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  • Phuket Gazette World News: Khodorkovsky challenges Putin; Bus bomb in Israel; Sweden rallies; Sudan war; Iran nuclear talks pause for Christmas

    Phuket Gazette World News: Khodorkovsky challenges Putin; Bus bomb in Israel; Sweden rallies; Sudan war; Iran nuclear talks pause for Christmas

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Khodorkovsky challenges Putin over political prisoners Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky on Sunday promised not to seek power in Russia but said he would fight for the freedom of people he considered political prisoners, challenging Vladimir Putin two days after a presidential pardon…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Bangkok seized by protest; Bomb blasts rock Sadao; THAI president resigns; Bankruptcies forecast

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Bangkok seized by protest; Bomb blasts rock Sadao; THAI president resigns; Bankruptcies forecast

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bangkok overrun by huge protest The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Thailand’s vast urban-rural divide was never more obvious than the contrasting images from the two major events yesterday: Bangkok overrun by a massive anti-government protest and the caretaker prime minister greeting admirers on a tour of the…

  • Cement truck juggernaut demolishes small car, driver safe [Video] | Thaiger

    Cement truck juggernaut demolishes small car, driver safe [Video]

    PHUKET: A cement truck jumped a median strip at an intersection near Phuket Town last night and rammed a small car coming towards it. The truck was headed south on Chao Fa East Road and had reached the intersection at the Dowroong Wittaya School (map here). In the dramatic police CCTV footage (click here), the juggernaut can be seen entering…

  • Record drug bust in Krabi nets 48K meth pills, B17mn assets

    Record drug bust in Krabi nets 48K meth pills, B17mn assets

    PHUKET: Police in Krabi province, across the bay from Phuket, have arrested three suspects and seized more than 48,000 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) in what is being hailed as the largest drug bust in Southern Thailand.The arrests were announced at a press conference today, when Krabi Governor Prasit Osathanon presented Bancha Janchamroen, 36; Sompot Janchamroen, 30; and Pattara Dechaporn,…

  • Phuket beach pollution readings to remain secret

    Phuket beach pollution readings to remain secret

    PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) will not post the pollution readings of its seawater quality tests online, the Phuket Gazette has confirmed. Instead, the center will publish only its self-determined star rating system, PMBC Director Ukkrit Satapoomin told the Gazette this week. The PMBC issued a press release last week announcing that the reports were now available online…

  • “Evil man of Krabi’ eligible for bail during appeal process

    “Evil man of Krabi’ eligible for bail during appeal process

    PHUKET: A tour guide was sentenced to 20 years in jail last week for the rape and assault of a Dutch tourist in Krabi last year. However, Chumpol Khanonuang, 27, can appeal the case in the Appeals Court, said Krabi Provincial Police Commander Nantadech Yoinuan. “Chumpol’s bail has been set at 700,000 baht,” he added. It was this bail that…

  • Police raids uncover drug dens in Soi Ya Bah, Phuket Town

    Police raids uncover drug dens in Soi Ya Bah, Phuket Town

    PHUKET: Police yesterday arrested two men after separate raids on the same small street in Samkong, Phuket Town, resulted in the seizure of 1,818 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) and 4.99 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine). Acting on a tip-off, officers arrived at the house of Worasak Bamrung, 30, in Soi Prayoon 3/1 (map here) at 3am. A search…

  • Merry Christmas Phuket! Governor to announce bypass road speed limit

    Merry Christmas Phuket! Governor to announce bypass road speed limit

    PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut on December 25 will announce the speed limit for motorists travelling along the bypass road, officially called Chalermprakiat Ror IX Road and unofficially one of Phuket’s deadliest motorways. The move will be the first of many measures taken in the hope of achieving zero fatalities over the new year holidays. “The usual ‘Seven Days of…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Spain graft probe bites hard; Putin critic Khodorkovsky free; Indian push to lift gay sex ban

    Phuket Gazette World News: Spain graft probe bites hard; Putin critic Khodorkovsky free; Indian push to lift gay sex ban

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Spanish police raid ruling party HQ in graft probe Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Spanish police searched the headquarters of the ruling People’s Party (PP) for 14 hours on Thursday and Friday as part of a corruption investigation that earlier this year threatened to destabilize the government of…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Suthep for cash; Baht falls; Temperatures plummet; Feb 2 polls to go ahead

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Suthep for cash; Baht falls; Temperatures plummet; Feb 2 polls to go ahead

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community People show support by handing over cash to Suthep The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Apart from addressing social issues, the People’s Democratic Reform Committee led by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban has now started focusing on collecting donations.During the march down Bangkok yesterday, Suthep was seen waving…

  • Colorful New Year coming to Phuket

    Colorful New Year coming to Phuket

    PHUKET: “Colorful Countdown Phuket 2014” is set to usher in the new year with light shows and live concerts at Sanam Chai Park (map here) from December 29 to 31. This year’s theme for the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) event is “The Charm Wonderland of Light”, explained PPAO President Paiboon Upatising, also known as “the pink panther” for his…

  • More human remains found believed to be those of missing Phuket 7-year-old

    More human remains found believed to be those of missing Phuket 7-year-old

    PHUKET: More human remains were found today in the pine woods where family members of missing 7-year-old Nong Dear and villagers yesterday discovered fragments of a human skull, along with shorts and a pair of slippers that matched those the girl was wearing at the time of her disappearance. It was a spirit medium who led the family to the…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Scores injured in London theatre collapse; Castro praises Obama handshake; World Bank names corruption Public Enemy No 1

    Phuket Gazette World News: Scores injured in London theatre collapse; Castro praises Obama handshake; World Bank names corruption Public Enemy No 1

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Scores injured in London theatre collapse Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Emergency services said nearly 90 people were injured on Thursday when part of the ceiling collapsed during a performance at a packed London theatre, bringing the city’s West End entertainment district to a standstill.The audience was showered…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: EC calls to reconsider election date; Yingluck accused of using state funds; DSI to press sedition charges against PDRC

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: EC calls to reconsider election date; Yingluck accused of using state funds; DSI to press sedition charges against PDRC

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Reconsider poll date: EC The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: The Election Commission yesterday appealed for cooling-off period out of fears that the wrangling over when the snap election should be held could lead to an escalation in unrest and a dispute over the poll results.“The Election Commission…

  • Skull fragment found in Phuket believed to be of missing 7-year-old

    Skull fragment found in Phuket believed to be of missing 7-year-old

    PHUKET: Fragments of a human skull have been found in Chalong along with clothing and slippers that match those of missing 7-year-old Natthapa “Nong Dear” Papkaew (story here). The relatives of the missing girl uncovered fragments of bone while searching the forested area near Palai Beach yesterday. Chalong Police were notified of the discovery at about 3pm. “While our forensic…

  • Four injured in Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa fire

    Four injured in Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa fire

    PHUKET: Three staffers and a carpenter were injured in a fire that broke out yesterday afternoon in the laundry facilities at the Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa in Patong. “When I realized there was a fire, I order hotel staffers to notify guests to evacuate the hotel. We were at about 70 to 80 per cent occupancy, but got all…

  • Phuket Opinion: Seduced by parking

    Phuket Opinion: Seduced by parking

    PHUKET: I didn’t know what the Thai Watsadu superstore in Thalang sold when I pulled into the parking lot over the weekend, but I wasn’t there to shop in any case. I went just to enjoy the parking lot, which I had admired from the road. It’s completely covered, offering protection rain or shine, and very well laid out. That…

  • Phuket Opinion: Hold the icy judgments of police volunteers

    Phuket Opinion: Hold the icy judgments of police volunteers

    PHUKET: The arrest of well-known former Tourist Police Volunteer Gary Halpin, and the very serious charge of selling the illegal narcotic ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), rocked the Phuket expat community this week (story here). For many people in the local English-language media, the New Zealander was relied on as a valuable and trusted source of information on numerous high-profile cases…

  • Firefighters battle blaze at Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa

    Firefighters battle blaze at Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa

    PHUKET: Hotel staff have evacuated the Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa in Patong as firefighters battle the blaze that started at the hotel’s laundry facilities.The standalone building, part of one of Patong’s best-known resorts, caught fire at about 1:30pm, Patong Police Superintendent Chiraphat Pochanaphan told the Phuket Gazette.Firefighters have now contained the fire, which continues to burn.On site are five…

  • Moonlighting Phuket electrician falls asleep at wheel, kills motorbike driver

    Moonlighting Phuket electrician falls asleep at wheel, kills motorbike driver

    PHUKET: A moonlighting electrician fell asleep at the wheel on his way home from work early this morning, striking and dragging a motorbike taxi driver to his death on Thepkrasattri – Nai Yang Road. Police called to the scene at 6:30am found a pickup truck with a badly damaged hood in a ditch alongside the road. The taxi driver vest…

  • Phuket FC gets new blood for new year

    Phuket FC gets new blood for new year

    PHUKET: Following a month-long break, Phuket FC last week assembled its new-look squad for pre-season training in preparation for the coming Yamaha League One (YL1) season, which is set to commence in February, 2014. Meanwhile, the club’s chairman and president announced a projected season budget of between 45 to 55 million baht – about the same as the 2013 season,…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: Putin gambles on Ukraine bailout; White House curbs NSA; South Sudan strife spreads; Tokyo Governor resigns amid money scandal

    Phuket Gazette World News: Putin gambles on Ukraine bailout; White House curbs NSA; South Sudan strife spreads; Tokyo Governor resigns amid money scandal

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community White House review panel proposes curbs on some NSA programs Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: A White House-appointed panel on Wednesday proposed curbs on some key National Security Agency surveillance operations, recommending limits on a program to collect records of billions of telephone calls and new tests before…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: More Nui victims found; Chiang Mai freezes over; DSI targets PDRC assets; Suthep vows Bangkok jam

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: More Nui victims found; Chiang Mai freezes over; DSI targets PDRC assets; Suthep vows Bangkok jam

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bone discovery linked to serial killer Nui The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Police have found several bones at an uninhabited spot in Loei where a confessed serial rapist and murderer allegedly attacked and strangled a girl earlier this year.DNA tests will be conducted to determine if the…

  • Danish tourist mugged for kiteboard on Phuket beach | Thaiger

    Danish tourist mugged for kiteboard on Phuket beach

    PHUKET: Police are searching for three foreign men who allegedly threatened a Danish tourist in to handing over his entire kiteboard kit at a Phuket beach. Bjarke Carlsen, 25, reported to police that the incident occurred yesterday at Friendship Beach (map here). “Mr Carlsen said he was robbed on the beach at about 10am, when three men wearing ski masks…

  • Phuket to honor tsunami victims

    Phuket to honor tsunami victims

    PHUKET: The Phuket community will honor those who died in the devastating tsunami that struck the island nine years ago with a ceremony at the Tsunami Memorial Wall in Mai Khao followed by the traditional “Light Up Phuket” candle-lighting ceremony on Patong Beach. Thai official figures state that the tsunami killed 5,398 people and that more than 3,700 disappeared in…

  • Phuket Gazette World News: India/US spat; South Sudan clashes leave hundreds dead; More Assad; British drug mules get 7 years in Peru

    Phuket Gazette World News: India/US spat; South Sudan clashes leave hundreds dead; More Assad; British drug mules get 7 years in Peru

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community India removes U.S. Embassy security barriers in spat Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Indian police removed concrete security barriers outside the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday in apparent retaliation for the treatment of an Indian diplomat who was strip-searched after her arrest in New…

  • Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Hunt begins for more Nui victims; Suthep calls for rally Sunday, seeks election delay; Somchai cover-up continues

    Phuket Gazette Thailand News: Hunt begins for more Nui victims; Suthep calls for rally Sunday, seeks election delay; Somchai cover-up continues

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police begin search for other young Nui victims The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Police are in the process of identifying all the young victims of a confessed serial rapist and killer. The 36-year-old man, known only as Nui, has confessed that he raped and murdered two girls…

  • Phuket Police rule out “Nui’ as suspect in missing Nong Dear probe

    Phuket Police rule out “Nui’ as suspect in missing Nong Dear probe

    PHUKET: Chalong Police today ruled out the Bangkok Monster “Nui” as a prime suspect in the Phuket Nong Dear case. Known only as Nui, as police have yet to release his full name, the prime suspect in the case that has outraged the nation confessed on live television to the abduction and rape of “about 10 girls”. He also confessed…

  • Phuket Police to target foreigners at night

    Phuket Police to target foreigners at night

    PHUKET: Foreigners passing through checkpoints at night will be stopped and searched as part of a new effort to ensure the safety of people and property on Phuket, police announced today. The police initiative is motivated by two recent ATM robberies perpetrated by foreigners and the fact that the number of foreign suspects in criminal cases sharply increased this year,…

  • Phuket land grab suspect arrested

    Phuket land grab suspect arrested

    PHUKET: Police charged a man with encroaching on a protected Phuket forest yesterday after he was found building two houses amid mangroves in Wichit. The arrest came during a raid led by Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkhaosutthirak at a site near Klong Mudong (map here). The raid was inspired by a complaint filed by local villagers, Vice Governor Somkiet told…