By Goongnang Suksawat

Samui Island, Surat Thani – A34-year-old Swedish man was arrested on Samui Island in Surat Thani for 75 days of overstaying his legal visa conditions.

Surat Thani Immigration officers told the Phuket Express that recently they have arrested MR.CHRISTOPHER, 34, a Swedish national. He was arrested on the Chaweng Beach Road in front of a department store.

He is now at 75 days of overstaying his visa according to police.

Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2023/03/16/swedish-man-arrested-on-samui-island-for-75-days-of-overstaying/

By Goongnang Suksawat

Pha-Ngan Island, Surat Thani – A Myanmar man was arrested after he attacked four Thais with a pair of scissors and a wooden stick. The man’s romantic advances to one of the victims had been rejected, causing the incident.

The Samui Public Relations Department told the Phuket Express that on Saturday (March 11th) Mr. AUNG HTWE NAING, 31, Myanmar National, attacked three Thai men and a Thai woman with a pair of scissors and a wooden stick before speeding away.

He was later arrested at 5:00 P.M. on Sunday (March 12th) at a migrant work camp. He was taken to the Koh Pha-Ngan Police Station to face charges of intent to murder.

Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2023/03/13/myanmar-man-attacks-four-thai-people-with-scissors-in-angry-rage-after-being-rejected-for-a-date/

The Samui-based Tournament was originated by organizer Biggs Island Productions (BIP) in 2016 in recognizing the growing global interest in Beach Volleyball. The international Tournament was organized by BIP, hosted by Royal Muang Samui Villas and supported by Tourism Association of Koh Samui (TAKS) and Koh Samui Municipality (Tessaban). 

The 2023 beach volleyball tournament boasted of thrilling play covering 3 days, with 60 teams competing in three divisions (Men’s 2X2, Women’s 2X2, Mix 2X2) for the THB80,000 Prize Money; along with trophies, medals, sponsor vouchers, volleyball gear and apparel.

The games got underway with the sun shining as the games commenced at the Royal Muang Samui Villas beach on Choeng Mon Beach. Superb play throughout the 3 days of matches was on order while Grahn/Isaksson, from Sweden, taking home the Gold in the Men’s 2x2 Division.

Jiang/Romeni from Singapore took home the Gold in the Mix 2x2 Division and Orawan/Anchana from Thailand took home the Gold in the Women’s 2x2 Division. 

The event was viewed by approximately 500 spectators over each of the three days, enjoying exciting play from the 120 top athletes representing 28 countries from Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia. 

The event kicked-off with a ‘Welcome Party’ at Royal Muang Samui Villas and nightly ‘Appreciation Parties’ were enjoyed by spectators and players at Lost Beach Bar and the Boat Bar Bangrak, culminating in a ‘Thank You’ party at Pure Beach Club on Choeng Mon Beach.

Tournament Director/organizer Cord Biggs enthused, “We are proud to promote beach volleyball in South East Asia and on Koh Samui and to hold this annual event on our beautiful island”, adding, “along with our main sponsors, sincere appreciation is also given to all our Island Supporters who helped make this event possible. We hope to see you all next year, 22-24 March 2024, for the 6th annual Samui Open Beach Volleyball Tournament!”  

Tournament Location: https://goo.gl/maps/gWqKLrwrSoCc6adcA 
For further tournament information visit: facebook.com/SamuiOpen

Photo credit: B+M  Studios

-- 2023-03-18

by Krajangwit Johjit

BANGKOK (NNT) - Tourism operators in Koh Samui are calling for more direct flights to the island and an improvement in infrastructure and tourism distribution as the industry is on track for recovery after the pandemic.

President of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui Ratchaporn Poolsawadee said that only 70% of independent hotels with a three- or four-star rating resumed operations following the pandemic due to cash flow constraints when compared to hotels operated by an international chain.

He added that the cost of resuming hotel operations could be as high as starting a new business in some cases.

According to Ratchaporn, the number of flights to the island is currently limited to 30 to 44 flights per day, which is fewer than the pre-pandemic level of 50 per day, limiting the market’s potential.

Samui welcomed the first Chinese groups via chartered flights from Chengdu this month. However, costly airfares mean that most current Chinese tourists are likely independent travelers.

He also urged the public sector to regulate safety and security measures for tourists, including preventing taxi scams and road accidents, as well as calling for the construction of mass transport networks, which could attract new investments in the future.

Meanwhile, Surat Thani Governor Vijvut Tjinto said the province expects tourist arrivals to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao to recover to the pre-pandemic level of 2.5 million this year, driven by pent-up demand and a gradual increase in flights to Samui and Surat Thani.

Vijvut said the province is now working with the Department of Employment to recruit staff who left the industry during the pandemic in an effort to resolve the labor shortage.

He added that Surat Thani follows safety standards and offers security services to tourists, including at its famous Full Moon parties on Koh Phangan.

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230317110047056

Picture: Siam Rath

Siam Rath reported that Surat Thani immigration continued to be strict in dealing with overstayers and other offences in their province in the south of Thailand.

On Monday three foreigners were arrested on overstay.

Picture: Siam Rath

The first, Leonid, 50, from Russia had been in Thailand 188 days past the end of his visa.

He was found at a convenience store in Chalok Lam, Koh Phangan.

Picture: Siam Rath

Also arrested at a resort on the holiday island was French lady Miriam, 36, who had overstayed by six days.

She appeared to be smiling behind her mask.

The third to be detained was a man called Christian, 42, from Italy on a nine day overstay.

Picture: Siam Rath

He appeared to be angrily pointing at the cameraman.

Also falling foul of the law was a Thai man called Jetsada or "Jack" wanted in Songkhla for conspiracy in aiding and abetting illegal immigration.

Picture: Siam Rath

He was named in a warrant in February and was taken back to the far south to face charges after his arrest on Saturday in Wang sub-district of Surat Thani on the mainland.

Picture: INN

INN reported that government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri said that cabinet approval had been given to the electricity authority to lay an undersea cable in the area of the holiday island of Koh Samui in the south of Thailand.

It is costing 11.23 billion baht and it is hoped it will improve electricity supply on Samui and the neighboring islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

It is part of improvements to Thailand's grid between 2018 and 2037.

It will take many years before it is ready, however, with a completion date slated for June 2029.

By Goongnang Suksawat

Pha-ngan Island, Surat Thani – A 50-year-old Russian man was arrested on Pha-ngan Island in Surat Thani for 188 days of overstaying his legal visa conditions.

Surat Thani Immigration officers told the Phuket Express that this week they arrested MR. LEONID TOISLOI, 50, a Russian national. He was arrested in front of a convenience store in Chalok Lam, on Pha-ngan Island.

Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2023/03/09/russian-man-arrested-on-pha-ngan-island-for-188-days-of-overstay/