THE PM and MPs rocked with laughter today as the Speaker struggled to find the right words to signify that a vote was required after two days of censure motions against the government. The first censure motion was defeated 246-186.

Reuters Protesters have vowed to return to the streets but with most of their leaders detained or in hiding, it could take months to revive their campaign.


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

ACCORDING to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the number of international passenger arriving at Phuket International Airport rose by 61.15 percent to 88,126 in the period from May 1 to May 28. ''Since January, the number of international passengers arriving at Phuket International Airport showed good growth: 35 percent in January, 70 percent in February, 39 percent in March and 39 percent in April,'' the TAT says in a recovery promotional handout.
''Phuket is Thailand's largest island and most popular international beach resort. It is now the country's second largest international gateway by air and has become a major hub for regional flights from the Asean countries and Australia. It is also attracting numerous charters from Europe.''
Figures for April and May are being compared with 2009, when the red invasion of an Asean gathering in Pattaya triggered a dramatic decline in tourism.

swedishwire.com Sweden lifted its warning against all travel to protest-hit Bangkok. At the height of protests in Bangkok last month, Sweden warned its citizens against all travel to the Thai capital. Both Finland and Denmark however continued to advise visitors to Bangkok to ''exercise particular caution'' and to avoid demonstrations. Norway's foreign ministry maintained its warning against all non-essential travel to the city.

Associated Press British Airways cabin crew have launched a new five-day strike as a bitter dispute with management over pay and working conditions drags on. BA said flights on Sunday to and from Heathrow, one of Europe's busiest hubs, would be affected by the walkout. But the carrier said it could operate more than half of its services because more cabin crew than expected had decided to cross the picket line.

bloomberg.com Matthew Lynn writes: This month Rupert Murdoch will try to redesign the way the internet works by putting up a paywall around two British newspapers, The Times and The Sunday Times. It's too late to start charging for newspapers online. Newspapers have spent too much time blaming new technology for their decline and not enough examining what they offer readers.

abc.net.au Thailand's government has denied allegations it is attempting to cover up the true number of people killed in recent civil unrest. Protesters allege that the death toll is higher than the official figure and the Mirror Foundation NGO claims that at least 39 people remain unaccounted for. There have been a number of reports from protesters of the military removing bodies during dispersal of the rally in Bangkok almost two weeks ago.

Associated Press PM Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would accept the findings of an independent investigation into a deadly army crackdown on red shirt protesters. Abhisit has been accused by his political opponents of violating human rights in the tense standoff between the demonstrators and armed troops, who fired live rounds during confrontations.

wsj.com Government of Singapore Investment Corp. is among a handful of cash-rich buyers seeking to buy Grosvenor House Hotel, a London landmark, from Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC. The hotel was expected to fetch a record price for a European hotel with a price tag of about $727.1 million. The property, a five-star establishment with 494 rooms over eight floors, has been operated by JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts since 2008.

asiaone.com According to the World Health Organisation, cigarette consumption in Indonesia soared 47 percent in the 1990s. Almost 70 percent of men over 20 years of age smoke, and regular smoking among boys aged 15 to 19 increased from 36.8 percent in 1997 to 42.6 percent in 2000. Anti-smoking initiatives have floundered. In the absence of tough government regulations, Muslim clerics recently issued a fatwa against smoking.

nytimes.com Al and Tipper Gore's announcement that they would be separating after 40 years together underscores, yet again, a basic truism about any marriage, particularly political ones: You just never know.

telegraph.co.uk Five female presenters have resigned from the Arabic news channel al-Jazeera after being accused of not dressing modestly enough. The women complained about harassment from a senior editor, whom they accused of making ''offensive remarks'' about their appearance. The presenters - some of the best-known faces in the Middle East - quit after the channel refused to back them.

reuters.com Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrives in Burma this week to discuss trade, security and the military-run country's coming elections. Energy-rich but diplomatically isolated Burma is preparing to roll out the red carpet for Beijing which has proved a staunch ally and reliable source of funds and arms.

globaltvbc.com A Canadian judge otightened the bail conditions of a 59-year-old international art dealer who pleaded guilty last month to 15 sex tourism offences. The Crown, which will seek up to 12 years in prison for Klassen, was concerned the sex offender posed a risk to flee the country before sentencing. Klassen pleaded guilty last Friday to 15 counts, including 14 counts of sexual interference of young girls - eight in Cambodia and six in Colombia - under the age of 14. It is the third sex tourism case prosecuted in Canada.

hindustantimes.com Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced a cabinet reshuffle by making ethnic Indian leader Palanivel a deputy minister and bringing in several members from minority ethnic parties. The reshuffle, involving 12 ministries, will see more figures from parties representing ethnic Chinese and Indians.



smh.com.au Australia 1 Demark 0. A competitive Danish team gave Australia a testing, but ultimately a first taste of victory in Africa thanks to Josh Kennedy's second-half goal.

bbc.co.uk Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was the surprise omission from Fabio Capello's 23-man England World Cup squad. Darren Bent, Adam Johnson, Scott Parker, Michael Dawson, Leighton Baines and Tom Huddlestone also miss out.

dailymail.co.uk West Ham striker Benni McCarthy was left out of South Africa's World Cup squad for being overweight. Brazil have named their final squad with coach Dunga retaining the 23 players already preparing for the tournament. Ivory Coast boss Sven Goran Eriksson has picked six strikers, including Chelsea pair Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou. Germany have axed Andreas Beck from their squad. Ex-coach Jurgen Klinsmann has tipped Spain to win the Cup.





Until 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.
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