UPDATE
Thailand's Department of Special Investigation said investigation found that 39 Thai men have been trained for arms use in Cambodia for a mission to assassinate key public figures including PM Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Phuketwan MediaWATCH
A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media.
walesonline.co.uk The parents of a graduate killed in a Phuket plane crash have called for an end to their agonising three-year wait for answers. Richard and Margaret Collins told Wales on Sunday they are still living in ''limbo'' since the death of their son Alex. The 22-year-old and his girlfriend Bethan Jones, also 22, died with 88 others after the budget airline One Two Go flight crashed on Phuket in September 2007. A preliminary inquest has been scheduled for next month, yet Alex's parents are still hoping for a full investigation.
voanews.com Thousands of anti-government protesters paraded and rallied in Bangkok, in memory of supporters killed in May in clashes with security forces. The demonstration was organised despite emergency laws forbidding such gatherings.
afp A collision involving two buses, a van and three cars left at least 11 people dead in Malaysia on Sunday. The accident occurred on the main North-South highway in the central state of Negeri Sembilan, Bernama reported, without providing details.
bbc.co.uk Serbian police have clashed with protesters trying to disrupt a Gay Pride parade in Belgrade. Police used tear gas against the rioters, who threw petrol bombs and stones at armed officers and tried to break through a security cordon.
guardian.co.uk Kim Jong-il's heir apparent joined his father at a massive military parade in Pyongyang, his most public appearance since being named as North Korea's next leader.
bernama.com The inflow of Thai tourists to Langkawi is expected to rise by 30 percent compared to the current 500 daily following the increase in ferry services from Satun, southern Thailand, to the resort island.
ftnnews.com Malaysia Airlines will commence flights to Riyadh, capital of Arab Saudi, effective December 17. With the launch of this new destination, the airline is offering promotional airfares to Riyadh from RM1200. There will be three weekly flights, departing Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 8.05pm.
afp The vaunted Reformasi era of democratic change in Indonesia is coming to a dead end under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's leadership, if his candidate for police chief is any indication, activists say. The latest nail in the coffin, according to these rights activists, is the imminent appointment of three-star General Timur Pradopo, 54, as chief of the mainly Muslim country's notoriously corrupt police force.
summitdaily.com After three long weeks of jam-packed itineraries, it was time for our reward - we had reservations at the Bangtao Beach Resort and Spa on Phuket. We could have stayed there for weeks and would have never wanted to leave.
independent.co.uk China and Japan could be travelers' best bets for a good value end-of-year vacation, according to figures from travel booking specialist Wotif.com. In other areas such as Phuket, average accommodation rates almost double from 4530 baht in October to 8143 baht in December.
Phuket Coming Events
TUESDAY'S Vegetarian Festival parades make for delays on roads around Phuket City, with processions from the Ban Tha Rue Shrine, the Jang Ong Shrine, the Tae Gun Tae Shrine and the Choot Su Gong Naka Shrine from about 7am.
Until October 16 Vegetarian Festival, Phuket
October 12 Qatar begins daily flights to 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
2011
January 6-9 PIMEX boat show, Royal Phuket Marina
February 9-13 The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi
Latest A life in limbo has come to an end for American Dean Mancuso. His strange existence on Phuket has left him in a cell, facing uncertainty and worried about his daughters.
American's Trip to Life's Other Side on Phuket
Phuket Moon Tides Pound Beach Road
Photo Album Rising concerns mirror the tides as waves pound Phuket's famous beach road scenic route, putting stretches at Kalim and Kamala under water.
Phuket Moon Tides Pound Beach Road
Phuket Goes Pink and Blue as Resorts Open
Photo Album Two resorts on Phuket, one pink and one blue, open on Phuket next week. We went for a preview and found only one welcoming.
Phuket Goes Pink and Blue as Resorts Open
Huge Whale Flops on Beach North of Phuket
Latest A female sperm whale, a slightly smaller version of the largest creature in the sea, has been discovered on a beach north of Phuket and buried there.
Huge Whale Flops on Beach North of Phuket
Fresh Call for Phuket Closing Time Crackdown
Latest Phuket's new governor and police commander cannot ignore the growing problems associated with late night venues and must act, says a leading Thai newspaper.
Fresh Call for Phuket Closing Time Crackdown
Phuket Tourism Crush Tipped to Smash All Records
Flights, numbers surge Records are likely to be smashed as Phuket enters a crucial phase of growth in tourism and property without a complete strategy in sight.
Phuket Tourism Crush Tipped to Smash All Records
I really can't wait for Kim Jong-not-ill to take over. He really looks like the kind of spoiled kid, who wants to live carefree in Dubai so much more, then imprison a country with brutal measures.
When you see the photos of the parade, you ask yourself, this boy now a 4-star general? And in the row with these hardened fighters. Maybe only the second happiest day of his life, when he was chosen by his father.
On the other hand, he may feel the urge to show his brinkmanship and start to play with fire. Uneasy times for the Korean peninsula and Asia, good the Americans get out of Afghanistan next year.
Posted by Lena on October 11, 2010 12:42