monstersandcritics.com A hand grenade exploded in central Bangkok's commercial district early Friday, seriously injuring one man and raising tensions in an area where widespread violence occurred in April and May. The lone casualty was a man believed to be a junk collector. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was listed in critical condition. It was the second bombing in Bangkok this week


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

Phuketwan Update As a postscript to Phuket's bout of bad weather, a branch of a huge tree broke and fell onto the powerlines at the end of Baan Kanchana Soi 2 in Patong about 5pm. The next powerpole snapped and causes a shortcut in the high voltage lines along Nanai Road. It took about one hour to cut the connection to the soi and restore power in Nanai Road. Phuketwan reader Wolfgang Siebeck sent the photo.

afp Thailand's PM Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would end emergency rule in six provinces but maintain the strict laws in Bangkok, where a weekend bomb blast rekindled tension. The emergency decree, which bans public gatherings of more than five people and gives security forces the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge, will remain in place in 10 provinces out of a total of 76.

nationmultimedia.com The PM signed an order, with immediate effect, to lift the state of emergency in Ayutthaya and Chon Buri in the Central region, and Nong Bua Lamphu, Mukdahan, Maha Sarakham and Chaiyaphum in the Northeast. The state of emergency will stay in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima and Ubon Ratchathani.

moodiereport.com Thailand's tourism industry performed strongly in the first six months of 2010, according to the latest figures from Tourism Authority of Thailand. Phuket and other beach destinations continued to see an upswing. Arrivals from the Middle East led the growth, with a +22.1% increase for the first half of the year, followed by arrivals from South Asia (+16%), Europe (+15.9%), Asia (+12.3%) and the Pacific (+11.9%). Airports of Thailand has reported strong international traffic to both Phuket and Chiang Mai during the first half.

Associated Press Thailand's government has failed to properly investigate the shooting deaths of two journalists killed while they covered recent political violence, the Committee to Protect Journalists concluded in a seven-page report. The New York-based group alleged that initial government investigations and even the autopsies of the two men were ''incomplete and opaque'' and that investigations by embassies, victims' relatives and news organisations had been obstructed or denied access to information.

Phuketwan Update French tourist Michael Isaac Jerozaiski, 24, accused of stealing from the hand-luggage of another traveller at Phuket International Airport on July 5, is understood to have opted to plead guilty in court on August 14 to ensure a he can fly home and end his extended ''holiday'' in Phuket Prison. Mr Jerozaiski has told others he enjoys visiting Phuket and hops to be back.

bbc.co.uk North Korea's foreign minister has arrived in Burma for talks with top leaders, reports from the region say. It is thought to be the first visit by Pak Ui-chun since the two countries resumed formal ties in 2007. Analysts have raised concerns in recent months that Burma is co-operating with North Korea to develop nuclear technology.

watoday.com.au The Red Bull Air Race has been cancelled worldwide, robbing Western Australia of a flagship tourism event worth up to $20 million a year to the state's economy. Australian pilot Matt Hall agreed safety concerns were probably behind the decision to pull the race next year as it had outgrown its current structure. In 2010 the race was also staged in some of the world's most glamorous destinations, including New York, Rio de Janeiro, Barcelona, Hungary and Abu Dhabi.

scmp.com Dragonair paid cash to disgruntled passengers as compensation for being stuck on a plane for almost half a day longer than expected on what was scheduled as a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong.

nature.com Marine phytoplankton - the vast range of tiny algae species accounting for roughly half of Earth's total photosynthetic biomass - have declined substantially in the world's oceans over the past century, researchers report in Nature1 this week. The findings add to concerns that climate change is dangerously altering marine ecosystems.

telegraph.co.uk Radio One DJ Annie Mac writes: We went for two weeks and stayed in Khao Lak and Koh Pi Pi. We ate lots of lovely food, read lots of books, swam in the sea and went scuba-diving. We also spent a couple of days in Bangkok, which is an incredible city - intense and vibrant. I found it a really exciting place. It was my first time in Asia and it's a whole side of the world that I need to discover.



July 30 AustCham Thailand Sundowners at 4.30pm at Skippers, RPM. AustCham Thailand will host this Sundowners business networking session with a marine industry theme. Contact Harry Usher harry@ladypie.com 0812731740
August 5-8 Kite Jam, Surin beach
August 6-12 Andaman Motor Expo
October 1-3 Asian Hospitality and Travel Show, Central Festival Phuket Convention and Exhibition Center, Phuket City
December 4-11 Phuket King's Cup Regatta
2011
January 6-9 PIMEX boat show, Royal Phuket Marina
February 9-13 The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi