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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Security beef-up ordered for Loy Krathong, festive season
BANGKOK: Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered security agencies and related ministries to beef up security during the Loy Krathong and New Year festivals. Government spokesman Maj General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said PM Prayut had instructed security agencies and the ministries of Tourism and Sport, Transport and Culture to be extra vigilant. The prime minister has instructed the Department of…
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Join Angsana Laguna’s stuffed turkeys for Thanksgiving lunch
PHUKET: People of all nationalities, prepare to gobble up a hearty American serving of Thanksgiving specialties at a networking lunch at Angsana Laguna Phuket on Thursday. The Greater Phuket Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) is celebrating this American holiday with a festive turkey lunch for everyone and their colleagues, friends and family members. The event, running from…
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World champion returns to win Laguna Phuket Triathlon
PHUKET: More than 1,300 athletes representing 44 nationalities crowded Laguna Phuket this weekend to participate in the 22nd Laguna Phuket Triathlon. Germany’s two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion Michael Raelert made an impressive comeback to take the top position on the podium with a time of 2:30:14 (swim 23:55, bike 1:20:06, run 43:44), followed by Switzerland’s Ruedi Wild (2:32:57) and Stuart…
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Phuket locals victorious in battle to save Nai Harn trees
PHUKET: The plan to construct the controversial Nai Harn Movie Museum was dashed at a public meeting last night, confirmed Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos. “We of course listened to what the community had to say,” Mr Aroon told the Phuket Gazette. Mr Aroon explained that after the public hearing, it was clear that a new location would need to be…
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Push for 24-hour tourist help centers on Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Plans are underfoot to establish 24-hour tourist service centers at more than a dozen popular Phuket beaches, Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul announced on Friday. “We all know that millions of tourists visit our island every year. It is our responsibility to come together and ensure their safety and security while on holiday here,” said V/Gov Prajiad. “We can…
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Facebook CEO Zuckerberg to take two months of paternity leave
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Facebook CEO Zuckerberg to take two months of paternity leave Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Facebook Inc Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said on Friday he will take two months of paternity leave after his daughter’s birth, a strong statement from one of the busiest and…
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More than half of Amazon tree species seen at risk of extinction
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community More than half of Amazon tree species seen at risk of extinction Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: South America’s vast Amazon region harbors one of the world’s most diverse collection oftree species, but more than half may be at risk for extinction due to ongoing deforestation…
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Business Buzz: Just Google it
PHUKET: All business people tend to have a lot of questions each day about how to do this, what is the best way to do that, where can I find this and so on. More often than not, these questions go unanswered and so the problems remain unresolved and our business is no better off. But what if we could…
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Another police station riot suspect arrested for unrelated crimes
PHUKET: A second police station riot suspect was arrested for unrelated crimes, confirmed Thalang Police yesterday. Noppon Songkram, 31, was netted in possession of an illegal firearm during a police raid in Srisoonthon yesterday. The raid focused on suspected criminals involved with illegal firearms and drugs. “It wasn’t until we ran his name in our system that we realized he…
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Laguna Tri-Fest organizers announce Phuket road closures
PHUKET: Officials will close down sections of road to accommodate Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest practice events and races. This will cause traffic tailbacks during the 10-day triathlon extravaganza starting this weekend. Race organizers are asking that all drivers prepare for a 30-minute increase in travel time due to traffic congestion. Additionally, the following roads should be avoided if possible: 4030,…
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Finance: Growth or value stocks, that is the question
PHUKET: Many investors do not understand the differences between growth stocks and value stocks, with the latter often being synonymous with Warren Buffett, the disciple of Benjamin Graham, who’s classic 1949 book The Intelligent Investor is considered the value stock investing bible. GROWTH STOCKS Growth stocks tend to be high-quality stocks of successful companies whose earnings are expected to continue…
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Ministry of Farang Affairs: Cooling off beverages
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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Popular British International School access road temporarily closed
PHUKET: Popular British International School access road Soi Koh Kaew 33, behind the Isuzu showroom, will be closed from today until November 30. The road was originally closed in late July, after nearly half of its width had fallen into a parallel drainage ditch. The Koh Kaew Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) was then forced to build a new retaining wall…
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Phuket boarder among world’s best
PHUKET: Phuket surf star Anni Flynn has added another trophy to her collection, beating most of the best flowboarders from around the world to take second place at the World Flowboarding Championships in Bangkok last weekend. In a field dominated by pro-flowboarders from the US, Anni trounced last year’s world champion, and her personal idol, Xana Kai-Nash, but was held…
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Video Report: Police fail to bust gibbon touts despite video evidence
PHUKET: Officers have yet to arrest a gibbon tout caught on video earlier this week while working on the walking streets of Phi Phi Don. The video, sent to the Phuket Gazette by a reader, clearly shows the culprit’s face and was forwarded to officials on Tuesday evening. As of today, no arrest has been made, confirmed Lt Col Danai…
