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. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Officials investigate more Phuket beach encroachment
PHUKET: A handful of bars and restaurants built on Bang Tao Beach are being investigated to determine whether or not they are encroaching on state land. Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak on Wednesday led a team of investigators to the site. Accompanying him were representatives from local authorities such as Cherng Talay Municipality, Thalang District Office, Phuket Marine Office and Cherng…
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FC Phuket accept 5-2 loss
PHUKET – Quote of the day: “If we have to travel [to Bangkok FC] to play a mere six minutes, I think it will be an non beneficial waste of expense…and so we’ve made an official report stating this reason as why we won’t travel to play the rest of the game…and are ready to accept the loss with the…
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Phuket braces for more heavy rain
PHUKET: June has started out as a very rainy month in Phuket, with sustained rainfall and thunderstorms covering the island. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) website reports rainfall reached a high of 100.2mm over the 24-hour period of June 1 with winds topping 64 kilometers per hour (kmh) at Phuket International Airport. Phuket’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation this…
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Portrait FC sitting pretty atop Phuket’s AFL
PHUKET: Round six of the 2011 Five-a-side Adult Futsal League season seven took place last evening at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC) in Thalang, Phuket. A mid-table battle between Jitjongrut FC and Thalang Tigers was first on the card. Both teams created plenty of chances, but were met with stubborn defense and goalkeeping. The match finished in a 1-1…
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No more Glory for Robbie Fowler
PHUKET SPORTS: Former Liverpool FC star Robbie Fowler is in Bangkok this weekend playing in the Tesco Lotus Masters football sevens tournament, which includes teams from Asia, Europe and a selection from Phuket. Known as “God” to the Liverpool faithful, Fowler joins other ex-professionals such as Lee Sharpe and Ian Rush at Patana International School in Bangkok for the annual…
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Phuket F1 fans await Bahrain bid today
PHUKET: Formula One fans in Phuket eagerly await a decision on whether the Bahrain Grand Prix, originally scheduled for March 13, will be re-scheduled to November 20 later this year. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone may move the season’s last race in Brazil back to October 2 which could result in the Indian GP being cancelled. Bahrain was due to host…
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Phuket Live Wire: Still dreaming about 3G
PHUKET: The easiest way to get 3G service in Phuket involves a trek to the True office in Phuket Town, in the little building in front of Robinson’s department store. There you will find several people who understand 3G (believe me, that’s quite an accomplishment), and they’ll set you up with 3G service. If you already have a True SIM…
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Phuket expats urged to ask visiting friends to insure themselves
PHUKET: The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has called on British expats on the island to remind their visitors to take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy before heading to Phuket. The request comes as new research reveals that young people are more likely to buy a present for their host than take out a travel insurance policy. The…
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Phuket sailing legends line up for Raceweek
PHUKET SPORTS: The Six Senses Phuket Raceweek, winner of the Asia Boating Award for “Best Asian Regatta of the Year 2011”, returns with four days of international-standard yacht racing, from July 20 to 24. Now in its eighth year, the event attracts a host of yachts with a range of competitive standards across several classes. Critical to being voted best…
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Phuket Democrats get police protection
PHUKET: Phuket Democrat Party candidate Anchalee Vanich Thepabutr has been provided two police officers as personal bodyguards in the run-up to the July 3 election. Also to receive police protection is Wirasak Suksomboon, president of the Democrat Party office for Phuket 1 constituency. “I, Mrs Anchalee and the president [of the Democrat office] for Phuket 2 constituency, have requested security…
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Showtime: Phuket candidates to do TV, radio spots
PHUKET: Phuket candidates in the upcoming July 3 general election are permitted to campaign through local TV and radio from June 13 to July 1. The Phuket Election Commission (PEC) discussed the regulation of campaigning through local broadcast media yesterday morning. Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha, who chaired the meeting, concluded that campaign advertising through local cable TV and radio would…
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Opening of new Phuket bridge postponed
PHUKET: The unofficial opening Phuket’s new bridge, the Srisoontorn Bridge, originally scheduled for this week, has been postponed, officials say. Arun Sa-nae, director of the Provincial Highways Office in Phuket, said some last-minute changes in the work plan meant that the new span would probably open to off-island traffic around mid-June. The final work by project contractor Italian-Thai Development involved…
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Fifa’s one horse race
PHUKET SPORTS – Quote of the day: “We will put Fifa’s ship back on the right course in clear, transparent waters.” Sepp Blatter, again re-elected as president of FIFA, hopes to prevent his “family’s” vessel from being dashed on the reef of corruption. — Neil Quail
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Phuket steps up fight against illegal timeshare touts
PHUKET: A multi-agency task force will be set up to investigate timeshare companies operating in Phuket, especially Patong. Tasked with investigating the companies, their workers and any officials involved in allowing the timeshare companies to operate, the “committee” is expected to launch an investigation by October, just before the annual tourism high season begins, Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak announced. The…
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Phuket private aviation in rapid growth mode
PHUKET: With the recent surge in interest in general aviation kindled by the opening of Phuket Airpark and its airshows [see video], the Phuket Gazette has added to its classified advertising pages a new page dedicated exclusively to the world of private flying in Thailand. The new page contains listings in six categories: Aircraft for Sale, Aircraft Wanted, Aircraft Sharing,…
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Crackdown ordered on religious tattoos in Phuket
PHUKET: The Culture Ministry has attacked the growing trend for tourists in Phuket and other parts of Thailand to have religious images tattooed on their bodies. It has ordered provincial governors across the country, including Phuket, to crack down on such tattoos, igniting a debate on the human rights implications of forbidding the practice. Culture Minister Niphit Intharasombat told reporters…
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Phuket developers shine at int’l property awards
PHUKET: Phuket based developers have won top honors in the Asia Pacific Region division of the International Residential Property Awards. Since the inaugural awards in 1995, the competition has established itself as one of the premiere programs recognizing excellence in the field of residential property development. The 2011 Asia Pacific Awards set a new participation record with 21 countries taking…
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New Phuket hospital opens its doors
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) Hospital opened today with more than 200 people registering as patients. “The purpose of the hospital is to reduce the workload of other government hospitals. The OrBorJor bought the land and the Phyathai Hospital building and renovated it under a budget of 845 million baht,” explained OrBorJor Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Manop Leelasuthanon.…
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Phuket Survivor: Man recounts murder ordeal
PHUKET: The man who allegedly survived an attack in which his wife and another man were killed has said the trio were attacked by a group of men. Sanit Choocheun, a 54-year-old construction contractor from Krabi, said he survived the attack by playing dead. The bodies of Mr Sanit’s wife, Urai Limsakul, 50, and the other man, named only as…
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Phuket Red Cross launches June blood drive
PHUKET: The Phuket Chapter of the Thai Red Cross Society has announced its schedule for its June 2011 blood drive. “Blood types A+ and O+ are needed. Our stock of these two types is depleted. However, every blood type is welcome,” said Suphawan Rattanachan, an officer with the Phuket Red Cross. Mobile donation clinics will be set up as follows.…
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Crisis? What Crisis?
PHUKET SPORTS – Quote of the day: “Crisis? What Crisis? There is no crisis in football.” Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, confirming his delusions as to the state of world football. — Neil Quail
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Phuket discharge: Officials confirm wastewater release “safe’
PHUKET: Wastewater discharged into the sea at Karon and Kata beaches is safe, a review committee headed by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha was told yesterday. Environmental engineer Siripong Pasari of Southern Thai Consulting Co Ltd was called in to explain to Gov Tri what exactly caused the discharge filmed by a German TV crew in Phuket earlier this month. The…
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Phuket gets first dedicated cricket ground
PHUKET: Construction of Phuket’s first dedicated cricket ground, to be called the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG), will start on June 27. News of the development, announced on the ACG website, adds that the 10-rai site in the lakes area of Baan Lipon, will be called the ACG Cricket and Sports Ground. The sports facility will be mainly for cricket, but…
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Phuket ‘3G fishermen’ saved by call from the wild
PHUKET: Three men, comprising three generations of a fishing family, were rescued from their capsized boat 17 nautical miles off Phuket’s east coast yesterday thanks to a mobile phone kept in a waterproof bag. The men – Somboon Sae-Oui, 56, his son Pichet, 28, and eight-year-old grandson Bhumin – survived two hours clinging to their upturned boat while it was…
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Two more candidates register for Phuket polls
PHUKET: Two more people on Saturday signed up as candidates to contest the Phuket 1 constituency in the July 3 national election. The last-minute registrations came on the last day the Phuket Election Commission would accept applications for candidacy. In the morning, Weerasak “Ko Sak” Woranetiwong registered as a candidate representing the Thaen Khun Phaendin Party, which is listed as…
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The Phuket International Rugby 10s is a great tournament
Phuket Rugby 10s: “The Phuket International Rugby 10s is a great tournament and is certainly helping youth rugby in Thailand move from strength to strength.” Matthew Oakley MVO MBE – International Rugby Board (IRB) West Asia Project Manager and the 2011 Rugby 10s Referee’s Manager, commenting on the value of the 10s for the future of rugby in Thailand. —…
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Contest to decide name for Phuket Town shortcut
PHUKET: Phuket City Municipality will hold a contest to see who can think up the best name for the new road that connects Saphan Hin with Chao Fa East Road, with 10,000 baht going to the winner. The 50-million-baht road was officially opened in late December last year. It has thus far kept its uninspiring name Phang Muang Sai Khor…
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Royal Thai Police secure Phuket Rugby 10s title
PHUKET: A robust Royal Thai Police (RTP) squad yesterday routed Phuket Rugby 10s defending champions the Kriel Roosters from South Africa by 31-5 to win the annual tourney’s cup final. In a thrilling match at Karon Stadium yesterday evening, players on both sides made big tackles and charging runs to the try line. The first half ended with RTP leading…
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Royal Thai Police secure Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10s
Phuket Rugby 10s: In a thrilling final played on Sunday evening at Karon Stadium, a robust Royal Thai Police (RTP) team stole the title from last year’s winners, Kriel Roosters by a score of 31 – 5. The game was full of big tackles and charging runs to the try line. The first half ended with RTP holding a 12…
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Phuket Opinion: Consuls could help break the choke hold on tourism
PHUKET: The latest meeting of Phuket’s honorary consuls with provincial authorities was rather unremarkable, but as the gatherings remain the only official forum for tourists and expatriate residents of Phuket to have their concerns presented directly to the people in charge, they need to continue. [See ‘Tourists beaten, cheated and cursed’, current issue of the Phuket Gazette. Digital subscribers click…
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