Phuket News | The Phuket News

LAGOS: Fire ripped through a crowded neighbourhood in Nigeria’s largest city on Wednesday and wounded at least 30 people after a huge explosion rocked a building believed to be storing fireworks, officials said.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 06:39PM

World’s longest bullet train service launched in China

BEIJING: China launched service Wednesday on the world’s longest high-speed rail route, the latest milestone in the country’s rapid and – sometimes troubled – super fast rail network.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 06:35PM

Thousands flee Malaysia floods

KUALA LUMPUR: Floods triggered by torrential monsoon rains in Malaysia forced almost 14,000 people to flee their homes and seek shelter at relief centres, the official Bernama news agency said Wednesday.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 06:32PM

Bangladesh slaughters 150,000 birds over avian flu

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s livestock authorities are slaughtering around 150,000 chickens at a giant poultry farm near Dhaka after the worst outbreak of avian flu in five years, officials said Wednesday.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 06:30PM

Family planning official snared in China trafficking ring

BEIJING: Police have detained two officials including one involved in family planning in China’s latest crackdown on child trafficking that has ensnared 355 suspects, state media said today.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 06:29PM

Myanmar probes deadly plane crash-landing

HEHO: Myanmar on Wednesday hunted for clues about the cause of an airplane crash-landing that left two people dead, as foreign tourists told of their miraculous escape from the burning jet.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 06:27PM

Abe the hawk lands back in Japan’s premiership

TOKYO: Shinzo Abe, who returned to Japan’s premiership Wednesday, is a rhetorical hawk with strident views about Japan’s place in the world but a likely pragmatist in office – at least for now.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 06:25PM

Egypt’s Morsi signs disputed constitution into law

CAIRO: Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has signed into law a new constitution voted in despite weeks of opposition protests, but on Wednesday he was left facing an economic crisis and international disquiet over his rule.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 06:23PM

China warns of rising financial risks

BEIJING: China’s financial system is facing increasing risks due to soaring bank loans, with lending to the property sector and local governments a particular concern, the finance ministry warned Wednesday.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 06:06PM

'More than 45,000 killed' in Syria conflict

BEIRUT: More than 45,000 people have been killed in Syria since the outbreak in March 2011 of an anti-regime revolt that became a bloody insurgency after a brutal crackdown on dissent, a watchdog agency said Wednesday.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 06:04PM

Kazakhstan mourns deaths of elite guards in plane crash

ASTANA: Kazakhstan on Wednesday mourned the deaths of 27 people in one of its worst ever aviation disasters, a tragedy that wiped out much of the top echelon of the state border service including the acting chief.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 06:02PM

Envoys rapped for ‘out of date’ Phuket remarks

PHUKET: The Chief of the Phuket Marine Department has criticised recent warnings about jet-ski scams by the British and Australian ambassadors to Thailand which, he says, are inaccurate and based on out-of-date information.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 05:48PM

Raging fire destroys wing of Patong hotel

PHUKET: Claude de Crissey, the owner of the Royal Phawadee Village Resort has told The Phuket News that based on initial investigation, this morning’s (December 26) early morning fire at the resort had seemed to start from a faulty electric cable, but that he was waiting on results from an investigation conducted by the Forensic Police.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 03:55PM

Phuket tsunami ceremonies begin at Mai Khao

PHUKET: Ceremonies to mark the eight anniversary of the 2004 Asian Tsunami, which killed some 8,000 people in Thailand, and left hundreds more missing, began this morning (December 26) with a multi-faith service at the Tsunami Memorial Wall near Mai Khao Beach.

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 03:28PM

Fire severely damages resort in Patong

PHUKET: Fire destroyed part of the Royal Phawadee Village resort on Sawatdirak Rd in Patong early this morning (December 26).

Wednesday 26 December 2012, 10:46AM

Phuket Intl Hospital celebrates 30 years

PHUKET: The Phuket International Hospital celebrated its 30th Anniversary on Friday (December 21) and used the occasion to launch two charitable projects – a charity mini-marathon and a drive to help children suffering from cerebral palsy.

Tuesday 25 December 2012, 06:16PM

Phuket police arrest 243 in New Year crime drive

PHUKET: Police have arrested 243 criminals in 169 cases in a concerted drive against crime in the 16 days leading up to the New Year.

Tuesday 25 December 2012, 06:12PM

Video links to streamline Phuket justice

PHUKET: The Phuket courts and police, Phuket Prison and CAT Telecom have signed a contract aimed at streamlining the legal system after an arrest is made, improving security, cutting down on court appearances by officials, and saving money.

Tuesday 25 December 2012, 05:54PM

Phuket Tourist Police parade through Patong