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- Missing Korean tourist found drowned off Koh Phangan Island
The body of a Korean man drowned when a long-tail ferry boat overturned on Sunday was found floating in the
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The body of a Korean man drowned when a long-tail ferry boat overturned on Sunday was found floating in the sea off Koh Phangan shortly before noon on Tuesday.
A boat captain reported finding the man’s body to the missing people centre on Koh Phangan at 11.33am.
He was found about 600 metres from Koh Phangan’s Haad Rin pier, roughly five kilometres from where the long-tailed boat capsized early Sunday morning.
Police said the body was dressed in the same clothing the missing Korean man was seen wearing in security camera footage taken on Sunday. The body was sent to Koh Phangan Hospital for post-mortem examination.
The Korean was among 10 tourists aboard the Pichitchai 38, a long-tailed boat taking them from Haad Rin beach to another beach on Koh Phangan. The boat capsized in high waves about 3am on Sunday. Nine of the passengers and the three boatmen were rescued.
Surat Thani governor Theerut Supawibulpol said the boat’s owner would be charged with recklessness causing death. The boat was unregistered and driven by a man without the appropriate licence and who was a drug user and had ignored official warnings for all small boats to remain ashore due to the rough sea.
On Tuesday, red flags prohibiting swimming were placed along Haad Rin beach, where a New Year countdown was planned for later in the night.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Missing Korean found drowned off Koh Phangan which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | Rescue workers bring the Korean man’s body ashore on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, on Tuesday. (Photo: Supapong Chaolan)
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1 January 01 2025General Newshttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4755 - South Korean tourist missing after long-tailed boat capsized in bad weather off Koh Phangan island
A South Korean tourist is missing after a long-tailed boat capsized in bad weather off Koh Phangan early on Sunday
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A South Korean tourist is missing after a long-tailed boat capsized in bad weather off Koh Phangan early on Sunday morning.
The accident happened shortly after 3am when long-tailed boat No.38 was carrying 10 tourists and three sailors from Haad Rin Nok, also known as Sunrise beach, to Haad Tien East on the eastern side of Koh Phangan.
The 10 passengers were two Turkish nationals, four Thais, two Japanese, a German and a South Korean man, identified only as Hyun-jin, who is reported missing.
Pairat Kaewsrijan, the captain of the long-tailed boat, told Koh Phangan police that strong waves caused the boat to capsize about 400 metres off Haad Rin Nok beach. Local emergency rescuers and tourism operators sent boats to the scene and were able to rescue 12 tourists and sailors.
Heavy winds and strong currents were hampering the search for the missing Korean, Mr Pairat said.
Phangan police said strong waves with heights of 2–3 metres hit the front starboard (right) side of the boat, prompting all passengers to gather on the port (left) side and causing the boat to tilt to the side. The boat was hit by another big wave and started to take on water from the port side and sank. It was later pushed ashore by the waves at dawn.
Wijak Chooparakit, director of the Regional Marine Office’s Koh Phangan Branch, said the boat’s owner had ignored the agency’s safety warning that all vessels of less than 12 metres in length were advised to stay ashore between Dec 24 and 29. Vessels of more than 12 metres in length should exercise extra caution while navigating the seas off Surat Thani, the warning added.
The boat that capsized was illegally used to service tourists because its registration certificate had been revoked, Mr Wijak said.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – 1 missing after boat capsizes off Thailand’s Koh Phangan which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | A long-tailed boat that capsized in rough seas off Haad Rin beach, the venue of the Full Moon Party, on Koh Phangan early on Sunday. Twelve people have been rescued while a South Korean man is missing after the accident. (Photo: Koh Phangan Rescue Centre)
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29 December 29 2024General Newshttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4751 - Heavy rain hits Koh Phangan Island
Heavy rain pounded several districts in this southern Thai province and triggered runoff on the tourist island of Koh Phangan
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Heavy rain pounded several districts in this southern Thai province and triggered runoff on the tourist island of Koh Phangan on Saturday.
