News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Make Belgium and the Netherlands your next destination with the right visa in hand. Explore the iconic tulip fields, cruise through Amsterdam’s scenic canals, or stroll through the historic streets of Bruges. Don’t forget to enjoy some authentic Belgian chocolate...
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Man dies in Germany after blowing up condom machine
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Man dies in Germany after blowing up condom machine Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A man died on Christmas Day in Germany after he was hit in the head by a flying piece of metal from a condom machine that he and two accomplices blew up…
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Myanmar activist jailed for ‘ridiculing’ army and uniform
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar activist jailed for ‘ridiculing’ army and uniform Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A Myanmar court jailed a woman for six months on Monday for a Facebook post “ridiculing” the country’s army chief and the color of a new uniform, the latest in an escalating crackdown…
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Missing boat captain rescued by fishing vessel
PHUKET: A missing long-tail boat captain was rescued yesterday morning after his boat was struck by large waves and sunk between Koh Ma and Koh Lanta Yai. “Jamrus Boonchoo, 31, was on his way back to Koh Lanta from Phi Phi on Saturday when his boat was struck by waves. He was reported missing by his family, whom he had…
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Thai PM defends British murders verdict against protests
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai PM defends British murders verdict against protests Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Thailand’s prime minister lashed out on Monday at protesters who took to the streets of Myanmar’s Yangon on the weekend after a Thai court sentenced two Myanmar migrant workers to death for murdering…
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Governor tables Hat Yai-Phuket railway project
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada tabled a project on Thursday that would see the construction of a railway between Hat Yai and Phuket. The move to promote tourism for the ASEAN community with the project was prompted by the opening of railway tracks for Hat Yai-Padang Besar, Malaysia, on December 21. “We now have the opportunity to give travellers the…
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American killed in Phuket motorbike crash
PHUKET: An American died in a single motorbike accident on the coastal road connecting Patong and Karon at about 2am yesterday. Jeffrey Earl Patterson, 54, was rushed to Patong Hospital and then transferred to the better equipped Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, explained Lt Veerayut Thansirisukworakul of the Karon Police. “The Honda Click that he had rented…
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Two tourists injured in Phuket jet-ski crash
PHUKET: Two Chinese tourists were rushed to hospital after crashing their rented jet-skis into each other in Patong, confirmed the president of the Phuket Jet-Ski Club. Jet-ski operators rushed out to Zhao Peuie, 25, and Su Han, 26, after witnessing the collision about 400 meters off of Patong Beach. “We pulled them onto our jet-skis and took them to shore.…
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Pakistani expat killed in Kathu crash
PHUKET: A Pakistani expat was killed Thursday evening after he was run over by a 6-wheeled truck in Kathu. Aamir Hussain, 43, crashed his motorbike near the Thung Thong Police Station at about 4pm, confirmed Capt Wattanathorn Bamroongthin of the Thung Thong Police. “Witnesses said that Mr Hussain lost control of his bike and crashed, after which he was immediately…
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Police wrongly identify drug dealer’s body
PHUKET: Police confirmed yesterday that the body of a drug dealer found in Chalong Bay Friday morning (story here) was wrongly identified. “Due to a misunderstanding, Singha Tongyuan, 37, was erroneously confirmed to be Somkit Pakdeesuvann, 31,” said Maj Thada Sodarak of the Chalong Police. “Mr Singha’s parents were able to positively identify the body yesterday.” Officers are now investigating…
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Tsunami remembrance ceremony takes place at Provincial Hall
PHUKET: Phuket residents and officials honored the victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami yesterday morning at Phuket Provincial Hall, marking the 11th anniversary of the devastating waves that claimed thousands of lives on December 26, 2004. Offerings were made to 26 Buddhist monks, while attendees dressed in white to pay their respects to the victims and their families. “We would…
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Phuket nursing assistants busted for illegal medical checkups
PHUKET: Officers arrested five people for illegally providing employee checkups at the Big C Super Center near Rajabhat University Phuket on Thursday. Phuket Provincial Public Health Officers (PPHO) were conducting random checks in the Muang District when they stumbled across the illegal mobile unit, explained PPHO Chief Bancha Kakong. “We arrested all five of them. Additionally, we seized their equipment,…
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Phuket drug dealer’s body found in Chalong Bay
PHUKET: The body of a drug dealer was found floating in Chalong Bay at about 10am this morning. Somkit Pakdeesuvann, 31, had ditched a pile of drugs and evaded arrest by leaping off the pier into the water yesterday evening. “Mr Somkit had spotted officers and taken off down Chalong Pier toward the Yacht Control Center,” explained Maj Thada Sodarak…
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Phuket sets sights on zero deaths for ‘Seven Days of Danger’
PHUKET: Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan confirmed Phuket’s zero road deaths goal for the New Year’s ‘Seven Days of Danger’ campaign. The increased efforts to prevent dangerous driving on the island’s notorious roads is part of a nationwide campaign running from December 29 to January 4. “We will be boosting road safety measures during this period of time by…
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Ministry of Farang Affairs: No need for constructive conversations
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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Business Buzz: Targeting mobile users
PHUKET: As I reported last week, the increase in mobile smartphones has been steadily continuing. There is expectation that over 51 per cent of the online Christmas sales traffic in the United States will originate from smart-phones this year. So it is with confidence I predict that the focus for social media marketing strategies should be switched to mobile devices.…
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Opinion: Travelling responsibly
