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Phuket Police close in on shooter of Russian tourist
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Court has issued an arrest warrant for the man believed to have shot Russian tourist Maksim Klocskov in Rawai on August 17. “The suspect we are seeking is Narongsak Saelim, 21,” said Lt Col Jumroon Plaidoung of the Chalong Police. Mr Klockskov was shot in the back when a bullet aimed at the car he was riding…
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Patong tuk-tuk drivers lodge second complaint about illegal tuk-tuk drivers
PHUKET: Patong tuk-tuk drivers yesterday filed their second complaint with the governor about illegal tuk-tuks operating in Patong and stealing their jobs. The drivers asked for an update on the complaint they filed on June 26 (story here) and noted that the numbers of illegal drivers continues to increase. “On June 26, we filed a complaint to Governor Maitri Inthusut…
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Phuket Town parents protest planned closures at municipal school
PHUKET: More than 500 concerned parents have protested the proposed closure of the kindergarten and primary sections at Plookpanya School in the heart of Phuket Town. Phuket City Municipality is justifying the closures on the grounds that they are needed to streamline the area’s schooling. The first stop for the protesters, led by Plookpanya Parents Association President Teerapol Limchoo, was…
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Business operators win fight to keep shops at Phuket International Airport
PHUKET: Business operators of concessions at Phuket International Airport have prevailed in their battle to keep their concessions at the airport. Not only will they be allowed to remain at the airport, but they will be allowed to continue their business in the new airport terminal once it is completed in 2015, said Thammarawat Wongcharoenyut, one of the operators. The…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Putin, Obama at odds over Syria; Rwanda drawn into Congo crossfire; Merkel app gives face time
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World leaders pressure Obama over Syria at G20 summit Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: U.S. President Barack Obama faced growing pressure from Russia’s Vladimir Putin and other world leaders on Thursday to decide against launching military strikes in Syria, which many of them fear would hurt the global…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Rubber protests flare; Trang Airport fears; Tourist Court opens in Pattaya; Film fest loses to lese majeste
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Close eye on rallies as talks with government fail The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Authorities are keeping a close eye on protesting rubber farmers amid fears they may step up the rallies currently being held in several southern provinces following the government’s decision to reject their demand…
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Phuket Prison officer busted for drugs in Bangkok
PHUKET: A Phuket Prison officer who taught inmates new life skills to use after their release was arrested for drug possession in Bangkok on Tuesday.Thanawit Puangnoi, 56, was arrested after Nonthaburi Provincial Police received a tip-off that a man would pick up drugs in the neighborhood around Jan Temple in Bang Kruai District.Officers staking out the neighborhood saw Mr Thanawit…
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Phuket Opinion: Relegate the blight of jet-skis to the past
PHUKET: It is time that the provincial government considers phasing out the jet-ski rental industry that has brought so much ill-repute to the island. The latest tragedy involving a jet-ski and a foreign tourist came last weekend, when 27-year-old Chinese visitor Shen Baocheng was rendered comatose after his rented jet-ski collided with a speedboat towing a parasailing tourist in Patong…
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Phuket Opinion: How to steer children as they surf the web
Chalam Attatham, 54, has been the Director of the Phuket Primary Education Service Office since 2011. In 2010 he served in the same capacity in Pattalung. A Phuket native, he has a BA in Education from Srinakharinwirot University and an MA in Education from Thaksin University. Here he talks about how parents and teachers can work together to help children…
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Cut costs on investments – Phuket Finance
PHUKET: If you are like many expatriates living in Phuket, you have probably failed to realize the impact trading or investment fees can have on your portfolio’s return, as such costs are often hidden and can quickly add up over time. In a rising market, these costs may not be so noticeable; but in a stagnant or falling stock market,…
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Last Call – Is there life on Mars?
PHUKET: I found myself singing the David Bowie classic from Ziggy Stardust just this morning in the shower, with that classic line “Is there life on Mars?” I’m not quite sure of the answer, though sipping cocktails while viewing a lunar Martian sunset certainly sounds like a good idea. That just may be the penultimate sundowner. Yes, the danger signs…
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Phuket Police on guard to face angry rubber farmers
PHUKET: Officers of the Phuket Police assisting local officers to guard the Surat Thani Airport against farmers protesting rubber prices say airport operations are continuing normally. A contingent of 155 Phuket police officers has been at the airport since Monday, Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karachedi told the Phuket Gazette. “So far, no flights have been affected,” he said.…
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F1: Speed, straights and storms – Phuket Sports
PHUKET: Before Spa, I said that we must hope that there had been some breakthroughs to spice-up a season dominated by Red Bull. It’s all getting a bit predictable. I trusted rain to add spice, but it was stubbornly dry at Spa (click here for story). I said that both Spa and the uninteresting new Pirelli tyres would favour Red…
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Phuket Police baffled over Bang Tao beach bar blaze
PHUKET: A small bar at Bang Tao beach was burned to the ground late on Tuesday, with no explanation thus far for the blaze.On hearing about the fire shortly before midnight, firefighters and police officers rushed to the scene.“When we arrived, we found the bar – which apparently had no name – ablaze. Despite the modest size of the bar,…
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Phuket Romance: Man stabbed to death in feud over girlfriend
PHUKET: A 20-year-old determined to hold on to his girlfriend was stabbed to death by his romantic rival in Cherng Talay on Tuesday evening.Police arrived at the scene to find a crowd of onlookers and a pool of blood; Autthapon “Adam” Kahapana, 19, had already been rushed to Thalang Hospital.Iyara “Rudy” Puttaraksa, 20, had fled, but was soon found by…
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Phuket’s TSLC sporting tips: Tennis and swimming
PHUKET: In a continuing series of sporting tips provided by Phuket’s Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club, resident experts Tennis Head Coach Roger Cochrane loosens his grip and Aquatics Head Coach Randy Simon is in for the long haul. Loosening your service grip – Roger Cochrane You have probably noticed that the more pressure you feel in a match, the more…
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Phuket Gazette World News: US strike on Syria passes Senate; Aus election looms; Castro is dead
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. resolution on Syria strike passes first hurdle in Senate Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: U.S. President Barack Obama’s effort to win legislative backing for military strikes against Syria passed its first hurdle on Wednesday when a Senate committee voted in favour, but the narrow margin of victory…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Rubber protests hit tourism, Expat fund scam bust; Education fails test
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Rubber protest impacting South tourism revenue The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The rubber farmers’ protest in Surat Thani is causing a loss of at least Bt10 million a day to the domestic tourism industry in the South.“Sales of salted eggs as a flagship product of Chaiya in…
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Blackout in Cherng Talay – Bang Tao Beach
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) has issued a late notice that there will be a scheduled blackout in the Cherng Talay area from 9am to 5pm today.The affected area will extend from Soi Bang Tao 1 to Soi Bang Tao 8.The blackout is for PPEA staff to carry out maintenance work on high-voltage power lines.
