A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective. Reports from national and international media, with translations into English from Thai.

radiofiji.com.fj Ousted Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra (Sinawatra in this original report) is eyeing Fiji. His entourage arrived on a private jet on Monday and sources say he was accorded full VIP treatment. The Thai politician, wanted on corruption charges, reportedly met (strongman-PM) Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama as well as other local government officials. Whether the Thai leader offered an investment package to Fiji in return for being accorded a safe haven could not be established. According to Pacnews his private plane stopped for refueling in Kuala Lumpur and Port Moresby before flying down south to Nadi's international airport. Shinawatra spent the night at Suva's luxurious Holiday Inn hotel before he flew out on Tuesday. One media report said the Thai billionaire was offering an investment package of US$280 million in return for asylum. Fiji does not have an extradition treaty with Thailand.

theaustralian.news.com.au Fugitive billionaire former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra flew in his Learjet to Fiji for a secret meeting with the controversial prime minister and military commander Frank Bainimarama. Informed sources in Fiji say Mr Thaksin is considering investing $300 million in the country. In return, he would probably be assured safety there from extradition. Mr Thaksin used an assumed name to enter Fiji, although his true identity was known to the authorities, who approved his visit in advance. The Thai government has cancelled Mr Thaksin's Thai passport, and says he is currently using a passport issued by Montenegro. Mr Thaksin was believed to be heading next for Tonga and then to Port Vila in Vanuatu. The Fiji economy is in considerable trouble, with tourism in a downward spiral globally as a result of the economic downturn.

the nation While a suggestion of closing Thailand's borders has been rejected, the Public Health Ministry has proposed closing all Internet cafes and tutorial schools for two weeks to prevent H1N1 spreading. PM Abhisit Vejjajiva said: ''The measures will be forwarded to get Cabinet's approval on Thursday.'' Cabinet meets on Thursday not Tuesday because of the long holiday.

foreignpolicy.com After missing two overseas trips due to surgery to repair a broken elbow, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plans to deliver a major foreign-policy speech at the Council of Foreign Relations in Washington next week before departing for India and the Asean conference on Phuket on Friday, July 17, aides say. At a media conference after meeting with ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, Clinton jokingly showed off the State Department seal on the black arm sling (her hard cast was removed last week), and mentioned the intensive physical therapy regime she is subject to, six times a week, for the next six to eight weeks.

bangkok post The Thai Hotels Association (THA) wants the government to allow liquor and alcoholic beverage sales in hotels during long holidays to keep business afloat during the economic downturn. The hoteliers acknowledge this may upset religious and anti-alcohol groups that want to permanently ban alcohol consumption over long holidays. THA president Prakit Chinamourphong said: ''Foreigners, particularly Europeans and Americans, normally drink wine or liquor during their meals. It is their culture. They know how to drink and won't get drunk like many Thais. The government should consider this issue.'' Average hotel occupancy nationwide has declined to 50 percent compared to 70 percent last year. ''We hope the government will put information on the tourism calendar year about what holidays have bans on alcohol sales to inform tourists.''


bloomberg.com In a major assessment of Thailand, William Mellor and Daniel Ten Kate emphasise the importance of HM the King yet find that even amid chaos, some investors see opportunity in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy behind Indonesia. As of July 7, Thailand's stock index had surged 30 percent this year compared with a 0.8 decline in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. During the same period, overseas investors increased their shareholdings by a net $621.4 million after being net sellers of $4.8 billion in stocks last year. Publicly traded companies in Thailand are trading at just 11 times estimated 2009 earnings, making them the second- cheapest in Asia after Pakistan. They currently offer a dividend yield that averages 4.7 percent compared with 3 percent for US stocks. That makes Thailand a buy, says Marc Faber, who manages $300 million in Asian shares at Hong Kong-based Marc Faber Ltd. Jaran Ditapichai, a Red Shirt leader, sums up: ''Thailand has a bonsai democracy. Whenever it grows up, someone cuts it back.''

wsj.com Gap Inc. says it has inked an agreement to enter Thailand by next spring, making its latest foray into another country as US sales remain weak. The company has 100 namesake and 34 Banana Republic franchise stores in 17 countries. The Thailand deal is with marketer Armin Systems Ltd., which Gap said has a ''deep understanding of the marketplace.'' Gap has stores in Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore. As of May 2, the company, which is the largest independent retailer, had 3149 locations. In May, the company said it planned to open about 50 stores and close about 100 this fiscal year.

cnn.com General Motors Corp. (GM) says that its operations in Thailand are expected to continue without interruption following a US judge's approval of the sale of most of GM's assets. ''The launch of the new GM will have a positive impact on GM's operations across Thailand/Asean,'' Steve Carlisle, president of General Motors' Southeast Asia operations, said in a statement. GM operates a plant in the eastern Thai seaboard province of Rayong, which last year produced a total of 104,461 vehicles. It expects to produce only 45, 000 vehicles this year due to low demand.

voa.com Ron Corben writes that Thailand has undergone a quiet revolution as satellite broadcasters and the Internet have challenged traditional broadcast outlets to lead the political debate. ''There are concerns the government now wants to undercut these new challengers,'' he writes. Backers of former PN Thaksin Shinawatra have created Democratic TV - DTV to broadcast their rallies via the Internet and small community radio stations. Media activist Supinya Klangnarong says the fight over media freedom has shifted away from print to the Internet. She says about 1000 Web sites have been blocked, and that people convicted of breaching the Internet laws could face prison. PM Abhisit Vejjajiva has said he wants to promote Thailand as a hub of regional press freedom. Mr. Abhisit says the government will try to avoid shutting down web sites, especially those deemed offensive to the monarchy, but instead take legal action against them.

abclocal.go.com The Chicago Thai Festival, now in its seventh year, is a celebration of all the elements that comprise the culture. Thai singer and performer Todd Tongdee flew from Thailand to perform at Wednesday's opening ceremony at Daley Plaza. He is scheduled to perform again each day of the festival. Today through July 10 attendees can enjoy dance performances, Muy Thai boxing demonstrations, massages, shopping and fresh tropical fruits.


Phuket H1N1 Death: Campus Closes for Cleaning
Updated Report Prince of Songkla University is to stay closed for two extra holidays so dormitories can be sanitised following the first island death of a student from H1N1.
Phuket H1N1 Death: Campus Closes for Cleaning

Turmoil as Patong Klong Earmarked for Resort
Photo Album A Phuket landmark is to vanish under a plan to convert a wide estuary klong in Patong into a canal and exclude longtails. A resort is to be constructed on the site.
Turmoil as Patong Klong Earmarked for Resort

Phuket Lashed by Torrential Storm, Flooding
Photo Album Can an island be wet and dry at the same time? Yes if it's Phuket, where an alcohol ban today was accompanied by a furious downpour.
Phuket Lashed by Torrential Storm, Flooding

Phuket Big Buddha Celebration: Photo Special
Photo Album In a display of the remarkable diversity on Phuket, hundreds of traditional Mon people flock to the Big Buddha to mark one of the year's most significant Buddhist holy days.
Phuket Big Buddha Celebration: Photo Special

N Korea Fires July 4 Missiles: Phuket Talks Follow
Update With regional security talks on Phuket looming, North Korea defies UN sanctions and fires more missiles, coinciding with the July 4 US Independence Day holiday.
N Korea Fires July 4 Missiles: Phuket Talks Follow


MediaWATCH: Phuket Bid for N Korea Nuke Talks
News Digest Thailand tries for nuclear talks on Phuket with North Korea; Michael Jackson in one glove farewell; Thai PAD FM will not quit; new WHO tack on swine flu, H1N1.
MediaWATCH: Phuket Bid for N Korea Nuke Talks

MediaWATCH: Phuket Security 'Starts Thursday'
News Digest The Phuket Asean security clamp begins on July 9, say reports; All set for Jackson's thriller; Jobless vote in Indonesia; viet war architect dies; Jetstar at war.
MediaWATCH: Phuket Security 'Starts Thursday'

MediaWATCH: FM Faces Police Scrutiny
News Digest Thailand's Foreign Minister pressured over PAD protest and Asean summit on Phuket; North Korea vessel due home; Federer wins Wimbledon; Burma unmoved; black box found.
MediaWATCH: FM Faces Police Scrutiny