Phuket News & Events

[giannis2414]

phuket με 1000!!!! συμφωνω.

[kokkodin]

Σημερα 1/12 (καλο μηνα) χαλασα με 40.80μπατ στο ευρο,ηταν η υψιλοτερη τιμη του τελευταιου 20αημερου (πατονγκ ρατ-θου-θιτ στη κινεζικη αγορα 50 μετρα πριν την οδο σαιναμγιεν)

[halfway inn]

FIRE IN PATONG



Firemen are battling a blaze in Patong.

Phuket: 06-12-2014

Fire in Patong

Firemen this morning are battling to put out a fire at a building next to the Octopus Bar on Bangla Road in Patong, at the entrace to Soi Sea Dragon.

Several neighboring buildings have been damaged in the blaze, including: Tomahawk Tattoo; Calista Massage; Smiley Bar; a pharmacy and tailor shop.

So far no injuries have been reported.

the phuket news

[andri]

Φίλοι μετα απο 10 μέρες που είμαι στον παράδεισο(φυσικά πουκετ)έρχομαι να δώσω και εγώ ρεπορτάζ όσο αφορα το θέμα ομπρέλα.δεν ισχυει το οτι σε συλλαμβάνουν αν βάλεις δική σου ομπρέλα.σε όλες τις παραλίες πλεον οι τουρίστες βάζουν ομπρέλα και ψαθα αφοβα.δεν υπαρχει πουθενά η αίσθηση οτι υπάρχει πραξικόπημά(τουλαχιστον εγώ δεν έχω δει καμια διαφορά).ελπίζω να βοήθησαν λιγο.

[kokkodin]

Με επιβαιβεωνησ για το τελευτεω μου ποστ,Επισησ να αναφερω οτι τα μπαρ κλεινουν στισ 3.30+- και οι ντισκο πανε 5.00+,το μονο κακο ειναι οτι εχει αρκετη βροχη Υ.Σ τα εστιατορεια βαρανε 24αωρα οτι ωρα θεσ βρησκησ καποιο/α ανοικκτα.Επησησ αν μηνησ μηνα βρησκησ δωματιο με ολα τα κομφορτ απο 6000/7000 χιλ.μπατ+ηλεκτρικο..

[kokkodin]

Σημερα 17/12 στο ανταλακτηριο στην τσαινα-ταουν μαρκετ ρατ-τθιου-θιτ 50 μετρα πριν σαιναμ-γιεν χαλασα με 41.05 μπατ στο ευρο. Επησησ εκλησε ο διαμαντησ στην πανσιον που σασ ειχα αναφερη ,μεγαλο δωματιο με βεραντα αιρ-κον και ανεμηστηρα μεγαλο ψυγιο ψευτ-κουζινα τηλεοραση ,για μηνα με 9000μπατ και ο φιλοσ του ο γιωργοσ λιγο πιο μικρο χωρισ βεραντα 7000μπατ τον μηνα.Οδοσ πρα-μπαραμι (ο κεντρικοσ)σοι κουαν γιαν 150 μετρα απο κει που μενω για οποιον ξερει.Επισησ στην 3η παραληλο απο παραλια καινουργια πανσιον 9000/10000μπατ τον μηνα,τα 1000/1200μπατ την μερα Πεθανανε.Υ.Σ.αυτα για τουσ πονηρουσ που λενε το πουκετ και δη το πατονγκ ακρειβω.30-35% κατω ο τουρησμοσ βρησκησ οτι θεσ σε οτι τιμη θεσ.ΚΑΙ να μην ξεχναμε ναναι σοι πετ(8)πανω απο 30 πανσιον 10000-12000χιλ.μπατ τον μηνα...

[halfway inn]

PHUKET IMMIGRATION

Phuket Immigration Staff Shuffled After Corruption Investigation


Phuket's Immigration office receives a monk's blessing soon after opening

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

PHUKET: Staff from the Patong branch of the Immigration office have all been moved following claims of corruption there by a Phuketwan reader and others.

The claim was published in October last year and taken soon after to Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong, who said he would set up a committee to investigate.

The Commander of Phuket Immigration, Sanchai Chokkayaikit, said today: ''All of the staff from Patong have been moved and replaced.''

The letter was about the Immigration office in Patong but it has been followed since being published on Phuketwan by other readers' complaints about other Immigration outlets at Phuket International Airport and at the headquarters in Phuket City.

The success of the governor in having the complaint investigated and acted upon indicates that all similar complaints of illicit charges and corrupt behavior should be directed through the governor.

Phuket Immigration continues to deal with large numbers of people who are often confused and concerned about procedures and paperwork.

[halfway inn]

RUSSIAN SKIMMING GANG in PHUKET

Three Russians arrested in Phuket for card skimming



Phuket: 06-03-2015

Three members of a Russian skimming gang arrested on 05 March.

They were arrested after Kasikorn Bank became suspicious of credit card payments being made via two shops in the Patak area of Karon and informed police.

The three men, named as Stanislav Komarov, 34, Vitalii Korobko, 39, and Pantell Acbas, 36, had attempted to make credit card purchases totalling between B300,000 to B400,000 from “Maringa” and “Thai Herbal” in Patak, Karon, businesses which were registered to a Vladimir Orlov.

Because the transactions amounted to such a large amount, Kasikorn Bank̕s money laundering crime and security department became suspicious and provided police with details of the shops the transactions went through.

When investigators arrived at Maringa, they found that although the shop was empty the electricity inside was on and they therefore believed somebody was inside.

Police staked out the shop and after a while Stanislav emerged and walked towards a car parked nearby.

Police stopped the him at the car and found Pantell sitting inside.

When police searched a bag Stanilav was carrying they found inside 33 credit cards, two credit card machines, a card copying machine and notebook computer.

The police took the man back to the shop and there they found Vitalii.

Stansilav and Vitalii told police they had only been in Phuket a few months, but Pantell said he had been here for about one year.

When asked about the cards, Stansilav said that he received the cards from someone else and was not responsible for printing them.

Phuket City Police Deputy Superintendent Prawit Engchuan said that it is possible that they bought the card details from a third-party and that they may well have not printed the cards themselves.

However, they will investigate further to find out the truth.

Police are currently looking for Vladimir Orlov, whom the two shops are believed to be owned by.

Provincial Police CommanderPol Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit told the press, “We are doing our best to find Vladimir Orlov and find out his exact connection with these three men.”

[Oytopikos]

Australian expat stabs to death Phuket nightclub worker

PHUKET: An Australian expat was arrested in the early hours of this morning (March 11) after he stabbed to death a member of staff outside of the Tai Pan nightclub in Patong.


 
Eakkapop Thongtub
Wednesday 11 March 2015, 10:32AM


Mark Penlebury is seen here being questioned by police at Kathu Police Station this morning.
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At about 12:30am rescue workers who were called to the scene gave the victim, Sanya Khlueawaengmon, 25, an employee at Tai Pan from Lopburi, CPR and rushed him to Patong hospital where he died of his injuries.

Police were able to apprehended the suspect, named as Mark Hamilton Pendlebury, 59, from Australia in front of the Bangkok Bank about 100 metres away from Tai Pan. Police also seized a pocket knife which they say was used to stab Mr Sanya.

Mark, who was said to be drunk, was taking a video on his mobile phone of a fight which was taking place between a French and Indian national.

Mr Sanya asked Mark to stop taking the video, a fight ensued and Mark reacted by stabbing Mr Sanya in the stomach.

Mark is currently being held at Kathu Police Station.

[thailandgr]

Phuket beach clubs told, 'Get out in 30 days'


An official pins an eviction notice to one of the remaining restaurants.

Eviction notices signed by Ma-Ann Samran, Chief of the Cherngtalay Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor), have been pinned to each business block along the walkway, including the international known Catch Beach Club and its sister Bimi Beach Club.

“The notice gives them 30 days to quit the buildings. If they disagree and want to appeal, they can do so within 15 days; that’s their right according to the regulations,” Veera Kerdsirimongkol, Thalang District Chief, told The Phuket News.

