PHUKET: Islanders living on Koh Ra and Koh Pratong in Phang Nga have been selected by the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) to participate in a pilot scheme for a community network to preserve the sea turtle population. Dr Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, who heads the PMBC’s Endangered Species Unit, told the Phuket Gazette that the number of turtles laying eggs on beaches along the Andaman coast has decreased drastically.
PHUKET: Last week I talked about the importance of fast internet speeds and the evolution of technology in Phuket. This week, man oh man, the pigeons came home to roost. If you’re thinking about buying an iPhone 5, it would behoove you to read and understand this and next week’s column.
PHUKET: The chief of the Phuket office of the Marine Department says he is drawing up plans to launch a campaign targeting “hundreds” of visiting foreign yachts that avoid paying tax to Thai officials despite conducting “business” in Thai territorial waters. Named among the visiting yachts to be targeted were charter tour boats for tourist activities, such as snorkeling, diving and sea tours. “Foreign charter yachts entering Thai waters has been a problem for more than 10 years,” said Phuket Marine office chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut.
PHUKET: Construction of a new 69-million-baht wing at Patong Hospital, that will double the facility’s inpatient capacity, is well underway and scheduled for completion by August next year. The new building, under construction by Pornthisan Co Ltd, will provide room for 60 more inpatient beds and another 13 private rooms, Hospital Director Phumin Silapunt explained to Phuket Vice Governor Sommai Prijasilpa at a meeting yesterday. “The expansion is needed because the number of patients keeps on growing due to the town’s continually increasing population,” said Dr Phumin.
PHUKET: Phuket Immigration currently has no plans of launching an online queue system for re-entry permits similar to the one
PHUKET: Police are searching for two men who conducted a drive-by purse snatch in Kata last night. Russian tourist Irana Yazvenko, 29, told Chalong Police that she and her friend were riding a motorbike near the Club Med resort at about 9pm when two men pulled up on a motorbike alongside them, snatched her bag and sped off.
PHUKET: Phuket police have arrested a security guard in Patong wanted on an outstanding warrant for charges related to terrorist activities in Thailand’s restive Deep South. The man had a bounty on his head of more than one million baht for his capture, said police.
PHUKET: Police have identified the woman whose body was found alongside her motorbike in a roadside ditch opposite Ladthi Wanaram Temple (Wat Tai) on Chao Fa East Road this morning as that of 26-year-old Chanupan Sawangewit. Police suspect that Ms Chanupan lost control of her motorbike while riding back to Phuket Town after visiting her mother’s house in Soi Koktanod, Chalong, an area just south of where her body was found.
PHUKET: A 26-year-old Thai tour guide on trial for the alleged rape of a Dutch model on holiday in Krabi in July has denied the charge, claiming that the couple had consensual sex. The trial began at Krabi Provincial Court on Friday, Krabi City Police chief Thaksin Phochakorn confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. An arrest warrant for the man was issued following the filing of criminal charges, but the man chose to voluntarily present himself to police, Lt Col Thaksin explained.
PHUKET: A 26-year-old Thai tour guide on trial for the alleged rape of a Dutch model on holiday in Krabi in July has denied the charge, claiming that the couple had consensual sex. The trial began at Krabi Provincial Court on Friday, Krabi City Police Chief Thaksin Phochakorn confirmed to the Phuket Gazette. An arrest warrant for the man was issued following the filing of criminal charges, but the man chose to voluntarily present himself to police, Lt Col Thaksin explained.