unsightly by expats, locals and tourists, the mass of junk does provide a living for numerous individuals, families and communities. “About one ton of trash is swept onto two of Phuket’s…
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Wildlife sanctuary chief defends staff’s double pricing discrimination against Phuket man
PHUKET: A wildlife sanctuary chief this morning defended his staff’s double-pricing discrimination against a Phuket man at Krabi’s Emerald Pool on Saturday. “There were three tourists, two men and a woman. The two Thais were asked for 20 baht each for the fee and the other man was asked to pay 200 baht,” said Wutthipong Chusangrat, the chief of Khao…
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Video Report: Mayor gives teachers, students masks for haze
PHUKET: Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos handed out face masks to municipality employees, teachers and children following the massive drop in air quality this afternoon (story here). “Though no warning has been issued given the average air quality over the last 24 hours, I decided it was best to ensure the safety of the children and city employees in my jurisdiction,”…
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After five years of negotiations, Pacific trade talks near deal
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community After five years of negotiations, Pacific trade talks near deal Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A dozen Pacific nations closed in on a sweeping free trade pact on Sunday in Atlanta after abreakthrough over how long a monopoly pharmaceutical companies should be given on new biotech…
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World Bank trims 2015, 2016 East Asia forecasts, cites China, US rate risks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World Bank trims 2015, 2016 East Asia forecasts, cites China, US rate risks Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The World Bank cut its 2015 and 2016 growth forecasts for developing East Asia and Pacific, and said the outlook was clouded by the risk of a sharp…
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