bloomberg.com Hundreds of shoppers lined up to count down the reopening of Bangkok's Central World shopping mall today, more than four months after anti-government protesters torched it during deadly riots.

nationmultimedia.com An M-26 hand grenade was thrown at the Office of the Attorney General headquarters late Monday night, but no one was injured. The attack came hours after The Department of Special Investigation issued a warning of ''possible politically motivated occasional bomb attacks in Bangkok.''


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

nationmultimedia.com Rajji Rai, president of the Travel Agents Association of India, said that India-based Kingfisher Airlines would likely operate direct flights to Phuket to meet increasing demand in the near future. The airline has already entered Thailand through Bangkok. SpiceJet, an Indian low-cost airline, is also considering adding Thailand.

abcnews.go.com In a bizarre twist, James Heselden, owner of the company that makes the two-wheeled Segway personal transporter, died in a Segway-related mishap. Heselden, 62, apparently fell off an eight-metre cliff into a river while riding a Segway near his home in West Yorkshire. Police found Heselden's body and a Segway in the river.

bloomberg.com Kim Jong Il's youngest son was named a general, signaling the start of a possible power transfer in North Korea to a man said to be in his late 20s who has never previously been mentioned in public.

asiatraveltips.com Centara Hotels & Resorts is offering special introductory rates for the new Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, which is scheduled to open in October 2010. Rates start at 4600 baht plus 10 percent service charge and 7 percent prevailing government tax for a Deluxe Ocean Facing Room, through to 9600 baht for a Luxury Pool Suite - The Club.

mcot.net Following repeated grenade attacks in the capital during the past week despite a continuing state of emergency, Thailand's national police chief Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree instructed police across Bangkok to apply proactive measures to prevent possible violence, while warning them of being disciplined for further bombs.

bloomberg.com Thailand's Finance Ministry raised its 2010 economic growth forecast for the third time in six months after exports surged in the first half of the year and local demand recovered. Gross domestic product may expand 7.3 percent to 7.8 percent in 2010, with a mid-point forecast of 7.5 percent.

ft.com Other economic indicators are showing similar exuberance. Exports are forecast to rise 25 percent, vehicle production (11 percent of the economy) is expected to be up 66 percent on last year and 19 percent on 2008, the stock market is hovering around 14-year highs and the baht is up at 13-year highs. All good news, but there are some clouds on the horizon.

Associated Press Malaysia's prime minister called for creation of a ''global movement of moderates'' from all faiths to marginalise extremists from all religions. Najib Razak said terrorist activities carried out by extremist Muslim militants such as al-Qaida members have nothing to do with Islam the same way the burning of Islam's holy book, the Quran, by extremist Christians has nothing to do with Christianity.

afp An angry ex-girlfriend called in the hoax bomb alert to Canadian police at the weekend that forced a Pakistan-bound plane to make an emergency landing in Stockholm, a Swedish newspaper reported.

afp Indonesian prosecutors said an Australian on death row for drug smuggling must be executed in line with his original sentence, rejecting appeals for mercy from Australian police. Presenting their response to the appeal of Scott Rush, 24, prosecutors said no new material had been presented to warrant a more lenient punishment.

gulf-times.com Indonesia is eyeing a big leap in the number of tourists to the Southeast Asian nation from the Middle East and North African region. Indonesian tourism deputy director Reeta Sophia disclosed this to Gulf Times at a road show organised by Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and Culture



Until September 29 USNS Walter S. Diehl visits Phuket
October 1-3 Asian Hospitality and Travel Show, Hafale, Phuket City
October 8-16 Vegetarian Festival, Phuket
October 12 Qatar begins daily flights to Phuket
November 2-7 Phuket womens' beach volleyball, Karon beach
November 5 Phuket Charity Pro Am Golf, Blue Canyon
November 19 AustCham at the new Westin Hotel at Koh Sireh from 3pm. E: harry@ladypie.com Tel: 081 2731740
November 28 Laguna Phuket triathlon
December 4-11 Phuket King's Cup Regatta
December 5 Laguna Ironman title
2011
January 6-9 PIMEX boat show, Royal Phuket Marina
February 9-13 The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi