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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Patong one-way to stay
PATONG: The one-way traffic system in Patong will stay after the 90-day trial period is over, the Superintendent of Kathu District Police Station has told the Gazette. Col Teeraphol Thipjaroen said the system would definitely remain in place, though with improvements to meet the demands of people in Patong. To this end, a survey will be carried out to gauge…
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Gov moves to evict Chalong encroachers
CHALONG: Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit will head a committee aimed at evicting encroachers from government land off Soi Songkul, where three homes were badly damaged last November in a bombing believed to have been motivated by a land rights dispute.Tawicha Chaithong, who heads the Phuket Administrative and Justice Enhancement Group, said there are three areas of greatest concern: Klong Mudong…
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“Ko Noi’ gunman arrested at wedding
PHUKET: Almost a year after well-known Phuket businessman Preecha “Ko Noi” Kraitas was gunned down in Rawai, police in Petchaburi arrested the alleged gunman at a wedding reception on March 9.Lt Col Somyot Chimplee of Petchaburi Provincial Police told the Gazette that Petchaburi native Samrerng Klaising was arrested as he stood in a wedding reception line waiting to wish good…
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Chalong policeman’s wife arrested for Phichai murder
CHALONG: Col Chalit Kaewyarat, Superintendent of Chalong Police Station, today confirmed that the wife of a Chalong police officer has been arrested for allegedly hiring four men to kill 44-year-old construction contractor Phichai Wanlayapetch, who was gunned down after dropping his child off at a Chalong day care center on February 26. Col Chalit declined to name the officer, but…
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Water shortages imminent – ODPM Chief
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (ODPM) has identified 43 areas in Phuket that are expected to suffer water shortages in upcoming weeks with some areas already trucking in emergency water supplies.Some areas in Thalang are expected to run dry within days, said Phuket ODPM Chief Aroon Kerdsom.“We know from previous years where the trouble spots…
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Govt dedicates 238 rai for B1.4bn sports complex
MAI KHAO: The Treasury Department has signed an agreement with the Phuket Sports and Recreation Development (SRD) Office allowing 238 rai of government land in Mai Khao to be used for a sports training complex costing 1.4 billion baht.The agreement was signed February 23 by Tamrong Tongtan, Head of the Phuket Provincial Treasury Office, and Promchote Traivate, Head of the…
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Arrests for illegal firearms rise
PHUKET: Twenty-five people were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms from February 1 to 28, compared with 10 arrests during the same period in January, according to the latest crime statistics released by Phuket Provincial Police.Gambling again saw the most arrests with 260 people charged, and 57 people were arrested for drug-related cases.Cases involving ya bah (methamphetamine) totaled 31, with…
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“Red tide’ blooms cause murky conditions
PHUKET: Many of the island’s beaches are experiencing algal blooms that are causing murky conditions commonly called “red tides”, but marine biologists say the situation is not dangerous and sea conditions are expected to return to normal soon.Suree Satapoomin, a researcher at the Phuket Marine Biological Center, told the Gazette that the blooms were first detected on west coast beaches,…
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Charity gorge
PATONG: Gluttony and generosity will go hand-in-hand this weekend, when 80 contestants take part in Jungceylon’s first-ever “EAT-A-THON” to raise money to buy lunches for poor local students.Jungceylon Public Relation’s Manager Slilla Svetsreni explained that on Friday, Saturday and Sunday contestants will compete in devouring four categories of fast food to be provided by sponsors Burger King, Swensen’s ice cream,…
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Island gears up for Heroines’ Festival
PHUKET: This year’s festival honoring the heroine sisters of Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Sri Soontorn will include traditional dances, games and a mountain bike race during the three-day celebration. The festival, a commemoration of Phuket’s victory over the Burmese incursion of 1785, will be held at Baan Riang in Thalang, near the heroines’ monument from March 11 to 13. The…
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Teen murder suspect arrested
RASSADA: Police on Saturday arrested another member of the glue-sniffing youth gang wanted in connection with the murder of Keittirat Longnawa, a 31-year-old transsexual and glue addict who was beaten and had his throat slashed January 31.Police identified the suspect as 18-year-old Thitinun “Wung” Vongnayat, arrested in his Rassada home at about 1 am.Phuket City Police Investigations Inspector Lt Col…
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License plate auction to top 10 million baht
PHUKET: A total of 301 “lucky” numbers will be up for bid at Phuket’s third two-day auction of auto license plates, starting at 8:30 am on March 17 and 18 at the Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel.Suraphon Tanrungruangthawee, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Transport Office (PPLTO), told the Gazette that there will be a variety of categories of numbers up for…
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Sterne swings to lead Johnnie Walker Classic
PHUKET: In a late charge this afternoon, South African Richard Sterne finished 13 under par to head the leaderboard going into final day of play in the Johnnie Walker Classic 2007 tomorrow.Yesterday’s leaders, Oliver Wilson from the UK and South African Anton Haig were put to a series of challenges throughout the day. The first challenge came from another experienced…
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Khun Sao murder suspect still at large
KATHU: The suspected accomplice in the stabbing murder of 40-year old Nongyin “Sao” Sengton is still at large.Khun Sao was murdered in her home near the Tung Tong Market on November 27 last year. She was a long-term companion of property owner Tavorn Kajkla, also known as Pae Lian.She was found with 15 deep stab wounds, and her gold necklace…
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Johnnie Walker Classic: Haig matches course record, Wilson leads
By Oliver Bates PHUKET: The second day of the Johnnie Walker Classic saw a reversal of fortunes for the top players as Englishman Oliver Wilson took the lead at -10, while South African Anton Haig equaled Greg Norman’s course record with a 8-under round of 64, leaving him in second place going into the playoffs.Today’s play saw some wild shots and…
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Bars urged to close over Buddhist holiday
PHUKET: The Makha Bucha holiday will again be marked by closed bars this year as police request all establishments that serve alcohol to shut down for the Buddhist celebration tomorrow.Makha Bucha commemorates the day when 1,250 of Buddha’s disciples convened to hear the Buddha’s preachings. It also marks the day when Buddha announced that he would enter nirvana in three…
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“Saijai Aid’ launched to aid burn victim
PHUKET: People wanting to make direct donations to aid the recovery of burn victim Saijai Phromdaen, who was set on fire by an itinerant glue addict at Patong Beach on February 13, can now do so via the Internet or by visiting Vachira Phuket Hospital. Dr Jerry Hoss, who is organizing the aid drive, told the Gazette that K. Saijai…
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Patong hotel owner shot
PHUKET CITY: Suppakon “Ko Yin” Ektaweechot, owner of the Hyton Leelavadee Resort in Patong, was shot in the back with a shotgun on Sunday evening as he was eating dinner at Ban Panun Restaurant on Rassada Anusorn Rd in Phuket City.He is now recovering at Vachira Phuket Hospital and reported to be in a stable condition.Lt Col Ampolwat Seangraung, Investigating…
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More people register as living in Phuket
PHUKET: Between January 31 and February 20, 3,203 people registered with the government as living in Phuket, bringing the island’s official population to 312,074.Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Piya Bharatasilpin reported the increase to Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit on Tuesday.The registrations are in response to the Governor calling for island residents to register as living in Phuket so that the…
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Traffic safety spurs Central Festival access restriction
PHUKET CITY: From March 15 access to and egress from Central Festival Phuket from Wichit Songkhram Rd will be restricted.In an effort to reduce traffic tailbacks and the high number of accidents at the location, Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Decha Budnampetch has ordered that the center line along Wichit Songkhram Rd where traffic stops to enter Central Festival Phuket…
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Kamala OrBorTor President removed over corruption allegations
KAMALA: Jaral Sararak, President of Kamala Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor), has been dismissed over allegations of rampant corruption.The order removing him from office, signed February 23 by Kathu District Chief Khantee Silapa, followed an investigation requested by Sorranun Sane, Chairman of the OrBorTor Board.K. Khantee told the Gazette, “We have investigated Jaral many times for a lack of transparency in…
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Gov gets tough on bars, violence and encroachment
PHUKET CITY: Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit has ordered police to continue their crackdown on bars in Patong opening after hours, saying that there were no exceptions in the law for “tourist provinces”.At the Phuket Provincial Security Committee’s monthly meeting at the Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel on Tuesday, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Decha Budnampeth asked the Governor to clarify…
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Killer of Phang Nga politician arrested
PHANG NGA: Police in Surat Thani on February 15 arrested one of the killers of Phang Nga Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) President Anan “Ko Daeng” Boonrak, who was shot dead in December 2004.The suspect, 38-year-old Chusak “Muek Chumporn” Numluemkid, was #2 on the Royal Thai Police Crime Suppression Division’s Top 50 Most Wanted Gunmen for 2005. His three accomplices in…
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Four arrested for Nongnuch murder
KAMALA: Police have arrested four suspects for the shooting murder of Nongnuch Kongpleum, who was gunned down in front of the The Club restaurant on the main road through Kamala around 7:30 pm Friday.Lt Col Monsak Suebsuwan, Duty Inspector at Kamala Police Station, told the Gazette that the victim, 42, was the partner of Dutch property developer Harry Tawando, 72,…
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Swede run over by 10-wheel truck
KARON: A Swedish man was killed instantly on Patak Rd on Friday afternoon after he fell off his motorbike and was run over by a 10-wheel truck.Tommy Leif Jonsson, 50, was driving a Yamaha Nouvo over the hills between Kata and Chalong when he apparently lost control and fell off the bike near the Plub Pla Resort, Lt Col Anek Mongkol of the…
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Taking Phuket on the road
PHUKET CITY: Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit announced on Friday that to promote Phuket to foreign tourist markets the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) and hotels and hospitals yet to be selected will be going on a 14-country roadshow.The TAT, OrBorJor, Gov Niran and selected hotels will begin their tour in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and…
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Father murdered in Chalong
CHALONG: Four men were arrested this morning after gunning down 44-year-old construction contractor Phichai Wanlayapetch in broad daylight after he dropped his young child off at a day care center in Chalong.The men arrested are Sangkom “Kom” Anukul, 46, Watcharin “Kai” Janya, 35, and Somkanay “Lek” Sriphan, 36, all from Surat Thani; and Suchart “Neung” or “Bao” Sornsang, 33, from…
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Leatherback turtle eggs hatch
KARON: Seventy-six leatherback turtles have hatched so far out of the 103 eggs laid on Karon Beach in December.Before December, leatherbacks had not laid eggs on Karon Beach for more than 10 years. If the turtles are lucky at least 1% of the hatchlings will survive to adulthood and return to lay eggs.Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) Veterinarian Sontaya Manawattana…
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Old Phuket Festival draws huge crowds
PHUKET CITY: About 1,000 people turned out to enjoy the first day of the 9th Old Phuket Festival yesterday on Phang Nga Rd, Thalang Rd and Soi Rommanee.Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwannasupana led the Old Phuket parade through the city’s old quarter, followed by hundreds of people dressed in traditional costumes, such as the local baba and yaya dress.Long drums…
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Man dies after mid-flight heart attack
THALANG: An Indian businessman on a private flight from India to Singapore died early this morning after suffering breathing difficulties mid-flight, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing at Phuket International Airport (PIA).Lt Col Somkid Khaosang, Duty Inspector at Tah Chat Chai Police Station, named the man as Ram Calani Kusiram, 67.“The man’s 27-year-old son, Calani Nares Kusiram, told…
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