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.
-
Two new suspects sought over bomb blast in Koh Samui
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Two new suspects sought over bomb blast in Koh Samui The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police will soon obtain arrest warrants for another two suspects believed to have played a part in the bomb attack in Koh Samui after announcing the names of six wanted…
-
Nepal quake victims still stranded, PM says toll could be 10,000
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nepal quake victims still stranded, PM says toll could be 10,000 Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: People stranded in remote villages and towns across Nepal were still waiting for aid and relief to arrive on Tuesday, four days after a devastating earthquake destroyed buildings and roads…
-
Indonesia executes drug convicts, sparks anger from Australia, Brazil
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Indonesia executes drug convicts, sparks anger from Australia, Brazil Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: An Indonesian firing squad executed eight convicted drug-traffickers from several countries today, prompting Australia to recall its envoy to Jakarta and bringing an angry reaction from Brazil. The leaders of Australia and…
-
Thousands of police descend on Baltimore to enforce curfew after riots
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thousands of police descend on Baltimore to enforce curfew after riots Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: As night falls on Baltimore on Tuesday, thousands of police and National Guard troops fanned out to enforce a new curfew and prevent further violence as the mayor fended off…
-
Phuket scrambles to raise funds for Nepal
PHUKET: Donations to the ‘Phuket Together For Nepal Disaster Victims’ fund can now be made directly to a joint bank account held by the Phuket Governor and the President of the Phuket branch of the Thai-Nepalese Foundation. The Phuket branch of the Thai-Nepalese Foundation, officially called the Shree Bhagawat Dhaam Sanatan Mandir Foundation, has already raised more than 400,000 baht…
-
Phuket’s notorious Patong Hill road gets B25mn safety makeover
PHUKET: The Phuket Highways Office will close a 200-meter section of the outside westbound lane over the top of Patong Hill in order to repave the road and complete safety improvements at the notorious site. The lane will be closed from tomorrow through Sunday, confirmed Samak Luedwonghad, director of the Phuket Highways Office. “Warning signs have been installed to inform…
-
Broken Phuket CCTV fail to capture footage of fatal hit-and-run suspect
PHUKET: The CCTV network at the Heroines’ Monument is undergoing maintenance following the failure to capture the licence plate number of a white pick-up truck that was involved in a fatal hit-and-run in Phuket on Saturday night. “The entire CCTV system there was broken, so we have no clues as to where the truck went or what its licence plate…
-
Inside job: Police arrest Phuket spa robbers
PHUKET: Four suspects, including one spa employee, have been arrested for their involvement in the armed robbery of Imperial Spa earlier this month in Phuket Town. Two armed men stormed into the spa on April 5, robbing the staff at gunpoint and knifepoint of 500,000 baht before riding off on a motorbike with a third accomplice (story here). About 10…
-
Phuket tourist dies in fall from hotel balcony
PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of a Chinese tourist who plunged from his fifth-floor hotel room balcony in Karon early yesterday morning. Wang Anjun, 41, died at Patong Hospital after succumbing to injuries sustained in the fall at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, said Capt Channarong Prakongkua of the Karon Police. “Mr Wang was drinking beer with friends on…
-
Baltimore erupts in riots, National Guard called in
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Baltimore erupts in riots, National Guard called in Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Baltimore erupted in violence on Monday as hundreds of rioters looted stores, burned buildings and injured at least 15 police officers following the funeral of a 25-year-old black man who died after he…
-
B200mn of African tusks seized in raid
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community B200mn of African tusks seized in bonded warehouse raid The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Customs Department seized a total of 511 tusks, weighing 3.1 tonnes and worth 200 million baht, from a Laos-bound container at a private company’s bonded warehouse on Saturday. Natural Resources…
-
Phuket gold buyer dodges counterfeit money charge
PHUKET: No charges are being pressed after a counterfeit note was used by a local business owner in the purchase of 180,000 baht worth of gold. Weerachai Apichattakul, 36, who regularly buys gold bars for trade, withdrew 200,000 baht from the Kasikorn bank Thepkrasattri branch this morning. “I had no idea that the banknote was fake,” Mr Weeachai told the…
-
Rank canal water overflows onto Phuket beach
PHUKET: Officials are scrambling to minimize the damage of rank-smelling water from a blocked canal that is overflowing and seeping across Nai Yang Beach into the sea. “The locals say that the canal water has become foul because untreated wastewater was being discharged directly into the canal by business owners,” Thalang District chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol told the Phuket Gazette this…
-
Catch and cull: Phuket taxi cheats under fire
PHUKET: The chief of the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) is appealing for cheated or abused taxi passengers to file complaints. “Without a complaint, there is little we can do to ensure that passengers are being taken care of properly,” PLTO chief Terayout Prasertphol told the Phuket Gazette today. The call for complaints to be filed follows last Thursday’s announcement…
-
Migrant workers injured as pick-up truck flips in Phuket
PHUKET: Six Myanmar workers were injured, one seriously, when the pick-up truck they were riding in the back of flipped on a curve at Cape Yamu, on Phuket’s east coast, yesterday. “One of the six was seriously injured, and could not talk or move,” said Lt Col Sanit Nukong of the Thalang Police. The pick-up truck was heading from the…
