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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Four arrested for alleged involvement in attack at Abhisit’s house
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Four arrested for allegedly attacking Abhisit’s house The Nation/Phuket GazettePHUKET: Bangna Police have apprehended a woman and three men for alleged involvement in a series of attacks in Bangkok on anti-government rallies including a bomb attack at Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s Sukhumvit residence last night.Thaworn Senneam,…
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Too fast to be furious: Phuket speed cameras can’t keep up
PHUKET: Drivers on Phuket moving at reckless speeds of over 200km/hr are outpacing the ability of the island’s new speed cameras to capture clear images of them. “In Thalang, the cameras are set to photograph cars travelling in excess of 120km/hr. However, the images of the licenses plates on cars going extremely fast are too blurry to read,” Thalang Police…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Briton jailed 27 years for Florida murders seeks to reopen case
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Briton jailed 27 years for Fla. murders seeks to reopen case Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Lawyers for a British man convicted in Florida for a 1986 double homicide sought to reopen the case on Tuesday, claiming that three Colombian drug traffickers were the real killers.Krishna Maharaj’s lawyers…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Mexico vigilantes refuse to lay down arms
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Mexico vigilantes refuse to lay down arms in troubled state Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Vigilante groups battling a powerful drug cartel in a troubled region of Mexico on Tuesday rejected a government call to lay down their arms, raising the risk of an increased security headache for…
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Fatal accident on Kata Hill raises concerns about Patong Hill bus ban
PHUKET: Yet another bus accident, this time killing a motorcyclist on the Kata Hill road yesterday morning, has raised concerns about increased bus traffic in the area after the controversial Patong Hill bus ban takes effect. Worrapong Chaichomphu, 25, was travelling downhill toward Chalong when a bus travelling uphill crossed the center line and struck him in front of the…
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Phuket protest forces Provincial Hall to remain closed
PHUKET: Police today closed Surin Road in Phuket Town after anti-government protesters expanded their camp and forced Provincial Hall to remain closed for a second consecutive day. The protesters, led by former Rassada Mayor Suratin Lian-udom, compelled officials to close Provincial Hall (map here) yesterday as they staged a mass rally in support of the “Bangkok Shutdown” (story here). “The…
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Phuket Employment Office closed due to anti-government protests
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO), the island’s sole agency for issuing and renewing work permits for foreigners, has closed its doors today. “We are following a request from protesters yesterday asking for all government offices to close. We are afraid that if we open, they will blockade our office,” PPEO Chief Yaowapa Pibulpol told the Phuket Gazette. “We…
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Phuket’s DJ Doris to be honored with Celebration of Life
PHUKET: Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’ from Phuket Island Radio 91.5FM, will be honored with a Celebration of Life. The news follows the death of Mr Norris in a motorcycle accident early Sunday morning, a tragedy which prompted an outpouring of grief among friends, family and fans (story here). “Paul Norris is being repatriated to his home in Scotland.…
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Phuket bagman corruption investigation dropped
PHUKET: The Phuket bagman investigation into corrupt government officials who collect bribes from Patong business owners has been cancelled, businessman and adviser to the Thailand Trade Organization Chart Chindapol told the Phuket Gazette. Mr Chart alleged in October last year that government officials from at least 17 offices were extracting bribes that totalled almost 50 million baht a month from…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Man shot dead over Lone Survivor texting
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Man shot dead at Florida theatre showing ‘Lone Survivor’ Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A moviegoer shot and killed one person and wounded another on Monday when an argument over text messaging in a Florida theatre showing the hit new war film Lone Survivor erupted in gunfire, authorities…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Hong Kong confirms second death from H7N9 bird flu
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Hong Kong confirms second death from H7N9 bird flu Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A 65-year-old man infected with the H7N9 bird flu virus has died in Hong Kong, the government said on Monday, the second such death in the city.The man, the third person in Hong Kong…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Nigerian leader signs anti-gay law
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nigerian leader signs anti-gay law, drawing U.S. fire Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill on Monday that criminalises same-sex relationships, defying Western pressure over gay rights and provoking criticism from the United States.The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Suthep says no to talks; Bangkok roads empty; Reds rally north; Floods hit Deep South
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suthep turns down PM’s call for talks on poll delay The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The caretaker government, having repeatedly ignored calls for postponement of the February 2 election, yesterday softened its stance as pressure for a delay in holding the poll increased.Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra…
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Political accessories market heats up in Phuket
PHUKET: The number of vendors selling political paraphernalia at the Phuket Provincial Hall protests has significantly increased since the protest on December 9, despite the number of protesters decreasing, vendors explained to the Phuket Gazette today.“I sold whistles at the last big protest. Since then, the number of vendors has increased by about 20 per cent,” said 50-year-old Monthathip Jormtai.Kanokphan…
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Phuket Provincial Hall protesters peacefully move outdoors for the night
PHUKET: The protesters vacated Phuket Provincial Hall late this afternoon after holding the building all day to show support for the “Bangkok Shutdown” (story here). “We agreed to leave Provincial Hall and establish our camp outside,” Former Rassada Mayor and protest co-ordinator Suratin Lian-udom told the Phuket Gazette. “We don’t want to be responsible for any criminal activity; we just…
