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  • Phuket secures B22mn to fix notorious Patong Hill road

    Phuket secures B22mn to fix notorious Patong Hill road

    PHUKET: The Phuket Highways Office (PHO) has secured the 22 million baht needed to permanently fix the large section of the notorious Patong Hill road that washed away nearly two years ago, PHO Director Samak Luedwonghad announced yesterday. “Patong Hill Road in undergoing permanent restoration (story here). A contract was signed on May 15 and the repairs are expected to…

  • Phuket policeman escapes injury after slippery road slams pickup into tree

    Phuket policeman escapes injury after slippery road slams pickup into tree

    PHUKET: A police officer on his way to work early yesterday morning lost control of his pickup truck on the bypass road and crashed into a tree.Though the impact demolished the front end of his pickup, he narrowly missed a nearby light pole and escaped injury.Police and Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers responding to a 5:30am call found a pickup straddling…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Russians charged over biggest fraud in history; Spanish train driver under guard; Tunisia in turmoil; Bo Xilai charged

    Phuket Gazette World News: Russians charged over biggest fraud in history; Spanish train driver under guard; Tunisia in turmoil; Bo Xilai charged

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Hackers indicted in biggest cyber fraud case in US history Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Federal prosecutors have charged five men for a hacking and credit card fraud spree that cost companies more than $300 million. Two of the suspects are in custody in the biggest cyber crime…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Anti-govt rallies; Bus safety under fire; PM beauty smarts TV; Facebook top Thai news source

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Anti-govt rallies; Bus safety under fire; PM beauty smarts TV; Facebook top Thai news source

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Anti-govt groups plan street protests The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Anti-government groups are firming up plans for street rallies ahead of the parliamentary deliberation on August 7 of an amnesty bill proposed by a group of MPs from the ruling Pheu Thai Party. The protests…

  • Phang Nga Immigration reclaims Rohingya runaways

    Phang Nga Immigration reclaims Rohingya runaways

    PHUKET: Phang Nga Immigration Police last night intercepted five Rohingya refugees who were en route to Bangkok by train after disappearing from a government shelter in Phang Nga, north of Phuket. The refugees, a 20-year-old woman and four children aged 5 to 14 years, were taken into custody at 11:30pm. They were among the 18 Rohingya who disappeared from the…

  • DSI gives Phuket mafia 15 days to pack up shop

    DSI gives Phuket mafia 15 days to pack up shop

    PHUKET: Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdith today leveled a warning at all mafia operating in Phuket: cease and desist within 15 days – or else. Mr Tarit arrived in Phuket this morning with Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak and a team of about 10 DSI officials to launch a crackdown specifically targeting illegal taxi drivers and…

  • Bangkok News: Croc trainer gets stitches – croc suspended; Police Chief will face investigation; Liverpool kick-off delayed

    Bangkok News: Croc trainer gets stitches – croc suspended; Police Chief will face investigation; Liverpool kick-off delayed

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – News from the Thai capital by Coconuts Bangkok compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Trainer receives 30 stitches; Croc suspended from duty Coconuts BangkokBANGKOK: The crocodile trainer who survived a terrifying croc attack earlier this week spoke out for the first time about the near-death experience that left him with 30 stitches on his…

  • Trial date set for Phuket taxi driver accused of abducting Chinese teen

    Trial date set for Phuket taxi driver accused of abducting Chinese teen

    PHUKET: The trial of the illegal taxi driver charged with abducting and sexually assaulting a Chinese teen tourist on May 17 will start on September 2. “The case was transferred to the court on July 4,” said Phuket Public Prosecutor Theerasak Srichulalak. Paitoon Kruain, 32, faced five charges: deprivation of liberty; sexual assault; using a Category 1 narcotic; consuming alcohol…

  • Phuket International Boat Show and Royal Phuket Marina partner for five years

    Phuket International Boat Show and Royal Phuket Marina partner for five years

    PHUKET: The Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) has secured its home for the future with the signing of a five-year host venue agreement with Royal Phuket Marina (RPM), the marine and luxury lifestyle destination on Phuket’s east coast. Having recently announced the dates for 2014 being moved to the popular January 9-12 timing, organisers say they are laying strong foundations…

  • Phuket Raceweek gets new ownership

    Phuket Raceweek gets new ownership

    PHUKET: Media Business Services (MBS), led by Byron and Kanyarat Jones, have been announced as the new owners and rights holders of the Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek. The news was broken at the closing party and Gala Dinner of the highly successful 2013 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek. Founder and now former rights holder Grenville Fordham of Image Asia…

  • German consuls in Phuket urge travel insurance for visitors

    German consuls in Phuket urge travel insurance for visitors

    PHUKET: The German honorary consuls for Phuket and Chiang Mai yesterday urged tourists to take out adequate travel insurance before travelling to Thailand.German honorary consuls Dirk Naumann (Phuket) and Hagen Dirksen (Chiang Mai) handed over a cheque for 100,000 baht to Vachira Phuket Hospital yesterday in appreciation for the facility providing medical services to travellers who were unable to pay…

  • “What do you think they are smoking over there at the Emirates?”

    “What do you think they are smoking over there at the Emirates?”

    PHUKET GAZETTE SPORTS – Quote of the day: Liverpool owner John W. Henry asked on Twitter: “What do you think they are smoking over there at the Emirates?” PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World sports news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Reds favorite ‘son’ Suarez should heed fans: Rodgers Reuters PHUKET: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told Luis Suarez…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Northeast floods; B20mn for rice death; Teachers die in Deep South blast

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Northeast floods; B20mn for rice death; Teachers die in Deep South blast

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Northeast still struggling with floods The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Floods continued in the provinces of Chanthaburi, Trat and Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday, affecting hundreds of residents.Downtown Chanthaburi was submerged in up to a meter of water and authorities warned it would rise further. Schools in flood-hit areas…

  • Phuket Governor rides the bus, predicts smooth sailing

    Phuket Governor rides the bus, predicts smooth sailing

    PHUKET: Governor Maitri Inthusut rode the new airport bus to Patong on Tuesday, four days after its inaugural run. “The condition of the bus was good, and it was clean and safe. The staff were good too,” Gov Maitri said. “One thing it needs is more publicity. I don’t think many people know it exists,” he said. The governor did…

  • Phuket Police on lookout for “slap attack’ teen gang

    Phuket Police on lookout for “slap attack’ teen gang

    PHUKET: Phuket City Police are rounding up teenagers from the streets of Phuket Town in the hope of apprehending the youngsters who have been sneaking up behind unsuspecting victims and slapping them on the back of the head.The reports started flowing in last week, with people complaining that they had just been slapped – hard – by a teenager, Phuket…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Dramatic balloon crash caught on film; Brazilians lose bikinis for the Pope; Cop-turned-actor Dennis Farina dead

    Phuket Gazette World News: Dramatic balloon crash caught on film; Brazilians lose bikinis for the Pope; Cop-turned-actor Dennis Farina dead

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Hot air balloon carrying 11 crashes in Dutch lake, injuring 2 Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: A hot air balloon carrying eleven people crashed into a lake in the Netherlands on late yesterday evening, injuring two of the people on board, emergency services said. The…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Kate and Will show off new prince; Oz tells UK not to leave EU; China’s corrupt healthcare

    Phuket Gazette World News: Kate and Will show off new prince; Oz tells UK not to leave EU; China’s corrupt healthcare

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Kate and William show off Britain’s new prince Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Prince William and his wife Kate gave the world its first glimpse of their new baby yesterday when they left hospital with the boy who is third in line to the British throne.…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand news: Tests needed to ID crash victims; Southern unrest during Ramadan; Deeds to be revoked for golf course

    Phuket Gazette Thailand news: Tests needed to ID crash victims; Southern unrest during Ramadan; Deeds to be revoked for golf course

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Tests needed to identify many victims of bus crash The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Forensic experts are working to identify victims whose bodies were burnt beyond recognition after a horrific bus crash in Kaeng Khoi in Saraburi early yesterday.The tragedy, which claimed 19 lives, has prompted Transport…

  • Mum calls off search for missing American Brett Bean

    Mum calls off search for missing American Brett Bean

    PHUKET: The Phuket search for missing American surfer Brett Bean, 43, was called off by his mother, Lynne Bean, tonight. “Brett has been in contact with us several times. We are most grateful to the Karon Police department, the US Embassy, the news media and the many friends whom we have met in Phuket,” Mrs Bean wrote in an email.…

  • Special Report: Phuket Gazette keeping an eye on corruption

    Special Report: Phuket Gazette keeping an eye on corruption

    Special Report: Thailand has again ranked poorly in Transparency International’s annual report on corruption worldwide, released last week. How does this report affect Phuket? The Phuket Gazette investigates. PHUKET: Global corruption watchdog Transparency International last week released its annual report on corruption worldwide. Known as the Global Corruption Barometer, the report compiles an international index of all countries based on…

