Phuket

Health officials call for a ‘safer’ Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Published

6 years ago

September 27, 2012

Health officials call for a ‘safer’ Phuket Vegetarian Festival | The Thaiger

PHUKET: With 70 people injured and one person dying from complications brought on by smoke inhalation during the Vegetarian Festival last year, the Phuket Health Office is calling for more stringent measures to protect celebrants from harm this year.

Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) chief Dr Sak Tanchaikul called the heads of Chinese shrines taking part in the this year’s festival together on Tuesday to urge them to send the message to their devotees and spirit medium (mah song) carers to step up safety during their festivities.

“This year the festival will be on October 15-23 and a lot of tourists will come to the island to see the various spirit mediums in the festival. During these activities, the mah song walk barefoot over hot coals, climb bladed ladders, and during the street processions people light firecrackers,” Dr Sak said.

“Last year, many people were injured during the festival: 29 people were injured from performing with weapons and 41 people were injured from firecrackers, smoke and noise, of which 14 suffered injuries to the eyes and 25 people hurt their arms and legs.

“Two people suffocated from smoke inhalation; one of those two people later died,” he added.

Dr Sak pointed out that noise was becoming a major concern, with the average firecrackers celebration at the shrines reaching 122.6 decibels. “Jui Tui Shrine was the loudest, reaching 135dB,” he explained.

“About 3,000 firecrackers were used in about 15 seconds,” he added.

“We held this meeting to ensure we all have the same understanding of preserving the safety of everyone who attends the festival,” Dr Sak added

— Kritsada Mueanhawong

Phuket

Phuket tourist decides hotel awning more comfortable than his room

Published

1 day ago

February 22, 2019

Kritsada Mueanhawong

Phuket tourist decides hotel awning more comfortable than his room | The Thaiger

PHOTOS: Rawai Rescue workers / Phuket Tourist Police

The Phuket Tourist Police have been notified that a tourist had jumped from a building in Rawai and ended up on a steel awning covering the bottom floor today. But that wasn’t, in fact, what had happened.

The local Tourist Police say the owner of the building told staff at the Tourist Assistance Centre that the tourist had checked into the room on February 13.

The tourist didn’t actually jump down from the building but had moved a mattress from his room on to the awning and slept on it (mosquitos!!) He was also drunk and damaged some property inside the room.

The man is a 37 year old Estonian tourist. He was staying at the room with a 25 year old male friend.

Chalong Police have charged them both with being drunk and damaging property. They have said that they will pay for all damages to the owner of the property. They are heading back home on February 26.

Phuket

Patong motorbike racer arrested and fined – VIDEO

Published

2 days ago

February 22, 2019

The Thaiger

PHOTO: Patong Police

Patong Police yesterday arrested a motorbike racer after identifying him and his motorbike from video clips that were popular in social media this week.

Patong Police are investigating alleged foreign motorbike racing gangs in Patong after video clips went viral in local social media.

Read more about the racing around Patong’s streets HERE.

Patong Police report that they have now arrested one motorbike racer and charged him with the maximum fine.

Patong Police are also asking motorbike rental operators to explain basic traffic rules for motorbike drivers who want to rent a motorbike.

(The Thaiger is assuming this would be covered when they get their motorbike license, which they are required to have before a motorbike is rented to them.)

PHUKETForeigners racing around Patong. Who would have thought?! https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/police-investigate-motorbike-hoons-in-patongVIDEO: เป็นปากเป็นเสียง

Posted by The Thaiger on Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Phuket

500 free helmets handed out to motorbike drivers in Patong

Published

2 days ago

February 22, 2019

Kritsada Mueanhawong

500 free helmets handed out to motorbike drivers in Patong | The Thaiger

Patong Development Foundation together with Patong Police and Patong Municipality have given 500 helmets to motorbike drivers in Patong today under the campaign ‘Wear your helmet’.

Handing out the 500 helmets to motorbike user in Patong was led by Patong Police Chief Col Anothai Jindamanee, Patong Municipality Chalermluck Kebsup and President of Patong Development Foundation Preechawut ‘Prap’ Keesin.

Col Anothai says, “Many motorbike drivers have been injured and died in road accident. We want 100 percent of motorbike drivers and passengers wearing helmets. ”

“More motorbike riders are now wearing helmets as the number of not wearing helmet charges has been dropping in Patong with better enforcement.”