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Mobile medical unit launched at Soi King Kaew
Mobile medical unit launched at Soi King Kaew
PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Norasak Suksomboon today (June 19) inaugurated a new mobile medical unit provided by the Princess Srinagarindra Volunteer Doctor Foundation (PorSorWor) to serve the residents in the King Kaew area, one of the poorest communities on the island.
Phuket airport holds sea rescue drills
Phuket airport holds sea rescue drills
PHUKET: Personnel at Phuket International Airport are undergoing a two-day training course in marine rescues and the use of inflatable dinghies, with the training aimed at improving readiness for potential aircraft incidents over water or at sea. 
Dibuk Rd affected as cables installed underground
Dibuk Rd affected as cables installed underground
PHUKET: Motorists are urged to avoid travelling along Dibuk Rd in the Phuket Old Town area during the coming week while trenches are excavated in order to install power and communications cables underground.
Thai GP tickets sell out in a flash
Thai GP tickets sell out in a flash
MOTO GP: Grand Stand tickets for the PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2024 were all sold out within minutes on the first day of sale yesterday (June 18).
‘The Weed Club’ in Patong raided for e-cigarettes
‘The Weed Club’ in Patong raided for e-cigarettes
PHUKET: The ‘Weed Club’ in Patong and an associated address in Ratsada have been raided by officials for trading in the illegal sales of e-cigarettes, after the shop’s operations were brought to the attention of the Phuket Governor.
Thaksin released on bail after arraignment
Thaksin released on bail after arraignment
BANGKOK: The Criminal Court has released former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on bail of B500,000 after he was arraigned on lese-majeste and computer crime charges in connection with comments made during an interview in 2015.   Thaksin reported to public prosecutors yesterday morning (June 18) and was taken to the Criminal Court for arraignment on his lese-majeste case, according to the spokesman of the Office of the Attorney-General. Prayut Phetcharakhun said the court accepted the case at 8:56am, officially making Thaksin a defendant. Thaksin denied all charges and said he would defend himself in court, reports the Bangkok Post. According to the court, the defendant is required to surrender his passport and is prohibited from leaving the country unless permitted. The court has granted bail to Thaksin, based on reasonable grounds that he will not flee, tamper with evidence, commit dangerous acts or obstruct the court’s proceedings. Late last month, the OAG announced its decision to indict Thaksin, who was on parole at the time. The indictment, initially set for an earlier date, was postponed to yesterday because Thaksin had reportedly contracted COVID-19. Thaksin, 74, is accused of defaming the monarchy during an interview with the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo on May 21, 2015. In the interview, he claimed privy councillors supported the 2014 coup that ousted the government of his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra. The original complaint about the interview was filed in 2015 by Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, then deputy defence minister in the military government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Gen Udomdej instructed the Judge Advocate General’s Department to take legal action against Thaksin, leading the OAG to file a lawsuit. The Criminal Court accepted the case for trial in 2015 and issued an arrest warrant for Thaksin, who remained abroad and did not return to Thailand until August last year. Police alleged that the comments made during the interview violated Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese-majeste law, as well as the Computer Crimes Act. Earlier, the OAG’s spokesman said that Attorney-General Amnat Chetcharoenrak had decided to indict Thaksin on both charges, as proposed by police. The computer crime charge is related to Thaksin inputting information into a computer system that was deemed a threat to national security. Thaksin, who denies any wrongdoing, could face pre-trial detention if he is denied bail by the Criminal Court, following the indictment. The lese-majeste law carries a maximum jail sentence of up to 15 years for each perceived royal insult.
Shunned by West, Russian army deserters live in fear
Shunned by West, Russian army deserters live in fear
KAZAKHSTAN: Russian officer Farkhad Ziganshin had prepared himself for a life of military service since a young age. He could never have imagined that one day he would become a deserter and flee the country. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed everything.
Portugal scrape Euro 2024 opening win, Turkey beat Georgia
Portugal scrape Euro 2024 opening win, Turkey beat Georgia
FOOTBALL: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal beat the Czech Republic 2-1 to claim a Euro 2024 debut victory yesterday (June 18) but they needed to come from behind with a 92nd minute winner from youngster Francisco Conceicao.
House passes same-sex marriage law
House passes same-sex marriage law
BANGKOK: Thailand is set to become the first country in Southeast Asia to recognise same-sex marriage, with its marriage equality law passed in the Upper House yesterday (June 18) and now on the way to being promulgated before it is due to take effect in the next few months.
Unwelcome rebirth of zero-dollar tours
Unwelcome rebirth of zero-dollar tours
BANGKOK: The scourge of zero-dollar tours has returned with even lower prices, targeting inbound tourists from China, Russia and India.
PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Same-sex marriage vote, Thai politics in court, PLTO lifts taxi app registration ban || June 18
PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Same-sex marriage vote, Thai politics in court, PLTO lifts taxi app registration ban || June 18
PHUKET XTRA - June 18 || Brought to you by @PVC Phuket Hosted by: JP Mestanza || #Phuket #PhuketNews #Thailand
Busy day for Phuket lifeguards as eight tourists rescued
Busy day for Phuket lifeguards as eight tourists rescued
PHUKET: Lifeguards at Karon and Patong were kept busy today (June 18) rescuing tourists from dangerous surf after the tourists ignored red ‘no swimming’ flags and lifeguards’ warnings to not enter the surf.
Highways Office unveils B39mn Kalim coastal road expansion
Highways Office unveils B39mn Kalim coastal road expansion
PHUKET: The Phuket Highways Office held a public meeting today (June 18) to garner feedback on its plan to spend B38.91 million on a road-improvement project along a 1.25km section of the coastal road through Kalim.
Patong cleans up, on alert for more flooding
Patong cleans up, on alert for more flooding
PHUKET: Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri has urged residents in the tourism town to beware more flooding after areas throughout Patong were inundated by heavy downpours since last night (June 17).
Tourism compensation scheme to be extended until end of year
Tourism compensation scheme to be extended until end of year
BANGKOK: The Tourism and Sports Ministry wants to extend compensation for injured and deceased tourists to the end of this year after only B3.9 million from the B50mn allocated for the scheme was used.
Thailand boat shows unite to deliver single Phuket show
Thailand boat shows unite to deliver single Phuket show
PHUKET: Organisers of the Thailand International Boat Show A Luxury Lifestyle Event and Thailand Boat Festival have announced they have formed a strategic alliance to host a single boat show in Phuket at Phuket Yacht Haven from Jan 9-12, 2025.
Heavy rains cause flooding, traffic delays
Heavy rains cause flooding, traffic delays
PHUKET: Heavy rain overnight has led to flooding in many areas across Phuket. Several regions and roads were inundated by water, causing substantial disruptions to traffic.
First Ukraine Pilots Trained To Fly Western Jets In France
First Ukraine Pilots Trained To Fly Western Jets In France
PARIS: At a secret location in southwestern France, a young Ukrainian pilot kept a tight grip on the controls of an Alpha Jet trainer aircraft.
Senate set to approve same-sex marriage
Senate set to approve same-sex marriage
BANGKOK: Thai lawmakers will vote today (June 18) on legalising same-sex marriage, putting the kingdom on the cusp of becoming the first Southeast Asian nation to recognise marriage equality.
France win Euro 2024 opener, Slovakia stun Belgium
France win Euro 2024 opener, Slovakia stun Belgium
FOOTBALL: Kylian Mbappe came off late on with a broken nose as France edged Austria 1-0 in their opening game at Euro 2024 yesterday (June 17), after Slovakia inflicted a surprise 1-0 defeat on Belgium and Romania beat Ukraine.