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Waves of kindness in Phuket
PHUKET: Phuket is famous and infamous for a list of commendable and questionable attributes. One thing that seems to have made it onto the list in certain circles is surfing. Because of the teasingly short surfing season and fickle beach breaks, Thailand will never qualify as a dedicated surfing destination. However, for beginners or less-seasoned surfers whose standards for waves…
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Phuket to hold full-scale tsunami drill on Christmas Day
PHUKET: A full-scale tsunami emergency-response drill will be held in Phuket on Christmas Day, ahead of three days of official events to remember those who perished in the disaster 10 years ago. The decision to stage the drill on December 25 was announced at a Provincial Hall meeting on Wednesday, attended by Russ Jalichandra, deputy director-general of the Department of…
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Opinion: Remember, Phuket, it’s a long road ahead to road safety
PHUKET: Phuket’s yet-to-be-observed first marking of the annual World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (story here) needs to serve not only as a memorial to those who have perished on our roads, but also as a reminder that we have a long way to go in raising road safety to something resembling acceptable international standards. Statistics indicating a…
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No change in Rohingya policy as new top Navy brass takes charge in Phuket
PHUKET: Though their has been a change of top brass at the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Area Command, based in Phuket, the official policy for managing the overwhelming flow of refugees and illegals escaping violence in their home countries remains unchanged. The recently transferred Vice Admiral Sayan Prasongsamrej, now Commander of the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Area Command, told the…
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Corruption: B1bn deals tied to nationwide school futsal pitch scandal
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Corruption: B1bn deals tied to nationwide school futsal pitch scandal The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: More than than 10 legal entities, with the help of several individuals, conducted transactions worth more than Bt996 million related to a futsal-pitch corruption scandal, according to the Anti-Money Laundering…
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Obama imposes historic immigration reform
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama imposes historic immigration reform Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: President Barack Obama imposed the most sweeping immigration reform in a generation on Thursday, easing the threat of deportation for about 4.7 million undocumented immigrants and setting up a clash with Republicans. In a White House…
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Asian Beach Games: China makes its move
PHUKET: Thailand were given a scare yesterday when their grip on the Asian Beach Games crown was loosened by a strong surge from reigning champions China, who scooped nine golds to leapfrog into second. At press time, the hosts lead the medal charge with 34 gold, 25 silver and 28 bronze medals, with China on 14 golds. Thai athletes enjoyed…
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Flood, landslide warnings for four provinces in the South
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Flood, landslide warnings for four provinces in the South The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The National Disaster Warning Centre yesterday issued a flooding and landslide warning to four southern provinces – Phatthalung, Songkhla, Trang and Satun – for yesterday and today. Early yesterday morning, in…
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Welding sparks blamed for Phuket quarry facility fire
PHUKET: Sparks from a welder fixing a roof are believed to have set a quarry building on fire in Baan Yamu, on Phuket’s east coast, late last night. Two teams of firefighters arrived at the quarry at about 11:20pm. They brought the blaze under control within about 30 minutes. “One of our staff was welding on the roof,” said 49-year-old…
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Two men injured after losing control of truck on notorious Phuket curve
PHUKET: Two men in a pick-up truck sustained minor head injuries after the driver lost control on a wet Phuket highway and slammed into a local shop on the side of the road. The driver, 62-year-old Somsak Jamjan, and his co-worker in the passenger seat, who police have yet to publicly identify, were travelling southbound on Thepkrasattri Road when Mr…
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Governor joins merit-making for new Phuket Provincial Hall
PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong has given his stamp of approval to the new 449-million-baht Phuket Provincial Hall, hoping that its traditional Sino-Portuguese design will impress visitors. The governor recently made merit at the construction site, located on a 50-rai plot on Phang Muang Sai Kor, opposite Suan Luang (Rama IX or King’s Park) in Phuket Town, and participated in a…
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AMCHAM forum to tackle Phuket’s critical marine tourism issues
PHUKET Registration is building for the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Thailand’s special forum focusing on the future of Phuket’s marine tourism industry, to be held tomorrow evening (click here). “Many people have expressed great interest in the joining the forum and we’re looking forward to a large turnout from people who have concerns to be addressed and ideas…
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Krabi officials on watch for Rohingya
PHUKET: Officials on Koh Lanta, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, are on the lookout for any suspicious boats that may be carrying refugees after Myanmar identity cards were found discarded on the island. “We are now keeping watch for Rohingya and any people of other nationalities [sic] who may land on Koh Lanta,” said Pornpoj Pandaeng, chief administrative officer…
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Police hunt for Phuket teen motorbike gang after two men assaulted, robbed
PHUKET: Police are hunting down a teen motorbike gang after two men were kicked off their motorbike, beaten and robbed in Phuket on Tuesday night. Police received a report that there had been an assault and snatch-and-run case near Baan Ya village in Srisoonthorn at about 11:30pm, said Capt Narong Malavaechan of the Thalang Police. The two victims, Sattawat Pohab,…
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Phuket cement-truck driver charged over fatal collision killing student
PHUKET: The driver of the cement-mixer truck that crushed and instantly killed an 18-year-old student in Rassada last week has surrendered to police and been charged with reckless driving causing death. Chalermchai Lakbaan, a student at Phuket Rajabhat University, died instantly when his motorbike collided with a cement truck entering* the Phuket Cement Co Ltd site on Prachasamakkee Road in…
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Asian Beach Games: Thailand eyes overall prize
PHUKET: Thana Chaiprasit, chef-de-mission of the Thailand athletes’ delegation in the 4th Asian Beach Games, currently being contested in Phuket, expressed his confidence that the Thai athletes will capture more gold medals than the 40 they had initially targeted. Thailand currently leads the medal tally with 71 medals, comprising 29 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze. Japan is second place…
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Thai crusade pays off as looted treasures return from US museum
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thai crusade pays off as looted treasures return from US museum The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Twenty-six years after the return of the Narai Stone lintel from the Art Institute of Chicago to Thailand, the US government has again officially handed over more ancient artefacts…
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‘Hunger Games’ sequel preview screenings cancelled
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community ‘Hunger Games’ sequel preview screenings cancelled The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Special previews set for today at two cinemas in Siam Square of the latest in the series idolized by coup protesters, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, have been abruptly cancelled. The anti-coup movement…
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Flights suspended after Army helicopter crash kills nine
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Flights suspended after copter crash kills nine The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Third Army Area has suspended all helicopter flights in the wake of a Bell 212 crash that killed all nine soldiers on board on Monday evening. The family of one crash victim…
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Four dead, 47 injured in Ayutthaya crash; Four dead as train hits car in South
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Four dead, 47 injured in Ayutthaya crash; Four dead as train hits car in South The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday confirmed that it would take care of officials who were injured in a road accident yesterday in Ayutthaya’s Bang…
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Phuket woman in “miracle’ survival of juggernaut hit-and-run
PHUKET: A 55-year-old woman’s escape from serious injury has been hailed as a miracle after her motorcycle with sidecar (saleng) was struck by an 18-wheeled semi-trailer and dragged 20 meters along Thepkrasattri Road before the saleng was struck by a second vehicle. Wanna Damnadee, 55, was admitted to Thalang Hospital late yesterday afternoon with minor scratches and a swollen left…
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Asian Beach Games: Thailand lands 12 of 14 gold in single day
PHUKET: Hosts Thailand flexed their muscles to haul in 12 of the 14 gold medals up for grabs yesterday to stay atop the overall standings with 60 medals – including 25 gold – in the 4th Asian Beach Games being hotly contested in Phuket. Thailand made a clean sweep of both golds on offer in the beach petanque yesterday, with…
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Phuket police break open multi-million-baht drug network
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police yesterday presented four suspects arrested for dealing millions of baht of drugs that were delivered from Bangkok by bus. Presented as evidence at a press conference today were more than 19,000 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) and 120 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), as well as two illegal firearms and two cars. Phuket Provincial Police…
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Inheritance tax of 10% on estates over Bt50m approved
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Inheritance tax of 10% on estates over Bt50m approved The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Cabinet yesterday gave the nod to a draft bill for the country’s first-ever inheritance tax. “The tax will be a form of income distribution,” Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said after…
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Criminal case against Yingluck ‘a step closer’
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Criminal case against Yingluck ‘a step closer’ The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The move to get ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra to stand trial in the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions – for alleged negligence to stop corruption and massive losses in the…
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Land offices most corrupt, police second: academic survey
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Land offices most corrupt, police second: academic survey The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Land office is the most corrupt agency in the Thai bureaucracy, while police are ranked second in this dubious list where households needed to make illegal payments to facilitate their service,…
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Obama to ease immigration rules on millions
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Obama to ease immigration rules on millions Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: U.S. President Barack Obama is poised to give relief from deportation to millions of undocumented immigrants who are parents of U.S. citizens or of permanent legal residents, according to a source familiar with White…
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Asian Beach Games: Thai gold rush adds to medal tally
PHUKET: Hosts Thailand today extended their lead in the medal tally standings in the Asian Beach Games being contested in Phuket, bringing home at least five more gold medals in the day’s events. Thailand closed the day with 58 medals (24 gold), while nearest contender Japan is in second place with 12 medals (6 gold). Getting off to a good…
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Man killed while electrofishing in Phuket pond
PHUKET: A man was found dead in a Phuket pond this morning after he was killed while electrofishing. Suchart Chanaprasit, 36, was found dead at about 8:45am with the electric cable still in his hand, Capt Wittaya Sincharoen of the Thung Thong Police told the Phuket Gazette. “He was still gripping the electric cable he had been using to stun…
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Asian Beach Games: Muay Thai masters target medal takedown tonight
PHUKET: The opening rounds of the Muay Thai competitions for the Asian Beach Games get underway on Patong Beach, near the end of Soi Bangla. At 5pm, Hoang Duc Le of Vietnam will enter the ring to take on Eugene Tan of Singapore in Bout 1 of the quarterfinals of the Men’s 48kg-Light Fly division. Meanwhile, Chan Kai Tik from…
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