Phuket
Murder fugitive’s 10-year run ends with drug-fuelled road frenzy

PHUKET: A murder fugitive on the run for a decade was arrested yesterday in Phang Nga, just north of Phuket, after anarmed drug binge ended with police shooting out his tyres.
Phonchai “Bao” Phetrit, from Trang, wanted by Ladprao Police in Bangkok on a murder warrant issued in 2003, was finally placed under arrest after he rammed through three checkpoints, including one at the popular tourist beach resort Khao Lak.
Phang Nga Provincial Police Commander Chalit Kaewyarat led about 30 officers in getting the suspect into custody.
The pursuit began after police received reports of a man firing an M-16 into the air at Baan Bang La On, several kilometers north of Khao Lak Beach.
“Villagers said that after the man [Phonchai] fired a gun into the air, he jumped into a Toyota Vigo pickup truck and sped off southward toward Khao Lak,” Maj Gen Chalit said.
“He rammed through the Khao Lak police checkpoint, then headed to Tai Muang and broke through another checkpoint at the Lamkan Intersection, heading toward Phang Nga Town,” he added.
Phonchai then rammed and passed through another checkpoint set up at the Nop Pring T-junction, heading toward Thap Pud on the edge of Phang Nga Town.
“We used a truck to block the road in Thap Pud and gathered all the police officers we could muster from three police stations,” Gen Chalit said.
“Once Phonchai saw the roadblock and the number of officers standing ready, he slowed and started to turn the pickup around, so our officers shot out the two front tyres to stop him,” he added.
Wary that Phonchai was still armed with a loaded M-16, the officers spent 20 minutes cautiously persuading him to surrender.
In searching the pickup, they seized the M-16 and two magazines containing a total of 11 bullets, as well as a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver and bullets.
“We also seized black magic paraphernalia,” Gen Chalit said.
Mr Pornchai was charged with possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, carrying an illegal firearm in a public place, and firing a gun in a public area.
“We have now contacted Ladprao Police so we can hand the suspect over to face the murder charge,” Gen Chalit said.
“The suspect was not in good condition. He looked like he was on drugs,” explained the Phuket-born Gen Chalit, who worked many years at Chalong Police Station in Phuket.
“He confessed that he took ya ice [crystal methamphetamine] on Wednesday night and that he did not sleep. He also claimed that he did not want to harm anyone,” he added.
“Phonchai also admitted that the guns seized belonged to him. He said he wanted to carry them with him at all times because he believed that if he shot into the air, his pain, through black magic, would disappear,” Gen Chalit said.
— Kritsada Mueanhawong
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Visitors to Phuket from “highest risk” areas must show Covid-19 test results

People arriving Phuket from the “highest risk” areas are required to take a swab test by the staff at emergency operation centres (EOC) or show the test result document endorsed by the EOC staff made within 72 hours of their arrival. The revised order is effective from now until January 31, according to the Phuket Governor.
Those people who are on a brief business trip to Phuket need to show certificates from their employers describing the reason and necessity of their trips. If they want to leave their accommodations, they have to make a request to the EOC and clearly explain the reason as well as the time and destination. Visitors are also asked to avoid going to the community areas to avoid crowded gatherings.
It is noted that the revised order by the governor has not been officially promoted by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department. However, all visitors are still asked to register online via the Mor Chana contact tracing application and via www.gophuget.com according to the order re-issued on Friday.
SOURCE: Phuket News
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Tourism
The road less travelled – trekking to the Kalim Viewpoint

There are two well known ways to get from Kathu to Kalim or Kamala – one is across the Patong Hill, and the other is much longer, through Srisoonthorn and along the coastal road from Surin the Kamala (very scenic too).
But there’s also another way. Also very scenic but will take you about 2 hours through dense forest although there is a well-worn walking track. The track will take you from Kathu up to the Kalim Viewpoint. From here you can head back to Kathu along a different path, or down into Kalim, near Patong.
Starting about halfway down Soi Namtok in Kathu, you head up a nondescript road past the Flying Hanuman zipline attraction, although there’s no sign at the entrance to the soi (below). About the first kilometre is paved but then becomes increasingly ‘agricultural’ as you get higher into the hills, heading towards the Kalim Viewpoint. There’s also a small temple on the way up.
PHOTO: The start of the trek, a small soi off Soi Namtok – Google Maps
It will take around 2 hours to trek up to the Kalim Viewpoint. The walking is quite strenuous and you’ll need to be wearing the right shoes and take plenty of water – there’s no 7/11s on the way! As you get nearer the top, to the viewpoint, the track becomes less drivable although the track is still quite open and easy to follow. If you’re feeling a bit lazy you can take a motorbike about halfway up the road until you’ll need to proceed on foot from there.
From the Kalim Viewpoint you can see across Kalim to Patong Bay and the land that stretches along the bay south of Patong Beach. From the top you can either make your way down to Kalim or another exit along the Kalim-Kamala Road, just near the Iguana Beach Club.
You can also head back another way to Kathu, a longer return track that skirts around the top of the Kathu Waterfall. A lot of that track gets very narrow and parts of it are up and down the hills, some of it very steep.
The views are amazing and you get to see a vast swathe of Phuket, still very close to popular locations like Patong, Kamala and Kathu, but untouched by any civilisation.
You’ll need to be in reasonable health to take on the trip but, just to go up to the Kalim Viewpoint and back, or down into Kalim, should take around 5 hours in total. On a scale of 1 – 5 for difficulty, we’d rate it a 3. An easy trek for experienced people but will need a bit of planning if you’re not an experienced trekker.
Even on a hazy day, as it was today, the views were amazing. But best to start off early morning when the weather is cooler. Well worth the time for the views and the opportunity to see more of Phuket, away from the bars and beaches.
Thanks to BT for the pics and information.
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Phuket
Police say Phuket school won’t be charged for employing foreign teachers without a work permit

An international school in Phuket is not facing charges for employing foreign teachers without a work permit, police told the Phuket News. Back in November, 2 British nationals were arrested at the Palm House International School in Rawai in a raid by Phuket Immigration officers, acting on a tip that teachers were working at the school without a work permit.
The case was handed over to the Chalong Police. The department was also requested to investigate the school for suspected illegal hiring practices. When pressed by Phuket News reporters, the Chalong Police Chief Sarawut Chuprasit said the school officials are not facing any charges for employing the teachers illegally, without a work permit, and referred reporters to the provincial prosecutor.
“I have no reason to press any charge against the school at all. It is not right to accuse the school.”
Many schools in Thailand, especially international schools, obtain work permits for foreign teachers and even pay the fees. It’s also fairly common for foreign teachers to work without the proper documents, especially during the pandemic where travel restrictions make border runs nearly impossible.
Phuket News say police will not release the names of the 2 British teachers and will not give any additional information. They add that the provincial prosecutor’s office will also not release information without a police case number or suspects’ names. In a previous report, Phuket Immigration Deputy Chief also declined to identify the British nationals by name or age.
“Their visa status does not allow them to work or perform any form of business. They were arrested as they are suspected of working without a work permit.”
SOURCE: Phuket News
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