ALL appeared peaceful in Bangkok at 10pm with estimates of the size of the crowd varying between 20,000 and 30,000 (ASTV) to between 100,000 and 200,000 (German TV). UDD leader Veera Musikapong said the Red Shirts gave the government until noon on Monday to respond to their demand to dissolve the House and return power to the people. The issue was never how the protest would begin, but how and when it will end.

foxnews.com The gossip Web site TMZ reported Saturday that Tiger Woods has spent more than a week living in the same Isleworth, Fla., mansion as his wife Elin Nordegren and their two children, and that Nordegren has been seen about town looking happy. The site said Woods, 34, has spent the last eight nights under the same roof as the woman he so publicly betrayed, and he's been spending his days furiously practicing for his return to golf.

bbc.co.uk Protest leaders have promised a peaceful demonstration but said that if the government refuses to quit they will step up their campaign. The protesters say Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva came to power illegitimately with the backing of the military and the Bangkok-based elites.


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

mcot.net The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok were still lively and crowded Saturday with foreign tourists who said they were not worried about the ongoing Red Shirt demonstrations despite the main protest venue being not far away from Bangkok's prime tourist destinations. Backpackers around the Khao San Road area said they were not afraid of the planned rally and regularly followed the news from local residents.

xinhuanet.com By Saturday evening it is estimated about 50,000 United front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters from several provinces have arrived at the Pan Fah Bridge, which is located on Ratchadamnoen Road in the center of capital Bangkok. A police meeting, which was held Saturday afternoon to assess the situation, was participated by commanders of riot control teams from 88 police stations and the Special Weapon and Tactics ( SWAT) team.

dailytimes.com.pk Police said about 12,000 Red Shirts had arrived at a stage rigged up near a Bangkok bridge, while some 50,000 protesters had passed through military checkpoints set up at entry points to the capital throughout the day. ''The official number at (the) bridge now is 12,000, but 50,000 protesters and 7000 vehicles have gone through the checkpoints,'' said a police spokesman, Major General Prawut Thavornsiri.

bangkokpost.com Bombs, grenades and wild men on motorcycles have been identified as the most likely sources of trouble during today's red rally. Security authorities are worried that violence could break out tonight, as the mass rally by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship reaches a head.

businessweek.com Thai anti-government protesters aim to gather a million people in Bangkok today to pressure Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call an election, and may march throughout the capital if he rejects their demands. Abhisit's Democrat party hasn't won the most seats in a nationwide vote since 1992. He must call an election by the end of next year.

bangkokpost.com Thaksin Shinawatra has left Dubai to join his daughters in Germany, according to his Twitter page. Thaksin also denied that he stayed in the Cambodian tourist province of Siem Reap. His daughters Pinthongta and Paethongtarn left Thailand on Wednesday for Berlin, reportedly to attend an exhibition. Thaksin's former wife, Potjaman na Pombejra, and his son, Panthongtae, have also left the country.

dpa Thailand has set itself an even more ambitious target to attract an additional one million visitors this year, bringing the total to 15 million with the slogan ''Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value.'' It's quite an aggressive goal, but we are confident of hitting the target,'' said Tanes Petsuwan of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. He predicted that the majority of this increase would come from Europe.

cnn.com Malaysian authorities have arrested a boatload of ethnic minorities fleeing Myanmar off the holiday island of Langkawi. A Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman insisted the Thai Navy gave them food and water supplies and then "let them go on their way," because they'd told the Navy they were heading to another country.

theage.com.au Daniel Flitton, diplomatic editor: The biggest obstacle to closer Australia-Indonesia ties remains Canberra's stubborn and outmoded travel warning system, telling Australians to 'reconsider your need to travel''' to Indonesia. The warning makes it almost impossible for school groups to visit Australia's largest neighbor and ranks Indonesia at the same level as Pakistan, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. This system is broken, and it's about time the government fixed it.

womensenews.org Women and young girls in Cambodia are being systemically raped without impunity for the perpetrators and rape rates are rising, said Amnesty International when launching a new report on their Web site on March 8. The report includes 30 interviews with women from all walks of life in Cambodia, ages 10 to 40. Entitled "Breaking the silence: Sexual violence in Cambodia," the report was published on International Women's Day to spread awareness about women who are victims of sex crimes.



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.
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.
Until March 26 Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn Fair at Thalang Victory Memorial Park, near the Heroines' Monument.
March 19-28 Local Phuket Food Festival, Saphan Hin, Phuket City
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.
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.