-
Russian man survives crash in tree, garden wipeout
PHUKET: A Russian man survived crashing his car into a tree on Srisoonthorn Road while heading to Cherng Talay early this morning. When police arrived at the scene at about 3am, Kirill Abolemov, 27, had no visible injuries, but his white Toyota Fortuner had seriously damaged a tree and garden. “Mr Abolemov could not answer any questions at the scene.…
-
Nepal quake: Demons on the mountain – survivors recall avalanche terror
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nepal quake: Demons on the mountain – survivors recall avalanche terror Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: When Khile Sherpa opened his eyes, the snow around him was bright red, drenched with blood streaming from gashes in his body from the avalanche that catapulted him across Mount…
-
Malaysia foils Islamic State attack amid Asean meet
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Malaysia says foils plan by suspected militants to attack capital Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Malaysian police have arrested 12 people linked to the militant group Islamic State and seized explosives, foiling a plan to attack several locations in and around the capital, which is hosting…
-
World rallies to help Nepal
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World rallies on social media to help Nepal The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and its surrounds on Saturday – resulting in a death toll nearing 1,900 yesterday – the assistance from countries, humanitarian organizations, companies and…
-
Temple banned from making money off tigers
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Temple banned from making money off tigers The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: THE controversial “Tiger Temple” has been banned from charging tourists to visit dozens of big cats in their care, the parks department has said, following a dispute between monks and officials over the…
-
Nepal quake: Death toll nears 2,500
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nepal quake: Death toll nears 2,500 Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thousands of desperate Nepalese spent another night in the open in the early hours of Monday, terrorized by strong aftershocks that continued to shake the country two days after a massive quake struck, killing almost…
-
At least four killed as 7.9 earthquake rocks Nepal
NEPAL: A 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck west of the ancient Nepali capital of Kathmandu today causing buildings to collapse, injuring many and leaving a pall of dust over the city, witnesses said. The initial unconfirmed death toll was at least four but could be expected to rise significantly as Kathmandu’s decrepit buildings, crisscrossed by narrow alleys, are home to large…
-
Bomb squad diffuses cosmetics bag panic in Phuket Town
PHUKET: Fears that an abandoned bag might contain a bomb sent an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit rushing to Patiphat Road near Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town last night. “Phuket City Police called us after they were notified by locals who found an abandoned bag that looked like it might contain a bomb, so we went immediately to the…
-
Police hunting for suspect in shooting murder of 72-year-old Phuket man
PHUKET: Police are hunting for a suspect behind the murder of a 72-year-old man who was shot while riding home yesterday in Kalim. “Eet Chaisit was found still alive next to his fallen motorbike on the side of Phra Baramee Road in Kalim, about 200 meters away from his house, at about 2pm,” said Patong Police Superintendent Chaiwat Auikam. Patong…
-
Phuket FC fired up for Ronin redemption
PHUKET: A disappointing 0-2 defeat to AIS Division 2 team Lampang FC bundled Phuket FC out of the 2015 Toyota League Cup last weekend. Lampang striker Jennarong Wongnoi opened the scoring in the 7th minute, and midfielder teammate Surapong Thongbua sealed the match with a goal just two minutes before the final whistle. The Ronins’ loss, however, is being used…
-
Phuket police slash red tape for Phi Phi rape cases
PHUKET: A major leap forward has been taken to bring Koh Phi Phi rapists to justice, following concerns raised by the Norwegian Honorary Consul regarding jurisdiction issues which led to island rape cases failing to be fully investigated. “We want to see police treat rape as a serious crime. We want police to bring rapists to justice. We want to…
-
Police, Navy teams end search for missing American
PHUKET: The Royal Thai Navy and Phuket Marine Police will no longer send out dedicated search teams to find the body of missing American Joshua Devine, who disappeared from a dive boat off the coast of Phuket on April 11 (story here), officers confirmed today. “We have searched for several days and have yet to find any sign of Mr…
-
Phuket tour boats, ferries forced to install AIS locators
PHUKET: New regulations to come into effect from Sunday will require all boats and ferries in Phuket that are registered to carry 25 or more passengers to be fitted with an AIS locator device. The news was delivered at a meeting of marine officials with more than 220 Phuket boat operators at the Katina Hotel in Phuket Town yesterday. “Also,…
-
Phuket officials contemplate Article 44 to clear Surin beach clubs
PHUKET: Local authorities are investigating whether or not they can use the internationally controversial Article 44 of the interim Charter to evict business operators still occupying venues along Surin Beach. Officials involved in the eviction of the beach clubs were slated to visit the business owners on Monday to confirm whether or not the appeals had been filed against eviction…
-
Phuket hosts Asean and Asia Conference on Literature and Culture
PHUKET: Phuket for the first time ever is hosting the Asean and Asia Conference on Literature and Culture, which is being held at the Phuket Merlin Hotel. The conference, which aims to encourage Asian writers and help Asian people exchange culture and traditions, has drawn writers and cultural experts from 16 countries throughout the region. “We are family. We support…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.