afp China will build a "commercial city" in Thailand worth $1.5 billion that will allow traders to re-export Chinese-made goods and avoid costly tariffs, state media said. More than 70,000 Chinese traders are expected to operate in the China City Complex in Bangkok.

peopledaily.com.cn China plans to construct a second Yiwu International Trade City, the world's biggest small-commodities hub, in Thailand. Construction begins on January 18.

Associated Press Thailand's tourism industry has made a "remarkable" recovery from the 2010 political crisis that turned the center of Bangkok into a battleground and scared off thousands of tourists, officials said Thursday. Many visitors simply flew directly to international airports on Phuket and Samui.


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

foxnews.com Thailand's government withdrew armed soldiers from skytrain stops in Bangkok and other key sites Wednesday as it lifted an eight-month-old state of emergency imposed when protesters overran the capital, sparking deadly violence. The government announced, however, it will retain broad powers to detain suspects and impose order.

nytimes.com ''The [property] market in Phuket is flat at the moment,'' said Richard Lusted, the chief executive of Siam Real Estate on Phuket. Volume has suffered, too, but with many sellers holding off until the market recovers, prices have at least held their own because of reduced supply.

Phuket Update Officials hope to raise 19 million baht when 301 special number plates go up for auction on February 26-27. This year's lucky number is 9999. Profits from the sales at the Metropole Hotel in Phuket City will go to accident prevention. The so-called ''supernumbers'' are said to bring wealth and success.

Phuket Update Resorts in the province of Phang Nga, north of Phuket, will have the opportunity at a meeting with the local Orborjor on January 27 to explain their reluctance to pay a room tax that was unexpectedly boosted from one percent of revenue to two percent late last year. Fifty-three premises paid the one percent tax on 4500 rooms in 2010. The council says the extra money will cover ''PR for tourism'' in Phang Nga. Phuket resorts pay a one percent tax.

Phuket Update Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha said yesterday that his son-in-law was among those who had fallen victim to a scammer impersonating the governor, as reported in Phuketwan on December 29. His son-in-law had transferred 60,000 baht to a scammer's account, Governor Tri said.

nationmultimedia.com People under the age of 20 will be prohibited from purchasing cigarettes, while tobacco manufacturers will only be allowed to import and sell fire-safe cigarettes once the Public Health Ministry amends the law and issues a ministerial regulation to control tobacco consumption. Up to 20 percent of the Thai population smokes, most of them male. About one million of the smokers are between 15 and 24 years of age.

bangkokpost.com HSBC in Thailand is planning new branches to strengthen its business and boost outstanding credit card loans by 15 percent this year. The branch expansion is in preparation for more serious competition under the country's Financial Sector Master Plan, which allows foreign financial institutions a maximum of two branches excluding the head office. The second phase of the Financial Sector Master Plan will eventually allow foreign banks to open up to 20 outlets and expand to 20 ATMs nationwide.

ft.com Banned for years from European airspace because of its poor safety record, Garuda has announced an initial public offering to raise about $500m for 35.6 percent of the equity, giving the company a market value of about $1.4 billion. it is also an important moment for Indonesia, the country with the world's largest Muslim population, as it seeks to step up foreign investment in spite of poor corporate governance and endemic corruption.

Associated Press The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency says up to 10 men armed with knives and pistols have robbed crew aboard four ships off Johor state in the past week. The pirates mostly stole valuables and cash in the pre-dawn attacks.

straitstimes.com Cozycot, a Singaporean women's website, has busted expectations by collecting over 10,000 bras for charity in Indonesia and Cambodia in just three weeks - far exceeding its initial target of 1000. CozyCot Founder Nicole Yee said she was surprised at the response.

thejakaratapost.com Indonesia is shouldering high expectations of playing a greater role in Asean and beyond as it officially became the new chair of Asean at the beginning of this year.

oneindia.in Bollywood actor Imran Khan knows how to do things in style. And he is going to make his wedding with long-time girlfriend Avantika Malik a memorable one by exchanging vows in the sunset. Imran and Avantika will tie the knot by the beach on Phuket on January 10.


THE Old Phuket Town Festival, a much-loved food and walking street fest, extends this year between February 8-10 to four roads instead of two: Phang Nga Road, Krabi Road, Phuket Road, Thalang Road, plus Soi Romanee. The first Phuket Street Show Festival late last year set a high standard and it will be a hard act to follow. The Old Phuket Town Festival may be as much about the food as the fun.

Until January 9 Phuket Red Cross Fair, Saphan Hin park, Phuket City
Until January 9 Pimex boat show, Royal Phuket Marina
January 15-16 Phuket Air Park fly-in, Phuket
January 18 John Gray annual Phang Nga Bay cleanup
January 22 QSI International fun run day at Bang Wad Dam, Kathu
January 23 Great Phuket Rubber Duck Race Day, Laguna Phuket
February 3 Chinese New Year Festival, Phuket
February 9-13 The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi
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
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