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Phuket gets ready for Loy Kratong
PHUKET CITY: Scissors are busy clipping banana leaves at resorts and schools around the island as Phuket prepares for the Loy Kratong Festival that takes place at dusk today. The Buddhist festival, held annually on the full moon of the twelfth month, is celebrated throughout Thailand. In addition to venerating the teachings of the Buddha, the ritual act of floating…
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OPINION: Good news at long last
PHUKET CITY: Developments in the aviation industry bode well for Phuket and its tourism industry going into the high season. The most important of these is Thai AirAsia’s decision to establish Phuket as a second ‘aviation hub’ for its growing operations in Southeast Asia. Since entering the Phuket market in 2003, Thai AirAsia has been a consistent performer in an…
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Berlin Air deal a boost for Phuket tourism
PHUKET CITY: More good news for the Phuket tourism industry came earlier this week when it was announced that German carrier Berlin Air has entered into a codeshare agreement with Bangkok Air. A codeshare agreement enables two airlines to sell seats on the same flight. In this case, Air Berlin customers will benefit from a wider choice of flights and…
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Phuket FC take on Thai champs tonight
PHUKET CITY: The Sea Dragons of Phuket will face a stiff challenge this afternoon when they kick off against 2009 Thailand Premier League winners Muang Thong United.The home side will bolster their line-up for the friendly match with former Thailand internationals Sarayud Chuaykhamdee and Somjed Sattabud.Muay Thai star Saenchai Sor Kingstar is also expected to play for the visitors.Phuket FC has been…
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Phuket students enraged over red shirts
PHUKET CITY: Following protests by students, the director of Phuket Rajabhat University has canceled a controversial red shirt fund-raiser that was scheduled to take place at the university yesterday. Rajabhat Phuket President Dr Prapa Gayee announced the decision this afternoon after around 40 student protesters confronted university staff. “It appears we will have to cancel this and all other political…
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India, Thailand in joint Navy training off Phuket
CAPE PANWA, PHUKET: The Royal Thai Navy completed the latest in a series of training exercises with their counterparts from India earlier this week. For this year’s exercises, about 50 Indian sailors aboard the Bangaram Class patrol vessel INS Batti Malv took part in offshore reconnaissance maneuvers that began last Friday. The Thai side was led by Chief of Staff…
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Phuketians turn out for mass show of national pride
RAWAI, PHUKET: Thousands of flag-waving Phuketians braved the threat of rain yesterday evening to join the nationally-televised singing of the Thai National Anthem at Phromthep Cape. Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop and his wife Thaisika led the stirring rendition, with about 10,000 people and a school band lending support. Yachts and a Royal Thai Navy vessel Bang Prakong from the Navy…
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Snake fever: Another Phuket resident attacked
PHUKET: A 12-foot python attacked a Phuket-based jewelry designer when he returned home to find the aggressive snake outside his front door on Wednesday night. Expat resident Daniel Clark said he and a friend fought with the snake for about two hours, fending it off until they were able to wrestle it to a nearby clearing at Ao Chalong Country…
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Used car dealer mugged by thugs
PHUKET CITY: The owner of a used car dealership in Phuket Town was robbed at gunpoint on Sakdidet Rd yesterday morning. Phuket City Police received a report of the mugging at 10:30 am yesterday. Officers led by Superintendent Col Wanchai Ekpornpit responded to the call. The victim, 36-year-old used car dealer Surachai Hiab, told investigators he was washing a car…
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Phuketians join for national anthem tonight
PHUKET CITY: Thousands of flag-waving Phuketians will gather at Phromthep Cape this evening to sing the Thai National Anthem together as part of a nationwide national unity campaign. Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop will lead the ceremony, which will be broadcast live on national television. A flotilla of yachts will be anchored off the cape and will sound their horns in…
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Phuket Gazette Readers’ Poll: Vegetable Fest
PHUKET CITY: With this year’s Phuket Vegetarian Festival behind us, the Gazette asks readers what, if anything, should be done by authorities to guide the event’s future development. Have your say by clicking here and casting your vote!
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Iguana starts fight on Soi Crocodile, tourist stabbed
PHUKET: A Syrian tourist was stabbed in Patong on Tuesday night after an argument over an iguana turned ugly. Four Thai men were later arrested and charged for the stabbing and face charges of assault and grievous bodily harm.According to Patong police, four iguana handlers ganged up on Mohammed Imed Arab, 20, after he got into an argument with one…
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Phuket firm charged with encroachment
PHUKET CITY: The state prosecutor’s office has charged the owner of a Phuket company with conspiracy to encroach on state land on Yao Yai Island in Phang Nga Bay. The defendant was identified as Chaiyapon Phoojareorn, owner and manager of Ji Liang Phuket Fishing Co Ltd. Mr Chaiyapon was yesterday formally charged in the Region 4 Criminal Court in Bangkok…
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Robson in Thai debut with Phuket Kata Group Cup win
PHUKET CITY, PHUKET: Former Manchester United and England star Bryan Robson made a winning start as the Thai national team manager with a 2-0 win over Yadanarbon FC of Burma at a wet Surakul Stadium last night. Following a goalless first half, two headed goals in the second half were enough to seal a comfortable victory and a place in…
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Snake shock at Phuket hospital, man bitten
PHUKET: A large python was captured at Vachira Phuket Hospital this morning, biting one of its captors during the struggle. A staff member of the hospital’s X-Ray unit was shocked to discover the snake in an enclosed grassy area of the hospital at 9am and called in Phuket’s snake catchers. A team of five snake men, including Environmental Health officer Umnaj…
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Sailor influx prompts Phuket ladyboy crackdown
PHUKET: In advance of the arrival of two more US Navy ships full of marines ready for R&R in Phuket this week, Kathu Police are cracking down on criminal gangs of ladyboys.Kathu Police Commander Grissak Songmoonnark said last time a large contingent of US Navy sailors were in Phuket around 80 ladyboys were arrested for petty crime.About half of them…
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Toasted sandwiches: one night only in Phuket
PATONG, PHUKET: A fire seriously damaged a Subway restaurant in Phuket in the early hours of yesterday morning. No-one was injured the blaze, which broke out at the branch on Taweewong Road in Patong around 3am. It took 25 fire officers in four fire engines until around 4am to put out the fire. — Atchaa Khamlo
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New homes for Phuket sea gypsies
MAI KHAO, PHUKET: Seventeen families in the fire-ravaged sea gypsy village of Ban Hin Look Diow will move into new dwellings early next month, thanks to the efforts of Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop and Phuket Technical College students. At a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall last week, Gov Wichai said the new homes would be handed over to the villagers…
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THAI launches direct Phuket – Hong Kong flights
PHUKET CITY: With the high season for tourism almost here, Thai Airways International (THAI) has begun direct flights between Phuket and Hong Kong three times weekly.An Airbus 330-300 leaves Phuket at 1:15pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.Return flights leave Hong Kong at 8am on the same days.Forty-two seats are reserved for passengers in business class, with the remainder in economy.The…
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Last night for Phuket Veg Fest ’09
PHUKET CITY: Devotees who have spent the last eight days without meat, alcohol or sex will be able to resume their usual ways at the stroke of midnight tonight when the Chinese Warrior Gods depart and the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival comes to an end. As in years past, Saphan Hin is expected to be the center of activity this…
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Friends of Simon Grant invited to join farewell ceremonies
PHUKET: Following the sudden death of Ao Por Marina manager Simon Grant last Thursday after a motorcycle accident in Phuket, funeral rites began today and will continue until Wednesday, when Simon’s body will be cremated in a Buddhist ceremony. Mr Grant, a 45-year-old father of two, was a well known figure in the Phuket expat community. Those who knew Simon…
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Protesters demand intervention in Phuket land dispute
PHUKET: A crowd of about 60 protesters set up camp near Phuket Provincial Hall this morning to demand that the Phuket Governor step in to resolve a conflict over land entitlement where construction of Panason City Village is underway. The protesters claim that some home owners have been tricked into giving up their homes and that others are being pressured…
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Headless baby draws crowds
NAKHON SRI THAMMARAT: A family in Ron Phibun District have set up a shrine to house the body of a stillborn headless baby. The baby was the second of a pair of twin girls born to 30-year-old Saijai Sriraksa on October 14. After the first healthy twin was born, doctors noticed Mrs Saijai still had a lump in her abdomen.…
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OPINION: TAT should do more for Phuket festival
PHUKET: The Vegetarian Festival ends this evening – not just here in Phuket, but also in other ethnic Chinese communities all over the country. Phuket’s Chinese community rightfully takes great pride in their town being the birthplace of the festival in Thailand – as well as the fact that Chinese communities in other provinces have followed suit. The event is…
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Phuket’s Happy Air ready for takeoff
PHUKET CITY: New carrier Happy Air will launch its Phuket to Haad Yai route on October 31, following on November 1 with flights to Langkawi in Malaysia.Happy Air Marketing Manager Phatcharapon Sontipun said the service will be aboard the carrier’s Swedish-built SAAB 340 A, a 34-seat twin-engine turboprop.The aircraft is expected to arrive in Phuket on Monday.The daily flights will…
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Phuket Vegetable Festival in full bloom
PHUKET CITY: The Vegetarian Festival got into full swing this morning, when the Jui Tui Shrine, in downtown Phuket City, held its annual street procession. Scores of picture-popping tourists who turned out for colorful event didn’t leave disappointed, as those who braved the deafening sound of firecrackers and banging drums were able to catch wave after wave of spirit mediums…
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New sinkhole on Patong Hill road
PHUKET CITY: Conditions on the already-treacherous Patong Hill road took another turn for the worse yesterday, when another sinkhole appeared just meters from a similar cavity that was hastily repaired in late August. Patong Municipal official Sompong Jiumtau said municipal workers put traffic cones around the crevasse as soon as it was first noticed before dusk yesterday. The hole had…
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Finnish expat dies in Phuket
PHUKET CITY: A Scandinavian expat was found dead in his Patong apartment on Tuesday night, police said. Kathu Police Duty Officer Jongserm Preecha identified the deceased as 62-year-old Jan Christer Hoglund, from Finland. Mr Hoglund’s body was discovered at around 11pm by his Thai wife, age 31. The woman told police she made the discovery after returning from Phuket City…
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Phuket wishes HM The King quick recovery
PHUKET CITY: More than 200,000 people in Phuket have signed a book wishing His Majesty the King a speedy recovery. According to the latest statement from the Royal Household Bureau, His Majesty’s condition is now stable. “His physical strength has increased. His sleep and food intake is normal,” the bureau announced yesterday. Doctors would continue to give antibiotics to His…
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Body of Australian tourist found in Phuket hotel room
PHUKET: The body of an Australian male was found in a Phuket hotel room earlier today. The death appears to be a suicide.The body of the 39 year old was discovered at Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa by one of the hotel’s cleaning staff on regular housekeeping duty just after midday.The body was lying in a pool of blood…
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