Thailand Update HM The King will appear in public at Hua Hin at 5pm today to deliver Thailand's new interim constitution to the country's military leader, General Prayuth Chan-ocha. It's two months today since the coup.

wsj.com Russia, in its first detailed version of events, dismissed accusations that pro-Moscow rebels shot down MH17, instead suggesting that a Ukrainian fighter plane or missile systems could have been involved.

foxnews.com Israeli fighter planes hit homes and a high-rise tower in Gaza and seven Israeli soldiers, including an officer, were killed in a firefight. Twenty-five Israelis and at least 565 Palestinians have been killed.

afp Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Foods is planning to roll out up to 500 quick-service Thai restaurants in Australia. Thailand's largest agriculture-based company also plans to expand into the booming ready-to-eat meals segment.


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 Thawichart Nillakarn, chief of the anti-graft office on Phuket, said corrupt officials were behind the issuing of fraudulent land-ownership documents, a problem uncovered in most land-related cases. He said 77 local officials had been prosecuted, including the former chief of Sirinat National Park plus four rangers allegedly involved in extensive exploitation of state land at Nai Thon and Nai Yang beaches.

bangkokpost.com The Labor Ministry, FM 91 and Sukhothaithammathirat Open University will launch an English-learning program for taxi drivers to better prepare them for the Asean Economic Community. The program is to begin in August and last three months.

news.com.au A passenger has told how a fight broke out on board a flight from Sydney to Bangkok, leading to a man being hit on the head with a bottle of duty-free alcohol. The midair incident on the Thai Airways flight resulted in an Australian man being detained by police on arrival in Bangkok.

straitstimes.com The junta-run administration is tightening controls over foreigners entering the country, as well as those living and working there illegally, as it seeks to rein in attendant problems that have dogged Thailand for years. From August 13, tourists granted entry without visas will not be given extensions after their initial stay.



Phuket Update About 55 residents of Saiyuan Med Village development went to the Phuket Provincial Water Supply office at Bang Wad Reservoir to complain that they have had no tap water for two months. Trucked-in water is costing 3000 baht a month and the water meters are still running, residents told officials.

nationmultimedia.com In Phuket, MBK is promoting the 160-million baht Tinidee Resort to golfers, both locals and foreigners. It will soon add conference rooms, outdoor activities, and wedding facilities to attract niche customers. The resort features the Loch Palm and Red Mountain golf courses.

dw.de After a slight decline in the number of visitors to Thailand from Europe at the height of the crisis in early 2014, they are now even 5 percent higher than last year. However, if not just Europe but the whole world is taken into account, there is a decline of just over 10 percent.

ttrweekly.com Out of the top 10 most popular Thai destinations, accommodations in Phang Nga province (4.32) and Prachuap Khiri Khan province (4.21) are given the highest average TripAdvisor review ratings. Phuket rated 4.17.

asiatraveltips.com Top 10 markets with biggest increase in traveler interest for Thailand (showing year-on-year growth): 1. Brazil 22pc; 2. United States 17pc; 3. Egypt 10pc; 4. Ukraine 7pc; 5. Canada 7pc; 6. Russia 6pc; 7. Germany 3pc; 8. Denmark 3pc; 9. Netherlands 2pc; 10. Thailand 1pc.

bangkokpost.com After a meeting with four media groups, the military is likely accept their request and amend its controversial No. 97 announcement that has created an uproar. Item 3 bans the criticising of the NCPO's operations, staff and related persons.

reuters ''There's a positive signal. There might be changes to the announcement especially the section that gives authorities the power to close media,'' Thai Journalists Association chairman Pradit Ruangdit told reporters after the meeting. Thailand frequently ranks near the bottom of press freedom indexes.

bbc.com The family of a Londonderry man living in Bangkok have said they are concerned about his safety after not being able to contact him for almost two weeks. Matthew Boyle, 37, last made contact with his family on July 8.

afp Britain's biggest retailer Tesco said that chief executive Philip Clarke will step down later this year from the troubled supermarket giant, which has also issued a profits warning.



nytimes.com After days of obstruction, Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine reached an agreement with Malaysia, surrendering the flight recorder boxes of the Malaysia Airlines jetliner downed by a surface-to-air missile last week, and allowing the bodies of the victims to be evacuated by train.

ft.com Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, warned Russia that ''all political, economic and financial options'' were on the table if access to the crash site of the downed Malaysian airliner in eastern Ukraine did not improve.

malaymailonline.com The time has come to stop pointing fingers at Malaysia, where grief has turned to anger, says award-winning journalist Lindsay Murdoch. Murdoch, Southeast Asia correspondent for Fairfax Media, said Malaysia Airlines complied with international regulations when it filed its flight path over the eastern Ukraine war zone.

smh.com.au Ailing carrier Malaysia Airlines may be taken private by its major government shareholder or enter bankruptcy protection to allow it to renegotiate contracts with unions. Passenger numbers and percentage of seats filled fell in June, even before the latest disaster hit the financially troubled airline.



abc.net.au Indonesian voters have been told to stay calm and not do anything to inflame tensions as the nation prepares for an announcement about its new president. The country's national election commission is in the final stages of vote checking, with a result expected today.

AP Authorities in Burma have announced that the alleged rape of a Buddhist woman by two Muslim men that triggered religious violence in the central city of Mandalay was fabricated. Two people were killed after rumors that a teashop owners had raped one of their employees set off attacks on Muslims and mayhem in early July.



reuters At his best a midfield marauder who inspired team-mates and scored goals in equal measure, Steven Gerrard retired from England duty as the country's third most-capped player after an international career that promised more than it delivered.

news.com.au After a zombie-like performance in falling to India at Lord's, meaning a 1-0 series deficit and ever-more extreme pressure on captain Alastair Cook, it has emerged that some players were suffering sleepless nights due to a haunted team hotel.



August 11 Special holiday for Queen's Birthday

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



February 13-15 Phuket Yacht Show