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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Phuket truck driver charged over fatal motorbike collision
PHUKET: A helmet-less Phuket motorbike passenger was killed in an accident on Thepkrasattri Road this morning. Lt Col Sanit Nukong of the Thalang Police was called to the scene, in a northbound lane near the Baan Muang Mai u-turn, at about 10am. In the middle of the road, he found Wirat Sironghoi, 45, gripped with grief, leaning over the body…
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The global habit of printing more currency to alleviate debt pressure
PHUKET: Just as it seems that the United States’ money printing program is finally ending, other major players are taking steps to continue pumping money into the global economy. The prevailing theory for central bankers around the globe seems to include avoiding the less desirable part of the business cycle, which has been around throughout history, at all costs. What…
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Key Phuket vice governor ordered to post near Bangkok
PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada, 52, today confirmed that he has been ordered to take the post of vice governor in Nakhon Pathom province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, effective December 1. “I have no regret leaving Phuket. I did all my best during my time here,” Vice Governor Chamroen told the Phuket Gazette today. “I will miss Phuket.…
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Italian tourist slashed by teens in botched Phuket bag-snatch
PHUKET: Police have arrested three teenagers and are searching for the gang’s alleged female ringleader after a failed bag-snatch attempt in Karon left an Italian tourist injured. Italian tourists Herbert Wunderer, 49, and Karin Katherina Albert, 54, were walking back to their hotel after midnight on Monday when five youths on two motorbikes pulled up alongside them, said Lt Col…
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Illegal croc north of Phuket lands owner in hot water
PHUKET: An elephant camp owner will be charged only for the illegal ownership of a crocodile after confessing to police that he had also recently possessed a gibbon that died a few months ago. A complaint was filed to a variety of departments about the Khao Lak Elephant Camp, based north of Phuket, which tourists claimed tortured a gibbon and…
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B2bn cash, valuables stashed in police general’s secret home vaults
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community B2bn cash, valuables stashed in police general’s secret home vaults The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: In a series of raids last week, police discovered secret underground vaults at the home of former crimebuster Pongpat Chayaphan containing assets worth more than Bt2 billion. One of the…
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Sierra Leone man found, clear of Ebola
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Sierra Leone man found, clear of Ebola The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Immigration authorities met the Sierra Leone man they have been hunting just as he was about to board a flight at Suvarnabhumi Airport. As of press time, Samuel Sesay, 31, was with officials…
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More U.S. troops deployed in Ferguson to guard against fresh riots
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community More U.S. troops deployed in Ferguson to guard against fresh riots Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Missouri’s governor ordered hundreds more National Guard troops on Tuesday to a St. Louis suburb rocked by rioting and looting after a grand jury declined to indict a white policeman…
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Fears surge over Phuket sea gypsy child prostitution
PHUKET: After being contacted by the Phuket Gazette today, local officials and community leaders are taking action over fears that children and teens at the sea gypsy village in Rawai are entering a downward spiral of drugs and prostitution, with girls as young as 10 reportedly offering sexual services to adults. Rawai sea gypsy community leader Ngeem Damrongkaset, 69, told…
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Scores arrested in Beach Games crime crackdown
PHUKET: An island-wide crime sweep during the Asian Beach Games resulted in more than 150 arrests and turned up scores of weapons, illegal drugs and counterfeit items, Phuket’s top cop revealed yesterday. “We must maintain Phuket’s good image and uphold the policies of the Royal Thai Police. It is our job to keep everyone safe and to prevent crime,” Phuket…
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Phuket man killed in high-speed motorbike crash
PHUKET: A Phuket man riding a motorbike at high speed died instantly, after he crashed into the back of a 10-wheeled truck last night. The accident, near Baan Mak Prok in Thalang, took place near a u-turn on Thepkrasattri Road at about 9.30pm, Lt Thanom Thongpan of the Tah Chat Chai Police told the Phuket Gazette. “According to witnesses, 37-year-old…
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Phuket beach vendors fear police investigation
PHUKET: More than 100 out-of-work beach vendors gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday to file a complaint with the governor regarding a land encroachment investigation by the Karon Police. The vendors presented the letter to Governor Nisit Jansomwong – along with a letter from the Ministry of Interior, dated January 3, 2005, that gave permission for people to operate businesses…
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Comprehensive worldwide survey examines the expat experience
PHUKET: Online expatriate networking site InterNations recently released its first Expat Insider report, which provides insight into the experience of those who choose to live, retire or work abroad. The report is an agglomeration of survey results from about 14,000 respondents representing 165 nationalities residing in 169 countries. The questionnaire focuses on the traits of a host country, including quality…
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‘Billion baht’ police arrested linked to insurgency, oil smuggling
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community ‘Billion baht’ police arrested linked to insurgency, oil smuggling The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Two crime-fighting agencies agencies have been assigned to investigate a series of high-profile arrests – including Central Investigation Bureau Commissioner Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan – over a longstanding contraband petrol trade…
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Police, health officials hunt Sierra Leone man amid Ebola fears
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police, health officials hunt Sierra Leone man amid Ebola fears The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Public Health Ministry has sought police help to try to locate a Sierra Leone man who failed to report for a mandatory 21-day observation to see if he develops…
