A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media. PLUS World Cup Watch, every day.

bangkokpost.com Villa Medica (Thailand), a subsidiary of the residential developer Nusasiri, has invested 400 million baht to build a boutique resort and hospital in Phuket. The medical complex and resort is nearly 30 percent complete on a 136-rai plot on Phuket about 15 kilometres from Phuket International Airport. Villa Medica is scheduled to open in April. It will have 172 boutique resort rooms on 76 rai and the remaining plot will hold other facilities, including a two-storey hospital.

nationmultimedia.com Bitter rivals in Thailand's bloodiest political conflict in modern history confront each other in Parliament today in what looks set to be one of the most acrimonious censure debates ever. Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan, protected by his parliamentary immunity from charges of terrorism as a red shirt leader, will spearhead attacks on the Abhisit government. The two-day debate from 9am is set to feature contentious videos from both sides.

azcentral.com Jack Kurtz writes: I grew up in Bangkok and come back frequently. This is not the Thailand I remember. Covering these protests is a little like slipping down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland. Nothing is the way it should be. I want to say to both sides, ''Look around you. Look at Cambodia, Burma or Vietnam. Is that what you want for Thailand?"

japantimes.co.jp Many analysts feel that despite his fumbling of the political crisis, Abhisit is a safer alternative than the corruptionists waiting for him to falter. He is certainly more moderate and tolerant than right-wing elements in his government and more sensitive to domestic and international opinion than the Thai military, now depicting themselves as heroes during all-channel propaganda programs.

washingtonexaminer.com As the result of the 2008 airport closure, the total number of inbound visitors in 2009 fell to below pre-crisis projections. The 12 million arrival forecast for this year would see Thailand return to pre-2006 figures. ''It took us five months to recover from the PAD's nine-day airport closure. But this time it'll be at least six months - or even more,'' said Prakit Chinamornpong, president of the Thai Hotels Association.

Phuketwan Update PRIDE Travel, a full service travel agency focusing on Gay and Lesbian travel segment, has announced it will continue to sell travel packages and customized individual travel to Thailand. Chief Operations Officer S. Nathan DePetris said: ''In the end, the traveler also suffers because he either cancels or postpones his trip altogether, or accepts a more expensive alternative that delivers less value - no one wins.'' DePetris said the travel industry and travelers alike have a social and moral obligation to not abandon destinations such as Thailand.

theage.com.au It's official - today's the day to quit Facebook if you're fed up with the site's privacy policy. That's the message from the organisers of www.quitfacebookday.com, who have annointed May 31 as the day to shut down your Facebook account.

temasakreview.com Beggars are becoming a common sight in Singapore this year as liberal economic policies and lack of social safety net exacerbate the gap between the rich and the poor. According to a Sunday Times report, 109 beggars were picked up by officers from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, out of which 62 were locals and 47 were foreigners.

todayonline.com The oil slick that closed public beaches on Singapore's eastern coastline following the collision of two ships on Tuesday has been mostly contained, according to the authorities. The National Environment Agency said the waters at East Coast Beach and Changi Beach are now clear of oil stains. There are also no oil patches visible at sea and the petroleum-like smell is now hardly detectable.

asiaone.com An active sex life and reading makes one healthy, wealthy and wise - that is the advice of Tokoh Nilam teacher-award winner Alias Ismail, 41. The father of four said he made it a point to have sex daily before he and his wife retired. He added it was also a nightly ritual for both him and his wife to read a few pages of a book and have an intellectual conversation before moving on to other ''activities''.




bild.com World Cup hopefuls Germany have been deal yet another blow after Schalke defender Heiko Westermann suffered a foot fracture in the dying minutes of Germany's 3-0 international friendly win against Hungary.

examiner.com The 2010 World Cup in South Africa could ''present a wide range of attractive targets for terrorists'' says the US Department of State, though they add that ''there is no credible threat of a terrorist attack'' at this time. American citizens hold more tickets for this year's World Cup than any other visiting country.

goal.com Spain number one Iker Casillas has compared the official World cup ball to a ''beachball,'' in the wake of La Roja's 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia in Austria. The Real Madrid goalkeeper was heavily critical of the unpredictability of the Adidas ball in a press conference.





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.
June 4-13 Phuket International Film Festival, Coliseum Cineplex, Phuket City.
June 13 Laguna Phuket International Marathon. Fun runs, too.
June 25 to 27 Second Kathu Culture Road Fair, recalling the region's history
July 21-25 Phuket Six Senses Race Week, Evason, Rawai
July 4 US Phuket Navy League Independence Day free family picnic at the Headstart International Learning Center directly across from Makro (near Central Festival) in Phuket City from 10am-7pm.
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