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Hamilton dominates qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix
Hamilton dominates qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton crushed all-comers in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, seizing pole by more than 0.6 seconds after his teammate crashed out without setting a lap.
Rotary fundraiser set to be one big conga line of fun, food and frivolity
Rotary fundraiser set to be one big conga line of fun, food and frivolity
On April 7 at Dream Beach Club, the Rotary Club of Patong Beach promises a night of fun, food and entertainment for its 9th annual charity dinner auction and dance-a-thon – a festival full of Caribbean Calypso style fun and frivolity under the colourful theme of “Caribbean Sun Splash”.
Two killed, four injured in Phuket tour bus and pick-up collision in Krabi
Two killed, four injured in Phuket tour bus and pick-up collision in Krabi
PHUKET: A three-year-old boy and a 48-year-old man died and six others were injured when a Phuket tour bus carrying the driver’s family collided head-on with a pickup truck in Ao Luek district, Krabi last night (Mar 23) at around 10pm.
Phuket’s young chefs to battle at QSI's Culinary Competition and Food Fare
Phuket’s young chefs to battle at QSI's Culinary Competition and Food Fare
QSI International School of Phuket will be hosting its second annual Culinary Competition and Food Fare at the school’s campus in Kathu on Friday, April 6 from 11am-3:30pm.
Species in decline worldwide, humans at risk
Species in decline worldwide, humans at risk
Human activity has driven animals and plants into decline in every region of the world, putting our own well-being at risk by over-harvesting and polluting, a comprehensive species survey warned Yesterday (Mar 23). Asia-Pacific fish stocks may run out by 2048 and more than half of Africa's bird and mammal species could be lost by 2100 unless drastic measures are taken, according to four comprehensive reports released at a major environmental conference in Medellin, Colombia. Up to 90 percent of Asia-Pacific corals will suffer "severe degradation" by 2050, while in Europe and Central Asia, almost a third of known marine fish populations, and 42 percent of land animals and plants, are in decline. In the Americas, just under a quarter of species assessed are at risk of extinction. "This alarming trend endangers economies, livelihoods, food security and the quality of life of people everywhere," warned the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Compiled by nearly 600 scientists over three years, the reports underline that nature provides humans with food, clean water, energy, and regulates Earth's climate – just about everything we need to survive and thrive. One of the reports found that Nature's contribution to people can be in the order of thousands of dollars per hectare per year. "We're undermining our own future well-being," IPBES chairman Robert Watson said of the findings. "Biodiversity continues to be lost across all of the regions of the globe. We're losing species, we're degrading ecosystems... if we continue 'business as usual', we will continue to lose biodiversity at increasing rates." The IPBES assessment divided the world into four regions: the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe and Central Asia – the whole planet except for the Antarctic and the open seas. Volunteer scientists combed through some 10,000 scientific publications for the most extensive biodiversity survey since 2005. The findings were summarized in four reports approved by 129-member IPBES' member countries in Colombia. They contain guidelines for governments to make biodiversity-friendlier policies in future. The texts make for grim reading, and come in the same week that the death of Sudan – the world's last northern white rhino male – served as a stark reminder of the stakes.   Mass extinction will continue  For the Americas, the survey warned that species populations – already 31 percent smaller than when the first European settlers arrived – will have shrunk by about 40 percent by 2050. An estimated 500,000 square kilometers of African land is estimated to be degraded, it added. The continent will suffer "significant" plant losses, and its lakes will be 20-30 percent less productive by 2100. In the European Union, meanwhile, only seven percent of marine species assessed had a "favorable conservation status". "If we continue the way we are... the sixth mass extinction, the first one ever caused by humans, will continue," Watson old AFP. Scientists say mankind's voracious consumption of biodiversity has unleashed the first mass species die-off since the demise of the dinosaurs -- only the sixth on our planet in half-a-billion years.   Demand will grow In many places, climate change driven by burning fossil fuels for energy was worsening the loss of biodiversity, the reports found. "Climate change for the last 30 years has been increasing its role in changing nature, changing the ability of how nature can contribute to human well-being, and it is by far the fastest-growing pressure," said Jack Rice, a co-author of the Americas report. "It is likely by 2050, a generation away, climate change will be as strong a pressure as all the ways that we have historically converted natural lands to human-dominated systems."   There are plenty of hurdles ahead. "Economic growth is going to continue. Population growth is going to continue to 2050, therefore demand for resources will grow," said Watson. Even at best-case-scenario levels, global warming will continue adding to species loss, which will cause further degradation of ecosystems. But the scientists point to possible solutions: creating more protected areas, restoring degraded zones, and rethinking subsidies that promote unsustainable agriculture. Governments, businesses, and individuals must consider the impact on biodiversity when taking decisions on farming, fishing, forestry, mining, or infrastructure development. Different regions will require different solutions, said Watson. "It's not too late" to halt or even reverse some of the harm, he said. "Can we stop all of it? No. Can we significantly slow it down? Yes," Watson said. The IPBES will bring out a fifth report on the global state of soil, fast being degraded through pollution, forest-destruction, mining, and unsustainable farming methods that deplete its nutrients.
Just minutes from Phuket, Koh Maphrao feels a million miles away
Just minutes from Phuket, Koh Maphrao feels a million miles away
During the high season in the beginning of the year, Phuket is well-known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with its beautiful beaches, azure seas and the scores of smaller islands surrounding it.
Four injured in bus crash on Kata hill, officials douse engine to prevent fire
Four injured in bus crash on Kata hill, officials douse engine to prevent fire
A small bus carrying 15 Chinese tourists spun out of control and ran off the road on Kata hill last night (Mar 23) at about 8:50pm, injuring four of the tourists, Karon Police confirmed early this morning (Mar 24).
Facebook crisis prompts Silicon Valley soul-searching
Facebook crisis prompts Silicon Valley soul-searching
With Facebook mired in its worst-ever crisis, the rest of Silicon Valley is looking to come to terms with the dark side of its data-driven business model where tech titans have mined fortunes from what people reveal online.
All change in rentals: New laws provide more protection for lessees
All change in rentals: New laws provide more protection for lessees
PHUKET: On Feb 18, Thailand issued a notification under the Consumer Protection Act (1979), which regulates leases of residential structures, including houses, apartments and condominium. Pursuant to the notification any person or company that leases five of more residential structures (with some limited exceptions) is considered a residential structure “business operator”.
12 strikes you’re out – cops push for licence points system
12 strikes you’re out – cops push for licence points system
Police are pushing for a drivers’ licence points system in their latest effort to improve the standards of driving and promote road safety.
Phuket lifeguard crisis leads to request for US ‘Level 3’ Travel Advisory warning
Phuket lifeguard crisis leads to request for US ‘Level 3’ Travel Advisory warning
PHUKET: The International Surf Lifesaving Association has issued a resolution to formally request the US Department of State to issue a “Level Three Advisory” warning American tourists of the dangers of swimming in Phuket without trained lifeguards on the beaches.
PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Lifeguards to return! More public funds disappear! Meth-ed up driver? || March 23
PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Lifeguards to return! More public funds disappear! Meth-ed up driver? || March 23
PHUKET XTRA - March 23 Lifeguards to return April 1st! Driver took METH before 18 died in crash! Even more public funds disappear? Phuket plane crash victims making progress! Embezzling scholarship funds! Hosted by: JP Mestanza || #Phuket
A Taste of Malaysia
A Taste of Malaysia
A taste of Malaysia @ Ginja taste, tantalize your taste with the authenticity of Malaysian cuisine, learn from master Malaysian chef:cooking workshop plus dinner enjoy a la carte or 5-course degustation set menu Sumptuous Malaysian buffet.
Phuket signs three-year foam container-free MoU
Phuket signs three-year foam container-free MoU
PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Thawornwat Kongkaew yesterday (Mar 22) signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with various private sector and government agencies to stop using foam packaging.
Success for BISP at Fobisia Golf at Black Mountain Golf Club, Hua Hin
Success for BISP at Fobisia Golf at Black Mountain Golf Club, Hua Hin
GOLF: BISP golfers produced a magnificent performance last week at the Fobisia Golf Championships, Black Mountain GC, Hua Hin. With the championship course in superb condition and the greens very fast, our golfers adapted well and achieved some outstanding results.
Phuket water shut-offs announced for Monday
Phuket water shut-offs announced for Monday
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) today (Mar 23) announced that the water supply will be shut-off in Wichit on Monday (Mar 26) while repairs are carried out to mains pipes.
Mercedes leads the way in Australian practice
Mercedes leads the way in Australian practice
FORMULA ONE: Mercedes has started its fourth consecutive championship defence on the right foot, with reigning titleholder Lewis Hamilton topping Friday practice time sheets at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Royal Thai Police deputy chief outlines policies to Region 8 Police
Royal Thai Police deputy chief outlines policies to Region 8 Police
PHUKET: The deputy national police chief Gen Chalermkiat Sriworakan travelled to Phuket yesterday (Mar 22) to chair a meeting with officers of the Provincial Police Region 8 at the Provincial Police Region 8 headquarters in Mai Khao, Thalang to outline and update on police policies.
NLA member’s son convicted of up-skirting in London
NLA member’s son convicted of up-skirting in London
BANGKOK: The son of National Legislative Assembly member Youdtana Tupchareon has been convicted by a court in London, England, of taking up-skirt videos of unsuspecting shoppers in a women’s clothing store, the Daily Mail reported.
Phuket light airplane crash victims making progress in recoveries
Phuket light airplane crash victims making progress in recoveries
PHUKET: It has been confirmed that one of the students involved in the light airplane crash near the Phuket Airpark in Pa Khlok Both on Mar 10 is making good progress with her recovery and that she is now getting physiotherapy to help her start walking again.