News
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Chinese New Year celebration in Phuket Town tonight
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) has organized a Chinese New Year celebration tonight at Sanam Chai to see in the Year of the Dragon. A special appearance at this free event will be the stunning “new style” acrobatic show from China’s Henan province starting at 7:35pm, followed by a fireworks display at 8:35pm After that will be musical…
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Fire breaks out at Phuket official’s residence
PHUKET: Phuket firefighters extinguished a fire at the Thalang District Office compound in the early hours of this morning. The fire was reported to Thalang Police at about 2:15am. Thepkrasattri Municipality firefighters took about half an hour to extinguish the blaze, which gutted a room on the second floor of a wooden home used as the residence of a government…
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Phuket ATM scams: Even professionals get caught out
Special Report: Patong Police report at least four people recently being ripped off by gangs scanning their ATM cards and stealing money from their accounts. The Phuket Gazette reports. PHUKET: Alan Robinson, 71, has been living in Phuket for 17 years. As he is a former vice-president of a Swiss bank’s national branch in Japan, one can only imagine his…
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Phuket land probe: witness found hanged
PHUKET: A security guard questioned by government officials about the ownership of land at Freedom Beach in Patong has died of what appears to be a suicide, a local Phuket newspaper has reported. A report in today’s edition of Siangtai Daily newspaper identified the deceased as 54-year-old Narong Piromrak, a native of Nakhon Sri Thammarat province. The death was reported…
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Phuket Media Watch: 7 adrift in wooden boat rescued after 7 days; fire claims 29 homes in Reno
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Seven Chinese rescued after a week adrift in wooden boat Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: Seven Chinese fishermen who went missing in the South China Sea last week have been rescued alive, state-run media reported on yesterday. They were said to be in good condition.…
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Phuket Business: Hotel leaders to confer at Thailand Tourism Forum
PHUKET: Thailand’s hotel leaders and international experts will discuss the state of the hospitality sector at the Thailand Tourism Forum (TTF) 2012, to be held on February 2 at the InterContinental Bangkok. Key event participants include Chanin Donavanik, chief executive officer of Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of the Minor Hotel Group, and Peter Henley, CEO and president…
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Phuket Projects: ‘Benefits’ at odds with people’s choice
PHUKET: The results of the most recent Phuket Gazette readers’ poll reveal that a clear majority want “airport bus” services to Phuket’s west coast resort towns as the tourism development project to move ahead above all others this year. [See page 11, current issue of the Gazette. Digital subscribers click here to download the full newspaper.] The results indicate that…
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Phuket Police name “mastermind’ suspect behind “Ae Inside’ murder
PHUKET: Police today announced the name of the man they believe masterminded the assassination of Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwitthayaporn, who was shot dead in rush-hour traffic while driving to Phuket Town on January 12. Maj Gen Chonasit Wattanavrangku, superintendent of Phuket Provincial Police, this morning confirmed that arrest warrants had been issued for Atsadakorn “Pod” Seedokbuab (pictured above), 48, and…
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Phuket tourism: China lifts travel warning
PHUKET: Good news for the Phuket tourism industry came yesterday when China removed its travel advisory for Thailand. Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul immediately expressed his appreciation for the move. Mr Surapong attributed China’s decision to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s recent participation in a New Year celebration at the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok, during which the issue was discussed…
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Tropical Phuket likely to be caught in center of next El Nino heat wave
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community 2011 ninth warmest year in recorded history, NASA says Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: The global average surface temperature in 2011 was the ninth warmest since at least 1880 [maybe earlier], according to NASA scientists on Thursday. Nine of the ten warmest years have occurred…
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Phuket’s Patong Immigration office to reopen
PHUKET: Phuket Immigration Office Superintendent Panuwat Ruamrak has confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that the Immigration Office in Patong will reopen next week. The news comes amid rumors that the Patong Immigration Office, which is located right next door to the Patong Tourist Police Volunteers office, had been closed permanently. “The Patong Immigration Office has not been shut down. It…
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Kamala Festival 2012 underway in Phuket
PHUKET: Kamala Festival 2012 got underway this morning with a fishing competition on Kamala Beach. A wide variety of fun activities throughout the weekend are expected to draw tourists and residents from across Phuket. Organized and funded by the Kamala Tambon Administration Organization (Kamala OrBorTor), the center of activities is Chalermprakiat 100 Pee Park on Kamala Beach, where staged events…
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“Safety boost’ at death bend not working: Village chief
PHUKET: The village headman of Baan Kho En has called for officials to install more safety features at the notorious “death bend” on Thepkrasattri Road where the small community resides in the north of Phuket. Somnuek Patee made his plea on Thursday at a high-powered meeting held to review the slew of safety measures put in place on the lethal…
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Phuket villagers protest land claim via dubious title deed
PHUKET: In the latest land dispute in Phuket, more than 100 residents of the Soi Kingkaew Community in Rassada have protested to the governor over alleged attempts by a private investor to get a Chanote land title deed for a 300-rai plot in the area. Led by 41-year-old Thongchai Kaewthong, the residents of Rassada Village 3 went to see Phuket…
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Officials warn of “fake monks’ targeting Phuket tourists
PHUKET: The ‘monk police’ of Phuket are warning everyone on the island of con men who are impersonating Buddhist monks and tricking locals and tourists into giving them money. Chatpawit Jinapong, Director of the Phuket branch of the National Office of Buddhism, which operates directly under the Prime Minister’s Office, spoke with the Phuket Gazette about these fraudulent “monks”. “High…
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Phuket dive crew rescues seven from blazing catamaran
PHUKET: Quick action by the crews of a Phuket dive-boat and another vessel saved the lives of seven foreigners when their chartered catamaran caught fire and sunk in the waters off Koh Rok last night. The crew of the Sailing Yacht (SY) Diva Andaman were interrupted during their beach barbecue on Koh Rok, an island about 30 kilometers southwest of…
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Phuket Sports: Patong lead the field
PHUKET: Patong CC top the Island Furniture cricket league after a comfortable win over Phuket’s youth development team, the Leopards, played at the ACG last Sunday. With all seven teams in the competition moving into the third round of matches, a victory and taking every available bonus point was a must for Patong while the Leopards were on the prowl…
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Phuket Events: New vehicle for tickets in Phuket
PHUKET: With more and more events gracing Phuket every year, and with the vast majority of them sponsored by the Phuket Gazette, the newspaper’s events promotion team thought it time to do something special for event organizers and attendees alike. Phuket Tickets is now in “business” and doing all it can to help promote the next two ‘tickets required’ events…
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Nong Pin’s mom asks Phuket Governor for help
PHUKET: The desperate mother of Samudchaya “Nong Pin” Yanpunya yesterday met with the Phuket governor to seek high-tech help in tracking down her missing 12-year-old, who vanished without a trace over six weeks Nong Pin’s mom Samruay Saenthaweesuk asked Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha yesterday for help from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in tracing the origin of her…
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Phuket poll: How to steer kids clear of “corruption mindset’?
PHUKET: On the occasion of National Children’s Day celebrated in Phuket and throughout Thailand last weekend, a survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University revealed that teachers play a “crucial” role in the development of an “anti-corruption mentality” in children. In the latest Phuket Gazette online poll, we ask readers who plays the most important role in instilling an “anti-corruption” mentality…
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Countdown to ‘Phuket Life & Style’: Launch issue hits the streets today
PHUKET: Enclosed in your Phuket Gazette due out this afternoon, you’ll find our all-new magazine, ‘Phuket Life & Style’. This 32-page launch issue is packed full of features dedicated to Asia’s Favorite Island. We’ve cobbled together interviews with Allan Zeman, Gulu Lalvani, Bill Heinecke and more. Golf, fashion, yachting, spas, property, tourism and aviation will also vie for your attention…
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Phuket “fully booked’ for Korean, Chinese New Years
PHUKET: Local tourism representatives are expecting hotel occupancy rates of 90 to 100% across Phuket during the upcoming festive period. Most tourist arrivals to Phuket at the end of January will come by direct flights from China and Korea, said Somboon Jirayus, Presdient of Phuket Tourist Association. “In addition to Seoul, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, there are currently about…
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Phuket Media Watch: Palestine thanks Thailand; News office attacked; Western ships
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community ‘Thailand recognizes Palestine as independent state’ Phuket Gazette / News WiresPHUKET: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thanked the government of Thailand after it apparently decided to recognize Palestine as an independent state. Thai officials were unavailable for comment. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said his office received…
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Red Shirt leader hails Phuket’s ‘Ae Inside’ as ‘brave, fearless’
PHUKET: Friends, family and colleagues paid their final respects to slain reporter Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwitthayaporn during an emotional cremation ceremony at Wat Kosit in Phuket Town this afternoon. Mr Wisut, an investigative reporter and head of the “red shirt” political movement in Phuket, was ambushed and shot dead by two assailants near his Rassada home last Thursday. Mr Wisut’s…
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Phuket ‘spike girl’ returns victim’s passport
PHUKET: Another Phuket tourist is believed to have fallen victim to ‘drink spiking’ in Patong last night by a woman who made off with his valuables as well as the room safe, but made sure his passport was returned. Arndt Schneider, 47, from Germany, went out Tuesday night to a bar along Soi Sansabai to play pool with a friend…
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Italian man “stabbed by mistake’ in Phuket
PHUKET: The Italian man who was stabbed at Nai Harn Beach on Monday night has told the Phuket Gazette that he was probably “stabbed by mistake”. Giovanni, 33, who asked for his family name not to be published, is recovering at Bangkok Hospital Phuket, in Phuket Town, where he was released from the hospital’s intensive-care unit (ICU) yesterday. He was…
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Phuket Media Watch: European round-up
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community UN: Global economy to stumble in 2012 as unemployment and EU’s economic crisis continues Phuket Gazette / News WiresPHUKET: With Europe’s sovereign debt crisis continuing to unfold, countries around the world are expected to experience an economic slowdown during the year ahead, according to a United…
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Phuket Media Watch: Thailand regional round-up – Suu Kyi; Tony Blair; Khmer Rouge
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Opposition leader Suu Kyi registers to run in Myanmar by-election Phuket Gazette / News Wires PHUKET: Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday registered to run for a parliamentary seat in Myanmar’s upcoming by-election, a Burmese news organization in exile reported. The Nobel Peace Prize winner…
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Phuket update: US embassy maintains terror threat warning
PHUKET: The US Embassy in Bangkok sees American citizens in Thailand as still facing the threat of terrorism and will thus keep a controversial warning on its website, despite the Thai government’s insistence that Thailand is not a target for international terrorists, a senior embassy official said yesterday. “Nothing changes” when it comes to the perceived threats and America’s need…
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Phuket Media Watch: Balls up at Indonesian Railways
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Indonesia cracks down on ‘train surfing’ with concrete balls Phuket Gazette / News WIresPHUKET: Railway staff in Indonesia have begun hanging concrete balls above railway lines in an effort to stop commuters from riding the roofs of trains, the Jakarta Globe reported today. The grapefruit-sized concrete…
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