Lt Col Jetsada Junphum has been the chief of the Phi Phi Police Station since September. He graduated from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School in 1997 and the Royal Police Cadet Academy in 2013. Here he talks about the importance of travellers and their families being responsible in their communication with each other and the media. PHUKET: Personal issues…
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A Decade Ago: One year after the tsunami
PHUKET: Ten years ago, with the Thai Tsunami Victim Identification (TTVI) unit wrapping up its final case, Phuket – along with the rest of the world – stopped to reflect on the devastation caused by, and the recovery from, the Boxing Day tsunami. The Phuket Gazette marked the one-year anniversary with a special supplement entitled ‘One Year On’. Inside, then…
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Island View: Just another stop on the map
PHUKET: When I first moved to Phuket five years ago, I remember being warned about the increased crime rate during the island’s low season. The reason for this is primarily that many people who rely on tourists for income are left high and dry until their return the next high season, resulting in petty crimes such as bag snatching and…
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Opinion: What a long, strange trip it’s been
PHUKET: With the terms of the highly-trumpeted Asean Economic Community (AEC) to take effect in just days, Phuket is really no closer to having a world-class international conference and exhibition center (ICEC) than it was a few decades back when the idea was first bruited. Long-term Phuket Gazette readers know very well the winding and confusing history of the island’s…
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Finance: Never too old for insurance
PHUKET: If you read my articles regularly, you have probably noticed I don’t spend much time writing about health insurance. It is not the most exciting topic, and for many of Phuket’s aging expat population getting covered at all is not really an option once they reach a certain age. Also, the cost of local international hospitals used to be…
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Foreign Affairs Operation Center opens in Phuket
PHUKET: A Foreign Affairs Operation Center was opened at the Region 8 Police Station in Phuket on Tuesday morning, in preparation of the Asean Economic Community starting (AEC) next month. The center will mostly focus on coordinating with other AEC law enforcement agencies to tackle transnational crime, provide tourist services and assist alien workers. “Apart from the positive impacts the…
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Storms in Philippines uproot 1.7 mln people, destroy 40,000 homes
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Storms in Philippines uproot 1.7 mln people, destroy 40,000 homes Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Successive storms across the Philippines, including Typhoon Melor, have temporarily uprooted 1.7 million, aid workers said, as President Benigno Aquino distributed food on Wednesday in areas hardest hit by the disaster.…
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Whale carcass closes popular Cape Town beach amid shark concerns
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Whale carcass closes popular Cape Town beach amid shark concerns Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A South African beach popular with Christmas holidaymakers has been closed until the carcass of a beached whale is removed amid concerns its blood may attract sharks, the City of Cape…
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In-Depth Report: Myanmar men sentenced to death for murder of British tourists
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar men sentenced to death for murder of British tourists in Thailand Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A Thai court sentenced two Myanmar migrant workers to death on Thursday after convicting them of the 2014 murders of two young British tourists on a holiday island in…
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Heavy drinking blamed for Brit’s fatal tuk-tuk tumble
PHUKET: Excessive alcohol consumption has been blamed for the British woman’s fatal fall from a Phuket tuk-tuk during the early hours of Sunday morning. The sole witness to the incident, Paul Henry Fortuna, 30, told police in his statement that 29-year-old Elizabeth Corrigan was feeling sick from drinking and attempting to cross from her side of the tuk-tuk to his…
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Nai Harn prepares for ‘Phuket Countdown 2016’
PHUKET: Tourism Authority of Thailand officials are preparing for this year’s ‘Phuket Countdown 2016’ at Nai Harn Beach with five days of events leading up to the ‘final sunset’ at Promthep Cape. Celebrations will include stage performances from local schools, celebrities and a band from the Royal Thai Navy. “Phuket is known as the Pearl of the Andaman. We aim…
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Court sentences Myanmar men to death for murder of British backpackers
KOH SAMUI: A Thai court sentenced two migrant workers from Myanmar to death today after finding them guilty of the 2014 murders of two British tourists on a holiday island. The verdict follows an investigation and trial that was mired in controversy, including allegations of policeincompetence, mishandling of evidence and torture of the suspects. Backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller…
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Police parade down Soi Bangla to inject confidence into Phuket tourists
PHUKET: Boots hit the ground in unison on Tuesday as Phuket police officers paraded down the island’s premier party destination, Soi Bangla, to boost tourists’ confidence in public safety during the holidays. “Police must remain vigilant throughout this time. The high season of Phuket is in full swing as we celebrate Christmas and New Year – both of which are…
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Women in Myanmar conflict zones face rape, lack healthcare
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Women in Myanmar conflict zones face rape, lack healthcare Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Women and girls uprooted by fighting in Myanmar risk sexual violence and lack access to reproductive healthcare, said the UN Population Fund, which is launching a health project for women and girls…
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Japan says armed Chinese coastguard ship seen near disputed islands
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Japan says armed Chinese coastguard ship seen near disputed islands Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: A Chinese coastguard ship equipped with what appeared to be four gun turrets was sighted near disputed islands in the East China Sea, Japan’s coastguard said on Wednesday. Chinese coastguard vessels…
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