Forbes.com Soldiers in full combat gear garrisoned the Thai capital's central business district Tuesday as thousands of anti-government protesters nearby threatened to disrupt Bangkok with a major rally. Leaders of the red shirt protesters said they would stage an ''important'' demonstration Tuesday but did not disclose specific plans.


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

bloomberg.com European airspace that was closed by the volcanic eruption in Iceland will reopen to flights today after transport ministers said planes could fly through thinner parts of the ash plume. Operations in areas where dust is detected will be assessed by the UK's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, which will also determine which zones are entirely safe and which should remain closed because of the potential threat to aircraft engines.

scmp.com The huge cloud of volcanic ash that has cut off much of Europe from the rest of the world is choking the global supply chain and leaving import-dependent economies such as Hong Kong's without the supplies and means to do business. In a stark reminder of how vulnerable and dependent the global economy is on air transport, the disruption to European air traffic is not only stranding travellers but quickly depleting the food and flower supplies of hotels and restaurants.

cnn.com The volcanic eruption strengthened Tuesday, and ''a new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK,'' Britain's air traffic control services said in a statement. ''This demonstrates the dynamic and rapidly changing conditions in which we are working.''

investors.com The disruption of European air travel due to Iceland volcano ash has cost airlines more than $1 billon, the International Air Transport Association estimated, topping the financial impact of the three-day closure of US airspace after 9/11. EU carriers suffered most, and US airline losses may top $100 million Many EU carriers plan to resume flights Tuesday.

eglobaltravelnews.com.au Allan Zeman's Andara Resort & Villas Phuket has hit the coveted Conde Nast Traveler (US) Hot List for 2010. The Hot List is published on Conde Nast's website and will also be featured in the May issue of the magazine. Conde Nast's Hot List is the one of the International travel industry's most prestigious selections of best new hotels of the past 12 months.

Phuketwan Update The Prime Minister of Georgia, ????????????????????Nikoloz ''Nika'' Gilauri, is to pay a visit to Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob, on Tuesday. With him will be his wife and Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Trairong Suwankiri.

australiannetworknews.com Analysts say the six-week red protest has evolved into a dangerous standoff between the army and a rogue military faction that supports the red shirts and includes retired generals allied with twice-elected and now fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

nationmultimedia.com Hong Kong travel agents extended a ban on all tours to Bangkok until April 29 because of continuing political violence in the Thai capital. The decision was announced after a meeting by the city's Association of Travel Agents and extended an existing ban, which was due to expire Wednesday. A black alert, the highest level of travel warning from the Hong Kong government, has been in place for three weeks.

nationmultimedia.com The Holiday Inn Bangkok has become the first city hotel to shut down temporarily, after occupancy in the Rajprasong area was driven down to as low as two per cent by the political protest. ''All are in bad shape as there are no tourists coming to the country,'' said Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotels Association.

todayonline.com After being stranded for four days at Changi airport, there was a silver lining for Joe and Janet Richardson, a mother and son from Britain. An expat from Hong Kong living in Singapore - who only wanted to be known as Mrs Robinson - learned of their plight, and offered to put them up. The Britons, who had spent a month holidaying in Perth, were caught unprepared and short of cash when their flight home to Manchester was cancelled, and had been staying at the airport.

nytimes.com After months of hearings and protests from both sides, Indonesia's Constitutional Court ruled that a 45-year-old law banning religious blasphemy was constitutional and would remain on the books. The 1965 decree allows the attorney general's office to ban religious groups that ''distort'' or ''misrepresent'' official faiths and calls for up to five years in prison for anyone found guilty of heresy. The law also limits the number of officially recognised religions in Indonesia to six: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism.



On April 23 A 1001 Arabian Nights @ Sienna Rocks evening of fashion, entertainment and food is being held at the Cape Sienna Resort, Phuketwan's Resort of the Year 2009, from 6pm. The charity evening aims to raise money for 25 scholarships for underprivileged Thai students through the Phuket Asia Foundation. Tickets cost 500 baht, with the first two drinks free. For details, telephone 076-337300 or E: siennanews@capesienna.com

On April 23 Mom Tri's Kitchen Dinner Theatre at the Ville Royale hosts the Andaman Players 'Love is a 4 Letter Word' plus three-course dinner. Bookings 076 333568.

April 22 Phuket's Clean Beach campaign returns with monthly volunteer efforts designed to keep Phuket sparkling
April 28 GreenLOVE festival to raise awareness about local and international environmental issues and solutions, British International School 8am-3pm.
April 30 Lions Club Of Phuket Pearl is holding a jazz concert and dance night, performed by children from the Phuket Academy of Dance, at the Royal Phuket Marina. Details: 081 477 0342.
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 Annual Phuket seafood festival.
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, Coliseum Cineplex, Phuket City.
June 13 Laguna Phuket International Marathon. Fun runs, too.
December 4-11 Phuket King's Cup Regatta