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  • Phuket payout for Chinese tourist drowning victim

    Phuket payout for Chinese tourist drowning victim

    PHUKET: Representatives from Phuket’s tourism industry stepped forward this week to provide one million baht in compensation to the family of a Chinese tourist who drowned while swimming off Racha Yai Island last year. Yuan Dingrong, 56, drowned after getting into difficulties while snorkeling off La Bay at Rachai Yai Island, about 25 kilometers south of Phuket, on November 20…

  • Police probe suicide at Phuket workers camp

    Police probe suicide at Phuket workers camp

    PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of a woman who reportedly committed suicide while her husband was out drinking and her 14-year-old son was next door playing with neighbors yesterday afternoon.Phuket City Police officers were called to the scene, a construction workers camp on Soi Kingkaew Uthit in Rassada, at about 5pm.They arrived to find Saeng-ngern Trairoj 54, dead from…

  • Phuket Immigration Tourist Service Point opens in Patong

    Phuket Immigration Tourist Service Point opens in Patong

    PHUKET: Phuket Immigration’s Tourist Service Point in Patong re-opened on Thursday to a flurry of activity, with about 20 expats and tourists taking advantage of the immigration services provided. “Most of them came to do their 90-day resident reporting and for extensions to permits-to-stay,” said Patong Immigration’s Capt Angkarn Yasanop, who now heads the office with a staff of five.…

  • Newborn dumped, found dead in Phuket trash pile

    Newborn dumped, found dead in Phuket trash pile

    PHUKET: A newborn baby boy with a rubber band twisted tightly around its neck was found dead in a pile of rubbish in southern Phuket beach area of Rawai yesterday afternoon.The baby, estimated to have been dead for over 24 hours, was spotted by Rawai Municipality trash truck driver Sutham Kansuwan on his regular route along Soi Suksan 1, said…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Rohani leads Iran polls; Tabasco graft; Rupert and Wendi get divorced; UK calls for Snowden no fly zone

    Phuket Gazette World News: Rohani leads Iran polls; Tabasco graft; Rupert and Wendi get divorced; UK calls for Snowden no fly zone

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Iran votes for new president, Khamenei slams U.S. doubts Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Moderate cleric Hassan Rohani took a commanding lead ahead of conservative rivals in Iran’s presidential election, according to initial results, but his tally appeared narrowly insufficient to avoid a second round run-off…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: EU to provide 200,000 euros to assist Rohingya refugees in Thailand

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: EU to provide 200,000 euros to assist Rohingya refugees in Thailand

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community EU to provide 200,000 euros to assist Rohingya refugees in Thailand The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The European Union is committing 200,000 euros to provide humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees being detained in Thailand, the EU Delegation to Thailand announced on Friday. The help will…

  • French Open: Powerful pair

    French Open: Powerful pair

    PHUKET: When Serena Williams powered down three aces in the final game to beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-4 at Stade Roland Garros, she cemented her already legendary status in the game. The oldest winner – at 31 – of a Grand Slam in the modern era, the victory was, coincidentally, her 31st straight success. She has now won every Major…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: National lottery impossible, says expert; Supercar hit list targets rich; Akeyuth murder suspect surrenders; Mobs face off in Chiang Mai

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: National lottery impossible, says expert; Supercar hit list targets rich; Akeyuth murder suspect surrenders; Mobs face off in Chiang Mai

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai national lottery ‘statiscally impossible’: expert The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: After conducting a three-decade-long study, Chulalongkorn University statistician Theeraporn Verathaworn has discovered that the numbers drawn fortnightly in the state lottery are highly improbable. Hence, he said, the system should become fully automated and…

  • Lions Tour: Upping the tempo

    Lions Tour: Upping the tempo

    PHUKET: After two relatively straightforward workouts – against the Barbarians in Hong Kong and the Western Force in Perth, the Lions encountered their first real test at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the setting for the first Test on June 22. Against the Barbarians, the heat had been enervating, with Welsh prop Adam Jones declaring it “like nothing I have…

  • Phuket on the cards to host Thailand’s F1

    Phuket on the cards to host Thailand’s F1

    PHUKET: The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has admitted Phuket could host Thailand’s lucrative Formula One race in 2015 due to strong opposition from Bangkok residents. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) put the skids on the F1 race being held in the capital by banning the use of the historic Rattanakosin Island. The move came after residents and business owners complained…

  • VIDEO REPORT: European Union tackles Phuket tourism woes

    VIDEO REPORT: European Union tackles Phuket tourism woes

    PHUKET: Ambassadors from 17 European nations today brought to the Phuket Governor’s attention four critical issues plaguing Phuket’s tourism industry: road transport, boat safety, tourist security and jet-skis.“The meeting today was held to identify several key issues affecting European tourists to Thailand and to come up with solutions to these problems,” said European Union (EU) Ambassador to Thailand David Lipman,…

  • Triathlon champs coming to Challenge Laguna Phuket

    Triathlon champs coming to Challenge Laguna Phuket

    PHUKET: Reigning World Champion Pete “PJ” Jacobs has confirmed he will race the inaugural Challenge Laguna Phuket half distance triathlon on December 1 – setting up an intriguing contest with fellow Australian Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack, the defending title-holder and two-time world champion, for a slice of the race’s 25,000 euro prize purse. The elite pair will compete at Challenge Laguna…

  • No Phuket cars on DSI supercar list

    No Phuket cars on DSI supercar list

    PHUKET: No Phuket luxury cars are on the list of 488 supercars whose owners are being investigated for tax evasion, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. The DSI on Monday revealed the names of the owners of 488 luxury cars who will be called in for questioning in a nationwide crackdown on supercar tax…

  • Phuket Opinion: Why not to cook

    Phuket Opinion: Why not to cook

    PHUKET: This island has ruined me for cooking. I used to take no small amount of pride in my forays into the kitchen. I’m no Jamie Oliver to be sure, but I like to think I make a pretty mean spaghetti Bolognese. Alas, living in Phuket my culinary skills, along with my neglected cookware, sit on the shelf gathering dust.…

  • Phuket Opinion: Airports welcoming pros, avoiding cons

    Phuket Opinion: Airports welcoming pros, avoiding cons

    Angkarn Yasanop, 29, graduated from the Sampran Royal Police Cadet Academy in Nakhon Pathom in 2007. After he served as an immigration officer at Phuket International Airport, he was moved to Phuket Town to work as an immigration office Sub-Inspector. Here he discusses the need to pair swift immigration processing at the airport with sufficient security. PHUKET: People are working…

  • Phuket security guard saved from suicide leap

    Phuket security guard saved from suicide leap

    PHUKET: A security guard sacked after two days on the job in Phuket was talked down from a four-storey building in Phuket Town yesterday after he threatened to jump. Police arrived at the Phoonphol Night Plaza just before 4pm, along with Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers and a medical team from Vachira Phuket Hospital. Officers were dispatched to the rooftop to…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: US approves arms to Syria rebels; Turkey talks to end protests; Czech PM in police raids; Mandela’s health holds

    Phuket Gazette World News: US approves arms to Syria rebels; Turkey talks to end protests; Czech PM in police raids; Mandela’s health holds

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama approves US arms to Syria rebels Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: President Barack Obama has authorized sending U.S. weapons to Syrian rebels for the first time, a U.S. official said on Thursday after the White House said it has proof that the Syrian government had…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Akeyuth murder mired in complicity; Supercar importers in tax spin; Borrowing the Burmese White Elephant; Ramadan ceasefire; School’s out

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Akeyuth murder mired in complicity; Supercar importers in tax spin; Borrowing the Burmese White Elephant; Ramadan ceasefire; School’s out

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Akeyuth murder motive more than ‘theft’: Panel The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Senate panel on human rights yesterday called on the Royal Thai Police to change the chief investigator in the case involving the murder of businessman and government critic Akeyuth Anchanbutr. Somchai Sawaengkarn,…

  • Mass tourism market blamed for degradation of Phuket

    Mass tourism market blamed for degradation of Phuket

    PHUKET: The Senate Standing Committee on Tourism yesterday highlighted a series of issues plaguing Phuket due to the rapid development of the province into a major center for mass tourism in Thailand.“The growth of the tourism industry in Phuket is the source of many problems at its natural tourist attractions. Land and beach encroachment, as well as air and water…

  • Former male nurse confesses to at least 20 hotel room abortions

    Former male nurse confesses to at least 20 hotel room abortions

    PHUKET: Police in Krabi province, across the bay from Phuket, raided a hotel room where they arrested a former nurse who was just about to perform an illegal abortion.Officers raided the small hotel in Ao Luek at about 12:30pm yesterday, finding Prapak Thiparat preparing to perform an abortion.The woman had already been prepared by Mr Prapak to undergo the procedure.…

  • Special Report: Burmese manager climbs to the top of Phuket hotel industry

    Special Report: Burmese manager climbs to the top of Phuket hotel industry

    Special Report: Kyaw Kyaw Khine is a piece of living Phuket history. At 47 years old, he is the first Burmese national to become a hotel manager in Phuket’s critical tourism industry, at one of the best known hotels on the island: the On On Hotel on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town. Here he tells the story of his…

  • Heavy Phuket rains send snake slithering for shelter

    Heavy Phuket rains send snake slithering for shelter

    PHUKET: A large python sought accommodation and food in a local Phuket woman’s home yesterday morning.“During heavy rain, pythons often come to find things to eat. My house has many chickens, which is good food for a snake,” said Kanittha Saechau.On spotting the snake, which stretched to about four meters long, Ms Kanittha contacted Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers.The rescue workers…

  • Phuket flood, landslide warning issued as weekend deluges forecast

    Phuket flood, landslide warning issued as weekend deluges forecast

    PHUKET: An island-wide flood and landslide warning has been issued as heavy rains continue to soak Phuket. The warning was issued to all local authorities across the island, San Jantharawong, chief of the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), confirmed to the Phuket Gazette this morning. “There has been heavy rain every day for days…

  • World News: Cyber prying stopped attacks – NSA; North blames South; Docs urged to refuse Guantanamo force-feeding

    World News: Cyber prying stopped attacks – NSA; North blames South; Docs urged to refuse Guantanamo force-feeding

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community NSA director says surveillance helped stop ‘dozens’ of attacks Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The head of the National Security Agency said yesterday that extensive U.S. surveillance efforts had helped stop “dozens” of possible attacks, and warned that making details of the top-secret programs public had…

  • Phuket ITU Triathlon cancelled

    Phuket ITU Triathlon cancelled

    PHUKET: The Local Organizing Committee of the 2013 Phuket ITU Long Distance Triathlon Series event has announced the cancellation of the event set to be held in Patong on November 9-10. The weekend of triathlon activities was to include a series of triathlon events over two days, culminating in the first ever ITU Long Distance triathlon in Thailand. Part of…

  • Phuket beach encroachment top concern of Senate tourism sortie

    Phuket beach encroachment top concern of Senate tourism sortie

    PHUKET: A fact-finding tour of Phuket’s top west coast tourist beaches yesterday identified encroachment by hotels, resorts and restaurants as the top concern among members of the Senate Standing Committee on Tourism. The tour of beaches began at about 8:30am, led by Phuket Senator Tunyaratt Achariyachai, who is also the chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Tourism. Joined by…

  • US Ambassador Kenney showers praise on Phuket

    US Ambassador Kenney showers praise on Phuket

    PHUKET: US Ambassador Kristie Kenney praised an array of aspects of Phuket during her one-day outreach trip to the island yesterday. “I am very thankful for every Phuket police officer. I am aware of how hard your work is, especially as Phuket is a tourism city and you have to take care of not only Thai people, but also foreigners,”…

  • VIDEO Report: Phuket officials unveil “drive-thru’ preview of Patong Tunnel

    VIDEO Report: Phuket officials unveil “drive-thru’ preview of Patong Tunnel

    PHUKET: The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), commissioned to roll out the Patong Tunnel project, has released a video highlighting the preferred route the tunnel will take through the Phuket hills separating the Kathu valley from the beachside resort town of Patong. The preferred route was chosen after a panel of experts investigated three major factors in the selection process,…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Turkish patience runs out; Greek tragedy; Cabbie stabber confesses; Swiss banks shaken

    Phuket Gazette World News: Turkish patience runs out; Greek tragedy; Cabbie stabber confesses; Swiss banks shaken

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Skirmishes in Turkey after police storm Istanbul square Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Turkish riot police fought running battles with pockets of protesters overnight after storming a central Istanbul square in a show of force that risked ratcheting up tensions almost two weeks after anti-government demonstrations began.Prime Minister…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Businessman murdered; Drug dealer wanted by FBI arrested; F1 in Phuket; Size not important

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Businessman murdered; Drug dealer wanted by FBI arrested; F1 in Phuket; Size not important

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Driver admits killing Ekkayuth, police say The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The chauffeur of missing businessman Ekkayuth Anchanbutr admitted to his murder last night, former police spokesman Pol Lt General Prawut Thavornsiri said on his Twitter account.Two other suspects who allegedly helped Santiparb Pengduang are on the…