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

thestar.com.my A free second honeymoon trip awaits any married couple in the Malaysian state of Terengganu on the brink of breakup. The state will pay for it. However, the honeymoon package comes with some counselling. The honeymoon packages would be launched by the end of the year after specific modules were incorporated that would to help husband and wife stay married, said State Welfare, Community Development and Women Affairs committee chairman Ashaari Idris.

The Nation Cabinet will consider today implementing the Internal Security Law in Bangkok between October 15-25 following reports red-shirted protesters were planning a rally in the capital, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said. The law is already in force in Hua Hin and Cha-Am, site for the 15th Asean summit until October 27. It was imposed successfully for an Asean summet of Foreign Ministers on Phuket in July..

dailytimes.co.pk Singapore's economy grew 0.8 percent in the three months to September from a year ago, official estimates showed, boosting recovery hopes in other Asian economies hit by the global slowdown. It was the trade-dependent economy's first year-on-year expansion in five quarters. ''It's a good sign for the rest of Asia,'' said one investment strategist.

Bangkok Post International Hotels Group, a British hotel management company, plans to manage at least nine newly built hotels in Thailand by 2014, bringing its total to 18. Jan Smits, managing director of Asia-Australia business, said the company saw high potential in Thai tourism. It strongly believes tourists will return when global economic problems recede, he said.

Phuketwan Update Phuket's new three- storey police headquarters opens in Yaowarat Road Phuket City this morning, with construction of the new Tourist Police headquarters continuing just metres away. Among other improvements, the new hq is expected to become a control centre for security cameras all over the island.

Phuket Forecast Cold weather from China and low pressure in the Gulf of Thailand will combine to cause widespread rainfall this week, the Meteorological Department says. The high pressure system from China will clash with relatively hotter weather in Thailand from today until Thursday, bringing heavy rain to north and northeast Thailand. Low pressure will cause the same effects in the eastern, lower central, and upper southern regions, the forecast predicts.

smh.com.au The glow of Australia's rosy economy is failing to shine on many tourism operators who fear the soaring dollar could cost them their business, the sector's peak bodies say. The managing director of the Australian Tourism Export Council, Matt Hingerty, said he could see dread in the eyes of many tourism operators last week as the Australian dollar climbed to a 25-year-high against the British pound.

Xinhua Countries have to cooperate more closely with one another in order to tackle transnational crime and terrorism, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says. This can be done by sharing intelligence, watching for international fugitives and conducting joint enforcement actions, Lee said at the inaugural Interpol-UN Ministerial Meeting held in Singapore.

news.adventist.org Baptising 250 new Seventh-day Adventist church members anywhere is good news. But in Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city, with a population of about three million, church leaders say it's especially good news. According to local Adventist leaders, a societal move from rural areas to big cities may work to the church's advantage.

bernama.com A selected group of 60 world-class plastic surgeons will meet in Kuala Lumpur next month for the first Asian Breast Aesthetic Symposium to address issues involving advanced surgical techniques and practice in breast surgery. The two-day symposium begins with presentations by five leading cosmetic breast surgeons from Asia and around the world, including Dr Charles Randquist from Sweden.

ntnews.com.au Asylum seekers who survived a boat explosion that killed five others off the Australian coast earlier this year can now call Australia home after being granted permanent residency. The 42 Afghan men will be released into the community this week.

Jet-Skis, Rip-Offs: Phuket Resort CEO Speaks Out
Phuket latest The head of a Phuket resort group believes it's time for a more measured and honest approach to Phuket's future that preserves the good and deals with the bad.
Jet-Skis, Rip-Offs: Phuket Resort CEO Speaks Out

Phuket Tourists Accused of 'Lost Goods' Scam
Phuket Latest Phuket jet ski owners are accused of trying to extort money from tourists, and some tourists in turn attempt scams of their own. Take the latest case involving five Israelis.
Phuket Tourists Accused of 'Lost Goods' Scam

Zombie on Call: Marko's Siren Song Addiction
Book Review Chat rooms resound with expats who wish Thailand was different. Marko Cunningham's experience during the tsunami and beyond helps explain why change is unlikely.
Zombie on Call: Marko's Siren Song Addiction

New Murder Evidence: Video Shows Patong Killing
Shock Video The case against four men charged with murder took a surprise turn yesterday when police were presented with a video of the Patong killing.
New Murder Evidence: Video Shows Patong Killing

Two Phuket Attacks: Expat Raped, One Escapes
Updating Report One expat woman has been raped and another narrowly escaped in separate sex attacks on Phuket within 24 hours. Police are not sure whether one man or two is involved.
Two Phuket Attacks: Expat Raped, One Escapes

Phuket ID Cards for Gods as Income Lifts Spirits
Phuket Latest Entranced warriors will need ID cards that also list the names of invading spirits for this year's Phuket Vegetarian Festival. For the first time, the gods will have to be registered.
Phuket ID Cards for Gods as Income Lifts Spirits