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

koreaherald.com Phuket could host the 2014 Asian Beach Games because the Philippines' Boracay, the original host city, has shown less than favorable interest, said Thai Tourism and Sport Minister Chumpol Silapa-Archa. The Olympic Council of Asia will announce the winning bid on November 13, during the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. ''Phuket is perfect for this,'' he said. ''It is one of the most famous beaches.''

bangkokpost.com Flight delays have left more than 2000 haj pilgrims stranded at Hat Yai International Airport. Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat said the Civil Aviation Department had allowed Iran Air and Mahan Air to fly Thai pilgrims to Mecca in breach of a Cabinet resolution that authorises Thai Airways International to select airlines to carry pilgrims, the minister said.

Phuketwan Update Phuket police are looking for a motorcylist who knocked down a five-year-old boy and fled on Wednesday. The incident, in the main shopping precinct near the bridge to Koh Sireh, left locals and paramedics to care for the boy, who suffered a broken leg. Police believe the man may have fled out of fear of a mob reaction. (See the photo album above.)

nationmultimedia.com Fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra will return to Thailand if the opposition Pheu Thai Party wins a landslide election victory and forms a one-party government, according to a satellite-based television station run by his family. A source said that in a video address, Thaksin told Pheu Thai MPs to maintain the party's "close and constant relations" with the red shirts, as they were the party's major supporters.

todayonline.com Taking global markets by surprise, the Monetary Authority of Singapore tightened its monetary policy - signaling its intent to combat inflation even as the island nation's economic growth slows.

reuters.com The US dollar, under pressure for weeks on expectations the Federal Reserve will soon print money again to buoy a faltering economy, fell sharply against a range of currencies after the surprise move by Singapore. Emerging nations are in a policy bind because of an influx of footloose global capital seeking higher returns than the near-zero interest rates on offer in the developed world.

businessweek.com Singapore's 19.8 percent annual rate of decline in gross domestic product in the third quarter halted a record pace of expansion in the first half, according to a trade ministry report. The government says the economy may expand as much as 15 percent this year, a prediction echoed by the International Monetary Fund and eclipsed only by Qatar, which is forecast to grow 16 percent.

Phuketwan Update Stormy weather continues to dampen Phuket's daily Vegetarian Festival street parades - and yesterday a parade by police from all of Phuket's stations at Phuket Police Headquarters in Phuket City was cancelled as rain-laden clouds massed over the island. More falls are predicted.

Phuketwan Update A record 100 teams from more than 30 countries including China, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Venezuela, Switzerland and France have entered the Phuket Thailand Open beach volleyball from November 2-7. The series will be telecast globally.

rfa.org Highlighting the rising human trafficking problem in Southeast Asia, police in Thailand rescued 13 girls from Laos who were forced into prostitution and arrested four suspects involved in a syndicate smuggling underage girls. Another victim, also from Laos, was believed to have been tortured to death, police said. The girl's body was removed from a hospital morgue and cremated in an attempt by the mastermind of the ring to destroy evidence.

smh.com.au The extent of ''hot money'' - speculative money that could be switched out of the Australian dollar quickly - was shown by the rapid appreciation of the Australian dollar. Bloomberg data shows the currency appreciated by 7 percent against the US dollar in the past month and 6 percent in the month before.

voanews.com Thai authorities have made a series of arrests because of a growing number of Sri Lankan Tamils arriving on tourist visas. Of the 130 arrested this week, more than 60 are women and children and many have lived in Thailand up to three years. Canada and Australia have seen a rising number of Tamil asylum seekers trying to arrive by boat.

afp Global environmental pressure group Greenpeace said its Rainbow Warrior flagship had been denied access to Indonesian waters, and insisted the government had no grounds to have turned it back. Greenpeace has previously criticised Indonesia for the massive destruction of its forests to make way for palm oil and acacia plantations.

scmp.com Hong Kong travellers face higher fees and new charges from travel agents as more airlines move to eliminate agent commissions, the Travel Industry Council has warned.

dnaindia.com Indians who do not think twice before spitting on the roads or peeing in public like to go to Singapore and Malaysia as they find these places clean and great to shop. According to the Travel Intentions Survey 2010, almost 62 percent of Indians prefer Singapore and 11 percent like Malaysia.

>bbc.co.au Rights groups in Indonesia are hailing a decision by Indonesia's constitutional court to strike down a controversial book banning law. It was a way for the government to clamp down on any form of public dissent.



WORLD champions and titleholders Jennifer Kessy and April Ross of the US will lead the charge in the PTT Phuket Thailand Open at Karon beach on Phuket from November 2 to 7.

Until October 16 Vegetarian Festival, Phuket
November 2-7 Phuket womens' beach volleyball, Karon beach
November 5 Phuket Charity Pro Am Golf, Blue Canyon
November 6 Charity golf at Tab Lamu, near Khao Lak: Call Sam on 089 875 1995 E: sam@khaolakappeal.com
November 19 AustCham at the new Westin Hotel at Koh Sireh from 3pm. E: harry@ladypie.com Tel: 081 2731740
November 21 Loy Kratong Festival
November 28 Laguna Phuket triathlon
December 4-11 Phuket King's Cup Regatta
December 5 Laguna Ironman title
December 15-20 Patong Carnival
2011
January 6-9 PIMEX boat show, Royal Phuket Marina
February 9-13 The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi