monstersandcritics.com PM Abhisit Vejjajiva cancelled a March 13-17 trip to Australia and NZ amid mounting concerns about an anti-government protest planned in Bangkok. The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has threatened to mobilize up to one million people March 12-14, hoping to force the government to resign. Cabinet may on Tuesday impose the Internal Security Act.

xinhua Somali pirates freed a Thai fishing boat after receiving a ransom, the European Union Naval Force said. The trawler Thai Union 3 was hijacked on October 29 about 320 km north of the Seychelles and 1040 km from the Somali coast.

nytimes Burma's military government has begun the largest sell-off of state assets in history, including more than 100 government buildings, port facilities and a large stake in the national airline. The sell-off appears to be part of a political transition as the government introduces elections for the first time in 20 years and a new constitution under which the military seems likely to perpetuate its rule, though behind the scenes.

smh.com.au The arrival last night of the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner followed on from a bumper February that saw 19 cruise ships visit Sydney bringing more than 40,000 visitors and injecting $30 million into the economy.


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

scmp.com China is negotiating to extend its high-speed railway network to up to 17 countries, a mainland rail expert who has taken part in every major express line project said.

earthtimes.org A Thai elephant has given birth to the world's first known male twins, local media reported Sunday. The twin males were born to Phang Thong Khun, a 35-year-old in the north-eastern province of Surin, The Nation newspaper reported. A crowd cheered when the twins were born about two hours apart early Saturday morning, elephant trainer Prapai Mokhorn trainer told The Nation.

mcot.net Two suspects in the Bangkok Bank grenade attack confessed to the Thai authorities Sunday, admitting their link to a member of the Red Shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protest movement. Ekkachai Moolket and Sawai Yangsanteer, the former a nephew of the latter, confessed to police that they were involved in the grenade attack at the Bangkok Bank Silom branch last weekend.

Reuters The day before she is favored to win an Oscar, Sandra Bullock was crowned with the dubious title of worst actress of 2009. Bullock, whose drama 'The Blind Side' has made her the odds-on favorite to claim the best actress Oscar, was given a Razzie Award for worst female performance in 'All About Steve.' No performer has ever won a Razzie and an Oscar the same year.

digitaljournal.com A drought affecting Southeast Asia for the past six months shows no signs of letting up any time soon. Affected countries include China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Lao PDR. The commission has blamed drought for the low levels in the Mekong, although many people living downstream from China blame the eight dams China has built on the Mekong for the low levels. China is home to half of the world's largest dams. Thailand is planning to approach China for help in solving the crisis.

straitstimes.com French frigate Nivose has seized 35 pirates in three days off of Somalia, the French military said, claiming ''the biggest seizure'' so far in the vital shipping lane. In the latest of four operations since Friday, 11 pirates were intercepted with the help of other ships and a Spanish maritime patrol airplane participating in the European Atalanta anti-piracy mission.

spreadit.org It appears that Angelina Jolie has the title of home-wrecker a bit longer than we previously thought.In a new book called 'Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie: The True Story', it is alleged that the actress was cheating on husband Jonny Lee Miller with Mick Jagger (who was married to Jerry Hall).The two hooked up after Jolie starred in the music video for a Rolling Stones 1997 hit song And it is claimed they enjoyed a second affair in 2003, seen going back to Jagger's room at the Oriental hotel in Bangkok, Thailand

albuquerqueexpress.com An Australian chain of schools teaching pole dancing as fitness trend is set to unveil its franchises in Singapore and Malaysia. Bobbi, who began her business with Vanessa Brecht six years ago, manages to train nearly 1400 students a week with her three schools, including two in Sydney. And Bobbi's Pole Studio is now set to expand its branches with international outlets, that will also host the inaugural Miss Pole Dance Singapore and help choreograph part of the Youth Olympic Games opening ceremony.

indiatimes.com In Asia, Thailand has the highest proportion of landownership by women (27percent) compared to much lower proportions of 9 percent in Vietnam and Indonesia, 11 percent in Philippines and 13 percent in Malaysia. Women continue to comprise a disproportionate share of the landless and rarely hold legal rights to land despite several studies highlighting the significant cost of excluding women from control of land and its resources.

afp Catholic authorities in Malaysia accepted an apology from a Muslim magazine after its writers took part in a Catholic service and allegedly desecrated the communion wafer. ''We accept the public apology. It is laudable,'' Father Lawrence Andrew, the editor of the Catholic 'Herald' newspaper, told AFP.

thestar.com.my Several women old enough to be grandmothers were among the 200-odd crowd who watched the erotic male dancing by The Chippendales at the new Resort World Sentosa in Singapore on Friday night, China Press reported. The women, aged 60 and above, were seen cheering and screaming when the male dancers made their appearance. Dressed in their ''hottest'' attire, a few of them were said to have gone for make-overs at the hair salon before going for the performance.



Until March 20 Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn Fair at Thalang Victory Memorial Park, near the Heroines' Monument.
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.
March 13 "Lords (land) Last Barbecue Supper'' a Don's Mall in Rawai closes.
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.
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 Phuket Cricket Sixes begin.
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 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.