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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...

  • Border patrols to closely monitor infectious diseases

    Border patrols to closely monitor infectious diseases

    RANONG: The Public Health Ministry has ordered that three contagious diseases be closely monitored along the border region in Ranong province as the establishment of the Asean Community will encourage movement of more people. Dr Sopon Mekthon, permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry, said the ministry has asked hospitals and clinics in the Thai-Myanmar border area at Ranong to…

  • Taxis, tuk-tuks continue to concern UK Ambassador

    Taxis, tuk-tuks continue to concern UK Ambassador

    PHUKET: Tuk-tuks and taxis continue to undermine the progress being made in Phuket’s tourism industry, the British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. The ambassador’s concerns remain despite the National Council for Peace and Order’s cleanup of illegal taxi and tuk-tuk operators in July last year (story here). “Some of the behavior and prices we’ve seen…

  • Region 8 Police seize more than 100 guns in crackdown

    Region 8 Police seize more than 100 guns in crackdown

    PHUKET: Region 8 Police sized more than 100 firearms, including one weapon of war, in a week-long crackdown ahead of tomorrow’s Loy Krathong festivities (story here). “Region 8 Police and local officers in Surat Thani, Nakorn Sri Thammarat, Chumphon, Ranong, Krabi, Phang Nga and Phuket conducted massive raids to get guns and drugs off the streets this week,” said Chalermkiat…

  • All invited to cleanup Nai Harn Beach today

    All invited to cleanup Nai Harn Beach today

    PHUKET: Representatives of the Rawai and Nai Harn Business Community, along with staff and other members of the southern Phuket area, are invited to take part in the Nai Harn Beach cleanup from 3pm to 5pm today. Drinking water, bags and gloves will be provided, so participants just need to show up to the beach and be ready to clean,…

  • Phuket divers lift 400kg of rubbish from Karon waters [video] | Thaiger

    Phuket divers lift 400kg of rubbish from Karon waters [video]

    PHUKET: More than 400 kilograms of trash were swept out of a catchment area between Kata and Karon Bay by divers yesterday. The about 25 meter by seven meter patch of rubbish contained numerous plastic products, metal cans, organic material and even underwear and a plastic gun, explained a diver who had scouted out the area prior to the cleanup.…

  • Jet-skis threaten Phuket tourism industry, says Ambassador

    Jet-skis threaten Phuket tourism industry, says Ambassador

    PHUKET: Jet-ski safety issues were again pushed to the front line during a meeting today, as they remain a serious concern on the island, explained the Netheralands’ ambassador to Thailand. “There are number of issues that are important to us, such as beach safety, beach management accommodations, competitive pricing for taxis and tuk-tuks, and jet-skis,” said Karel Hartogh, the Netherlands’…

  • Phuket Governor hosts five ambassadors for roundtable talk

    Phuket Governor hosts five ambassadors for roundtable talk

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada sat down with ambassadors from five countries today to review a number of issues affecting citizens from their nations. The ambassadors in attendance were from Canada, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Some of the major issues raised included marine and road safety, prison conditions, drug use and visa overstays. “After discussing a…

  • ASEAN establishes landmark economic and security bloc | Thaiger

    ASEAN establishes landmark economic and security bloc

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community ASEAN establishes landmark economic and security bloc Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Southeast Asian nations yesterday established a formal community that attempts to create freer movement of trade and capital in an area of 625 million people with a combined economic output of $2.6 trillion. The…

  • Phi Phi requests more patrol boats, buoys and staff

    Phi Phi requests more patrol boats, buoys and staff

    PHUKET: An expert adviser from Bangkok submitted a proposal for more boats, buoys and staff to man Phi Phi national park. The proposal was submitted to the Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) this month. “The national park covers more than 200,000 rai. However, they only have four officers and two small boats, which is just unbelievable,”…

  • Hopes fade for 100 miners missing after landslide near Myanmar jade mine | Thaiger

    Hopes fade for 100 miners missing after landslide near Myanmar jade mine

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Hopes fade for 100 miners missing after landslide near Myanmar jade mine Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: * Hopes faded on Monday that any of 100 people still missing would be found alive two days after a landslide near a jade mine in northern Myanmar smashed…

  • Security beef-up ordered for Loy Krathong, festive season

    Security beef-up ordered for Loy Krathong, festive season

    BANGKOK: Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered security agencies and related ministries to beef up security during the Loy Krathong and New Year festivals. Government spokesman Maj General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said PM Prayut had instructed security agencies and the ministries of Tourism and Sport, Transport and Culture to be extra vigilant. The prime minister has instructed the Department of…

  • Join Angsana Laguna’s stuffed turkeys for Thanksgiving lunch

    Join Angsana Laguna’s stuffed turkeys for Thanksgiving lunch

    PHUKET: People of all nationalities, prepare to gobble up a hearty American serving of Thanksgiving specialties at a networking lunch at Angsana Laguna Phuket on Thursday. The Greater Phuket Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) is celebrating this American holiday with a festive turkey lunch for everyone and their colleagues, friends and family members. The event, running from…

  • Phuket locals victorious in battle to save Nai Harn trees

    Phuket locals victorious in battle to save Nai Harn trees

    PHUKET: The plan to construct the controversial Nai Harn Movie Museum was dashed at a public meeting last night, confirmed Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos. “We of course listened to what the community had to say,” Mr Aroon told the Phuket Gazette. Mr Aroon explained that after the public hearing, it was clear that a new location would need to be…

  • Indonesia may offer island to process refugees to Australia | Thaiger

    Indonesia may offer island to process refugees to Australia

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Indonesia may offer island to process refugees to Australia Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Indonesia is considering offering a small island to process refugees captured en route toAustralia, its security ministry said on Friday, in what would make it the third country this year to offer…

  • Push for 24-hour tourist help centers on Phuket beaches

    Push for 24-hour tourist help centers on Phuket beaches

    PHUKET: Plans are underfoot to establish 24-hour tourist service centers at more than a dozen popular Phuket beaches, Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul announced on Friday. “We all know that millions of tourists visit our island every year. It is our responsibility to come together and ensure their safety and security while on holiday here,” said V/Gov Prajiad. “We can…

  • Facebook CEO Zuckerberg to take two months of paternity leave | Thaiger

    Facebook CEO Zuckerberg to take two months of paternity leave

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Facebook CEO Zuckerberg to take two months of paternity leave Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Facebook Inc Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said on Friday he will take two months of paternity leave after his daughter’s birth, a strong statement from one of the busiest and…

  • Business Buzz: Just Google it

    Business Buzz: Just Google it

    PHUKET: All business people tend to have a lot of questions each day about how to do this, what is the best way to do that, where can I find this and so on. More often than not, these questions go unanswered and so the problems remain unresolved and our business is no better off. But what if we could…

  • Phuket Dinghy Series wraps up

    Phuket Dinghy Series wraps up

    PHUKET: The Phuket Dinghy Series 2015 wrapped up off the coast of Cape Panwa recently, with Optimist and Laser sailors competing from Phuket and Songkla. A total of 53 young sailors joined the competition in stiff winds and manageable swells. Among the Optimists, male sailors from the Phuket Youth Sailing Club (PYSC) took the three top places, with Nattapong Yongram…

  • Another police station riot suspect arrested for unrelated crimes

    Another police station riot suspect arrested for unrelated crimes

    PHUKET: A second police station riot suspect was arrested for unrelated crimes, confirmed Thalang Police yesterday. Noppon Songkram, 31, was netted in possession of an illegal firearm during a police raid in Srisoonthon yesterday. The raid focused on suspected criminals involved with illegal firearms and drugs. “It wasn’t until we ran his name in our system that we realized he…

  • Laguna Tri-Fest organizers announce Phuket road closures

    Laguna Tri-Fest organizers announce Phuket road closures

    PHUKET: Officials will close down sections of road to accommodate Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest practice events and races. This will cause traffic tailbacks during the 10-day triathlon extravaganza starting this weekend. Race organizers are asking that all drivers prepare for a 30-minute increase in travel time due to traffic congestion. Additionally, the following roads should be avoided if possible: 4030,…

  • Ministry of Farang Affairs: Cooling off beverages

    Ministry of Farang Affairs: Cooling off beverages

    The Ministry of Farang Affairs is a one-stop shop where foreigners in Thailand can learn all they need to know about living here. No, we’re not talking about work permits, visas or taxes. We’re talking about day-to-day life in the Land of Endless Shocks and Riddles, of Blur, Befuddlement and the Bizarre. Stay tuned for weekly insights from Minister Stephff.…

  • Opinion: Time to mobilize Phuket speed traps

    Opinion: Time to mobilize Phuket speed traps

    PHUKET: Efforts to crack down on speeding and other forms of reckless driving took a turn for the serious recently with the news that the Phuket Provincial Police Office is seeking assistance from the Royal Highway Police to set up radar-equipped ‘mobile units’ to help catch offenders (story here). Phuket has emerged as seventh in the nation for the most…

  • Popular British International School access road temporarily closed

    Popular British International School access road temporarily closed

    PHUKET: Popular British International School access road Soi Koh Kaew 33, behind the Isuzu showroom, will be closed from today until November 30. The road was originally closed in late July, after nearly half of its width had fallen into a parallel drainage ditch. The Koh Kaew Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) was then forced to build a new retaining wall…

  • Phuket boarder among world’s best

    Phuket boarder among world’s best

    PHUKET: Phuket surf star Anni Flynn has added another trophy to her collection, beating most of the best flowboarders from around the world to take second place at the World Flowboarding Championships in Bangkok last weekend. In a field dominated by pro-flowboarders from the US, Anni trounced last year’s world champion, and her personal idol, Xana Kai-Nash, but was held…

  • Thanyapura Junior Challenge returns

    Thanyapura Junior Challenge returns

    PHUKET: Junior athletes and sports enthusiasts throughout the region will face off against each other and optimize their potential at Thanyapura’s third Junior Challenge Triathlon. Following the success of last year’s event, the 2015 competition will be held on November 28 and will be staged alongside the Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest, which attracts thousands of avid triathletes every year. This…

  • Phuket beach-wedding ban lifted

    Phuket beach-wedding ban lifted

    PHUKET: The Phuket ban on beach-wedding ceremonies was lifted earlier this week. The ban was put in place earlier this year as the province attempted to prevent private entrepreneurs from staking public beach areas for profit making endeavors. “Even though such events can bring publicity to Phuket, we cannot allow them to take place on our beaches, as that is…

  • Video Report: Field of rubbish revealed off Phuket beach | Thaiger

    Video Report: Field of rubbish revealed off Phuket beach

    PHUKET: The Karon Municipality is preparing a team of divers to undertake a cleanup operation after a Facebook video revealed an enormous field of rubbish in the waters near Karon Stadium. The video, which quickly went viral, showed heaps of trash, such as plastic bottles, foam boxes and shoes floating in the water. “I have seen the video. This is…

  • Philippines bets on appeal of education to fight child labour | Thaiger

    Philippines bets on appeal of education to fight child labour

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Philippines bets on appeal of education to fight child labour Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: Marnel Arcones’s face lights up with a huge smile when he talks about going back to school after years of toiling as a child worker in factories, on farms and as…

  • Wait time for vessels to pass Panama Canal shortens to four days | Thaiger

    Wait time for vessels to pass Panama Canal shortens to four days

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Wait time for vessels to pass Panama Canal shortens to four days Phuket Gazette / Reuters PHUKET: The wait time to pass through the Panama Canal has shortened to four days, down frommore than 10 days last month, the authority that runs the waterway said on…

  • Moment of silence observed at Phuket French Consulate

    Moment of silence observed at Phuket French Consulate

    PHUKET: About 40 French nationals, as well as a few Thai citizens and police officers, joined in a moment of silence observed in Phuket for the victims of the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris. “I acknowledge that it was very short notice, but everyone came together to show their support regardless,” French Honorary Consul Claude de Crissey told the…