Phuket Wan - Top Stories

EXCLUSIVE Phuket's Airport to Beaches Bus Service Will Roll in August, Says Contractor

Premkamon Ketsara, EXCLUSIVE — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:34:15 +0700

Latest The contractor for the new Phuket airport to west coast beaches bus service says the buses will begin rolling in August, not July. Marketing has to be done first, he said.

PhuketWATCH Sopranos Star Dead; Phuket Safe, Says TAT; Aussie $ Dives; Singapore Chokes

Phuketwan Reporters — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:06:17 +0700

Phuket News Digest Thailand and Phuket 'safe for Aussies'; Aussie dollar dives; Indonesia plans to halt Singapore's choke; Fraudster held on Phuket; Famous actor reported dead.

Phuket Tourist Killed by Boat Propeller near Phi Phi: Second Chinese Death in Two Days

Sert Tongdee — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:49:32 +0700

Latest A speedboat propeller killed a Chinese tourist on a day-trip from Phuket to Phi Phi. The second death of a Chinese tourist within 48 hours is likely to trigger a reaction from ''safety first'' envoys.

Roll 'Em! Phuket's Airport to Patong Bus Service Set to Start Soon

Premkamon Ketsara — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:44:09 +0700

Latest Phuket history was made today as final official approval was given for the Phuket airport to beaches bus service to roll to Patong soon. Getting to Kata-Karon will take a little longer.

Phuket, We're the Best for Beaches, Says Krabi After TripAdvisor Votes

Media Release — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:06:01 +0700

Latest Krabi says it has been voted by TripAdvisor users as Thailand's best beach destination, turning the tables - or at least the umbrellas and loungers - on its old rival, Phuket.

Outraged Honest French Couple Ask: Did Phuket Immigration Punish All '100 Percent'?

Alan Morison and Premkamon Ketsara — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:43:45 +0700

Latest A French couple arrested by Phuket Immigration officials and fined for their honesty are ''outraged'' at the latest claims. They want to know if other passengers suffered the same treatment.

Phuket Club Birthday Party Ends With Knife Murder: Police Hunt Two Men

Sert Tongdee — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:37:27 +0700

PHOTO ALBUM An argument during a birthday party at a country music club on Phuket leads to a fight and the knifing to death of one man and the stabbing on another.

Phuket May Train Taxi, Tuk-Tuk Drivers for Beach Games Hospitality

Premkamon Ketsara — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:54:42 +0700

Latest Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers on Phuket - notorious for extortionate fares - could be dressed in neat uniforms and have hospitality lessons for the Beach Games 2014, says Phuket's governor.

New World's Best Airline; Brit 'Pushed Brit Off Bangkok Balcony'; Amari Upbeat on Phuket Sales

Phuketwan Reporters — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:50:35 +0700

Phuket News UPDATE British man ''pushed to death in Bangkok by Brit'; Thailand rice bill of $4.46 billion; Taliban in peace talks; Budget airline blasted; Phuket property upbeat; Aussies in World Cup.

Kidnapped and Raped, One Rohingya Woman Fights Back Against Traffickers in Thailand

Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:14:50 +0700

PHOTO ALBUM A Rohingya woman who fled a shelter north of Phuket in the belief that she was being trafficked to join her husband was instead kidnapped and raped, she says.

Phuket Drowning: Chinese Day-Trip Tourist Dies Under Second Wave

Sert Tongdee and Premkamon Ketsara — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:09:17 +0700

Latest A young Chinese man has drowned off Racha island on a snorkelling day trip despite warnings by the Chinese ambassador that Phuket must pay greater attention to safety in the water.

Phuket Knifepoint Robber Returns to Hand Back 10 Baht for Luck

Sert Tongdee — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:55:41 +0700

PHOTOS Just for luck, a knife-wielding Family Mart robber returned to the scene of his crime to give a shop assistant 10 baht in the belief that it will enable him to escape capture.

Phuket Governor, Heading for Australia, Backs Memorial for Murder Victim

Premkamon Ketsara — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:50:57 +0700

Latest Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud is heading for Australia next week to look at emergency volunteer services. He has met a delegation from Australia in private talks.

Passenger Surge Raises Issue of Sustainability

Alan Morison — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:18:23 +0700

News Analysis Phuket's airport continues to handle record numbers of international visitors but some statistics being bandied about are just plain ridiculous. Sustainability is now the aim.

Chalong to Patong Road to Cost 219.5m Baht

Premkamon Ketsara — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:37:04 +0700

Latest A shortcut road from Patong to Chalong over Phuket's mountain backbone would cost almost 220 million baht and have environmental and social consequences, a meeting hears.

PhuketWATCH Phuket City Tree Topples, Eight Homes Wrecked; TAT Call to Save Beaches; Passenger ...

Phuketwan Reporters — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:56:50 +0700

Phuket News UPDATE Wicked winds topple Phuket tree; Air pollution strikes Singapore, Malaysia; BBC broadcaster jailed; Accor to expand Pullman brand; Bikers greet Pope; Sports wrap.

Delays Reported on Jetstar Flights from Singapore

Phuketwan Reporter — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:39:53 +0700

Latest Readers have contacted Phuketwan to report delays and cancellations involving Jetstar flights out of Singapore. A clarification from the airline is expected.

Phuket Wind Gust Kills One, Injures Another in Stage Collapse: Wild Weather Rips Region

Sert Tongdee and Chutima Sidasathian — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:45:06 +0700

PHOTO ALBUM Strong winds toppled a sound system support at a park on Phuket, killing one person and severely injuring another, as severe gusts lashed Phuket and Phang Nga.

Elephant Smugglers Nabbed With Jumbos

Chutima Sidasathian — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:45:59 +0700

PHOTO ALBUM Livestock officials have nabbed two trucks, nine smugglers and three elephants that were being brought illegally onto Phuket in early morning darkness.

Riled Residents Reclaim Landmark Tsunami Gift

Chutima Sidasathian — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:19:32 +0700

Latest Signs are coming of agitation by residents to save Phuket's beaches. Bang Tao residents are reclaiming public land they say has been misappropriated by a private businessman.