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  • Business NewsIn Phuket aviation business, the sky is not the limit

    In Phuket aviation business, the sky is not the limit

    PHUKET: Do what you love and make money doing it – how’s that for a business plan? That is exactly what Sky Club Asia co-owners Mark Silverberg and Paul Derstoff did when they turned their passion into a prospering business. Did their leap of faith pay off? One of the things that Mark Silverberg brought with him when he moved…

  • Business NewsPhuket Finance: An expat’s guide to the inevitable

    Phuket Finance: An expat’s guide to the inevitable

    PHUKET: It’s natural to experience culture shock as an expat, but the real shock comes when expats consider just how complicated proper investment or financial planning becomes after they expatriate from their home countries. Here are some of the key areas expats will need to have a plan for and likely consult with knowledgeable experts about. EXCHANGE RATE AND REMITTANCE…

  • World NewsDivers set to search for AirAsia wreckage after debris, bodies found

    Divers set to search for AirAsia wreckage after debris, bodies found

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Divers set to search for AirAsia wreckage after debris, bodies found Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Divers and ships will search for the wreckage and the all important black boxes of a doomed AirAsia plane on Wednesday after Indonesian rescuers found several bodies and debris floating…

  • Phuket NewsPatong’s Keesin clan yet to face Phuket mafia charges

    Patong’s Keesin clan yet to face Phuket mafia charges

    PHUKET: The Public Prosecutor has yet to press formal charges against Prab and Pattawee Keesin, both sons of former Patong Mayor Pian Keesin, for operating a mafia organization. Pisitpol Phumsawat, chief Phuket public prosecutor, confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that his office was still reviewing evidence presented by the police “I have dedicated a team to investigate the police claims,”…

  • Phuket NewsKiwi arrested in Phuket for drug dealing, wanted for fraud

    Kiwi arrested in Phuket for drug dealing, wanted for fraud

    PHUKET: A Kiwi charged for dealing ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and cocaine in Phuket is wanted on fraud charges in his homeland, The New Zealand Herald has reported. The man, named by Patong Police as Taylor Grainge, 41, is in fact Grainge Taylor, after having changed his name in 2010, confirmed Jeff Montgomery, registrar-general and general manager for births, deaths,…

  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: Khao Lak 10 years on – remembering the tsunami

    Video Report: Khao Lak 10 years on – remembering the tsunami

    PHUKET: Thailand’s primary tsunami 10-year commemoration ceremony – presided over by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha – took place on December 26 at the Tor 813 Police Boat Tsunami Memorial Site in Khao Lak. The program consisted of disaster control drill presentations followed by a number of keynote speeches by dignitaries, including PM Prayut and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister…

  • Thailand NewsNRC votes for Andaman coast to be listed as World Heritage Site

    NRC votes for Andaman coast to be listed as World Heritage Site

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community NRC votes for Andaman coast to be listed as World Heritage Site The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A National Reform Council panel on natural resources and the environment yesterday agreed to push for a vast marine conservation site in the Andaman Sea to be recognized…

  • World NewsIndonesia expands search for missing AirAsia jet, US sends warship

    Indonesia expands search for missing AirAsia jet, US sends warship

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Indonesia expands search for missing AirAsia jet, US sends warship Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Countries around Asia on Tuesday stepped up the search for an AirAsia plane carrying 162 people that is presumed to have crashed in shallow waters off the Indonesian coast, with Washington…

  • World NewsGreek ferry stricken by blaze fully evacuated, 10 dead

    Greek ferry stricken by blaze fully evacuated, 10 dead

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Greek ferry stricken by blaze fully evacuated, 10 dead Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Rescue teams evacuated more than 400 people from a car ferry that caught fire off Greece’s Adriatic coast in a 36-hour operation on roiling seas, but 10 people were killed in the…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket police blame lawbreakers, insufficient personnel for runaway tour bus

    Phuket police blame lawbreakers, insufficient personnel for runaway tour bus

    PHUKET: Police have blamed reckless drivers and not having enough officers to enforce the law for heavy vehicles, including Phuket tour buses, breaking the ban on crossing Patong Hill during peak traffic hours. “We admit that we cannot have police officers at the checkpoint 24/7. We wish we could but we simply do not have enough personnel. We can only…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket officials stymied by sprawling trash pile

    Phuket officials stymied by sprawling trash pile

    PHUKET: Officials are struggling to stem the growing tide of trash at what has become a sprawling dump site on the coastal road north of Kalim, between Patong and Kamala on Phuket’s west coast. The news follows the Phuket Gazette receiving a copy of a complaint about the site sent to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). “These…

  • World NewsSearch for AirAsia plane turns to Java Sea, relatives wait

    Search for AirAsia plane turns to Java Sea, relatives wait

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Search for AirAsia plane turns to Java Sea, relatives wait Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Indonesia searched the Java Sea on Monday for an AirAsia plane carrying 162 people that went missing after its pilot failed to gain permission to alter course to avoid a storm…

  • Thailand NewsPeople flock to beaches to honour 2004 tsunami victims

    People flock to beaches to honour 2004 tsunami victims

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community People flock to beaches to honour 2004 tsunami victims The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: One decade on, people gathered at various seaside spots in tsunami-hit provinces to remember those who perished in the deadly waves. Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of the tsunami that killed…

  • Phuket NewsTen Years On: Wave of media responsibility post-tsunami

    Ten Years On: Wave of media responsibility post-tsunami

    PHUKET: In an age where first reports of natural disasters come in through tweets and Facebook status updates it’s hard to imagine the vacuum of information after the Dec 26, 2004, tsunami. First reports by the local English-language news agency the Phuket Gazette in Phuket, which quickly become the location of choice for international media coverage of the devastation, led…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket students learn to save lives

    Phuket students learn to save lives

    PHUKET: Several emergency-response experts were called in to train about 100 students in essential life-saving skills at a special training event this week. The emergency-response event was held at the Phuket ICT Skill Development and Learning Center in Saphan Hin on Wednesday, with the aim of instructing students on how to respond to different emergency scenarios. “As part of our…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket light-rail system to cost B23bn

    Phuket light-rail system to cost B23bn

    PHUKET: The long-awaited light-rail project, expected by many to help alleviate Phuket’s ever-worsening traffic congestion, is expected to cost 23 billion baht, it was revealed this week. Kanok Khemnak, an expert in assessing the environmental impact of mass-transportation systems, delivered the news at a meeting of officials at Boat Lagoon Marina, in Koh Kaew, on Tuesday. “The plans and design…

  • Phuket NewsVideo Report: Laguna post-tsunami Community Learning Center still going strong

    Video Report: Laguna post-tsunami Community Learning Center still going strong

    PHUKET: Laguna Phuket’s Community Learning Center, established as part of the recovery efforts from the 2004 tsunami, recently re-opened after major refurbishment to mark 10 years since the disaster. The opening ceremony of the newly revamped center was held on Monday, attended by approximately 100 participants comprising government officials, Laguna Phuket management, Cherng Talay villagers, and members of the press.…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket tsunami memorial ceremonies begin tomorrow

    Phuket tsunami memorial ceremonies begin tomorrow

    PHUKET: The world’s eyes will be on the Andaman coast tomorrow, as Thailand and the region honor the victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami, which devastated the region’s coastline on December 26, 2004. Services will be held at the Tsunami Memorial Wall in Mai Khao, on Patong Beach, and in Khao Lak in remembrance of the more than 5,000 people…

  • Phuket NewsKiwi charged for drug dealing in Phuket

    Kiwi charged for drug dealing in Phuket

    PHUKET: A New Zealand man was charged yesterday for dealing drugs in Phuket after being found in possession of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and cocaine. Taylor Grainge, 41, was nabbed by Patong Police during a holiday crackdown on crime, explained Patong Police Deputy Superintendent Khunnadet Nanongkhai. “We put a sting operation in motion after learning that Mr Grainge was selling…

  • Phuket NewsMystery surrounds deaths of Phuket cave divers at Khao Sok National Park

    Mystery surrounds deaths of Phuket cave divers at Khao Sok National Park

    PHUKET: Two experienced Phuket cave divers died after a diving accident on technical rebreathers near the entrance of Tiger Cave in the Chio Lan Reservoir, Surat Thani, on Monday. Dmitry Dokuchave, 46, died at the scene, while fellow Russian national Alexander Solomatin was pronounced dead at Surat Thani Hospital. “Both bodies were transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital, with the preliminary…

  • Phuket NewsPrivy Councilor Surayud eyes Phuket sea gypsies needs

    Privy Councilor Surayud eyes Phuket sea gypsies needs

    PHUKET: Gen Surayud Chulanont, Privy Councilor to HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and former prime minister, has suggested that local authorities take further steps to improve the quality of life of the Phuket sea gypsies living in the north of the island. Gen Surayud chaired a meeting in Thalang last Thursday to hear the current state of the living conditions of…

  • Thailand NewsLegal aid fund ‘needs a boost’: Justice Minister

    Legal aid fund ‘needs a boost’: Justice Minister

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Legal aid fund ‘needs a boost’: Justice Minister The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A State Justice Fund needs to be boosted and made easier to access so that poor people who face legal charges get equal access to bail, Justice Minister Gen Paiboon Khumchaya said…

  • Thailand NewsLINE messages being monitored

    LINE messages being monitored

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community LINE messages being monitored The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry is keeping its eye on LINE message exchanges – particularly those related to the monarchy and national security. “We can monitor all the nearly 40 million LINE messages sent…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket court issues arrest warrants for soldiers in abduction case

    Phuket court issues arrest warrants for soldiers in abduction case

    PHUKET: The Chalong Police are continuing their investigation into the alleged abduction of a Ukrainian businessman and his wife by soldiers in Phuket late last week. Igor Iermakov, 37, was allegedly abducted from Mitraphap Beach in Rawai on Thursday by a group of 10 people that included five soldiers. His wife, Maryna, later reported to the Chalong Police that she…

  • Thailand NewsArmy flood-relief helicopter crashes in Yala

    Army flood-relief helicopter crashes in Yala

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Army flood-relief helicopter crashes in Yala The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: An Army helicopter flying flood-relief missions crashed in Yala yesterday, injuring the four crewmen on board. The helicopter, from the Royal Thai Army’s Region 4 base in the South, crashed in Yala’s Muang district…

  • Phuket NewsNFL Week 16: Jaguars square off against rivals Tennessee Titans

    NFL Week 16: Jaguars square off against rivals Tennessee Titans

    PHUKET: In a showdown on Thursday Night Football two of the worst teams in the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars improved their record to 3-12 with a 21-13 home win over AFC South division rivals the Tennessee Titans (now 2-13). Despite both teams having long been eliminated from playoff contention, it was still a closely contested match; it did not appear…

  • Phuket NewsCricket: Island CC wrestles victory from jaws of defeat in Phuket

    Cricket: Island CC wrestles victory from jaws of defeat in Phuket

    PHUKET: Fiery old rivalries were reignited on Sunday when Patong CC faced Island CC in the second fixture of the 2014/2015 Senior League season at the Alan Cooke Ground. In a match that saw the T20 finalists face Patong’s players hoping to exact retribution after their defeat in September, it was the Islanders who claimed victory by a solitary run…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket beach vendors return for trial run

    Phuket beach vendors return for trial run

    PHUKET: Vendors renting out umbrellas, offering massages or selling food and drinks are allowed to return to Phuket’s beaches – but not vendors who rent out sun-loungers or beach chairs. Governor Nisit Jansomwong delivered the news at a meeting at Provincial Hall yesterday, when he laid down a stringent list of conditions under which beach vendors will be permitted to…

  • OpinionOpinion: Fine solution for Phuket

    Opinion: Fine solution for Phuket

    PHUKET: The allegation of a 5,000-baht fine levied against a tourist for illegally parking a motorbike in a restricted zone in Karon (story here) raises several issues about the future role of local administrative bodies, both in terms of how they raise revenue and how they use these funds. The fact that Karon Municipality now appears to be taking a…

  • PropertyPhuket Renaissance, giving peace a chance

    Phuket Renaissance, giving peace a chance

    PHUKET: Situated in Mai Khao, the Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa is surrounded on all sides by the pristine nature of northern Phuket, “the island’s hidden gem”, explains Goetz Bauer, who joined the resort as general manager in April 2013. Designed by P49 Deesign Associates, considered to be one of Thailand’s foremost interior design practices, the hotel has been carefully…