July 26th, 2010 — Uncategorized — posted by Katteleya Krissada
A Briton has been held after police found Class A drugs hidden in his briefs.
The British national, 50-year-old David Kevin Griffin, was held after an undercover police officer offered, by telephone, to buy some packs of methamphetamine (yah ice) from him.
Mr Griffin arranged to meet the undercover buyer in front of the Dala Resort, at Phuket’s Bang Tao Beach. As he was on his way to the rendezvous, the man was stopped at a police checkpoint.
July 19th, 2010 — Health & safety — posted by Susan Montford
Thailand’s only tsunami early warning device was retrieved on Saturday after being adrift and unable to provide alerts for six weeks.
Indian officials told their Thai counterparts on June 3 that Station 23401 had slipped its moorings and was floating slowly towards Thailand.
After the buoy went missing, Thai and Indian naval vessels searched for it. They found it on June 29, but were unable to retrieve it. Thailand’s National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) monitored the station’s movements until Saturday’s rescue mission.
July 12th, 2010 — Health & safety, transportation — posted by Rolf Wetter
Following the success of Phuket’s scheme to encourage motorcyclists to wear crash helmets, the measure may be extended across other southern Thai provinces.
The campaign began with a parade starting at Phuket Police Station on July 1. The parade featured a 2,000 strong motorcade of motorcycles with helmet-clad riders and passengers.
The crackdown was aimed at foreign tourists, expats and locals, and included both the rider of the motorbike and the passenger. Wanchai Ekpornpit, the Phuket City Police Superintendent, said at the time that Phuket had one of the worst road accident records of the 76 Thai provinces.
July 5th, 2010 — Health & safety, Uncategorized — posted by Sam Chikhani
Police in Nakorn Sri Tammarat, last Wednesday, arrested a Thai couple after a crime of opportunity left them with a stolen ATM card and the PIN number for it.
On Saturday June 26, Mr Decland Rowland, 41, an Irish national, parked his pick up truck at Phuket’s Karon Beach. He then went for a swim with his Thai girlfriend, but forgot to lock his vehicle.
Mr Pichai Boonrit,26 , and 24-year old Patcharin Rattapansoontra, were passing by and saw the pick up was not locked. They grabbed Mr Rowland’s ATM card, gold rings, 7,000 Baht cash and personal papers.
June 28th, 2010 — Health & safety, Islands — posted by Frederick Schulze
Jet-skis may be used by Thai life guards after demonstrations were held this week. A team of Thai and Australian instructors demonstrated that jet-skis can be instrumental in saving lives at Karon Beach, Phuket.
At the demonstration, the team, led by Australian David Field, held a mock surf rescue operation. The event showed that lifeguards on jet-skis can reach swimmers in difficulties, much more quickly than they can on paddle boards.
Mr Field, with the Australian Surf Life Saving Association, told the Phuket Gazette that jet-skis carrying a sled board are a useful tool for rescuing people quickly.
June 21st, 2010 — Health & safety — posted by Katteleya Krissada
The tragic death of British national has led to demands for better campaigns to alert visitors to the dangers of swimming in the sea during the rainy season in Thailand.
In spite of warning signs, Rebecca Callaghan, 21, followed her boyfriend into the sea at Karon Beach, Phuket, on June 12. Her boyfriend was using a hired body board but Rebecca had no flotation aid.
Although the victim did not go into the deep water, she was hit by waves and pulled under by riptides common at this time of year.
June 14th, 2010 — Activities, Uncategorized — posted by Susan Montford
Pirated goods valued at nearly 50 million Baht were destroyed in an operation watched over by senior officials of the Thai Finance Ministry and Customs Department.
Last Wednesday Pradit Pattaraprasit, the deputy finance minister, presided over the destruction of counterfeit DVD movies, perfume, and copy designer clothing and accessories which had been seized in a series of raids by authorities in southern Thailand.
The action was part of Thailand’s ongoing fight against breaches of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) laws. After the goods had been bulldozed Minister Pradit said that the act indicated the country’s commitment to suppressing IPR infringements.
June 7th, 2010 — Deals & discounts, Hospitality — posted by Frederick Schulze
A NEW beach resort is sure to raise the standard of luxury accommodation in Krabi province.
The Sea House Beach Resort is tranquillity-encapsulated in Had Yao (Long Beach) and perfect for people who want to rejuvenate themselves and seek a little refreshment on their travels.
Situated only half-an-hour drive from Krabi International Airport, there are only nine exclusive villas, one of which are is a Beachfront Private Pool Villa. Continue reading →
May 24th, 2010 — Health & safety, Hospitality — posted by Frederick Schulze
KEY players in Krabi’s hospitality industry want to assure visitors that the Andaman coast is a safe destination in order to kick start the region’s ailing tourism industry
The message conflicts with alerts from the vast majority of national governments who have warned their citizens against travelling to Thailand. Only Taiwan currently lists Krabi as a safe destination for tourists to visits.
Similarly the Pattaya hotel market is facing another awful year with occupancy of luxury establishments falling to below 50 per cent. Continue reading →
May 17th, 2010 — Health & safety, Hospitality, Sightseeing, transportation — posted by Frederick Schulze
CHAOS reigns in Bangkok as clashes between red shirt protestors and government troops continued through the weekend leaving 34 dead and 211 injured.
Plans to enforce a curfew have been postponed although all government offices and schools remain shut as tourists and the general populace were warned not to venture onto the streets.
Clashes spread to Chiang Mai and Ubon Ratchathani yesterday, which are both United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) strongholds within Thailand.
Continue reading →
