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

Phuketwan Update Phuket Police Chief Pekad Tantipong led a police check on bars and venues in and around Patong's Soi Bangla on Saturday night that produced one important arrest and 15 positive urine tests for illegal drugs among staff and patrons. Phanupab Jibharn, 39, was held for possession of an illegal handgun and 1.89 grams of yah ice (methamphetamine).

bloomberg Bridgestone and Goodyear are being forced to react to the biggest rubber shortage since 2007. ''Drought earlier this year and heavy rains later on hampered tree-tapping across Asian plantations,'' said Pongsak Kerdvongbundit, managing director of Phuket-based Von Bundit Co., the largest natural-rubber producer and exporter in the world. ''Global production will lag behind soaring demand for at least another two years.''

phuketobserver.com In a promotion that might just be interpreted as a swipe at discount airlines such as AirAsia and its own sibling airline, Nok Air, Thai Airways International has announced hefty discounts for passengers flying between Bangkok and Phuket anytime from now until March 31 next year.

monstersandcritics Thailand issued a warning about a new outbreak of H1N1, or swine flu, in the country after confirming three deaths and 338 new cases last week. Altogether 66 people have died of the virus since it was first detected in Thailand in 2008.

afp About 30 rocket-propelled grenades have gone missing from a military base, raising fears of fresh violence. Army chief Anupong Paojinda said a forensic investigation was underway to try to find those responsible at the base in central Lopburi province.

cnn.com Australia warned its citizens that next month's Commonwealth Games in India carry a ''high risk of terrorism.'' Australia issued the travel advisory a day after two Taiwanese were wounded in a shooting in India's Old Delhi.

Associated Press A far-right party has entered the Swedish Parliament for the first time in elections held on Sunday, spoiling the centre-right government's victory and majority, and plunging the country into political disarray

scmp.com The Philippine government released a harshly worded report that laid bare the chain of mistakes by the government, police and media during the August 23 hostage-taking.

middleeastevents.com The Tourism Authority of Thailand will launch its inaugural Medical Health and Wellness Road Show from October 4-11 to educate and promote Thailand's leading hospitals and wellness centres. Thailand currently holds 38 percent of the world's market share of travelling patients.

sify.com Poachers targeting rich fishing grounds in India's Andaman Islands are endangering the world's most isolated tribe, a Survival International report has claimed. More than a hundred iIllegal fishermen from Burma have been arrested in recent weeks. Fourteen were fishing off North Sentinel Island, home to the Sentinelese tribe, who attack anyone approaching their island.

theage.com.au China's biggest airline says it is punting its future on a boom in Chinese tourists to Australia, starting with a fourfold increase in direct flights. The ambitions of China Southern Airlines president Tan Wangeng reflect the rapid growth of China's middle class and confidence in the stability of Australia-China relations. A Melbourne airport official added that from December, Jetstar is flying daily to Singapore.

afp Malaysia said its dengue fever death rate spiralled 53 percent this year, but backed away from a controversial trial of releasing genetically modified mosquitoes to wipe out the disease.



September 22-26 Quiksilver 2010 Surf Competition, Kata beach
September 22-29 USNS Walter S. Diehl to visit Phuket
September 25 International Reef Cleanup Day, Phuket. More: Roger Chubb 087 628 2805 E: scubawoj@gmail.com
September 25-26 Phuket Dinghy series, for young sailors, begins
October 1-3 Asian Hospitality and Travel Show, Central Festival Phuket Convention and Exhibition Center, Phuket City
October 8-16 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 19 AustCham at the new Westin Hotel at Koh Sireh from 3pm. E: harry@ladypie.com Tel: 081 2731740
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