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

bbc television intro ''Welcome to Bangkok. They call it the Land of Smiles.''

bangkokpost.com Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is vowing to press on with efforts to secure the capital as the army warns of a crackdown after a day of urban warfare which pushed the death toll to 25. Mr Abhisit last night declared there would be no turning back. Yesterday's fighting took place as the reds attempted to reopen their supply lines.

nationmultimedia.com The government, which wasted almost 60 days failing to implement containment, was making up for lost time, and clumsily so. Both sides have talked about saving lives, but never seem to mean it. Egos and vested interests still dictate events while compassion and a sense of nationhood have gone missing.

timeslive.co.za The violence has devastated Bangkok's tourism industry. Hoteliers have slashed prices by up to 70 percent, but hotels are reporting occupancies of 10 percent. Thousands have cancelled plans to visit resorts in Phuket, Chiang Mai and Samui, even though they are hundreds of kilometres from Bangkok and free of disturbances. Phuket, where there is no chance of any political disturbance, is holding out better. Tourism of Thailand officials revealed this week that hotel occupancies were running at 40 percent, as opposed to the expected 70 percent.


Thailand violence ratchets up as country looks on brink of civil war - Scotsman

scotsman.com The army says its troops are not shooting to kill, but protesters, during a lull in clashes, crawled along pavements to slowly drag away corpses of three people near the city's Victory Monument. In his first comments since the latest violence erupted, PM Abhisit defended the army's actions. ''We cannot retreat because we are doing things that will benefit the entire country,'' he said. ''Let them come,'' said one red shirt, brandishing a bamboo spear.

nytimes.com Thomas Fuller writes: If any one idea can sum up the troubles, it is that Thailand's politics have failed to develop as fast as its rising wealth. Bangkok today has many more high-rise condominiums and much more luxury than the city I knew 15 years ago, but is plagued by its dysfunctional politics. Is there any other city in the world today that has so many cloth-napkin restaurants, spas - and periodic grenade attacks?

theage.com.au The red shirts have rocks and petrol bombs, made from energy-drink bottles, stashed to hurl at troops. They also have litres of motor vehicle oil and mung beans to make the road slippery. Further inside the camp, sources say, the red shirts have dozens of M79 grenades ready to launch if the camp itself is attacked.

guardian.co.uk Thailand's British-educated PM gained office without winning an election, so lacks the legitimacy of an endorsement at the polls. If he cannot end the confrontation without more bloodshed, it seems clear he will have to stand down. Perhaps he should do so anyway.

cnn.com Then another crack from somewhere. Another person hit. This time it's a woman. She is bleeding but conscious. There is no way to know for sure who exactly is doing the shooting but neither of the people we saw injured were armed.

cfr.org The violent tactics of the security forces reveal real weakness. Unable to trust its forces for a commando raid or a thorough nonviolent removal of demonstrators, the military has turned to brute force, which is actually easier to apply than sophisticated crowd control.

nationmultimedia.com The Pathumwan District Court sentenced 27 protesters to six months in jail, Department of Special Investigation Director-General Tharit Pengdit said. The 27 protesters were arrested Friday. The court found them guilty of violating the emergency decree. They were initially sentenced to one year in jail but the court commuted their penalty by half because they pleaded guilty.

afp One journalist has been shot dead and several more wounded in the Thai capital since anti-government protests broke out in March, underscoring the dangers facing media covering the chaotic clashes.

reuters.com Malaysian police broke up a protest by Islamists against US rapper Pitbull's concert and the government award of a sports betting license, underscoring a deepening tide of Islam in the country. Kamaruzaman Mohamad told the crowd: "Gambling is a cancer in our society," adding later, "It's bad enough that he is named after a dog, but if you watch his videoclip on Youtube, his performance and lyrics are against Malaysian cultural norms."

Phuketwan Update In the tradition of celebrity property purchases that promote Phuket, West Bromwich Albion football coach Roberto Di Matteo has bought a 6.7 million baht 90-square-metre condominium at Serenity Residences in central Kathu. The former Chelsea player enjoys golf and has been a frequent visitor to Phuket. He would have been delighted last night with Didier Drogba and Chelsea's 1-0 win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup that gave his old side the league and cup double.

hollywoodreporter.com Producers will be rubbing their hands with glee in anticipation of a pact between the Media Development Authority of Singapore and Tiger Gate Entertainment. This linkup marks the latest push to promote greater co-productions involving Singapore and international partners, and comes on top of the $1.1 billion private funds available in Singapore.



May21 Phuket fightback Watermark meeting of key Phuket networking groups, from 5pm.
May 21-23 Paragliding on Phuket.
May 23 Tourism Authority of Thailand bicycle ride around Old Phuket Town. A guided tour, with meals and a t-shirt, for just 100 baht. Bookings from May 10. Details: 076 217138 or 076 211036.
May 26 Boy George plays at Seduction, Phuket.
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.
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
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