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Man City's title bid in tatters after collapse at Wolves
Man City's title bid in tatters after collapse at Wolves
FOOTBALL: Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City's faint hopes of retaining the Premier League title were in tatters as they blew a two-goal lead and had goalkeeper Ederson sent in a dramatic 3-2 defeat at Wolves yesterday (Dec 27).
Phuket hits high note for number of drug cases, arrests in the country
Phuket hits high note for number of drug cases, arrests in the country
Phuket Provincial Court, from January through October this year, prosecuted more cases for drug-related offenses than any other provincial court in the country, other than Thung Song Provincial Court in Nakhon Sri Thammarat. The island’s status as the nation’s “runner-up” for drug prosecutions came by a report from the Courts of Justice made public earlier this week, confirming that during the eight months Phuket Provincial Court processed 6,697 cases, second only to Thung Song Provincial Court, which processed 7,438 cases. However, Phuket Provincial Court outshone all other provincial courts in the country for prosecutions of possession of illegal drugs and possession of illegal drugs with intent to sell, taking the number one position with 3,076 cases and 702 cases respectively. Phuket, even as one of the smallest provinces in Thailand, still ranked third in the country for total number of drug-related prosecutions after including cases heard by the provincial minor court, called the Kwaeng Court, with 5,120 prosecutions heard. Phuket Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai took the nation-leading number of drug cases as good news, saying “It shows that officials and police are doing their work very well.” Vice Governor Supoj, who chairs the provincial anti-narcotics committee, added, “This year we have specifically focused on preventing drugs from being brought into the province by fishing boats, as this now seems to be the preferred method of smuggling drugs into Phuket.” To that end, a report from the Phuket Provincial Police, which accumulate their statistics from October through September each year (in line with the Thai fiscal year), confirmed that Phuket City Police Station processed 1,552 drug-related cases. During the same 12 months, Chalong Police Station processed 1,058 cases, Thalang Police Station processed 977, Patong Police Station processed 969, while Thachatchai Police Station processed 676. The same statistics reported increases in the volume of every category of drug seized, with 18.45kg of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) seized from Oct 2017 to Sept 2018 rising to 19.29kg in the 12 months that followed. Similarly, the number of methamphetamine pills (ya bah) seized in Phuket rose from 303,161 pills in 2018 to 556,383 pills in 2019. Kratom busts also saw a huge increase in contraband seized, with 2.9 tonnes of the plant (25,390 leaves) seized on the island in 2018 rising to 3.73 tonnes (34,058 leaves) in 2019. Meanwhile, marijuana raids saw 7.31kg of the plant seized in 2019, along with 12.76kg of ready-to-smoke dried marijuana. Heroin maintained a much smaller, but still concerning, presence, falling from 292.4 grammes seized in 2018 to 116.87g the following year. “Phuket’s drug problem remains, and mostly because of weaknesses in the community,” Vice Governor Supoj said this week. “However, I still expect the number of drug cases to fall as we focus more on fixing problems in the community first,” he added. Vice Governor Supoj cited a slew of specific issues believed to be contributing to the drug problem. “Most suspects arrested come from other provinces, and Phuket is a busy tourism area full of tourists and non-native people. This has contributed to Phuket’s high rank in the number of cases,” he said. “Also, the economy is not good, and people are ready to take risks. They are willing to be minor sellers, not major sellers like other provinces,” he added. Dealers were also pushing harder for everyday people to risk earning extra money by selling drugs, V/Gov Supoj explained. “Dealers even have promotions like ‘Drugs for sale’. For example, where they would normally charge B200 per ya bah pill, they would sell ya bah to an addict or regular user at B80 per pill just to get their regular business. “Another issue is peer pressure. I have found most young women arrested for drugs are caught selling the drugs with their boyfriends,” he added. V/Gov Supoj told The Phuket News that he wants to seriously start targetting social issues in the community to help prevent people from wanting to take drugs, or sell them. “We want to focus on the community as a priority. Phuket as a community needs to be stronger. It is an important issue that I have to talk about with drug suppression teams and local officials in each area. “Of course this includes working with the police, who the statistics show have already been working hard on this problem,” he said. Pol Maj Gen Rungrote Thakurapunyasiri, who arrived on the island in October to take up the post of Phuket Provincial Police Commander, told The Phuket News on Tuesday that police will ramp up their efforts to prevent anti-drugs efforts in a special campaign for the New Year. “Police will search and focus on drugs hidden in any type of vehicles, such as cars, buses and trucks, from Dec 24, 2019 to Jan 31, 2020,” he said. “Our goal is to eradicate entire drug-trafficking networks, from producers to major dealers to people selling drugs on the street. It also includes those who support drug-trafficking networks,” he added. In addition to the development of a national anti-drugs database, officers will focus “intensive efforts” on all target groups who may be involved in illegal drug cases, Maj Gen Rungrote said. “We will also set up a programme to prevent drugs from spreading to youths, schools and communities, to keep them safe and away from drugs,” he added.
Phuket suffers first death in New Year ‘Seven Days’ campaign
Phuket suffers first death in New Year ‘Seven Days’ campaign
PHUKET: Phuket has suffered its first death during the annual “Seven Days of Danger” road-safety campaign for the New Year, which began at midnight last night.
Phuket’s Promthep Cape gets palms from Pattaya
Phuket’s Promthep Cape gets palms from Pattaya
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Office, headed by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana, and Rawai Municipality have together arranged for 80 palm tress worth a total B10 million from Pattaya to be planted at the popular tourist viewpoint at Promthep Cape – for free.
PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Mother pimps daughter? Phuket cable car coming! 15 years since Asia Tsunami || December 27
PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Mother pimps daughter? Phuket cable car coming! 15 years since Asia Tsunami || December 27
PHUKET XTRA - December 27 || brought to you by PVCPhuket.com 15 years since Asia Tsunami |:| Mother arrested for pimping mentally ill daughter |:| B1.5bn Phuket cable car coming |:| Jail time in Shin case |:| Missing couple NOT hiding, search continues Hosted by: JP Mestanza || #Phuket
Don’t believe the hype, it’s probably ‘fake news.’
Don’t believe the hype, it’s probably ‘fake news.’
THAILAND: A purported tax on female sanitary napkins tops the list of the five most interesting rumours or 'fake news' stories to spread on social media and capture public attention, according to a survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll.
NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA
NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA
Say goodbye to 2019 and ring in the New Year 2020 in Amazonia, Blue Tree style! Become Tarzan & Jane of the jungle, where adventure and creativity come together, with sustainability in mind. Dance the night away and experience the true spirit of TREE HOUSE: great vibes, creative cuisine and best tunes played on the island. The celebration begins at 7PM, with our Chef’s extensive Seafood and BBQ Gala Buffet on the Lagoon Beach. Gala Dinner will be held on the second floor of Tree House Restaurant, overlooking the spectacular Blue Tree Lagoon, followed by after party. An exclusive VIP Area and selection of premium Gourmet Platters are available for those who would like to maximize their experience. This will be the first NYE for Tree House and promises to be the one to remember!
Hundreds turn out for ‘Light Up Phuket’ Patong tsunami memorial service
Hundreds turn out for ‘Light Up Phuket’ Patong tsunami memorial service
PHUKET: Hundreds of tourists and local residents joined the annual Light Up Phuket tsunami memorial event at Loma Park in Patong last night (Dec 26) to place candles in the sand to remember the thousands who lost their lives to the 2004 Asia Tsunami.
Bruce Lee’s daughter sues one of China’s biggest fast food chains
Bruce Lee’s daughter sues one of China’s biggest fast food chains
WORLD: A company run by Bruce Lee's daughter is suing a Chinese fast food chain for allegedly using an image of the late martial arts film star without permission.
Liverpool thrash Leicester to stretch lead as Tottenham, Man Utd close on Chelsea
Liverpool thrash Leicester to stretch lead as Tottenham, Man Utd close on Chelsea
FOOTBALL: Liverpool sent out arguably their strongest statement of intent yet as they outclassed second-placed Leicester in a 4-0 win on Boxing day to stretch their lead at the top of the table to 13 points.
Foreign tourist arrivals up 5.92% in November
Foreign tourist arrivals up 5.92% in November
BANGKOK: Tourist arrivals in Thailand rose 5.92% in November from a year earlier, after increasing 12.51% in the previous month, the Tourism and Sports Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 25).
Phuket’s Silver Surfer riding the crest of a wave
Phuket’s Silver Surfer riding the crest of a wave
SURFING: Phuket surfing sensation Annissa Flynn won a silver medal in the women’s short board competition at the recent SEA Games in the Philippines. She is also three time defending women’s world flowboard champion.
Business opportunity
Business opportunity
Four 3 bedrooms pool villas, located on the south end of Aopor, on the east coast of Phuket ..., only 50 meters from the sea, 150 meters from new Sheraton Grand Bay Resort, 3 minutes from Grand Aopor Marina........ Each villa have 330 sqm build up area 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 10 meters infinity pool, western kitchen, fully furnished, ready to move in or rent out .... Price reduction from 98 mln to 78 mln for all .. for viewing or more details please contact owner directly Tel : +66 62 8133888 Email : montha_phuket@yahoo.com
Report of missing kayak couple found living in Rawai confirmed a false alarm
Report of missing kayak couple found living in Rawai confirmed a false alarm
PHUKET: Tourist Police have confirmed that the foreign man and Thai woman reported as seen camping in a remote location near where Polish tourist Mateusz Juszkiewicz, 26, and Thai national Werakan Siriprakon, 23, from Nakhon Sawan, were last seen are not the missing kayak couple.
B1.5bn Phuket cable car project given green light
B1.5bn Phuket cable car project given green light
PHUKET: The Phuket provincial committee of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), chaired by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana, has approved in principle for a sightseeing cable car operating three kilometres long to be built in Phuket.
PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Wife-killing tourist gets life! Missing couple alive, hiding out? Paedo monk arrested! || December 26
PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Wife-killing tourist gets life! Missing couple alive, hiding out? Paedo monk arrested! || December 26
PHUKET XTRA - December 26 || brought to you by PVCPhuket.com Wife-killing tourist gets life |:| Locals: Missing couple alive, hiding out |:| Senior cop faces attempted murder |:| Hacked CCTV of Thai prison leaked |:| Abbot charged with sexually abusing minors Hosted by: JP Mestanza || #Phuket
Phuket remembers those lost to the tsunami
Phuket remembers those lost to the tsunami
PHUKET: A remembrance ceremony to honour those lost to the tsunami that struck our shores 15 years ago, on Dec 26, 2004, was held at the Wall of Remembrance at the Mai Khao Cemetery this morning.
National police deputy launches Phuket New Year anti-crime, road-safety blitz
National police deputy launches Phuket New Year anti-crime, road-safety blitz
PHUKET: Lt Gen Sakda Cheunpakdee, an Assistant Commissioner of the national Royal Thai Police, has ordered all officers under his command, and called on those assisting police, to do their best to restrict crime and enforce road-safety laws over the New Year holidays.
Party like ROCK STAR on New Year's Eve at Hard Rock Cafe
Party like ROCK STAR on New Year's Eve at Hard Rock Cafe
HARDROCK CAFE PHUKET - PATONG BEACH Enjoy a night to remember at Hard Rock Cafe’s 2020 countdown celebration at Patong Beach. Join the festive mood by feasting on a sumptuous New Year's Eve 4-course set menu plus welcome drink and dance the night away to live entertainment from top bands February Cherry, Asia Line and top DJ’s. Party through to 2020 and greet the New Year with a complimentary toast. Rockers can take home one of our limited edition Glow in the Dark Hard Rock Cafe T-shirts for FREE as a souvenir of the occasion. Tickets priced at THB 3,499 per person. Only limited places available so book now to truly experience how to party like a rock star! Doors open 7pm, Tuesday, December 31. For reservations and more information, contact: Tel. 076-366-381 or email sm@phuket-hrc.com, Line/WhatsApp: 084-464-9608.
COUNTDOWN TO 2020 AT HOOTERS
COUNTDOWN TO 2020 AT HOOTERS
Hooters invites you to celebrate the New Year festivities. • Hooters Phuket will have a carnival/glitter styled party, guests are welcomed to join the countdown rooftop party at Swiss Hotel with a 360 view. All located in the heart of Patong. All NYE Tickets offers FREE entrance to all outlets. This gives guests the chance to experience the hourly fun activities, tribute bands, DJ’s, entertaining competitions and much more. Tickets priced at: *THB 299:– General admission including 1 complimentary drink and snacks; *THB 999:- Free Flow from 7pm-10pm; *THB 4,999:- VIP Table for 1-4 pax including 1 bottle spirits, 4 mixers and snacks. In addition, guests will be served FREE complimentary Hotdogs at 2:30am. Tickets are available at https://www.eventpop.me/e/7768-hootersthailand2020ny. Book online to reserve your spot at the best countdown party in town! Hooters makes you Happy! For more information about Hooters Asia, kindly visit: Website: www.Hootersasia.com Facebook: Hooters Asia Instagram: Official_hootersasia