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

afp Heavy fighting erupted again on the Thai-Cambodia border, leaving 10 soldiers dead in two days - the worst bloodshed since a UN appeal in February for a permanent ceasefire.

bloomberg.com Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's exiled former prime minister, pledged to build dams and railways and raise minimum rice prices if the main opposition party wins elections that may be held as soon as June.

monstersandcritics.com Thailand can expect a new capital reclaimed from the sea, higher minimum wages and improved relations with the Middle East if the main opposition party wins the coming general election, fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra said.

reuters Odds favor the Democrat Party of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. But he's unlikely to win by a comfortable margin. And regardless of who prevails, neither side may respect the result.

pattayamail.com Widespread scams by Pattaya jet ski operators have drawn the attention of Chonburi's governor and the Ministry of Justice, who are demanding city officials, police and local businesspeople work together to resolve a situation that has become a national embarrassment. Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome called in jet-ski vendors to meet with city and police officials, warning them that the Pattaya City Council wants to ban all jet skis on Pattaya Beach and that foreign media are now watching their every move.

Phuket Update Former Phuket Governor and now Senator Wichai Praisa-ngob has been appointed to the Standing Committee on Tourism in the Senate, chaired by Tunyaratt Achariyachai. Members of the committee are usually outspoken on tourism issues. Senator Wichai believes his experience on Phuket and in Phang Nga equips him well for this committee.

nationmultimedia.com Central and northern areas of Thailand, including Bangkok, will remain under the threat of rainstorms for the next couple of days, the Meteorological Department warned. [Phuket was sunny at sunrise.]

gawker.com Hawaii legislators have proposed a state law (not an actual law yet, thankfully) to hold guide book writers "personally liable for deaths or accidents at spots they recommend.''

Phuket Update The Old Phuket Foundation is hosting a Local Life walking street festival from 6pm Sunday night in Thalang Road.

smh.com.au The family of a 91-year-old Australian arrested in Thailand on underage sex charges are concerned for his well-being. Karl Kraus, a Chiang Mai resident, says he was the victim of an extortion attempt by Thai authorities, who levelled bogus charges last June when he was arrested for the alleged rape of four young sisters, the youngest of whom was five.

bangkokpost.com Chiang Mai Zoo will go ahead with its controversial Polar World project despite fierce opposition from animal rights activists. Zoo director Tanapattara Pongpamorn said yesterday the project was worth the investment and strictly adheres to international animal welfare guidelines.

Associated Press A TV news cameraman arrested in Indonesian bomb plots had been recruited to film and broadcast the group's terrorist acts, including a foiled Good Friday church attack. Global-TV cameraman Imam Firdaus was among 20 suspects arrested in a series of anti-terror raids this week, a national police spokesman said.

nytimes.com Why would the British premier celebrate the financial woes of the BBC? The BBC's many detractors, led by Rupert Murdoch's corporation, say the licensing fee has allowed it ''to get too big, too smug, too unanswerable,'' as The Sun, a tabloid owned by Mr Murdoch, declared in an editorial last year.

Associated Press David Beckham, Elton John and Mr. Bean actor Rowan Atkinson will mingle with dozens of royal guests at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, according to an official guest list that includes one uncomfortable presence - the Bahraini crown prince accused of a brutal crackdown on protesters.

ology.com Well, well, well, look what we have here! Justin Bieber has been overseas for weeks now and it looks like his girlfriend Selena Gomez missed him so much she had to visit! The couple was spotted hanging out together in Malaysia this week.



April 24 Old Phuket Town walking street fair, Thalang Road, 6pm
April 24 Ao Chalong Yacht Club Open Day
April 24 Easter Family Day, Friendship Beach, Rawai
April 25 Anzac night for Aussies, Lady Pie, Cherng Talay
April 28 Pierre-Yves Cousteau dinner at IndoChine
May New PPAO Hospital to open, Phuket City
May 1 National Labor Day public holiday
May 5 Coronation Day public holiday
May 13 Royal Ploughing Day public holiday
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