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

reuters.com Only one of four principal targets shot dead by US commandos in the raid which killed Osama bin Laden was involved in any hostile fire, a person familiar with the latest US government reporting on the raid told Reuters.

heraldsun.com.au The Archbishop of Canterbury condemned the manner in which Osama bin Laden was killed after the White House said that he was not carrying a weapon at the time.

nationmultimedia.com Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is scheduled to make a televised address this afternoon, dispelling doubts about his plan to dissolve the House of Representatives and pave the way for a snap election within 45 to 60 days.

wsj.com Thailand's young, British-born leader is betting that new elections will break the cycle of political violence plaguing one of Southeast Asia's linchpin economies and propel it back into the ranks of the world's most promising emerging markets. His first hurdle is achieving a peaceful vote.

asiaone.com Foreigners entering and leaving Malaysia will have both index fingers scanned at 61 of 96 Immigration checkpoints beginning next month. The procedure is a new security feature to curb transboundary crime and terrorism.

bangkokpost.com From now until October 31, the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Phuket Office is promoting special tour packages on six different routes in both provinces. The "Phuket Great Time" tour packages being offered by the TAT include two-day and three-night accommodation, three-day car rental and discount vouchers for many attractions.

holidayhypermarket.co.uk Thailand has plans for a large campaign designed to lure travellers to its beaches and resorts in the kingdom's off-peak season from May to June. Tourism Thailand is hoping the campaign will tap into a growing market of budget-conscious UK holidaymakers, and will promote itself as a good value alternative to traditional destinations.

afp The National Land Agency has been accused of giving ownership papers for the islets off Lombok island, near Bali, to a number of individuals and companies, West Lombok administration spokesman Ispan Junaidi told AFP. Junaedi said the islets - diving and snorkelling hotspots with huge coral reefs teeming with marine wildlife - include Gili Renggit, Gili Tangkong and Gili Nanggu, which is dotted with pristine beaches and is known locally as the "Paradise Island".

reuters Facebook and Google are separately considering a tie-up with Skype after the web video conferencing service delayed its initial public offering, two sources with direct knowledge of the discussions said.

scmp.com Singapore's PM is admitting mistakes and even apologising. It's a sign that the political party that has dominated Singapore and told the island state what's best for half a century could be facing its strongest electoral challenge on May 7.

cnn.com Workers entered a reactor building at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant for the first time since a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami damaged the facility, its operator Toyko Electric Power Co. said.

thejakartaglobe.com Indonesia will push for progress in talks on the formation of an Asean Community. Speaking at the opening of the Asean-European Union business summit, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said the bloc was committed to achieving its target within four years.

bangkokpost.com Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines stand to face the greatest economic impact from further increases in food and fuel prices, says the UN. The Asia-Pacific region, led by China and India, is forecast to record 7.3 percent economic growth this year, down from 8.8 percent last year. But increases in food and fuel prices could cut 0.5 percent off the growth and increase consumer prices by one percent if current trends continue, said the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

foxnews.com Claude Stanley Choules, the last known combat veteran of World War I, has died. His daughter Daphne Edinger told The Associated Press that British-born Choules - nicknamed "Chuckles" by comrades - died in a nursing home in his adopted home of Australia. He was 110.

abc.net.au So you know those really cheap DVDs of movies that haven't been at the cinema yet that you bring back from boozy beach holidays in Bali or Phuket? They're someone's copyright nicked.

smh.com.au The 2011 SITA baggage report shows airlines "mishandled" more than 29 million bags last year, or 12 bags for every 1000 passengers.

twocircles.net Gender selection is illegal in India many affluent and educated families who are particular to have sons fly to Thailand since it is not illegal there. The doctors who are engaged in this process say majority of the patients are Indians. It seems many of the wives who go there for this treatment are not even informed about the procedure or the purpose of the visit.

etbmice.com Thailand's premier luxury boat marina, Royal Phuket Marina on the holiday island of Phuket, is becoming increasingly popular with India's leading wedding and event planners seeking ever more exotic locations for their society weddings, luxury product launches and corporate meetings and conferences.



May 13 Royal Ploughing Day public holiday
May New PPAO Hospital to open, Phuket City
May 17 Visakha Bucha Day public holiday
June 12 Laguna Phuket International Marathon
June 17 Phuket Property Dot Com Pro Am Invitational, Laguna
June 23-26 Phuket Fun Fly paragliding, Nai Harn
July 3 Phuket Navy League US Independence Day fair at Headstart International School
July 15 Asarnha Bucha Day public holiday
July 20-24 Six Senses Phuket Raceweek
August 12 HM The Queen's Birthday public holiday
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

November 14-21 Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket