bangkokpost.com Supporters of the anti-red shirt Network for Citizen Volunteers Protecting the Land gathered at Lumpini Park, opposing any move to pardon former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the People's Alliance for Democracy announced plans for a mass protest on Monday.


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

bangkokpost.com Six people have been injured by an explosive device thrown into a large crowd who were trying a fix a breach in a sandbag flood barrier in Bangkok's Sai Mai district last night. Police found debris of what appeared to be a brick attached to gunpowder.

nytimes In a land of almost instinctual deference and automatic smiles for foreign visitors, the organisers of Mrs [Hillary] Clinton's visit shielded her from a genuine encounter with the frustration and the stress felt by the tens of thousands of flood victims. ''They picked the smiley people,'' one volunteer said.

moodiereport.com Airports of Thailand has reported a +6.13 percent rise in international passengers to 3,406,500 for the month of October. The figures cover AoT's entire national airport network, which is made up of Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang in Bangkok, as well as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Chiang Rai.

ft.com A bitter row has broken out in Thailand over claims that the Thai government is pushing for a royal pardon for exiled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, threatening renewed instability in the politically divided country.

wsj.com Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed to let Burma (Myanmar) chair the regional bloc in 2014 despite pleas to continue shunning the military-backed government.

Phuket Update British Ambassador Asif Ahmad has called for visitors to Phuket and Thailand to be more cautious, especially on motorcycles: ''Sadly, some [crash victims] are left with life changing, debilitating injuries. Their families often have the additional worry of mounting hospital bills when either the motorbike's engine size or the failure to wear a crash helmet invalidates insurance policies.''

cnn.com Thai authorities are considering the construction of a super-express waterway through Bangkok to prevent future floods similar to the one that has crippled the Thai capital and brought manufacturing in other parts of the country to a standstill.

ftnnews.com Flood waters are receding in most of the affected areas of Thailand's central provinces and several districts of greater Bangkok. Domestic flights are operating as per normal between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Phuket and other airports in Thailand.

nationmultimedia.com It is clear that a lot of money will be needed to rehabilitate the country after the flood water recedes. However, the government is insisting on putting up a large amount of money to finance its populist policies, which may only benefit a select group of people.

brecorder.com Indonesia's Lion Air has agreed to buy 230 Boeing 737 aircraft with a list price of US$21.7 billion, the White House said, touting the sale as the US firm's biggest-ever commercial order. Lion Air remains on Europe's banned list for lax safety standards.

thenews.com.pk Singapore reported a sharper-than-expected drop in October exports as electronics shipments suffered their worst year-on-year fall since 2009, reflecting further weakness in global demand heading into the peak holiday shopping season.

cnngo.com Phuket is considered the Asian birthplace of the modern pool villa. The renowned Amanpuri introduced them to the island back in 1987 and the Banyan Tree followed suit in 1994. CNNGo lists Phuket's top five.



goal.com Fifa president Sepp Blatter has moved to clarify his comments on rascism after stinging attacks from the world of football. The Swiss chief had been quoted as saying race issues could be sorted ''with a handshake'' after games but after players, managers and anti-racism organisations rose up as one to condemn the comments, the 75-year-old claimed he was misunderstood.

nationmultimedia.com Thailand's miserable campaign in the men's soccer competition of the SEA Games ended in humiliation with a 2-0 loss to Singapore in their final Group A match in Jakarta.

cnn.com Tiger Woods suffered the heaviest match play defeat of his career, but the US golf team still emerged from day one of the Presidents Cup with a 4-2 lead over the Internationals.

Associated Press Australia ripped out South Africa's last six batsmen for 25 runs to bowl the hosts out for 266 by stumps on the first day of the second test at Wanderers, taking early control of a match the tourists have to win to level the series.

bangkokpost.com Lively beach parties are part and parcel of the Phuket King's Cup Regatta which has gone a long way to make Phuket a truly exceptional holiday destination for tourists from all over the world.



November 19 The Khao Lak Community Appeal and the Foundation for Education and Development are holding the second Khao Lak Charity Golf Tournament at Tab Lamu Navy Golf Course. Last year the two charities raised 420,000 baht for their causes, with a great turnout. Details: 081 5441837.

November 26-27 9th Phuket International Soccer 7s

November 27 Laguna Phuket Triathlon

December2-5 Phuket Musiq Festival, Saphan Hin, Phuket City, nightly

December 3-4 Sixth Andaman International Soccer 7s

December 3-10 King's Cup Regatta, Kata beach

December 4 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, Laguna



Late February Phuket Blues Festival, Laguna Phuket

May 26-June 5 National Youth Games, Phuket

March 29-April 1 Phuket International Boat Show, Royal Phuket Marina



November 14-21 Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket