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 How much is Thai health insurance?
Health insurance in Thailand is essential for expats and locals, providing financial protection and access to quality care. Costs depend on age, health, and coverage level, with basic plans being cheaper but limited and comprehensive plans offering more benefits at...
-
Two brothers stabbed to death
PHUKET CITY: The bodies of two brothers from Udon Thani who had been beaten and stabbed to death were found near an ice factory about 700 meters north of Sri Suchart Grand View housing estate, on the bypass road, about 6 am on Wednesday.Pol Lt Col Chokechai Suthimek, of Phuket City Police Station, told the Gazette that the men were…
-
Alleged killer cop surrenders
PHUKET CITY: Narcotics agent Pol Sen S/Maj Manot Junjuer, accused of shooting two people at point-blank range yesterday, killing one of them and seriously injuring the other, turned himself in this morning at the Phuket City Police Station.The dead man was named as Seksit Kulra-uk. The injured man, who is in a serious condition at Wachira Phuket Hospital, was an off-duty…
-
O’Hanlon murder suspect surrenders
PATONG: Paul Chetwynd-Talbot, sought for the murder of his girlfriend, Debra O’Hanlon, who was found dead on Tuesday afternoon (see story here), turned himself in to the police last night. Pol Col Teeraphol Tipjaroen, Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, told the Gazette that Talbot had come to the front of the police station at about 8pm last night and had…
-
British woman murdered, boyfriend sought
PATONG: A 31-year old British woman, Debra O’Hanlon, was found dead in the Eric Guesthouse on Nanai Rd around 2 pm yesterday. Police say they are searching for her boyfriend, Briton Paul Chetwynd-Talbot, also 31 and also British, in connection with her death.The two were apparently staying in the same room in the guesthouse and police told the Gazette that…
-
Patong Bay “cleaner’ after tsunami
PATONG: When people noticed that, right after the tsunami, the water in Patong Bay seemed to be the clearest it had been in years, they were not imagining things.Levels of harmful bacteria in the bay were reduced to nearly zero right after the tsunami, researchers from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) learned when sampling the water on January 20.The announcement…
-
The morning after
NAKHON PATHOM: The 47-year-old host of a wedding ceremony in Nakhon Chaisri District currently stands accused of twice raping a 98-year-old neighbor while drunk. A report of the alleged rape was made on July 18 by Nakhon Chaisri District Police Deputy Superintendent Surapoj Phisuttiwong, who identified the alleged rapist as Udon Som-in, a native of Ubon Ratchathani Province. Udon was…
-
Roads claim 11 lives in June
PHUKET: Official figures obtained from Wachira, Thalang and Patong hospitals, as well as Phuket International and Ruampaet private hospitals show that 11 people died in motorcycle accidents on Phuket’s roads during June.In addition, one person was killed in a car accident.The hospital records also show that, during June, 1,134 people were injured in road accidents. Of these, 1,056 were on…
-
“Hilal Town’ attracts big crowds
KAMALA: Thousands attended the grand opening of the “Halal Food Hilal Town” Muslim festival at Kamala Beach last night.Organized by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the event is scheduled to run until Monday (August 1).Privy Councilor Gen Surayud Chulanont declared the festival open in a ceremony followed by the presentation of a play about…
-
Tennis ace Vijay due in Phuket
PHUKET: World-renowned tennis player Vijay Amritraj, from India, will visit Phuket next week to tour tsunami-hit areas in the region as part of his role as a United Nation Messenger of Peace. Mr Armritraj, well-known, since retiring from professional tennis, as a commentator on Grand Slam tennis events on the ESPN Star Sports network, was appointed one of only nine…
-
La Samudra takes the lead
PHUKET: Scott Duncanson and the crew aboard Securicor Som Tam Express were first across the finish line again today in both races on the second day of the Evason Phuket Race Week – but not by a large enough margin to repeat yesterday’s outright win.On corrected time, Som Tam was overtaken in Race 2 in the IRC 1 class by…
-
Man found murdered in Pa Khlok
PA KHLOK: A Thai man was found battered and dead this morning on the shore near Bangpae Seafood restaurant. Pol Maj Chamroon Plaiduang, inspector of Thalang Police Station, told the Gazette that the discovery of the body by local people was reported at about 8 am. An ID card found on the corpse identified him as Prasit Laowongsa, aged 27,…
-
Sinking brings drama to Race Week
PHUKET: Westerly winds of eight knots provided exciting sailing on the first dayof the 2005 Evason Phuket Race Week, producing some thrills and spills among the fleet of 29 boats competing – and even a sinking.Ava, in the IRC 2 Class, was trying to get out of dirty air from La Samudra when she hit a rock, holing the hull…
-
B2m aid theft case takes a step
PHUKET CITY: The case of the stolen 2.05 million baht in tsunami aid money has entered a new stage, Deputy Provincial Public Prosecutor Thanit Adisakpaisan has revealed.The Chief of the Finance Division of the Phuket Provincial Financial Office, Apichart Nooprod, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, is accused of being the ringleader in the theft, which was reported on February 15. Apichart…
-
Missing Italian found dead
PHUKET: The body of an Italian tourist who disappeared while snorkeling at Laem Ka Yai on Friday was found the following day on the beach at Khao Khad.Pol Lt Thivakorn Kongpeth of Phuket City Police Station told the Gazette that Gianluigi Peria had been staying at Ya Nui Resort in Chalong with his companion, Silvia Rota.When he failed to return…
-
Tsunami alarm “a success’
PHUKET: A tsunami warning has been declared a “90% success” after the alert went out late last night from the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC).The alert, urging evacuation of the Andaman coast, came after an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck the Nicobar Islands, only 664 kilometers from Phuket.At 11 pm, Plodprasop Suraswadi, Director of the NDWC in…
-
Phuket flight services picking up
