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  • Phuket Rotary Club continues push for Philippines relief | Thaiger

    Phuket Rotary Club continues push for Philippines relief

    PHUKET: The Rotary Club of Patong Beach has collected over 226,000 baht through its Philippines Typhoon Haiyan Disaster Relief Fund. However, the club is pushing for more donations in light of the desperate need of those in the affected areas. Half of the funds raised will be sent directly to the Disaster Fund of Rotary District 3860, based in the…

  • Chinese tourists on Phuket ladyboy tour safe after bus dies on Patong Hill | Thaiger

    Chinese tourists on Phuket ladyboy tour safe after bus dies on Patong Hill

    PHUKET: An entire busload of 35 Chinese tourists were quickly and safely evacuated from a tour bus after its engine died while climbing the steep road up Patong Hill last night. The tourists were en route from the Aphrodite ladyboy show on the bypass road to the famed Simon Cabaret ladyboy show in Patong when the bus broke down just…

  • Body found off Phuket believed to be missing Singaporean student | Thaiger

    Body found off Phuket believed to be missing Singaporean student

    PHUKET: A Phuket speedboat returning from dropping tourists off at Koh Hei today reported the grisly discovery of a body floating about seven kilometers south of Phuket. Police suspect that the body found is that of missing Chinese national and Singaporean student Gao Yang, who slipped from the rocks at Phuket’s Promthep Cape late Wednesday afternoon (story here). Officers from…

  • Phuket Opinion: Purchasing votes to run the island | Thaiger

    Phuket Opinion: Purchasing votes to run the island

    Kittipong Thiengkunakrit, 57, has been the Director of the Phuket Election Commission for three years. He has a science degree from Prince of Songkhla University, an advanced diploma from the University of Paris and a master’s degree in public administration from the National Institute of Development Administration. Mr Kittipong is a lecturer on how to run elections, election law and…

  • Phuket Opinion: Being connected helps save lives | Thaiger

    Phuket Opinion: Being connected helps save lives

    PHUKET: We offer our sincerest condolences to the families of the many victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines last week, and commend the multiple relief efforts still underway here in Phuket to help residents on the islands of Samar and Leyte, the most badly affected areas. Among those who deserve praise are some familiar names, such as…

  • British tourist alleges attacker in hotel room before balcony fall | Thaiger

    British tourist alleges attacker in hotel room before balcony fall

    PHUKET: Police are waiting for the results of a toxicology report for British tourist Romany Mitchell after she told them her drink in Phuket was spiked. The tests were ordered after the 21-year-old student from Edinburgh reported to police that she was fleeing an assailant in her hotel room before she plunged from the second-floor balcony of the building on…

  • Police arrest man for rape of 10-year-old in Phuket | Thaiger

    Police arrest man for rape of 10-year-old in Phuket

    PHUKET: Police arrested an alleged pedophile for the rape of a 10-year-old girl in Phuket on November 11.The 24-year-old man, who lived across the street from the girl and her parents, faces charges of separating the child from her parents, molesting a person under the age of 15 and rape.Police took the man from Nakhon Sri Thammarat into custody under…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Myanmar rejects UN Rohingya resolve; Central Africa on brink of genocide; US-Afghan security deal waylaid; Colorado shooter trial postponed | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: Myanmar rejects UN Rohingya resolve; Central Africa on brink of genocide; US-Afghan security deal waylaid; Colorado shooter trial postponed

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar rejects U.N. resolution on Rohingya Muslims Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Myanmar rejected on Thursday a U.N. resolution urging it to grant citizenship to the Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority group, and accused the United Nations of impinging on its sovereignty.The U.N. General Assembly’s human rights committee…

  • Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest – Let the games begin! [VIDEO] | Thaiger

    Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest – Let the games begin! [VIDEO]

    PHUKET: It’s here and it’s going to be big! Laguna Phuket Triathlon schedule. Click here for more details. Challenge Laguna Phuket Press Conference in Bangkok. The much-anticipated Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest 2013 will kick off with the legendary Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) on Sunday (November 24) which is celebrating its 20th anniversary and will finish with the Challenge Laguna Phuket a…

  • Runaway Phuket Thai Post truck slams into cars on Patong Hill [Video] | Thaiger

    Runaway Phuket Thai Post truck slams into cars on Patong Hill [Video]

    PHUKET: A Thai Post lorry that failed to make the steep climb up Patong Hill yesterday afternoon, faltered then careened backward down the hill, slamming into cars and pickups as it went. “The truck slid down the hill at about 2:15pm. It ended up stopping at almost the same spot as the student bus that rolled backward down the hill…

  • Python snared near Phuket Town park | Thaiger

    Python snared near Phuket Town park

    PHUKET: A Phuket City street sweeper raised the alarm in Phuket Town earlier this week when he spotted a five-meter python hiding in a storm drain near Saphan Hin Park. “Many people were exercising in the area. I was afraid it posed a danger to them,” the street sweeper told the Phuket Gazette. Saphan Hin Park (map here) is renowned…

  • Weather dampens spirits, search for missing Singaporean tourist continues | Thaiger

    Weather dampens spirits, search for missing Singaporean tourist continues

    PHUKET: The search resumed today for missing tourist Gao Yang, who slipped from the rocks at Phuket’s Promthep Cape late yesterday afternoon. “We resumed our search this morning,” said Phuket Marine Police Inspector Chatchai Sakdee. “Rawai Municipality officers have joined the mission. They provided one speedboat and one small boat to help conduct the search,” he added. “We have divided…

  • British tourist drowns after Phuket weather warning issued | Thaiger

    British tourist drowns after Phuket weather warning issued

    PHUKET: A British tourist drowned at Karon Beach yesterday afternoon, hours after a heavy weather warning was issued for Phuket and other areas along the Andaman coast. Police named the victim as Edward Joseph Brookes, 63, from England. Mr Brookes disappeared in the surf in front of Karon Municipality Stadium (map here) at 2:40pm after enjoying lunch with his wife,…

  • Phuket King’s Cup Regatta hosts underline support | Thaiger

    Phuket King’s Cup Regatta hosts underline support

    PHUKET: Kata Group Resorts Thailand is to be the host sponsor of the 27th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, making this the 15th year that the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2013 Nominee has supported the renowned international yachting spectacle. The regatta will be held from November 29 to December 6, 2013. Kata Beach Resort and Spa, one of six properties owned…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: North Korea may have detained US veteran; White House seeks to assure Asia; Afghanistan-U.S. reach agreement | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: North Korea may have detained US veteran; White House seeks to assure Asia; Afghanistan-U.S. reach agreement

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community North Korea may have detained elderly U.S. man Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: North Korea appears to have detained an 85-year-old California man who had entered the country on a tourist visa, pulling him off a plane as he was about to leave the reclusive Asian country last…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Govt reels under court blow; Bt2-tn transport bill approved; Heavy rain across South | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Govt reels under court blow; Bt2-tn transport bill approved; Heavy rain across South

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Govt reels under court blow The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The verdict of the Constitutional Court yesterday striking down a charter amendment for an all-elected Senate has put the ruling Pheu Thai Party and coalition partners under huge pressure as their 312 lawmakers could be subject to…

  • Phuket panty sniffer caught mid-snatch | Thaiger

    Phuket panty sniffer caught mid-snatch

    PHUKET: An off-duty security guard was caught red-handed stealing women’s panties off a clothesline in Phuket Town last night. Residents of Phol Place apartments, behind Surakul Stadium (map here), heard someone walking around the dimly-lit area near their building at about 9:30pm. “They saw a man lurking near the building, and they kept an eye on him. When they spotted…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Security tightened in capital; Cop helped Russian scammers; Changes needed in HIV fight; Thais score low in English | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Security tightened in capital; Cop helped Russian scammers; Changes needed in HIV fight; Thais score low in English

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Security in Bangkok tightened Phuket Gazette / The NationPHUKET: Security has been beefed up in Bangkok as protesters wait to hear the Constitutional Court’s ruling on charter amendment to be announced later today.About two companies of policemen were deployed to secure the court compound, with 20 officers…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Obama knew of issues; Suicide bombers attack Iranian embassy; Fisherman returned after 40 years | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: Obama knew of issues; Suicide bombers attack Iranian embassy; Fisherman returned after 40 years

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama was briefed earlier in year on health website problems Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: President Barack Obama, who has portrayed himself as surprised by technical problems with the government’s new health care website, was briefed earlier this year on a consultant’s report that warned of possible widespread…

  • Alleged contract killer’s accomplices arrested in Phuket, extradited from Thailand | Thaiger

    Alleged contract killer’s accomplices arrested in Phuket, extradited from Thailand

    PHUKET: Five men arrested in Phuket in the same operation that snared the alleged contract killer and US drug dealer Joseph “Rambo” Hunter were extradited to the United States today. Escorted by armed police commandos, Britons Philip David Shackels and Scott Alan Stammer; Slovakian Alexander Lnu; Filipino Allan Kelly Perata; and Taiwanese Ye Tiong Tan Lim were taken from Bangkok’s…

