nationmultimedia.com The Metropolitan Police estimated that about 25,000 red shirts took part in the march around Bangkok Saturday.

scotsman.com Protesters in Thailand have announced a full weekend of anti-government activities starting with a massive procession through Bangkok followed by ''blood painting,'' their latest shock tactic aimed at forcing new elections.


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

reuters.com Red shirt protesters plan to fan out across Bangkok on Saturday, calling on urban sympathisers to join their push to oust the government. ''We are asking Bangkok people to join our non-violent movement if they hate double standards and hypocrisy,'' said Weng Tojirakarn, adding that the street campaign will continue for at least another two weeks. Analysts said it would be a tough task.

afp Thai travel agents' representative Surapol Sritrakul said the crimson protests had led to many tour cancellations, particularly in key Asian markets, estimating that tourism figures were down 20-30 percent on the yearly average. ''Blood is scary. Many people think the protests could be violent. It's not a good image for Thailand,'' said Surapol, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents.

washingtonpost.com A retired Marine general told senators that the Dutch army failed to protect the city of Srebrenica during the Bosnian war partly because of the presence of gay soldiers in its armed forces. John J. Sheehan, a former Nato commander who retired in 1997, made his comments during a committee hearing on the US military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bans gay people from openly serving in uniform.

telegraph.com Isn't the General aware that some of the finest soldiers in the history of warfare have been ''openly homosexual''? As Churchill said, the three time-honored traditions of the Royal Navy are rum, buggery and the lash. Gay Dutch soldiers responsible for Srebrenica massacre? Balls. One of the finest British commanders of the Second World War was as bent as a nine-bob note.

progressives.org.uk Short of a miracle resulting from last-minute talks, tomorrow will see the start of a three-day strike, with more dates planned, by British Airways cabin crew. BA is losing business to its competitors, who offer cheaper no-frills flights. The response of the BA management, typical of every management faced by mounting losses, is to cut costs by reducing staff, salaries and conditions.

dailymail.co.uk In their heart of hearts, BA's admirable cabin crew must realise their debt-ridden airline's survival depends on the restructuring planned by chairman Willie Walsh - and accepted by all other unions. Haven't the unions learned the lesson of the 1970s - that in an economic crisis, there are no winners from industrial action?

joongangdaily.com Cambodia has imposed a provisional ban on international marriages with Koreans, citing fears of human trafficking. The restriction pertains only to South Korea because nearly 60 percent of international marriages in Cambodia involve Korean nationals, and most are arranged through brokers, an official said. Cambodia has banned marriage brokerage since 2008, allowing only ''love matches.'' Yet the number of Cambodian women marrying Korean men still rose from 551 in 2008 to 1372 last year.

abc.net.au Cambodian police have arrested an Australian man on suspicion of paying for sex with underage girls over a number of years. The suspect, identified by police as Michael John Lines, 52, is accused of having sex with two girls, now 17. One of the girls is now the man's fiancee.

the-afc.com Eam Thavornvongwongse sees the Vision Thailand Project Phuket as a good opportunity to realise a lifelong wish to see more players from the province wearing the national team jersey. Eam, president of the Phuket Sports Association, is confident that Phuket will one day be able to boast many Thailand international stars. He also wants FC Phuket, in the Southern Region of the Thai Second Division, to gain promotion to the First Division next year.

bbc.co.uk Detectives say they have seized a record number of counterfeit designer goods, bringing down an international crime syndicate in the process. More than 50,000 items including clothing, footwear and handbags were found during raids on 30 premises across London, police said. Investigators believe the fakes were smuggled into Britain and the US in shipping containers from China and Malaysia

wsj.com Malaysia's dilemma over whether to end some of the world's most entrenched systems of racial-preference laws is coming to a head. Prime Minister Najib Razak is expected to outline this month plans to revitalise how the country's export-driven economy is run, with details to follow in June. The program might mean a push to change a decades-old system of preferential treatment for the country's majority Muslim-Malay population, which has often economically lagged behind its ethnic compatriots.

smh.com.au The decision to hold the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships in rough conditions at a Gold Coast beach will be investigated by police, after a Sydney teenager was killed during the competition. Organisers had deemed conditions at Kurrawa safe enough for the event to go ahead despite two people being injured in rough conditions at the surf carnival earlier this week. A strong rip was running about 10 metres off the sand, and the waves were between 1.5 and two metres high.

nytimes.com The teardrop-shaped island of Phuket has long been known for its dazzling beaches and naughty night life. But for many, it was the catastrophic Asian tsunami in 2004 that finally placed Phuket on the map. Recovery has been swift, and in recent years the island has firmly reasserted itself as a premier beach resort in southern Thailand, with a growing crop of luxury hotels, top-notch restaurants and even a thriving art community.

latimes.com Fess Parker, whose star-making portrayal of frontiersman Davy Crockett on television in the mid-1950s made him a hero to millions of young baby boomers and spurred a nationwide run on coonskin caps, died Thursday. He was 85.



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 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.

Marine Stings Put French Boy in Phuket Hospital
Latest A four year old French boy was recovering in hospital after a drama at the southern Phuket beach of Nai Harn. Public Health officials are determining the cause of his pain.
Marine Stings Put French Boy in Phuket Hospital

Phuket Scam 'Offered Women Jobs for 200,000 Baht'
PHOTO ALBUM Phuket police and Immigration officers have cracked a scam that lured young Korean women to Phuket for up to 200,000 baht on the promise of teaching jobs.
Phuket Scam 'Offered Women Jobs for 200,000 Baht'

Phuket Nighclub Brawl Brings Police Probe
Latest Police have been called in to investigate an argument between expat groups that ended up as a brawl at 3am at the Hollywood nightclub in Patong.
Phuket Nighclub Brawl Brings Police Probe

Phuket's 'Big Dry' Leaves Hundreds Without Water
Latest Emergency supplies of water are being delivered to 670 families who appear to be the first victim of the ''Big Dry'' that has hit Phuket this high season.
Phuket's 'Big Dry' Leaves Hundreds Without Water

Phuket, Samui Villas and Condos Going Unsold
Breaking News The outlook appears bleak for property on Phuket and Samui with the latest independent figures showing large numbers of villas and condos in an unsold stockpile.
Phuket, Samui Villas and Condos Going Unsold