News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
The Thaiger is your essential resource for staying connected with Thailand’s captivating blend of tradition and modernity. To remain in the loop with the country’s most trusted news source, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
-
Sponsored
Last chance for Thaiger readers: Get 10% off your health insurance—Offer ends in 5 days!
Did you know that treating a broken leg can cost around 200,000 THB for uninsured patients, and a three-day hospital stay for conditions like dengue fever averages 40,000 to 80,000 THB in Thailand? While healthcare in Thailand is more affordable...
-
Progress for pilgrims
CHIANG MAI: Chiang Mai’s famous Phrasingha Temple has unveiled its new 1.6- million-baht public bathroom, which the temple clergy hope will claim this year’s coveted “Toilet of the Year” award. Monks at the temple, which receives hundreds of Thai and foreign tourists a day and as many as 3,000 on Buddhist holidays, saw the need for improvements to its restroom…
-
Ya bah busts yield 4,692 pills
KATHU: Thun Tong Police arrested two ya bah (methamphetamine) dealers on Saturday night in Soi Thida, Kathu, seizing 4,692 pills of the illegal stimulant.An undercover officer, posing as a dealer, paid 20,000 baht for 100 pills from Somsak Lertprakit, 34, from Korat. Once the sale was complete, officers led by Pol Maj Gen Theerachai Raktiprakorn of the Tung Tong Police…
-
Police colonel linked to killing of editor
PHUKET: A police lieutenant-colonel has been arrested in connection with the murder of local newspaper editor Opas Noothong in April this year.The arrest came after a gun belonging to Pol Lt Col Hattakarn Klinlokai, Inspector for Crime Suppression at Tambon Suksamran police station in Ranong, was found in the car of another suspect, Veenakorn Boonyiun. Forensic tests later confirmed that…
-
Phuket flights hold off on using Suvarnabhumi
BANGKOK (The Nation): Despite caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal’s announcement yesterday that the new Suvarnabhumi Airport will be ready to accept domestic flights starting September 15, all Bangkok-bound domestic flights out of Phuket International Airport will continue to use Don Muang Airport until the new airport officially opens on September 28. Flights from major tourist cities, including Phuket and Chiang…
-
Security cameras deal signed
PHUKET: The provincial authorities are to install Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) monitoring systems in parts of Patong, Karon and Phuket City in an effort to boost security in popular tourist areas.At Phuket Provincial Police headquarters yesterday, Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Phuket Provincial Police and CAT Telecom, which will install…
-
Democrat wins Council by-election
PHUKET CITY: Despite active campaigning by all three candidates, voter turnout for the Phuket Provincial Council District 1 by-election on August 5 was low, with eventual winner Somkuan Tansakul of the Democrat party winning the vacant seat with just 839 votes. Coming second was engineer Wongwara Sa-nguansak, with 575 votes, while writer Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwittayaporn, who promised to bring…
-
PGTV News Monday 7th August 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News today features a story about educating young people about the risks of contracting HIV, an update on security measures in Phuket to prevent bird flu, and a look at the local Thai Chess championships. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features an interview with Cindy Ratcliffe MBE. PGTV, produced…
-
Provincial Council by-election to go ahead despite complaint filed
PHUKET CITY: Tomorrow’s District 1 Phuket Provincial Council by-election has been complicated by a complaint filed against one of the candidates, Somkuan Tansakul, to the Phuket Election Commission (PEC) by another candidate, Wongwara Sa-nguansak.K. Wongwara has alleged that K. Somkuan’s use of photos of Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) President Anchalee Vanich-Thepabutra in his campaign material and her open support…
-
Phuket teens targeted in HIV awareness drive
PHUKET: The growing number of young adults testing positive for HIV/Aids in the province has prompted the launch of an awareness drive aimed at teenagers and those in their early 20s.At Phuket Provincial Hall, former Senator for Khon Kaen and women’s rights activist Rabiabrat Pongpanich, who is currently President of the Society for Promoting Happy Families, chaired a meeting of…
-
English squire murdered, then burned
PETCHABURI (The Nation): An English country squire was killed and his body burnt on a charcoal fire after he divorced his Thai wife because of her gambling debts.After being burned, the body of Toby Charnaud, 41, was then dismembered and parts scattered in Kaeng Krachan national park, a court in Phetchaburi was told on Monday.Charnaud had sold Latimer Farm near…
-
PGTV News Wednesday 2nd August 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News today features a story about the first Phuket flight to the new Suvarnabhumi airport, a visit to the opening of the new Desjoyaux offices and has a spectacular photo of the latest victim of the Kata-Chalong hill road. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features an interview with Phuket…
-
MAS doubles KL-Phuket flights
PHUKET: Malaysia Airlines today resumed its pre-tsunami schedule between Phuket and Kuala Lumpur, reverting to two flights a day. As of today, flights take off from Kuala Lumpur at 9:30 am and 6:10 pm every day, with return flights at 10:25 am and 7:20 pm. An introductory return fare of 2,222 baht is being offered for flights taken before or…
-
Phuket tourism leaders tour Suvarnabhumi airport
PHUKET, BANGKOK: Following the inaugural flight from Phuket International Airport (PIA) to Thailand’s new Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday, key representatives of Phuket tourism businesses and the Provincial Government called on the central government to expand the major domestic airports throughout Thailand.With some 20 VIPs and members of the media from Phuket on board, Thai Airways International (THAI) flight TG 1882…
-
Rearing to go
KATA: The infamously steep stretch of Patak Rd climbing out of Kata toward Chalong claimed another victim today – a truck laden with concrete slabs.No one was hurt when the load slipped off the end of the truck, but it was a couple of hours before a crane, brought in to offload the cargo, cleared it all to the side…
-
PGTV News Monday 31st July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this today features an update on the third annual Evason Phuket Raceweek, news on a new ferry service between Phuket and Koh Yao and looks at Muslim head scarves. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features a documentart about volunteers in Phuket. PGTV, produced by the Phuket Gazette, is…
-
Samudra, Somtam dominate Race Week
PHUKET: Driving rain and strong winds of 20 knots hammered the 31 boats competing on the final day of the third Evason Phuket Raceweek regatta today, but it was not enough to dampen the spirits of the skippers and their crews, who battled on to finish the final race in trying conditions with little visibility.David Lindahl kept an almost perfect…
-
Duncanson keeps perfect record
PHUKET: Australian Scott Duncanson, a former junior world sailing champion, has a perfect record so far in this year’s Evason Phuket Race Week with five wins from the first five races.Duncanson, aboard the Phuket 8 Somtam Express in the sportsboat racing class, is ahead of another Phuket 8, Josh Lee’s Lee Marine Vino, with Wade Lewis’ Team Simpson Marine –…
-
PGTV News Friday 28th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening meets the recently elected president of the Phuket Tourist Association and discovers their goals for the coming years, looks at Phuket’s pilot E-Government programme and learns more about Phuket’s Heroine’s Monument. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features an interview with Phuket photographer Dan Miles. PGTV, produced…
-
Draft dive industry rules revealed
PHUKET: Provincial authorities have distributed to dive operators in Phuket a draft of new regulations governing the licensing of dive businesses. Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura has given the parties concerned seven days to reply with comments or suggestions about the regulations. The draft regulations, in Thai language, are divided into three parts. One part covers environmental concerns and protection of…
-
Jetstar announces schedules for Sydney-Phuket service
PHUKET: Australian budget airline Jetstar has unveiled its fares and flight schedules for long-haul international operations that will include a service between Sydney and Phuket, starting in November this year. Subject to regulatory approval, the airline, a subsidiary of Australian flag carrier Qantas, will launch its Thai operations on November 23 with a direct Melbourne-Bangkok service. The following day, Jetstar…
-
PGTV News Thursday 27th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening looks at the recently erected Kamala Tsunami Memorial, runs a story about an american caught with drugs, visits the new TAT Office and exposes credit card fraud here in Phuket. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features an interview with expats who not only speak Thai but…
-
PGTV News Wednesday 26th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening features updates on recent road shows to promote Phuket abroad, a story about the opening of the “Happy Home” in Patong, the results of recent local elections and we sample the wares of an egg and peanut lady. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features a documentary about…
-
American, 64, held on drugs charges
PATONG: Kathu Police on Saturday arrested American Michael Feldstein, 64, for possession of illegal drugs, after a search of the man’s apartment uncovered a variety of “recreational” drugs – including ya bah (methamphetamine).Kathu Police Deputy Inspector Pol Lt Patak Khwunna told Gazette that Feldstein, an engineer, had been under suspicion for about a month before his arrest. At around 7…
-
Island to host world sailing championships
PHUKET: The island has been chosen to host the 13th Tasar World Championships from July 2 to 11 next year, with a fleet of at least 60 boats expected to take part, the first time that the one-design championship for the 4.5-meter, two-person craft has been held in Phuket. The boats and approximately 200 crew and family members are expected…
-
Banker warns of boom in fake cards in Phuket
PHUKET: A senior banker has warned that there has been a dramatic rise in the number of counterfeit credit cards and ATM cards in Phuket and other tourism centers, such as Chiang Mai and Haad Yai. Prayootd Tansrisuwarn, Senior Vice President of Kasikorn Bank’s Retail and SME E-Business Department, told the Gazette that gangs of con artists are using “skimmer”…
-
Phuket to lead Thailand in e-government
PHUKET: An Internet website offering one-stop service from 15 private-sector and government bodies will be launched in Phuket in September, making the province the first in Thailand to offer such a service. The initiative, known as “One Click Finish All: One Stop Services”, is being designed by the Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA).When operational the website will give access to…
-
Phuket-Koh Yao ferry service launching soon
KOH YAO: Sea Canoe Thailand Co is to launch a new ferry service between Phuket, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai next month, with two round-trip crossings a day, beginning August 13.The company has invested 6.5 million baht in the project, to be served by a 200-seat ferryboat, the Pachcharat One. The ferry will leave Mah Noh pier on…
-
Phuket Tourist Association elects new leader
PHUKET: The Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) has elected Maitree Narukatpichai as its new president, replacing Pattanapong Aekwanich, and has at the same time announced its policy agenda for 2006-2008.K. Maitree, Owners’ Representative of the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, was elected, along with a new 18-member committee, at a meeting at the Phuket Merlin Hotel. The PTA elects a…
-
Kathu voters elect new OrBorJor member
KATHU: Charnsak Phummak has won the Phuket Provincial Council by-election held in the Kathu area of District 2 on July 22. K. Charnsak now becomes a member of the council until the end of its four-year term in March, 2008.The by-election was held to replace former council member Boonma Eabsub, who resigned on June 1. Of 7,371 eligible voters in…
-
Kamala tsunami memorial unveiled
KAMALA, PHUKET: Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop this morning officially unveiled the tsunami memorial in Kamala.Kamala was one of the two towns in Phuket worst hit by the December 26, 2004, tsunami, the other being Patong.The memorial, which forms the centerpiece of a new park in the town, is a 10-meter-high metal sculpture called Jitt Jakawan (Heart of the…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.