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Pregnant woman gunned down in Krabi
PHUKET CITY: Police in Krabi are investigating the murder of a heavily pregnant woman gunned down in her home on Saturday night.Inspector Santhi Kongsiri of the Khao Panom Police identified the deceased as 19-year-old Sunee Phukaoluan. Also killed in the attack was her unborn child, only one month from full term.The killings follow a wave of violent crimes in Phuket,…
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When relatives stay too long…
AYUDHAYA: Every family has its own unique customs, but a family in Phak Hai District recently caught national attention when it was discovered keeping the corpse of a long-dead relative in the front room of the family home. Current guardian of the coffin, 36-year-old Samreng Yingyong, told reporters the body was that of his great-great uncle Phuangthong Lidkaho, who died…
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Phuket Immigration crackdown announced
PHUKET CITY: Phuket Immigration this morning held a press conference to announce measures aimed at improving compliance with immigration law, including the requirement that owners of all hotels, guesthouses and rental homes report foreigners on their premises to immigration within 24 hours of arrival. Phuket Immigration Superintendent Chanatpol Yongbunjerd told the press that the crackdown follows the recent arrest of…
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Phuket star among Miss Italia nel Mondo finalists
PHUKET / ITALY: Phuket resident and upcoming Thai-Italian star Maria Giulietta Consentino is representing Thailand in this year’s Miss Italia nel Mondo pageant currently underway in Veneto, Italy.Miss Consentino is one of 50 participants that have made it to the 2009 finals and who are currently being judged by a panel that includes Miss Italia nel Mondo 2008.As the pageant…
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Phang Nga trawler tragedy: 1 dead, 5 missing
PHUKET CITY: One man is dead and five still missing following a collision between a Phang Nga-based fishing trawler and a cargo ship off the coast of Chonburi. Kiattipong Parnsa-nga, 28-year-old captain of the trawler Sangjaroern 10, said the 21-meter vessel capsized after suddenly being struck by a cargo ship at about 2am yesterday. The accident occurred as the crew…
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Japanese yachtsman safe in Phuket after solo voyage
PHUKET: Sailing the Pacific Ocean, literally single-handedly with the use of only one arm, solo Japanese sailor Akio Yonago arrived in Phuket earlier this month, more than five weeks after setting off from the Seychelles on a solo voyage in his yacht EMU II.Mr Akio’s arrival in Phuket on June 8 was a relief to the international yachting community, and many…
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Good news for Phuket: swine flu infection rate falling
PHUKET CITY: In a sign that Thailand might be winning the war against swine flu, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) today announced a lower number of daily new cases, 43, compared to earlier this week. Disease Control Department Director Dr Somchai Chakrabhand believes the falloff in new cases, by almost half, is a sign that preventive measures in schools…
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Phuket impact: Gov’t should waive duty on luxury goods
PHUKET: A major retailer’s suggestion yesterday – that import duties be removed on luxury products – could draw more tourists to Phuket and boost Thailand’s economy. The measure was part of proposals made by Thailand ‘s largest retail conglomerate, Central Retail Corporation (CRC), along with with major suppliers who are seeking government support for retail and related industries. The priority…
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Phuket Q1 tourism figures down
PHUKET CITY: Although Thailand has seen a significant drop in tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2009, Phuket is faring better than many other parts of the country, the head of the local tourism development office has said. Statistics released by the Office of Tourism Development showed an overall drop in international arrival figures nationwide from 5.5 million in…
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Phuket students fall ill from spoiled milk
PHUKET CITY: Seven Phuket City schools have stopped serving UHT milk purchased under the government’s “free milk for schoolchildren” program after 48 students at one school fell ill after drinking the milk yesterday. Sixteen children from Piboonsawaddee School in Phuket City were hospitalized after drinking the milk, while a further 32 students became ill but did not require hospital treatment.…
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Phuket’s premier viewpoint to get palms, paths
RAWAI, PHUKET: The beauty of Phuket’s famous Phromthep Cape is on the decline, the Mayor of Rawai warned yesterday. The death of palmyra trees and the trampling of grass by tourists have left the promontory scarred by patches of dry, yellow earth, Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos said. Mr Aroon met with Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop yesterday to discuss ways of…
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Software Park Phuket opens tomorrow
WICHIT, PHUKET: Software Park Phuket is to officially kick off services from its first phase of development with an opening ceremony tomorrow. Director Kongkiat Kespechara said the soft opening is intended to demonstrate the readiness of the park’s facilities and its business-incubation center. The first phase of development has cost about 25 million baht. The park has 1,250 square meters…
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Strong rains, heavy seas in Phuket
PHUKET CITY: The Meteorological Department (MET) has issued an advisory of strong monsoon conditions in Phuket over the next few days resulting in unusually rough seas and scattered showers with the possibility of torrential rain at times. In its national weather advisory issued earlier today, the MET reported that a trough of low pressure lies across the North and upper…
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Phuket beaches finally get lifeguards
PHUKET: It will come as little consolation to the families and friends of those who drowned off Phuket’s beaches in recent weeks, but lifeguards are finally in place on 12 of the popular local strands. New signs have also been erected at the beaches alerting tourists to the dangers of swimming during the monsoon season. A spokesman for the Phuket…
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Swine flu update: seven confirmed cases in Phuket
PHUKET CITY: There have been seven cases in Phuket of the viral infection that causes swine flu, but the situation is “under control”, health officials say. PPHO Office Director Dr Pongsawas Ratanasang told the Gazette that the first confirmed case was that of an Australian tourist who visited Phuket before moving on to Hong Kong, where he developed flu symptoms…
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Five-star hotel chef gunned down in Kathu
KATHU, PHUKET: A chef at a five-star resort in Phuket was gunned down in the early hours of yesterday morning. Kanchai Yoksri, 31, was found dead with two bullet wounds to the chest in front of the police radio monitoring station on Wichit Songkhram Road in Kathu. Tung Tong Police received a report of the shooting at 1am and rushed to…
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British, US warships on R&R in Phuket
CAPE PANWA, PHUKET: One of the largest and most revered ships in the British Royal Navy, the HMS Bulwark, docked at Phuket Deep Sea Port yesterday morning flanked by the USS Mitscher, an Arleigh Burke class destroyer. The 22,000-tonne HMS Bulwark – made famous for transporting 1,300 British escapees from Israeli air-strikes in Beirut in 2006 – has been operating…
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Phuket property worst hit at “high end”
PHUKET: More than 10 residential projects with a combined market value of nearly 10 billion baht remain “on hold” in Phuket, because demand from both domestic and foreign buyers – especially for luxury homes – has fallen to less than half of last year’s level. Wanwipa Horbut, deputy managing director of luxury property developer Surin Hill Development, said demand for…
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Karon residents rally against Chalong Police
KARON, PHUKET: Citing dereliction of duty and a surge in crime, more than 200 residents of Karon on Monday rallied to call for the transfer of Chalong Police Superintendent Chinnarat Rittakananond. The protest, held in a field at Karon Temple starting at 1pm, was led by tambon chief Winai Chitchiew. Also taking part was Karon Mayor Tawee Tongcham. Mr Winai…
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Laguna Phuket to host 42nd Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting
PHUKET CITY: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to be among diplomats attending the 42nd Asean Ministerial Meeting in Phuket next month. Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop yesterday chaired a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall to prepare for the meetings, which will be hosted at the Laguna Phuket resort complex in Cherng Talay from July 16 to 23. “This…
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Prison Products Fair underway in Phuket
SAPHAN HIN, PHUKET: There are only four days remaining in the 6th annual Prisoners Product Fair taking place at the central stage area at Saphan Hin. A wide variety of sturdy, handmade products including tables, wardrobes, beds and baskets are on display. Items made by Thai prisoners from the 14 provincial prisons in the southern region, as part of their…
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Phuket crime: 50,000 baht reward for clues in Australian assault case
PHUKET CITY: It has taken a phone call from the Australian diplomatic mission, but Phuket Police are now renewing efforts to catch the man responsible for a horrendous knife attack on a young Australian man several months ago.In early February this year, 20-year-old Jamie Shackleton was left with terrible facial injuries after being slashed in the face with a machete…
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New medical science center opens in Phuket
SRISOONTHORN, PHUKET: The Public Health Ministry opened a new front in the war against infectious disease in Phuket late last week with the opening of the new Phuket Medical Science Center. Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai presided over the June 11 opening ceremony, which was attended by more than 200 public health volunteers as well as Phuket MPs Tossaporn Thepabutr…
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Elite guard in alleged sodomy of senior, 71
TRANG: Police have arrested a People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) guard for the alleged rape of a 71-year-old man. The shocking announcement was made on June 11 by Thian Banthip, deputy superintendent of the Muang District Police in nearby Trang province. Lt Col Thian identified the alleged rapist as 44-year-old Phuan Thajeen, a member of the PAD’s elite “Srivichai Warriors”…
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Swine flu cases surpass 200 mark
PHUKET CITY / BANGKOK: Thailand yesterday reported 51 new cases of swine flu, bringing the total number to 201, Public Health Ministry spokesman Suphan Srikamma has announced. Education Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said that nine schools have suspended classes to prevent spreading of the flu, all in or around Bangkok. Among them are such prestigious schools as St Gabriel’s, St Francis…
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Phuket “Big Cleanup” now underway
PATONG, PHUKET: Public health workers in full anti-contamination gear sprayed and fumigated Soi Bangla yesterday in a bid to prevent the spread of contagious diseases like swine flu and chikungunya. The high-profile initiative followed a single confirmed case of swine flu infection by a staff member at a Patong disco last week. Tourists and local businessmen alike were curious about…
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Phuket to Montana: Thanks for a great event!
(PHUKET): Phuket’s tourism industry is currently mired in the low season doldrums and there has been little to report in recent weeks to buoy enthusiasm. There has been plenty of talk recently of abysmal occupancy rates, imminent staff layoffs and factors conspiring to keep tourists away – from swine flu to the recent spate of drownings. Given the malaise, the…
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Aussie romps to second Laguna Phuket marathon win
CHENG TALAY, PHUKET: Reigning Laguna Phuket International Marathon champion Stephen Paine of Australia defended his crown in style yesterday, leading from start to finish on his way to an impressive win at Laguna Phuket. A record 4,500 runners and walkers from more than 25 countries gathered at Laguna Beach Resort in the early hours of Sunday to contest five separate…
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Phi Phi tourist deaths remain a mystery, autopsies inconclusive
The Royal Thai Police Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bangkok has concluded its examination of tissue samples from two young women who died mysteriously on Koh Phi Phi early last month. The evidence is inconclusive. Deputy chief of Krabi Public Health Office Dr Buncha Kahkhong said that the autopsies failed to turn up anything that could have caused the deaths…
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Free training at Phuket Meditation Center today
PHUKET CITY: A Middle Way meditation session will take place today at the Phuket Meditation Center next to Suan Luang Park, starting at 1:30 pm. The teaching monk is Phra Thada Jaranatharou. Fluent in English, Phra Thada graduated with honors with a bachelors’ degree industrial electrical technology from King Mongkut Institute of Technology, Thailand’s top engineering school. Phra Thada is…
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