bangkokpost.com Wary Australian and British embassies have issued travel advisories for Thailand over the possibility of unrest or violence during and after the election.

Phuket News PHUKET Governor Tri Augkaradacha was at a Phuket polling station early, urging island voters to turn out as soon as possible to avoid forecast rain and potential crowds on Phuket's roads.


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



latimes.com Only one outcome appears clear as Thailand goes to the polls: the risk of violence no matter who wins. A year after more than 90 people died in street protests and a bloody crackdown, many of the tensions that exploded in a ritzy shopping district of Bangkok have barely been papered over in a country beset by vast social and economic disparities.

reuters Thailand votes on Sunday in a general election that could trigger a new crisis after six years of turmoil centred on a man revered by the poor and living in luxury, and exile, in the Middle East. Opinion polls point to a win by Pheu Thai, led by Yingluck Shinawatra, over the Democrat Party of Oxford-educated Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

guardian.co.uk Thaksin Shinawatra defines Thai politics even from 3000 miles away in Dubai, where he lives to avoid a jail sentence for abuse of power. The redshirt-associated party Pheu Thai - led by his sister Yingluck, but Thaksin's in all but name - is on course to beat the incumbent Democrats.

todayonline.com As Thailand heads to the polls today, both the opposition and ruling parties have said they are confident of winning the election, which is taking place after six years of political turmoil since fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup.

thestar.com Political pundits discounted her from the get-go: she had no political experience, had never held a government post and had never seen the inside of a campaign. But when polls close and the ballots are counted Sunday, she could become Thailand's new prime minister - the first woman to do so in this ever-fragile, ever-fractious Asian democracy.

cnn.com The main regional players - the United States, China and Thailand's neighbors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations - will be watching the outcome closely, knowing that further unrest in what has historically been one of the most stable countries in southeast Asia could affect the balance of power.

nationmultimedia.com The Election Commission said that unofficial voting results were expected to be available no later than 10pm, although there was concern that heavy rains today could affect voter turnout. There are 47,321,136 eligible voters in this election. More than 180,000 policemen will be deployed throughout the country

bangkokpost.com Today is election day. No one can say with certainty whether the results will help heal the social and political divide that has weighed on the country for the past decade. No one can say whether this election will help or hinder Thailand's development as a developing democracy. Only time will tell.

Look for updates all day Sunday and next week as Phuketwan reports the election and its aftermath



au.news.yahoo.com Thousands of West Australians heading to Bali for the school holidays are being warned about potentially fatal infections, after an increase in dengue fever and people needing anti-rabies treatment. Health Department figures show so far this year more than 100 West Australians have been treated for rabies exposure after being bitten or scratched by animals, with two-thirds of the incidents occurring in Bali.

theage.com.au Tiger Airways could be grounded for at least a month and be forced out of business in Australia altogether after the Civil Aviation Safety Authority revoked its permission to fly, saying the airline posed ''a serious and imminent risk to air safety''. The unprecedented ruling at the start of the busy school holiday period has thrown into turmoil the travel plans of 35,000 people booked on Tiger flights this week.

channelnewsasia.com The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said it has not found any cause for concern in Tiger Singapore's ability to operate flights in a safe manner, as part of its regular surveillance of the airline. CAAS said the safety of the travelling public is of utmost importance and that it conducts regular surveillance of Tiger Singapore and other Singapore Air Operator Certificate holders to ensure air transport operations are safe.

afp Malaysia has detained six members of an opposition party, including a lawmaker, under a tough security law ahead of a rally for electoral reforms, an activist group and police said on Saturday. The six members of the Socialist Party of Malaysia were arrested under the Emergency Ordinance, which allows indefinite detention without trial, said Nalini Elumalai, a representative of local rights group Suaram.

thephuketinsider.com For those in Phuket the competitive market worth watching is the beach destination of the Maldives where high average room rates and numbers continue to surge.

independent.co.uk The generals continue to arm themselves to the teeth at the expense of the health and welfare of ordinary Burmese people. Also, human rights abuses, such as the forced removal of people from their homes and the incarceration and torture of more than 2000 people for calling for democracy, continue unabated.

telegraph.co.uk A man has been charged with attempted murder after a 78-year-old tourist was attacked near York Minster. The South African was hit repeatedly over the head with a rock or cobble after a stranger struck up conversation with him, police said.



smh.com.au Czech Petra Kvitova has overpowered Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-4 to become the Wimbledon women's champion, the first left-hander to win at the All England club since the last of the great Martina Navratilova's nine titles 21 years ago.

bangkokpost.com Football Association of Thailand president Worawi Makudi wants the national side to train in Chiang Mai or Phuket to prepare for this month's World Cup qualifier. Thailand are likely to meet Palestine in Asia's second qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup as the Palestinians secured a 2-0 away win against Afghanistan in the first leg.




July 2 Phuket Navy League US Independence Day fair at Headstart International School

July 8 IBAP at IndoChine, talking about mediation and the law in Thailand

July 13-16 Grapes and Grazing Festival, four northern Phuket resorts

July 15-17 Kathu cultural festival in Baan Kathu

July 15 Asarnha Bucha Day public holiday

July 20-24 Six Senses Phuket Raceweek

July 30-31 Phuket's Seafood Festa, Patong

August 12 HM The Queen's Birthday public holiday

August 12-13 Phuket's Seafood Festa, Rawai

August 26-27 Phuket's Seafood Festa, Phuket City

September 21-24 Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2011, Kata

October Vegetarian Festival, Phuket

November 1-6 Women's Beach Volleyball Series at Karon on Phuket

November 26-27 9th Phuket International Soccer 7s

November 27 Laguna Phuket Triathlon

December 3-4 6th Andaman International Soccer 7s

December 4 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, Laguna



March 18-28 National Youth Games, Phuket



November 14-21 Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket