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

bangkokpost.com All except one of the 85 'Srivijaya warriors,' supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy, were sentenced to jail terms ranging from nine months to two-and-a-half years on charges relating to the seizure of the National Broadcasting Service of Thailand television station, Channel 11, in August 2008. The sentences were announced by the Criminal Court.

newswiretoday.com Central Festival Phuket is to receive a half billion baht facelift by the Central Retail Corporation. The renovations, the first since 2004, will open an additional fourth floor with completion expected early next year.

channelnewsasia.com The Singapore Tourism Board said visitor arrivals rose 16.1 percent to reach 963,000 in November. This is the highest number of arrivals recorded for the month of November. It was also the 12th consecutive month of record visitor arrivals.

voanews.com The US is calling on Burma's military rulers to free all political prisoners and engage in dialogue with opposition groups as the country prepares to mark its 63rd independence anniversary on January 4. State Department spokesman Mark Toner issued a statement saying the Burmese government must take action to meet the aspirations of its diverse peoples and improve relations with the Obama administration.

afp Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has met with former colleagues who disagreed with her election boycott and formed a new party to fight the controversial poll, the breakaway group said. The one-hour meeting between Ms Suu Kyi and three leaders of the National Democratic Force was her first with the group since her release from house arrest following the November vote.

todayonline.com The body of the fifth Singaporean victim of the boat tragedy in Mersing, Johor, was found more than 170km from where he disappeared into the sea.

bbc.co.uk Bobby Farrell, front man of the 1970s disco group Boney M, has died at the age of 61, his agent has announced. The singer was found dead in a hotel room in St Petersburg, Russia, where he had been performing.

smh.au.com Australians are intoxicated with social media and, come tonight, many will be using them intoxicated, too. Antony Dekort was sacked after he posted photos of his New Year's Eve on Facebook. The Port Macquarie barman had called in sick and, despite being able to produce a doctor's certificate, Fair Work Australia found the digital evidence damning.

smh.com.au The most famous Australian in the world is neither a Hollywood performer nor a larrikin tamer of wild animals, but a brilliant computer hacker whose encryption talent laid the groundwork for WikiLeaks. Love him or loathe him, Julian Assange adds a degree of gravitas to the traditional but simple view of affable Australians abroad.


Until January 1 Colorful Phuket Countdown 2011, Phuket City
Until January 1 2011 New Year Countdown, Patong
Until January 9 Phuket Red Cross Fair, Saphan Hin park, Phuket City
January 6-9 Pimex boat show, Royal Phuket Marina
January 22 QSI International fun run day at Bang Wad Dam, Kathu
January 23 Great Phuket Rubber Duck Race Day, Laguna Phuket
February 9-13 The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi
February 11 Phuket Chinese New Year
February 23-26 Phuket Gay Pride Festival, Patong
February Phuket International Blues and Rock Festival 2011
February 26-27 Phuket Spicy Soccer 7s, Phuket International Academy
March 14-19 ADFEST 2011 at Movenpick Resort, Phuket
March 27 Earth Hour commemoration on Phuket


Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket