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  • Patong Beach water quality tests to take another two weeks

    Patong Beach water quality tests to take another two weeks

    PHUKET: The results of water quality tests conducted on samples collected from Patong Bay amid an “algae bloom” on August 23 will not be available for at least another two weeks, the Phuket Gazette has been told. The news flies in the face of comments made by Phuket’s leading environment officer, Dr Pornsri Suthanaruk, director of the Phuket-based Regional Environmental…

  • Phuket to push for higher taxi fares, despite Bangkok opposition

    Phuket to push for higher taxi fares, despite Bangkok opposition

    PHUKET: Phuket officials plan to ask for permission to raise the standard rates charged by metered taxis on the island despite the announcement by the Minister of Transport yesterday that no taxi fares would be raised anywhere in Thailand. “We believe that when Transport Minister Chatchart Sitthipan hears why we want to increase the fares, he may make an exception…

  • Phuket Police arrest shooter of Russian tourist

    Phuket Police arrest shooter of Russian tourist

    PHUKET: Police have arrested the man who injured a Russian tourist by opening fire on a car in a fit of road rage in Rawai last month. Officers took Narongsak Saelim, 21, into custody yesterday, the same day Phuket Provincial Court issued a warrant for his arrest (story here). He is charged with attempted murder and possession of an illegal…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Aussies go to the polls; Obama rallies G20 support for Syria strikes; Iran wishes Israel Happy New Year

    Phuket Gazette World News: Aussies go to the polls; Obama rallies G20 support for Syria strikes; Iran wishes Israel Happy New Year

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama says most G20 leaders agree Assad behind chemical attack Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Eleven nations condemned the August 21 chemical weapons attack in Syria on Friday and called for a strong international response, according to a statement issued by the White House.“The evidence clearly points to…

  • Phuket tourism icon inspires AMCHAM meeting

    Phuket tourism icon inspires AMCHAM meeting

    PHUKET: Change – experiencing it, realizing it, understanding it, anticipating it and then trying to figure out how best to implement it for the optimal benefit to Phuket and all of its stakeholders. Such was the underlying theme of an awe-inspiring speech given last night by Wichit Na Ranong, a key driver, if not the father, of Phuket tourism. Co-founder…

  • Phuket officials, business figures unite to fight graft

    Phuket officials, business figures unite to fight graft

    PHUKET: A network of six influential private and government bodies this morning announced its intention to fight corruption throughout Phuket, amid concern over alarming levels of graft across the island.The network includes members of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Phuket Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Federation of Thai Industries Phuket Chapter, Phuket Tourist Association, Thai Hotels Association (Southern Chapter)…

  • Phuket Police close in on shooter of Russian tourist

    Phuket Police close in on shooter of Russian tourist

    PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Court has issued an arrest warrant for the man believed to have shot Russian tourist Maksim Klocskov in Rawai on August 17. “The suspect we are seeking is Narongsak Saelim, 21,” said Lt Col Jumroon Plaidoung of the Chalong Police. Mr Klockskov was shot in the back when a bullet aimed at the car he was riding…

  • Patong tuk-tuk drivers lodge second complaint about illegal tuk-tuk drivers

    Patong tuk-tuk drivers lodge second complaint about illegal tuk-tuk drivers

    PHUKET: Patong tuk-tuk drivers yesterday filed their second complaint with the governor about illegal tuk-tuks operating in Patong and stealing their jobs. The drivers asked for an update on the complaint they filed on June 26 (story here) and noted that the numbers of illegal drivers continues to increase. “On June 26, we filed a complaint to Governor Maitri Inthusut…

  • Business operators win fight to keep shops at Phuket International Airport

    Business operators win fight to keep shops at Phuket International Airport

    PHUKET: Business operators of concessions at Phuket International Airport have prevailed in their battle to keep their concessions at the airport. Not only will they be allowed to remain at the airport, but they will be allowed to continue their business in the new airport terminal once it is completed in 2015, said Thammarawat Wongcharoenyut, one of the operators. The…

  • DSI lands windfall in Phuket illegal taxi fines, no cars seized

    DSI lands windfall in Phuket illegal taxi fines, no cars seized

    PHUKET: Efforts to rein in illegal taxi drivers in Phuket has landed a windfall 868,000 baht in fines since the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) opened its anti-organized crime centers in Phuket on August 10.The fines were garnered when officers stopped and fined illegal taxi drivers 434 times at six checkpoints across the island from August 10-29, Lt Col Somboon…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Putin, Obama at odds over Syria; Rwanda drawn into Congo crossfire; Merkel app gives face time

