A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media. PLUS World Cup Watch, every day.

nationmultimedia.com Central Plaza Hotel (Centel) revised the revenue growth forecast of its hotel and food business from 15 percent to 7 percent this year.Bangkok turmoil has deterred travellers. Centara Grand Hotel sustained 20 million losses in damage and opportunities when CentralWorld was burned on May 19. The hotel is operating at 7 percent capacity, down from over 80 percent. Centaras on Phuket, Samui and in Pattaya are running at over 70 percent.

reuters The head of Thai Airways has vowed to press ahead with plans to raise cash from the markets this year rather than wait for possible early elections. ''I believe the political situation has returned to normal and the government has dealt with the crisis very well, and we should be facing a period of peace and stability,'' said Piyasvasti Amranand in Europe.

Phuketwan Update The ''Flying Saucer'' at Indochine Phuket on the beach road to Patong's north is taking off this week with a string of five dance parties nightly from Wednesday to Sunday. Either from 5pm to 10pm or 9pm to Late, each night offers variety in DJs and the opportunity to try out the landmark venue. It's by Invitation Only so check out the Indochine Facebook site.

bangkokpost.com Happy Air, a new local carrier, will begin regular flights on Wednesday from its Phuket base to Nakhon Si Thammarat. The airline, which operates just one leased Saab 340A turboprop with 34 seats, dropped its service between Phuket and Langkawi just after Songkran. Its route from Phuket to Hat Yai continues at four flights a week with an 80 percent load factor as sole player.

thephuketinsider.com According to TTR a start up airline will introduce direct flights from Seoul Korea to Phuket within Q3 of this year. Jet Asia Airways is planning service five times a week and will cater to the growing Korean holiday market to Phuket.

afp.com British people are the worst-dressed holidaymakers in Europe followed by Germans, while the Italians and French are the smartest, according to a survey. The findings came despite 36 percent of Britons - who are famed for fashion blunders such as wearing socks with sandals - admitting that they dress more adventurously than usual while on a break.

dailymail.co.uk As Jeff Savage languishes in a tough Thai prison after being arrested for rioting, nowhere is a closer interest being taken in his plight than at Buckingham Palace. Savage, 48, used to work for the Queen and occupies the unhappy position of being the only member of Her Majesty's staff, past or present, who could face the death penalty. It is all a far cry from the paunchy protester's days in royal service as a porter.

bangkokpost.com A two million baht reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of two suspects involved in Friday's 12 million baht robbery outside the Krung Thai Bank headquarters in Bangkok. Wholesaler Thaimart Store, owner of the stolen money, is offering the reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the culprits' arrests and recovery of the money in full. The robbers rented a car from Phuket on May 4 using fake passports.

vancouversun.com Police are investigating a homicide early Sunday morning in Edmonton, Canada. The victim was a 38-year-old foreign worker who was due to return home to Thailand this week. Two men walking around 1 am were approached by a group of four to six men, who demanded money. The attack was witnessed by friends of the two men who rushed to help. In the second altercation, one was fatally stabbed.

dailymail.co.uk Mass killer Derrick Bird's Thai lover dumped him by text message a few weeks before he went on his gun rampage, friends revealed. The overweight and balding 52-year-old was obsessed with the woman he knew only as Hon and had sent her thousands of pounds. He met the 32-year-old on holiday in Pattaya three years ago and she promised to move to England to be with him.

metro.co.uk An unnamed friend told a Sunday newspaper: ''He was very careful with money; he saved like crazy to see her and go diving, which was his one other love in life. He sent her parcels of money. When she texted him and told him never to contact her again, he felt like a mug.''

mirror.co.uk Bird, 52, who was already seething with resentment over a series of grudges, had hoped to start a new life with 32-year-old Hon. He was due to fly to Thailand later this month and had been secretly sending his raven-haired lover cash. But just weeks after he is believed to have deposited 1000 pounds in a Thai bank account for Hon she told him: ''It's over.''

Associated Press A Malaysian billionaire embroiled in a controversy over launching a sports betting operation has pledged to donate his initial earnings to charity in a bid to deflect growing criticism that the plan will promote gambling in the Muslim-majority country.



nationmultimedia.com Thai Copyright Collection, sole authorised Thai broadcaster of the World Cup, will waive the broadcasting fee for enterprises located in areas severely impacted by the recent Bangkok political unrest. However, the company will collect fees from other enterprises such as hotels, pubs, discotheques, restaurants and karaoke bars at a rate of 10,000 baht for each TV monitor.

telegraph.co.uk Valencia's midfielder Juan Mata has insisted that Spain are not among favorites to lift the World Cup, instead citing England, Brazil and Argentina as those most capable of snaring the trophy.

guardian.co.uk The USA deserve to be ranked a laudable 14th in the world. During the 3-1 win over Australia their confidence in attack confirmed they will present problems in England's opening World Cup match on Saturday. Nonetheless Bob Bradley's side must achieve solidity to restrict opponents six places above them in the Fifa standings.



Until June 13 Phuket International Film Festival, Coliseum Cineplex, Phuket City.
Until June13 Prison Products Fair, each evening at Saphan Hin park, Phuket City. On-stage entertainment, food stalls, refreshments, furniture for purchase.
June 13 Laguna Phuket International Marathon. Fun runs, too.
June 25 to 27 Second Kathu Culture Road Fair, recalling the region's history
July 21-25 Phuket Six Senses Race Week, Evason, Rawai
July 4 US Phuket Navy League Independence Day free family picnic at the Headstart International Learning Center directly across from Makro (near Central Festival) in Phuket City from 10am-7pm.
October 1-3 Asian Hospitality and Travel Show, Central Festival Phuket Convention and Exhibition Center, Phuket City
December 4-11 Phuket King's Cup Regatta
2011
January 6-9 PIMEX boat show, Royal Phuket Marina
February 9-13 The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi