AP The UN's human rights agency has called on Thailand to immediately close a military detention center where two high-profile prisoners died in controversial circumstances over the past month. A statement by the UN Human Rights Office for Southeast Asia called on the country's ruling junta to stop using military facilities to hold civilian detainees.

ft.com The Turkish Air Force shot down a Russian plane, according to a Turkish military official who said the aircraft violated Turkish airspace, ''despite repeated warnings.''

theguardian.com Russia's defence ministry, in a series of tweets, confirmed a Russian SU-24 had been shot down, but insisted the plane had never left Syrian airspace.

bangkokpost.com A new Defence Ministry committee will be formed to inquire into the Rajabhakti Park scandal, Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanich said.

reuters Citing ''increased terrorist threats'' from militant groups in various regions of the world, the US State Department issued a global alert for Americans planning to travel following deadly militant attacks in France and Mali.

vice.com Migrants stuck on the peripheries of the European Union have sewn their mouths shut in protest at Balkan countries' border policies that have left thousands stranded as temperatures drop to freezing.


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



nationmultimedia.com US ambassador Glyn Davies reiterated his government's disappointment over Thailand's repatriation of two Chinese activists last week during a meeting Monday with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.

bangkokpost.com Editorial: The prime minister and his chief of national security are trivialising the deportations of political dissidents, and harming Thailand's reputation.

Krabi Update Two women have been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine worth 10 million baht through Krabi airport. Siriwan Yodteerak, 32, confessed that she was hired for 60,000 baht by the African boyfriend of Aaew Wijit, 34, to smuggle the illicit narcotics from the Philippines to Thailand.



khaosodenglish.com Police in Krabi are using the controversial Computer Crimes Act against Facebook critics. Sukanya Laiban, 23, and Peerasuth Woharn, 22, were charged at the weekend and now face jail time for their online complaints; the former ranting against a traffic cop who told her to move her car; the latter for writing that police ignored his calls about a violent crime.
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1448268875§ion=12&typecate=06

Phuket Update Ambassadors from Canada, Britain, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands met with Phuketwan journalists Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison to discuss scams and corruption on Phuket and Andaman coast human trafficking. The ambassadors continue meeting with authorities on the holiday island today.

nationmultimedia.com The five ambassadors have asked the governor of Phuket to step up security and safety precautions for tourists and expatriates, while addressing other issues ranging from lack of standard tariffs for services to narcotics and crime problems.

bangkokpost.com The NACC and pro-business ACT are ready to demand the army open its books on the scandal of Rajabhakti Park, as a top figure comments on army spending.

theguardian.com Brussels will keep unprecedented security measures in place for at least another week as it faces an imminent and serious threat of a major terrorist attack, Belgium's prime minister, Charles Michel, has said

Phuket Update Local authorities and volunteers removed hundreds of kilos of seabed trash off Karon beach on Phuket. The garbage field had covered an area of about 400 square metres.

bangkokpost.com The military regime is going all out to attract new Japanese investment, with incentives centring on high-tech and industrial clusters.

firstpost.com Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement got a boost on Monday with about eight candidates involved in crippling protests last year winning office at district-level elections, while some veterans from both sides of the political divide suffered defeat.

bangkokpost.com University academics have called for an end to the NCPO's intimidation and detention of lecturers and students expressing sincere political opinions.

huffingtonpost.com A Russian maritime officer drank half a liter of the liquor (17 ounces, or about 11 shots) on February 18 before going on duty and crashing a 7400-ton, 423-foot cargo ship into a Scottish peninsula, according to an investigative report the United Kingdom's Marine Accident Investigation Branch.



theguardian.com Aung San Suu Kyi's party won 77 percent of seats in Myanmar's landmark polls this month, according to final results released by the election commission. The military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party won only 117 or 10 percent of the seats and the army reserves a quarter of all seats in parliament.



bangkokpost.com Muang Satun police chief Chairat Kanchananet was abruptly transferred to Provincial Police Region 9 until further notice reportedly for underestimating violence at Sunday's football match between Satun and Khon Kaen.

afp More than 60 Kenyan athletes stormed the offices of Athletics Kenya (AK) offices to demand officials accused of corruption be sacked and for doping allegations to be properly investigated.



November 25 Loy Kratong festival

November 29 Challenge Laguna Phuket 2015

November 29 Phuket King's Cup Regatta

December 5 HM The King's Birthday

December 26 Tsunami memorial ceremonies



January 7-10 Phuket International Boat Show