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“Jealous’ Belgian expat stabbed, left in coma by Thai girlfriend in domestic dispute
PHUKET: A domestic dispute got out of hand last night, leading to the brutal stabbing and hospitalization of a 62-year-old Belgian expat. In a moment of jealousy, Ferdinand Salden allegedly attacked his girlfriend of about six years, who then stabbed him multiple times with a thin, sharp piece of metal. Mr Salden had numerous stab wounds to the chest, as…
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Alleged encroachment on protected Phuket mangroves in cross hairs
PHUKET: An investigation was launched into allegations that a Rassada landowner was encroaching on a protected mangrove forest and preventing villagers from accessing the forest for fishing. At the property, Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttirak and his team were greeted by Koompha Thammapradit, who claimed to know the land owner and presented a Sor Kor 1 title deed for 300…
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Police open fire as drug suspect rams Phuket Town blockade
PHUKET: Police officers opened fire on a suspected drug dealer after he rammed his Honda Jazz into a police patrol pickup blocking his escape in Phuket Town early yesterday evening. Police were following the Honda Jazz of 28-year-old Thaweepong Kerdpol, a suspected drug dealer, after they received a tip-off that he was in the Chalong area. Mr Thaweepong stopped for…
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Phuket Gazette World Sports: Webber to end F1 career
Mark Webber to quit Formula 1 at the end of season Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Red Bull’s Mark Webber will quit Formula One at the end of the season for Porsche’s new sportscar programme, the Australian announced today. The 36-year-old spent 12 years in Formula One, winning nine races and twice finishing third in the championship. Lotus driver Kimi…
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Teenager found hanging in parents’ Phuket home
PHUKET: The body of a teenager was found hanging from a support beam of her parent’s house in Kathu on Tuesday.Police tentatively suspect that the 19-year-old Burmese woman committed suicide because of a breakup with her boyfriend.Thung Thong Police and Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers arrived at the scene at about 11:30am to find the body of Ms Lat already laid…
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Phuket Police turn to Skype to catch criminals
PHUKET: In a move to catch criminals faster, officers across Phuket are to use Skype so victims and witnesses can relate their descriptions of suspects directly to police artists in Surat Thani.Under the Royal Thai Police project called “Sketch on Skype”, experts from Forensic Science Region 8 in Surat Thani arrived in Phuket on Tuesday to explain the program to…
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Koh Kaew u-turn lane lengthened to relieve congestion
PHUKET: The northbound u-turn lane at the Koh Kaew intersection on Thepkrasattri Road is in the process of being lengthened in an effort to tackle the chronic congestion in the area.“Right now the u-turn lane is not long enough for all the cars that want to turn at the Koh Kaew intersection, and cars that can’t get into the turn…
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Phuket FC slay the Ratchaburi ‘Dragon’ in Thai FA Cup
PHUKET: The Islanders caused a Thai FA Cup upset last night knocking out Thai Premier League (TPL) side Rachaburi Mitrphol 2-0 at their home ground, Surakul Stadium in Phuket Town. The first half started brightly with both sides adopting an attacking style but the end-to-end football was quickly replaced by caution. Phuket FC started the match against the Dragons, who…
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Phuket marks International Day against Drug Abuse
PHUKET: Phuket top officials yesterday marked the International Day against Drug Abuse with a mass swearing off drugs and a vow to eliminate drugs in Thailand before the Asean Economic Community (AEC) trade regulations come into effect in 2015.On stage at the Phuket City District Office, Phuket Vice Governor Sommai Prijasilpa read out a national message from Prime Minister Yingluck…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Rudd sworn in as Australian PM; Snowden still at Moscow Airport; Mursi talks Turkey changes; Gay marriage gets US push
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Rudd sworn in as Australian PM Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Kevin Rudd was sworn in as Australian prime minister for the second time on Thursday, a day after toppling Julia Gillard and three months out from scheduled elections with polls suggesting the ruling Labor Party is staring…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: B10bn in drugs goes up in smoke; Haze easing; DSI supercar probe in twists and turns; Health officials contemplate morning after pill
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community More than 3 tonnes of drugs torched The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Some 158,012 of the country’s estimated 2 million drug addicts underwent rehabilitation at 1,287 hospitals over the past nine months, Deputy Public Health Minister Cholanan Srikaew said yesterday. Of them, 84,404 were forced…
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Phuket tuk-tuk drivers protest illegal taxis
PHUKET: A protest by about 100 tuk-tuk drivers today won the drivers a crackdown on illegal taxis, which the tuk-tuk clan says are stealing their jobs. After staging a convoy from Kathu, the protesters parked their tuk-tuks at Sanam Chai, across the street from Provincial Hall in Phuket Town (map here). “We do not have enough money to pay the…
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Phuket beaches roped off after deadliest weekend
PHUKET: After Phuket’s deadliest drowning weekend, sections of Kata and Karon Beaches have been closed for the first time in the island’s history. “This is the first time we have ever had to hang ropes up across the beach to prevent people from entering dangerous sections of the water. Some of the rip currents run strong across 20 to 30…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Snowden saga; 37 arrested for Himalayan massacre; Homophobia reaches new levels; Wimbledon update
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Putin rules out handing Snowden over to United States Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: President Vladimir Putin confirmed yesterday a former U.S. spy agency contractor sought by the United States was in the transit area of a Moscow airport but ruled out handing him to Washington, dismissing U.S.…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Haze hits South; BRN demands troops out before Ramadan; Thailand off money laundering watchlist
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Narathiwat haze level now ‘adverse to health’ The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Seven provinces in Southern Thailand were affected by smoke from Indonesian forest fires yesterday, with Narathiwat the hardest hit after particulate-matter levels there reached the 129 micrograms/cubic metre considered adverse to health.Meanwhile, Pollution Control Department…
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Singaporean tourists saved at Phuket’s Surin Beach
PHUKET: Amid the spate of drownings over the weekend that saw four tourists drown within four days (story here and here), a dramatic rescue by Phuket lifeguards saw two Singaporean tourists being pulled from heavy surf to safety at Surin Beach. Red “no swimming” flags were flying at Surin Beach, with ocean conditions remaining rough and dangerous despite the sunny…
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AP Superyachts berths new office in Patong
PHUKET: Luxury boating firm Asia Pacific Superyachts (APS) Phuket is growing, reports General Manager Gordon Fernandes. “We’re pleased to announce our headquarters have moved to a brand-new, purpose-built office in preparation for the exciting times ahead as more yachts discover the amazing cruising available in Southeast Asia,” he says. While the new offices offer increased facilities and staff to service…
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Phuket crackdown on wastewater pollution in the works
PHUKET: The director of the Regional Environmental Office has warned Phuket businesses and housing developments to comply with legal requirements in the treatment and release of wastewater – or face the consequences.Dr Pornsri Suthanaruk told the Phuket Gazette she will be enforcing Section 80 of the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act BE 2535.“Business owners must have a…
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Helmeted motorbike driver survives Phuket hill crash
PHUKET: A helmeted motorbike driver was non-responsive but alive after crashing his motorbike into a drainage ditch while descending Patak Road toward Chalong this morning.Ruamjai foundation rescue workers quickly arrived at the scene and placed the man, Surat Udompol, 53, in a neck brace before loading him into an ambulance and rushing him to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.“At…
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Tortured, executed man connected to Phuket drug business
PHUKET: The man found tortured and executed several hundred meters from a Phuket school was involved with drugs despite having a clean police record, Phuket City Police Deputy Superintendent Yongyuth Kongmalai told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. Because of his clean record, police were originally scrambling for a motive for the slaying of Niwat Si-urai, 37, whose body was found dumped…
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Phuket Property Watch: Big bang of luxury
PHUKET: Welcome to rainy season in Phuket. It’s Friday morning as I ponder the sound of rain pelting down on the roof and it feels almost as if I’m in Syria taking incoming fire. My life is that of a minimalist. Give me a black t-shirt, shorts and a well worn pair of Sanuks. No watch, no jewelry, just an…
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Australian dies at hospital after leap from Phuket balcony
PHUKET: The Australian Embassy has contacted the relatives of a 25-year-old Australian man who succumbed to his injures around midnight last night after having plunged from the third floor of a Patong building.A food shop vendor along Soi Kepsap 2, off Sai Nam Yen Road, contacted Lt Col Jongserm Preecha of the Patong Police when she saw the Australian, Joshua…
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Russian drug smuggler wanted by Interpol arrested in Phuket
PHUKET: Responding to a written request from the Russian embassy in Bangkok, Phuket Immigration last night arrested a Russian national wanted in his home country for “illegal transportation of drugs, committed on a large scale”.The request stated that Anatoliy Gural had been wanted by Interpol since November 2011, and provided details of a false passport he was using to travel.“Mr…
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Phuket Gazette World News: South Africa prepares to say goodbye; US competence in question; Berlusconi guilty on sex charges; Nadal out
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community South Africans resigned over ‘critical’ Mandela Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: South Africans appeared resigned to the inevitability of one day saying goodbye to former president Nelson Mandela after the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader’s condition in hospital deteriorated to critical.Madiba, as he is affectionately known, is revered among most…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Rice rage afoot; Supercar probe changes gear; White masks rob 7-Eleven; Cartoonist surrenders
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Govt faces rice rage The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The government is facing mounting pressure with coalition parties criticising its move to cut the price for rice in its controversial pledging scheme and farmers massing in Bangkok today.The Chart Thai Pattana Party expressed dissatisfaction yesterday at the…
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Senator sets sights on Army to resolve Phuket land encroachment
PHUKET: A member of the Thai Senate is looking to call in the armed forces to wage war against the “big guys” behind land encroachment in Phuket.Pol Col (Rtd) Sontaya Sangphow was in Phuket on Friday to arm himself with information in order to pitch his suggestion to fellow senators in Bangkok.“We are concerned that District Officers are ‘unable’ to…
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Drunk, loaded and arrested: Man brandishes loaded pistol, nunchucks in Phuket Town street
PHUKET: Phuket City Police this morning arrested a man for brandishing a loaded pistol at local residents in Soi Paniang near Samkong, Phuket Town. Maj Rattaket Munmuang of the Phuket City Police – with about 30 other officers – arrived at the scene at about 8:30am to find that the man had exchanged the loaded gun for nunchucks. The 46-year-old…
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Super moon monsoon rip current takes another life in Phuket
PHUKET: Rescue workers today recovered the body of an 18-year-old who was caught in one of the strong rip currents caused by the super moon that is bringing chaos to Phuket’s beaches. “The moon is as close to the Earth as it will be this year, which causes more dramatic changes between high tide and low tide, resulting in faster…
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Phuket surf leaves Russian tourist in coma
PHUKET: A Russian tourist in Phuket lies comatose in intensive care today after being pulled from the dangerous surf at Karon Beach yesterday afternoon. The tourist, named by Patong Hospital as Kho Khay Gym, 31, was pulled from the water by beach vendors at about 4:30pm. “He was rushed to Patong Hospital, and later transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in…
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Phuket temple visit postponed after car bursts into flames
PHUKET: Two women on their way to Phuket’s famous Chalong Temple escaped from their car on Chao Fa East Road shortly before it burst into flames.Police responded to a 5:30pm call to find 31-year-old Kesara Thongnop, the driver of the car, and a friend siting in shock by the side of the road next to a burned out white Toyota…
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