time.com Further challenges lie ahead in the so-far fruitless hunt for MH 370, after submersible Bluefin-21 returned to the surface after just six hours of looking for the missing Boeing 777. It had descended past its maximum operating depth.


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



worldbulletin.net Reuters won a Pulitzer Prize on Monday for international reporting on the violent persecution of a Muslim minority in Burma (Myanmar), the Pulitzer Prize Board at Columbia University announced. The board commended Jason Szep and Andrew Marshall of Reuters for their ''courageous reports'' on the Rohingya who ''often falls victim to predatory human-trafficking networks.''

couriermail.com.au An Australian has been convicted of hiring a prostitute for his 13-year-old son on a family holiday to Samui. The man was charged under recently introduced child sex tourism laws aimed at stopping Australian pedophiles from preying on foreign children. He was released on a $2000, two-year good behavior bond.

antara At least 60 fishermen from Thailand have reportedly been arrested in Indonesian waters off West Aceh, and will be deported after trial over illegal fishing. The trawlers will be auctioned off.

nationmultimedia.com Some 161 people have been killed and 1640 injured in 1539 road crashes in the first three days of Songkran - with most accidents the result of drink driving, the Road Safety Centre reported.

bbc.com The confrontation in eastern Ukraine worsened with more official buildings seized by pro-Russian activists. Russia and the West are accusing each other of fomenting the crisis which has now spread to at least 10 cities.



cnn.com A cell phone signal from the co-pilot of stricken MH370 was detected by a tower about 250 miles from where it disappeared, a US official says.

sctimes.com It doesn't help when a major news channel such as CNN keeps sensationalising the story with all kinds of specialist perspectives and postulations. Most of my friends won't question the accuracy of information if it comes from a US network like CNN.



Phuket Update Not all the Songkran fun in Patong was non-violent. Footage has appeared on Facebook of a fight between revellers but police say no incident was reported to them.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=603176093110589&set=vb.251594288268773&type=2&theater/

dailymail.co.uk She is rumored to have enjoyed six hours of spa treatments a day during her recent holiday north of Phuket. But Kim Kardashian took to her personal blog to insist she didn't have time for such frivolous luxuries because she was far too busy attending to her daughter - and, er, taking selfies.

hollywoodlife.com ''Thailand was beautiful, great food, amazing people. Can't wait to go back one day . . . xoxo''

itar-tass.com The human remains found in the jungle on Thailand's Phuket island belong to Russian Alexei Slabinsky. Forensic experts draw this conclusion after a DNA test, local police told journalists. Now a murder investigation is underway.

mandurahmail.com.au Aussie Derek Clarkson, a regular visitor to Phuket, first met street vendor Wilaiwan Damnui in Patong years ago. With his money and help from Governor Maitree Intrusud, Khun Wilaiwan is to receive an artificial leg as part of a program which turns recycled aluminium into prosthetics. Mr Clarkson looks forward to seeing her walking around.

blackpoolgazette.co.uk The family of Stephen Campbell, 38, who died last month from injuries he suffered in a jet skiing incident in Thailand, handed over 14,000 pounds to the Joe's Dream to Walk fund. Joe Knowles, aged four, has cerebral palsy but hopes to be able to walk in to school on his first day in September. When the insurance company announced they would pay out, the Campbell family decided to donate what they had raised to the Knowles.

bangkokpost.com The increasing popularity of Koh Tachai, situated between the Similan and Surin islands in the Andaman Sea, as a tourist destination has prompted the tourism sector to ask the authorities to ensure it is not spoiled and polluted.



afp More than 500 male students and staff were to give DNA samples in an unprecedented operation launched to uncover who raped a 16-year-old girl in the darkened toilets of a French school.

news.com.au Authorities say a Megan Huntsman, 39, accused of killing six babies that she gave birth to over 10 years, told investigators that she either strangled or suffocated the children and then put them in boxes in her Utah garage.

news.sky.com Syria's President Bashar al Assad has said the civil war that has torn the country apart and cost 150,000 lives is turning in his favor. The Syrian army has made a series of gains in recent months against opposition strongholds near the Lebanese border and in the central province of Homs and has retaken the Christian town of Maalula, according to reports.

paultan.org As early as 2011, reports had it that Indonesia was set to take over from Thailand as Southeast Asia's largest automotive market. Reuters says that the switch will happen as early as this year, brought about by an expanding Indonesian middle class and growing demand for budget, environmentally friendly vehicles.

independent.co.uk Britain has more delusional drinkers, drug-takers and ''reckless youths'' than any other country in the world, according to a survey.



skysports.com Juventus responded to Roma's victory over Atalanta by overcoming Udinese 2-0 to restore their eight-point lead at the Serie A summit



Krabi Update The sixth Krabi Rock and Fire International Contest will be held at Railay Beach and Tonsai Bay from 21 to 23 April 2014. More than 30 teams of adventurous tourists from the world over will join the climbing. Krabi has more than 18,000 hotel rooms.

Until April 20 Phuket International Cricket, Republic Ground, Chalong

Until April 19 Phuket Bike Week

April 20-27 Phuket Pride Week

April 26 Vote for mayor in Patong, alcohol sales banned in election area from 6pm April 25 to midnight April 26

April 30 US Embassy Outreach, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, 8am-noon.

May 24 Visakha Bucha Day

July 11 Arsanha Bucha Day

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