Phuket
Thonglor Pet Hospital enters Phuket market

Thonglor Pet Hospital has announced that it has bought a majority stake in a Phuket facility, marking the company’s expansion into the South.
The company said it had formed a joint venture for the investment deal with Chalong Phuket Pet Hospital, which has operated in Chalong Beach on the resort island for more than 16 years.
Thonglor Pet Hospital owns 51 per cent of the venture, Thonglor Chalong Phuket Pet Hospital, with the rest is held by Chalong Phuket Pet Hospital.
Dr Kitika Chaisupatanakul, chief executive of Thonglor Pet Hospital, said the company currently operates owned 11 branches of Thonglor Pet Hospital, and that the additional 12th branch is its first joint venture.
“With the joint venture, we (Thonglor Pet Hospital) will jointly provide support on internal management as well as the use of an IT system in enhancing the database and medical records of all pets being treated at the hospital,” she said.
“About 10 million baht of an investment budget will be allocated to the facelift and improvement of the existing pet hospital in Phuket.”
Kitika said the company will use its first joint venture in Phuket as a pilot model for other possible joint ventures to enhance pet hospitals in remote provinces in the future.
Kitika said that Thonglor Pet Hospital will also invest about 200 million baht in the next two years by opening four new owned pet hospitals in the next two years (from 2019), of which three will be in Bangkok and one in Rayong.
She said the pet market in Thailand is estimated to see growth of 10 per cent over last year, to about 32.2 billion baht. Pet healthcare accounts about 32 per cent (10.2 billion baht) of the market, while 45 per cent (14.6 billion baht) is for pet foods, and 23 per cent (7.4 billion baht) for pet products. Pet foods, in particular, have seen the highest growth, at 20 per cent a year.
“We are under discussions to explore taking our pet hospitals outside Thailand to potential markets overseas,” said Kitika.
Founded in 1994, Thonglor Pet Hospital opened its first facility in Sukhumvit Road 55 (Soi Thonglor). It is the first pet hospital in Thailand that provides medical care services and treatment for pets 24 hours a day.
Dr Anucha Chaisomboonsuk, manager of Chalong Phuket Pet Hospital, said that the hospital has been providing medical treatments for pets in Phuket for more than 16 years.
“It is time for our pet hospital to have greater demand for new management know-how and technology to be enhanced in doing business,” Anucha said.
“The partnership with Thonglor Pet Hospital, which is one of the leading pet hospitals in Southeast Asia, will ensure that we provide better quality services to our pet-loving customers.”
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Phuket
Phuket tourist decides hotel awning more comfortable than his room

PHOTOS: Rawai Rescue workers / Phuket Tourist Police
The Phuket Tourist Police have been notified that a tourist had jumped from a building in Rawai and ended up on a steel awning covering the bottom floor today. But that wasn’t, in fact, what had happened.
The local Tourist Police say the owner of the building told staff at the Tourist Assistance Centre that the tourist had checked into the room on February 13.
The tourist didn’t actually jump down from the building but had moved a mattress from his room on to the awning and slept on it (mosquitos!!) He was also drunk and damaged some property inside the room.
The man is a 37 year old Estonian tourist. He was staying at the room with a 25 year old male friend.
Chalong Police have charged them both with being drunk and damaging property. They have said that they will pay for all damages to the owner of the property. They are heading back home on February 26.
Phuket
Patong motorbike racer arrested and fined – VIDEO

PHOTO: Patong Police
Patong Police yesterday arrested a motorbike racer after identifying him and his motorbike from video clips that were popular in social media this week.
Patong Police are investigating alleged foreign motorbike racing gangs in Patong after video clips went viral in local social media.
Read more about the racing around Patong’s streets HERE.
Patong Police report that they have now arrested one motorbike racer and charged him with the maximum fine.
Patong Police are also asking motorbike rental operators to explain basic traffic rules for motorbike drivers who want to rent a motorbike.
(The Thaiger is assuming this would be covered when they get their motorbike license, which they are required to have before a motorbike is rented to them.)
PHUKETForeigners racing around Patong. Who would have thought?! https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/police-investigate-motorbike-hoons-in-patongVIDEO: เป็นปากเป็นเสียง
Posted by The Thaiger on Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Phuket
500 free helmets handed out to motorbike drivers in Patong

Patong Development Foundation together with Patong Police and Patong Municipality have given 500 helmets to motorbike drivers in Patong today under the campaign ‘Wear your helmet’.
Handing out the 500 helmets to motorbike user in Patong was led by Patong Police Chief Col Anothai Jindamanee, Patong Municipality Chalermluck Kebsup and President of Patong Development Foundation Preechawut ‘Prap’ Keesin.
Col Anothai says, “Many motorbike drivers have been injured and died in road accident. We want 100 percent of motorbike drivers and passengers wearing helmets. ”
“More motorbike riders are now wearing helmets as the number of not wearing helmet charges has been dropping in Patong with better enforcement.”
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