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Video Report: Laguna Phuket Triathlon marks historic victory
PHUKET: Italians Massimo Cigana and Alberto Casadei made history together at the Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) yesterday as they crossed the finish line as one and became LPT’s first dual champions in the annual event’s 21-year history. Cigana, who won in 2008, 2010 and 2011, also became the triathlon’s first four-time champion, and once again carved his name into the…
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Illegal beach vendors not operating on Phuket, says official
PHUKET: Vendors have not resumed operations on public-beach land confirmed the president of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) to the Phuket Gazette today. A national news story yesterday reported that a group of defiant beach vendors, including restaurant operators and masseuses, had returned to the sands of Cherng Talay to re-start their businesses for the yearly influx of…
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Spectacular finale at Phuket’s Asian Beach Games
PHUKET: The 4th Asian Beach Games in Phuket came to a spectacular close at the Saphan Hin Sports Center last night, with fantastic stage shows featuring more than 800 performers, as well as sound-and-light shows. The ceremony, with Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul presiding, started with the performance titled “Magic of Dream Destination”, which reflected the invaluable essence of…
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Billions of baht found at police general’s home
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Billions of baht found at police general’s home The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police have found billions of baht’s worth of assets at the home of Central Investigation Bureau commander Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan, who has been suspended from service after being charged with several…
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Deep South Army officer found dead in Phuket pond
PHUKET: Police will conduct an autopsy on the body of a Deep South Army officer whose remains were found in a Phuket pond yesterday. Police and Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers were called to the scene, behind Rock Garden Village in Rassada, at about 3:45pm, where the body of Sgt Jassada Suton, 31, was found. Sgt Jassada was stationed with the…
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Top police face Lese Majeste charges
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Top police face Lese Majeste charges The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The suspended commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan, and his deputy Maj Gen Kowit Wongrungroj, who have been accused of lese majeste, have confessed to their crimes, Royal Thai Police…
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After fierce snowstorms, New York braces for floods
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community After fierce snowstorms, New York braces for floods Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Emergency workers filled thousands of sandbags on Sunday as the area around Buffalo, New York braced for potential flooding as warming temperatures began to melt up to two meters of snow. Creeks appeared…
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One injured in boat engine explosion north of Phuket
PHUKET: Navy officers conducted a helicopter rescue mission north of Phuket after a man was injured in an engine room explosion early this morning aboard a boat transporting olive oil to Myanmar. Royal Thai Navy Region 3 rescue teams were dispatched by helicopter and speedboat, with a Vachira Hospital medical team in tow, after they received the report of the…
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Tourism industry leaders demand jet-ski cowboys be reined in
PHUKET: The lack of progress in reining in jet-ski operations on Phuket was one of many key topics at the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) forum yesterday, which focused on the future of Phuket’s marine tourism industry (story here). “We now have another governor to speak to, and, unfortunately, the first subject is going to be jet-skis,” Phuket Honorary Consul…
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South African family searches for missing son last seen in Phuket
PHUKET: The family of a South African man who went missing after arriving in Phuket in June is asking for any information about his whereabouts or safety. Ezra Jansen, 31, last contacted his mother on June 11, the day after he arrived in Phuket. “I tried to call him on his phone on June 11, but I could not get…
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Beach-umbrella ban remains, confirms Phuket Governor
PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong has confirmed that umbrellas are not allowed on Phuket’s beaches until further notice. “If people keep bringing their own umbrellas to the beach, it will only cause confusion and endless misunderstandings,” he told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. “Until an official announcement is made, bringing umbrellas to the beach is not permitted. This is what we must…
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NFL Week 12 underway as Raiders record first win
PHUKET: Beleaguered Thailand-based fans of the Oakland Raiders finally had a reason to cheer on Friday morning local time, when their team chalked up its first win of the season, 24-20, against AFC East division rivals the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football (TNF). Even though playing in the friendly confines of Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, the 0-9 Raiders…
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Phuket officials consider postponing Christmas Day tsunami drill
PHUKET: Officials are considering postponing the Christmas Day tsunami drill in Phuket after receiving complaints from tsunami victims preparing for the 10th anniversary of the tragedy (story here). “Several foreigners filed complaints directly to me saying that they don’t want to witness the full-scale tsunami drill so close to the 10th anniversary day,” Governor Nisit Jansomwong told Phuket Gazette today.…
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British woman reunited with birth mother decades later in Phuket
PHUKET: A British national, born to an Aussie mining-site manager and a Thai woman in 1960 and then given up for adoption six months later, was reunited with her birth mother in Phuket after 54 years apart. Kimberley Ferreira, 54, was able to hold her 79-year-old mother, Yoklern Jankaew, in her arms for the first time yesterday due to the…
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Norwegian Dokset, on trial for Phuket murder, faces verdict in January
PHUKET: Stein Harvard Dokset, a retired car dealer from Norway and long-term Phuket expat on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Rungnapa Suktong, will have his verdict handed down after the New Year. The news came today after Mr Dokset testified in court. “Mr Dokset today gave his own testimony as a defense witness,” said the public prosecutor involved…
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