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Phuket vote fraud allegations can’t stop Pian
PATONG Mayor Pian Keesin has the right to run for re-election even if he is found guilty of vote fraud and the order to remove him from office is upheld, election officials have confirmed. Action to unseat Mayor Pian began last year when the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) headquarters in Bangkok, responding to a complaint after…
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Ironwoman: Get moving!
PHUKET: Inspirational “Ironwoman”, Australian Triathlon Hall of Fame member, Belinda Granger shed light on her inspiring career at an “Empowering Women Workshop” held at Phuket’s Thanyapura last week. Belinda Granger is one of the most influential and successful triathletes Australia has produced, with an incredible 15 Ironman distance wins and five Top 10 finishes at the Ironman World Championships at…
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Phuket Airport operators angry over termination of concessions
PHUKET: Business operators whose concessions have not been renewed to operate shops and provide services at Phuket International Airport will have the chance to appeal to a top Ministry of Transport official tomorrow.Col Winai Sompong will arrive in Phuket to discuss the issue directly with the retailers, explained Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttirak.The news came after Thammawat Wongcharoenyut led nine…
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Chinese tourist comatose after Phuket jet-ski accident recovers
PHUKET: The Chinese tourist rendered comatose when the jet-ski he was riding collided with a paragliding speedboat at Patong Beach has recovered and is to be discharged from hospital today. A nurse at Phuket International Hospital confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that Shen Baocheng’s doctors had approved his release. Lifeguards pulled Mr Shen from the water unconscious last Saturday morning…
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Australian tourist dies in Patong motorcycle crash
PHUKET: An male Australian tourist died this morning at Vachira Phuket Hospital after the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a power pole in Patong. Patong Police and Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation Worker were notified of an accident near Patong Municipality Office on Ratchapathanuson Road (map here) at about 5:30am. “When we arrived we found a man in his 30s, unconscious,…
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Phuket teaches Russian, Chinese and Korean tour operators how to be legal
PHUKET: The Phuket Employment Office yesterday launched a two-day series of seminars to educate Russians, Chinese and Koreans operating tourism-related businesses in Phuket about work permits and employment law regarding foreigners.Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut officiated the opening of the first seminar yesterday, attended by 100 foreign and Thai representatives working for tour operators that cater to Russians tourists.Talks were delivered…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Fukushima radiation spikes; Nazi trial; Rodman returns to N Korea; Suez ship attacks; 64yo makes Cuba-Florida swim
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community High radiation spreads at ruined Fukushima plant, Japan vows aid Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: High radiation levels are spreading at the ruined Fukushima nuclear plant, its operator said on Monday, and the Japanese government prepared to offer more funding and oversight to try to contain the crisis.Japanese…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Experts offer recipe for reconciliation; Blair meets Democrats; Southern protests unabated; Chiang Mai train derails again
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Experts rely on trust to deliver reconciliation The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Democracy, elections, trust and civil society are key elements for reconciliation, panelists said at a forum yesterday to find solutions for Thailand’s major political divide.Jens Orback, Sweden’s former minister of democracy, said nations have diversities…
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Australian honorary consul Larry Cunningham steps down
PHUKET: Larry Cunningham, Australia’s Honorary Consul in Phuket, will retire at the end of this month. Mr Cunningham was designated as Honorary Consul in 2005 and has been in the position formally since October 2007. Australian Ambassador to Thailand James Wise paid tribute to him. “Australia could not have wished for a more committed and energetic honorary consul,” he said.…
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Man slain in Krabi, jealous lover suspected
PHUKET: Krabi Police suspect a 19-year-old man was slain because he had become embroiled in an affair involving a jealous lover. Chokechai Ruksamun, from Thung Yai District in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, was found dead in a roadside ditch in Krabi’s Khao Phanom District on Saturday morning. He had been shot once, in the forehead. “We found an abandoned Honda Wave…
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Body with head wound found floating near Phuket port
PHUKET: An investigation is underway after a man’s body was found floating at the Yod Duangporn fishing port in Rassada yesterday morning.The body bore a 10cm wound to the scalp, stretching from the middle of the forehead to the top if the head, said Lt Col Watcharapong Praiphun of the Phuket City police.“The man was wearing a medallion with Mon…
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