Phuketwan MediaWATCH
A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media.
nytimes.com Police in Spain and Thailand arrested 10 people suspected of operating a counterfeiting network that provided fake European passports to Qaeda-linked terrorist groups in order to smooth their entry into Western countries, the Spanish Interior Ministry said on Wednesday. Seven people were arrested in Barcelona and three more - two Pakistanis and one Thai - were arrested in Bangkok, which served as the base for the operation, the ministry said in a statement.
Associated Press The detainees formed part of a group based in Thailand and linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai, India, attacks that killed 166 people, the ministry said in a statement.
afp.com The gang stole documents, including passports, which were sent to Thailand to be forged and then delivered to al-Qaeda-linked "terrorist groups", in particular the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, which has been accused of plotting the Mumbai attacks, it said. Ten militants killed at least 166 people in three days of violence in the Indian city in November 2008.
upi.com Police in Spain and Thailand have been working together for 18 months investigating the operation, the ministry said. The ministry said shutting down the cell weakened al-Qaida's counterfeiting operations.
Phuket Coming Events
December 4-11 Phuket King's Cup Regatta
December 5 Laguna Ironman 70.3 title
December 3-5 North Phuket Culinary Arts Festival, Mai Khao resorts
December 15-20 Patong Carnival
December 16-18 2010 Asia Superyacht Rendezvous
December 17 US Consular outreach service on Phuket
December 30-January 9 Phuket Red Cross fair, Saphan Hin park, Phuket City
2011
January 6-9 PIMEX boat show, Royal Phuket Marina
January 22 QSI International fun run day at Bang Wad Dam, Kathu
January 23 The Great Phuket Rubber Duck Race Day, Laguna Phuket
February 9-13 The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi
Photo Album Two tourists have been killed when their jetski crashed into a catamaran off Patong around 11.15am. The deaths are likely to bring instant action on controls over jet skis.
Two Tourists Killed as Phuket Jet-Ski Hits Catamaran
Phuket Pirate Pounce: Copy Ring Smashed
Latest Police raided a pirate CD production line in three Phuket houses and captured the equipment used to copy music and movie CDs, arresting six workers in the ''fake factory.''
Phuket Pirate Pounce: Copy Ring Smashed
Phuket's Cheating Men 'the Biggest Aids Danger'
Latest Sex workers and sex tourists understood the dangers of Aids but cheating husbands put their womenfolk at risk and young teens are still unprepared for sexual discovery, an expert says.
Phuket's Cheating Men 'the Biggest Aids Danger'
Instructor Vanishes on Deep Gulf Danger Dive
Breaking News A diving instructor is missing presumed drowned after not coming up on a difficult and deep dive in the Gulf of Thailand. A search for the man is to be renewed.
Instructor Vanishes on Deep Gulf Danger Dive
Patong's Future, According to 'Dr Prab' Keesin
The Heat Interview Phuketwan journalists question leading island identities in a new series designed to explain the issues and the attitudes of Phuket's leaders and advocates.
Patong's Future, According to 'Dr Prab' Keesin
Phuket Envoys Party at Pink Palace: Photo Special
Photo Special Phuket's envoys and leading lights of the island's business, cultural and administrative communities turn out to celebrate the opening of the Netherlands Consulate.
Phuket Envoys Party at Pink Palace: Photo Special
