celebritybabyscoop.com Actress Naomi Watts prepared to depart Phuket International Airport with her youngest son, two-year-old Kai, after wrapping her latest project, 'The Impossible,' in Khao Lak.

THE PRIME MINISTER of Mongolia and his wife have been holidaying on Phuket. The couple will be farewelled by Phuket officials tonight as they fly on to Singapore.


A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media.

nationmultimedia.com Hundreds of concertgoers rioted last night in Bangkok after cancellation of a concert by American metal band Deftones. Angry fans threw bottles and glasses, and damaged furnishings.

smh.com.au Top CBS foreign correspondent Lara Logan suffered a "brutal" sexual assault at the hands of a mob in Egypt while covering the downfall of president Hosni Mubarak, her US network says. "She and her team and their security were surrounded by a dangerous element amidst the celebration. It was a mob of more than 200 people whipped into a frenzy," CBS said.

nytimes.com A Milan judge ordered Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to stand trial in April on charges of paying an underage nightclub dancer for sex and abusing his office to help release her from police custody when she was detained for theft.

xinhuanet.com Berlusconi, whose actions sparked massive protests that saw as many as one million women take to the streets on Sunday, will stand trial in April with his fate decided by three female judges.

GNE Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak is "ailing and bedridden" and may have slipped into a coma, according to media reports.

usatoday.com A married Thai couple demonstrated their magnetic attraction to each other by locking lips for 46 hours, 24 minutes, 9 seconds, setting a new record for kissing, according to reports out of southern Thailand.

nationmultimedia.com Dusit International is continuing overseas expansion, including in the Middle East despite unrest in Egypt, the group's chief executive officer said. He predicted that the hotel business in Thailand would be positive this year, especially in Pattaya and Phuket, as these destinations remain attractive to tourists.

chinaeconomicreview.com China's outbound tourism during the Spring Festival holiday saw strong growth despite rising prices. According to Ctrip the number of outbound tourists increased almost 30 percent. Statistics released by the China National Tourism Administration showed that the price for Middle East and European tours rose 15 percent, and the price for Phuket and Saipan Island tours climbed by 30 percent.

bangkokpost.com Kan Air, a new startup airline flying domestic routes, will take to the skies today from its initial base in Chiang Mai. Three other startups - Crystal Thai Airlines, PC Air and Sunny Airways - will include international services, with one or two offering charter flights to as far afield as Germany.

property-report.com Property rents are on the rise throughout Asia on the back of strong economic growth, with Singapore's 15 percent rise last year earning it the accolade of the world's 5th most expensive city to rent a two-bedroom property. Tokyo is the most expensive location.

Associated Press Islamic morality police in Malaysia have detained 40 unmarried Muslim couples in hotel rooms during Operation Valentine, aimed at curbing illegal premarital sex.

tourism-review.com Phuket city has been described in many quarters as a global city and its representatives hope to use the favorable characteristics to increase foreign visits. As business tourists not only enhance the reputation of the city but also tend to spend a lot more cash than regular visitors, this is a particular area of focus.

arirang.co.kr Kim Jong-chul, the second son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, reportedly enjoyed a performance by the famous British pop musician Eric Clapton in Singapore on Valentine's Day. It was the first time for him to be seen in public in five years since he attended a Clapton concert in Germany in 2006.



Life Home Project and Ireland's honorary consul Helene Fallon-Wood are hosting the Second St Patrick's Day Ball at the Movenpick Resort and Spa in Karon on March 26 with cocktails from 6.30pm and dinner to follow. Tickets at 4000 baht benefit the Life Home Project. Contact Khun Joojee 081 3979809 or Khun Eee or Nee 086 9469232. Tickets will be available at BAKE Chalong, Cherng Talay and BIS.

February 18 Makha Bucha public holiday
February 20 Pink Floyd charity tribute by New Machine, Zantika, Khao Lak
February 23-26 Phuket Gay Pride Festival, Patong
February 25-26 Phuket International Blues and Rock Festival 2011
February 26-27 Phuket Spicy Soccer 7s, Phuket International Academy
March4-6 Pool Asia Expo and Conference, Hilton, Phuket
March 14-19 ADFEST 2011 at Movenpick Resort, Phuket
March 27 Earth Hour commemoration on Phuket
April 13-15 Songkran Festival
May New PPAO Hospital to open, Phuket City


Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket