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    Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort puts sustainability at its heart

    The term sustainability is often thrown around as a buzzword in the hospitality industry, but at Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort, it’s genuinely part of their mission. Located in Makham Bay, just south of Phuket Town, the beautiful resort puts...

  • Phuket security force boosted by 200 for Songkran

    Phuket security force boosted by 200 for Songkran

    PHUKET: An additional 200 officers will be added to security forces in Phuket for the Songkran holiday, confirmed Phuket Provincial Police Commander Teeraphol Thipjaroen yesterday. “Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year celebration, many people travel during this period of time, which increases the likelihood of criminal activity and road accidents,” Lt Gen Tesa said. “The extra help on the…

  • Famous actor hit with computer crimes act in Phuket land case

    Famous actor hit with computer crimes act in Phuket land case

    PHUKET: The alleged owner of 24 rai of land on Naka Noi Island yesterday filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against a famous Thai actor involved in the land dispute on the small island off Phuket’s east coast. The owner of Six Mountains Co Ltd, Chanwit Kitlertsiriwattan, who bought the land in 2014, claims that allegations made by the actor could…

  • Paris attacks suspect Abrini arrested | Thaiger

    Paris attacks suspect Abrini arrested

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Paris attacks suspect Abrini arrested Phuket Gazette / Reuters BRUSSELS: Mohamed Abrini, wanted over November’s Islamic State attacks in Paris, has been arrested in Brussels, Belgian public broadcaster VRT said on Friday, adding that he was probably involved in last month’s Brussels bombings. Public prosecutors confirmed…

  • Alcohol-free Songkran celebration at Limelight Avenue

    Alcohol-free Songkran celebration at Limelight Avenue

    PHUKET: Limelight Avenue will be hosting a clean fun Songkran party on April 13 to encourage people to partake in the wet holiday in a responsible manner. Under the slogan ‘Songkran No Alcohol and Discovery Thainess’, the party will run from 4:45pm to 9pm, with musical performances by Absolution, Black Sheep and Zeal. The following will be banned in the…

  • Promising prospects for Phuket marine industry

    Promising prospects for Phuket marine industry

    PHUKET: With clear signals from the government that it is serious about transforming Phuket into an Asean marine leisure and yachting hub, key figures in the province’s public and private business sectors are forging alliances to help bring that vision to fruition. Marine business representatives, members of the Phuket Tourist Association, the Chamber of Commerce and local councilors met at…

  • Samkong Underpass opens Sunday, not completely finished until July

    Samkong Underpass opens Sunday, not completely finished until July

    PHUKET: The northbound lane of the long-awaited Samkong Underpass will be open to traffic on Sunday, confirmed the project engineer today. “Northbound motorists will have to use the underpass as the construction company works on the road surface of the northbound, ground-level roadway,” explained Chalermpol Wongkiattikun, the project engineer from the Department of Highways. Just last week, Boon Tapanadul from…

  • Krabi locals pay respect to metal cow pat

    Krabi locals pay respect to metal cow pat

    KRABI: Locals are paying their respects to a large chunk of metal that was found in a steaming pile of cow feces yesterday. “I went to collect the cow poo for fertilizer, and noticed that it was heavier than normal,” said Boonjan Duangjan, 53. “I’ve raised about 15 cows in my palm plantation for more than 20 years, and have…

  • Surin Beach businesses beg Bangkok to stop demolition

    Surin Beach businesses beg Bangkok to stop demolition

    PHUKET: About 20 evicted Surin beachfront shop owners appealed to the Justice Minstry in Bangkok yesterday in hopes of stopping or delaying the demolition of their restaurants, shops and clubs. Ma-ann Samran, president of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor), told the Phuket Gazette today that he is aware of the complaint, but was not worried about it. “We…

  • Fidel Castro, 89, makes rare public appearance | Thaiger

    Fidel Castro, 89, makes rare public appearance

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Fidel Castro, 89, makes rare public appearance Phuket Gazette / Reuters HAVANA: Former Cuban President Fidel Castro, 89, made a rare appearance outside his home on Thursday, visiting a school to mark the birthday of a late revolutionary heroine days after penning a scornful critique of…

  • Europe’s banks under scrutiny as regulators look into Panama Papers | Thaiger

    Europe’s banks under scrutiny as regulators look into Panama Papers

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Europe’s banks under scrutiny as regulators look into Panama Papers Phuket Gazette / Reuters BERN/GENEVA: Banking watchdogs across Europe have begun checking whether lenders have ties to a massive document leak from Panama that showed how offshore companies are used to stash clients’ wealth. Switzerland’s financial…

  • Anti-Trump forces gain momentum after Cruz’s win in Wisconsin | Thaiger

    Anti-Trump forces gain momentum after Cruz’s win in Wisconsin

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Anti-Trump forces gain momentum after Cruz’s win in Wisconsin Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Donald Trump’s Republican rivals were invigorated on Wednesday by the front-runner’s loss in the Wisconsin primary and moved quickly to bolster efforts to block the New York billionaire from capturing the party’s…

  • Row2Rio more than halfway through epic adventure

    Row2Rio more than halfway through epic adventure

    PHUKET: Battered by waves, flying fish and brutal heat, the adventurers of Row2Rio left the African coastline, pulling themselves through the middle of the Atlantic in their pioneer voyage from Portugal to Brazil (story here). “30 days doing two hours on, two hours off – it sounds ridiculous when I say it,” wrote Luke Richmond, Aussie expat and head coach…

  • Fruit truck flips, spills load, makes squash on Kamala Hill

    Fruit truck flips, spills load, makes squash on Kamala Hill

    PHUKET: A six-wheel truck laden with fruit flipped on Kamala Hill, spilling its load across the road yesterday afternoon. The single-vehicle accident caused tailbacks for several hours while a clean-up team righted the truck and cleared the road of produce. “A crane was brought in to pull the truck out of a ditch. The driver, Somparn Talunai, 42, escaped with…

  • Transport Minister opens Phuket’s Thep Srisin Bridge

    Transport Minister opens Phuket’s Thep Srisin Bridge

    PHUKET: Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith chaired the grand opening of the much-anticipated Klong Koh Pee Flyover yesterday morning. The roadway, officially named Thep Srisin Bridge, connects Sakdidet Road Soi 7 directly to Saphan Hin. “The bridge will improve traffic flow. Additionally, it is a beautiful structure that is a boon to Phuket tourism,” Minister Arkhom said. The bridge was originally…

  • Island View: The spirit of Songkran

    Island View: The spirit of Songkran

    PHUKET: Songkran is one of the happiest festivals celebrated by Thais. When I was young and lived in Phuket, I always found the Songkran celebrations in other provinces such as Chiang Mai to be very unique and beautiful. Over the years Phuket has grown into a hub filled with Thais from all corners of the country living and working here,…

  • Finance: Understanding Counter Trend Rallies

    Finance: Understanding Counter Trend Rallies

    PHUKET: In early March, US and global markets began a short-term counter trend rally that has seen these markets regain about 50 per cent of their prior decline. However, there are reasons you need to remain cautious by staying largely in cash. The stock market began to rally in 2009, hitting an all-time high last summer. Since then, the market…

  • Opinion: The conundrum of Phuket International Airport prices

    Opinion: The conundrum of Phuket International Airport prices

    PHUKET: Although it took years to act, the Ministry of Commerce is to be commended for finally ordering an end to blatant overpricing on the most basic of consumer goods at Phuket International Airport: food and bottled water. As so artfully pointed out by the airport’s chief financial officer, high prices for consumer goods at airports is hardly a phenomenon…

  • Temporary road closure on Chao Fa West tomorrow

    Temporary road closure on Chao Fa West tomorrow

    PHUKET: Chao Fa West Road will be closed from 7am-6pm tomorrow so that construction work can be carried out on the Chalong Underpass, the Department of Highways told the Phuket Gazette today. “The northbound lane of Chao Fa West Road, in front of Home Pro, will be temporarily closed for removing power poles as part of the construction process,” said…

  • Phuket commemorates Chakri Day

    Phuket commemorates Chakri Day

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada led local officials and community members in a ceremony this morning at Phuket Rajabhat University to commemorate Chakri Day. The public holiday marks the founding of the royal Chakri Dynasty in 1782, of which the present Thai monarch, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is the ninth king (Rama IX). “Today we paid our respects to the…

  • Ultraman completes epic swim around Phuket

    Ultraman completes epic swim around Phuket

    PHUKET: Swedish Ultraman World Champion Jonas Colting became the first-ever man to swim around Phuket as he stepped onto Mai Khao Beach this morning. “We are proud that someone has made history by becoming the first man to swim around the beautiful island of Phuket. This is a great activity to showcase Phuket as a sports and tourism hub of…

  • Mississippi enacts law that allows denying services to gays | Thaiger

    Mississippi enacts law that allows denying services to gays

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Mississippi enacts law that allows denying services to gays Phuket Gazette / Reuters U.S.: Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant on Tuesday signed a far-reaching law allowing people with religious objections to deny wedding services to same-sex couples and protecting other actions considered discriminatory by gay rights activists.…

  • Similan “spearfishing boat’ banned from national park

    Similan “spearfishing boat’ banned from national park

    PHUKET: The Similan Island’s liveaboard diving boat that a group of Hong Kong spearfishermen used during their recent hunting excursion has been banned from entering the national park for 30 days. Photos of Hong Kong spear fishermen showing off the bounty they hunted in the waters of the Andaman caused an uproar on social media as those online made allegations…

  • Migrant workers jump ship, tangle fishing vessels in red tape

    Migrant workers jump ship, tangle fishing vessels in red tape

    PHUKET: Migrant labors jumping ship for better paying jobs on other fishing vessels is causing a logistical tangle at the Port in – Port out Control Center (PIPO), which is stopping many boats from departing. “Many boats have not been allowed to leave because the number of crew members on the boat does not match with the PIPO database,” explained…

  • Indian Navy training vessels berth in Phuket

    Indian Navy training vessels berth in Phuket

    PHUKET: Four Indian Navy vessels have berthed at the Deep Sea Port in Phuket as naval and Coast Guard trainees take on 24 weeks of at-sea exercises. A statement from the navy said the deployment of the training squadron to Phuket “provides opportunities for extensive maritime engagement, contributes to the maintenance of good order at sea, and further cements the…

  • Karon Police too busy to cage slow loris touts

    Karon Police too busy to cage slow loris touts

    PHUKET: Karon Police admitted today that slow loris touts on the beach are not a high enough priority to merit the resources necessary to put them behind bars. “Tourists’ safety and the safety of their belongings is a bigger concern for us,” said Lt Col Pornnarong Karnonchai of the Karon Police. “We do our best to take care of smaller…

  • Prosecutors open probes as world’s wealthy deny ‘Panama Papers’ links | Thaiger

    Prosecutors open probes as world’s wealthy deny ‘Panama Papers’ links

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Prosecutors open probes as world’s wealthy deny ‘Panama Papers’ links Phuket Gazette / Reuters LONDON/PANAMA CITY: Authorities across the globe have opened investigations into the activities of the world’s rich and powerful after a cache of leaked documents from a Panamanian law firm showed possible wrongdoing…

  • Police close net on trio of teen robbers

    Police close net on trio of teen robbers

    PHUKET: Police investigating a knife attack by three Thai males on four foreign tourists at Patong Beach on April 1 believe that the trio are from Trang Province and that they are also responsible for an attack on a Thai man later the same day. Two Russians and two Australians were injured in the altercation early Friday morning on Patong…

  • Hong Kong spear fishers put Similan dive boat in hot water

    Hong Kong spear fishers put Similan dive boat in hot water

    PHUKET: Photos of Hong Kong spear fishermen showing off the bounty they hunted in the waters of the Andaman caused an uproar on social media as those online made allegations that they had been fishing in Similan National Park, Thailand’s top diving destination. Panunee, the boat that the tourists were hunting from, is touted as a 5-star luxury liveaboard. The…

  • Tri-lingual tryst ‘Patong Girl’ premiers this month

    Tri-lingual tryst ‘Patong Girl’ premiers this month

    PHUKET: A young German lad falls in love with the mysterious, native beauty Fai while on holiday in Thailand with his family. He follows his heart, but things get complicated… That’s the synopsis of Patong Girl, the latest tri-lingual movie co-produced by Thailand-based moviemaker Tom Waller. Set for release in Phuket on April 18 at SF Cinema at Jungceylon, Patong…

  • Clean Phuket toilets to impress Songkran tourists, say officials

    Clean Phuket toilets to impress Songkran tourists, say officials

    PHUKET: Armed with brushes and detergent, Phuket officials put on gloves and face masks to scrub down some of the island’s public toilets in an attempt to impress Songkran tourists this month. Last week, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul and Public Health Minister Piyasakon Sakolsattayatorn launched the WC OK: Happy Tourist Toilet campaign in Bangkok, which has since trickled…