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

A 17-YEAR-OLD boy charged with possession of an illegal drug on Phuket has been named in his home country by the New Zealand Herald. The newspaper reports that T--- L--- spent ''two harrowing nights'' in a Thai jail after being caught with diazepam he didn't know were illegal.
''More than six weeks later he is still stranded in the country, waiting to be called to court. His parents have spent about $10,000 on flights and accommodation to support him,'' says the Herald.
He and 10 Aussie mates were on a ''schoolies'' trip away to celebrate graduating from a Sydney high school. His family moved to Australia from Wellington when he was a child, but he is a New Zealand citizen.
The maximum penalty is one year's imprisonment, with a fine of 20,000 baht ($800) even though drugs such as diazepam and alprazolam are available at some pharmacies in tourist spots on Phuket.

latimes.com China's state-run movie distributor unexpectedly began pulling the blockbuster science-fiction picture 'Avatar' from 1628 2-D screens this week in favor of a biography of the ancient philosopher Confucius. Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily says the switch was made at the urging of propaganda officials who are concerned that 'Avatar' is taking too much market share from Chinese films and drawing unwanted attention to the sensitive issue of forced evictions.

Phuketwan Update Eight ShelterBoxes have been sent to Haiti through donations given to Patong Rotary, says clob president Woody Leonhard, who adds that Haitians have said the packages are ideal for their needs. ''Donations RIGHT NOW will help get the emergency supplies to people who desperately need them,'' he told Phuketwan. ''ShelterBox advises that the first boxes are on the ground and being distributed, with more on the way.'' Instructions for making donations online are at www.RotaryPatong.org with cash gifts being taken at Sandwich Shoppes on Phuket. Haiti's toll is at 75,000.

timesonline.com Controversy surrounds Royal Caribbean International's decision to dock its ships on the north of Haiti, where holidaymakers can disembark for swimming, watersports and sunbathing on the beach. The ships have delivered food and humanitarian aid to the island, and donated net revenue. [Phuket and the Andaman welcomed tourists after the 2004 tsunami to restore confidence].

bangkokpost.com Thailand should require hospitality businesses, especially those in locations facing a high risk of water shortages, such as islands, to get serious about water conservation, say hoteliers. Claude Sauter, general manager of Cape Panwa Hotel and Spa on Phuket, said the severity of the dry season could increase every year with rising population. ''I have heard that hoteliers along Patong had to buy water from private suppliers because tap water supply ran out for as long as two weeks last year,'' he said.

afp Thailand extended a nearly five-year state of emergency in the troubled Muslim-majority south on Tuesday. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said his cabinet had renewed emergency rule in the kingdom's southernmost provinces bordering Malaysia for three months until April 19.

afp Three days of Muslim-Christian clashes in the Nigerian city of Jos have left around 300 people dead, clerics and a paramedic said as troops were deployed to control the unrest. Authorities placed the central city under a 24-hour curfew amid reports of continuing armed clashes, with terrified residents saying they could hear gunshots and smoke was billowing from parts of the Plateau State capital.

smh.com.au Three children watched their parents drown as an evening swim turned to tragedy yesterday on an east coast Australian beach. ''The mother's gone into the water, found herself in difficulty and the dad, to his credit, has gone in to help her,'' emergency officers said. ''Then the power of the ocean took over." A nine-year-old boy and his two sisters, aged 14 and 17, watched as their mother, 44, and father, 42, struggled in the surf.

scmp.com A former vice-president of the Supreme People's Court was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Hebei court for taking bribes and for other corruption. Huang Songyou is the highest-ranking judge arrested and charged for such crimes since 1949. The 52-year-old had taken about 3.9 million yuan in bribes between 2005 and 2008 while he was vice-president of the Supreme Court.

businessweek.com Singapore's first casino-resort is set to partially open today, a key part of a government plan to reduce reliance on manufacturing and brand the tightly controlled city-state as a cosmopolitan Asian capital. Resorts World Sentosa, built by Malaysia's Genting Bhd for $5 billion, will open 1340 rooms in four hotels, including a Hard Rock hotel and a property designed by architect Michael Graves. A Universal Studios theme park will probably open next month on the sprawling 49-hectare complex on Sentosa.

brudirect.com Preparations are in full swing to ensure the success of the upcoming Asean Tourism Forum from January 21-28. The event will provide Brunei with a unique opportunity to showcase the nation's ecotourism, pristine rainforests, majestic landmarks, more than 1000-year-old heritage, culture and cuisine.

smh.com.au British chocolate bar maker Cadbury melted into the arms of US giant Kraft in a multi-billion-dollar deal to create a world leader in food and confectionery that sparked fears of job losses. Cadbury management has agreed to an improved takeover offer worth 840 pence per share, the companies announced in a statement, valuing the British group at about $20.28 billion.

businesswire.com The Tourism Authority of Thailand introduces new Twitter and Facebook campaigns, providing comprehensive Thailand travel information to the public. Visitors to TAT's Twitter and Facebook pages can get up-to-date information about Thailand events, activities, news, and more and even view photos of beautiful Thailand sceneries, delicious Thai food, as well as other interesting photos.

abc.net.au Of the 78 asylum seekers involved in the month-long Oceanic Viking stand-off last year, only 16 remain in detention in Indonesia. Immigration officials in Tanjung Pinang say that the final group will leave today, with three of the asylum seekers headed for Australia. The other 13 are expected to go to the Philippines and then New Zealand.

cibmagazine.com With talk of a ''100-course future'' for China's Hainan Island new designs are already under construction around the island by golf greats. The Mission Hills Group, owner of a 12-course complex outside of Shenzhen, is also expanding its empire with a new project near Haikou. Rumor has it that the project will feature upwards of 30 courses in a plan designed to sell more luxury houses. Hainan Clearwater Bay Golf Club boasts about 10 kilometers of coastline along the South China Sea, and will take a decade to complete.



January 24 A new kind of raw gourmet food is gaining popularity for its unrivaled health benefits including weight loss and anti-aging. Mom Tri's Villa Royale is holding the first raw food workshop on Phuket. The half-day workshop will feature celebrity raw food chef and author Ani Phyo, demonstrating six recipes adapted for Thailand. The 1pm-5pm workshop is 800 baht in advance or 1000 baht on the day. Call 076 333 569 for Sylvie or e: pr@villaroyalephuket.com

January 30 Splash Jungle, Phuket's forst theme park across 14 rai with slides to suit everyone, opens at West SandsResidences and Resort, Mai Khao.

February 7 Wichit Municipality mini-marathon over 4.5 kilometres and 10.5 kilometres. For more information call 076-525100 or 080-6481363.

February 26-27 Phuket International Blues Rock Festival 2010 at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa, Karon.

April 9-13 Phuket Bike Week, including tattoo competitions, island rides and the Miss Phuket Bike Week contest.