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

iol.co.za Thai Chumlong Lemtongthai is accused in South Africa of running a syndicate that used Thai prostitutes and strippers who would pose as hunters. His modus operandi allegedly was to obtain legal trophy permits to shoot rhinos, in the names of the Thai women. Earlier, the court heard that the women didn't shoot the animals, but posed alongside the carcasses for photographs. The State said 26 rhinos had been shot this way.

nationmultimedia.com Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk refused all requests from developers and local officials to stop legal action from being taken against resorts encroaching into Nakhon Ratchasima province's Wang Nam Kheow forest reserves. "The wrongdoers will be punished no matter who they are," Preecha said.

bangkokpost.com A police panel investigating an alleged casino operation in Bangkok questioned more senior city police and will submit a report to new police chief General Priewpan Damapong next week. The panel, chaired by police inspector-general Sathaporn Laothong, questioned eight officers, including deputy city police chiefs and the city police spokesman.

upi Thailand Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, has directed the Foreign Ministry to investigate alleged "secret" oil discussions with Cambodia. PM Shinawatra's concerns center on an offshore maritime area in which both Thailand and Cambodia claim sovereignty.

time.com Is the feminine touch enough? Once one of Asia's most promising and stable democracies, Thailand has degenerated into a political shambles in which antigovernment rallies and new Prime Ministers (six in as many years, plus one military chief) seem as predestined as the monsoons.

nationmultimedia.com Leading property firm Pruksa Real Estate is aiming for revenue of five billion baht from upcountry by 2017 after launching new housing projects worth 3.5 billion baht in Phuket, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Pathom and Chon Buri provinces this year. Demand upcountry was growing strongly, especially for detached houses and townhouses priced between one million baht and five million baht.

militarytimes.com USS Green Bay, which last month visited the popular city of Phuket, pulled into Darwin's harbor on September 2. Two other San Diego-based ships with their amphibious ready group - amphibious assault ship Boxer and dock landing ship Comstock - are hanging for a few days in Hong Kong.



Phuket Update Patong Rotary is celebrating 10 years of charity activities tonight with a cocktail party and buffet at the Holiday Inn Patong, followed by an after-party at the Hard Rock Cafe. Tickets 1500 baht. E: michael@atmanjai.com

southalltravel.co.uk Travellers on flights to Phuket who enjoy heading to comedy clubs could be in for a treat if they go to the Phuket Punchline Comedy Club. The venue has announced details of its next show, with Gorden Southern, Ian Coppinger and Andre King all set to get on the stage at the venue on October 19.



theroar.com.au Australia's Socceroos received the fright of their lives against a wonderfully organised, motivated and unfortunate Thailand, ultimately winning 2-1 thanks to a very late winner from substitute Alex Brosque. Thailand were heroic. Thailand next play Oman in Bangkok on Tuesday.

bbc.co.uk England scored three first-half goals to seal a comfortable victory in Sofia over Bulgaria with Wayne Rooney scoring his 27th and 28th international goals, after Gary Cahill's opener.

the-afc.com Midfielder Zheng Zhi scored two minutes after coming off the bench as China overcame a 1-0 half-time deficit to defeat Singapore 2-1 in their 2014 FIFA World Cup, third round qualification opener.

skysports.com Flavia Pennetta ended third seed Maria Sharapova's hopes at the US Open tennis with a 6-3 3-6 6-4 win in the third round. The Russian, who triumphed in New York back in 2006, paid the price for 12 double faults and 60 unforced errors

smh.com.au Australia's cricketers will enter the fourth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka on the brink of only their second win in 14 months.

aap Australia's Matildas must beat Asian minnows Thailand to get their Olympic qualifying campaign back on track after an opening round loss to North Korea.



September 21-24 Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2011, Patong

September 27-October 5 Vegetarian Festival, Phuket

November 1-6 Women's Beach Volleyball Series at Karon on Phuket

November 26-27 9th Phuket International Soccer 7s

November 27 Laguna Phuket Triathlon

December 3-4 6th Andaman International Soccer 7s

December 4 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, Laguna



March 18-28 National Youth Games, Phuket

March 29-April 1 Phuket International Boat Show, Royal Phuket Marina



November 14-21 Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket