bbc.co.uk Tsunami warnings in Australia are to be reviewed after thousands of beachgoers shrugged off alerts following Chile's huge earthquake. Lifeguards struggled to clear beaches in Queensland and New South Wales as people either returned to the water or came down to watch the tsunami arrive.


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

afp Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Saturday used his Twitter page to call on his supporters to join a mass anti-government rally, after a court seized most of his fortune. Thaksin's loyal red shirts will gather in Bangkok on March 14 to demand the return of the populist leader, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006, and that the government quit. ''I would like to urge those who love democracy, justice, equality, and those who think that I have been bullied without mercy and humanity, to join the rally,'' wrote Thaksin.

bangkokpost.com Intelligence reports have indicated the possibility of sabotage taking place next weekend when the red shirt movement holds a large-scale anti-government protest in Bangkok, PM Abhisit Vejjajiva said. He said he had received intelligence reports warning about acts of sabotage intended to instigate unrest from Friday to Sunday, but he declined to go into detail.

nationmultimedia.com Red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong claimed that some 20,000 Buddhist monks would join the protest organised by the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship next weekend. He said the monks would come from temples like Dhammakaya, Kaew Fah and many others in the North, Notheastern and Central region of the country.

Phuketwan Update Phuket's media turned out in force on Friday to celebrate at the annual media party, with the Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob, his wife, Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation chief executive Paiboon Upatising and Phuket's Chief of Police, Major General Pekad Tantipong, handing out prizes and joining in the fun. The theme was keeping Phuket clean and green. If the media don't get it, nobody else ever will. Check out the Phuketwan photo album above.

voanews.com A rights group has called on Thailand to investigate the use of lethal force by Thai soldiers against Burmese migrants, allegedly resulting in the deaths of three children. New York-based Human Rights Watch said that Thai soldiers fired on a truck carrying 13 undocumented migrant workers from Burma on February 25 after the driver failed to stop for inspection. Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW, said the soldiers who fired into the truck, apparently without concern for who could be killed or wounded, need to face the consequences.

Associated Press A group calling itself ''al-Qaida in Aceh'' claimed to be the target of a police crackdown in the Indonesian province, where authorities have arrested and charged suspected militants with planning terrorist attacks. In a statement posted on the blog hosting site WordPress.com, the group said it had survived the police crackdown and pledged to continue its jihad against ''Zionist Jews and Christians and apostates.'' Later Saturday, WordPress blocked access to the blog for violating its terms of service.

thehill.com Groups of protesters have been gathering in several major Indonesian cities to protest President Barack Obama's visit to the country in two weeks, saying that he has not changed the US war policies of President George W. Bush.

hotelsmag.com Centara Hotels and Resorts has acquired the management of Astudo Hotels and Resorts, effective April 1. Currently operating seven resorts in Thailand with a further five hotels to open in Thailand and the Philippines, the portfolio of Astudo is a valuable addition to the Centara network, the company says. ''We have been looking for an opportunity to expand our Boutique Collection brand, and many of the Astudo properties fit perfectly here,'' says Centara President Gerd Steeb. ''In addition, the majority of resorts are in locations where Centara operates larger 4- and 5-star properties, so excellent synergies will deliver significant cost benefits to the combined operation.''

bernama Singapore is expected to receive 11.5 million to 12.5 million visitors and S$17.5 billion to S$18.5 billion in tourism receipts this year, according to the Singapore Tourism Board. The board said the optimistic forecasts for Singapore came on the back of a positive outlook for the tourism industry globally this year, with Asia expected to lead the growth, as well as a rebound in the performance of the country's tourism sector seen in the final quarter of 2009.

Associated Press A Malaysian magazine has apologised for upsetting Christians after it published an article researched by two Muslims who pretended to be Roman Catholics and took Communion in a church. The Al Islam magazine said in a statement that the article had ''unintentionally hurt the feelings of Christians, especially Catholics.''



Until March 20 Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn Fair at Thalang Victory Memorial Park, near the Heroines' Monument.
Until March 20 Annual French Gastronomy Festival at The Boathouse. Wine Chef Jean-Noel Lumineau, Thailand's only Maitre Cuisinier de France, treats discerning diners to exceptional French food.
March 7 Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob departs for ITB Berlin
March 13 "Lords (land) Last Barbecue Supper'' a Don's Mall in Rawai closes.
March 19 Phuket Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AusCham) Sundowners at Paresa Resort at Cape Sol, Kamala. 3.30 pm Seminar on sustainable/green development. Drinks 6pm.
April 3 Attempt on the mass dive record, Thai Muang, Phang Nga, 11am. Details: 076-411388.
April 9-13 Phuket Bike Week, including tattoo competitions, island rides and the Miss Phuket Bike Week contest.
April 14 Phuket Cricket Sixes begin.
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 Date to be finalised for Muay Thai kickboxing competition at Laguna Phuket.
May 21-23 Paragliding on Phuket.
June 4-13 Phuket International Film Festival.