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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Sponsored 5 hidden healthcare costs in Thailand and how to avoid them
Thailand's healthcare system is affordable and supported by the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme, offering essential services to most citizens. However, hidden healthcare costs can surprise patients and lead to unexpected expenses. These include specialist fees, insurance gaps, emergency services,...
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Phuket governor orders investigation into Facebook ‘defamation’ post
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has ordered an investigation into a Facebook user who has accused him of taking sides in a dispute over land rights between the sea gypsy community in Rawai and developer Baron World Trade Co Ltd, which plans to build luxury villas on the contested beachfront land. The Facebook user, who goes by the screen name…
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New pathway planned as quick fix for sea gypsy land dispute
PHUKET: Land officials led by Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul yesterday measured out boundaries so that a three-meter-wide path can be cut through public land near Rawai Beach to allow members of the local sea gypsy community to access traditional ceremonial grounds while a dispute rages between the gypsies and a developer over land use rights. The decision to clear…
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U.S. gun traders rush to set up new sites after Facebook firearms ban
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. gun traders rush to set up new sites after Facebook firearms ban Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: U.S. gun traders are setting up new websites to arrange deals after Facebook Inc barred private gun sales on its platform. With gun rights and safety registering as…
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Wisconsin company fires seven Muslim workers in prayer break dispute
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Wisconsin company fires seven Muslim workers in prayer break dispute Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Seven Muslim workers at an eastern Wisconsin manufacturer have been fired after disregarding a break policy that did not allow them to pray at the times dictated by their faith, the…
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Austrian suffers fatal heart attack on Patong Beach
PHUKET: An Austrian tourist died yesterday evening while swimming with his partner at Patong Beach. Anton Heigl, 73, was out in the water with his partner Maria Tretthann, 63, when he fell unconscious, confirmed Patong Police Lt Col Anukul Nuket. Mr Heigl was rushed to Patong Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Ms Tretthann told police that Mr…
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‘Phuket Brand’ logo to revive consumer confidence, says Gov
PHUKET: A newly revived ‘Phuket Brand’ logo can now be used by businesses to boost consumer confidence, the Phuket Office of Commercial Affairs announced yesterday. “The logo has been designed and approved since 2009 in order to promote the island’s goods and services,” said Decha Phetwong, chief of Phuket’s Office of Commercial Affairs. “But for some reason, it has not…
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Krabi hero attains Volunteer Defense Corp certification
KRABI: A Krabi man who was hailed a hero after rescuing two tourists stuck knee-deep in mud in October last year (video report here) has now become a certified member of the Krabi Volunteer Defense Corps. Chat Ubonjinda, 44, was one of 31 new defense volunteers presented with a certificate by Muang Krabi District Chief Suriyun Damrongkul yesterday, after successfully…
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Raid leaves one pangolin smuggler dead, two arrested
NONG KHAI: One pangolin smuggler is dead and two others arrested following a bungled attempt to smuggle live pangolins across the Mekong River from Nong Khai Province to Laos on January 23. A 27-year-old Laos resident, named only as Mr Iaan, was loading sacks of live pangolins onto a boat when joint forces stormed the mooring point. Two of the…
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Phi Phi scuba divers mangled by speedboat
PHUKET: A Russian diver lost his leg and another was seriously injured after being hit by a speedboat near Maya Bay this morning. “I was taking 30 tourists to Ao Maya when it felt like we struck a submerged object. I turned the boat around and saw scuba diving tanks, and the water began to fill with blood,” said Adisorn…
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Phuket sea gypsies allowed access to ceremonial site, for now
PHUKET: Private land owners have temporarily allowed Rawai sea gypsies access to a traditional ceremonial site, pending consideration of donating the land to the seafaring nomads. The issue was brought to a head after more than 30 sea gypsies were injured in a violent confrontation with private business owners after they blocked access to the sea gypsies’ Balai table, a…
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AMCHAM Phuket presents trends in sustainable hospitality
PHUKET: The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Greater Phuket Chapter has organized a tourism seminar on Friday (Feb 5) that will address how sustainability helps hotels cut costs and increase overall satisfaction and loyalty from both their associates and guests. The event will be led by Grace Kang of Singapore’s Greenview Hospitality company and will be held at the Keemala…
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Iraqis running out of food and medicine in besieged Falluja
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Iraqis running out of food and medicine in besieged Falluja Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Tens of thousands of trapped Iraqi civilians are running out of food and medicine in the western city of Falluja, an Islamic State stronghold under siege by security forces, according to…
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Social media make hay of Trump’s Iowa defeat
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Social media make hay of Trump’s Iowa defeat Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: After what seemed like a long silence by his standards, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump returned to Twitter yesterday morning, striking an uncharacteristically low-key tone after his defeat in the Iowa caucuses. “Because…
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Phuket police hunt company after tourist’s watery death
PHUKET: Police are hunting representatives of a tour company after a Chinese tourist died on a snorkelling trip off Koh Racha Yai yesterday morning. The company that booked Weidong Lu, 49, and his family on the boat, does not appear to have provided a tour guide, explained Lt Wuthiwat Leangboonjinda of the Chalong Police. “We are now trying to contact…
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Friend identifies British man killed by Patong bus
PHUKET: A Phuket expat today was able to identify a British man who allegedly jumped in front of a bus in Patong last week. The foreigner, who asked to be named only as Darren, recognized the British national after seeing a picture of him supplied by Patong Police and published by the Phuket Gazette. Following the identification of the man,…
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Thailand Yacht Show appoints event Ambassador
PHUKET: Rose Maitland-Smith has been appointed as the official Ambassador of the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS), which will take place at Ao Po Grand Marina under the patronage of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Phuket’s newest, largest and most exciting gathering of yachts, boats and luxury brands, brimming with parties and glamour, will open its doors on Thursday, February 11…
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Brit arrested at Phuket airport after “tempting’ discovery
PHUKET: Police charged a British national who found an envelope of mixed currency and pocketed the cash at Phuket International Airport yesterday. Darren Chapman, 49, was arrested while checking in at the Bangkok Airways counter after having taken US$320 and CA$100 cash from the envelope, which had been left at an Air Asia counter. “Mr Chapman confessed that he took…
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Z-Coaching Phuket team takes podium by storm
PHUKET: Last weekend saw the recently established Z-Coaching Phuket triathlon team sweep the field clean at the Surat Thani/Khao Sok National Park cycling race (70km/120km), where over 1,000 cyclists participated. Jaray Jearanai took the much coveted win in the Men’s Open 120km race, with fellow teammates Martin Brot, Oat Wongtanaponsil, Toha Navong and coach Jurgen Zack all placing in the…
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Asian elephant found dead at Oklahoma zoo; second to die in months
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Asian elephant found dead at Oklahoma zoo; second to die in months Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: An Asian elephant that was moved from Seattle to an Oklahoma zoo died over the weekend, renewing debate over whether 37-year-old Chai should have been retired to a California…
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CDC director says WHO declaration ‘calls world to action’ on Zika
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community CDC director says WHO declaration ‘calls world to action’ on Zika Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday the World Health Organization’s declaration of Zika as a global health emergency will focus new attention and resources on…
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OTOP gets lovely for Valentine-themed festival [video]
PHUKET: Couples planning on tying the knot in Phuket in February can take part in special Valentine-themed marriage ceremonies held at Sarasin Bridge between February 14 and 23. “The 10-day ‘OTOP Lovely Phuket Festival’ will feature many activities to help promote tourism in the province,” said Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada. Tourists, as well as locals, are welcome to register their…
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Damaged road not to affect underpass construction
PHUKET: The severely damaged road near the Samkong intersection has had no effect on underpass construction, confirmed a Phuket Highways Office official. Heavy rains on Thursday left sections of the road running alongside the underpass, as well as one of the underpass walls, heavily damaged (story here). “As of last night, the road can be used as normal and traffic…
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Phuket police struggle to identify dead foreigner
PHUKET: Dysfunctional CCTV cameras in the area where a foreigner was killed after allegedly jumping in front of a bus on Wednesday (story here) have left police clueless. “We had hoped to find CCTV footage showing where the man had come from so that we could identify him and track down his relatives or friends. However, we came up empty…
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Blood donations save German crash victim
PHUKET: A motorcycle crash victim is out of danger after undergoing surgery and receiving seven units of A-negative blood following a plea last week for donations of the rare blood type. German national Bernd Langer, 51, is recovering at Bangkok Hospital Phuket after coming off his motocycle in Rawai on January 24 (story here). Mr Langer underwent emergency surgery at…
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Austria says it plans to step up deportations of migrants
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Austria says it plans to step up deportations of migrants Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Austria will step up deportations of migrants and is adding Morocco, Algeria and other states to a list of countries it deems safe, enabling it to send people back there more…
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Debris found on Malaysia’s east coast not from flight MH370
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Debris found on Malaysia’s east coast not from flight MH370 Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Jan 29 Aviation officials said on Friday a metal object recovered from Malaysia’s east coast a day earlier was not from missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. It was the second time…
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Suu Kyi allies to form Myanmar ruling party after decades of struggle
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suu Kyi allies to form Myanmar ruling party after decades of struggle Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: After decades of struggle, hundreds of lawmakers from Aung San Suu Kyi’s camp will form Myanmar’s ruling party on Monday, with enough seats in parliament to choose the first…
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A Decade Ago: Soi dog woes as medical tourism grows
PHUKET: Similar to Phuket attempting to turn back the wheels of time on its beaches – by deeming some of the island’s well-trampled sands to be ‘virgin’ – a decade ago, officials were trying to ensure that Phi Phi Don remained an idyllic paradise island, following the destruction of most of the island’s man-made structures by the tsunami’s waves. “We…
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Ministry of Farang Affairs: Two-tiered pricing
The Ministry of Farang Affairs is a one-stop shop where foreigners in Thailand can learn all they need to know about living here. No, we’re not talking about work permits, visas or taxes. We’re talking about day-to-day life in the Land of Endless Shocks and Riddles, of Blur, Befuddlement and the Bizarre. Stay tuned for weekly insights from Minister Stephff.…
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Opinion: Creating sustainability in tourism
Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, 43, is the vice president of the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA). Born and raised in Phuket, he graduated with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, USA. Here he talks about different tourist markets and how the PTA plans on making them more sustainable. PHUKET: In terms of tourism, the island is…
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