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  • Russian tourists spring a leak, saved by Phuket fishing boat

    Russian tourists spring a leak, saved by Phuket fishing boat

    PHUKET: Two Russian tourists foundering in Phang Nga Bay after their kayak sprung a leak were rescued by a passing Phuket fishing boat yesterday afternoon.Maxim Abaturov, 37, and Valerii Grakhouskii, 38, were three kilometers from Phuket when a seal in the front of their two-man vessel began to let in water.Although the kayak remained afloat, it could not support the…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Syrian forces raze thousands of homes [Video] | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: Syrian forces raze thousands of homes [Video]

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Syria peace talks take a break as rivals dig in Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Syrian authorities have flattened seven residential districts for no apparent military objective but to punish civilians living among rebels who had already fled, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday.The New York-based advocacy group…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Amanda Knox convicted again of Briton’s 2007 murder

    Phuket Gazette World News: Amanda Knox convicted again of Briton’s 2007 murder

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Knox and Sollecito convicted again of Briton’s 2007 murder Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: American student Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were found guilty on Thursday for the second time of the 2007 murder of Briton Meredith Kercher, in a retrial that reversed an…

  • UAE woos foreign direct investment

    UAE woos foreign direct investment

    PHUKET: Under the directive of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, UAE Ministry of Economy recently announced that preparations for the 4th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) scheduled from 8 to 10 April 2014 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center are in full swing.Delivering the speech…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Suicide bombers storm Iraq ministry building, 24 killed

    Phuket Gazette World News: Suicide bombers storm Iraq ministry building, 24 killed

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suicide bombers storm Iraq ministry building, 24 killed Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Six suicide bombers burst into an Iraqi ministry building, took hostages and killed at least 24 people including themselves on Thursday before security forces regained control, security officials said.The brazen attack on the building belonging…

  • Phuket Finance: Sri Lanka could be the next frontier for investors

    Phuket Finance: Sri Lanka could be the next frontier for investors

    PHUKET: When most Westerners think of Sri Lanka, the island nation off the coast of South India that was once known as Ceylon, they probably think of tea (as the country has long been a major tea exporter), science fiction author Arthur C Clarke (who spent most of his adult life living there) or the now defeated Tamil Tiger guerillas…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Tourism takes B50bn hit from protests

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Tourism takes B50bn hit from protests

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bt50 bn loss expected in Q1 revenue from tourism The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Thailand’s tourism sector has lost income so far in the new year because of he political turmoil plaguing Bangkok, experts said.Small hotels and restaurants near protest sites have started to cut down their…

  • Phuket Finance: A time tested formula

    Phuket Finance: A time tested formula

    PHUKET: A question I am often asked by clients, who do a bit of stock trading on their own portfolios, is how to determine the appropriate position size. Indeed, there have been studies that show that this aspect can be just as important as the actual security selection in the long run. The reason this is so important is that…

  • Aussie bar owner takes deadly tumble down Phuket stairs

    Aussie bar owner takes deadly tumble down Phuket stairs

    PHUKET: A 47-year-old Australian expat fell down a flight of stairs to his death yesterday after a night spent at his bar in Phuket. Adin Medzic had allegedly been drinking at his bar in the OTOP Market in Patong since 7pm Wednesday. He and his Thai partner, Fon Somwong, left together after the bar closed, Maj Weerapong Raktito of the…

  • No salvage for sunken Similan dive boat

    No salvage for sunken Similan dive boat

    PHUKET: Liveaboard dive boat MV The Flying Carpet will remain on the sea floor, 75 meters below the Andaman Sea surface, after sinking yesterday between Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, north of Phuket. “There will be no salvage possibility,” said the manager of Aladdin Dive Safari, the company that owned the boat. When asked about insurance, the manager, who asked…

  • Phuket’s “Nine Heroes’ land at Victory Field

    Phuket’s “Nine Heroes’ land at Victory Field

    PHUKET: The long-awaited nine bronze statues of important figures in Phuket’s history arrived on the island yesterday and were officially installed at Thalang Victory Memorial Field this morning. Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut led a blessing ceremony at Saphan Hin yesterday evening to welcome the Nine Heroes. “These historical figures will serve to remind all Phuket people of their brave ancestors…

  • Phuket’s one-stop yacht center to open next week

    Phuket’s one-stop yacht center to open next week

    PHUKET: Phuket’s one-stop center for arriving yachts is scheduled to open next week. The opening of the facility, on Chalong Pier [map here], was initially set for 2012, then delayed until 2015 before being moved forward to February 7. “We are opening now for financial reasons,” Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) President Paiboon Upatising said. “We signed a three-year contract…

  • Missing Chinese couple found alive after kayak swamped by waves

    Missing Chinese couple found alive after kayak swamped by waves

    PHUKET: A Chinese couple whose rented kayak was swamped by large waves off Ao Nang, Krabi, late yesterday afternoon have been found safe. Tourists Li Qi Ying, a 40-year-old businessman and his 28-year-old wife, Li Bei, were paddling with a friend when a large wave swamped the couple’s kayak, dumping the pair into the sea. “We were paddling out to…

  • Phuket taxi driver returns more than 3,000 euros to Frenchman

    Phuket taxi driver returns more than 3,000 euros to Frenchman

    PHUKET: A Phuket taxi driver yesterday returned a bag containing nearly 150,000 baht’s worth of euros and other valuables to a Frenchman who left it in his taxi. The 57-year-old tourist, Andre Cellier, arrived on January 22 and took a taxi to Patong. When he discovered he had forgotten his bag – which contained his passport and a mobile phone,…

  • Phuket Property: Building materials index “unrealistic’

    Phuket Property: Building materials index “unrealistic’

    PHUKET: Provincial authorities seek a revision to the central price index for construction materials, pointing to outdated and inaccurate value estimations for building supplies imported to the island. Meanwhile, the Revenue Department reported collecting 9.6 billion baht in tax revenue in Phuket in 2013, exceeding their target by 5%.The economic issues headlined the agenda at the latest Phuket meeting of…

  • Phuket tourism market eyed for semi-submarine pilot

    Phuket tourism market eyed for semi-submarine pilot

    PHUKET: Looking to build on its recent successful launch in Malaysia, one Korean marketeer is now eying the Phuket and Phang Nga marine leisure markets for its simple yet innovative semi-submarine vessel.“The Penguin” was one of several interesting marine products that stood out at this year’s Phuket International Boat Show (see page 44 for more details about the event); To…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Malta agrees to curtail plans to sell EU citizenship

    Phuket Gazette World News: Malta agrees to curtail plans to sell EU citizenship

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Malta agrees to curtail plans to sell EU citizenship Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Anyone wishing to buy an EU passport from Malta must first live in the island nation for a year, the European Commission and Malta agreed on Wednesday, curtailing its contentious plan to sell EU…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: U.S. readies financial sanctions against Ukraine

    Phuket Gazette World News: U.S. readies financial sanctions against Ukraine

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. readies financial sanctions against Ukraine Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Obama administration is preparing financial sanctions that could be imposed on Ukrainian officials and protest leaders if violence escalates in the political crisis gripping Ukraine, congressional aides said on Wednesday.Congressional aides, who asked not to be…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Election standoff begins; Police deployed; Reds rile rice farmers

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Election standoff begins; Police deployed; Reds rile rice farmers

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suthep threatens election day shutdown The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the ongoing anti-government protest, yesterday threatened to bring Bangkok to a “complete shutdown” on election day, while half of the 400,000-strong national police force is expected to be deployed to maintain law and…

  • Phuket Chinese New Year: fruit up 30%, no change in meat, vegetables

    Phuket Chinese New Year: fruit up 30%, no change in meat, vegetables

    PHUKET: Produce shoppers did not seem deterred by the 30% annual increase on fruit prices ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations, a visit today to one of the Phuket’s main fresh markets revealed. Meanwhile, no significant annual change was observed in the price of most vegetables and two staple meats – chicken and pork. Earlier today, the Gazette visited…

  • Phuket Old Town Festival to begin next week

    Phuket Old Town Festival to begin next week

    PHUKET: The annual three-day Phuket Old Town Festival will kick off on February 7 with a parade to celebrate the unique culture of Phuket’s residents. Events will be held along Thalang Road, Soi Rommanee and Krabi Road – the heart of the Phuket Old Town area, explained Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana. “The main purpose of this festival is to…

  • Phuket Police vow to protect voters, despite manpower shortage

    Phuket Police vow to protect voters, despite manpower shortage

    PHUKET: Despite a shortage of officers, the Phuket Provincial Police have vowed to protect voters from any violence on election day with a special task force. The group of 41 officers will be made up of five fast-response inspectors, 18 undercover officers and 18 officers on standby. “Officers manning the polling stations have been instructed not to interfere with peaceful…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Ukraine PM resigns amid unrest, parliament revokes anti-protest laws

    Phuket Gazette World News: Ukraine PM resigns amid unrest, parliament revokes anti-protest laws

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Ukraine PM resigns amid unrest, parliament revokes anti-protest laws Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned on Tuesday while deputies loyal to President Viktor Yanukovich, acting to calm violent street protests, back-tracked and overturned anti-protest laws they rammed through parliament 12 days ago.The first…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Poll set for Sunday amid fears of further violence; Man shot, gunman caught; Reds to rally nationwide

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Poll set for Sunday amid fears of further violence; Man shot, gunman caught; Reds to rally nationwide

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Poll set for Sunday amid fears of further violence The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The decision to go ahead with the February 2 election would only mount pressure on the caretaker government because it would provide “ammunition” to the protesters, a leader of the People’s Democratic for…

  • B12mn canal extension project to begin in March

    B12mn canal extension project to begin in March

    PHUKET: A 12-million-baht project to dredge the Koh Kaew Canal and deepen the existing approach channel from Phang Nga Bay will begin in March.The six-month project was approved at a public hearing led by Governor Maitri Inthusut at the Royal Phuket Marina last Thursday.“Our officers found that the canal is not deep enough for big boats or yachts and could…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Police rescue hundreds of Rohingya in raid on suspected traffickers’ camp

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Police rescue hundreds of Rohingya in raid on suspected traffickers’ camp

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai police rescue hundreds of Rohingya in raid on suspected traffickers’ camp Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Thai police have rescued hundreds of Rohingya Muslims from a remote camp in a raid prompted by a Reuters investigation into human trafficking, police officials said on Monday.Police detained 531 men,…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: US, UK spy agencies schemed data raids from Angry Birds, smartphone apps

    Phuket Gazette World News: US, UK spy agencies schemed data raids from Angry Birds, smartphone apps

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S., British spy agencies exploit ‘leaky’ apps for intel: report Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: U.S. and British intelligence agencies have plotted ways to gather data from Angry Birds and other smartphone apps that leak users’ personal information onto global networks, the New York Times reported on Monday.It…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Sri Lanka says international war crimes probe would bring chaos | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: Sri Lanka says international war crimes probe would bring chaos

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Sri Lanka says international war crimes probe would bring ‘chaos’ Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: An international inquiry into war crimes in Sri Lanka would bring “chaos,” and the government’s national reconciliation process must be given several more years to work, a top aide to Sri Lanka’s president…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Protesters mourn Suthin, murder witness steps up; Election date looms; Rice corruption plagues Yingluck

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Protesters mourn Suthin, murder witness steps up; Election date looms; Rice corruption plagues Yingluck

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Govt may let EC decide election date The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The caretaker government is likely to pass the hot potato of rescheduling the February 2 elections over to the Election Commission (EC) when caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra meets election commissioners today.A source in the…

  • US embassy consular outreach clinic in Phuket

    US embassy consular outreach clinic in Phuket

    PHUKET: The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Bangkok will hold an Outreach Visit at Le Meridien Hotel in Karon on January 29. Consular staff will be available from 8am to midday to provide the following services: • Passport renewal applications (US$110 or 3,410 baht for adult passports, US$105 or 3,255 baht for a minor’s passport). • Notarial Services…