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

PHUKET'S lifeguards have signed a new contract but are still in the process of setting up for a full Phuket beach coverage. Some beaches are staffed by one or two guards with binoculars and surf skis for now. The 20 million baht deal provides for 106 lifeguards at 13 west coast beaches.

bbc.co.uk Campaigners against cluster munitions say Thailand has admitted it used the weapons against Cambodia in February. The Cluster Munition Coalition called the decision "appalling" and "unconscionable".

Phuket Update Occupancy rates at Phuket resorts for April are averaging 70 percent with advance bookings for May at 47-50 percent, says the Tourist Association of Phuket. A road show is targetting the May 1-6 Arabian Travel Trade mart in Dubai and the Pata Mart in New Delhi in September.

cruisecompare.co.uk Roughly 180 local Phuket taxi drivers blockaded the entrance to Phuket's deep sea port. The blockade is likely to bring to a head the simmering issue of damaging Phuket blockades on cruise ships and the US Navy.

scmp Japan began pumping nitrogen gas into a crippled nuclear reactor, refocusing the fight against the world's worst nuclear disaster in 25 years on preventing an explosive buildup of hydrogen gas at Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

nationmultimedia.com At a recent seminar, a group of seven residents from the popular tourist area of Rawai Beach in Phuket said they would soon become tenants on the land on which their families had lived for more than 200 years, and be forced to pay people who possess the actual title deeds.

bbc.co.uk Malaysian police are hunting down an estimated 109 escaped asylum seekers who are believed to have burned down a detention centre on Monday. Police are using road blocks and tracker dogs, and one report said 58 people had been arrested so far.

straitstimes.com Singapore's electronic sector posted its fastest growth rate in 20 years last year, as global demand for consumer electronic products such as iPads and smart phones soared. It chalked up an impressive 27 percent growth rate, three times that of the global industry rate.

english.cri.cn Zhou Mi, a devout globe-trotter from Chengdu city in southwest China who had been to Phuket about two years ago, still found her memories there as fresh as yesterday. As for ethnic groups, the island is populated by native Thai and Muslims, and the reckless way they ride motorbikes and paddle canoes make them distinctive from capital dwellers in Bangkok, despite the similar tans.

vietnamnet.vn Q: A British travel firm director who has been working in Vietnam for 7-8 years said only five percent of foreign tourists return to Vietnam, while 50 percent of tourists return to Thailand. The problem is that Vietnam has been advertising itself as a country rich in culture. Meanwhile, travelers only need to come one time to learn about culture. Meanwhile, Thailand has been known as a place to entertain and relax. Therefore, travelers want to come to the country at any times they need somewhere to relax. What would you say about that? A: He is right.

stockmarketsreview.com Phuket is different because it keeps travellers mesmerised for a long time with its beauty and attractions. Attractions like Thai village, Rang hill, Patong beach, Karon beach, Kata beach, Nai Harn beach, Rawai beach, Pansea Bay, etc., keep travellers mesmerised and persuade them to come and celebrate their holidays in this beautiful island again and again.


Phuket UpdateTHE 2011 Andaman & Phuket International Soccer tournaments will include: 5 tournaments, 2 weekends, 80 teams from 18 countries, including some ex-professional players and more than 25 nationalities. 2000 participants, relatives, friends, supporters... mostly expats living in Asia but this year teams will come also from Australia, Middle-East, England, France, Germany and Denmark. Over 300 games, 26 trophies, 325 medallions, 2 captain's briefings, 2 press conferences and 4 evening parties. .
The 9th Phuket International Soccer 7s is scheduled for November 26-27 and the 6th Andaman International Soccer 7s December 3-4.



BIKE WEEK from April 8-11 is expected to draw thousands of visitors to Patong with highlights including a tree planting campaign, a tattoo contest, island rides and Miss Phuket Bike Week.

JAPAN and flood relief concerts April 9-10 in Queen Sirikit Park and a walking street fair in Thalang Road Phuket City hope to raise six million baht for quake and tsunami victims in Japan and flood victims in Thailand. From 5pm.

SARASIN Songkran. A first-time three-day fair and concerts from April 11-13 sees Phuket joining with neighboring Phang Nga to celebrate Thai new year on the obsolete Sarasin Bridge that links the provinces.

April 8 IBAP with Michael Ma at Indochine
April 9-10 Phuket 'mini concert' to aid Japan
April 8-10 Phuket Bike Week, Patong
April 11-13 Sarasin Songkran on the bridge between Phuket and Phang Nga
April 12-17 Phuket International Cricket Sixes
April 13-15 Songkran Festival, Phuket City, Patong celebrations
May New PPAO Hospital to open, Phuket City
June 12 Laguna Phuket International Marathon
June 23-26 Phuket Fun Fly paragliding, Nai Harn
July 3 Phuket Navy League US Independence Day fair at Headstart International School
July 20-24 Six Senses Phuket Raceweek
October Vegetarian Festival, Phuket
November 27 Laguna Phuket Triathlon
December 4 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, Laguna


March 18-28 National Youth Games, Phuket

Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket