News
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Sponsored Siam Paragon celebrates 'A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2025'
Siam Paragon, in collaboration with KASIKORNBANK, is hosting a spectacular Lunar New Year celebration, Siam Paragon A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2025, from today until February 2, at Parc Paragon. This year’s event is inspired by the rich heritage of Dunhuang,...
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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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Pakistan resumes air strikes on volatile border region
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Pakistan resumes air strikes to flush insurgents from volatile border Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Pakistani fighter jets resumed air strikes in North Waziristan on Monday, a day after the army announced the start of a major military operation to flush insurgents out of the volatile…
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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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Phuket Police hunting boyfriend after woman slashed, beaten
PHUKET: Police are searching for the boyfriend of a woman who was repeatedly slashed and beaten in Thalang yesterday. Amporn Parawech, 23, suffered a deep cut in the neck and had multiple cuts and bruises on her back when she arrived at a shop near her house pleading for help, said Lt Col Sanit Nookong of Thalang Police. Rescue workers…
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Police raid gambling den near Phuket Airport
PHUKET: Police arrested 10 suspects for gambling after an impromptu raid on an abandoned house south of Phuket International Airport on Saturday afternoon. The raid, in Sakoo, took place at about 4pm after patrol officers noticed a large number of cars parked in front of the home, said Tah Chat Chai Police Deputy Superintendent Teerawat Liamsuwan. “Officers also saw several…
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122,000 Cambodians flee from Thailand
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community 122,000 Cambodians flee from Thailand The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: More than 120,000 Cambodians have fled Thailand to return home in the past week, fearing a crackdown on migrant workers after last month’s military takeover, an official said yesterday. The mass exodus of labourers –…
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Colombia’s Santos wins re-election, to push on with peace talks
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Colombia’s Santos wins re-election, to push on with peace talks Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos won a second term on Sunday with an election victory that allows him to continue peace talks with Marxist guerrillas to end a half-century war. Santos…
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Tourists told to avoid speedboat trips as weather warning issued
PHUKET: The Thai Meteorological Department has warned tourist against joining speedboat day trips, as a small boat warning is now in effect in Phuket due to big waves and high winds. “Wave heights are at 2-4 meters, and we will have wind speeds of up to 45k/h,” said Santhad Panbanpeaw, director of the Thai Meteorological Department’s Phuket Office. “All small…
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Patong Police sweep party town for illegal weapons
PHUKET: Only one gun was discovered during a sweep for illegal firearms in Phuket’s premier party town early this morning. The five-team sweep composed of Patong Police officers and Civil Volunteers raided five targets after securing search warrants from the Phuket Provincial Court, Lt Col Suttichai Chairat of Patong Police told the Phuket Gazette this morning. “We received orders to…
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Lifeguards beg beachgoers to stay safe as waves become deadly
PHUKET: Phuket lifeguards are imploring beachgoers to respect the dangerous ocean conditions and stay out of the water as the annual southwest monsoon season comes into full swing. Phuket Lifeguard Club President Prathaiyut Chuayuan issued the plea this morning. “Please do not go into the sea, especially at Kata and Karon. I have also received reports of heavy, high waves…
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Messi strike lights up Maracana as Argentina sink Bosnia
PHUKET: Lionel Messi finally made his mark on the World Cup and lit up the Maracana with his first goal in the finals for eight years as Argentina were forced to battle for a 2-1 win over debutantes Bosnia in their opening Group F match on Sunday. Messi, four-times world player of the year and Argentina’s best footballer since Diego…
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One still missing after wave on Phuket’s deadliest beach sweeps six into deep water
PHUKET: Two foreigners and four others were caught by a single wave and dragged away from shore at Phuket’s deadliest beach this afternoon. Lifeguards were able to immediately save five of them. One is still missing. “Apisit Songkert, 13, went missing at about 5:50pm,” said Uten Singson, chief lifeguard Kata-Karon Beach. Mr Apisit, a Karon local, was at the beach…
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South African union holds mass meeting in deadlocked platinum strike
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community South African union holds mass meeting in deadlocked platinum strike Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The leader of South Africa’s AMCU mining union is due to meet with its members this week to update them on the progress of wage talks with platinum producers after negotiations…
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Thousands of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon forced to work, says aid group
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thousands of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon forced to work, says aid group Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: At least 50,000 Syrian refugee children in Lebanon are working, often in dire conditions and for 12 hours a day, to pay for food and shelter for their…
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Russia to submit draft UN resolution on Ukraine
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Russia to submit draft UN resolution on Ukraine Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Russia plans to submit a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council to put pressure on Ukraine to implement a “road map” to peace, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying on…
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Iraq Kurds seize Kirkuk; Sunni militants surge toward Baghdad
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Iraq Kurds seize Kirkuk; Sunni militants surge toward Baghdad Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Iraqi Kurds seized control of the northern oil city of Kirkuk on Thursday, while surging Sunni Islamist rebels advanced towards Baghdad, as the central government’s army abandoned its posts in a rapid…
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Phuket police suspect B900k armed robbery was inside job
PHUKET: Phuket City Police officers are questioning employees of the gas station whose staff were robbed at gunpoint of more than 900,000 baht in cash yesterday morning. Police hope to determine whether or not the armed robbery was an inside job, Phuket City Police Superintendent Sermphan Sirikong told the Phuket Gazette today. “Police believe that the suspects might have relations…
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Red flags up on Phuket’s deadliest beach
PHUKET: Lifeguards on Phuket’s deadliest beach have put out red flags to warn of strong surf. The warnings have been set up on Kata Beach and Karon Beach. Eight people drowned at Karon Beach between October 2012 and September 2013, making it the deadliest beach in Phuket (story here). “There have been strong, high waves lately. I would like to…
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Body of newborn found in Phuket rubber plantation
PHUKET: Police are hunting for the mother of a newborn baby found dead in a Phuket rubber plantation this afternoon. Patong Police were notified of the body at about 12:30pm today by a resident who had gone to the Baan Kaen Lek plantation on Phetchakut Road to pick mushrooms. “The man told officers that he smelled something bad, followed the…
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65 Cambodian laborers arrested on their way home – to be deported
PHUKET: A group of 65 Cambodian construction workers preparing to return home were arrested in Rassada yesterday and charged with illegally entering the country. Phuket City Police received information from undercover officers that the group would be arriving at a pier in Rassada in the evening. “We waited at the pier for an hour, and then the group of Cambodians…
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Land slip near Patong Hill Road, expected rainfall bring warnings from officials
PHUKET: Phuket officials are scrambling to repair land near the Patong Hill road which slid as a result of heavy rains last week. “We have inspected the road already and have determined that the landslide will not affect residents in the area, as no one lives near the site,” said Phuket Highways Office Director Samak Luedwonghad. The area – to…
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Officials clear vendors from four Phuket beaches
PHUKET: Officials yesterday gave vendors at four popular tourist beaches in Cherng Talay just seven days to vacate their plots or face forced eviction and legal action. Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada and Cherng Talay Mayor Ma-ann Samran, supported by about 50 officers, informed the beach vendors of the deadline in the morning. “More than 100 businesses are operating along…
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Gun-toting Aussie re-arrested with drugs while on bail
PHUKET: Mark Robert Coutelas, 53, was arrested again for drug possession last night, while the Australian was out on bail waiting for his trial to be heard on previous drug and illegal handgun charges. Patong Police arrested Mr Coutelas on May 27 after finding him in possession of 530mg of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), a handgun and ammunition (story here).…
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Sierra Leone shuts borders, closes schools to fight Ebola
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Sierra Leone shuts borders, closes schools to fight Ebola Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Sierra Leone shut its borders to trade with Guinea and Liberia on Wednesday and closed schools, cinemas and nightclubs in a frontier region in a bid to halt the spread of the…
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Isolated North Korea a visitor draw, but sometimes literally a tourist trap
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Isolated North Korea a visitor draw, but sometimes literally a tourist trap Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: “Taking you to places where your mother would rather you stayed away from.” That’s how one Western travel agency advertises its tours to North Korea. The U.S. government doesn’t…
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All World Cup matches to air live on free TV
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Free World Cup telecast The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: In a bid to live up to its motto of “Bringing happiness back to Thai people”, the junta yesterday managed to pull off a deal for the live telecast of all World Cup 2014 matches on…
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Four young students killed as ex-director has seizure behind wheel
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Four young students killed as ex-director has seizure behind wheel The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Four primary-school students were killed and at least 10 others wounded in Nong Bua Lamphu’s Muang district after a former school director slammed into them with his car while suffering…
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Governor outlines new transport plans, with Kata-Karon as model
PHUKET: With illegal taxi booths cleared out from west coast beaches, Governor Maitri Inthusut plans to initiate a public transportation system and conduct a major taxi service overhaul, starting in Kata-Karon. “After we have cleared all illegal taxi booths from Karon and arrested all the people who behave like mafia, it’s time to set up a new plan for public…
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Sunni insurgents close in on Iraq’s biggest oil refinery
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Sunni insurgents close in on Iraq’s biggest oil refinery Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Sunni insurgents from an al Qaeda splinter group closed in on Iraq’s biggest oil refinery yesterday after seizing the northern city of Mosul in a devastating show of strength against the Shi’ite-led…
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