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  • Phuket Gazette World News: Syria submits new 100-day plan for removal of chemical weapons

    Phuket Gazette World News: Syria submits new 100-day plan for removal of chemical weapons

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Syria submits new 100-day plan for removal of chemical weapons Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: Syria has submitted a new 100-day plan for the removal of its chemical weapons after failing to meet a February 5 deadline, but the international mission overseeing the operation believes it can be…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Obama meets with Dalai Lama, upsetting China

    Phuket Gazette World News: Obama meets with Dalai Lama, upsetting China

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama meets with Dalai Lama, upsetting China Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: President Barack Obama held low-key talks with the Dalai Lama on Friday, prompting the Chinese government to ask why the White House ignored Beijing’s warnings that the meeting with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader would damage…

  • [Video Report] Alleged French ATM scammers caught bribing Phuket police | Thaiger

    [Video Report] Alleged French ATM scammers caught bribing Phuket police

    PHUKET: Phuket Police arrested two French nationals for bribing an officer of the law yesterday, while a third man is still on the run. Karin Radoun, 28, was also charged with ATM fraud and being in the country illegally. He and Karim Akrour, 36, denied all the charges when presented to the press this morning. Police are still hunting for…

  • Frenchwoman in fatal crash identified as Phuket yacht staff trainer

    Frenchwoman in fatal crash identified as Phuket yacht staff trainer

    PHUKET: The foreigner killed in a car accident on Thepkrasattri Road before dawn yesterday has been identified as French national Julie Humbert, 31. Her identity was confirmed by an employee of Thalang Hospital, where her body was taken after the crash (story here). “A co-worker contacted the hospital this morning after she heard the story. She identified Ms Humbert’s body…

  • Wind at yachties’ backs in Phuket as boom swings against boat-stay law

    Wind at yachties’ backs in Phuket as boom swings against boat-stay law

    PHUKET: The law reducing the time limit of boat stays in Thailand to two months is on hold starting today, and the old law will be applied in the interim, Phuket Customs Chief Nanthita Sririkub confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. As of today, yachts entering Thailand will be permitted to stay for up to six months. “I received official notification…

  • Airport-bound foreigners safe after illegal taxi catches fire

    Airport-bound foreigners safe after illegal taxi catches fire

    PHUKET: A black-plate taxi carrying two foreigners to Phuket International Airport burst into flames on Thepkrasattri road at about 2pm today.It took villagers about 15 minutes and seven fire extinguishers to put out the fire, explained a Kusoldharm Foundation rescue worker. No one was injured.“By the time we got there, the fire was already under control. At the scene were…

  • Krabi resort owner vows legal action over demolition

    Krabi resort owner vows legal action over demolition

    PHUKET: The owner of the Poda Island Resort is threatening to sue the Department of National Parks (DNP) for dismantling his facilities. Chuan Pukaoluan, who has operated the resort for about 20 years, says that he had bought the plots of land the resort was built on legitimately. However, the courts determined that the structures were encroaching on a national…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Farmers return home; More Southern violence; Russian wanted for extortion caught in Chon Buri | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Farmers return home; More Southern violence; Russian wanted for extortion caught in Chon Buri

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Farmers from northern provinces return home Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: About 10,000 farmers who travelled from the lower northern provinces to Bangkok resolved on Friday to return home rather than head to Suvarnabhumi Airport for a rally.The farmers decided to return home after their leader, former…

  • Phuket EC not enrolling MP candidates by mail, yet

    Phuket EC not enrolling MP candidates by mail, yet

    PHUKET: Despite an announcement by the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday that they would accept additional candidate registrations for the April MP election by mail, Phuket election officials have received no official instructions to enroll new candidates. Anti-government protesters in Phuket blocked MP candidates from registering last December. Only one person, Jirayos Songyos of the Pheu Thai party, was able…

  • Local tourism industry unfazed by Bangkok turmoil

    Local tourism industry unfazed by Bangkok turmoil

    PHUKET: Wanprapha Suksomboon, acting director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office, recently said that the political turmoil in Bangkok has had minimal negative effects on local tourism.There have been only “a few” booking cancellations, she said, citing the fact that Phuket can be accessed by direct international flights that don’t need to connect in the Thai capital. Since…

  • AirAsia flight makes emergency landing in Phuket after Mecca pilgrim suffers heart failure

    AirAsia flight makes emergency landing in Phuket after Mecca pilgrim suffers heart failure

    PHUKET: An AirAsia plane made an emergency landing at Phuket International Airport after a Malaysian man returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca suffered heart failure while in Thai airspace. The crew of flight D7 171 from Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur attempted to resuscitate Ridzwan Bin Jamaludin, 64, while still in the air, explained Thalang Police Deputy Superintendent Amnuay Kriwuttianant. “The…

  • Phuket canal reeking again, noodle factory blamed

    Phuket canal reeking again, noodle factory blamed

    PHUKET: For the second time in a year, Samkong residents have filed a formal complaint over a sickening stench emanating from the Bang Yai Canal. In April last year, the source was allegedly raw sewage dumped into the canal further upstream, in Rassada. This time, residents blamed an upstream noodle factory. During an inspection on Tuesday, Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut…

  • Unidentified foreign woman killed in Phuket crash

    Unidentified foreign woman killed in Phuket crash

    PHUKET: An unidentified foreign woman died in a car accident on Thepkrasattri Road early this morning.Police were called to the scene, on the southbound side of the road opposite the entrance to Bang Kanun Forest, at 5am.“We found a car flipped over in the middle of the road and the body of a foreign woman inside. We searched the car,…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Obama warns Ukraine military not to ‘step over the line’

    Phuket Gazette World News: Obama warns Ukraine military not to ‘step over the line’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama warns Ukraine military not to ‘step over the line’ Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: U.S. President Barack Obama called on Ukraine’s armed forces on Wednesday to stay out of the country’s political crisis and warned that there would be consequences for those who “step over the line.”Using…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Both sides suffer from violent clashes; New plan to pay rice farmers; MP registration by mail; Foreign investors continue retreat from stock market

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Both sides suffer from violent clashes; New plan to pay rice farmers; MP registration by mail; Foreign investors continue retreat from stock market

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community On both sides, victims share the bitter pain of street clashes Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: A junior policeman has become a hero for kicking away a grenade in his bid to protect colleagues during a Bangkok clash – but his wife thinks his fame…

  • The Terminal: asylum seekers’ limbo at Phuket Airport to end soon

    The Terminal: asylum seekers’ limbo at Phuket Airport to end soon

    PHUKET: The six stateless asylum seekers who have been housed under guard at Phuket International Airport for over a month may soon be leaving the island.Malaysia has agreed to accept the four Syrians in the group, and the two Lebanese men will be sent to Bangkok, said Prapansak Prasansuk, Chief of Immigration at the airport.How the men, said to be…

  • Chalong steals Phuket’s booze ban spotlight this weekend

    Chalong steals Phuket’s booze ban spotlight this weekend

    PHUKET: Parts of Chalong will be effected by a booze ban this weekend for local elections.“Alcohol sales will be banned in District 2 of Chalong from 6pm on February 21 until midnight on Saturday due to local elections,” Phuket Election Commission Director Kittipong Thiengkunakrit told the Phuket Gazette.The ban will cover five Chao Fa West villages, Chalong Municipality Election Commission…

  • Phuket protesters head to Bangkok despite deadly violence

    Phuket protesters head to Bangkok despite deadly violence

    PHUKET: An anti-government co-ordinator in Phuket believes hundreds of Phuket residents will join a mass rally in Bangkok tomorrow, despite the violent clashes between protesters and police that have left at least one officer dead (story here). Suthep Thaugsuban, Secretary General of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) last night called for supporters to join the protest tomorrow as a…

  • Thailand Breaking News: Erawan Centre says three killed, 59 injured in clash | Thaiger

    Thailand Breaking News: Erawan Centre says three killed, 59 injured in clash

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Erawan Centre says three killed, 59 injured in clash Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Erawan Emergency Medical Centre reported at 3pm today that two civilians and a policeman had been killed. Additionally, 58 others were injured in the clash between police and protesters…

  • DSI chief says one policeman killed in Bangkok clash | Thaiger

    DSI chief says one policeman killed in Bangkok clash

    PHUKET: One police officer was killed and 17 others injured during violent clashes during an operation to re-take traffic space from protest sites on Rajdamnoen Road.Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pendith announced that a policeman was shot in the head.He said the officers were injured by M79 grenades and bullets although they were using peaceful measures in the…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Crackdown sees several injured, including police

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Crackdown sees several injured, including police

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Crackdown sees several injured Phuket Gazette/ The NationPHUKET: At least two policemen were reportedly shot and injured and a protester was hurt in a clash on Rajdamnoen Road.The clash started at 11:20 when police opened fire on the protesters.Since then, sounds of gunfire were heard now and…

  • Phuket water shutoff leaves residents and tourists high and dry

    Phuket water shutoff leaves residents and tourists high and dry

    PHUKET: After two months with no running water, life for residents on Phang Muang Sai Kor Road in Phuket returned to normal this morning. “We had no running water for almost two months, since December 25,” said a resident of the Patong road who declined to be named.“We have had to buy water from a water truck every week, which…

  • Swedish tourist falls to death from slippery Phuket bar | Thaiger

    Swedish tourist falls to death from slippery Phuket bar

    PHUKET: A Swedish tourist fell to his death early this morning while dancing on top of a bar counter in Patong.“Witnesses in the bar said that the man had been drinking before he decided to climb onto the countertop and dance,” said a Kusoldharm Patong rescue foundation worker.“The bar was wet and slippery. He slipped and hit his head hard…

  • Phuket Vice Governor champions Australian’s metered taxi complaint

    Phuket Vice Governor champions Australian’s metered taxi complaint

    PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada stepped forward to champion a complaint about an airport taxi driver who refused to use his meter to take an Australian expat home to Kamala. The 51-year-old man arrived at Phuket International Airport last Sunday and was met by a metered taxi tout, who explained that it costs 650 baht to go to Kamala.…

  • Phuket Gazete World News: Co-pilot hijacks Ethiopian plane, surrenders in Geneva

    Phuket Gazete World News: Co-pilot hijacks Ethiopian plane, surrenders in Geneva

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Co-pilot hijacks Ethiopian plane to Geneva, exits cockpit by rope Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: A co-pilot who hijacked an Ethiopian Airlines flight to seek asylum in Switzerland on Monday surrendered to police at Geneva airport after jumping out of a cockpit window and scrambling down an emergency…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Snow causes building collapse in South Korea, 10 killed | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: Snow causes building collapse in South Korea, 10 killed

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Building collapse at South Korean resort kills 10 Phuket Gazette/ ReutersPHUKET: Ten people attending a welcoming party for new university students were killed when a building at a South Korean mountain resort collapsed late on Monday, emergency officials said, trapping dozens in snow and rubble for several…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Rice, bank runs and elections

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Rice, bank runs and elections

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Most banks say deposits normal after Bt30 billion pulled from GSB accounts Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: Major private banks have not detected a wave of deposits, even though 30 billion baht in cash was withdrawn by customers of the Government Savings Bank (GSB) yesterday. Weidt Nuchjalearn,…

  • Phuket residents close accounts in protest of massive loan for rice-pledging scheme

    Phuket residents close accounts in protest of massive loan for rice-pledging scheme

    PHUKET: Phuket residents flocked to several branches of the Government Savings Bank (GSB) today to withdraw money and close accounts after the bank lent 20 billion baht to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) on Sunday.“Monday is always a busy day, since it is the first of the week. However, we admit that 10 per cent of our…

  • Missing Phuket woman with Alzheimer’s killed in hit-and-run

    Missing Phuket woman with Alzheimer’s killed in hit-and-run

    PHUKET: A woman with Alzheimer’s disease who had wandered away from home was killed in a hit-and-run motorbike accident in Thalang last night.Pranit Parteep Na Talang, 75, first went missing from her home in Ban Don at about 2pm yesterday afternoon.“My mother had Alzheimer’s, but she could walk well for her age and often went missing because of her illness,”…

  • Phuket woman with Alzheimer’s killed in hit-and-run

    Phuket woman with Alzheimer’s killed in hit-and-run

    PHUKET: A woman with Alzheimer’s Disease who had wandered away from home was killed in a hit-and-run motorbike accident in Thalang last night. Pranit Parteep Na Talang, 75, first went missing from her home in Ban Don at about 2pm that afternoon. “My mother had Alzheimer’s, but she could walk well for her age and often went missing because of…