  • Phuket Governor inspects Patong ahead of tuk-tuk clearout | Thaiger

    Phuket Governor inspects Patong ahead of tuk-tuk clearout

    PHUKET: Ahead of the December 31 deadline to clear parking spaces along the Patong beach road for tourists, Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusust yesterday inspected the sites where tuk-tuks will no longer be permitted to park after December 31. “The project [story here] can reduce traffic jams in Patong and make the beachfront look more beautiful,” Governor Maitri said. During his…

  • Mont Clair sponsors the King’s Cup regatta | Thaiger

    Mont Clair sponsors the King’s Cup regatta

    PHUKET: The popular wine brand, Mont Clair is to sponsor the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta for the sixth consecutive year following the popularity of its wines during previous race years. Mont Clair South African Wine products will be available for all guests, as sailors, spectators, VIP attendees, media guests and sponsors relax and party to live entertainment amid an expected…

  • Black Eyed Peas rapper highlights Filipino plight with Phuket show | Thaiger

    Black Eyed Peas rapper highlights Filipino plight with Phuket show

    PHUKET: Over 400 people gathered to watch Grammy-award-winning international pop star and rapper from Black Eyed Peas apl.de.ap drop beats at Xana Beach Club to raise funds for the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the central Philippines over a week ago. “I thought we [Filipinos] were tough, until this happened. Like I’ve never seen this magnitude of people…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Real chance for nuke deal; Police hunt gunman in Paris; US Midwest tornado survivors start recovery | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: Real chance for nuke deal; Police hunt gunman in Paris; US Midwest tornado survivors start recovery

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Putin tells Iran’s leader of ‘real chance’ for nuclear deal Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iran’s Hassan Rouhani there was a “real chance” for a nuclear deal, two days before Tehran resumes talks with world powers, hoping to end a decade-long…

  • Alcohol a factor in fatal head-on collision, police say | Thaiger

    Alcohol a factor in fatal head-on collision, police say

    PHUKET: Police suspect that alcohol played a critical role in the death of a 27-year-old woman who was in a head-on accident near the Thung Thong Police checkpoint early Saturday morning. Kamontip Seangkuenun was found dead at the scene – the divided road near the entrance to Soi Bangthong (map here) – at about 3:15am. Ms Kamontip slammed head-on into…

  • Phuket holidaymaker issued American child sex assault warrant | Thaiger

    Phuket holidaymaker issued American child sex assault warrant

    PHUKET: The American arrested in Phuket for the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in Harris County, Texas, was due to fly home on Wednesday. “I came here for a vacation,” 41-year-old Forrest Wayne told the Phuket Gazette today from his holding cell at Phuket Immigration (map here). Mr Wayne entered Thailand on November 1, three days prior to…

  • Health concerns boil over French passenger at Phuket airport | Thaiger

    Health concerns boil over French passenger at Phuket airport

    PHUKET: A French tourist leaching yellow pus from the back of his neck prompted fears that he might infect other passengers at Phuket International Airport on Friday.Airport authorities removed Michel Dominique Godfroy, 56, from the international departure lounge a little after 11:30pm.“We were called to the airport at 11:45pm,” a Kusoldharm Foundation rescue worker told the Phuket Gazette.The rescue workers…

  • German tourist dies in Phuket surf | Thaiger

    German tourist dies in Phuket surf

    PHUKET: A German man died at Patong Beach yesterday afternoon after being overwhelmed by the strong surf and two-meter-high waves.Klaus Dieter Hermann, 76, was pulled from the surf at 1:40pm, Capt Nattaya Supanpong of the Patong Police confirmed to the Phuket Gazette.“Lifeguards noticed Mr Hermann was swimming alone when he encountered difficulties in the big waves,” Capt Nattaya explained. “When…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Russian plane crash leaves 50 dead; Bachelet leads in Chile; Tornadoes rip Midwest | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: Russian plane crash leaves 50 dead; Bachelet leads in Chile; Tornadoes rip Midwest

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Boeing airliner crashes in Russian city of Kazan, 50 killed Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A Boeing 737 airliner crashed on Sunday in the Russian city of Kazan, killing all 50 people on board and spotlighting the poor safety record of regional airlines that ply internal routes across…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Pheu Thai prepares for worst; Armed men among protesters; Russians hurt as tour bus flips | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Pheu Thai prepares for worst; Armed men among protesters; Russians hurt as tour bus flips

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Pheu Thai braces for the worst The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The ruling Pheu Thai Party is preparing for the worst-case scenario on Wednesday when the Constitutional Court announces its ruling on the proposed amendment of the Constitution, a decision that could bring the government down.The opposition…