Any appeal must be submitted to the OrBorTor, accompanied by proof that the businesses have the legal right to continue operating on public land.

“The buildings cannot not be torn down because they are government property, built by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor) and the OrBorTor.

“After the current business operators leave, we will manage the buildings and allocate them to those who affected by the current beach reorganisation, such as massage therapists and beverage sellers, or we will turn them into something for public use,” he added.

[thailandgr]

Australian tourist chased along Phuket beach after allegedly stealing prawns    ( wtf ? ? ? )


Jacob Saveisberg with police after allegedly stealing two raw prawns. Photo: Phuketwan

Bangkok: An Australian tourist on the Thai resort island of Phuket was chased by a restaurant staffer after allegedly stealing two raw tiger prawns.
"Give them back, give them back," the woman yelled as she allegedly pursued 27-year-old Jacob Saveisberg along a beach road in the Patong entertainment area early on Saturday.
Police allege Mr Saveisberg slipped the prawns into the back pocket of his jeans while strolling past the restaurant at 1am.


One of the raw prawns allegedly stolen by Jacob Saveisberg. Photo: Phuketwan

Mr Saveisberg was detained by civilians who were quickly joined by police.
The evidence was allegedly recovered from his pocket.
In the country still under martial law following a military coup last year, the ramifications for Mr Saveisberg's alleged act could have been severe, including jail time.
In 2009 Melbourne woman Annice Smoel went through a two-week ordeal after allegedly  taking a beer mat from Patong's Aussie bar. She was deported after paying a fine.
But the Phuketwan news website reported that police observed that Mr Saveisberg appeared to be drunk and fined him $20 instead of laying a more serious charge.
Apparently the police spoke sternly to him in a manner that in the Australian vernacular would have been the equivalent of "don't come the raw prawn" again

[halfway inn]

PHUKET DENTAL MARKET

PHUKET: 05 May 2015

Visionary dentist bridges gap in Phuket dental market



Medical tourism and the hordes of foreign customers it brings to Thailand and Phuket’s shores is on a steady rise, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand reporting more than 2.5 million international patients traveling to the Kingdom for treatments in 2012 and predicting an increase of 13% per annum.

One dental clinic conglomerate, Dental Corporation Co Ltd, started filling the market cavities years ago, and its business-savvy CEO recently sat down with the Phuket Gazette to talk about the changing tides of medical tourism and what his company has in store for Thailand and Phuket’s tourists and local residents.

Dr Pornsak Tantapakul, DDS, who graduated with an orthodontic certificate degree from New York University before moving on to earn a degree in lingual orthodontic technique from Eastman Dental Institute at the University College in London, told the Gazette he saw a significant increase in the number of overseas patients visit his clinic soon after his return to Thailand.

“I started with a humble one shop house dental clinic along Phahonyothin Road [in Bangkok] about 12 years ago,” Dr Pornsak says.“Perhaps because I had trained abroad and applied those techniques, standards and technological innovations to my work here, my clinic saw a significant number of overseas patients.

“Looking at the opportunities at that time and with the incoming medical tourism market, I knew I needed a larger dental center that could effectively provide a one-stop dental service center to both the international community and local residents near the city center of Bangkok.”

Thus, in 2005, the Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC) was established. BIDC is the company’s seven-storey flagship dental center, with more than 30 treatment rooms providing professional hospital-grade treatments and standards. The one-stop shop has on-site 3D CT scans, digitalized x-ray machines, an on-site lab and a mini boutique hotel.

In 2012, BIDC became the first outpatient dental care center in Thailand to achieve the American quality and patient safety Joint Commission International (JCI) certification.

But the company didn’t stop there. With quality and customer service in mind, says Dr Pornsak, more dental clinics were established following the same principles and standards of professionalism.

The company now has two premium Dental Signature clinics, one at Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok and the other in Patong next to Jungceylon shopping mall, as well as a chain of Smile Signature clinics, with five locations scattered around Bangkok.

“We even have three more confirmed locations expected to be opened by the end of 2015, which includes one on the beachfront road in Patong. Dental Corporation Co Ltd will have an expected 11 total clinics in Thailand by the fourth quarter of this year,” Dr Pornsak notes.

Dr Pornsak credits the expansions in part to a rising number of dental tourists visiting Thailand – even in spite of recent political turmoil.

“Though there has not been a reported benchmark by which to measure Thailand’s dental tourism industry growth, our dental group has seen an increased overall number and an annual increase in foreign patients at BIDC and in Phuket over the past few years, despite the domestic political issues and economic downturn in some of our main patients’ countries,” he said.

Dr Pornsak noted that these foreign patients make up about 97% of customers that walk through the doors at Phuket Dental Signature in Patong, compared with the 60% foreign customer base seen at BIDC.

“With the natural, beautiful islands and beaches on and surrounding Phuket, this percentage rate comes as no surprise to me. Tourists are combining medical and dental treatments with their holidays,” Dr Pornsak says. “With Phuket’s vast potential, the dental group has plans for a second clinic in Patong by mid-year which will be situated in front of the beach.

“Visitors can relax and enjoy the beach view from the second floor of the clinic.”

[halfway inn]

EARTHQUAKE IN PHUKET

Phuket rocked by quake in early hours

PHUKET: Wednesday 06 May 2015

Residents across the island were awoken by a rumbling at about 4.15am this morning.

Residents from Pakklok to Patong, Kathu and Thalang reported a loud rumbling, animals howling and lightning flashes.

According to the USGS, it was a 4.3 on the RS, with an epicentre 19km southeast of Ban Phlu Nai village, about 36km off Phuket.

Meanwhile Thai media reports a 4.6 RS quake just south of Koh Yai that was felt across the entire Phang Nga Bay, in Phang Nga and Krabi. 

Residents on The Phuket News Facebook page also reported seeing lighting in Kathu and Chalong at the time of the quake.

No tsunami warning has been issued.

[Oytopikos]

PHUKET: -- A 4.5 magnitude tremor shook the island at the 30 minute mark of midnight, with residents all across the island and Phang Nga Bay hearing and feeling its rumble.

As of 1.15am, Facebook users in Sam Kong, Chao Fa, Koh Kaew, Chalong Pier, Rawai Kathu, Patong, Ban Manik, Pakkhlok, Kamala, Cherng Talay, Thalang, and across in Phanga and in Krabi's Ao Nang checked in to The Phuket News Facebook feed.

Facebook users Orphan Homes and Thiwa Wah, were the first to cite a report, from the Thailand Seisomology Bureau (TSB), noting that the quake was of a 4.3 magnitude on the RS, and its epicentre was also off Koh Yao, at 7.87N, 98.54E, felt in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga.


However, by the time The Phuket News was finally able to access the TSB website, the quake was logged as a 4.7, with its epicentre at 7.84N, 98.52E.

By 2am, however, it was adjusted to 4.5. at 7.84N, 98.51E. Its depth, which was initially reported as 8 km deep, was adjusted to 11km.

The sea-sourced fault movement was the third to be felt in a 20 hour period in the Phang Nga Bay.

According to Thailand's Seismology Bureau, the first was of 4.6 magnitude with an epicentre at 7.85, 98.54 longitude, with a depth of 4km, and then at precisely 12.25pm, an aftershock of 3.2 magnitude occured at 7.83 N, and 98.54. at a depth of only 1km.

[halfway inn]

EARTHQUAKE IN PHUKET

Phuket rocked by quake in early hours

PHUKET: Wednesday 06 May 2015

Residents across the island were awoken by a rumbling at about 4.15am this morning.

Residents from Pakklok to Patong, Kathu and Thalang reported a loud rumbling, animals howling and lightning flashes.

According to the USGS, it was a 4.3 on the RS, with an epicentre 19km southeast of Ban Phlu Nai village, about 36km off Phuket.

Meanwhile Thai media reports a 4.6 RS quake just south of Koh Yai that was felt across the entire Phang Nga Bay, in Phang Nga and Krabi.  

Residents on The Phuket News Facebook page also reported seeing lighting in Kathu and Chalong at the time of the quake.

No tsunami warning has been issued.

PHUKET: -- A 4.5 magnitude tremor shook the island at the 30 minute mark of midnight, with residents all across the island and Phang Nga Bay hearing and feeling its rumble.

As of 1.15am, Facebook users in Sam Kong, Chao Fa, Koh Kaew, Chalong Pier, Rawai Kathu, Patong, Ban Manik, Pakkhlok, Kamala, Cherng Talay, Thalang, and across in Phanga and in Krabi's Ao Nang checked in to The Phuket News Facebook feed.

Facebook users Orphan Homes and Thiwa Wah, were the first to cite a report, from the Thailand Seisomology Bureau (TSB), noting that the quake was of a 4.3 magnitude on the RS, and its epicentre was also off Koh Yao, at 7.87N, 98.54E, felt in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga.


However, by the time The Phuket News was finally able to access the TSB website, the quake was logged as a 4.7, with its epicentre at 7.84N, 98.52E.

By 2am, however, it was adjusted to 4.5. at 7.84N, 98.51E. Its depth, which was initially reported as 8 km deep, was adjusted to 11km.

The sea-sourced fault movement was the third to be felt in a 20 hour period in the Phang Nga Bay.

According to Thailand's Seismology Bureau, the first was of 4.6 magnitude with an epicentre at 7.85, 98.54 longitude, with a depth of 4km, and then at precisely 12.25pm, an aftershock of 3.2 magnitude occured at 7.83 N, and 98.54. at a depth of only 1km.

Thai Govt Chides Astrologers for Earthquake Predictions

BANGKOK — A spokesperson for Thailand’s military government has asked astrologers to consider how predicting imminent earthquakes may affect the public.

"I understand that the predictors have good intentions," said the spokesperson, Yongyuth Mayalarp, "But I want to ask them to use their judgement carefully when they spread such information. I want them to consider the consequences, because in the past, there have been [astrological] predictions that have caused panic and affected tourism."

He also quoted the director of the Department of Mental Health as urging people to rely on scientific principles when considering the validity of the prophecies.

Many Thais are deeply superstitious and draw upon astrology, feng shui, and other spiritual beliefs to guide their daily lives.  It is also common practice for government officials and leading politicians to consult personal astrologers.

In the past week, several astrologers have predicted that a natural disaster will strike sometime in the next month based on the alignment of three celestial bodies.

"This upcoming earthquake will take place in our own country," Sorajja Nual-yu, a famous astrologer, said on Saturday. “I have been predicting this since early this year. It may happen at any moment between now and 12 July."

Sorajja, who describes himself as 'Thailand's Nostradamus,' is well-known for apocalyptic prophecies. He publicly predicted in early 2014 that famines, great earthquakes, stock market crashes, terrorist attacks, and a civil war would hit Thailand in that year.

Another astrologer, Pinyo Pongcharoen, also predicted a "natural disaster" will occur in Thailand in the next few months, though he did not specify what kind.

"When there are at least three heavenly bodies approaching an angle with the moon shadow, it is often followed by events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters," said Pinyo.

Their predictions were made after several small quakes hit provinces in southern Thailand, causing minor damage.

Yongyuth, the government spokesperson, said the public should not be worried because the government is well-prepared for natural disasters.

"I would like to ask the people to ease their concerns, and follow correct information and news from the authorities," Yongyuth said.

He added that an earthquake larger than 7 Magnitude is highly unlikely in Thailand, where the fault lines are not large. However, southern provinces are at risk of tsunamis caused by earthquakes in the Indian Ocean, he said.

"We have installed warning system covering large areas, and we can immediately contact other countries for assistance. The system can warn us one hour prior to [tsunami landfall], so we can evacuate people to safe area in time," the spokesperson told reporters.

In January 2012, a 73-year-old man was given a two-year suspended jail term for predicting that Thailand's largest dam would collapse on the night of 31 December 2011. The prediction, fanned by news agencies and social media, led to widespread panic in Tak, the province where Bhumibol Dam is located.


khaosod 11 May 2015