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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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…
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PGTV News Friday 21st July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening features an update on the proposed Tsunami Memorial in Khao Lak which has received official approval, a look at how mob tactics may have worked to prevent further road accidents in Khor En, and we look at how english is being taught to officials to help them in their daily tasks. In addition to these…
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F1 boat racing for Phuket in 2008
PHUKET: The Formula 1 boat racing that was due to come to Phuket in March 2005 but was canceled following the tsunami, will come in 2008 instead, the Gazette learned today. Bangkok-based organizers Paragon Events announced that the Phuket race will take place from March 14 to 16, 2008, in the Deep Sea Port at Ao Makham. “The F1 UIM…
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Unleaded, please
A determined thief learned the hard way that toy guns are not very effective in carrying out armed robberies, especially when the intended victim is packing real heat. At 12:15 am on July 11, Pol Lt Col Prayong Khotsakha, an Inspector with Udon Thani’s Muang District Police, received a report of an attempted robbery at a small gas station in…
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PGTV News Thursday 20th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening features an update on the proposed Chalong-Patong highway, a look at how mobile phone numbers will be increased to ten digits, music from a famous Tibetan monk and musician and a story about how changing a flower’s name made it popular. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show…
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Gov calls meeting for dive industry regulation
PHUKET: Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura will convene a public hearing to discuss impending changes aimed at regulating the island’s dive industry, some members of which have come under suspicion of evading taxes and employing foreign nationals without work permits.Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Nivit Aroonrat told the Gazette on July 18 that the Governor has accepted the general concept of…
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PGTV News Wednesday 19th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening features the latest information on the earthquake and tsunami in Java, a report on a large drugs bust in Phuket, advise on getting a dog and a trip to the Saphan Hin Flower fair. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features a documentary about hydroponics and gardening…
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Phuket unaffected by Java earthquake
PHUKET (Gazette, Nation, Kom Chad Luek): Thailand was not affected by the 7.2-Richter magnitude earthquake that sent deadly two-meter tsunami waves crashing into the Indonesian island of Java on Monday, killing at least 300 people.Although the quake was stronger than the 7.0 Richter threshold used by the Nonthaburi-based National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) for issuing tsunami warnings, the distance from…
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Gov backs Chalong-Patong highway
PHUKET CITY: Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura has thrown his weight behind a proposal to build a 206-million-baht six-lane highway linking Patong with Chalong.At a meeting held today at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, Governor Udomsak explained that the highway would be 4.5 kilometers long and would follow the route of the current two-lane road leading to Wat Luang Phu Supha in…
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Police arrest school-run mum, seize 6,000 ya bah pills
PHUKET CITY: Police yesterday stopped a 25-year-old woman after she dropped her daughter off at Kajornkietsuksa School on Pattana Rd, and searched her car. In it they discovered 3,000 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills. She was also found to have 63,000 baht in her possession.Pol Col Phuwadol Vudduccanok, Deputy Superintendent of Phuket City Police Station, yesterday named the woman as Aroonporn…
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More direct flights to Phuket
PHUKET: The island’s tourism industry received a shot in the arm this week with the announcement by one of Denmark’s largest travel agencies that it will add two additional direct charter flights to Phuket weekly, starting in November, because current flights are already fully booked. Krabi received good news as well, with Singapore-based low-cost carrier Tiger Airways announcing that it…
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PGTV News Monday 17th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening features a story about a possible second helicopter service in Phuket, a warning about the strong currents at this time of year, and a trip to a butterfly farm. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features an interview with photographers Dan Miles and Khun Poy – the “Ting…
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PGTV News Friday 14th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening finds features a story about four new libraries being built in Phuket, a look at two fairs and the Hotel exhibition and a tasty visit to one of the island’s Thai cooking schools. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features an interview with a local transexual. PGTV,…
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Raiders heading for Phuket
PHUKET: The island may still be waiting for the F1 boat races to come but, in the meantime, waterborne entertainment of a different kind will be heading for Phuket in December, in the form of the Rubson Raid Turquoise 2006. The Rubson Raid, now in its sixth year, was devised by Belgian Philippe Martin as an event for large, fast,…
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Aussie plans to launch second helitour firm
PHUKET: Australian Harry Kerylidis this morning met with Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura to solicit his support to launch Phuket Heli-Tours, which would become the island’s second helicopter tour company.Mr Kerylidis explained that the idea originated from Capt Bob Pagett who, he said, has been operating helicopter tours in Queensland, Australia, “flying stars around” for the past seven years, and now…
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PGTV News Thursday 13th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening finds features an update on the 46 million Baht “Welcome Gateway” to Phuket, a look at three new attractions at Phuket Fantasea, and a first hand account of Bungee jumping in Phuket. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features an interview with a local transexual. PGTV, produced…
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PGTV News Wednesday 12th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening finds out why an angry mob blocked Thepkrasatri Rd. We also look at the World Cup final in the Green Man and visit the Kathu Waterfall. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features an interview with a young “Luk Kreung”. PGTV, produced by the Phuket Gazette, is aired daily…
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PGTV News Tuesday 11th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening features a story about the airport limousine concession, news about rising gold and sugar prices, and a look at “pretty” girls. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features an interview with property consultant Bill Barnett. PGTV, produced by the Phuket Gazette, is aired daily on the Phuket…
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Moviemakers seek extras
PHUKET CITY: Thai Occidental Productions is calling for extras for its production Man Eaters, a series of five 90-minute, made-for-television movies to filmed on location in Krabi. Interested people of all nationalities, races and ages are encouraged to attend either of the two audition sessions being held by the production company on Sunday. In Phuket, auditions will be held from…
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Police stumped by gold shop shooting
PHUKET CITY: Police say they have no leads in their investigation into the murder of Theeradet Patarapranee, 48, who was gunned down while closing up the family’s shop, Bangkok Gold, on Phang Nga Rd on Thursday last week.Pol Lt Col Somkid Boonrat of Phuket City Police Station, who is leading the investigation, quoted witnesses as reporting that a gunman on…
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Build it and they will come
PHITSANULOKE: Found in all civilized parts of the world, the short-time hotel reaches its apotheosis in Bangkok, where places that have parking spaces with curtains have hosted innumerable trysts while successfully keeping their clients out of the view of prying eyes and potential blackmailers. Unfortunately, short-time hotels are not evenly distributed around Thailand and, where they can be found, they…
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Tipple, piddle, topple
At first police thought it might be a case of suicide when local real estate magnate Siri, 52, was found dead in the early hours of the morning on the ground below the balcony of his home. After searching the man’s apartment and finding no signs of a struggle or break-in, police were coming to the conclusion that poor Siri,…
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Dates set for provincial by-elections
PHUKET CITY: By-elections are to be held to fill two positions in the Phuket Provincial Council after one member resigned and another died. The first by-election will be held on July 22 in the Kathu area in District 2. The 17 polling stations will be open from 8 am to 3 pm. The member for this constituency, Boonma Eabsub, resigned…
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Telecoms giant picks PGTV as partner
BANGKOK: Phuket’s own English-language TV service, PGTV, has been chosen by Thai telecoms giant TT&T as a provider for its new MaxnetTV.net website.Maxnet carries real-time programs from TV stations and local cable TV for broadband Internet users.Prachuab Tantinon, President of TT&T plc, explained at the recent soft launch, “MaxnetTV.net is home to a variety of multimedia content to match the…
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FantaSea to add “attractions’
KAMALA (The Nation): Phuket FantaSea theme park will add three new attractions this year: the Similan Entertainment Center, the Songbird Luminarie and the Tiger Adventure Safari.Phuket FantaSea CEO Kittikorn “Pin” Kewkacha said the Similan Entertainment Center, to be located in the park’s Festival Village, will open July 14. The center will showcase the ocean world and feature games, novelty shops,…
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Book Fair comes to Phuket
PHUKET: The annual Southern Book Fair, which is traditionally staged in Haad Yai, will this year be in Phuket, at the Big C supercenter, on the bypass road, from July 12 to 16.Apichart Kaewkubpet, Chairman of the Phuket branch of the Book Lovers’ Club, told the Gazette, “At the fair will be a wide variety of books at more than…
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PGTV News July 6th 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening looks at an exhibition of HM the King’s paintings, news about Phuket flora going on show in Chiang Mai, and a story about the opportunities for prison inmates. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features a documentary about beliefs and superstitions in Phuket. PGTV, produced by the Phuket Gazette,…
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PGTV News Wednesday 5th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening features a story about inflation in Thailand, related news about an increase in the use of pawn shops, and a story about the Phuket Thai boxing team who are leaving for Nonthaburi. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features a documentary about kick boxing in Phuket. PGTV, produced…
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PGTV News for Tuesday 4th July 2006
PGTV’s Phuket News this evening features a story about what the “Aftermath” movie crew left behind, a meeting with a group of kids from Bermuda wishing to help tsunami victims, and a story about 100 free knee surgeries being offered by the Vachira hospital. In addition to these and other news stories focused on Phuket, this evening’s show features a…
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Woman found murdered on beach
RAWAI: The body of Tada Sa-nguansuk, a 49-year-old motorbike taxi driver in Phuket City, was found on the beach near Wichit Bungalow late in the afternoon of June 28.She had been raped and her throat had been slashed.Pol Col Chalit Kaewyarat, Superintendent of Chalong Police Station, told the Gazette that staff at Wichit Bungalow made the gruesome discovery and reported…
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