bangkokpost.com Tourism in Phuket has slightly improved after the military junta lifted the night curfew in the popular resort island, Phuket Tourist Association vice president Bhurit Maswongsa said. Australian tourists were down by 50 to 60 percent and China by about 30pc.

Phuket Update With two first-half goals, Phuket FC never appeared to be in great trouble in disposing of Roi Et United 2-1 in a Division One Clash at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City last night. It as the second straight win for the Phuket team, which is chasing promotion this season.

washingtonpost.com A series of car bombs exploded across Iraq's capital Saturday night, killing at least 52 people in a day of violence that saw militants storm a university in the country's restive Anbar province and take dozens hostage, authorities said.


PHUKET: The daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media. Beware of inconsistent imitations.



bangkokpost.com Squadron Leader Sita Divari has resigned as chairman of Airports of Thailand (AOT), along with three other board members. Since the May 22 coup, the junta has made clear its intention to revamp the boards of state enterprises as it believes many are stacked with people closely linked to politicians.

nationmultimedia.com The Tourism Authority (TAT) said on its website that the National Council for Peace and Order had granted curfew exemption for the full-moon parties on Koh Phangan being held from tomorrow till Friday. The island draws thousands of backpackers to its hedonistic full-moon event.

theatlantic.com In a fifth of the world's nations, people are legally allowed to resist leaders who have overstepped their bounds.

gmanetwork.com Those who will visit Bangkok for its popular creative and exotic shows will have to adjust to the midnight ruling. Patpong, one of the most notorious entertainment districts, used to welcome guests until the wee hours of the morning but now has to strictly comply with the midnight curfew.

bangkokpost.com An expert on foreign affairs noted that it was a pity that the ambassadors from some western countries did not have a private meeting with Gen Prayuth, especially as China and Russia are establishing cordial relations.

nationmultimedia.com With research indicating more Thai children will be overweight, shorter and have a lower IQ in the next decade, academics are urging society to prevent kids from growing up with low potential.



usatoday.com Uncertainty about what happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 three months ago haunts the relatives of the 239 people missing, even as governments and the aviation industry vow to get answers in what could be the most expensive search for the largest plane to ever disappear.



mcot Ranong province is today marking the first Andaman Carnival, a celebration to boost tourism in Thailand's five Andaman coast provinces of Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, and Trang. The provincial leaders were in high spirits as the the event promises to be well received by the public,with hotels across the province being fully booked.

smh.com.au Roy Craney cashed in his superannuation and moved to Thailand nine months ago. He hopes that the relatively cheap cost of living there will ensure his super lasts until he qualifies for the age pension at 67. Mr Craney, who lives in Udon Thani in north-east Thailand, believes more Australians will be forced to follow in his footsteps. He said he had met at least 50 expats who had relocated to Thailand for the same ''economic decision.''

couriermail.com.au Greetings from Bangkok. I had to get out of Australia for a bit. Too much whining, whingeing and finger-wagging gets to you after a while. It's good to come to a place where you can gain some perspective.

nnt.com Almost 300 guns and numerous arms have been seized in the eight provinces in the Eastern Region by officials from the Provincial Police Region 2.

perthnow.com.au While Australian authorities wage war on his old Bandidos bikie gang clubmates, Kerry '''Nugget'' McNaught has won over foreign government officials as he takes his kickboxing brand global. When contacted in Thailand - his home since late 2012 - McNaught told The Sunday Mail: ''I'm in a new life now.'' The man they call ''Ajarn Nugget'' says he has had no role in organised crime.

news.com.au A man has been taken off a boat by a crocodile in Australia's Kakadu National Park. The 52 -year-old male was at Cooinda when he was attacked by a crocodile and dragged into the water about 5pm.



dvb.no Thai authorities apprehended and deported 163 undocumented Burmese migrants in a raid in Mae Sot on Tuesday. Two days later, on 5 June, another raid in Ranong resulted in the capture of 136 Burmese migrants , according to Ranong provincial governor Cherdsak Jampathes. The detainees told authorities they had paid 6,000 baht for the attempted trip to Mahachai; 10,000 baht for Songkhla; and 20,000 baht to get to Malaysia.

thedailystar.com It seems that the US, UK, EU, UN and human rights organisations have either completely failed to stop the ongoing slow-burning genocide in Burma (Myanmar) or they have been lax in taking steps against it. Taking up arms is becoming the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation's only option.

thejakartapost.com Investors planning to build hotels on Bali should take the island's carrying capacity into account to prevent further degradation, especially in relation to the environment and local culture, according to former tourism and culture minister I Gede Ardika. He was speaking in front of key players and analysts from the accommodation investment sector during the opening of the Indonesia Hotel Investment Conference 2014.

news.sky.com A body found on Malaysia's Tioman Island is that of missing British backpacker Gareth Huntley, police have confirmed. The 34-year-old, from Hackney, east London, disappeared on May 27 after going on a jungle trek.



reuters Her 12 double faults were a nuisance and the non-stop shrieks that punctured the air for more than three hours even made a baby wail, yet all Maria Sharapova will want to remember from the French Open is the moment she sunk to her knees in triumph.

news.com.au Australia's men swept into the hockey World Cup semi-finals with a 5-0 drubbing of England in The Netherlands.

afp Australia opened their 2014 international rugby season in style as they scored seven tries to two to dominate a woeful France 50-23 in the first Test.



June 6-14 Phuket prisons fair, Saphan Hin, Phuket City

June 8 Laguna Phuket marathon

July 11 Arsanha Bucha Day

July 16-20 Phuket Race Week yachting, Cape Panwa

August 12 Queen's Birthday

September 24-October 2 Vegetarian Festival, Phuket

October 23 Chulalongkorn Memorial Day

November 6 Loy Kratong

November 14-21 Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket

December 5 King's Birthday

December 10 Constitution Day

December 25 Christmas Day

December 26 10th Anniversary, 2004 Tsunami

December 31 New Year's Eve