UPDATING All Day, Every Day
bbc.com George Clooney has received an apology from the Mail Online ''for any distress caused'' by a story about his upcoming marriage to Amal Alamuddin. It follows its publication of a report claiming Alamuddin's mother objected to their marriage on religious grounds.
PhuketWATCH Daily Media Wrap
PHUKET: The daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media. Beware of inconsistent imitations.
Today's Top News Items
ttrweekly.com The Tourism Authority of Thailand will rejig its Amazing Thailand tagline to take on board fun and happiness. The new international advertising and promotions campaign will sign off with ''Amazing Thailand Happiness Within''.
telegraph.co.uk The BBC's World Service will launch a new Thai-language 'pop-up' service to provide an alternative source of information. The news operation will be delivered by social media and digital platforms in an effort to circumvent regime controls.
bangkokpost.com Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow in New York has urged US media to gain a better understanding of Thai politics, explaining the latest putsch in Thailand differed from coups in other countries in several ways, especially the ''benevolent intentions'' behind seizing power.
AP The US urged Southeast Asia's regional bloc to do more to combat human trafficking after member-states Thailand and Malaysia were blacklisted for failing to act decisively against exploitation of migrant laborers.
abcnews.go.com Israel has continued to launch rocket attacks on the Gaza Strip following days of violent exchanges - and now leaders are signalling that the Israeli military reservists may need to prepare for a weeks-long ground invasion of the Hamas-controlled territory, officials said.
reuters Iraqi security forces found 53 corpses, blindfolded and handcuffed, south of Baghdad as Shi'ite and Kurdish leaders traded accusations over an Islamist insurgency raging in the country's Sunni provinces.
World Cup Latest
reuters Argentina beat the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties to reach the World Cup final after a dire two hours of defence-dominated football failed to provide a semi-final goal for the first time in the tournament's history
World Cup Final
Germany v Argentina.
.
Phuket World of People
AP Thailand's military junta has sent soldiers to Patong beach on Phuket to clear out food stalls, massage huts and other illegal vending operations as part of a campaign to restore the country's image.
montereyherald.com More than 100 troops trudged past surprised tourists along the white sands of Patong on the popular southern island of Phuket to evict vendors who for years have cluttered the wide beach, making it nearly impossible to walk in some areas.
therepublic.com Patong is the largest and busiest beach on Phuket and the center of the popular island's nightlife. Its image has been marred in recent years by a rise in crime, blatant police corruption and mafia-run tourist scams that operate the island's airport taxis and jet-ski and motorbike rentals.
bernama Strong northeasterly winds of 50-60 kph with waves up to 4.5 metres over the waters of Phuket are expected to continue till July 13.
wsj.com Bangkok dropped below London as the most attractive city for international visitors this year because of political unrest in Thailand's capital, according to a survey.
nationmultimedia.com Bangkok will retain its leading position among Asia-Pacific cities this year, despite an 11-per-cent decline in visitors due to the political unrest that plagued Thailand since the last quarter of last year, according to the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index.
smh.com.au Don't go there: the destinations you need to avoid. In mid-2012, an Australian woman was killed in a bag snatch in Phuket. Around 50 Australians die every year in Phuket due to motorcycle accidents, drugs, drink spiking or natural causes. These events only put a minor dent in the numbers of fun-seeking Australians heading there.
dpa Thailand's red light districts often feature touts advertising free ping-pong shows. Once inside, the tourist is shown a menu with one set of prices. When the bill comes, showing massively inflated drink costs, the bar staff returns with a different menu.
Five Scams to Avoid in Thailand
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/five-scams-to-avoid-while-travelling-in-thailand/article6193222.ece
theage.com.au Christchurch taxis have topped the list as the most expensive when it comes to trips from the airport to the city, with taxis in three Australian cities also named among the most expensive in the world, according to new research. According to Digital Hothouse's research, hiring a taxi from Christchurch Airport to the city was $A42 for a 10km journey.
watoday.com.au George Clooney is used to rumors but a recent report by British tabloid the Daily Mail has made him angry enough to speak out: ''The irresponsibility, in this day and age, to exploit religious differences where none exist, is at the very least negligent and more appropriately dangerous.''
dvb.no Thailand's authorities have banned Burmese refugees living on the Thai-Burmese border from leaving their camps, while they conduct a census to determine the exact number of refugees living in the country. There are nine refugee camps along the border and aid agencies say they provide relief to no less than 120,000 people.
Around the Asean Region
ft.com Joko Widodo, the reformist governor of Jakarta, and Prabowo Subianto, a self-styled military strongman, both declared victory in Wednesday's tightly contested Indonesian presidential election.
foreignpolicy.com ''It is time that we take off the rose-colored glasses and see the situation in Burma for what it is,'' said Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee , Ed Royce (R-Calif.). ''We cannot continue to lavish more incentives on the government of Burma in hopes that it will do the right thing.'' Burma continues persecuting Rohingya Muslims.
aap Australian Dominic Bird, 34, avoided the death penalty for a second time after a Malaysian court rejected an appeal against his earlier acquittal on drugs charges. He says he feels totally vindicated and always knew the truth would come out.
reuters Singapore has scored an own goal with its World Cup anti-gambling ad which features a crestfallen boy telling his friends his dad bet his life savings on Germany - who have just reached the finals by thrashing host nation Brazil 7-1.
Phuket World of Sport
france24.com Chris Froome's hopes of winning a second consecutive Tour de France were dashed after he crashed out of the race in the fifth stage.
news.com.au Sporting goods giant Nike says it will give up its clothing and footgear contract with football giants Manchester United after next season. US based Nike, which has sponsored the iconic team since 2002, walked away from the bargaining table after German rival Adidas reportedly agreed to more than double Nike's current contract.
mix96.co.uk Murali Vijay registered his first century away from home as India made an impressive start to the Test series against England, ending day one at Trent Bridge on 259-4.
Coming Events on Phuket
July 11 Arsanha Bucha Day
July 16-20 Phuket Race Week yachting, Cape Panwa
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