PHUKET: In moves that appear to signal a revival of tourist confidence in Phuket, several airlines have begun boosting their regional services to Phuket or have announced plans to do so soon.Orient Thai resumed its daily Phuket-Hong Kong-Phuket service on July 15, and has announced that it will operate chartered flights between Phuket and the South Korean cities of Inchon…
-
Premier League workshop a success
PHUKET CITY: A soccer workshop hosted by players and managers from English Premier League teams Bolton Wanderers, Everton and Manchester City at Surukal Stadium today attracted about 50 youngsters keen to have a kickabout with their idols.Unfortunately, word had spread about the initial cancellation of the workshop, with the result that number fell far short of the 400 expected to…
-
Limo protest delays improved airport taxi service
PHUKET CITY: A protest by about 100 airport limousine drivers at Provincial Hall yesterday morning successfully delayed the setting up of a taxi counter in the airport terminal.It also prevented the number of meter taxis serving the airport from being increased from 30 to 70 with effect from next Monday (July 25).“The Phuket Taxi Meter counter is currently 50 meters…
-
Ya bah arrests “on the increase’
PHUKET CITY: The number of arrests for possession or use of ya bah (methamphetamine) has doubled since April, the Gazette has learned. Pol Capt Aikanit Danpitaksart of the Phuket City Police told the Gazette that he believes the number of people using the drug is increasing, despite Thailand being in the third phase of the government’s “war on drugs”.He said…
-
Wat Kamala “beautifully blitzed’
KAMALA: True to their promise, the folks from the popular Australian TV gardening design program Backyard Blitz, have completed their 48-hour makeover of the gardens at Wat Kamala, which were washed away by the tsunami.The program, which airs on Australian TV Channel 9, specializes in renovating people’s gardens along themed lines, and doing it in record time. This is the…
-
Rains to continue
PHUKET: The island can expect one or two more days of occasional heavy rain due to “rather strong” monsoonal conditions along Thailand’s entire Andaman coast, government weathermen have predicted.According to a forecast issued at 11 am this morning, about 80% of the southwest coast will experience thundershowers over the 24-hour period starting at noon today, with heavy rainfall in some…
-
Police plea for alcohol-free holy days
PHUKET: Police have asked shops, bars, restaurants and hotels not to sell alcohol from midnight tonight until midnight on Friday, to honor Asarnha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day.Phuket City Police Superintendent Pol Col Paween Pongsirin explained that although there is no legal requirement for outlets to stop selling alcohol during these two days – and those who do will…
-
Phuket to host first 80-80 international rugby tournament
PHUKET: Dr Marut Muangkeo, President of the Thai Rugby Union (TRU), has announced that the world’s first international 80-80 rugby tournament, in which all players each must not weigh more than 85 kilograms, will be held in Phuket from August 6 to 14.Apart from the weight restriction, 80-80 rugby is full 15-a-side contact rugby played under the existing International Rugby…
-
Hotel occupancy rates rise 15pc
PHUKET: Hotel occupancy rates on the island for July are expected to be up 15% when compared with June, thanks mainly to Tourism Authority of Thailand marketing, Pattanapong Aikwanich, President of the Phuket Tourist Association, predicted today. “There have been many Thai groups who bought the ‘Beach basking, bargain shopping’ packages, as well as tourists from Australia, the Middle East,…
-
Gazette appointed agent for major magazines
PHUKET: The Phuket Gazette Co Ltd has been awarded the local agency appointment for a number of major international publications which have expressed interest in expanding their business here. Readers wishing to subscribe to Business Week, Business Traveller, Time, Forbes, Fortune, or Reader’s Digest (English and Chinese editions) are invited to contact the Gazette to make the necessary arrangements. The magazines will be delivered by…
-
Property tax break ill-timed – Phummisak
PHUKET: Phummisak Hongsyok, President of the Phuket Real Estate Club (PREC), yesterday criticized the government’s move to reduce the tax on transfer of property ownership as ill-timed and inappropriate.His criticism came despite the fact that many would assume that real estate companies and property developers would welcome the proposed tax break as a stimulant, however small, to house sales.The proposal…
-
Police appeal for new wheels
PHUKET CITY: Phuket City Police Superintendent Col Paween Pongsirin is appealing for public donations to help buy badly-needed police vehicles for his cash-strapped department. Col Paween told the Gazette last week that although cars and motorcycles are essential for police work, seven of the department’s 14 squad cars are no longer roadworthy or are currently being repaired. He added that…
-
December quake moved Phuket 27cm
LONDON: Scientists say that Phuket moved 27 centimeters to the southwest when the massive tsunami-generating quake erupted near Sumatra on December 26 last year, and moved a further 7cm in the 50 days following the quake.Writing in the latest issue of the respected Nature magazine, published yesterday, scientists say that the quake ripped a gash in the Earth’s crust more…
-
Tsunami alarm system online in August
PHUKET: The island’s tsunami warning system will be linked in August via satellite to the Nonthaburi-based National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC).Patong, which has been chosen for the pilot project of the NDWC’s tsunami warning system for the entire Andaman coast, is home to three NDWC warning towers and there are plans to increase the number of towers to cover 24…
-
Store owner’s death “was suicide’
KATHU: A grocery store owner living in the Moo Baan Irawadee housing development in Ketho apparently committed suicide early this morning by shooting himself in the head. Pol Lt Col Ampolwat Saengraung of Tung Tong Police Station identified the man as 35-year-old Songkhla native Prawee “Ead” Kaewbutr.He lived with his daughter and common-law wife, who discovered his body in a…
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.