Phuketwan MediaWATCH
A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective and reports from national and international media.
The Nation The number of visitors to Thailand will expand 10-15 percent next year to 14.5-15 million thanks to global economic recovery, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. It also expects the sector to generate higher income, in line with the rising number of tourists. Tourism income should rise 10-15 percent to 500-530 billion baht.
Bangkok Post The downturn in air traffic through Thailand's main airports, including Suvarnabhumi Airport, shows signs of having bottomed out, with August's figures tipping into the black for the first time in eight months. Passenger traffic last month edged up by 2.44 percent over the same month last year to 4.62 million, while flight movements rose by 5.4 percent to 30,638, according to statistics from the Airports of Thailand Plc.
Associated Press Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says the US and Europe seem to be moving toward engaging Burma instead of just imposing sanctions on the military-run country. Thailand shares a long border with Burma and believes that talking with the country's military leaders is the best way to secure the release of political prisoners. Lawmakers in the US favor harsh sanctions, although the Obama administration is reviewing a policy that officials acknowledge has failed.
smh.com.au Sydneysiders awoke to a red haze after strong winds brought large amounts of dust from outback central Australia and dumped it on the city. Sydneysiders could be seen wearing masks today. NSW Director of Environmental Health Wayne Smith warned people to avoid outdoor exercise today. ''It's quite extraordinary ... I've lived in Sydney for 53 years and never seen anything like this before,'' he said.
afp A Russian court has sentenced members of a youth gang led by a teenage girl to jail terms of up to 10 years for a spate of brutal attacks on foreigners in Moscow in 2008. The verdicts were the latest convictions of young people for racist attacks in Russia and come amid growing concern over the frequency of attacks on non-Slavic foreigners in the country
scmp.com The Far Eastern Economic Review, which for decades chronicled a region beset by revolutions, civil strife and authoritarian regimes, will cease publishing in December. Its parent company, Dow Jones, says it will close the magazine to ''focus on its core publications'' and so that ''opinion and commentary resources from Asia can be expanded across all Dow Jones properties''. A statement noted that continued losses in advertising revenue and readers ''is now unsustainable''.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk After the confessions by Renault of fixing the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, wouldn't it be ironic if they emerged winners when what is fast becoming an F1 circus returns there on Sunday. Renault should have been sidelined for the rest of the current campaign, not given a permanent ban suspended for two years, which is virtually meaningless.
cbsnews.com With the world at a moment with ''great promise but also with great peril,'' the mission of the Clinton Global Initiative is more critical than ever, President Obama said at the opening of the organisation's annual meeting in New York City. ''We need a new spirit of global partnership,'' the president said. ''I hope that is the spirit that guides my administration.'' The Global Initiative was founded by former President Bill Clinton in 2005.
southfloridabizjournals.com Hard Rock International and Hotel Properties Ltd. are opening new properties in Malaysia: the Hard Rock Hotel Penang and Hard Rock Cafe Penang. Hard Rock Hotel Penang sits on five acres along the beaches of Batu Ferringhi on the northern coast of Penang. The six-storey hotel recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation, which now includes 233 rooms and 17 suites, a full-service spa and the Hard Rock Cafe Penang.
meetpie.com Conference and event organisers work up to 17 hours a day during busy periods and some have worked 72 hours without sleep during events, according to the British Meetings & Events Industry Survey 2009. On average, the corporate event organisers work longer shifts during busy periods than their counterparts from the association sector but conference organisers from the not-for-profit sector can also work up to 15 hours a day. The survey interviewed 600 people.
Phuketwan Phuket News
US Warships Anchor! Phuket's All Set to Rumble
Photo Album The USS Ronald Reagan anchors off Phuket with other US warships and a stream of sailors begin heading for the island. It's a bonus for tourism after a lean low season.
US Warships Anchor! Phuket's All Set to Rumble
Thailand 'Deadliest' for Aussies: Cause is Secret
Latest Figures released by the Australian government show Thailand to be the most deadly destination for its citizens. But why? After two weeks of trying, Phuketwan still has no answers.
Thailand 'Deadliest' for Aussies: Cause is Secret
Patong Jet-Ski Insurance Co-op 'the Answer'
Latest Twin invasions of US warships and ladyboys liven up Phuket with the jet ski scam heightening concern. Here's how one Patong businessman would fix jet skis for good.
Patong Jet-Ski Insurance Co-op 'the Answer'
US Warships Visit Brings Ladyboy Crime Invaders
Phuketwan Exclusive The visit by USS Ronald Reagan and other US warships to Phuket has triggered an invasion by ladyboys, bent on a crime wave. Here's what one of their first victims has to say.
US Warships Visit Brings Ladyboy Crime Invaders
More Cameras to Protect Phuket Against Crime
Latest Cameras are becoming an increasingly popular weapon or witness to deter crime on Phuket. And it's hoped some may help keep gridlock at bay, too.
More Cameras to Protect Phuket Against Crime
Don't Kill Yourselves: Vice Gov's Jet-Ski Warning
Updated Report: Photo Album A vice governor issues a warning at the second crisis meeting of jet ski operators on Phuket, with Wanai 'JJ' Naiman among those who attended.
Don't Kill Yourselves: Vice Gov's Jet-Ski Warning
Time for All Honest Thais to Act to Stop Corruption
Latest Thailand's tourism image has been tarnished because corruption is tolerated, and it will be tarnished over and over again unless honest Thais act to stop the thieves.
Time for All Honest Thais to Act to Stop Corruption
Patong, Rawai Fail Phuket's Clean Beach Tests
Pollution Chart Album Experts survey all 23 Phuket beaches and report on which ones are most severely polluted. Patong and Rawai are at one end of the scale, Kata and Karon at the other.
Patong, Rawai Fail Phuket's Clean Beach Tests
Phuket Set to Party on Karon: September 25-26
Beach Party A 22 million baht dance party is being held for free on Phuket's Karon beach this coming weekend, the biggest event of its kind seen on the island.
Phuket Set to Party on Karon: September 25-26
