Search Results for: Japanese

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Sports: Siam’s motocross mania; Reds and Blues to Bangkok; Futsal Cup; Thai Open

    Phuket Sports: Siam’s motocross mania; Reds and Blues to Bangkok; Futsal Cup; Thai Open

    BANGKOK (The Nation): Thailand’s best bikers will go up against the global elite for the first time when the 2013 FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) Motocross World Championship Grand Prix of Thailand makes its debut in the Kingdom in March. The race weekend will be hosted at the Pinthong Industrial Estate 3 track in Chon Buri from March 8 to…

  • Thai LifePhuket Dining: “Up’ market beach dining

    Phuket Dining: “Up’ market beach dining

    PHUKET: What’s Up? Well, for one thing it’s a delightful new beach club at the southern end of Nai Thon beach. There have been a number of beach clubs popping up around Phuket, some successful, others less so but this recently opened Up Beach Club seems to have the mix just right. For one thing they have kept the concept…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Milestone: ‘A History of Phuket’ to launch March 8

    Phuket Milestone: ‘A History of Phuket’ to launch March 8

    PHUKET: Although the Thai resort island of Phuket has become a world-renowned tourist destination and is now home to many thousands of expatriates, limited attention, particularly in the English language, has ever been given to the rich history and cultural storylines that have accompanied its phenomenal growth. That has now changed. The Phuket Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket full-scale tsunami drill not to be announced in Russian

    Phuket full-scale tsunami drill not to be announced in Russian

    PHUKET: Phuket will hold its annual full-scale tsunami evacuation and marine rescue drill at Karon Beach on February 21, but the tsunami warning messages will not be played in Russian, the Phuket Gazette was told today. “The Ministry of Interior requires the six Andaman provinces in the tsunami hazard zone to hold a tsunami evacuation and marine rescue drill at…

  • Thai LifePhuket Environment: A slow boat to China – The loris pet trade

    Phuket Environment: A slow boat to China – The loris pet trade

    PHUKET: A recent Phuket Gazette article offered some encouraging news for environmentalists. The Deputy Mayor of Patong has acted to stop touts from charging tourists. For what? For having their photographs taken with slow lorises. He is on record as stating that ten arrests have been made, adding: “The crackdown will continue because such activities are upsetting and annoying to…

  • Business NewsBanking for Phuket Expats carries special charges, risks

    Banking for Phuket Expats carries special charges, risks

    PHUKET: For expats in Phuket and across Thailand who intend to stay permanently or for most of the year in the country, opening a Thai bank account makes financial sense. After all, except for a few ATMs owned by AEON (a large Japanese conglomerate) and Citibank, Thai ATMs will charge a 150 baht fee per foreign transaction and there are…

  • Business NewsPhuket Business: FDI shifting from China to ASEAN

    Phuket Business: FDI shifting from China to ASEAN

    PHUKET: Rising costs from higher wages and currency appreciation in China over the last two decades are prompting multinationals to look at expanding elsewhere, with ASEAN countries – particularly Vietnam – poised to benefit most. A recent report published by HSBC Global Research, titled “The great migration – how FDI [Foreign Direct Investment] is moving to ASEAN and India”, outlined…

  • Thai LifePhuket Gardening: Pottering with giant plants

    Phuket Gardening: Pottering with giant plants

    PHUKET: I was recently asked about suitable terrestrial plants for large, even giant-sized pots. These glazed pots are hand-crafted by traditional methods, and are objets d’art in their own right. Not to be upstaged by mere plants. So what principles apply? First, preserve the integrity of the container by ensuring it is not camouflaged, or covered up by untidy festoons…

  • World NewsWorld News: Mali war spills into Algeria; Many hostages taken

    World News: Mali war spills into Algeria; Many hostages taken

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Sahara hostage siege turns Mali war global Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Islamist fighters have opened an international front in Mali’s civil war by taking dozens of Western hostages at a gas plant in the Algerian desert just as French troops launched an offensive against rebels…

  • PropertyPhuket Property Watch: 2013 property ponderings

    Phuket Property Watch: 2013 property ponderings

    PHUKET: When I lived and worked in the corporate rule, one of the true signs of executive prowess was the ability to read upside down. Now I’m not talking about taking up Japanese. Clearly that’s a country in decline. You can see it in the first installment of Die Hard. That’s where the trouble started. But look at me, an…

  • Phuket NewsFour injured after lorry jumps lanes, smashes Phuket sedan and hits motorbike

    Four injured after lorry jumps lanes, smashes Phuket sedan and hits motorbike

    PHUKET: A lorry jumped lanes and struck a sedan and then a motorbike before coming to rest in the far lane of Lim San Curve in Kathu, at about 2:30pm today. Four were injured, but no one was killed. The black Honda Dream motorbike was still caught beneath the six-wheeled lorry, when duty officer Watthanathorn Bumrungthin of the Thung Thong…

  • Phuket NewsThailand Sports: War Elephants mauled by the Lions

    Thailand Sports: War Elephants mauled by the Lions

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thailand’s title hopes in balance Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Singapore took a big step to a record fourth Suzuki Cup title after deservedly beating Thailand 3-1 at home in a niggly first leg of the Southeast Asian Championships last night. Defender Baihakki Khaizan smashed home…

  • Phuket NewsPong powers home to win Phuket King’s Cup Regatta

    Pong powers home to win Phuket King’s Cup Regatta

    PHUKET: Blue skies and consistent winds marked the final day of the 2012 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta in fitting style yesterday as teams and their boats assembled at the start line in a final bid to resolve their class contests. Some results had effectively completed on Friday, but most of the classes were anticipated to deliver a thrilling final day…

  • Thai LifePhuket Gardening: Marginal choices

    Phuket Gardening: Marginal choices

    PHUKET: There has been lots of hot air expended about marginals during the run-up to the American presidential election. In political terms, “marginals” are states where a few key votes may swing all the seats either in a Republican or Democratic direction. In the case of Florida, all 28 members elected to Congress. Marginals can be very important. In the…

  • Business NewsPhuket Finance: Using exchange traded funds

    Phuket Finance: Using exchange traded funds

    PHUKET: In today’s uncertain economy, investors are increasingly seeking diversification, safety and a secure income. Interest rates continue to hover at or near all time lows in many countries, and the continued uncertainty about the strength of the global economic recovery has made many investors extra cautious. Nevertheless, there is one investment option available that can offer risk-adverse investors both…

  • Thai LifePhuket Diving: Dive Bunny takes plunge

    Phuket Diving: Dive Bunny takes plunge

    PHUKET: A lion fish is out in the open just over the sands of Kata Beach, but before a photo can be taken there is a sudden commotion. Dive instructor ‘Scuba Nick’, eyes wide-open, rips off his mask and reaches for his student’s regulator. Ex-British military, Nick is a big guy, with big hands going for the second stage of…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Sports: Premier League round up and look ahead

    Phuket Sports: Premier League round up and look ahead

    PHUKET: Top flight referee Mark Clattenburg, has been accused by Chelsea of using “inappropriate language”, including alleged racist comments to John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata during last weekend’s loss to Manchester United. The official caused controversy during the game before these allegations came to light by sending off Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres in Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat. To compound…

  • World NewsWorld News: WWII bomb closes airport; Storm update; Syrian airforce attacks

    World News: WWII bomb closes airport; Storm update; Syrian airforce attacks

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Discovery of WWII bomb forces closure of Japanese airport Phuket Gazette / News WiresPHUKET: Nearly 100 flights were canceled yesterday after an unexploded bomb believed to be from World War II was found near the runway of a major airport in northeastern Japan, local authorities said. Flights…

  • OpinionPhuket Opinion: When healthcare becomes a social insecurity

    Phuket Opinion: When healthcare becomes a social insecurity

    PHUKET: The in-depth report of local hospitals charging foreigners more than Thais for all forms of healthcare (click here) should not come as a surprise to any long-term expats living in Phuket. The practice of two-tier pricing is so deeply entrenched into the local social fabric that the national parks have established it as a formal policy. Even the Phuket…

  • World NewsWorld News: Presses to stop at Newsweek as publication goes digital-only

    World News: Presses to stop at Newsweek as publication goes digital-only

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Newsweek to end print publication after nearly 80 years Phuket Gazette / News WiresPHUKET: Newsweek, one of the largest weekly news magazines in the United States, yesterday announced it plans to end its print publication after nearly 80 years and transition to an all-digital format. The last…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Sports: Islanders prepared for Bangkok United match tonight

    Phuket Sports: Islanders prepared for Bangkok United match tonight

    PHUKET: Despite overwhelming odds, Phuket FC’s Coach is confident that his side can share the points in tonight’s away match against Thai Division 1 top-side Bangkok United. Speaking on the phone from the Thai capital this morning, Coach Anuruck “June” Srikerd told the Phuket Gazette that his side’s defensive game is tight and wouldn’t concede goals very easily. “Even though…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Sports: Marlins reel in the Islanders

    Phuket Sports: Marlins reel in the Islanders

    PHUKET: The Islanders fell back into into the five-team relegation zone following a 1-0 loss last night to 3rd place Sri Racha Suzuki FC. Despite a wide margin in league points, the competition, played in front of 3,100 fans, was evenly matched with the Sri Racha “Blue Marlins” enjoying only slightly more possession than Phuket. Indeed, it was looking as…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Sports: Pride, punishment and pain

    Phuket Sports: Pride, punishment and pain

    PHUKET: Singapore was a tragedy for Lewis Hamilton and McLaren. Hamilton would have been the clear winner, until his gearbox disintegrated and catapulted Vettel into first place, Button to second, and most importantly, Alonso into third place. That changed what might have been. A resurgent Vettel is now hunting down Alonso, and Hamilton has dropped to the back of the…

  • Thai LifeLand of Smiles: The mallification of Phuket

    Land of Smiles: The mallification of Phuket

    PHUKET: Get ready, Phuket people. It’s coming. It has already saturated Bangkok, and is moving rapidly southward, like an alien slime. I’m talking about mallification: the process by which a nation becomes overrun with enormous shopping malls. Now the mallification of Bangkok has progressed to the point where they are considering appointing a Minister of Malls to oversee the process.…

  • Business NewsPhuket tourism roadshow in Japan “well received’

    Phuket tourism roadshow in Japan “well received’

    PHUKET: Recently returned from a week-long tourism fact-finding tour in Japan, Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has told the media that the “Amazing Thailand in Japan” roadshow impressed the Japanese tour operators in the three cities they visited. Organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and coordinated by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) and the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA),…

  • Thailand NewsOlympics Update: Phuket’s Jongjit out; Chatuphum’s agony; Chatchai fights today

    Olympics Update: Phuket’s Jongjit out; Chatuphum’s agony; Chatchai fights today

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community High-flying Thai shuttlers shot down in QF Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: Bodin Isara and Maneepong Jongjit’s dazzling Olympic odyssey came to a disappointing end yesterday when the Thai duo lost to Malaysia’s Kien Keat Koo and Boon Heong Tan in the quarter-finals. The Games…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket FC set for home battle with PTT Rayong

    Phuket FC set for home battle with PTT Rayong

    PHUKET: Soccer fans who missed out on seeing Phuket FC’s new line-up which was successful against Songkhla on Wednesday will have their next chance tomorrow evening when the Islanders are set to host PTT Rayong FC. Kick off for the league match, to be played at Surakul Stadium, will be at 6:30pm. Aside from seeing some of Phuket’s new signings…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket lifeguards save 333 swimmers after return to beaches

    Phuket lifeguards save 333 swimmers after return to beaches

    PHUKET: Officially back on the beaches May 28, after another contract signing saga, Phuket lifeguards saved 333 people in the following 31 days, according to an announcement made by Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) President Paiboon Upatising yesterday. “Despite the work of the lifeguards, four people have drowned this year. They drowned because they either ignored the red warning flags…

  • Thai LifeThai Gallery – Patima Khunpromkessara

    Thai Gallery – Patima Khunpromkessara

    PHUKET: Troubles in the southern provinces of Thailand are real and constant. Political unrest results in a spate of bombings, taking the lives of many and the problems look set to continue. Born and raised in Yala, Patima Khunpromkessara remembers just the opposite. “It was a neat little town. Do you know that we have a town plan similar to…

  • Thailand NewsThailand Sports: FIVB; Olympics; Golf; Snooker

    Thailand Sports: FIVB; Olympics; Golf; Snooker

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Spikers return in triumph from World GP Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: The Thai women’s volleyball team are still on cloud nine after clinching a best-ever finish of fourth in the FIVB World Grand Prix, which ended on Sunday. It was the first time that…