bloomberg.com Japan's nuclear crisis may be raised to the level 7 highest level of severity, matching Chernobyl's rating, as increasing radiation prompts the government to widen the evacuation zone and as aftershocks rocked the country.


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

afp Thailand plans to close its border camps and send more than 100,000 refugees back to Burma following the recent handover of power to a new military-backed government, an official said. "They have been in Thailand for more than 20 years and it became our burden to take care of them," National Security Council chief Tawin Pleansri said.

nationmultimedia.com The number of tourists visiting the South during this week's Songkran festival is expected to be 30 percent fewer than in 2010 because of recent floods, which have shattered the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The TAT plans to host celebrations in 13 provinces, including Surat Thani and Phuket. [Phuket did not suffer flooding and is now enjoying high-season weather.]

afp Google's entry into the online travel sector was cleared for takeoff as the US Justice Department gave the green light to its $700 million purchase of flight data company ITA Software.

ft.com Two women wearing the niqab and several supporters were detained after a demonstration against the French ban on wearing full-face veils in public, which came into force on Monday. Police said they were held not because of their veils but for joining an unauthorised protest against the ban.

bangkokpost.com Interim Pata CEO Bill Calderwood has unveiled a strategy designed to pull the Bangkok-based Pacific Asia Travel Association out of a years-long nosedive. Made public at the Pata 60th anniversary conference, the strategy is expected to be critical to the survival of what was once one of the world's most respected travel groupings.

nationmultimedia.com Tennis icon Paradorn Srichaphan hoped sport might help reunite the divided nation as he announced his entry into politics as a member of Suwat Liptapanlop's Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party.

theborneopost.com Malaysia is planning several proactive measures to give a new lease of life to Langkawi's tourism industry. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said focus would be given to the development of eco-tourism as Langkawi had several advantages and uniqueness.''For example, Langkawi has 500 species of butterflies compared to Australia which has 200. However, in the last few years, the island's tourism industry has been rather gloomy or in the doldrums compared to other tourist destinations like Bali and Phuket.''

afp Burma has released Canadian Ron Zakreski who was arrested two weeks ago after illegally crossing the border from Thailand. "The embassy of Canada in Bangkok has received confirmation that a Canadian citizen has been released from detention in Burma," Lisa Monette, spokeswoman for the Canadian foreign ministry, told AFP.

afp Vanity Fair has stirred controversy with an article panning the Gulf city state of Dubai, which has pumped millions into cultivating an image of high glamor. The iconic magazine's April edition is on sale in the emirate's bookshops but with the three pages of the column headlined "Dubai on Empty" neatly removed.

telegraph.co.uk In Phuket we quickly discovered that hotel bar staff often knew of people that could run excursions much cheaper than those offered by tour operators - sometimes for a fifth of the price. The trips were longer as well: often we were picked up at around 9am and dropped back between 6-7pm (tour operators picked up around 10am and dropped off at 4pm). We saw more of Phuket than other people at our hotel. Similarly, jewellery and gifts were cheaper this way.

bangkokpost.com The average round of golf is 29 percent cheaper in Thailand than in other leading golf destinations in Asia, according to a recent survey. The survey across six countries conducted by Asian golf vacation specialists Golfasian compared the midweek high-season visitor rates and found Thailand has some of the most competitive golf rates.



SARASIN Songkran. A first-time three-day fair and concerts until April 13 sees Phuket joining with neighboring Phang Nga to celebrate Thai new year on the obsolete Sarasin Bridge that links the provinces.

Until April 13 Sarasin Songkran on the bridge between Phuket and Phang Nga
April 12-17 Phuket International Cricket Sixes
April 13-15 Songkran Festival, Phuket City, Patong celebrations
May New PPAO Hospital to open, Phuket City
June 12 Laguna Phuket International Marathon
June 23-26 Phuket Fun Fly paragliding, Nai Harn
July 3 Phuket Navy League US Independence Day fair at Headstart International School
July 20-24 Six Senses Phuket Raceweek
October Vegetarian Festival, Phuket
November 26-27 9th Phuket International Soccer 7s
November 27 Laguna Phuket Triathlon
December 3-4 6th Andaman International Soccer 7s
December 4 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, Laguna


March 18-28 National Youth Games, Phuket

Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket