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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Phillipp Graf von Hardenberg takes the reins at Thanyapura
PHUKET: It takes one look at Phillipp Graf von Hardenberg’s resume to understand why he was appointed the new President and CEO of Phuket’s Thanyapura. Hailing from Germany, Mr Graf von Hardenberg wears many hats: business coach, entrepreneur, financier, educator, hotelier and if that is not enough – fundraiser and philanthropist. He has turned around the fortunes of the first…
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Pinkeye outbreak leads to cancellation of Phuket FC vs Phang Nga FC warm up match
PHUKET: In a statement posted on the Phuket FC official Facebook page, the club confirmed that tomorrow’s match against Phang Nga FC will not take place. The reason? A pinkeye outbreak. “Due to at least five of Phuket FC players suffering from pinkeye – a condition that can easily spread to other players – the warm up game between Phuket…
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Putin, Poroshenko discuss possible ceasefire in east Ukraine
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Putin, Poroshenko discuss possible ceasefire in east Ukraine Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, discussed a possible ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and the deaths of two Russian journalists there in a late night telephone conversation, the Kremlin…
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Migrant boat sinks off Malaysia, 42 missing
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Overloaded boat sinks off Malaysia, 42 Indonesians missing Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: An overloaded wooden boat carrying 97 suspected illegal Indonesian immigrants sank off Malaysia’s western coast early today, with rescuers searching for at least 42 missing people, Malaysian officials said. The passengers included women…
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Sunken pillar at Chalong Marina poses threat to boats
PHUKET: Officials have posted a line of small red and white flags to mark a large metal pillar that lies submerged near Chalong Pier and is a possible danger to passing boats. The pillar, called a stanchion, had been attached to a pontoon and was part of the Chalong Marina still under construction. “The pillar broke during last weekend’s storm,”…
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Rooney hits back at media following England criticism
PHUKET: Wayne Rooney has criticized sections of the media who questioned his form and speculated that the England forward had been relegated to training with the reserves at their base in Brazil. The Manchester United striker came in for criticism following a muted performance in their opening 2-1 defeat by Italy in Group D on Saturday, with the Daily Mirror…
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Generating a passive income stream
PHUKET: The whole point of retirement planning is to get to a point where you no longer need to actively work to provide you with the things you need or want. This can be accomplished by saving enough money that you can draw it down slowly until you die, but the downside of this approach is that you obviously never…
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Thailand braces for US verdict on human-trafficking record
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thailand braces for US verdict on human-trafficking record The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thailand is holding its breath as it waits to hear if the United States will downgrade or praise the nation for its human-trafficking record. Officials at the foreign ministry are confident that…
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Junta makes assurances to stop the exodus of migrant workers
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Junta makes assurances to stop the exodus of migrant workers The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: To stem the exodus of much-needed migrant workers, notably Cambodians, the junta and the authorities yesterday quashed rumours of a crackdown, gave another chance to their employers and vowed to…
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U.S. captures suspected leader of 2012 Benghazi attack
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. captures suspected ringleader of 2012 attack in Benghazi Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The United States said on Tuesday it had captured a suspected ringleader of the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, a raid that killed four Americans including the…
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Phuket radio stations remain off-air as “collateral damage’
PHUKET: Popular English-language radio stations in Phuket remained off-air today, 27 days since the military seized power and silenced the airwaves with a ban on all private community radio broadcasts. The ban continues despite the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announcing on Saturday that Voice TV, which is owned by fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra (story here), may…
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Relief fund set up to assist residents after storm lashes Phuket
PHUKET: The Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) will use cash from a 4-million-baht emergency-relief fund to help residents who suffered property damage from the storm that hit Phuket over the weekend. “We set this up after the recent strong winds damaged local homes,” Cherng Talay Mayor Ma-ann Samran told the Phuket Gazette today. A total of 10 families suffered…
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Interpol discusses Asean counter-terrorism in Phuket
PHUKET: More than 50 high-ranking police officers from eight Southeast Asian nations met in Patong this morning to discuss strategies to counter chemical and explosive terrorist attacks. Lt Gen Panya Mamen, Commander of the Royal Thai Police Region 8 division, welcomed the delegates, which included representatives from the Asean member states of Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos…
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Thai parks chief turns to junta to reclaim Phuket national park
PHUKET: Thailand’s national parks chief has appealed to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to take over investigations into encroachment of Sirinath National Park to expedite the return of 360 illegally seized plots of park land. “This process has taken far too long already. We want the NCPO to take over so we can finally return the land…
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Early-bird deadline for Raceweek entries extended (video)
PHUKET: Due to a flurry of late bookings, the organizers of the Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek have extended the early-bird discount deadline to allow more crews to take advantage of the reduced price. Raceweek organizers are predicting a large and competitive field this year, with many local, regional and some chartered entries from afar having already registered, booked their…
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Tourism bodies call for junta to lift martial law
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Now scrap martial law, tourism begs junta The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Key tourism bodies have called on the military junta to lift martial law in a further effort to lure foreign tourists back to the Kingdom. “The military has lifted the curfew to restore…
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U.S. considers air strikes on Iraq, holds talks with Iran
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. considers air strikes on Iraq, holds talks with Iran Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: President Barack Obama considered options for military action to support Iraq’s besieged government on Monday, and U.S. and Iranian officials held talks to stabilise the region, which has been roiled by…
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Gambling den raided; police announce zero tolerance for World Cup betting
PHUKET: Police are keeping a close eye out for gambling during the World Cup, and yesterday nabbed one suspect and five computers in a raid in Patong. “We were notified by an undercover officer of an illegal online gambling den in a retail shop on Soi Paradise,” Lt Col Sutthichai Thianpho of the Patong Police told the Phuket Gazette. “We…
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Cambodian exodus continues, 37 more illegals arrested in Phuket
PHUKET: Immigration officers at Phuket’s Rassada Pier last night arrested 37 Cambodian workers who claimed to be fleeing Thailand amid fear a coup-related crackdown on illegal immigrants. One of the workers told the Phuket Gazette that the workers were trying to leave Thailand as soon as possible for fear that the Army would crack down on foreigners living in the…
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Passport overload prompts British embassy to issue extensions
PHUKET: The British embassy in Bangkok today was to begin accepting applications for passport extensions for up to one year in order to help stave off the flood of applications received by Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) in the UK. A British Government notice issued on Friday cited Home Secretary Theresa May as announcing the news as part of “a…
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Phuket power down starts tonight
PHUKET: The reduction of power usage throughout Southern Thailand provinces, including Phuket, is urged between 6:30pm and 10:30pm from today until July 10. “We would like everyone to conserve power during peak usage hours,” said Phuket Energy Chief Wiroj Damkong. However, the Phuket Energy Office and Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut have both confirmed that there will be no enforced blackouts…
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Schumacher comes out of coma
PHUKET: Formula One ex-champion Michael Schumacher, who sustained severe head injuries in a ski accident in late 2013, is no longer in a coma and has left the French hospital where he was being treated since the accident, his spokeswoman said on Monday. “Michael has left the CHU Grenoble (hospital) to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not…
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Military Rule in Phuket: I’m thinking Maldives
PHUKET: Ask anyone, and their first impression of the Maldives is the iconic Indian Ocean archipelago with possibly the most beautiful beaches in the world. Everyone has heard of them, and most have wanted to visit them. What most people do not know about this collection of 1,192 islands is that it has developed its reputation as one of the…
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Best news: Notorious transport syndicates shut down
PHUKET: It may have taken military action, but the long-overdue purge against some of the island’s most notorious transport syndicates is, hands down, the best news the island has had in decades. While the Phuket Gazette remains cautiously optimistic – and staunchly secular – we cannot help but join our readers in rejoicing that something is finally being done about…
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Phuket crowds throng to revel in free Naresuan epic
PHUKET: Hundreds of people turned out at major cinemas throughout Phuket yesterday to enjoy a free screening of The Legend of King Naresuan 5. The latest cinematic installment recounting the insurmountable odds overcome by the famed king who laid the foundation for Thailand as a nation was shown free of charge at cinemas throughout the country under the “Return Happiness…
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Russian tourist dies after overshooting curve on wet Rawai road
PHUKET: A Russian tourist was thrown from his vehicle and died last night after overshooting a curve and crashing into a wall on Wiset Road. Chalong Police were called to the scene at about 11:30pm. “When we arrived, we found a badly damaged Toyota Fortuner lying on its side in the middle of the road. On the side of the…
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Heavy weather continues: Two Phuket drivers escape injury as wind levels trees
PHUKET: A motorist narrowly escaped injury last night when a falling tree toppled power poles onto the road, tearing off the driver’s rearview mirror, but leaving the rest of the car undamaged. Worawut Trisook, 32, was driving along the Baan Sakoo-Nai Yang Road at about 8:30pm when a rubber tree fell, striking power lines and pulling down five utility poles.…
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Mother denies rumors that pregnant daughter raped by twins committed suicide
PHUKET: The mother of the pregnant woman who was raped by twins earlier this year has stepped forward to dispute rumors that her daughter had committed suicide. The mother, who cannot be named to protect her daughter’s identity, pleaded for people to stop spreading the rumors, which she learned of through Facebook, the online chat application Line and word of…
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Iraq rebels seize Northwest town in heavy battle
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Iraq rebels seize Northwest town in heavy battle Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Sunni insurgents seized a mainly ethnic Turkmen city in northwestern Iraq on Sunday after heavy fighting, solidifying their grip on the north after a lightning offensive that threatens to dismember Iraq. Residents reached…
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Disaster averted at Phuket gas station as toddler rescued from locked BMW
PHUKET: Rescue workers safely averted a potential disaster early yesterday morning when they recovered a two-year-old boy from a locked BMW that was still running while parked at a Phuket gas station. Manus Chailiem, the boy’s grandfather, alerted Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers to the danger at 6:30am. Mr Manus, his daughter and Nong Phi, age 2, were en route to…
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