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

World Cup Scores: RSA 1:1 MEX URU 0:0 FRA KOR 2:0 GRE
Next: ARG NGA 9pm (Thai time) ENG USA 1.30am

bangkokpost.com Reports that the alignment of the planets might cause a tsunami in Andaman coastal provinces have led to emergency evacuation drills being conducted on an island in Surat Thani. The drill on Rad Island in Don Sak district, located one kilometre from the mainland, was organised by the National Disaster Warning Centre, the Information and Communication Technology Ministry and local authorities. The alignment comes at 6.30pm today.

afp A special envoy from Thailand sought US support in the country's political crisis, discouraging the kingdom's longtime ally from trying to mediate in the wake of bloody street protests. PM Abhisit Vejjajiva dispatched Kiat Sittheeamorn to Washington to make the case that so-called Red Shirt protesters who occupied central Bangkok for weeks included armed and Marxist elements.

nationmultimedia.com Correspondents of CNN and BBC defended their work as impartial against relentless criticism in recent weeks by some sections of the Thai media and society that they were biased in favour of the red shirts. BBC Bangkok correspondent Rachael Harvey said allegations against her were simply ''very general'' and ''quite nasty''. She added that she and the BBC would welcome any specific complaint and there existed a proper complaint procedure at the BBC.

bloomberg< Air Berlin plans to add flights from Berlin to Dubai and Phuket with the start of its winter schedule, which begins November 1, the airline said in a statement distributed to reporters. Germany's second-biggest carrier will serve Dubai three times a week and Phuket up to six times, according to the statement.

skynews.com.au A Jetstar pilot is under investigation following claims he was sending a text message moments before his jet was forced to pull out of a landing in Singapore. Pilots on the plane from Darwin received an on-board warning when the plane was less than 150 metres from the ground. It's believed the warning was triggered because the plane's landing gear hadn't been activated.

businessweek.com Singapore and Malaysia led a recovery of global wealth to pre-crisis levels as the number of millionaires grew by about 14 percent last year, the Boston Consulting Group said. Singapore had the highest proportion of millionaire households at 11.4 percent, followed by Hong Kong and Switzerland, after the city-state posted a 35 percent gain.

Phuketwan Update Phuket Vice Governor Smit Palawatwichai is heading to Sukothai province and is to be replaced by Niwit Aroonrat who will be transferring from Sukothai to Phuket on June 21. Reshufles have affected eight provinces.

bbc.co.uk The Burmese government has denied recent reports that it is developing a nuclear weapons program. A statement from the foreign ministry said foreign media reports alleging such a program were "politically motivated".

nationmultimedia.com There are 18 bungalows, a restaurant where you can dine on Chef Na's delicate cuisine, a pristine pool, a spa and a bakery. Make sure you indulge in Chef Ae's chocolate mousse cake when you visit. Beluga School was established in 2005 to care for children orphaned by the tsunami. Once the news media lost interest and much of the rebuilding had been completed, Beluga remained a fixture, educating the youngsters from impoverished backgrounds and employing more than 80 people from the area.



cnn.com Hosts South Africa opened the 2010 World Cup with a 1-1 draw with Mexico on Friday as the world's greatest sporting spectacle arrived on the African continent for the first time. An estimated global audience of hundreds of millions watched as the home side's Siphiwe Tshabalala crashed home the first goal of the tournament early in the second half to send Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium into ecstatic celebration

guardian.co.uk The USA coach, Bob Bradley, believes his side can emulate his country's celebrated victory over England in 1950 in this evening's opening Group C fixture, (1.30am) though he conceded they will prevail only if they can stifle Wayne Rooney. The USA won the only previous competitive meeting between the sides at the Brazil finals, albeit 60 years ago, with Bradley saying a repeat of that success tonight would not constitute a surprise.

fifa.com Ahead of Argentina's opening match against Nigeria's Super Eagles, (11pm) coach Maradona is well aware that his chosen starting eleven will provoke much discussion, analysis, criticism and praise back home. The former world champion has promised an attacking line-up, possibly with Lionel Messi operating just behind a front pairing of Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain.



Lights, camera, and still plenty of action: On Saturday June 12 Vietnamese action thriller 'Bay Rong' (Clash) screens at the Coliseum Cineplex in Phuket City, with director Le Thanh Son attending, and after party at Vijitt Resort. The film opens across Thailand later next week.
Saturday also sees the last screening of 'Repo Men' in Thailand. This Hollywood actionire has all the action and ''gore'' you love and hate in movies.
Saturday night also features screening of two movies which were cut from the schedule. Thanks however to Howard and Nui at the Green Man and director Paul Hills of 'Do Elephants Pray', that movie and 'Who Killed Chea Vichea' will play as a double header at The Green Man beginning at 7 pm.
Join the World Premiere of Yuthlert Sippak's 'Friday Killer' at the StereoLab on Surin Beach, Sunday, June 13 beginning at 6 pm. Friday Killer will be the closing film of the 2010 Phuket Film Festival. Yuthlert and Ploy Jindachot (and others) will be in attendance.

Until June 13 Nightly warmup DJ dance parties at Indochine in Kalim beach, see Facebook for details.
Until June13 Prison Products Fair, each evening at Saphan Hin park, Phuket City. On-stage entertainment, food stalls, refreshments, furniture for purchase.
June 13 Laguna Phuket International Marathon. Fun runs, too.
June 14 US consular section visits Phuket. Contact embassy for details.
June 15 Phuket Navy League warship crew welcome, BBQ Hut Smokehouse, Rat-U-Thit Road (across from Mercure hotel), Patong, 7pm.
June 18-20 Phuket International Halal Food Festival, Saphan Hin park, Phuket City
June 25-26 Phuket Music Festival, Full Moon Version, at Karon beach. [Last year it was called the RoyFest. It's no longer the RoyFest.]
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