Governor Maitri Inthusut honors Phuket Gazette’s 20th anniversary

PHUKET: Managers and staff members past and present were joined by more than 500 business leaders, readers, writers and friends of the island’s main newspaper to celebrate the 20th anniversary milestone of the Phuket Gazette at a party hosted by founder and publisher John Magee and wife Janpen Arno in Cherng Talay.

Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut, a regular columnist for the Gazette, kicked off the evening with a brief address:

“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we are here to honor the Gazette newspaper on its twenty-year anniversary. In the two decades of its existence, the Gazette has been an indispensable part of our province.

So tonight, on behalf of all Phuket citizens, it is my joyful duty to salute the professional individuals who for twenty years have toiled and strived to make history and have made the Gazette what it is today.

I would like to salute a remarkable leader and the head of the business team at Gazette, Oranee Hildebrand, managing director. She has put together a competent business team with a bright smile. Oranee, you have our trust, admiration and love, and we are looking forward to working with you for many years to come.

I would also like to salute John Magee, the founder and publisher, whose generosity has made this newspaper possible. We can now say that the Gazette has become the newspaper that all Phuket citizens read every week. The Gazette is a constructive voice for Phuket. It continues to promote the ideals of a free and democratic society, and to provide a public platform for Phuket citizens to express their opinions, thus contributing to the strength of our province. The Gazette has always strived to be accurate and neutral and always shares the news in a sober and responsible manner.

I can assure you that in the years to come, with God’s blessing and your support, the Gazette will always be number one in Phuket, as the voice of reason and conscience. That is why I am here today: to celebrate with you and thank you for being a strong voice. Once again, congratulations on your 20th anniversary. Thank you very much.”