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

Phuketwan Update The photo above is likely to be the shape of things to come on Phuket. Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob went with the mayors and presidents of 19 island authorities to Nice in France, where this lightrail impressed them all. Expect some announcements very soon.

mcot.net Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban conceded that intelligence reports indicated possible sabotage in August and that he has instructed intelligence services to work together to prevent violence.

todayonline.com Police increased checkpoints in the Bangkok business areas after receiving a tip-off that bombs may be placed in cars and motorcycles, as well as trash cans and bags. ''We have to take every tip seriously,'' a police spokesman said.

Associated Press An Indonesian doctor says a New Zealander found dead on the resort island of Bali appears to have been murdered. The body of Jordan Lucas, a 25-year-old tourist, was found last week at the popular surf beach of Uluwatu. Dudut Rustiyadi, a forensic expert on the island, said an autopsy indicated foul play was involved.

nzherald.co.nz Mr Lucas was found in the water at Uluwatu Beach wearing only a shirt. A bag, containing his passport, was found nearby. Other possessions - including a camera - helped confirm his identity and establish he had been staying at Kuta Beach.

indyposted.com 78 people have died from rabies in the past two years in Bali, a tourism hot spot. The disease is being spread by rabid dogs and the nation is extremely short of rabies vaccine for humans. Over 30,000 dog bites occur each year. The US and Australia have issued travel warnings.

aap Australians have been warned of a new threat on Bali: a violent feud between rival taxi companies. The latest travel advisory for Indonesia warns travellers that a dispute between local taxi companies and the Jakarta-based Blue Bird company recently turned violent. ''While such incidents are rare and passengers have not been specifically targeted, you should exercise appropriate caution,'' the warning says.

Phuketwan Update An evening of artistic fun raised 100,000 baht for the Phang Nga provincial school supported by Laguna Phuket's Developing Sustainable Schools program - boosted by an impromptu10,000 baht donation for a paint-spattered tablecloth. The tablecloth was used by children of Baan Jao Krue School to protect their desks in art classes with Laguna artist in residence Christopher Hogan. Partygoer Cassi Potger was so impressed by the colorful patterns she bought it for 10,000 baht - and now plans to hang it in her Phuket home.

smh.com.au I recently had a 16-hour flight on which the passenger next to me was so large I couldn't comfortably use my seat, leaving me walking up and down the aisle while other passengers slept or watched movies. The crew was apologetic but with the flight 100 per cent full, there was nothing they could do. Who takes responsibility for the issue of overweight airline passengers and the comfort of those around them?

earthtimes.org The days when foreign paedophiles and criminals could retire in peace in Pattaya - are numbered, at least according to immigration police. Since October 2009, Pattaya immigration police have assisted with the arrests of seven human traffickers, primarily dealing with child prostitution rings, and about a dozen foreign criminals facing arrest warrants. ''For the crackdown to work we need to have similar centres in Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai and other tourist destinations,'' said Colonel Athiwit Kamolrat, Chonburi Immigration Superintendent.

cbsnews.com Former English teacher Steven Prowler, 61, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for traveling to Thailand to have sex with minors. The sentence was ordered after prosecutors challenged a previous 10-year sentence, calling it too lenient. US District Judge Consuelo Marshall said Prowler's conduct was particularly ''depraved.'' Prowler was arrested in Bangkok in 2005.

guardian.co.uk For American expatriates, Bocas del Toro seemed the ideal retreat: an archipelago of white sand beaches, coconut palms and guesthouses off Panama's Caribbean coast. It was relaxed, friendly and sunny. Then people started to disappear. It was a fluid community, people always coming and going, so there was no immediate alarm. Why worry? The only danger in this tranquil haven, it seemed, was the tap water. But there was another menace: the cheerful husband and wife who ran a hostel were, it is alleged, serial killers who murdered up to nine people for their property and money.

afp A red-faced US State Department said it removed a passage from its website about possible Spanish police racism after calls from Spanish media covering First Lady Michelle Obama's visit to Spain. The reference removed from the website said ''racial prejudice could contribute to the arrests of African-Americans who travel to Spain,'' the official said.

guardian.co.uk The fall of South Africa's former police chief became complete when Jackie Selebi was sentenced to 15 years' jail for corruption. A veteran of the struggle against apartheid who rose to become the president of Interpol, the 60-year-old was found guilty of receiving bribes to turn a blind eye to drug trafficking. The judge cited a past speech by Selebi in which he said that police would stop corruption ''so we can fight crime with clean hands''.

pattayapeople.com The Tourism Authority of Thailand opened the '7 Greens' seminar to promote environmentally-friendly, sustainable tourism in Pattaya. The TAT plans to take these sustainable tourism seminars to Bangkok, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Chiang Mai.

southalltravel.co.uk The astounding Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai, is ready to reopen its doors to its admirers and patrons on August 15 to celebrate Independence Day. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel underwent massive renovation and reconstruction work utilising the services of internationally acclaimed designers. The Palace wing of The Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Mumbai now surpasses its former glory and is all set to sweep visitors off their feet. [The Taj suffered a deadly terrorist attack in November 2009.]



FRESH from starring roles in two recently released major motion pictures in Thailand, 'That Sounds Good' and 'Pop Star,' actor-DJ Montonn ''Jay'' Jira is coming to Phuket. He's performing at Breeze, on Patong's beach road, on Saturday, August 7, 10pm-3am. Admission is 250 baht with one drink included.

August 5-8 Kite Jam, Surin beach
August 6-12 Andaman Motor Expo
August 11-September 9 Ramadan
August 14-15 Baba wedding, Phuket Town
October 1-3 Asian Hospitality and Travel Show, Central Festival Phuket Convention and Exhibition Center, Phuket City
October 8-16 Vegetarian Festival, Phuket
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