PHUKET: A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media.
The 18th World Travel Awards, announced last night, include: Malaysia Airlines as world's leading airline to Asia; Le Royal Meridien Beach resort and Spa as world's leading beach resort; Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa, South Africa, as world's leading boutique hotel. Mauritius, Trou Au Biches is world's leading beach destination; world's leading airport is Changi, Singapore; world's leading airline in economy class is Cathay Pacific.
Phuket Update A commercial court has sided with the local transport prosecutor's office in its request to fine S7 (Sibir) airline the equivalent of $932 for Phuket flight delays says rapsinews, a Russian legal information agency. On October 3 the airline cancelled Novosibirsk-Phuket Flight 849, keeping its 94 passengers for 16 hours in the airport. On October 24 the same flight with 187 passengers was delayed by more than nine hours. ''The probe into these incidents has established that the airline violated some provisions of its passenger transportation license,'' said an official.
xinhua Thailand recorded 19 million holidaymaker arrivals in 2011, an increase of 19.84 percent year-on-year, said Department of Tourism Director-General Supol Sripan.
smh.com.au The backpacker craze of tubing down the Nam Song River in Laos has claimed the life of a Sydney man who died after leaping from a platform into the river. Lee Hudswell, 26, hit his head when he jumped from a tower beside the riverbank onto an inflatable inner tube.
Associated Press Two assailants on a motorcycle attached a magnetic bomb to the car of an Iranian university professor working at a key nuclear facility, killing him and his driver Wednesday, reports said. The slayings suggest a widening covert effort to set back Iran's atomic program.
time.com Burma's archaic laws that allow conscription of workers for public projects are the biggest obstacle impeding its fight against human trafficking, a top US diplomat said. "As long as it is still legal for the governments to use forced labor, it will be very hard for there to be improvement" on meeting international standards, visiting US ambassador for human trafficking Luis CdeBaca told reporters.
kachinnews.com Two unarmed Kachin women were shot and killed by Burmese government soldiers in the Hpakan (or Hpakant) area of war torn Kachin state this morning, the Kachin News Group has learned. According to eyewitnesses, 17-year old Langwi Ying Wang and 20-year old Gawlu Seng Hkawn were shot while they were walking to market near Nam Ya village at about 9am.
cnn.com Microsoft is investigating a report that workers at a Chinese plant that makes its Xbox game systems threatened mass suicide in a pay dispute, according to a statement issued by the company's Hong Kong office.
csmonitor.com Despite lingering fears of the December 26, 2004 monster wave that killed roughly 170,000 people in Aceh alone and altered the social fabric of the region, Rahmadi, who owns a small perfume shop in Banda Aceh, says people are more prepared than they were a little over seven years ago because of government programs.
bangkokpost.comA high ranking customs official is being investigated for allegedly bashing a security officer about the ears after he refused to undergo a security check at Suvarnabhumi airport. The official, Sombat Chartchaiwaiyawit, is chief of passenger inspection at the airport.
nationmultimedia.com Police issued a summons for a C7 customs official after video clip showing him assaulting an airport security officer and refusing to be patted down started doing the rounds in cyber space.
smh.com.au Tourism Australia announced that its Facebook page now had more than two million fans worldwide, making the page the most popular tourism site on the planet.
scmp.com Chinese authorities have drawn up plans to air-drop shrimp and maize to feed hundreds of thousands of birds facing starvation as a result of a severe drought affecting the country's largest freshwater lake.
dailymail.co.uk Hazel Jones always wondered why she suffered from terrible cramps and heavy periods during puberty. But it wasn't until she turned 18 that she was given her astonishing diagnosis - she had two vaginas. She had to effectively lose her virginity twice.
telegraph.co.uk Spurs will believe that Champions League football is a destination not just a desperate desire; they will believe they can finish above their north London rivals, and Chelsea, and they will believe that cautious discussion of whether they can mount a title challenge might be more than just that. Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Everton
nationmultimedia.com If Patong Beach doesn't turn you on, perhaps vintage and classic cars can rev up your libido. Phuket, one of Thailand's best beach destinations, is throwing a party for car buffs on January 22. Spruce up your antique and give it a spin in the Phuket Classic Car New Year Trophy. You will drive along an exciting route, take some relaxing breaks to eat and chat, and there will be an ultimate championship. You'll also enjoy some funny games and test how good (or bad) you are in a vintage car. Brand-new cars, exotic cars and all wheels are welcomed. Call (084) 734 2711 or visit www.ClassicCarClubPhuket.com.
January 14 Children's Day, Phuket
January 23 Chinese New Year
February 24-25 Phuket Blues Festival, Laguna Phuket
April Opening of Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, three waterfront gardens that will dwarf Kew in London and provide ''green lungs'' for the city.
May 26-June 5 National Youth Games, Phuket
March 29-April 1 Phuket International Boat Show, Royal Phuket Marina
November 14-21 Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket
The 18th World Travel Awards, announced last night, include: Malaysia Airlines as world's leading airline to Asia; Le Royal Meridien Beach resort and Spa as world's leading beach resort; Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa, South Africa, as world's leading boutique hotel. Mauritius, Trou Au Biches is world's leading beach destination; world's leading airport is Changi, Singapore; world's leading airline in economy class is Cathay Pacific.
Phuket Update A commercial court has sided with the local transport prosecutor's office in its request to fine S7 (Sibir) airline the equivalent of $932 for Phuket flight delays says rapsinews, a Russian legal information agency. On October 3 the airline cancelled Novosibirsk-Phuket Flight 849, keeping its 94 passengers for 16 hours in the airport. On October 24 the same flight with 187 passengers was delayed by more than nine hours. ''The probe into these incidents has established that the airline violated some provisions of its passenger transportation license,'' said an official.
xinhua Thailand recorded 19 million holidaymaker arrivals in 2011, an increase of 19.84 percent year-on-year, said Department of Tourism Director-General Supol Sripan.
smh.com.au The backpacker craze of tubing down the Nam Song River in Laos has claimed the life of a Sydney man who died after leaping from a platform into the river. Lee Hudswell, 26, hit his head when he jumped from a tower beside the riverbank onto an inflatable inner tube.
Associated Press Two assailants on a motorcycle attached a magnetic bomb to the car of an Iranian university professor working at a key nuclear facility, killing him and his driver Wednesday, reports said. The slayings suggest a widening covert effort to set back Iran's atomic program.
time.com Burma's archaic laws that allow conscription of workers for public projects are the biggest obstacle impeding its fight against human trafficking, a top US diplomat said. "As long as it is still legal for the governments to use forced labor, it will be very hard for there to be improvement" on meeting international standards, visiting US ambassador for human trafficking Luis CdeBaca told reporters.
kachinnews.com Two unarmed Kachin women were shot and killed by Burmese government soldiers in the Hpakan (or Hpakant) area of war torn Kachin state this morning, the Kachin News Group has learned. According to eyewitnesses, 17-year old Langwi Ying Wang and 20-year old Gawlu Seng Hkawn were shot while they were walking to market near Nam Ya village at about 9am.
cnn.com Microsoft is investigating a report that workers at a Chinese plant that makes its Xbox game systems threatened mass suicide in a pay dispute, according to a statement issued by the company's Hong Kong office.
csmonitor.com Despite lingering fears of the December 26, 2004 monster wave that killed roughly 170,000 people in Aceh alone and altered the social fabric of the region, Rahmadi, who owns a small perfume shop in Banda Aceh, says people are more prepared than they were a little over seven years ago because of government programs.
bangkokpost.comA high ranking customs official is being investigated for allegedly bashing a security officer about the ears after he refused to undergo a security check at Suvarnabhumi airport. The official, Sombat Chartchaiwaiyawit, is chief of passenger inspection at the airport.
nationmultimedia.com Police issued a summons for a C7 customs official after video clip showing him assaulting an airport security officer and refusing to be patted down started doing the rounds in cyber space.
smh.com.au Tourism Australia announced that its Facebook page now had more than two million fans worldwide, making the page the most popular tourism site on the planet.
scmp.com Chinese authorities have drawn up plans to air-drop shrimp and maize to feed hundreds of thousands of birds facing starvation as a result of a severe drought affecting the country's largest freshwater lake.
dailymail.co.uk Hazel Jones always wondered why she suffered from terrible cramps and heavy periods during puberty. But it wasn't until she turned 18 that she was given her astonishing diagnosis - she had two vaginas. She had to effectively lose her virginity twice.
Phuket World Sports Wrap
telegraph.co.uk Spurs will believe that Champions League football is a destination not just a desperate desire; they will believe they can finish above their north London rivals, and Chelsea, and they will believe that cautious discussion of whether they can mount a title challenge might be more than just that. Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Everton
Phuket Coming Events 2012
nationmultimedia.com If Patong Beach doesn't turn you on, perhaps vintage and classic cars can rev up your libido. Phuket, one of Thailand's best beach destinations, is throwing a party for car buffs on January 22. Spruce up your antique and give it a spin in the Phuket Classic Car New Year Trophy. You will drive along an exciting route, take some relaxing breaks to eat and chat, and there will be an ultimate championship. You'll also enjoy some funny games and test how good (or bad) you are in a vintage car. Brand-new cars, exotic cars and all wheels are welcomed. Call (084) 734 2711 or visit www.ClassicCarClubPhuket.com.
January 14 Children's Day, Phuket
January 23 Chinese New Year
February 24-25 Phuket Blues Festival, Laguna Phuket
April Opening of Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, three waterfront gardens that will dwarf Kew in London and provide ''green lungs'' for the city.
May 26-June 5 National Youth Games, Phuket
March 29-April 1 Phuket International Boat Show, Royal Phuket Marina
Phuket Coming Events 2014
November 14-21 Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket
Interesting headline. Woman with Two Vaginas; Phuket Events.
In which event is she actually participating ?
Should draw a crowd.
Posted by interested observer on January 12, 2012 10:16