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  • Thailand NewsSupreme Court to try Yingluck in rice case

    Supreme Court to try Yingluck in rice case

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Supreme Court to try Yingluck in rice case The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders yesterday ordered former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to stand trial on May 19 on charges of alleged negligence in failing to stop corruption…

  • World NewsIslamist gunmen slay 20 foreign tourists in museum massacre

    Islamist gunmen slay 20 foreign tourists in museum massacre

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Islamist gunmen slay 20 foreign tourists in museum massacre Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Tunisia said it would deploy thearmy to major cities and arrested nine people on Thursday after20 foreign tourists were shot dead in an attack on a museumwhich Islamic State militants called “the…

  • World NewsClinton charity fails to disclose donors

    Clinton charity fails to disclose donors

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Clinton charity fails to disclose donors Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: In 2008, Hillary Clinton promised Barack Obama, the president-elect, there would be no mystery about who was giving money to her family’s globe-circling charities. She made a pledge to publish all the donors on an…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket landfill fire posed no health risks, says environment official

    Phuket landfill fire posed no health risks, says environment official

    PHUKET: Smoke from the fire that broke out at Phuket’s overloaded landfill site Tuesday night did not pose health risks to the island’s residents, confirmed Dr Pornsri Suthanaruk, director of the Phuket Environment Office Region 15. “It was windy on Tuesday, and the wind blew all of the smoke toward the ocean,” he told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. Two rai…

  • Phuket NewsNetted: Phuket task force seizes pirate Southern Ocean trawler

    Netted: Phuket task force seizes pirate Southern Ocean trawler

    PHUKET: A joint task force in Phuket has seized one of six known illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) vessels wanted for fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean after it falsely reported and offloaded its cargo. The ship, which recently had its name changed from Kunlun to Taishan, had already fled from the navies of New Zealand and Australia, as well…

  • Phuket NewsHelmet-less motorcyclist killed in Phuket crash

    Helmet-less motorcyclist killed in Phuket crash

    PHUKET: A Myanmar national driving without a helmet was killed in a motorbike accident on Chao Fa West Road last night. The victim was named by police as Than Htay Aung, 24. “He was driving his motorbike with a friend riding pillion at about 11:30pm when he lost control on a bend in the road and crashed into a traffic-light…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket lifeguard contract in dire straits – again

    Phuket lifeguard contract in dire straits – again

    PHUKET: The island’s beaches again may be without lifeguards starting next week, as the government contract for the Phuket Lifeguard Club (PLC) to provide its essential life-saving services expires on March 26. The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) has offered the annual 22-million-baht concession for private operators to provide lifeguard services through the coming year to public bidding twice –…

  • Thailand NewsBoonsong, 20 others indicted over rice deals

    Boonsong, 20 others indicted over rice deals

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Boonsong, 20 others indicted over rice deals The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and 20 others were indicted by the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) yesterday in the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders for alleged wrongdoing over “fake…

  • FoodFrom brunch to beach: Nikki Beach Club’s Amazing Sunday Brunch

    From brunch to beach: Nikki Beach Club’s Amazing Sunday Brunch

    PHUKET: At the end of most Sunday brunches, as the meal winds down and champagne diminishes, you start to think about the day ahead, and how to make the most of it, so the impending doom of an inevitable Monday doesn’t seem so bad. The focus of the event is often only the food – as delicious as it may…

  • PropertyPhuket Pads: Kathu – A golfer’s paradise

    Phuket Pads: Kathu – A golfer’s paradise

    PHUKET: Kathu, in the center of Phuket, has a number of advantages over other locations on the island when it comes to residential property. Its central location means that it’s as easy to get to Patong on the west coast, as it is to visit Central Festival shopping mall, or Phuket Town on the east side. It’s also within easy…

  • Chiang Mai NewsFlights to Chiang Mai disrupted as smog levels soar in North

    Flights to Chiang Mai disrupted as smog levels soar in North

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Flights to Chiang Mai disrupted as smog levels soar in North The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The volume of tiny dust particles in the upper North rose beyond the safety level again yesterday and poor visibility reportedly prevented at least four flights from landing at…

  • Thai LifeThinking Green: Striking a beach balance

    Thinking Green: Striking a beach balance

    PHUKET: “We need chairs,” are the plaintive cries in the press, demanding a return to the old model of endless rows of deck chairs and umbrellas. Meanwhile, the vendors are crying, “Our businesses have been hit badly.” And at the same time, environmentalists are claiming, “Our natural treasures are being directly influenced by coastal law enforcement, pollution, construction, density of…

  • World NewsAid teams report devastation and death after Vanuatu cyclone

    Aid teams report devastation and death after Vanuatu cyclone

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Aid teams report devastation and death after Vanuatu cyclone Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Early reports from the outer islands of Vanuatu on Monday painted a picture of utter destruction after a monster cyclone tore through the South Pacific island nation. Authorities in Vanuatu were struggling…

  • OpinionOpinion: Tourism – Once Thailand’s golden goose

    Opinion: Tourism – Once Thailand’s golden goose

    PHUKET: Thailand should decide if it wants tourism, or not. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has spent billions of baht over the past 15 years to build the tourism industry into a major force, and it has been largely successful in spite of political turmoil, a tsunami, floods, corruption and fluctuations in currencies worldwide. One estimate published in 2003…

  • Phuket NewsMan arrested in possession of meth worth nearly B1mn

    Man arrested in possession of meth worth nearly B1mn

    PHUKET: Police arrested a man in possession of nearly 1 million baht worth of ya bah (methamphetamine) pills in a sting operation in Phuket Town on Friday. Phuket Provincial Police arrested Somboon Lewplodpai, 33, at about 3:30pm, after receiving a tip-off about him dealing drugs in the area. “An undercover officer set up an appointment with Mr Somboon to meet…

  • Phuket NewsMan arrested for smuggling more than 300 species of rare fish

    Man arrested for smuggling more than 300 species of rare fish

    PHUKET: A man was arrested by police yesterday in possession of more than 300 live, rare species of fish that were being smuggled in plastic bags. Kan Amtrakul, 63, was arrested at about 5pm on Wiset Road near the Chalong Circle, heading from Rawai to Chalong in a Toyota pick-up truck. “Mr Kan was pulled over by police and found…

  • Business NewsLuxury lifestyle makes Phuket heavy hitter in Asia yachting scene [video] | Thaiger

    Luxury lifestyle makes Phuket heavy hitter in Asia yachting scene [video]

    PHUKET: Phuket’s marine industry is tapping global growth in the lucrative superyacht segment thanks to the unique luxury lifestyle the island offers and a sharp rise in the number of such vessels coming to Asia. Thailand’s largest island is already well established on the regional and global sailing circuits. However, industry players say increased investment in specialist facilities could see…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket runner goes the distance – aiming for 100km race

    Phuket runner goes the distance – aiming for 100km race

    PHUKET: What were your plans last weekend? Did you see a girl running the 61-kilometer road distance from Rawai to Sarasin Bridge? Rest assured her upcoming plans are fixed as well – she’s preparing for her next long-distance run. Meet Kiranee Narabal, possibly Phuket’s most passionate long-distance runner, whose love for her chosen sport has taken her for a 100km…

  • Pattaya NewsMaking safe property investments in Phuket

    Making safe property investments in Phuket

    PHUKET: At a time of year when many property sales are taking place in hotspot investment destinations, such as Phuket, it seems now is an appropriate time to recap the types of legitimate investment for foreigners interested in property in Thailand, and to note that there are some very straightforward methods of avoiding complicated and cumbersome transactions. Aside from land…

  • FoodDining among the gods at Le Versace

    Dining among the gods at Le Versace

    PHUKET: The journey to Le Versace began with an exciting climb up an impressive hill. It felt like we were ascending to a restaurant for the gods. Our anticipation of what was to come heightened with the trek. On arrival, we were ushered to the balcony, where we were treated to a spectacular view of Patong Beach – a much…

  • Business NewsA very good year for stocks

    A very good year for stocks

    PHUKET: Each year, I head back to the US to see my mother and meet with clients. It also allows me to see how things are going. I need to do this to see if there’s any truth to the headlines I read. You know the ones I’m talking about – stocks in a bubble, economic slowdown, unemployment and so…

  • Pattaya NewsPhuket charity drive for world record attempt crosses B1mn mark

    Phuket charity drive for world record attempt crosses B1mn mark

    PHUKET: Graham Haslam and Mark Cameron have already raised more than 1 million baht for a local charity without having driven their electric golf cart a single meter in a Guinness World Record attempt. Dubbed “The Longest Drive” the duo plan to drive the golf cart from Pattaya to Phuket, about 1,400km, as the raise funds for the Phuket Has…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket gifted B3.5bn boost over Chinese New Year

    Phuket gifted B3.5bn boost over Chinese New Year

    PHUKET: The Chinese New Year holidays brought a much-welcomed boost of 3.5 billion baht to the local economy this year, the chief of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office has announced. The island attracted more tourists who also spent more than those who came last year, Anoma Wongyai, director of TAT Phuket, told the Phuket Gazette. “Phuket had…

  • Phuket NewsDear Mr Vard, file a complaint – we’ll take it from there, says Navy

    Dear Mr Vard, file a complaint – we’ll take it from there, says Navy

    PHUKET: The leading representative in Phuket for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has called on Colin Vard to file a formal complaint so that the Royal Thai Navy can launch an investigation into allegations of inaction by police into death threats, kidnapping and property fraud. The call follows Mr Vard’s 15-year-old daughter Jessie posting a video on…

  • OpinionOpinion: Great balls of fire – sky lanterns a hazard over Phuket

    Opinion: Great balls of fire – sky lanterns a hazard over Phuket

    PHUKET: Among the many recent edicts that have been issued by the government to bring some order to Phuket’s beach tourism industry, one that the Gazette hopes can be comprehensively enforced is the ban on the sale of khom loi, or sky lanterns, at public beaches (story here). The Gazette concedes that the sight of khom loi slowly rising after…

  • Thailand NewsPrison time mounting for Pongpat as court adds another 15 years

    Prison time mounting for Pongpat as court adds another 15 years

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Prison time mounting for Pongpat as court adds another 15 years The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) chief Pol Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan will serve almost 32 years behind bars, after the Criminal Court yesterday found him guilty in two more…

  • Phuket NewsOld Town Festival returns to the heart of Phuket

    Old Town Festival returns to the heart of Phuket

    PHUKET: The 16th annual Phuket Old Town Festival begins today and will continue through Saturday to celebrate Phuket’s unique culture and traditions. The festival will get underway from 4pm, on four roads in the heart of Phuket Town: Thalang Road, Soi Rommanee, Krabi Road and Phang Nga Road. “This is the 16th year we have held the festival. We always…

  • Hua Hin NewsSuspected Chinese diamond robbers arrested

    Suspected Chinese diamond robbers arrested

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suspected Chinese diamond robbers arrested The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Three Chinese men, who allegedly stole a 3-million-baht diamond from a jewellery display at Nonthaburi’s Impact Muang Thong Thani on Tuesday, were arrested on the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint in Sa Kaew province early yesterday morning…

  • World NewsGunman kills eight in Czech restaurant

    Gunman kills eight in Czech restaurant

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Gunman kills eight in Czech restaurant Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET:A local man shot dead eight people in a restaurant in an eastern Czech town on Tuesday and then killed himself, in the worst peacetime shooting in the country’s history, officials said. The interior minister said…

  • Thailand NewsMost judges picked for Yingluck case also hearing other Thaksin cases

    Most judges picked for Yingluck case also hearing other Thaksin cases

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Most judges picked for Yingluck case also hearing other Thaksin cases The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: More than half of nine judges selected yesterday by 146 Supreme Court members to be on a panel to hear the rice scheme case against former prime minister Yingluck…