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Thanyapura Junior Challenge returns
PHUKET: Junior athletes and sports enthusiasts throughout the region will face off against each other and optimize their potential at Thanyapura’s third Junior Challenge Triathlon. Following the success of last year’s event, the 2015 competition will be held on November 28 and will be staged alongside the Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest, which attracts thousands of avid triathletes every year. This…
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Video Report: Field of rubbish revealed off Phuket beach
PHUKET: The Karon Municipality is preparing a team of divers to undertake a cleanup operation after a Facebook video revealed an enormous field of rubbish in the waters near Karon Stadium. The video, which quickly went viral, showed heaps of trash, such as plastic bottles, foam boxes and shoes floating in the water. “I have seen the video. This is…
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Philippines bets on appeal of education to fight child labour
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Philippines bets on appeal of education to fight child labour Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Marnel Arcones’s face lights up with a huge smile when he talks about going back to school after years of toiling as a child worker in factories, on farms and as…
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North Korea proposes talks with South Korea for next week
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community North Korea says proposes talks with South Korea for next week Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: North Korea has proposed talks with South Korea to be held on Nov. 26 at the Truce Village ontheir militarised border, the North’s KCNA news agency reported on Friday. The…
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Wait time for vessels to pass Panama Canal shortens to four days
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Wait time for vessels to pass Panama Canal shortens to four days Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The wait time to pass through the Panama Canal has shortened to four days, down frommore than 10 days last month, the authority that runs the waterway said on…
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French Ambassador embraces Thailand’s compassion
PHUKET: French Ambassador to Thailand Gilles Garachon spoke briefly at the French Embassy in Bangkok before Thailand held one minute of silence in honor of the victims killed in the attacks on Paris on November 13. Dear compatriots and beloved Thai people: France has again been a victim of a vicious attack. Many of our citizens were killed in the…
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Young minds tackle global issues at One Young World Summit 2015
BANGKOK: The ‘One Young World Summit 2015’ kicked off at Sanam Luang in Bangkok on Wednesday. About 1,300 delegates from 196 countries are participating in the event, which brings together young leaders from all over the world to discuss critical global issues. Participants were warmly welcomed on a flotilla of boats and then taken to the venue located on the…
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Annual Petanque tournament returns this weekend
PHUKET: Dubai Petanque is back in Phuket to take on three Thailand-based teams in a four-way tournament this weekend. An expansion on earlier versions of the Dubai-Phuket Challenge, this year’s tournament will consist of four clubs – Dubai Petanque; Phuket’s Saphan Hin Club; the French Rawai Petanque Club; and Pattaya’s Khao Rai Club. Each club will play five sets against…
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Airplane makes emergency landing in Bulgaria over bomb threat
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Airplane makes emergency landing in Bulgaria over bomb threat Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: An airplane with 161 people aboard made an emergency landing in the Black Sea city of Burgas on today following a bomb threat while en route to Egypt from Poland’s capital of…
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Squirrel hunter finds hanged Cambodian near Phuket retreat
PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of a Cambodian national found hanged with his hands bound in a Phuket jungle area yesterday. A 36-year-old Myanmar national discovered the body when he was setting squirrel traps in the wooded area in the vicinity of the Pitak Samanakij Dhamma retreat in Phuket Town. The victim was identified only as Mr Wit, explained…
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Korean honeymooner dies after diving lesson
PHUKET: Officials are investigating the death of a Korean honeymooner who died after an introductory diving lesson at Koh Hei on Tuesday. Hyunju Ahn, 36, was in about one meter of water with her new husband Minchul Shin, 33, when she informed instructors that she was having trouble. “Diving instructors and staff helped Ms Ahn out of the water. She…
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Police arrest 13 in kratom bus-delivery bust
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police arrested 13 suspects as they picked up packages containing 41 kilograms of kratom from a bus company office on Tuesday morning. Officers waited at the office of Srisuchart Transport (1989) Co Ltd on bypass road after receiving a tip-off from one of their sources that packages of kratom would be transported from Bangkok on one of…
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Thanyapura athletes win big at World Travel Joy
PHUKET: It was a clean podium sweep for Thanyapura at the World Travel Joy East Coast Challenge in Ranong last weekend where their athletes won HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup in the 151 kilometer race. Phuket’s former Tour de France cyclist Nick Gates triumphed in first place, followed shortly by four-time World Champion Chris McCormack. Clint Kimmins came in…
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Video Report: Light up the night with Loy Krathong
PHUKET: Tourists and island residents don’t have to go far to explore the wonders of Thailand’s rich cultural heritage as one of the country’s most romantic, tranquil and beautiful holidays is just around the corner. Loy Krathong, the ‘Festival of Light’, takes place on the full moon of the 12th lunar month of the year, falling this year on November…
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Thalang Police Station rioter arrested for unrelated crime
PHUKET: A teen wanted for his role in the Phuket police station riot last month was arrested for an unrelated crime two weeks ago. The 16-year-old, who police declined to identify, was arrested for possession of kratom in Thalang, explained Thalang Police Superintendent Chanuchan Cholsuwat. “When we ran his name in the system, an arrest warrant for his alleged involvement…
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