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

smh.com.au Few of the world's recent kings have had such a muted send-off from their own people as Mahmood Iskandar of Malaysia, who died on January 22, at his palace in Johor, aged 77. Iskandar was Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or king, between 1984 and 1989 under the country's peculiar monarchy, where the nine traditional Malay sultans take turns as head of state. An official statement paid tribute to Iskandar's '''priceless contributions during his lifetime'''. It was left to Malaysian bloggers - now being hunted down by the powerful political police, the Special Branch - to mention what every Malaysian knows. In 1987 a caddie at the Cameron Highlands golf club was unwise enough to laugh when Iskandar missed a putt. The king clubbed the man to death. The news was suppressed and at the time, all the Malaysian royals had legal immunity. Hotels and clubs around Johor would hide their young female staff when Johor royals turned up.

washintonpost.com Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden has called for the world to boycott American goods and the US dollar, blaming the US and other industrialised countries for global warming, according to a new audiotape. In the tape, broadcast in part on Al-Jazeera television, bin Laden warned of the dangers of climate change and says that the way to stop it is to bring ''the wheels of the American economy'' to a halt.

bangkokpost.com The Ministry of Transport will next week call a meeting of representatives from the Industry Ministry, airline operators, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Traffic Policy and Planning Office to discuss ways to utilise the abandoned airports in several provinces. ''The meeting will discuss how the state can maximise benefits from existing resources. We will look into the problems and then make a report and recommendations to the Joint Public and Private Committee and the cabinet for consideration,'' Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum said.

afp Microsoft founder Bill Gates announced that his Foundation will commit $10 billion over the next decade to research and deliver vaccines to the world's poorest countries. ''We must make this the decade of vaccines,'' said Gates at the World Economic Forum in Davos. ''Vaccines already save and improve millions of lives in developing countries. Innovation will make it possible to save more children than ever before.''

straitstimes.com Telecommunications giants SingTel and Starhub could be cut out of broadcasting the soccer World Cup, forcing fans to view matches live on the internet unless a deadlock over rights fees can be resolved. The two largest telcos in the city-state put in a joint bid to world soccer's governing body Fifa for the right to screen the June 11-July 11 extravaganza, but their offer fell short of the asking price.

smh.com.au Travellers to the US who have not registered their details online via a US Embassy will not be allowed to board flights from Australia [and possibly elsewhere ] from March 20. The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation replaced the visa system a year ago but up until now travellers who hadn't registered online were permitted to fill in a landing card on US-bound flights. But the Department of Homeland Security has announced it will fine airlines that let passengers without electronic authorisation on board.

straitstimes.com telecommunications giants SingTel and Starhub could be cut out of broadcasting the soccer World Cup, forcing fans to view matches live on the internet unless a deadlock over rights fees can be resolved. The two largest telcos in the city-state put in a joint bid to world soccer's governing body Fifa for the right to screen the June 11-July 11 extravaganza, but their offer fell short of the asking price.



January 30 The ABC nursery in Rawai will hold a charity day of fun for children from 2.30pm to 5pm Saturday, with the 250 baht entrance fee going to benefit Haiti. Parents are invited to bake cakes for the cake stand. Donations are also being sought from local businesses for the raffle. Contact Lesley on 089 9711 813.

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

January 31-February 4 Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and other warships anchor off Phuket for shore leave.

February 2 Welcome by the Phuket Navy League for senior officers and crew from US vessels. 7pm-9pm, BBQ Hut Smokehouse, Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong (opposite the Mercure). Cost is 200 baht for members and 400 baht for visitors. E: info@navyleaguephuket.org

February 3-7 Phang Nga Bay Regatta. More than 60 yachts are expected to enter in six classes. More information: http://www.bayregatta.com

February 5-14 Phuket OTOP (one village, one product) Fair at Saphan Hin public park in Phuket City. About 300 booths, nightly performances, local and national products, good food. Hundreds of visitors expected each evening.

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

February 13-19 Chalong Temple Fair.

February 14 Valentines Day, Chinese New Year.

February 19-21 Baba Lights Up, Old Phuket Town.

February 25-28 Phuket Gay Festival in Patong.

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.

May31-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 Date to be finalised for Muay Thai kickboxing competition at Laguna Phuket.

June 4-13 Phuket International Film Festival.