News

Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.

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    How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?

    Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....

  • Love lost Russian drinks himself to death in Phuket seaside guesthouse

    Love lost Russian drinks himself to death in Phuket seaside guesthouse

    PHUKET: A broken-hearted Russian man who drank himself to death was found in his rented accommodation in Patong yesterday. Patong Police inspector Maj Patapee Srichai was informed of the incident shortly after 2pm by Areeya Koksadon, 40, the manager of the Amara Guesthouse. At the scene police found the body of Petr Zavyalov, a 27-year-old Russian national, lying on the…

  • Aunt, niece die in Phuket tour bus “hit-and-run’

    Aunt, niece die in Phuket tour bus “hit-and-run’

    PHUKET: A tour bus driver fled the scene after the bus he was driving struck two women riding a motorbike in the northbound lane of Thepkrasattri Road yesterday afternoon. The two women who died in the accident were identified by Thalang Police as Jaroonrat Waree, 35, and Nadlada Waree, 17. “The motorbike rider and passenger were dragged by the bus…

  • FIFA Futsal World Cup: Brazil, Colombia, Italy and Spain prevail in quarterfinals

    FIFA Futsal World Cup: Brazil, Colombia, Italy and Spain prevail in quarterfinals

    PHUKET: The FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 featured all four exciting quarterfinals’ matches last night in Bangkok, with Brazil, Colombia, Italy and Spain advancing to the dismay of Argentina, Ukraine, Portugal and Russia respectively. In the first match of the evening, Brazil came from behind to claim a hard fought victory against Argentina in extra time.Relishing the return of key…

  • Aussie balcony plunge survivor on the road to recovery

    Aussie balcony plunge survivor on the road to recovery

    PHUKET: The Australian man who fell 18 floors from a Patong hotel balcony on Tuesday is recovering from an operation to repair a ruptured spleen and to start correcting his shattered right leg, which was nearly torn off in the impact. Staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town reported that John Hurley, 39, underwent the surgery yesterday afternoon. “He…

  • More Bangla raids to come, vows Chairat

    More Bangla raids to come, vows Chairat

    PHUKET: Complaints from tourists have prompted Patong Municipality to launch a campaign to rid Soi Bangla of touts who charge tourists for having their photos taken with slow lorises, a protected species. Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban explained to the Phuket Gazette that the campaign uses the coordinated efforts of the Phuket Environmental Conservation Unit of the Department of National…

  • International Football: Sweden christen new stadium with gold

    International Football: Sweden christen new stadium with gold

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World sporting news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Inspired Ibrahimovic scores four, no Messi record Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Zlatan Ibrahimovic christened Sweden’s new stadium with a sprinkling of gold last night, scoring three classy goals and an unforgettable one in a 4-2 friendly win over England, while Argentina’s Lionel Messi drew…

  • Phuket Governor called on to curb “out of control’ corruption

    Phuket Governor called on to curb “out of control’ corruption

    PHUKET: Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban and Patong Entertainment Business Association President Weerawit Kurasombat today called on the Phuket Governor to investigate rampant extortion by government officers.Deputy Mayor Chairat and Mr Weerawit met Governor Maitri Inthusut at Provincial Hall this morning. Also present was Prapan Kanprasang, head of the Damrongtham Center (Provincial Ombudsman’s Office).“Many government departments in Phuket ask for…

  • Thailand News: Austrian publisher arrested in Pattaya

    Thailand News: Austrian publisher arrested in Pattaya

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police arrest Austrian man for attempted blackmail Phuket Gazette / The Nation- DPAPHUKET: Police arrested an Austrian magazine owner in the Thai resort town of Pattaya on charges of attempting to blackmail a German multinational consumer products firm, police confirmed today.The technology crime suppression police unit arrested…

  • FIFA Futsal World Cup: Brazil, Spain, Ukraine and Italy favored in quarterfinals tonight

    FIFA Futsal World Cup: Brazil, Spain, Ukraine and Italy favored in quarterfinals tonight

    PHUKET: Footy fans across the globe look forward to four strong quarterfinal match-ups of the FIFA Futsal World Cup, which kick off tonight in Thailand as follows: Bangkok’s Indoor Stadium, Huamark, broadcast live on terrestrial channel 9 4pm: Brazil vs Argentina: 6:30pm: Ukraine vs Colombia Bangkok’s Nimibutr Stadium, broadcast live on cable channel T-Sport 6:30pm: Portugal vs Italy 9pm: Spain…