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Phuket tour bus avoids car, but clips motorcyclist near Kata Hill
PHUKET: A man parking his motorbike by the side of the road near Chalong Circle escaped with minor injuries this morning when a Phuket tour bus clipped him while trying to avoid an accident. The bus driver told police that he was en route to Kata when a car cut in front of him near the Sarapan Pleng bar, west…
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Running red: police probe deadly DJ Doris crash
PHUKET: One of the drivers involved in the accident that killed Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’, early yesterday morning ran a red light, Phuket Police confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. “We believe that one of them drove through a red light as the lights were working at the time of the accident,” said Wichit Police Investigator Ekarat Chartthai. “However,…
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Phuket protest underway, thousands expected to join
PHUKET: Organizers expect over 3,000 people to gather in central Phuket Town today in support of the anti-government “shutdown” now going on in Bangkok. One group is already assembled on the grounds of Provincial Hall (map here), and another group is marching through town to Saphan Hin. “Suratin Liang-udom, the former mayor of Rassada, will lead the group at Provincial…
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And the winners of the Boat Show lucky draw are…
PHUKET: This year’s edition of the annual Phuket boat show (PIMEX), which closed late yesterday, offered solid testimony to the improving global economy and the renewed vibrance of the marine leisure industry in Asia, particularly at its hub – Phuket. Full car parks, full restaurants and lots of action in the booths and berths at the Royal Phuket Marina –…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Russia says militants seized with bomb in south
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Russia says militants seized with bomb in south Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Five members of a banned militant group were arrested in southern Russia on Saturday and a homemade bomb packed with shrapnel was defused, in another security scare weeks before the Winter Olympics in Sochi.Islamist militants…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Israelis pay last respects to warrior-statesman Sharon
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Israelis pay last respects to warrior-statesman Sharon Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s body lay in state on Sunday outside parliament in Jerusalem, where thousands of Israelis waited to bid farewell to the maverick warrior-statesman who reshaped the Middle East.Sharon died at the age…
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Phuket Gazette World News: French first lady in hospital after reports of Hollande affair
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community French first lady in hospital after reports of Hollande affair Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: French first lady Valerie Trierweiler has been admitted to hospital following reports of an affair between President Francois Hollande and an actress, but will be discharged on Monday, sources said on Sunday.The daily…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Iran sanctions lifted under nuclear peace deal
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Deal on curbing Iran’s nuclear activity to take effect January 20 Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A deal for Iran to freeze parts of its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief will take effect on January 20, giving world powers and Tehran six months to agree a…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Bangkok shutdown begins; Pheu Thai objects May 4 polls; Businesses ready for downturn
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Stage set for huge Bangkok shutdown The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will today begin their Shutdown operation to try to seize seven sites in Bangkok at 9am after a series of blockades at state agencies – in a bid to paralyse…
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Phuket braces for Monday shutdown
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut today assured that the island’s authorities were well prepared to peacefully deal with a large protest planned for Monday in front of Provincial Hall. The protest will be held at Sanam Chai field (map here) in Phuket Town, in line with the “Bangkok shutdown” being organized by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), led by…
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Phuket celebrates Children’s Day
PHUKET: Today is Children’s Day, and youngsters across the island are being feted with games, prizes, and free food and drink in the annual celebration. In Phuket Town, Governor Maitri Inthusut hosted activities at his official residence, including a tour, while other events were underway at Provincial Hall and Saphan Hin. At a celebration sponsored by Phuket Marine Police, the…
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Phuket Gazette World News: U.S. to withdraw diplomat from India as dispute festers
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community U.S. to withdraw diplomat from India as dispute festers Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The United States said on Friday it would withdraw one of its diplomats from New Delhi at India’s request after Washington effectively expelled an Indian envoy at the centre of a dispute between the…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Celebrations in Central African Republic as leader resigns
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Celebrations in Central African Republic as leader resigns Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Central African Republic’s interim President Michel Djotodia caved in to international pressure and resigned on Friday after failing to halt inter-religious violence, drawing thousands onto the streets in celebration.The resignations of Djotodia and his Prime…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: PDRC guards injured in gun attacks; 45 countries issue travel warnings; EC calls to delay polls
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Seven PDRC guards injured in attacks near Democracy Monument The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: At least seven men serving as security guards for the People’s Democratic Reform Committee were injured in sporadic attacks near the Democracy Monument rally site early Saturday, police and protesters said.The first attack…
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Tiger Disco trial over inferno deaths to start next month
PHUKET: The long-awaited manslaughter trial over the deaths of four people in Patong’s Tiger Disco inferno, in August 2012, will begin next month. Tiger Group CEO Piya Isaramalai and Sara Entertainment Co Ltd each face a charge of causing death through negligence under Section 291 of the Thai Criminal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.…
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