bernama.com Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has expressed concern over severe flooding in Thailand as the number of people who have perished climbed to 150, Thai News Agency reported.


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

telegraph.co.uk Mount Merupi erupted again on Friday, killing at least 12 people, latest deaths bring the total toll to more than 100 since Indonesia's most active volcano started erupting on October 26.

smh.com.au Passengers on board a Qantas Boeing 747-400 jumbo that made an emergency landing in Singapore overnight reported hearing an explosion and seeing flames on the one of the engines minutes after takeoff. ''It was pretty scary,'' said Swedish tourist Lisa Ogden, 28. ''An engine on the wing exploded. ''

afp Some passengers were screaming, while the cabin crew yelled ''Crisis!'' and ordered everyone to be in their seats as the plane prepared to make a forced landing at Changi Airport.

theaustralian.com.au The Qantas Boeing 747 with Rolls-Royce engines and 412 passengers was forced to return to the island state one hour and four minutes after take-off. The incident occurred one day after a Qantas Airbus A380, also Sydney-bound, returned to the same point of departure after one of its four Rolls-Royce engines caught fire.

csmonitor.com Indonesian authorities say the Merapi volcano had nothing to do with Thursday's Qantas A380 engine emergency. But ash clouds from Indonesia and elsewhere have been a hazard to aviation before.

smh.com.au Travellers could bear the brunt of higher international fares if Qantas is forced to ground its A380 fleet for weeks because of the reduction in seat capacity. As Qantas scrambled to accommodate 1000 stranded passengers and find extra aircraft to operate on its international routes, sharemarket analysts estimated the grounding of the A380s could cost the airline as much as $20 million a week in lost revenue.

bangkokpost.com Two Royal Thai Navy ships have saved 23 crew members of a Thai trawler that was sunk by Somali pirates, the navy's secretariat says.

bangkokpost.com Sixteen bodies believed to be crew members of trawlers capsized in heavy seas earlier this week have been found in Pattani province.

Phuket Update So many packets of instant noodles have been bought on Phuket to send as part of relief packages to flood victims elsewhere in Thailand that it's now almost impossible to find instant noodles on supermarket shelves on Phuket.

dailymail.co.uk Tourism can have very positive effects.Which is why I welcome the decision of the opposition party in Burma to drop its objection to tourists visiting their country. While visitors may be assisting financially to prop up the dictatorship, tourists will help foment a move towards change. Totalitarianism finds it difficult to survive contact with visitors from democracy. I shall be seeking to visit Burma at the earliest opportunity.

afp The youngest son of detained democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi was in Bangkok on Friday as his mother awaits possible release after army-ruled Burma's rare election, her lawyer said.

guardian.co.uk A day of acrimonious industrial action at the BBC over pension cuts left the public broadcaster bracing for a wave of strikes by its journalists that could run on until Christmas. [Phuket's 91.5 FM radio, which carries the BBC international news on the hour, reports there has been no interruption but Saturday's 9pm-midnight Sportsworld may be affected.]

voanews.com A new video of a torture victim's testimony adds to allegations of abuse by Indonesian troops in the restive region of Papua. Human rights activists say that President Obama, who visits next week, should press Indonesia to crack down on rights abuses.

prweb uk While Thailand may be better known as something of a backpacker's destination, its breathtaking scenery, glorious white beaches and warm seas are attracting increasing numbers of foreign second homeowners. It is not hard to see why people are drawn to this fascinating and beautiful country. Its beaches, mountains and rolling countryside are exotic and wonderfully relaxing. The food is exquisite and fresh, the people the friendliest you will ever meet.

thestar.com.my Although Phuket is an island popular with families and people of all ages, the island doesn't sleep till late. There are sprawling night markets, extravagant cabarets, sporting events and street entertainers, all ensuring that you needn't retire to your hotel room just because the sun has gone down.

plusnews.org Health experts in Thailand say the odds are stacked against them in combating one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Asia, with only two percent of the country's AIDS budget going on condoms. "The belief is that it is the responsibility of the people who want to buy sex that they have to protect themselves," said Somyos Kittimankhong, a senior member of Thailand's Department of Disease Control's Anti-AIDS Division. "But when they get infected, then it's the government's responsibility. It's silly."

marketwire.com Experience the beauty and relaxation of majestic shorelines or the adventure of an island safari from one of the finest resorts in Phuket, Thailand for a summer vacation that will create lasting lifetime family memories. Whether seeking peaceful relaxation or exhilarating adventures, the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa provides a setting like no other so everyone can enjoy an exhilarating vacation.



Olivier Gibaud, general manager of Phuket's three BAKE stores and Twinpalms, told Phuketwan that a whole range of delicious Christmas treats including gingerbread men were being planned for Phuket this snow season.

Until November 7 Phuket womens' beach volleyball, Karon beach
November 5-6 BIS Phuket seven-a-side football tournament, BIS Phuket
November 6 Charity golf at Tab Lamu, near Khao Lak: Call Sam on 089 875 1995 E: sam@khaolakappeal.com
November 6 Thailand Property Awards, Bangkok
November 12 IBAP meets at Thai Naan restaurant to hear Woody Leonard on what's best for internet access on Phuket.
November 19 AustCham at the new Westin Hotel at Koh Sireh from 3pm. E: harry@ladypie.com Tel: 081 2731740
November 21 Loy Kratong Festival
November 28 Laguna Phuket triathlon
December 4-11 Phuket King's Cup Regatta
December 5 Laguna Ironman title
December 15-20 Patong Carnival
December 30-January 9 Phuket Red Cross fair, Saphan Hin park, Phuket City
2011
January 6-9 PIMEX boat show, Royal Phuket Marina
January 22 QSI International fun run day at Bang Wad Dam, Kathu
January 23 The Great Phuket Rubber Duck Race Day, Laguna Phuket
February 9-13 The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi