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



reuters Thai authorities dealt a double blow to ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her powerful family, banning her from politics for five years and proceeding with criminal charges for negligence that could put her in jail.

bloombergview.com As Thailand grapples with a semi-permanent leadership vacuum - Prayuth has been vague about when new elections will be held - neighbors such as Indonesia and the Philippines are moving forward under decisive, popularly elected presidents.



mizzima.com A Thai police investigation into the deaths of three Muslim Rohingya migrants being trafficked illegally through the country continued when a group of rescued people identified the cars used to transport them, according to a report in The Nation.



foxnews.com For the first time, Indonesian divers were able to enter the fuselage of the AirAsia jetliner that crashed last month into the Java Sea and retrieved six bodies, an official said.



bangkokpost.com Both her parents and police on Koh Tao believe a 23-year-old British backpacker found dead there this week died of ''natural causes,'' not foul play.



bangkokpost.com Passenger traffic through Thailand's six major airports grew only marginally last year, largely reflecting woes arising from the country's political turbulence.

pattayamail.com A British man was held for allegedly running into a noodle vendor crossing Sukhumvit Road in Bang Saray. Briton Andrew Mclaren, a 67-year-old former doctor, was taken into custody on suspicion of reckless driving causing death.

tech.thaivisa.com Launched on January 22, Uber Phuket customers can visit some of the most popular viewpoints and landmarks on the island using the new UberTour service. The UberTour costs 1500 baht and includes a scenic 4-5 hour drive around Phuket, stopping at various points around the island including the Phromthep Cape, Karon/Kata viewpoint, the Big Buddha temple and the Chalong temple before returning you to your pickup point.

wsj.com Asia's House of the Year: This cliff-side home on the resort island of Phuket in Thailand sits on 2.4 acres and overlooks the Andaman Sea. The 21,022-square-foot property consists of multiple Thai-style pavilions with pitched roofs and wooden columns. It remains on the market for $9.2 million since first being listed in November, 2013.

bangkokpost.com In Thailand, the Withlocals app can connect travellers with hosts who live in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Phuket. Choose to join a host at his or her home for dinner at the dining table - or, in some cases, dining mat.



Try Phuketwan's Asean Today daily:
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/asean-today-african-sentenced-death-aussie-pleads-lives-viet-casino-gulf-21766/



telegraph.co.uk Cambridge United's magnificent players not only did themselves proud in a goalless draw. They put the shine back on the FA Cup, playing with intelligence and heart to hold Manchester United, the 11-times winners who were deeply disappointing.

smh.com.au In the biggest shock of the 2015 Asian Cup so far, reigning champions Japan have been dumped out by the United Arab Emirates after a penalty shootout, earning themselves a semi-final showdown against Australia in Newcastle next Tuesday. The Emiratis took a surprise early lead at ANZ Stadium through the prolific Ali Mabkhout but were eventually pegged back by substitute Gaku Shibasaki as full-time approached, no less than Japan deserved after dominating the match.



Until January 24 Local Food fair at Saphan Hin in Phuket City

January 30 US consular outreach, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort