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  • Night vision: No more faulty infrared sensors for Phuket speed cameras

    Night vision: No more faulty infrared sensors for Phuket speed cameras

    PHUKET: Speed cameras which had faulty infrared sensors are now in full working order on the bypass road in Phuket. “After installing cameras to monitor speeds on several major roads on the island, we found that the cameras on the bypass road were not reading speed levels at night,” Lt Col Rungrit Rattanapagdee of the Phuket City Traffic Police told…

  • Phuket bus drivers test positive for ya bah

    Phuket bus drivers test positive for ya bah

    PHUKET: Two more Phuket bus drivers tested positive for ya bah (methamphetamine) yesterday afternoon during an anti-drug blitz led by Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut. “We tested 33 bus drivers from two companies: Je-Siam Holiday Phuket and MKR Transportation,” Muang District Chief Administrative Officer (palad) Suthee Sirianan said. “Natthapong Chimree and Udon Sainate, both from MKR Transportation, tested positive for ya…

  • Yingluck pushes for elections, Phuket prepares for booze ban

    Yingluck pushes for elections, Phuket prepares for booze ban

    PHUKET: Phuket will face an alcohol ban starting on February 1 as caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra pushes ahead with the February 2 national elections (story here). “According to the Election Act, all alcohol sales in Phuket are banned from 6pm on February 1 until midnight on February 2 because of the MP elections,” Phuket Election Commission (PEC) Director Kittipong…

  • Phuket earns 21 medals at 42nd Thailand National Games

    Phuket earns 21 medals at 42nd Thailand National Games

    PHUKET: Athletes representing Phuket at the 42nd National Games, contested in Suphanburi from January 5-15, brought home 21 medals – five golds, five silvers and 11 bronzes. Based on medal tally, Phuket placed 25th out of 77 provinces and Bangkok. The National Games’ hosts Suphanburi cleaned up the event with 358 medals including 198 gold, 80 silver and 80 bronze.…

  • Khao Lak – our neighbor to the north

    Khao Lak – our neighbor to the north

    PHUKET: These are exciting times for long-term Khao Lak resident Sascha Meissmer, Sales Manager of the all-new Khaolak Magazine. As the first issue of the quality magazine rolled off the presses recently to considerable acclaim, we managed to grab a moment with Sascha, 44, to find out more. So Sascha, tell us, what is the purpose of the new magazine?…

  • Phuket resort raided over beach beautification project

    Phuket resort raided over beach beautification project

    PHUKET: National park officers yesterday raided the Anantara luxury resort in Phuket and filed a police complaint for alleged encroachment on park land. The Mai Khao resort stands accused of clearing swathes of sea morning glory from the beach and planting palm trees as part of a beach beautification project. Sirinath Marine National Park Chief Cheewapap Cheewatham, who led the…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: World may have to suck gases from air to meet climate goals

    Phuket Gazette World News: World may have to suck gases from air to meet climate goals

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World may have to suck gases from air to meet climate goals – U.N. Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Governments may have to extract vast amounts of greenhouse gases from the air by 2100 to achieve a target for limiting global warming, backed by trillion-dollar shifts towards clean…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Violences kills 75 in Iraq, PM seeks world’s support

    Phuket Gazette World News: Violences kills 75 in Iraq, PM seeks world’s support

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Violence kills 75 in Iraq, PM seeks world’s support Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Bomb attacks and shootings killed at least 75 people in Iraq on Wednesday, police and hospital sources said, making it one of the bloodiest days in months.In the deadliest incident, a bomb blew up…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Feb 2 election to go ahead; Violence fears raised; Rescue worker charged for rape

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Feb 2 election to go ahead; Violence fears raised; Rescue worker charged for rape

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Feb 2 elections will go ahead: Yingluck The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: After holding a meeting with representatives from different political parties and officials from agencies related to the election, caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra decided yesterday to go ahead with the February 2 poll.Insisting that her…

  • Phuket Vice Governor, other officials, join anti-government protesters [Video Report] | Thaiger

    Phuket Vice Governor, other officials, join anti-government protesters [Video Report]

    PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Sommai Prijasilpa, along with three mayors and one district chief, joined the crowd of protesters gathered in front of Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday evening.The protesters vowed to provide their full support should the officials face criticism later.V/Gov Sommai was joined by Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana, Rawai Mayor Arun Solos, Kathu Mayor Chaianan Sutthikul and Thalang…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Four arrested for alleged involvement in attack at Abhisit’s house | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Four arrested for alleged involvement in attack at Abhisit’s house

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Four arrested for allegedly attacking Abhisit’s house The Nation/Phuket GazettePHUKET: Bangna Police have apprehended a woman and three men for alleged involvement in a series of attacks in Bangkok on anti-government rallies including a bomb attack at Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s Sukhumvit residence last night.Thaworn Senneam,…

  • Too fast to be furious: Phuket speed cameras can’t keep up

    Too fast to be furious: Phuket speed cameras can’t keep up

    PHUKET: Drivers on Phuket moving at reckless speeds of over 200km/hr are outpacing the ability of the island’s new speed cameras to capture clear images of them. “In Thalang, the cameras are set to photograph cars travelling in excess of 120km/hr. However, the images of the licenses plates on cars going extremely fast are too blurry to read,” Thalang Police…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Mexico vigilantes refuse to lay down arms

    Phuket Gazette World News: Mexico vigilantes refuse to lay down arms

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Mexico vigilantes refuse to lay down arms in troubled state Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Vigilante groups battling a powerful drug cartel in a troubled region of Mexico on Tuesday rejected a government call to lay down their arms, raising the risk of an increased security headache for…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Protesters threaten SET, AEROThai; Delay poll says expert; Yala blast kills 2

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Protesters threaten SET, AEROThai; Delay poll says expert; Yala blast kills 2

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community AeroThai and SET are in protesters’ sights The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: In an attempt to increase pressure on the government, the hard-line movement Students and People Network for Thailand’s Reform (STR) yesterday confirmed it planned to blockade the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the offices of…

  • Fatal accident on Kata Hill raises concerns about Patong Hill bus ban

    Fatal accident on Kata Hill raises concerns about Patong Hill bus ban

    PHUKET: Yet another bus accident, this time killing a motorcyclist on the Kata Hill road yesterday morning, has raised concerns about increased bus traffic in the area after the controversial Patong Hill bus ban takes effect. Worrapong Chaichomphu, 25, was travelling downhill toward Chalong when a bus travelling uphill crossed the center line and struck him in front of the…

  • Phuket protest forces Provincial Hall to remain closed

    Phuket protest forces Provincial Hall to remain closed

    PHUKET: Police today closed Surin Road in Phuket Town after anti-government protesters expanded their camp and forced Provincial Hall to remain closed for a second consecutive day. The protesters, led by former Rassada Mayor Suratin Lian-udom, compelled officials to close Provincial Hall (map here) yesterday as they staged a mass rally in support of the “Bangkok Shutdown” (story here). “The…

  • Phuket’s DJ Doris to be honored with Celebration of Life

    Phuket’s DJ Doris to be honored with Celebration of Life

    PHUKET: Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’ from Phuket Island Radio 91.5FM, will be honored with a Celebration of Life. The news follows the death of Mr Norris in a motorcycle accident early Sunday morning, a tragedy which prompted an outpouring of grief among friends, family and fans (story here). “Paul Norris is being repatriated to his home in Scotland.…

  • Iraqi tourist, 27, dies after fall from Phuket jet-ski

    Iraqi tourist, 27, dies after fall from Phuket jet-ski

    PHUKET: Police have yet to establish what caused a 27-year-old Iraqi tourist to die after he fell from his jet-ski at Naka Island, off the east coast of Phuket, yesterday afternoon. Mariwan Qader Salim was pronounced dead by doctors at Thalang Hospital at 5pm, Thalang Police Deputy Superintendent Kitthiphum Thinthalang told the Phuket Gazette. “He was staying at a resort…

  • Phuket bagman corruption investigation dropped

    Phuket bagman corruption investigation dropped

    PHUKET: The Phuket bagman investigation into corrupt government officials who collect bribes from Patong business owners has been cancelled, businessman and adviser to the Thailand Trade Organization Chart Chindapol told the Phuket Gazette. Mr Chart alleged in October last year that government officials from at least 17 offices were extracting bribes that totalled almost 50 million baht a month from…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Man shot dead over Lone Survivor texting | Thaiger

    Phuket Gazette World News: Man shot dead over Lone Survivor texting

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Man shot dead at Florida theatre showing ‘Lone Survivor’ Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A moviegoer shot and killed one person and wounded another on Monday when an argument over text messaging in a Florida theatre showing the hit new war film Lone Survivor erupted in gunfire, authorities…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Nigerian leader signs anti-gay law

    Phuket Gazette World News: Nigerian leader signs anti-gay law

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Nigerian leader signs anti-gay law, drawing U.S. fire Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill on Monday that criminalises same-sex relationships, defying Western pressure over gay rights and provoking criticism from the United States.The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: World powers, Iran eye February start to nuclear settlement talks

    Phuket Gazette World News: World powers, Iran eye February start to nuclear settlement talks

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World powers, Iran eye February start to nuclear settlement talks Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Big powers and Iran are likely to start talks on a final settlement to the long dispute over its nuclear ambitions in February, shortly after a six-month deal curbing its atomic activity takes…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Suthep says no to talks; Bangkok roads empty; Reds rally north; Floods hit Deep South

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Suthep says no to talks; Bangkok roads empty; Reds rally north; Floods hit Deep South

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Suthep turns down PM’s call for talks on poll delay The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The caretaker government, having repeatedly ignored calls for postponement of the February 2 election, yesterday softened its stance as pressure for a delay in holding the poll increased.Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra…

  • Political accessories market heats up in Phuket | Thaiger

    Political accessories market heats up in Phuket

    PHUKET: The number of vendors selling political paraphernalia at the Phuket Provincial Hall protests has significantly increased since the protest on December 9, despite the number of protesters decreasing, vendors explained to the Phuket Gazette today.“I sold whistles at the last big protest. Since then, the number of vendors has increased by about 20 per cent,” said 50-year-old Monthathip Jormtai.Kanokphan…

  • Phuket tour bus avoids car, but clips motorcyclist near Kata Hill

    Phuket tour bus avoids car, but clips motorcyclist near Kata Hill

    PHUKET: A man parking his motorbike by the side of the road near Chalong Circle escaped with minor injuries this morning when a Phuket tour bus clipped him while trying to avoid an accident. The bus driver told police that he was en route to Kata when a car cut in front of him near the Sarapan Pleng bar, west…

  • Phuket FC tame Ratchaburi Dragons in 2014 pre-season kickoff

    Phuket FC tame Ratchaburi Dragons in 2014 pre-season kickoff

    PHUKET: Rebranded and reborn this year as the the “Ronins”, Phuket FC kicked off their 2014 pre-season in respectable form last night, defeating Thai Premier League squad, Ratchaburi Mitrphol FC by a score of 1-0 in an evenly-weighted friendly match at Surakul Stadium.In two 45-minute halves, under some clouds and periodic light showers, both sides employed a number of promising…

  • Running red: police probe deadly DJ Doris crash

    Running red: police probe deadly DJ Doris crash

    PHUKET: One of the drivers involved in the accident that killed Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’, early yesterday morning ran a red light, Phuket Police confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. “We believe that one of them drove through a red light as the lights were working at the time of the accident,” said Wichit Police Investigator Ekarat Chartthai. “However,…

  • Phuket protest underway, thousands expected to join

    Phuket protest underway, thousands expected to join

    PHUKET: Organizers expect over 3,000 people to gather in central Phuket Town today in support of the anti-government “shutdown” now going on in Bangkok. One group is already assembled on the grounds of Provincial Hall (map here), and another group is marching through town to Saphan Hin. “Suratin Liang-udom, the former mayor of Rassada, will lead the group at Provincial…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Russia says militants seized with bomb in south

    Phuket Gazette World News: Russia says militants seized with bomb in south

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Russia says militants seized with bomb in south Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Five members of a banned militant group were arrested in southern Russia on Saturday and a homemade bomb packed with shrapnel was defused, in another security scare weeks before the Winter Olympics in Sochi.Islamist militants…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Turkish PM pushes judicial reforms after parliament punch-up

    Phuket Gazette World News: Turkish PM pushes judicial reforms after parliament punch-up

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Turkish PM pushes judicial reforms after parliament punch-up Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Sunday to forge ahead with judicial reforms which prompted a fist fight in parliament, denying he was trampling on the constitution as the government battles a damaging corruption…