A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media.

jerusalempost.com Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Libya's second- largest city to demand the government's ousting, in the first sign that the region's unrest has spread to Muammar Gaddafi's authoritarian state. Fourteen people, including 10 policemen, were wounded

abc.net.au Bahrain's main Shiite opposition group is demanding a new constitution for the Gulf Arab country, which witnessed a third day of protests. The island kingdom, home to the US Fifth Fleet, has seen two protesters killed in anti-government protests.

voanews.com More than 100 Burmese Muslim refugees have been rescued at sea and brought ashore in Indonesia's western Aceh province. Authorities say the 129 members of the Rohingya minority had been at sea for almost three weeks when their 14-meter wooden boat broke down. Human rights groups say the Rohingya have been subject to extrajudicial killings, forced labor, restrictions on movement and religious persecution in Burma.

nationmultimedia.com Bangkok Airways predicts that tourist numbers will increase by 58 percent this year on the back of improved political stability, with minimal impact from the border chaos, while it targets doubledigit growth by entering the emerging South Asia market next month.

contactmusic.com Fans of the DEFTONES wrecked a venue on Tuesday night when the rockers' gig in Bangkok, Thailand was axed - 90 minutes after they were due on stage. The band was scheduled to perform at the city's Thunderdome arena, but an hour-and-a-half after their time slot, organisers announced the show would no longer go ahead due to electrical problems at the venue.

afp Indian police said they were investigating the death in Thailand of a senior gangland figure wanted over the murder of a lawyer who represented a Mumbai attacks suspect. Bharat Nepali was suspected of masterminding the murder of Shahid Azmi, who was acting for one of three men accused of involvement in the deadly 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

dailymail.co.uk A British pensioner who has been committing child sex abuse offences on the run for over 22 years has been seized in Thailand as part of an ongoing operation by the Serious Organised Crime Agency. Thai Police acting on information from SOCA officers based in Bangkok arrested Roderick William Robinson, 73, at a terraced house in the resort of Pattaya,

bbc.co.uk A stroke victim stranded in a Thai hospital due to an insurance problem has died, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has confirmed. Philip Blakemore, 76, from Blackpool, suffered two strokes while on holiday and doctors had told his family he was unlikely to recover.

telegraph.co.uk Five hostages and their fishing vessel have been freed from the clutches of Somali pirates by a naval boarding party from HMS Cornwall. The men had been held captive for three months in a Somali dhow used by pirates a base from which to attack ships in the area.

nationmultimedia.com Bangkok Hospital Group, the Kingdom's largest hospital operator with 13 locations throughout Thailand, has emerged as a major shareholder of Bumrungrad Hospital Plc, its archrival business group.



Life Home Project and Ireland's honorary consul Helene Fallon-Wood are hosting the Second St Patrick's Day Ball at the Movenpick Resort and Spa in Karon on March 26 with cocktails from 6.30pm and dinner to follow. Tickets at 4000 baht benefit the Life Home Project. Contact Khun Joojee 081 3979809 or Khun Eee or Nee 086 9469232. Tickets will be available at BAKE Chalong, Cherng Talay and BIS.

February 18 Makha Bucha public holiday
February 20 Pink Floyd charity tribute by New Machine, Zantika, Khao Lak
February 23-26 Phuket Gay Pride Festival, Patong
February 25-26 Phuket International Blues and Rock Festival 2011
February 26-27 Phuket Spicy Soccer 7s, Phuket International Academy
March4-6 Pool Asia Expo and Conference, Hilton, Phuket
March 14-19 ADFEST 2011 at Movenpick Resort, Phuket
March 27 Earth Hour commemoration on Phuket
April 13-15 Songkran Festival
May New PPAO Hospital to open, Phuket City


Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket