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Phuket Governor continues stampede of visits to support agricultural strategy
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut’s charge into the province’s agricultural tourism sector led him to an elephant ranch Wednesday morning. “The inspection of this elephant ranch is a continuation of our inspection of a pineapple garden (story here), goat farm (video story here) and vegetable farm. We are visiting them to raise awareness of Phuket’s potential for agricultural tourism,” Gov…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Police launch Operation Valentine to clear Rajdamnoen rally site
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police launch Operation Valentine to clear Rajdamnoen rally site Phuket Gazette / The Nation PHUKET: Police this morning launched Operation Valentine to “reclaim public space” from protesters led by the ‘Students and People Network for Thailand’s Reform’ (STR). Dozens of companies of policemen gathered at the…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Karzai rejects U.S. warnings over freed Afghan detainees
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Karzai rejects U.S. warnings over freed Afghan detainees Phuket Gazette / ReutersPHUKET: Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Thursday rejected criticism of his government’s release of 65 detainees viewed by Washington as dangerous militants, further fanning tensions with the United States as the international mission in Afghanistan winds…
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Nothing as sweet as incentives for Phuket pineapples
PHUKET Governor Maitri Inthusut has underlined his commitment to developing the island’s pineapple industry, having confirmed a budget of 1.1 million baht to train local farmers and expand the available growing area in Thalang. On January 31, Governor Maitri led officers on an inspection tour to harvest and sample pineapples from the plantation of Wichai Saetun at Baan Bang Roang…
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Phuket crepe vendor’s livelihood up in flames
PHUKET: A longtime vendor of Thai mini-crepes saw his sidecar shop burned to a crisp after a gas leak yesterday afternoon.It took firefighters 20 minutes to put out the fire, near Muang Municipal School in Phuket Town.“I’ve been selling mini-crepes (kanum tokyo) to Muang Phuket School students every evening for a long time,” said the 44-year-old owner of the stand,…
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Davis Cup Phuket tennis drawings held
PHUKET: The drawing for the first round of match pairs in the Davis Cup BNP Paribas Group II, Zone Asia/Oceania (Thailand vs Hong Kong) was held this morning at Phuket’s Thanyapura. Tennis superstars train at Tanyapura. Video: PGTV Starting tomorrow, players from Thailand and Hong Kong will cross rackets on Thanyapura’s world-class tennis courts in three days of intense competition.…
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Flying Carpet freak accident unavoidable, says chief
PHUKET: The freak accident that sank a liveaboard dive boat to a depth of 75 meters just outside the popular dive destination of Similan National Park was unavoidable, said the Regional Marine Office chief this week.MV The Flying Carpet based out of Ranong and operated by Aladdin Dive Safari had its propeller partially ripped out between Koh Bon and Koh…
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Phuket booze ban keeps Cupid’s arrows flying straight
PHUKET: A nationwide ban on the sale and purchase of alcohol will be in effect this Valentine’s Day in celebration of Makha Bucha Day, one of the four annual religious holidays in Thailand. “By law, alcohol sales and purchases are banned throughout the country in order to respect the holy day,” Deputy Commander of Phuket Provincial Police Peerayuth Karajedee told…
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Third dive boat’s final plunge sparks fire-safety awareness efforts
PHUKET: The revelation of the sinking of a third dive boat in the Andaman Sea within the last month has sparked concerns over fire safety issues on all Phuket tour boats. On February 2, the Phuket-based Bunmee I sank in Koh Lanta National Park after an electrical short circuit caused a fire to erupt in the engine room. Less than…
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Runaway driver leaves visa runners stranded, swipes more than B37,000
A ROUTINE visa run to Penang late last month hit a speed bump at the Malaysian border when visa runners returned to the van from the immigration checkpoint to find their driver had absconded.It had been business as usual for the passengers until they reached the border checkpoint in Sadao on January 20. “This time was the same as always.…
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Phuket hosts meeting on safe handling of radioactive materials
PHUKET: Representatives of 15 countries are meeting in Phuket this week to discuss the safe management of used radioactive materials and the potential threats they present if mishandled. The United States, a producer and exporter of radioactive substances, sponsored the conference to discuss the handling of materials after they have been used by industry and hospitals, the Office of ‘Atoms…
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Electrical short started fire on Phuket’s MV Blue Star, says chief
PHUKET: The fire that caused the liveaboard dive boat MV Blue Star to sink in Myanmar waters was started by an electrical short circuit in the engine room, confirmed Ranong Marine Office Deputy Chief Pramuan Thessana this morning. “The dive boat left from Thap Lamu Pier in Khao Lak on January 29,” Mr Pramuan said. “It took the tourists on…
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One Phuket student killed, two injured in motorbike accident
PHUKET: One Phuket teenager died and two were seriously injured after the motorbike they were driving slammed into a pick-up truck early this morning.The three friends had left school together to pick up supplies for a scout camping trip.Police and Kusoldharm Rescue Workers were called to the scene, in front of Baan Suan Neremit housing estate near the Heroine’s Monument…
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Phuket rubber tapper fatally felled by tree branch
PHUKET: A Phuket rubber farmer was struck and killed by a falling tree branch while tapping his trees early yesterday morning in Thalang.Jaroon Tankongkoy, 67, left for the rubber plantation at 3am, said his wife, Pranom Tankongkoy.“I was waiting to have lunch with him, but he didn’t come back. At 3pm, I went out to look for him,” Mrs Pranom…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: First rally leader detained; Labour Ministry compiles human-trafficking report; Threat to block rice storage
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Sonthiyarn arrested; first rally leader to be detained The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Sonthiyarn Chuenruethai-naitham, owner and director of T-news agency, yesterday became the first anti-government protest leader to be arrested. He was having a meal alone in the Central Lat Phrao shopping complex when apprehended by…
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Asylum seekers accuse Australian navy of abuse as boat towed to Indonesia
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Asylum seekers accuse Australian navy of abuse as boat towed to Indonesia Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: On New Year’s day, 45 asylum seekers in a ramshackle wooden boat slid ashore on a small island off the Australian city of Darwin. Four others had been swept overboard that…
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New fees and regulations established for Phuket pier
PHUKET: The new regulations to access Chalong Pier, a popular Phuket jump-off point for surrounding islands, will take effect on February 15. Local boat handlers on Saturday demanded unrestricted access to boats moored along the pier (story here). Government officers did not bow to the demands, but rather offered a compromise of a new fee-system for motorbikes, sidecars and boats.…
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All safe after Phuket dive boat sinks off Myanmar
PHUKET: Everyone has been safely rescued from a Phuket dive boat that sank in Myanmar waters, said the Managing Director of Chalong Sea Sports, Pekka Torri. However, the cause of the fire that erupted aboard the MV Blue Star and led to its sinking has yet to be confirmed. Mr Pekka declined to reveal any details about the incident, other…
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Argument leads to fatal fight outside Phuket karaoke bar
PHUKET: A violent argument in a Phuket karaoke bar on Saturday ended in the death of a fisherman.The unidentified man was drinking with friends at Nong Man Karaoke bar on Sri Sena Road when they began arguing with four fisherman at a nearby table, witnesses told police.“They started fighting outside the karaoke bar,” said Capt Udom Petcharat of the Phuket…
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Phuket Passport Office re-opens despite protesters
PHUKET:The Phuket Passport Office opened its doors today despite the fact that Provincial Hall remains closed due to anti-government protests. The office closed last month after the Passport Division in Bangkok terminated its server connection with provincial passport offices as a precaution during protests in the capital (story here). Many of the people who queued for service today were turned…
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One at large after drug dealers open fire on Krabi Police
PHUKET: One suspect is still at large after a gunfight broke out between Krabi Police and two drug dealers on Saturday.“Their car approached the Khao Phanom-Nua Khlong Road checkpoint at high speed just after midnight. We ordered them to stop, but instead of slowing down, they sped up and started shooting at officers,” Sen Sgt Maj Krit Kaewsrion said.“Police returned…
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Phuket United ready for futsal season opener
PHUKET: Get ready for one of the most exciting indoor team sports in the country – the Futsal Thailand Premier League (FTPL) kicks off this weekend, with the island’s pro five-a-side squad, Phuket United to host CAT FC in their season opener on Sunday night. To be played at Saphan Hin’s two-year-new 4,000-seat Indoor Gymnasium, the match will kick off…
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Phuket FC give local expats a lickin’ – soccer superstars get ready
PHUKET: Following their epic 1-1 draw with Thai Premier League powerhouse Chonburi FC last weekend, (click here for video highlights), the island’s pro soccer outfit Phuket FC had a much easier pre-season friendly work-out this past weekend, squashing local expat team Pluto Ice Cream in a 5-1 drubbing at Surakul Stadium. With only several scattered pockets of supporters turning out,…
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Russian tourist, 42, drops dead while chatting with friends
PHUKET: Police have yet to determine why a Russian tourist died suddenly in a Phuket hotel room early yesterday morning.Timur Ivanov and his two traveling companions were eating fruit and drinking a hot beverage together at a hotel at Bang Tao Beach when he suddenly passed out. The friends called hotel staff for help, and rescue workers were summoned to…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Eleven dead after worst snowfall in decades hits Tokyo
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Eleven dead after worst snowfall in decades hits Tokyo Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Eleven people died, more than a thousand were injured and tens of thousands lost power when the worst snowstorm in decades hit Tokyo and areas around the Japanese capital before heading north to blanket…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Falling rock derails train in French Alps, two dead
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Falling rock derails train in French Alps, two dead Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A huge falling rock derailed a train in the French Alps on Saturday, killing two people and partly pushing one of its carriages over the edge of a mountain slope, local officials said.At least…
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Phuket Gazette World News: Spanish princess questioned in corruption investigation
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Spanish princess questioned in corruption investigation Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Spain’s Princess Cristina was questioned by a judge on Saturday in a corruption case that has deepened public anger over graft among the ruling class and discontent with the royal family.It was the first time that a…
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Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Rice rally violence alert; Police seek Lak Si gunmen, arrest Kwanchai shooter; EC petitions PM on new poll
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community NSC warns of violence over rice rally The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The National Security Council (NSC) yesterday warned of a possible escalation in violence as rice farmers link up with anti-government protesters to mount pressure on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her crew to step down.…
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Owners of abandoned Phuket resort refuse to give way
PHUKET: Owners of an abandoned resort in the foothills of Patong have refused to take down part of their structure to re-open access to the land behind it. The land in question, valued at 40 million baht per rai because of its panoramic view of Patong, cannot be developed without access, said landowner Utaiwan Van-Zandt, who has been fighting to…
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Tourist Police evade Phuket shakedown claims
PHUKET: The chief of the Phuket Tourist Police has branded allegations that three of his officers extorted 20,000 baht from an Italian man in Patong as a “big misunderstanding”. The news follows protesters staging a blockade of the Patong beach road last weekend after word of the shakedown spread through the resort town. “The case will not be pursued because…
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