News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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The 5 most common travel emergencies in Thailand and how to be prepared
Thailand is a popular destination known for its dynamic culture, stunning beaches, and bustling cities however, travellers can face unexpected travel emergencies that include medical issues, road accidents, petty theft, and natural disasters. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip,...
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Phuket Gazette Queer News: Man versus ATM? Police win
PHUKET: Nobody likes having their card swallowed by the ATM – but most people take it on the chin. That’s not how you could describe the actions of 26-year-old Ekaphong Bunyaratphan, who got rather upset when his card was gobbled by a cash dispenser in Samut Prakan. Mr Ekaphong, who was more than a little “refreshed” at the time, lost…
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Phuket tourists, divers to be warned off damaged coral zone
PHUKET: The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) will install floating signs to warn tourists and local divers not to disturb coral that is undergoing restoration after suffering extensive damage at a seawalking site off Phuket. The site includes more than 300 square meters of coral off Khai Nai Island that was allegedly destroyed by a seawalking tour company…
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Phuket KBank customers warned of trojan, spyware
PHUKET: Kasikornbank (KBank) today issued a warning for all online banking customers to beware a trojan spyware message asking customers to download a program to their computer or mobile phone. Doing so may allow the spyware to steal your “one time password” SMS text messages sent from the bank’s online banking system, called “K-Cyber Banking”, to the mobile phone and…
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Europa League winners to gain Champions League ticket
PHUKET: To try and boost the ailing Europa League, UEFA president Michel Platini announced last week that – starting from the 2014/15 season – the winners would qualify for the Champions League. Platini also said that a fifth Champions League place is to be awarded to clubs in the big European leagues. Under this new system, the Europa League winners…
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Phuket taxi driver continues to deny sexual assault charges
PHUKET: In Phuket Prison since May 20, illegal taxi driver Paitoon Kruain continues to deny that he sexually assaulted a Chinese tourist whom he picked up at Phuket International Airport on May 17 and drove around in his car for five hours (story here). “He has been charged with sexual assault, deprivation of liberty and being under the influence of…
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Phuket Prison used to lure meth dealer
PHUKET: Thalang District officers yesterday used Phuket Provincial Prison as a venue to lure a suspected drug dealer into making a ya bah (methamphetamine) delivery during which he was arrested.Undercover officers placed Atthachai Sittabut, 36, under arrest during a sting operation in front of the prison in Phuket Town at 2:30pm.A subsequent search of Mr Atthachai’s house in Mai Khao,…
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Basic training tips for Phuket’s athletes
PHUKET: As we all know, Phuket is a world renowned holiday destination for thousands of people from around the globe. But did you also know it is one of the ultimate training and competition destinations in the eyes of international athletes? The island has mountains, hill trails, sandy beaches, beautiful coastlines and hosts many local and international sporting events –…
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Phuket Gazette World News: US to boost Asia military presence; Oklahoma tornado; SARS-like virus in Italy; God’s bank posts profit
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. rebalance to Asia-Pacific gaining steam, Pentagon chief says Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The U.S. military will devote more air power, ground troops and high-tech weaponry to the Asia-Pacific region as it moves ahead with a strategic rebalance, the U.S. defence chief said on Saturday in a…
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Phuket Opinion: Let the taxis go free
PHUKET: I saw many things of interest in Bangkok last week, including a woman riding a motorbike with a squirrel on her shoulder. But the sweetest sights of all were the little red lights that peeped out here and there between tuk-tuks, trucks and cars on the busy streets of the capital. They spelled out waang in Thai, or “free”…
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US Navy transport contractor reaches agreement with Phuket taxis
PHUKET: Following a breakdown in land transportation services yesterday that left sailors from the USS Nimitz waiting hours to enjoy their shore leave, the Phuket Marine Chief organized a meeting last night and negotiated a settlement between the transportation company contracted by the US Navy and local taxis. Although 37 buses are needed, 28 are now available to transport sailors;…
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SPECIAL REPORT: Fears of Phuket abductions
Special Report: It is a typical story in Phuket: a taxi or van picks up passengers and on the way to their destination gets them to stop at a jewelry store, souvenir shop or travel agency. A familiar experience, considered no more than an irritation or a waste of time by some. But is it more serious than this? PHUKET:…
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Phuket Opinion: Finding a cure for overloaded courts
Parinya Chaowalittawin, 45, took up the position of Chief Judge at Phuket Provincial Court on April 1. Originally from Trang, Judge Parinya has Bachelor’s of Law, Barrister-at-law and Master of Law degree from Ramkhamhaeng University. He has served as a judge for 17 years. Here, he explains what needs to be done to help clear the backlog of cases at…
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Five fugitives in Phuket to face Kedah royal guard probe
PHUKET: All five suspects accused of carrying out an attack on a Kedah royal family bodyguard at a high-end resort in Patong just after midnight on Tuesday (story here) arrived at Patong Police Station for questioning this morning. Being escorted into the compound at 8:30am were three Thais: Prakong Seesopha, 32; Sakorn Seesopha, 34; and Thanyaporn Toh-in. Joining them were…
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Chinese Ambassador wins promise of translators for Phuket Police stations
PHUKET: The Deputy General Director of Tourism has vowed to hire Chinese translators for Phuket police stations in reaction to concerns raised by Chinese Ambassador to Thailand His Excellency Guan Mu on Wednesday. “We will hire police translators to work with the police,” Deputy General Director of Tourism Kajorn Weerajai said. “I also plan to make a guide book for…
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Phuket driver escapes injury as car flips, plunges into canal
PHUKET: A woman was run off the road by speeding drivers as she pulled out of the Esso gasoline station on the northbound lane of the bypass road (map here) this morning. Frightened by the oncoming traffic, the woman missed her brake pedal and accidentally hit the accelerator, propelling her car over the curb, across a patch of grass and…
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Australian world triathalon champs to go head-to-head at 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…
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Phuket motorbike taxi driver found dead in canal
PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of man whose body was found in a canal in central Phuket late yesterday afternoon with a deep cut under his chin. Thalang Police led by Duty Officer Kitthiphum Thinthalang arrived at the scene, a canal behind the Thalang Victory Memorial Field (map here), at 6:15pm. Local residents identified the man as 53-year-old local…
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Two in Lamborghini survive after slamming into power poles in Chon Buri
PHOTOS: Issara Parinyothai A father and son, driving in a Lamborghini sports car, have survived after colliding with power poles in Chon Buri, north of Pattaya. Emergency responders were notified of the incident yesterday on Sukhumwit Road in Chon Buri city area, south of Bangkok. At the scene found the damaged ‘Aventador’ Lamborghini sport car valued 34 million baht in…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Middle East news round-up
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Egyptian draft law said to dash hopes of free civil society Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A law drafted by the Egyptian presidency for regulating non-governmental organisations dashes hopes for a free civil society after the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Obec bows over schools; Chalerm to head BRN peace talks; Hot rods a mystery; Bomb blast ‘from the heart’
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Pupils at small schools to use facilities at other sites: OBEC The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) bowed to public pressure yesterday, with Obec secretary-general Chinnapat Bhumirat announcing no small schools would be closed this academic year. Instead, pupils will be…
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Five arrested over attack on Kedah royal family bodyguard
PHUKET: Police today arrested five men for the attack on a Kedah royal family bodyguard at a high-end resort in Patong just after midnight on Tuesday. Four of the men, including three Malaysians, were arrested while trying to exit Thailand at the busy Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla province. The first arrest was made at a rented house in Sikao District…
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![No blockade: Phuket taxis called to the rescue [Video Report] | Thaiger](https://thethaiger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/phuketnews_As_soon_as_he_realized_the_bus_wasn_t_coming_village_headman_Narong_c_21196_WEBwVpIIXF_jpeg.jpg)
No blockade: Phuket taxis called to the rescue [Video Report]
PHUKET: Following the confusion at Phuket’s Deep Sea Port this morning (story here), it has come to light that the hundreds of taxis, tour vans and tuk-tuks at the gate to Phuket’s key port facility were called to the rescue of the thousands of US Navy servicemen and women looking to enjoy shore leave on the island. The armada of…
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Phuket murder trail leads to Hungary
PHUKET: Royal Thai Police investigating the murder of 39-year-old Hungarian businessman Laszlo Csapai may travel to Hungary to question a key witness, the Phuket Gazette has confirmed. The witness, currently jailed in Hungary, claims he saw prime suspect Moshe David murder Mr Csapai and bury the body, Surat Thani Provincial Police Commander Kiattipong Khaosum-ang explained. Following the witness’ testimony, Thai…
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US Navy sailors caught in Phuket taxi blockade
UPDATE: This story has since been updated through the stories ‘No blockade: Phuket taxis called to the rescue [Video Report]’ (click here) and ‘US Navy transport contractor reaches agreement with Phuket taxis’ (click here). PHUKET: Taxi drivers have set up a blockade at Phuket’s Deep Sea Port, where the USS Nimitz and the USS Princeton are anchored. According to reports,…
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Phuket FC swoops down on Krabi Andaman Eagles
PHUKET: The Islanders advanced to 4th place of the 18-team Yamaha League One (YL1) after downing Krabi FC in a Phang Nga Bay derby match last night in Phuket Town. Despite Krabi dominating the attack early on, the two Southern sides went into the locker rooms at half time scoreless. The deadlock was broken eight minutes into the second half,…
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Phuket hosts full-scale tsunami drill
PHUKET: A total of about 300 emergency-response officers from Phuket and Phang Nga joined forces to stage a full-scale tsunami evacuation and sea rescue drill off the northern tip of Phuket yesterday.The drill started with the sounding of the tsunami warning alarm, prompting the officers from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) in Phuket and Phang Nga to…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Luxury cars gone in 60 seconds
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Luxury cars worth Bt100 million destroyed in semi-trailer fire Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: A semi-trailer transporting six luxury cars caught fire on the Mitraparp Highway in Nakhon Ratchasima early yesterday morning.The fire destroyed one BMW, two Lamborghinis and a Mercedes Benz, causing damage of about Bt100…
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Swedish Muay Thai fighter found dead on Koh Lanta
PHUKET: The body of a Swedish Muay Thai fighter was found yesterday at the popular tourist island Koh Lanta, across the bay from Phuket.Police and rescue workers arrived at a rental room at the Otto Bar after receiving a report of a dead foreigner. Police named the man as “Kasper Pobias Byreborg”, 29.“We believe he had been dead for about…
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Damaged Phuket tourist ferry to be recovered
PHUKET: Efforts are underway to recover the ferry Puean Foong II, which started taking on water in heavy seas yesterday afternoon with more than 100 tourists on board (story here). The boat was returning from Phi Phi Island to Phuket when strong waves punctured the hull, explained Samphan Aiyara, managing director of Friendship Sea Tour Co Ltd, which owns the…
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Phuket Finance: Golden rules for investing
PHUKET: Being a successful investor over the long-term is not going to be easy, but if you have been a bad investor in the past, who has lost money investing, chances are it is because you didn’t follow these simple, yet essential rules.Educate yourself about investing Walk into any bookstore and you will likely see several shelves of books covering…
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