Local news

Swiss man arrested on charges of assaulting boy at Patong beach

  A SWISS man has been arrested for allegedly luring a 14-year-old boy to Patong Beach and sexually assaulting him with Phuket police having charged him with three serious offences and are opposing bail, TV Channel 7 said today (July 21). The boy’s mother had contacted Ms. Paveena Hongsakul, president of Paveena Foundation for Children

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Local news

Minister supervises demolition of illegal structures at a Phuket beach

  NATURAL Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin flew to Phuket to oversee the demolition of illegal structures at Nui beach, Karon district, which started this morning (July 20), Manager Online and Amarin TV said. Suchart, who was accompanied by Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit and his delegation, arrived by helicopter at Khao Daeng football

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Local news

Phuket’s Freedom Beach encroachers told to demolish structures by early August

  THE government stepped up its crackdown on encroachment of Phuket’s Freedom Beach with large notices posted there today (July 6) ordering the demolition of 22 structures by August 5, Naewna newspaper said. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomkline said he had ordered Royal Forest Department Director-General Mr. Nikorn Sirirojananon to post these

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Local news

Third phase of nominee crackdown in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga kicks off

  THE THIRD phase of a large-scale crackdown on nominee networks in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga provinces was launched today (June 20) with police helped by multiple agencies in stamping out illegal activities, PPTVHD36 said. Pol. Lt. Gen. Nophasin Phoolsawat, commander attached to the Office of the Commissioner General of Police, presided over the

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Life

Phuket Airport launching automated passport control system soon

  FOLLOWING social media buzz on congestion at Phuket Airport and allegations of fees being charged to jump queues, the government today (June 3) said an automated passport control system will be unveiled there on June 13, according to Naewna newspaper. Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, said the government has

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Life

Phuket Airport denies extorting money to speed up Immigration clearance

  PHUKET Airport quashed rumours of money being extorted from passengers to quickly get them through Immigration when the arrival terminal is packed with tourists waiting to enter the popular resort island, Amarin TV said this evening (May 31). A thorough investigation has been launched into instances of outsiders impersonating officials who went around demanding

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Local news

5 high-ranking Phuket officials transferred after protest over alleged bribery 

  A BIG shakeup occurred in Phuket today (May 20) with the deputy provincial governor, three district chiefs and a Provincial Disaster Prevention official being temporarily transferred after owners of Patong entertainment venues mounted a protest over alleged bribery and extortion to prevent tampering with evidence, Amarin TV said. Mr. Narucha Khosasilai, director-general of the

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Business

Senate panel pushes for turning Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi into single Asean hub

  A SENATE committee proposed that the government develop Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi into a single Asean economic, tourism and transportation hub rather than letting them move along separately as has been the case so far, Naewna newspaper said today (May 8). Senator Chavapon Watthanavekin, vice chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, said

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Local news

Israeli embassy warns its citizens in Phuket to respect the law

  THE Israeli embassy has warned its citizens in Phuket to “strictly respect Thai law” as local government agencies have decided to intensify law enforcement against foreigners, TV Channel 7 said this morning (May 8). The Phuket Info Centre, citing Facebook page  “Israel in Thailand”, said the announcement states that Phuket authorities are preparing to

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Local news

Indonesian scam boss arrested in Phuket

  PHUKET Immigration police arrested an Indonesian man at a luxury resort under a US arrest warrant and an Interpol Red Notice on charges of defrauding victims via transcontinental cryptocurrency investment schemes, Police News Varieties and TV Channel 7 said today (April 25). The suspect, Mr. William, 33, who is based in the United Arab

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Local news

MP urged to tackle long queues at Phuket Airport amid rumours of ‘special lane’

  AFTER a Facebook page highlighted very long queues at Phuket Airport’s immigration section amid rumours that tourists are being charged 200 baht to quickly go through a “special lane” some residents have asked MP Chalermpong Saengdee to raise this issue at the House of Representatives, Amarin TV said today (March 28). The “Phuket Info

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