In Ban Thong Nai Pan in Ban Tai sub-district on the island, surging runoff from surrounding hills carried away the pickup truck of Atsawin Busaba, a hotel employee. It became stuck at the mouth of a canal before reaching the sea.
Fortunately, no one was inside the vehicle. Mr Atsawin said he saw his truck being swept away but he was unable to do anything to stop it.
A video showing the pickup being swept away was posted on social media and went viral online.
Atthawit Sukkhao reported seeing a refrigerator and other household items carried away by the current. Soon after, the pickup truck floated away as well. However, no one dared to help as the current was rising and very strong.
Ban Thong Nai Phan school on the island was also inundated. One school building and its canteen were under 30 centimetres of water. The strong current rapidly entered the compound, preventing school staff from moving belongings to higher ground in time. Fortunately, the school was closed for the New Year holidays.
The water also surrounded government offices including the Koh Phangan district office, the police station and the Surat Thani Immigration Office on the island.
Floodwaters on the main road in front of the Koh Phangan district hall, Super Cheap supermarket and convenience stores also kept rising due to mountain runoff. The road was impassable for small vehicles.
Officials began surveying the damage after the rain stopped in the afternoon. People affected by the floods can report to the district office, Koh Phangan municipality, the police, or village headmen and the Kuson Sattha Koh Phangan Foundation.
Elsewhere, in Tha Chana district of Surat Thani, heavy rain overwhelmed drainage outlets at village Moo 10 in tambon Samorthong, sending excessive water to flood roads. In Chaiya district, the flooding and forest runoff hit tambon Pak Mak.
At Ban Thep Nimit in Wipawadi district, land erosion nearly sank a garage and two pickup trucks into a canal, local residents reported.
The Meteorological Department issued a warning on Saturday for strong winds and rain until Monday in southern provinces including Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat.
The northeastern monsoon is blowing over the Gulf of Thailand, causing strong waves, with heights of 2–3 metres and waves exceeding 3m in areas experiencing thunderstorms. Small boats have been advised to stay ashore.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Heavy rain and runoff hit Koh Phangan which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | A pickup truck is swept into the sea at Thong Nai Phan on Koh Phangan on Saturday as heavy rain pounded several districts in Surat Thani province. (Photo: Koh Phangan Facebook)
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29 December 29 2024General Newshttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4742 - Italian, French and Russian arrested for sellings drugs and money laundering on Koh Phangan island
Three foreigners have been arrested on Koh Phangan for selling and possessing illicit drugs, money laundering and running a business
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Three foreigners have been arrested on Koh Phangan for selling and possessing illicit drugs, money laundering and running a business using a Thai national as a nominee.
The arrests stemmed from a follow-up investigation after the arrest on nearby Koh Samui of a British drug suspect on March 1. Peter Hull was subsequently sentenced to five years and 11 months in jail, Pol Lt Gen Panumart Boonyalak, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said in a briefing on Thursday.
Police found that Hull had bought drugs from an Italian man, identified as Federico Carlo Eugenio Pistolesi, 36, who was arrested on the tourist island of Koh Phangan in the southern province of Surat Thani.
He faces charges of possessing and selling drugs including ecstasy, cocaine and methamphetamine and money laundering.
Police seized 24 items, including a sedan car, a bank account containing over 6 million baht, and an a two-rai land plot worth 8 million baht, which was registered to a company named Pittaya Land.
As the investigation expanded, police arrested two other foreigners — Frenchman Roman Malik Bertagnol, 37, and Russian national Anton Zaozerov, 39 — who were found to be customers of the Italian suspect.
Mr Pistolesi was found to have received money from other foreigners residing on the two islands, police said.
Pol Col Songprod Sirisukha said Mr Zaozerov and his wife were also found to have been running a cleaning business, which is prohibited for foreigners, by using a Thai woman, identified only as Meena, as a nominee.
The police investigation is continuing.