  • World Sports: Gerrard to score 100 caps; Debuts for Sterling, Osman and Caulker

    World Sports: Gerrard to score 100 caps; Debuts for Sterling, Osman and Caulker

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World sporting news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Gerrard to score 100 caps; Debuts for Sterling, Osman and Caulker Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Captain Steven Gerrard is set to become the sixth player to reach the milestone of 100 caps for England in tonight’s friendly against Sweden and feels he still has…

  • World News: EU suspends enforcement of carbon tax on air travel

    World News: EU suspends enforcement of carbon tax on air travel

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community European Union suspends enforcement of carbon tax on air travel Phuket Gazette / News WiresPHUKET: The European Commission of the European Union on Monday announced it will suspend enforcing its controversial carbon tax on air travel until at least autumn 2013, creating space for political negotiations to…

  • World News: Syrian conflict update – Role of France, Russia and Iran

    World News: Syrian conflict update – Role of France, Russia and Iran

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community France recognises new Syria opposition Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: France became the first European power to recognize Syria’s new opposition coalition as the sole representative of its people and said yesterday it would look into arming rebels against President Bashar al-Assad once they form a government.Twenty months…

  • Aussie survives 18-storey hotel plunge

    Aussie survives 18-storey hotel plunge

    PHUKET: The Australian man who fell 18 floors from a Patong hotel balcony earlier today is recovering at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town. (Click here to see Phuket Breaking News report.) John Hurley, 39, suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung, serious injuries to his right leg and a broken left hand in the fall. His leg was nearly torn…

  • Phuket teen ax murderer to face court next week | Thaiger

    Phuket teen ax murderer to face court next week

    PHUKET: The 15-year-old boy who confessed to murdering his stepfather with an ax on August 21 has been charged with premeditated murder and will go to trial next week, the Phuket Gazette has learned. Lt Col Boonlert Onklang of the Chalong Police Station today told the Gazette that the boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, remains…

  • World Sports: South Africa scrap draw in first test

    World Sports: South Africa scrap draw in first test

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World sports news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community South Africa forces draw in first test with Australia Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: South Africa were forced to scrap their way through an uncomfortable final day of the first test against a Michael Clarke-inspired Australia today to save a match they had once looked like winning.Australia…

  • Live Wire: Is Windows 8 right for your Phuket PC?

    Live Wire: Is Windows 8 right for your Phuket PC?

    PHUKET: I’m very happy to announce that my latest book, Windows 8 All-In-One For Dummies, arrived on store shelves around the world just before Windows 8 launched on October 26. At 1,080 pages, it’s not only the longest book I’ve ever written, it’s also the most complex. While Windows 8 itself isn’t considerably more convoluted than Windows 7, it has…

  • Thailand News: Renewed fears from seismic strikes

    Thailand News: Renewed fears from seismic strikes

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Fears of ‘big one’ on Mae Chan Fault The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Sunday’s magnitude 6.8 earthquake and aftershocks in Myanmar have renewed fears in Thailand over safety from seismic strikes. “We have to identify the quake risks of each type of building and prepare response…

  • World News: Israel hits Syrian artillery; Deep concerns voiced by UN

    World News: Israel hits Syrian artillery; Deep concerns voiced by UN

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Israel hits Syrian artillery that fired on Golan Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Israel’s army fired tank shells into Syria yesterday and scored “direct hits” in response to a Syrian mortar shell that struck the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the Israeli military said in a statement. It…

  • Chris McCormack to race at Laguna Phuket

    Chris McCormack to race at Laguna Phuket

    PHUKET: Australian Chris “Macca” McCormack, the two-time Ironman World Champion and one of the most successful athletes in triathlon history, has signed up to compete in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) on November 25 and Ironman 70.3 Laguna on December 2.Macca has won 200 races around the world since 1993 including 12 Ironman victories, more than any other male competitor,…

  • Korean tourist survives gash in head from longtail propeller

    Korean tourist survives gash in head from longtail propeller

    PHUKET: A Korean tourist who was struck in the head by a longtail boat propeller while on a snorkeling trip off Koh Panyee is conscious and eating unassisted, staff at Phuket International Hospital told the Phuket Gazette this morning.Kang Chulgue, 30, was on a day trip with five other Korean tourists at the popular tourist site Tumlod-Khao Phing Kan, located…

  • Eight injured as bus flips in heavy rain in Phang Nga

    Eight injured as bus flips in heavy rain in Phang Nga

    PHUKET BREAKING NEWS: A tour bus en route from Phuket to Chumphon, north of Koh Samui on the Gulf of Thailand, slammed into a bridge guardrail and flipped onto its side in heavy rain in Phang Nga province late this afternoon.Lt Col Anan Kuaboonkaew of Takua Pa Police received a report of the accident at 5:30pm.“Eight of the 20 passengers…

  • Koh Lanta officials blame turtle soup for “strange’ outbreak

    Koh Lanta officials blame turtle soup for “strange’ outbreak

    PHUKET: Officials on Koh Lanta believe a sick hawksbill sea turtle was the cause of a mass poisoning that may have contributed to the death of a 61-year-old man and resulted in 43 other villagers being admitted to hospital. (Click here to see Phuket Breaking News report.) “Many people in the Urak Lawoi sea gypsy village on Koh Lanta Yai…

  • Phuket Business: Get your head in the clouds

    Phuket Business: Get your head in the clouds

    PHUKET: Information technology (IT) has dramatically changed the way people communicate and do business. Changes in information technology are rapidly taking place and investors who are able to spot the newest trends can profit from those trends greatly. One continually evolving trend is “cloud computing”. Investors focused on IT growth stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have several options when it…

  • Phuket Business: ASEAN set to ink deals with China

    Phuket Business: ASEAN set to ink deals with China

    PHUKET: ASEAN and Chinese leaders are set to ink two Free Trade Agreements (FTA) facilitating commerce at a bilateral summit later this month. Representatives will meet on November 18 in Cambodia, at a summit between ASEAN leaders and six partner countries.One agreement would eliminate some trade barriers related to sanitary and phytosanitary (animal and plant health) standards; the other would…

  • One dead, 43 hospitalized after “strange’ outbreak on Koh Lanta | Thaiger

    One dead, 43 hospitalized after “strange’ outbreak on Koh Lanta

    PHUKET BREAKING NEWS: Officials on Koh Lanta in Krabi province are investigating the cause of an outbreak that has been blamed for one death so far, and has left 43 other villagers in hospital.Despite initial concerns the villagers had contracted hand, foot and mouth disease, officials are investigating whether it was a sick turtle that the villagers had eaten that…

  • Phang Nga politician gunned down in broad daylight | Thaiger

    Phang Nga politician gunned down in broad daylight

    PHUKET: While Phang Nga Immigration officers were busy rounding up the 112 Rohingya refugees who landed at Tai Muang on Saturday, police in the neighboring town of Khok Kloy were responding to a drive-by assassination of a leading local community figure. Lt Nakhon Tangruamsub of Khok Kloy Police told the Phuket Gazette that he received a report of a man…

  • Thai authorities arrest 112 Rohingya after boat washes ashore in Phang Nga

    Thai authorities arrest 112 Rohingya after boat washes ashore in Phang Nga

    PHUKET: Heavy seas on Saturday forced a boat loaded with 112 Rohingya, attempting the perilous journey to Malaysia, to land north of Phuket on Tai Muang beach in Phang Nga, where they were promptly arrested by the authorities. According to police the boat was part of a flotilla of seven boats ferrying over 1,000 Rohingya that departed their native Rakhine…

  • Burst water main topples power pole in Phuket

    Burst water main topples power pole in Phuket

    PHUKET: A power pole that fell onto a house and injured a man in Phuket yesterday was unstable due to the water erosion caused by a burst water pipe, locals told the police. Police received the report of the incident at about 3pm and arrived to find power lines hanging on the ground near a freshly dug waterline trough on…

  • Doing Business in Thailand: AMCHAM Legal Forum | Thaiger

    Doing Business in Thailand: AMCHAM Legal Forum

    PHUKET: AMCHAM will hold a forum titled ‘Doing Business in Thailand – 3 Things You Should Know’, on Thursday, November 29, at Royal Phuket Marina. Three top international lawyers will be on hand to talk about how to do business without Thai nominees, enforcing contracts through arbitration, and the increasing focus on criminal corrupt practices and anti-corruption laws. The event…

  • Man injured as power pole falls on house | Thaiger

    Man injured as power pole falls on house

    PHUKET BREAKING NEWS: A man was rushed to hospital for immediate treatment of injuries sustained yesterday when a power pole fell onto a house in Cherng Talay, on Phuket’s west coast, dragging live power cables down to the street.