    Phuket Gazette World News: Putin, Obama at odds over Syria; Rwanda drawn into Congo crossfire; Merkel app gives face time

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World leaders pressure Obama over Syria at G20 summit Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: U.S. President Barack Obama faced growing pressure from Russia’s Vladimir Putin and other world leaders on Thursday to decide against launching military strikes in Syria, which many of them fear would hurt the global…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Rubber protests flare; Trang Airport fears; Tourist Court opens in Pattaya; Film fest loses to lese majeste

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Rubber protests flare; Trang Airport fears; Tourist Court opens in Pattaya; Film fest loses to lese majeste

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Close eye on rallies as talks with government fail The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Authorities are keeping a close eye on protesting rubber farmers amid fears they may step up the rallies currently being held in several southern provinces following the government’s decision to reject their demand…

  • Phuket Opinion: Relegate the blight of jet-skis to the past

    Phuket Opinion: Relegate the blight of jet-skis to the past

    PHUKET: It is time that the provincial government considers phasing out the jet-ski rental industry that has brought so much ill-repute to the island. The latest tragedy involving a jet-ski and a foreign tourist came last weekend, when 27-year-old Chinese visitor Shen Baocheng was rendered comatose after his rented jet-ski collided with a speedboat towing a parasailing tourist in Patong…

  • Phuket Opinion: So near, but often so far

    Phuket Opinion: So near, but often so far

    PHUKET: I don’t miss real bread and real butter, cheese and steak tartare. I don’t miss walking my dog through winter’s first snow, skiing in the French Alps or the mountains of the Czech republic. I don’t miss autumn strolls in my local park or the relief of springtime. I don’t miss the first tulips, young potatoes, fresh raspberries and…

  • Phuket Opinion: How to steer children as they surf the web

    Phuket Opinion: How to steer children as they surf the web

    Chalam Attatham, 54, has been the Director of the Phuket Primary Education Service Office since 2011. In 2010 he served in the same capacity in Pattalung. A Phuket native, he has a BA in Education from Srinakharinwirot University and an MA in Education from Thaksin University. Here he talks about how parents and teachers can work together to help children…

  • Cut costs on investments – Phuket Finance

    Cut costs on investments – Phuket Finance

    PHUKET: If you are like many expatriates living in Phuket, you have probably failed to realize the impact trading or investment fees can have on your portfolio’s return, as such costs are often hidden and can quickly add up over time. In a rising market, these costs may not be so noticeable; but in a stagnant or falling stock market,…

  • Phuket Police on guard to face angry rubber farmers

    Phuket Police on guard to face angry rubber farmers

    PHUKET: Officers of the Phuket Police assisting local officers to guard the Surat Thani Airport against farmers protesting rubber prices say airport operations are continuing normally. A contingent of 155 Phuket police officers has been at the airport since Monday, Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karachedi told the Phuket Gazette. “So far, no flights have been affected,” he said.…

  • Australian tourist dies after severe asthma attack invokes seizure | Thaiger

    Australian tourist dies after severe asthma attack invokes seizure

    PHUKET: A 51-year-old Australian woman found dead in her Phuket hotel room on Tuesday morning reportedly died after suffering a seizure brought on by a severe asthma attack, police have told the Phuket Gazette.Tracey Ann Walton from Australia was found dead in her guest room at a Patong Beach resort early yesterday morning. Hotel staff made the discovery and promptly…

  • F1: Speed, straights and storms – Phuket Sports

    F1: Speed, straights and storms – Phuket Sports

    PHUKET: Before Spa, I said that we must hope that there had been some breakthroughs to spice-up a season dominated by Red Bull. It’s all getting a bit predictable. I trusted rain to add spice, but it was stubbornly dry at Spa (click here for story). I said that both Spa and the uninteresting new Pirelli tyres would favour Red…

  • Phuket Police baffled over Bang Tao beach bar blaze

    Phuket Police baffled over Bang Tao beach bar blaze

    PHUKET: A small bar at Bang Tao beach was burned to the ground late on Tuesday, with no explanation thus far for the blaze.On hearing about the fire shortly before midnight, firefighters and police officers rushed to the scene.“When we arrived, we found the bar – which apparently had no name – ablaze. Despite the modest size of the bar,…

  • Phuket’s TSLC sporting tips: Tennis and swimming

    Phuket’s TSLC sporting tips: Tennis and swimming

    PHUKET: In a continuing series of sporting tips provided by Phuket’s Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club, resident experts Tennis Head Coach Roger Cochrane loosens his grip and Aquatics Head Coach Randy Simon is in for the long haul. Loosening your service grip – Roger Cochrane You have probably noticed that the more pressure you feel in a match, the more…

  • Phuket’s Superkidz youth tennis is smashing

    Phuket’s Superkidz youth tennis is smashing

    PHUKET: Over 140 talented youth athletes participated in the Chang LTAT (Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand ) Junior Championship Southern Zone No 6, contested at Phuket’s Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club, which concluded on Sunday, August 25. Super Kidz Tennis. Video Thanyapura Top honors of the event went to Tinnapat Tientawach (12 points), Lerdchai Ronnarong (10 points) and Tapat Paevaronkul…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: US strike on Syria passes Senate; Aus election looms; Castro is dead | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: US strike on Syria passes Senate; Aus election looms; Castro is dead

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. resolution on Syria strike passes first hurdle in Senate Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: U.S. President Barack Obama’s effort to win legislative backing for military strikes against Syria passed its first hurdle on Wednesday when a Senate committee voted in favour, but the narrow margin of victory…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Rubber protests hit tourism, Expat fund scam bust; Education fails test

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Rubber protests hit tourism, Expat fund scam bust; Education fails test

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Rubber protest impacting South tourism revenue The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The rubber farmers’ protest in Surat Thani is causing a loss of at least Bt10 million a day to the domestic tourism industry in the South.“Sales of salted eggs as a flagship product of Chaiya in…

  • Phuket vote fraud allegations can’t stop Pian

    Phuket vote fraud allegations can’t stop Pian

    PATONG Mayor Pian Keesin has the right to run for re-election even if he is found guilty of vote fraud and the order to remove him from office is upheld, election officials have confirmed. Action to unseat Mayor Pian began last year when the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) headquarters in Bangkok, responding to a complaint after…

  • Phuket python accused of fowl play

    Phuket python accused of fowl play

    PHUKET: A Phuket python got into a chicken coop and devoured a prized breeding hen yesterday, while the fowl’s owner was away from home.Sombat Sae-eow realized something was amiss when he came home and discovered the python, sporting a large bulge in its middle, lying under a bamboo chicken pen.Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers were called to the house in Baan…

  • Ironwoman: Get moving!

    Ironwoman: Get moving!

    PHUKET: Inspirational “Ironwoman”, Australian Triathlon Hall of Fame member, Belinda Granger shed light on her inspiring career at an “Empowering Women Workshop” held at Phuket’s Thanyapura last week. Belinda Granger is one of the most influential and successful triathletes Australia has produced, with an incredible 15 Ironman distance wins and five Top 10 finishes at the Ironman World Championships at…

  • Phuket Airport operators angry over termination of concessions

    Phuket Airport operators angry over termination of concessions

    PHUKET: Business operators whose concessions have not been renewed to operate shops and provide services at Phuket International Airport will have the chance to appeal to a top Ministry of Transport official tomorrow.Col Winai Sompong will arrive in Phuket to discuss the issue directly with the retailers, explained Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttirak.The news came after Thammawat Wongcharoenyut led nine…

  • Australian tourist dies in Patong motorcycle crash

    Australian tourist dies in Patong motorcycle crash

    PHUKET: An male Australian tourist died this morning at Vachira Phuket Hospital after the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a power pole in Patong. Patong Police and Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation Worker were notified of an accident near Patong Municipality Office on Ratchapathanuson Road (map here) at about 5:30am. “When we arrived we found a man in his 30s, unconscious,…

  • Phuket water authority defends water shutoffs

    Phuket water authority defends water shutoffs

    PHUKET: An argument broke out during the Phuket Governor’s monthly meeting with the media yesterday when journalist-residents of Wichit turned on the manager of Phuket Provincial Waterworks demanding to know why their water had been suddenly cut off for three days.“Phuket Provincial Waterworks shut off the water supply water without notice,” said one media member who lives in Wichit.“I didn’t…