News
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Sponsored 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...
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Teen slain during Vegetarian Festival celebrations
PHUKET: A teen was gunned down and three bystanders injured by stray bullets during the explosive final festivities of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival early this morning. Thanakij Sawirum, 15, was shot dead behind the Lucky Complex, the abandoned building at the entrance to Saphan Hin, just after midnight, said Maj Pornthip Chumsri of the Phuket City Police. The three boys…
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Navy hunt for refugee returns empty handed
PHUKET: A Royal Thai Navy humanitarian mission into the Andaman in search of refugees returned to Phuket yesterday without having made contact. Led by the head of the Royal Thai Navy’s public relations department, Captain Benjamaporn Wongnakornsawang, the HTMS Angthong set out on the half-day search with food, water, medical supplies and translators to assist any refugees passing through Thai…
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On Deck: Ocean Emerald first to receive superyacht licence
PHUKET: The visually stunning superyacht Ocean Emerald is the first superyacht to receive one of the recently launched 12-month superyacht licences. Currently based in Pattaya at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Ocean Emerald is being heavily promoted in Phuket by numerous locally-based charter agents. Designed by Norman Foster and built in Italy, the 41meter Ocean Emerald is one of four built…
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Dolphins not connected to Taiji, says Phuket GM
PHUKET: The Nemo Dolphinarium dolphins, which recently arrived at the controversial facility on Phuket, were not poached from the wild and have no connection to the annual dolphin slaughter at Japan’s Taiji Cove, Dolphins Bay Phuket General Manager Supreecha Suthamanondh told the Phuket Gazette yesterday. “Our five dolphins are among 19 dolphins that were born and raised in an aquarium…
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Phuket Marine Office to play hard ball with foreign yachts
PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Office has vowed to toughen its stance on foreign yachts needing to install Automatic Identification System (AIS) devices and report to the Phuket Yacht Control Center when arriving and departing the region. In September last year, Phuket Marine Office Chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut told the boating community that all foreign yachts in Phuket had to be fitted…
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Indonesian haze returns to Phuket
PHUKET: The Indonesian haze that reached harmful levels earlier this month began to creep back over the island yesterday afternoon. However, air pollution remains at a safe level. “The 24-hour average for Phuket was only 40 micrograms [PM10] per cubic meter by 6am this morning, which is not a health concern,” confirmed Pornsri Suthanarak, the director of the Regional Environmental…
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A Decade Ago: Mom Tri dreams of developing new International Baccalaureate school
PHUKET: Mom Luang Tridhosyuth Devakul, probably better known on the island simply as ‘Mom Tri’, scored page one a decade ago with his dream of developing a new International Baccalaureate (IB) school for the island. With a master’s degree in architecture from Harvard – the real Harvard – Mom Tri was an early visionary leader, recognizing Phuket’s potential and was…
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Letter from the Governor: Welcoming Governor Chamroen
Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada arrived on the island on September 30 to take on his new position. Governor Chamroen is a Phuket native with a master’s degree in political and administrative science from the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) and served as the island’s vice governor from 2012 to 2014. Here he clarifies his role as a leader and supporter…
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Phuket Riot: Drug tests come back negative
PHUKET: Post-mortem urine tests on the suspected drug dealers whose deaths caused the Thalang police station riot have come back negative. “As has already been mentioned, doctors have confirmed that the deaths of the two men were caused by the collision during the police chase. There were no signs of additional violence,” said Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat, who was…
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33 arrest warrants issued for Phuket rioters
PHUKET: A total of 33 arrest warrants have been issued for alleged instigators of the Thalang Police Station riot, which saw more than 20 police officers injured and more than 6 million baht in damages done. A further 14 arrest warrants are expected to be issued today, confirmed Region 8 Police Commander Tesa Siriwato. Early on in the investigation Provincial…
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Phuket red-light runner killed, son injured
PHUKET: A Koh Yao man was killed and his 4-year-old son injured after they ran a red light in Phuket Town yesterday. Rakchart Koondee, 36, and his son Chinnapat Koondee, who was riding passenger in front of him, were turning right onto Korjan Bridge in Phuket Town when they failed to stop at the traffic light, explained Maj Sakon Krainara…
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Phuket prepares for “Bike for Dad’ [video]
PHUKET: Qualified cyclists will soon be chosen to participate in the first-ever ‘Bike for Dad’ event in honor of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 88th birthday. A total of 100 Phuket cyclists will have the chance to ride to Bangkok, along with cyclists representing other provinces in the Kingdom to pay tribute to HM The King. It is not yet known…
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Gov calls for peace as second riot rumors swirl
PHUKET: The Phuket governor this weekend squared off against rumors that another riot will strike the island due to suspicions over the fairness of the investigation into the deaths of two suspected drug dealers earlier this month. “As the Phuket Governor who has taken responsibility for the riot, I plead with you, the people of Phuket, especially those who are…
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Governor denies rumors of transfer over Phuket riot
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada yesterday denied that he would be transferred from the province due to the Thalang riot. “Due to the recent rumor that I will be transferred from the island, which is confusing people, I would like to assure you that I have yet tor receive such an order,” Governor Chamroen wrote on his Facebook fan page.…
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Video Report: Millions watch Krabi man rescue stuck-in-the-mud Norwegians
KRABI: A man’s act of kindness went viral on Friday after he rescued a Norwegian photographer and his partner from the mud along the banks of the Krabi River. Chat Ubonjinda, 44, spotted the tourists stuck knee-deep in the mud, unable to free themselves. Arild Hagen had originally waded into the muck for a photograph and had become stuck. Yanxiang…
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Five dolphins arrive in Phuket for new tourist attraction
PHUKET: Five dolphins and two seals for the highly-contested Nemo Dophinarium have already arrived in Phuket, confirmed Pitsanu Na-Anan, chief of the Phuket Fisheries Office. “The company has 60 days from issuance of the import permits to inform us that the animals are settled into the new facility and are ready for a final check,” Mr Pitsanu told the Phuket…
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CFA dips into feline health care sector
PHUKET: The team behind the Chaofa Andaman (CFA) Pet Hospital has stepped forward to corner the feline segment of the pet healthcare market by opening Thailand’s first-ever cat-specific hospital next to their existing business on Chaofa East Road in Chalong. Open since July 2010, CFA Pet Hospital grew increasingly aware that cats were more stressed than other animals while visiting…
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Battling mob mentality
PHUKET: Though blockades, protests and other forms of mob rule appear to be an effective way for local Phuket villagers to kick-start official action, justice eventually catches up with the instigators, says Teenachat Jindangen, Commanding General of the 41st Military Circle. The commander’s comments come fast on the heels of an unprecedented riot and attack on the Thalang Police Station…
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Police mum on rioters’ arrest warrants
PHUKET: Police officials are still playing mum on the distribution of arrest warrants for those who instigated last weekend’s riots at Thalang Police Station. Deputy National Police Chief Chalermkiat Srivorakarn paid a visit to the island yesterday to commend officers for their patience and hard work over the last week, and to offer support to those who were injured. “I…
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Aussie attacked by Phuket tiger returns to Kingdom
PHUKET: The Australian tourist who was mauled by a Phuket tiger last year returned to Tiger Kingdom yesterday to visit the big cats. “This is my first time on the island since the last visit twelve months ago. My leg is good… it healed well,” said Paul Goudie, who immediately set off for Tiger Kingdom with his wife Jennifer and…
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Grieving family to sue Phuket riot instigators
PHUKET: Family members of the patient whose death may have been prevented if rioters had not blocked the ambulance he was in from reaching a hospital last weekend, are prepared to sue those responsible for initiating the mob (story here). Chian Srichoo, 73, was being transferred from Krabi Hospital to the better equipped Bangkok Hospital Phuket for coronary stenosis [blockage…
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Island View: Tradition of bouncers beating punters
PHUKET: The tradition of bouncers beating punters more than likely goes back to the first brewers and distillers. The first confirmed creation of fermented beverages dates back to 6,650 BC. However, it is widely believed that humans were brewing beverages as early as the Neolithic period (10,000 BC), which very likely indicates a long history of those protecting their fermented…
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Free trolly tour offered for Veg Fest
PHUKET: Phuket municipality has launched a new trolly service for those wanting to see Old Phuket Town during the Vegetarian Festival. The free service will provide tours on a set route through Thalang, Krabi, Satun, Dibuk, Rassada, Phang Nga, Phuket and Montri Road. The service, which will be offered until October 21, will begin at the 72nd Anniversary Queen Sirikit…
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“Heartbroken’ Polish expat found dead
PHUKET: A Polish expat was found dead in his Cherng Talay rental home yesterday, about one week after the Thai woman he was seeing left him, said police. Leszek Jerzy Warzynski, 57, was found hanging by his neck near a fishpond behind the house. Police believe Mr Warzynski had died two days before his body was discovered. “There were empty…
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Chinese tourist drowns on snorkelling trip
PHUKET: Tour guides and doctors were unable to revive a Chinese tourist who was found in an unresponsive state while snorkelling at Koh Racha Yai yesterday. Zhang Jie, 29, was snorkelling at Patok Bay with about 20 other tourists when he was found motionless in the water, confirmed Lt Wuttiwat Liangboonjinda of the Chalong Police. “He was found face down…
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British expat found dead by friends
PHUKET: A British expat was found dead in his Thalang home by concerned friends this morning. Friends of Daniel Burke Whittington, 51, went to check on him after he failed to show up at work at Laguna Holiday Club where was a sales and marketing assistant manager. Police believe that Mr Whittington died three days before his body was discovered.…
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Police silent on rioters “fleeing’ Phuket
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police Commander Patchara Boonyasit declined to confirm or deny rumors that some of those wanted for instigating the violent attack on Thalang Police Station had already fled the province. “Police are working on the case. I prefer not to talk about what progress has been made,” Maj Gen Patchara told the Phuket Gazette this afternoon. Thalang Police…
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Expert to fix Phi Phi national park
PHUKET: A special adviser will set up his office within Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park to review the national treasure’s policies and developments, as the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) continues to investigate hundreds of millions of baht disappearing during the collection of national park fees over the last three years.…
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Finance: Symmetrical triangle of gold
PHUKET: Gold is such a different asset class that it can really be very confusing thinking about it. As I write, gold is forming a classic technical trading pattern known as a symmetrical triangle, which makes it an interesting time to talk about it. These consolidation patterns usually result in a big move one way or the other, but let…
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Opinion: History of mob rule repeats itself
PHUKET: The Royal Thai Police must conduct a full and transparent investigation into the sad chain of events that led up to the riot at Thalang Police Station – all instigators must face justice. Issues of democratic development aside, one of the silver linings of living under de facto martial law for almost a year-and-a-half has been the dramatic reduction…
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