nytimes.com Tiger Woods gave brief interviews to ESPN and the Golf Channel on Sunday, the first time he has answered questions since his one-car accident November 27 triggered revelations of his infidelity.

sportingnews.com Tiger Woods said Sunday he has ''done some pretty bad things'' in his life and that he ''hurt a lot of people'' with his infidelity, in particular his wife and his mother.

ajc.com ESPN interview excerpt: On the depth of his infidelity: ''Well, just one is enough. Um, and obviously that wasn't the case, and I've made my mistakes. And as I've said, I've hurt so many people, and so many people I have to make an amends to, and that's living a life of amends.'' On fans: ''It would be nice to hear a couple claps here and there but I also hope they clap for birdies too (laughs).''


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

wsj.com Thai street protesters turned down PM Abhisit Vejjajiva's offer of talks after he ruled out calling immediate elections and assigned a junior minister as his emissary. Mr Abhisit offered the talks after demonstrators embarked on a massive convoy that snaked around Bangkok on Saturday.


bangkokpost.com It is simplistic to say that the red shirts, many of whom profess allegiance to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, only represent the rural poor clamoring for their rights against the established, educated, urban elite. Yet there is little question that the gap between rich and poor in Thailand is wide, and is a big contributor to the social and political stresses that have dominated the country for the past few years.

reuters.com The flooded Red River moved within inches of its crest at Fargo, North Dakota on Sunday, but dikes of earth and sandbags kept the water from causing major damage, officials said.

abc.net.au As British Airways cabin crew move into day three of their strike over pay and work practices, both sides are claiming the upper hand. The union Unite says 80 percent of its members are on the picket lines. But BA says it reinstated flights as 97 percent of cabin crew due to show up at Gatwick did so on Saturday, as did half at Heathrow.

nytimes.com Rattled by earthquakes, deluged by typhoons and devastated by a tsunami, Asia in recent years has repeatedly felt its vulnerability to natural disasters. The response to disaster-stricken communities in Asia will soon be bolstered by a new regional supply hub to be set up in Malaysia by the UN World Food Program at an air force base that was used to send relief supplies to areas affected by the 2004 tsunami.


abcnews.go.com During a recent visit to Cambodia, ABC News was able to negotiate in broad daylight with the mother of a 15-year-old girl. The mother said she was willing to sell her daughter to a foreigner for marriage. When asked how much it would cost, the mother answered, ''It's up to you.''

Associated Press The Internet has emerged as one of the greatest threats to rare species, fueling the illegal wildlife trade and making it easier to buy everything from live baby lions to wine made from tiger bones, conservationists and law enforcement officers said. The Web's impact was made clear at the meeting of the 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.


timesofindia.com A class-12 student of Pinjore-based Alpine school was severely beaten up by her roommate, a girl from Thailand, and her friends following an altercation over turning off the lights. The girls from Thailand used their martial art skills to tackle the local students who came to the rescue of the girl, named Kalyani.


gaytimes.co.uk As a detox after the Bangkok bustle, the white sandy beaches, palm trees and flawlessly clear seas of Phuket and its surrounding islands are unbeatable, and less than an hour away by budget flight. The newly opened The Shore at Katathani is all about pool villas with 36 of them in total, and all impossibly luxurious with infinity pools as standard.

wsj.com Last week, negotiators from eight nations - the US, Australia, Brunei, China, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam - held preliminary talks in Melbourne on creating an Australia-backed free-trade zone. Bilateral free-trade agreements are sprouting like weeds

vietnamnet.vn Ho Chi Minh City's ''100 Excitements'' included top-tens in each of ten categories: hotels, restaurants, souvenirs, entertainment venues, shopping, must-tastes, city attractions, coffee shops, city tours and events. However, many local expats said there were many notable ''excitements'' left off the list.


cnn.com> "Dying of cancer, I would have liked to think I'd have gone out with a bit more flair," said gutsy CNN camerawoman Margaret (Gypsy) Moth with a laugh. She barely survived being shot in the face in Sarajevo in 1992, only to go back as soon as she was physically able. "The important thing is to know that you've lived your life to the fullest." She died on Sunday, aged 59.

afp A Bangladeshi laborer was murdered by brick-field workers who burnt his head in a kiln in the belief this would redden their bricks, police said. Four suspects were arrested for beheading the 26-year-old bricklayer in a remote town in northern Bangladesh on the instructions of the brick-field's owners, said local police chief Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan.

mirror.co.uk Dear Dr Cath, My girlfriend has just got back from a trip to Thailand and Vietnam. I noticed she was scratching a lot but didn't think much of it until I started itching too. I went to my doctor who says I have scabies and it's sexually transmitted. My girlfriend swears she hasn't been unfaithful. I don't know what to believe.



Phuketwan Update The 24th Phuket King's Cup Regatta will take place off Kata Beach, headquartered at Kata Beach Resort and Spa on Phuket, from December 4-11. Race Director Simon James tipped some changes for this years event. ''Already we are seeing a growth in the number of true Cruising Multihulls which are basing themselves in Phuket, and we will endeavor to create a custom class to cater for these boats. Similarly, there is a growth in the number of true Sportsboats in the region and we are working on a plan to attract these flying machines to our event.''

Until March 26 Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn Fair at Thalang Victory Memorial Park, near the Heroines' Monument.
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.
Until March 28 Local Phuket Food Festival, Saphan Hin, Phuket City
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.
December 4-11 Phuket King's Cup Regatta