Phuket

Milo the orangutan dies after stroke

Published

2 years ago

May 12, 2016

Legacy Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: Milo, the beloved orangutan saved from captivity at the Phuket Zoo, passed away last night, Warapong Kosarat, a veterinarian at the Pasupalun Livestock & Wildlife Hospital confirmed.

The 13-year-old orangutan disappeared from the Phuket Zoo ahead of a raid on the facility in February (story here).

Khao Phra Thaeo Non Hunting Zone officers then discovered her trapped in a locked cage, after she was allegedly released into the jungle (story here).

Milo was immediately transferred to the Phang Nga Wildlife Nursery Station, where she was receiving medical care while waiting for approval from the Department of National Parks (DNP) director to be moved to the Khao Prathap Chang Wildlife Sanctuary in Ratcha Buri, which houses a number of orangutans.

She was expected to be moved there later this month, until her health deteriorated suddenly.

In a Facebook post, Vicki Kiely, the local animal-rights activist who helped spearhead the push to free Milo from the Phuket Zoo, said she died somewhere between 8pm and 9pm last night.

“I know she was suffering greatly, and obviously gave up her long battle with her stroke last night,” Ms Kiely’s post reads. “I did all that I could for her. I loved her more than life. I put so much on the line to get her her freedom, and to show her love and compassion.

“She was my friend and brought a great joy to both my life and my childrens’, even in her dark days as prisoner in the Zoo… we struck a bond that I will never forget, and her spirit and personality will be with me forever.

“I wish that she could have fought more, but I think the illness was too severe for her to recover.”

Milo’s case has brought exotic animal smuggling and exploitation in Thailand to the limelight as conservationists such as Edwin Wiek, founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand (WFFT), battle to free these animals.

In February, more than 12,000 people signed a petition organized by Change.org, calling for ‘Help for Milo’ (story here).

— Kongleaphy Keam

Phuket

New Phuket governor arrives October 1

Published

4 hours ago

August 14, 2018

Kritsada Mueanhawong

The New Phuket Governor will start to work on the island on October 1 while the current governor Norraphat Plodthong will be finishing at the end of next month.

The cabinet has approved the new Phuket governor to replace current Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong who will be retiring this September 30.

The new Phuket governor, Pakkapong Tawipat, is the current Phitsanulok Governor.

Governor Pakkapong’s qualifications include…

High school from Suankularb Wittayalai School.
Bachelor of Political Science,Chulalongkorn university
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) American International College, Springfield Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Governor Pakkapong was also a former Phang Nga governor and a former Vice Governor of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and Saraburi in central Thailand.

Governors are shuffled around every 18 months to 2 years and appointed directly by the Thai Cabinet. Governor Norraphat started work on April 10, 2017.

Phuket

University students arrested with 14K methamphetamine pills

Published

6 hours ago

August 14, 2018

Kritsada Mueanhawong

Eight suspects have been arrested with over 14,000 methamphetamine pills and 104 grams of crystal methamphetamine over the past two days. Two of them are senior university students.

28 year old Tanapat Naoprai and Sarocha Horgiean were living at a house in Rawai. Both are senior law students of a university in Phuket. Officers seized 14,000 methamphetamine pills from their house. They were taken to the Chalong Police Station where they have been charged with illegal possession of Category 1 Drugs with intent to sell.

36 year old Wisit Poomnak was arrested at Chalong Temple. Officers seized 8.38 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 18 methamphetamine pills. He was taken to the Chalong Police Station where he was charged with illegal possession of Category 1 Drug with intent to sell.

30 year old Nantawan Sritongkun was arrested in front of a FamilyMart in Chalong. Officers seized 7 methamphetamine pills. She was taken to the Chalong Police Station where she has been charged with illegal possession of Category 1 Drugs.

27 year old Mallika Songmuang was arrested at a house in Wichit. Officers seized 0.47 grams of crystal methamphetamine. She was taken to the Wichit Police Station where she has been charged with illegal possession of Category 1 Drugs.

27 year old Tachama Nengnoi and 20 year old Tabpon Nengnoi were arrested at a house in Wichit also. Officers seized from Tachama 28.68 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 79 methamphetamine pills. Officer also seized from Tabpon 1.89 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a handgun and 37 bullets.

Tachama and Tabpon were taken to the Wichit Police Station. Tachama has been charged with illegal possession of Categoty 1 Drugs with intent to sell. Tabpon has been charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition and Category 1 Drugs with intent to sell.

And 41 year old Rsart Tawan was arrested on Wichit Songkram Road in Phuket Town. Officers seized 100 methamphetamine pills. He was taken to the Phuket City Police Station where he was charged with illegal possession of Category 1 Drugs with intent to sell.

Officers also found a bag containing 100.60 grams of crystal methamphetamine inside a box under a tree in Soi Rat-U-thit in Wichit.

Phuket

One rescued, one dead, one missing in Phuket surf

Published

9 hours ago

August 14, 2018

The Thaiger

Nai Harn lifeguards have rescued a male Chinese tourist from the surf whilst another female Chinese tourists was later found dead on the beach. Another one was also reported missing at Karon beach yesterday (August 13).

Lifeguards at Nai Harn Beach were notified at 7pm after finishing work that two swimmers were having trouble in the surf. Two lifeguards went into the water with up to two metre waves.

A male Chinese tourist was fished out of the surf while the female Chinese tourist remained missing. A search was immediately launched.

At 10.10pm, the body of the missing female Chinese tourist was found to have washed up on Nai Harn Beach, not far from where she went missing.

Just north at Karon Beach, Police were alerted at 7pm that a tourist was missing. A search was launched and kept going until midnight. As of this morning, the swimmers has not yet been located.