National police chief Kittharath Punpetch has pushed all divisions to crack down on illegal foreign businesses in Thailand and crimes that affect tourism.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Three foreign crime suspects arrested on Koh Phangan which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | Police hold a briefing on the arrests of foreigners on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, on Thursday. (Photo: Wassayos Ngamkham)
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22 December 22 2024General Newshttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4732 - British tourist found dead after Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan island
A British tourist’s dream holiday turned into a nightmare after a wild night at Thailand’s infamous Full Moon Party ended
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A British tourist’s dream holiday turned into a nightmare after a wild night at Thailand’s infamous Full Moon Party ended in tragedy.
Christopher Stephen Boucher was discovered dead outside a 7-Eleven store on the island of Koh Phangan, after attending the notorious beach bash.
The 37 year old from Gillingham in Kent, had reportedly been trying to find his way back to his hotel in the small hours after of the morning after downing cheap shots at the iconic party. He was last seen withdrawing cash to pay a mystery local who had offered him a lift.
Tragically, his lifeless body was found shortly after 6.30am, today, December 16, with police and paramedics arriving at the scene around 7.20am, unable to revive him.
Police suspect that Boucher, who ran the Northern Beaches Cleaning Service in New South Wales, drank alcohol and suspect he may have indulged in drugs during the rambunctious Sunday night festivities.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Arun confirmed a search for the elusive driver who dropped him off before vanishing.
The Daily Mirror reported that Boucher was found barefoot, clutching an opened water bottle, with his driver’s license in his pocket revealing his identity, said Lieutenant Colonel Arun.
“We found the body lying face up. It was sent to Koh Phangan Hospital for examination.”
Lt. Col. Arun added that officers are combing through CCTV footage to uncover any clues about his mysterious final hours.
The party-loving British man was reportedly last seen inebriated at Haad Rin Beach, the epicentre of the extravagant Full Moon Party.
Unnamed witnesses told Lt. Col. Arun he was visibly exhausted upon his return to the hotel.
“He might have partied all night until the morning and passed out due to lack of sleep.”
Lt. Col. Arun added that no signs of assault were found. Blood test results are pending.
Koh Phangan’s Full Moon Party is infamous for its all-night revelry, drawing thousands of backpackers to its sandy shores.
Despite its popularity, the event is notorious for the promiscuous availability of alcohol and drugs, with substances like cannabis, magic mushrooms, and methamphetamine easy to come by.
The deaths of tourists and partygoers on Koh Phangan is not a new phenomenon.
Earlier this year a horrifying incident unfolded at Bamboo Bar on the island, where a British backpacker from Bristol was attacked, leaving him gushing blood after being stabbed in the neck in a Thai bar brawl.
Hugo Mooney found himself sprawled on the floor of Bamboo Bar on the infamous Full Moon Party island of Koh Phangan, his life hanging by a thread, as horrified bystanders scrambled to stem the tide of blood.
The unsavory incident unfolded on January 28, around 11.30pm, as Mooney and his group of six pals were savouring beers. It was then, as alleged by Mooney, that Israeli national Eliran Alias targeted his female friend with unwelcome advances.
Koh Phangan’s Full Moon Party’s darker side was also exposed last August when a grisly murder rocked the island. Spanish actor’s son Daniel Sancho Bronchalo allegedly killed and dismembered his lover during the event.
As the Thai police press on with their inquiry into Boucher’s untimely death, his passing serves as a grim reminder of the Full Moon Party’s perilous allure.
Read the full story at TheTaiger – Moonlit tragedy: British tourist found dead after Full Moon Party which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
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17 December 17 2024Full Moon Partyhttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4727 - Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan island attracts over 9000 tourists
The popular Full Moon Party and the Loy Krathong festival on Koh Phangan drew more than 9,000 tourists on Friday
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The popular Full Moon Party and the Loy Krathong festival on Koh Phangan drew more than 9,000 tourists on Friday night, with the situation returning to normal by morning despite rumours of a possible threat to Israeli tourists on the island.
Haad Rin, a peninsular beach area on Koh Phangan and the venue of the Full Moon Party, was packed with Thai and foreign travellers, about 90% of whom were foreigners. Activities also took place to celebrate the annual Loy Krathong festival.
Pol Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikhong, chief of the Surat Thani police, assigned his deputy, Pol Col Paisarn Sangthep, to oversee the situation alongside Pol Col Panya Niratmanon, chief of the Koh Phangan police.
Police patrols, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) officers and tourist police were deployed to ensure the safety of visitors until Saturday morning. Many revellers returned to their hotels around 6.30am, and police facilitated those wanting to board ferries to Koh Samui.
Ratchaporn Poonsawat, chairman of the Koh Samui tourism promotion association, said on Saturday that fake news associated with the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan has affected tourism for both islands. While the party has generated significant income for local businesses at the end of the low season, such misinformation could undermine tourist confidence.
He urged caution when sharing news on social media, referencing reports about a potential terror plot against Israelis during the Full Moon Party. Security authorities had previously dismissed these reports as false.
Mr Ratchaporn said tourism has significantly improved, with rising numbers of European and Indian visitors, and a fivefold increase in South Korean tourists this year.
“In December, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are entering the high tourism season. Useful information should be provided to tourists. People should help promote the beauty (of the three tourist islands) and safety during the New Year,” said Mr Ratchaporn. “So far, there have been no cancellations. Officials are working together to ensure the safety of visitors, making sure that crimes, thefts, or terror attacks will not occur.”
Tourists can be assured that Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are safe, he added.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Full Moon Party attracts over 9,000 tourists which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
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17 November 17 2024Full Moon Partyhttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4722 - Island authorities assure Koh Phangan is safe
Security officials debunk reports of possible terror plot against Israelis at Full Moon Party Security authorities in Surat Thani province
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Security officials debunk reports of possible terror plot against Israelis at Full Moon Party
Security authorities in Surat Thani province have offered assurances that Koh Phangan is safe, dismissing reports about a possible terror plot against Israelis on the tourist island as untrue.
They were responding on Wednesday to the news that Israeli authorities had advised their nationals in Thailand to remain vigilant following reports that they might be targeted during the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan on Friday.
Israeli media outlets said the reports of a possible threat were contained in internal Thai police documents. Police reportedly have been carrying out intensive operations in response to the alerts, which were based on “concrete information”, the Israeli news site Ynet said, without elaborating.
Noppadol Khaomali, chief of the Koh Phangan district office in Surat Thani province, called a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the reports. He was joined by Pol Col Panya Niratmanon, the chief of Koh Phangan police and representatives of other agencies.
They said the reports circulating on various local and international media outlets had caused confusion. Police and local officials, they said, were duty-bound to conduct patrols on the island as part of normal security measures during the Loy Krathong festival and the Full Moon Party, which will both take place on Friday.
Reports of a terror plot against Israelis on Koh Phangan were groundless, said police investigators on the island.
Pol Maj Gen Sermphong Sirikhong, chief of the Surat Thani police, said safety measures had been increased to boost confidence among tourists of all nationalities on Koh Phangan.
Natthriya Thaweevong, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, said security agencies and provincial authorities had investigated the reports of a terror plot on Koh Phangan and found they were mere rumour-mongering without factual evidence.
Police, soldiers and local officials have conducted joint patrols to ensure the safety of tourists during Loy Krathong and the Full Moon Party, she added.
The National Security Council in Israel said it had not changed its assessment of the threat level in Thailand, the Times of Israel reported. However, it called on Israelis to remain alert.
Theerut Supawiboonphol, the deputy governor of Surat Thani, said officials told him they had not noted any reports about movements of suspicious people in the area.
However, he has instructed security personnel to increase measures to search suspicious items and people entering Koh Phangan to ensure safety.
On Wednesday afternoon, many foreign tourists boarded a ferry at Koh Samui pier to Koh Phangan, with tourist police and patrol officers keeping a close eye on activity.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Authorities assure Koh Phangan is safe which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
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14 November 14 2024Full Moon Partyhttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4717 - Possible threat at next Full Moon Party? Israelis on Koh Phangan urged to be cautious!
Israeli authorities have advised their nationals in Thailand to remain vigilant following reports that they might be targeted during the
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Israeli authorities have advised their nationals in Thailand to remain vigilant following reports that they might be targeted during the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan this coming Friday, the Times of Israel reports.
The Mossad and the National Security Council issued the caution following a report that Thai police had warned in internal documents of fears of a plot to carry out a terror attack against Israelis in the country.
Specifically, the alert was said to focus on the famous monthly Full Moon Party, according to Ynet, the online outlet of the Hebrew-language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
Koh Phangan, and its parties, are very popular with young Israelis.
According to Ynet, Thai police have been carrying out intensive operations in recent days over the alerts, which are based on concrete information.
In response to the report, the Mossad and National Security Council said: “Over recent months, Israeli security services in cooperation with Thai security have acted to thwart several incidents” in the country.
“Since Oct 7 and the war [in Gaza], Iran and its proxies have intensified their efforts to harm Israeli and Jewish targets around the world.”
The National Security Council said it had not changed its threat level in Thailand, the Times of Israel reported.
However, it called on Israelis to remain alert; avoid outwardly displaying Israeli or Jewish identity; avoid large-scale events known to be associated with Israelis; avoid publishing their travel plans in advance on social media; and contact local security regarding any suspicions of hostile action targeting Israelis or Jews.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Israelis in Thailand urged to be vigilant which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
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14 November 14 2024Full Moon Partyhttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4714 - Foreigners working illegally – Russian, Turk arrested for working without permits on Koh Phangan
Tourist police arrested a Russian man and a Turkish man for working without permits on Koh Phangan on Thursday. A
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Tourist police arrested a Russian man and a Turkish man for working without permits on Koh Phangan on Thursday.
A 34-year-old Russian was arrested in front of an eatery in Moo 1 village while installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) and audio-visual systems.
Police seized CCTV cameras, conduit pipes, wires and a tool set from him.
He told police that he was employed as a marketing manager of a company earning 41,300 baht per month. His employer also assigned him additional work in audio-visual installations, bringing his total monthly income to 70,000-100,000 baht.
In a separate operation, a 45-year-old Turkish national was arrested at a shop in Moo 8 village while using a drill to install electronic devices. He said he accepted the job because his employer promised him a stake in the business.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Russian, Turk arrested for working without permits on Koh Phangan which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | A foreigner installs a CCTV system outside an eatery on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, on Thursday before being arrested for working without a permit. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)
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19 September 19 2024General Newshttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4709 - Foreigners working illegally – Burmese barber arrested on Koh Phangan island
Thai police recently apprehended an illegal Burmese national working as a barber in Koh Phangan, earning nearly 50,000 baht monthly.
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Thai police recently apprehended an illegal Burmese national working as a barber in Koh Phangan, earning nearly 50,000 baht monthly. The arrest took place following reports of foreign workers taking jobs from locals.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Winij Boonchit received a tip about an unauthorised foreign worker and led a team to arrest 20 year old Wai Yan Kyaw at an unregistered residence in Koh Phangan. The officers confiscated a full set of barber tools.
Kyaw faces charges of entering and staying in Thailand without permission and working without a valid work permit. He was handed over to Koh Phangan police for further legal proceedings.
Kyaw admitted to working as a barber for a year, primarily serving foreign and Burmese clients. He advertised his services in Burmese and English on the Facebook group ‘Koh Phangan Jobs‘ under the name ‘Hair Cut Wai Yan Kyaw‘.
Prices varied based on the hairstyle, starting at 300 baht. Kyaw moved locations based on client appointments, with clients covering fuel costs for the travel. His daily earnings ranged from 1,000 to 2,000 baht, amounting to a monthly income of 30,000 to 45,000 baht, depending on the number of customers.
Kyaw confessed to entering Thailand illegally through Ranong province, paying a fee of 20,000 baht to an unidentified Thai individual for assistance, reported KhaoSod.
Read the full story at KhaoSod – รวบหนุ่มพม่า ลอบเข้าไทย ยึดอาชีพช่างตัดผม รายได้ดี โกยเดือนเกือบครึ่งแสน which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ KhaoSod
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17 September 17 2024Full Moon Partyhttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4705