Associated Press Thai protesters said they ''welcome'' a proposed compromise to end the violent political crisis that has paralyzed central Bangkok for nearly two months, but asked for more details on the plan before ending their protest.

bangkokpost.com The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has not yet decided how to respond to PM Abhisit Vajjajiva's reconciliation roadmap and its leadership will discuss the matter this evening, UDD secretary-general Nathawut Saikua said.


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

timesonline.co.uk The Thai PM offered last night to hold parliamentary elections in November under a reconciliation plan aimed at ending a two-month political crisis that has paralysed Bangkok. In a televised statement Abhisit Vejjajiva set five conditions for reconciliation that must be agreed before any election. Leaders of the protesters planned to meet today to consider the announcement.


'This is the final call' - The Nation

nationmultimedia.com Whether the 30-minute national address last night is a game-changing moment will be known soon. As of now, the ball is squarely in the red shirts' court. The roars of the crowds at the Rajprasong intersection at the end of Abhisit's statements could mean anything, but from day one the protesters have never been the ones making decisions.


nytimes.com Amid some signs of weariness among protesters, leaders of the movement, which is known as the red shirts, responded positively. One protest leader, Suporn Attawong, called Mr Abhisit's proposal ''great because all of this will come to an end. Everyone will be able to return home and go back to work,'' Mr Attawong said. Mr Abhisit's offer appears to raise the possibility that both sides could declare victory.


wsj.com Abhist's five key steps include an independent inquiry into clashes involving protesters since they launched their bid to topple the government on March 12, and the prosecution of those who have broken the law during the demonstrations. The PM said the government also wants to develop more equal social welfare, seek amendments to the constitution if needed, urge the media not to encourage conflict, and to prevent people involving HM The King in political debate. Abhisit has previously offered to hold elections in December, one year before his term is due to end, but that was rejected.


montrealgazette.com Canada, the US, Britain and Australia have recently advised against travel to anywhere in Thailand, not just Bangkok. Arrivals at Bangkok's main Suvarnabhumi airport dropped by a third in April, putting a government target of 15.5 million tourists this year in doubt and dealing a blow to an industry that supports six percent of the economy.


Phuketwan Update Phuket City authorities have added 20 million baht to the council's pawn shop capacity as cash-hit parents prepare to send their children back to school in mid-May. Officials say they have seldom seen so many people on Phuket in need of assistance, with more than 4000 people seeking to pawn items at just one pawn shop in the first three weeks of April.


smh.com.au If you're thinking about a resort holiday, now is a great time to book. Resort destinations are battling it out for Australian travellers, resulting in rock-bottom deals for Fiji, Bali and Phuket. ''Many are discounting their prices to levels we've never seen before,'' says the general manager, brand, of travel.com.au, Lisa Ferrari. ''Many Aussies would be surprised to see where their travel budgets can take them. Australians can head off to neighboring countries for under $1000.''


smh.com.au Ireland ordered a new flight ban for six hours as ash from an Icelandic volcano drifted towards it, while a small section of British airspace was closed. The new alerts should not disrupt aircraft overflying Ireland from Britain or Europe, or southern British airports including Heathrow, Europe's busiest air hub, authorities in the two countries said. Most passengers left stranded by the closure of European airspace after the Iceland volcanic eruption have been returned to their original destinations, airlines say.


kyodo.co.jp Thailand's Finance Ministry said it has moved a total of 49 billion baht ($1.5 billion) in funds from numerous accounts owned by family members of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after he was convicted two months ago of being unusually rich.


telegraph.co.uk The lone surviving gunman involved in the Mumbai attacks in which 166 people died is facing the death penalty after being convicted mass murder and waging war on India. Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, 22, was jointly responsible for the assault on the railway station where 52 people were gunned down. He was convicted on 86 charges of waging war against India, possessing explosives and aiding and abetting the murders of all 166 victims.


firstshowing.net The director's aim for a new movie about the 2004 tsunami in Phuket and the Andaman ''is to recreate this natural disaster through a script with hints of horror and mystery and large doses of science fiction.'' So a fictional sci-fi/horror film centered around the devastating tsunami in Thailand? This already sounds better than Clint Eastwood's new film that touches on the tsunami as well. Summit may be positioning this as a strong Oscar contender sometime next year.


smh.com.au An Australian senator has encouraged smokers to keep up their habit, saying smokers die early and save the health system money. Liberal powerbroker Nick Minchin has slammed the plan to increase the tax on cigarettes as he told smokers to: ''Go for it''. ''They die early, they actually save us money,'' Senator Minchin told ABC television.


wsj.com Like a jet cutting across a clear blue sky, a merger between UAL's United Airlines and Continental Airlines could be seen coming miles off. And no wonder. Announced synergies, when taxed and capitalised at 10 times, equate to two-thirds or more of the airlines' combined market capitalisation.


hindustantimes.com Seventy six fresh cases of H1N1 influenza have been confirmed in Malaysia, where over 80 people have died of the swine flu virus since May last year, authorities have said. The latest 76 are among the 592 people who were admitted for the suspected virus on Saturday evening.

straitstimes.com A four-year-old Indonesian girl has died from the H1N1 bird flu virus and three other people in the area - who did not have contact with the child - are being tested for the virus, an official said. With a death toll to date of 136, Indonesia has the highest number of deaths from the virus of any country globally. The girl lived in Sumatra.


foxnews.com What you wear underneath your clothes matters - no matter how long you've been together. Why? Slip on something naughty underneath your clothes and it will be hard not to think about getting your hands on your partner when you get home. No matter how you feel about your body, pretty, lacy, racy things can improve your point of view.



Until May 4 a local products show called 'The Best Thai Products' will be held at Saphan Hin public park in Phuket City. About 250 products are on display, with food available.
May 4 from 6pm at Friendship Beach in Rawai, tribute will be paid by musicians who played with Ton Kelsey-Stead.
May 7 Two welcoming events by Phuket Navy League for crews on US warships.
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 21-23 Paragliding on Phuket.
June 4-13 Phuket International Film Festival, Coliseum Cineplex, Phuket City.
June 13 Laguna Phuket International Marathon. Fun runs, too.
July 21-25 Phuket Six Senses Race Week, Evason, Rawai
December 4-11 Phuket King's Cup Regatta

2011
February 9-13 The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi