World
Phuket Media Watch: 7 adrift in wooden boat rescued after 7 days; fire claims 29 homes in Reno

– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community
PHUKET: Seven Chinese fishermen who went missing in the South China Sea last week have been rescued alive, state-run media reported on yesterday. They were said to be in good condition.
The seven went missing on January 12 when they went to reap oysters in a 10 meter (32.8 feet) long wooden boat. The group, which was first reported missing by their families on January 13, had left for the South China Sea in a dense fog off Guangdong province.
The state-run Xinhua news agency said the group had been rescued safely late Thursday afternoon. Xinhua said the group had run out of fuel and drifted at sea until they were picked up near the city of Zhanjiang in the Qiongzhou Strait, which connects the Gulf of Tonkin in the west to the James Shoal on the eastern edge of the South China Sea.
The boat ‘captain’, who was identified as Wu, told Xinhua that the group drank sea water and ate moss to stay alive. “We just dehydrated a little,” he was quoted as saying.
PHUKET: Firefighters early yesterday morning contained a large wildfire near the U.S. city of Reno, Nevada. The blaze destroyed 29 homes and burned nearly 3,200 acres (8,100 rai) in two days.
The fire broke out on Thursday when an elderly man discarded fireplace ashes at his home about 32 kilometers south of downtown Reno.
The fire, fueled by heavy fuels and high winds, forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 people in the old Washoe City, Pleasant Valley, and the Saint James Village areas. Washoe County Manager Katy Simon declared a state of emergency within hours, followed later that day by a state declaration of emergency by Governor Brian Sandoval.
Sierra Fire Protection District spokesman Mark Regan said the fire was 100 percent contained by 6am local time on Saturday. “All evacuations were lifted as of 8am this morning,” he said. T
The Washoe County manager’s office said the wildfire had burned 8,000 rai of land and destroyed 29 homes.
Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez said that an elderly man had come forward and admitted to causing the fire when he threw out ashes in a utility trailer in the area. It was not immediately clear if the man, described as being ‘extremely remorseful’, would face criminal charges.
Officials expect the damages will reach millions of dollars once a full assessment has been carried out.
Two months ago, more than 30 homes were destroyed when a wildfire broke out near Reno, forcing nearly 10,000 people to evacuate the area. That fire burned about 5,000 rai, injured a firefighter, and saw one man die of a heart attack while evacuating.
PHUKET: Rescue workers have found the bodies of five people who were on board a tour helicopter which crashed on a table-top mountain in Venezuela on Thursday, officials said early yesterday.
The Civil Protection and Disaster Administration (PCAD) department said the tour helicopter crashed on Thursday on the Auyantepui Mountain peak, which is located in Canaima National Park in the state of Bolivar.
The Bell Long Ranger 206 helicopter was carrying a pilot and four passengers on a tour route between the Wonken area and Canaima Camp in the municipality of Gran Saban. PCAD Director José García said two helicopters found the aircraft on Friday.
Officials said the aircraft was on its roof with the five bodies still trapped inside. The pilot was identified as Henry Francisco Viana Arcia.
The name Auyantepui translates to ‘Devil’s Mountain’ in the Pemon language and became famous in the 1930s when U.S. pilot Jimmie Angel discovered Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall, which is part of the Auyantepui. Angel’s small plane crashed on Auyantepui and he as well as his three crew members were forced to descend the mountain on foot, taking them 11 days.
— Phuket Gazette Editors
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Hot News
Condolences from Thailand to UK on Prince Philip’s death

The leaders of Thailand have sent messages of condolences to their British counterparts following the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on Friday. His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has sent a message of condolence to Prince Philip’s widow, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, released by the Thai Royal Household Bureau, stating that the King and Queen are deeply saddened by Prince Philip’s death.
“We all in Thailand join the people of Great Britain in mourning this great loss, a sense of loss being shared by peoples around the world, whose lives have been touched and enriched by His Royal Highness’ enduring legacies in their diversity.
We still recall, with much pride and warmth, the two historic state visits made by Your Majesty in 1972 and 1996, with His Royal Highness at your side, as guests of my beloved father, His late Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Just as important to the people of Thailand was how His Royal Highness wished, during his later visits on behalf of the World Wildlife Fund, to share with them his love of nature and passion for the environment, thus inspiring a number of essential projects of conservation.
May I, on behalf of the people of Thailand, express to Your Majesty, the Royal Family and the British people our heartfelt sympathy and condolences for this truly grievous loss.”
Meanwhile, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha released a statement on behalf of the people of Thailand, saying their thoughts and prayers were with the people of Britain. PM Prayut sent a message to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson praising Prince Philip’s “exceptional leadership”.
“On behalf of the Royal Thai Government and the people of Thailand, I wish to extend to Your Right Honourable and the British people our deepest condolences and sympathy for this irreparable loss. We join the British people in mourning the loss of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the British people in this time of sadness”
Prince Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died Friday at the age of 99 after recently being released from King Edward VII Hospital recovering from a February surgery for a heart condition. He was the longest-serving consort in British history. The Duke of Edinburgh had visited Thailand twice, escorting the Queen for state visits with King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1972 and 1996.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World & Thai Examiner
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World
Buckingham Palace announces the death of Prince Philip

Prince Philip, the husband and consort to Queen Elizabeth II, has died at the age of 99. The Duke of Edinburgh was the longest-serving consort in the history of the United Kingdom, retiring in 2017 after more than 20,000 public engagements. Born on the Greek island of Corfu, Philip had 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren with the Queen. Buckingham Palace released a statement mourning the loss.
Prince Philip was born on June 10, 1921 on the island of Corfu, Greece. He married Princess Elizabeth on November 20, 1947.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
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World
Prince Philip dies at the age of 99 – Buckingham Palace

The husband of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, has died at the age of 99. Buckingham Palace announced his death in the last hour.
Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947, 5 years before she became Queen. He was the longest-serving royal consort in British history.
The couple had 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
SOURCE: BBC
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