  • Phuket FC lock horns with Bangkok Iron Bulls to no avail

    Phuket FC lock horns with Bangkok Iron Bulls to no avail

    PHUKET: The Islanders dropped one place to sixth of the 18-team Yamaha League One (YL1), after playing out yet another draw – this time to Bangkok FC in a tense yet thrilling 1-1 dead-lock on Saturday evening in Thailand’s capital. Bangkok also lost their 3rd place standing, falling into 4th as a result of the draw and in conjunction with…

  • Korean classical musicians to perform free Phuket concert for refugee children

    Korean classical musicians to perform free Phuket concert for refugee children

    PHUKET: An ensemble of 10 top-flight classical musicians accompanied by 100 students will perform in concert in Phuket free of charge tonight (July 23) to raise funds for Myanmar refugee children living near the border town of Sangkhlaburi, in Kanchanaburi province. The two-hour concert, to be held at the Andaman Embrace Resort & Spa on Haad Patong Road (map here),…

  • Phuket Beach Safety: Man drowns in 5 minutes

    Phuket Beach Safety: Man drowns in 5 minutes

    PHUKET: A man believed to be a Russian tourist ignored lifeguards’ warnings and entered the surf at Karon Beach yesterday afternoon – and drowned within five minutes, the Phuket Gazette has been told. Uten Singsom, head of the Kata-Karon Lifeguard Club, said that his lifeguards took 20 minutes to recover the man from the strong surf. “He came to the…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Chiang Mai, Hua Hin best for retirees; Phuket’s best Raceweek

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Chiang Mai, Hua Hin best for retirees; Phuket’s best Raceweek

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Chiang Mai, Hua Hin best The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Live and Invest Overseas website has ranked Chiang Mai and Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district as a couple of the world’s best places to retire due to the low cost of living and beautiful beaches.The…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: UK has new prince; Belguim has new king; Moroccan king to get new government

    Phuket Gazette World News: UK has new prince; Belguim has new king; Moroccan king to get new government

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Baby boy for Prince William and wife Kate Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Prince William’s wife Kate gave birth to a boy yesterday afternoon, the couple’s first child and the third in line to the British throne, heralding celebrations in London and messages of goodwill from across the…

  • Phang Nga bus crash leaves 22 injured

    Phang Nga bus crash leaves 22 injured

    PHUKET: More than 20 passengers were injured when a bus en route from Bangkok to Phang Nga, north of Phuket, overshot a curve and crashed into a road barrier in Pranburi in Prachuap Khiri Khan province yesterday. A reported 21 passengers and the driver were sent for emergency medical treatment at Pranburi and Thanarat hospitals. Three were sent to Hua…

  • Phuket rain and rockslides in Ranong

    Phuket rain and rockslides in Ranong

    PHUKET: More than 90mm of rain fell at Phuket International Airport overnight and more rain is on its way, according to the latest weather report from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). More than 41mm of rain fell across Phuket Town while wind speeds gusted above 32km/h, brought on by a low pressure system reaching all the way from the Philippines,…

  • Phuket office identifies 82 “foreign-owned’ businesses suspected of using Thai nominees

    Phuket office identifies 82 “foreign-owned’ businesses suspected of using Thai nominees

    PHUKET: The Phuket Business Development Office (BDO) has identified 82 businesses suspected of breaching the Foreign Business Act (FBA) by using Thais as nominees so that foreigners can hold majority control. The businesses were identified ahead of raids by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) set for this week, targeting illegal foreign businesses in Phuket (story here). “After checking our…

  • Headstrong Phuket buffalo causes three accidents

    Headstrong Phuket buffalo causes three accidents

    PHUKET: A pregnant buffalo that wandered onto the bypass road late Saturday night withstood the blows of three cars before dying in the median strip.Kusoldharm rescue workers were called to the bypass road in front of Porntip Sea Store at 1am yesterday to aid the injured motorists.The first vehicle to strike the buffalo was a taxi carrying passengers from the…

  • Aussie Oi! breezes in to Phuket Raceweek win

    Aussie Oi! breezes in to Phuket Raceweek win

    PHUKET: Winds gusting to 20 knots made for a perfect end to what has turned into one of the best Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek regattas yet. The weather conditions delivered fast and exciting racing throughout, leaving the sailors of more than 15 nationalities tired but happy. Two races for all except the Classic class made for a hectic schedule…