Phuket News | The Phuket News

PHUKET: Former Prime Minister and current leader of the Democrat Party, Abhisit Vejjajiva was in Phuket on Wednesday (July 11) as part of a public speaking tour entitled, “Summon up the power to design Thailand. The 10 Foundations of the Blueprint for Thailand”.

Friday 13 July 2012, 09:15AM

'Demolisher' orders probes into 10 sites

PHUKET: Damrong ‘the Demolisher’ Pidech, the Director of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has ordered nine separate committees to investigate the legality of nine land plots on the north west coast of Thalang District, where a number of five-star hotels, resorts and villas are currently under construction.

Friday 13 July 2012, 09:02AM

Thailand braces for key court ruling

Hundreds of police are expected to surround Thailand's Constitutional Court Friday as the country braces for a crunch ruling that threatens to rip open the kingdom's bitter political divisions.

Friday 13 July 2012, 08:46AM

Spanish man blogs Bangkok suicide on Facebook: police

A Spanish man found dead in his apartment in downtown Bangkok on the eve of his 37th birthday had live-blogged his suicide on his Facebook page, Thai police said Thursday.

Friday 13 July 2012, 08:46AM

Lifeguards plead for swimmers to listen

PHUKET: The Phuket Lifeguard Club have again asked people courageous enough – or perhaps stupid enough – to swim in the heavy seas of the treacherous monsoon season to respect their advice and not to go in.

Thursday 12 July 2012, 06:14PM

Dope bust nets 2,000 ya ba pills

PHUKET: Cherng Talay police arrested a 30-year-old man on Tuesday (July 10) on charges of importing methamphetamines from Beungkan district of Nong Khai and selling them to local youths. They also seized 2,000 methamphetamine (ya ba) pills.

Thursday 12 July 2012, 02:55PM

Police arrest burgler for teen girl's death

PHUKET: A 28-year-old man from Amnat Charoen Province, Kittikun Wonghajak, has been arrested over the death of 17-year-old Sunisa Saiyoi at her home on Tuesday afternoon (July 10).

Thursday 12 July 2012, 11:28AM

Thailand steps up security for key court ruling

Thailand on Wednesday said it was boosting security ahead of an incendiary charter amendment case that could lead to the dissolution of the ruling party, with judges given special police protection.

Thursday 12 July 2012, 10:04AM

Snakes and baby monkey seized at Suvarnabhumi

Thai airport authorities Wednesday found 11 pythons and a baby monkey among an array of creatures hidden in the suitcase of a Kuwaiti woman trying to board a flight from Bangkok, wildlife officials said.

Thursday 12 July 2012, 10:04AM

Phuket Opinion: Results are crucial

PHUKET: The results of the autopsies on two Canadian sisters who were found dead at a hotel in Phi Phi are likely to reveal more to the world about Thailand than just the cause of their deaths.

Thursday 12 July 2012, 09:44AM

Diplomats urge tourist scams crackdown

PHUKET: Foreign diplomats met with Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Suwat Sidthilaw, in Bangkok yesterday (July 11) to urge Thai authorities to clamp down on extortion and scams against foreign tourists.

Thursday 12 July 2012, 09:33AM

Phuket Opinion: All eyes on Phuket

PHUKET: There are around 1,000 CCTV cameras scattered around the island. Some are owned by the government, while others have been installed and are maintained by local businesses and home-owners.

Thursday 12 July 2012, 09:23AM

Phuket Opinion: Enough already

PHUKET: The two criminals involved in the horrible killing of 60-year-old Australian travel agent Michelle Smith are now behind bars.

Thursday 12 July 2012, 09:09AM

Phuket Opinion: Phuket stands alone

PHUKET: This week Thai tycoon Dr Boon Wanasin stated his case and desire for Phuket to become a Special Economic Zone, which would in effect give the island complete autonomy over its decisions.

Thursday 12 July 2012, 09:07AM

Phuket Opinion: Looking to the wrong example?

PHUKET: The island of Racha Yai, some 24 km from Phuket, attracts around 1,200 day-trippers from Phuket every day during the high season. Some spend the night, while others stay just for the day, snorkelling or scuba diving, or walking or lounging on the beautiful sands before returning.

Thursday 12 July 2012, 08:57AM

Phuket Opinion: A nasty cloud with a silver lining

PHUKET: It must come as a nasty shock for someone who has worked in the same place for a couple of decades to be told, with no warning, that you no longer have a job. Here’s your severance pay. Go away. Right now.

Thursday 12 July 2012, 08:54AM

CCTV system 'root of improved security'

PHUKET: Senior Phuket officials met today (July 11) in one of a series of ongoing meetings on how to solve problems on the island and rebuild tourist confidence, rocked by the killing of Australian travel agent Michelle Smith on June 20.

Wednesday 11 July 2012, 06:33PM

Vice Governor calls for separation of garbage

PHUKET: Vice-Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada today (July 11) called for serious action to implement garbage separation across Phuket.

Wednesday 11 July 2012, 06:28PM

Smugglers caught with tanker of diesel

PHUKET: Customs officials hit black gold on Monday afternoon (July 9) when they seized a tanker with 230,000 litres of smuggled diesel on board, 10 nautical miles (18.5 km) off Racha Noi Island.

Wednesday 11 July 2012, 03:47PM

Thai pardon for US citizen jailed for royal insult