nationmultimedia.com Protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy moved from the Government House to rally in front of the First Army Area headquarters.

afp Thailand's Prime Minister addressed yellow shirt protesters at a rally held in defiance of emergency rules banning political gatherings. Police said around 2500 demonstrators - many wearing yellow and waving national flags - gathered at a sports stadium in Bangkok, after protesters agreed a change in venue to avoid confrontation with authorities.


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

xinhuanet.com Thailand's yellow shirts have agreed to shift their rally from Government House to the Kilawes Stadium, the Thai News Agency reported, quoting PM Abhisit Vejjajiva. The decision was made after an over two-hour meeting between Abhisit and representatives of the yellow shirts network.

nationmultimedia.com The government's deal with a nationalist group under the People's Alliance for Democracy umbrella over the planned anti-government rally was shattered as another group under Veera Somkwamkid insisted on continuing with the protest. Veera's group - Network of Preah Vihear Protectors - is determined to gather outside the PM's office in Government House today as planned.

bangkokpost.com The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation has issued orders banning entry to roads leading to Government House and prohibiting rallies in the immediate area.

pattayadailynews.com An elderly British man and his Thai wife have committed suicide in their Pattaya home. The pair revealed that mounting business debts had forced them into the tragic decision. John Hugh McMahon, 71, a British national, his Thai wife Miss Nualsawat Supannagarn, 56, and their pet dog were found lying on the bed in a third floor bedroom. Two charcoal stoves were placed near the bed with a third near the door.

Associated Press A Japanese man accused of forging his own death certificate to collect millions of dollars in insurance payments is being held in Thailand on an immigration violation pending other possible charges, Thai police said. Arrested in his Thai girlfriend's apartment, Ichiro Ogushi, 35, had been on the run since immigration authorities discovered that a death certificate presented to the Japanese Embassy was counterfeited, said police.

bangkokpost.com Just when Nok Airlines seemed slow to seek growth, Nok's board endorsed a major plan to add eight planes - four Boeing 737-800s and four ATR-72 turboprops - to its fleet currently comprising six Boeing 737-400s and two ATR-72s. The board, chaired by Siam Commercial Bank executive chairman Vichit Suraphongchai, was also receptive to the plan by Nok's management for the carrier to resume flying regional routes in the next one or two years.

afp Four people were missing after one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes erupted, spewing lava and hot ash, an official said. ''There was an eruption on Mount Karengetang,'' Surono, a vulcanologist with Volcano and Geological Disaster Centre in Jakarta, said.

scmp.com Cabin crew are apparently not reaping the benefits of rebounding profits at major airlines - more than 100 Dragonair flight attendants vented their frustrations over long work hours and "unfair" employment conditions in Hong Kong.

radioaustralianet.au Women's groups in Malaysia are lobbying the government to make child marriages illegal and raise the minimum age for marriage to 18. The move follows a decision by the state government of Malacca to allow under-age marriages as a way of preventing the abandonment of babies, and unwanted pregnancies. Under Malaysian law, Muslim couples wanting to marry must first be tested for HIV.

businessmirror.com.ph Poaching of pilots will continue because of the explosive growth of low-cost carriers, according to one senior pilot. He said the woes that Philippine Airlines is experiencing would be hard to address at the moment, unless the flag carrier is able to match the salary offered by foreign airlines. PAL has adjusted its local and international flight schedules following the departure of 25 pilots, reportedly hired by Hong Kong Airlines Ltd., and Vietnam Airlines.



Until August 8 Kite Jam, Surin beach
August 6-12 Andaman Motor Expo
August 11-September 9 Ramadan
August 14-15 Baba wedding, Phuket Town
October 1-3 Asian Hospitality and Travel Show, Central Festival Phuket Convention and Exhibition Center, Phuket City
October 8-16 Vegetarian Festival, Phuket
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