straitstimes.com Malaysian authorities said they are probing claims that 93 Rohingya from Burma were chased out of Thai waters and drifted aboard a boat for 45 days before being rescued. State immigration chief Zulfikar Ahmad told AFP: ''The Rohingya said they met the Thai navy at sea, they gave them food and later pushed them out before they were rescued by our maritime officials.'' He said immigration authorities have had no response from Thai authorities. [The Navy on Phuket has failed to respond to requests for an interview with Phuketwan.]


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

abc.net.au Supporters of ousted Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra say they will continue their protest today by pouring 1000 litres of their own blood on the steps of parliament. Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva refused to meet a demand from red shirt protesters to resign and hold fresh elections. Now the political drama in Bangkok will begin its fifth day in extraordinary circumstances.

xinhuanet.com Bangkok Post online quoted Nattawut Saikua as saying that the blood taken from 100,000 red-shirts will be scattered at 8am Tuesday. Cabinet ministers will have to walk over the protesters' blood when they enter the Government House to work, he said.

cnn.com They will collect another 1000 litres of blood the next day and splash it on the headquarters of the ruling party. The next day, they will collect 1000 more litres and target the PM's residence, the demonstrators said.

Thai protesters to spill own blood on streets - ABC Online

abc.net.au The army says unknown attackers in a pick-up truck fired four M79 grenade rounds into the first infantry regiment barracks. Two soldiers were wounded and have been taken to hospital. Police are questioning a suspect who was detained at a check point.

cnn.com The nation's tourism minister estimated the demonstrations might have resulted in a 20 percent drop in tourists. The impact on Chinese visitors appears to have been greater, with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce reporting a 50 percent cancellation rate. [Phuket is said to have been unaffected.]

bangkokpost.com The red shirt rally is losing potency. The government has done all it can to ease tensions by facilitating the demonstration, accepting the right to peaceful assembly, repeatedly stressing that it is not the political enemy of the demonstrators, and putting in place security measures to protect against violence. Now Thaksin has to decide on his next move.

macedoniaonline.eu Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who has a Montenegrin passport, has been allegedly seen in Budva. Several citizens told BETA agency that they've seen Shinawatra, whose photos have been published in Montenegro's media. Citizens said that they've seen Shinawatra in a coffee shop in Budva with two women and a man.

afp London's Gatwick Airport has apologised after a Briton wearing a T-shirt with the slogan Freedom or Die was asked to turn it inside-out because it could be threatening, a spokesman said. Lloyd Berks, 38, was was travelling with his partner, Donna, 38, and children Callum, six, and Kaydee, four on February 27. He covered it with a cardigan.

Dominion Post Thousands fled their homes as two cyclones tore through the South Pacific, flattening houses and villages. Hundreds of tourists were hunkering down in hotels or evacuation shelters as the worst storm to hit Fiji in decades smashed ashore. Waves up to eight metres have been reported.

abcnews.go.com A new study suggests that men with heart problems may have double the risk of death if they also suffer from erectile dysfunction. The research followed more than 1500 men receiving treatment for heart disease. Erectile dysfunction itself was associated with a death rate almost twice that of men not suffering erectile dysfunction, as well as a doubled risk of heart attack.

guardian.co.uk Automatic execution for drug smugglers is inhumane and disproportionate, a court in Singapore has heard, as a 21-year-old challenged his death sentence for bringing heroin into the country. Lawyers representing Yong Vui Kong, a 22-year old Malaysian, argued that the mandatory death sentence violates international standards and human rights laws. Singapore executes anyone found guilty of importing more than 15g of drugs.

Associated Press Police in Australia have charged a 92-year-old woman with killing her 98-year-old husband. Clare Tang is due to appear in court Tuesday. Family friend George Tsoi said the couple were from Shanghai, and owned restaurants in Singapore. He said they had been married for about 70 years.

travelagentcentral.com Marina Bay Sands has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore Airlines to promote the integrated resort as a destination. The parties will join together under the new agreement to fund publicity and promotional activities targeting trade partners, international media and overseas markets.

marketwatch.com< Four Points by Sheraton has unveiled a global pipeline that is set to ramp up its portfolio by 16 properties in 2010. Eight new Four Points properties are slated to open in established North American markets and another eight internationally include new-build hotels in Nigeria, Bangkok and Phuket.



March 19 Phuket Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AusCham) Sundowners at Paresa Resort at Cape Sol, Kamala. 3.30 pm Seminar on sustainable/green development. Drinks 6pm.
Until March 20 Annual French Gastronomy Festival at The Boathouse. Wine Chef Jean-Noel Lumineau, Thailand's only Maitre Cuisinier de France, treats discerning diners to exceptional French food.
Until March 26 Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn Fair at Thalang Victory Memorial Park, near the Heroines' Monument.
March 19-28 Local Phuket Food Festival, Saphan Hin, Phuket City
March 27 Lights out at Le Meridien Phuket Resort and Spa in support of Earth Hour. Since 1987, the resort has minimised its impact with waste reduction, efficient energy management, water conservation, and green programs.
April 3 Attempt on the mass dive record, Thai Muang, Phang Nga, 11am. Details: 076-411388.
April 9-13 Phuket Bike Week, including tattoo competitions, island rides and the Miss Phuket Bike Week contest.
April 14-18 Phuket Cricket Sixes, Karon Sports Stadium.
May 31-June 5 Eight-nation football tournament for players over 55 at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City. Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Taiwan, Iran, Armenia competing.
May Annual Phuket seafood festival.
May Date to be finalised for Muay Thai kickboxing competition at Laguna Phuket.
May 21-23 Paragliding on Phuket.
June 4-13 Phuket International Film Festival, Coliseum Cineplex, Phuket City.

Bangkok Bloodlines Drawn as Blast Hurts Two
7pm UPDATE A grenade injures two soldiers as the unpredictability of thousands of marchers on Bangkok's streets sparks concerns about a violent end to the protest.
Bangkok Bloodlines Drawn as Blast Hurts Two

Phuket Beach Lifeguard Plan 'Coming This Month'
Breaking News A new strategy is on the way to protect tourists and locals from drowning on Phuket's beaches. It should be in place just in time for the island's dangerous monsoon season.
Phuket Beach Lifeguard Plan 'Coming This Month'

Phuket Caddies Sacked: More Talks Monday
Latest Three caddies have been singled out and sacked in the Phuket golf course dispute and management plans to meet with all 260 women to explain its actions on Monday.
Phuket Caddies Sacked: More Talks Monday

Phuket Taxi Abuse: Cruise Line Slams 'Rip-Offs'
Latest Pressure to act on Phuket's taxi and tuktuk monopoly and rip off fares has increased with the criticisms of a cruise line that delivers thousands of tourists to the island.
Phuket Taxi Abuse: Cruise Line Slams 'Rip-Offs'

Phuket Also Rallies, at ITB Berlin Travel Show
Photo Album Competition around the world pushed Phuket to spend 10 million baht this year at ITB Berlin, Europe's largest and most important trade and travel fair.
Phuket Also Rallies, at ITB Berlin Travel Show