Phuketwan MediaWATCH
A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media.
ft.com Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand's PM, is preparing for early elections in a political contest that could reopen the barely healed wounds of political clashes that led to 91 deaths eight months ago. Mr Abhisit's term runs out at the end of 2011 but he said the ballot would be held within the next six months.
bangkokpost.com People in Greater Bangkok are being warned of "nightmare" traffic jams for the next three years as construction on at least seven railway lines gets into full swing. Long-distance commuters can expect to spend four to six hours a day commuting until 2014, said Soithip Trisuddhi, director of the Transport Ministry's Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning.
nationmultimedia.com A 60-year-old German tourist was arrested in Pattaya for allegedly driving drunk, resulting in death of a Thai motorcyclist. Police said Gunter allegedly sped his motorcycle against the traffic flow and crashed head-on with a motorcycle of Manop Kaewkamnerd, 43, who was killed.
balidiscovery.com Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, has confirmed a target of 7.7 million foreign tourist visitors for Indonesia in 2011 - an increase of 10 percent over the total arrival achieved in 2010. Using a bifurcated approach, the Ministry is setting 7.7 million as its optimistic or "best case" scenario with 7.3 million visitors as a more pessimistic projection.
nationmultimedia.com The Airport Link rapid-transit line from central Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi will launch its air check-in service today at Makkasan City Air Terminal, five months after the rail service began. Initially, the check-in service will be available only for people flying with Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways.
luxurytravelmagazine.com Equipped with spacious decks and pools ranging from 3 m in width by 7-10 m in length, Amanpuri's new Pool Pavilion category on Phuket is priced at the following rates for the season to April 30: Garden Pool Pavilion (US $1500++) Partial Ocean Pool Pavilion (US $1700) and Pool Pavilion (2 bedroom, including a Garden Pavilion and Partial Ocean Pavilion, US $2550++). Pool pavilions are sited adjacent to the Aman Spa on property.
bangkokpost.com The Big C logo will become more ubiquitous as the chain adds 42 Carrefour sites to its network, giving it a presence almost as large as that of hypermarket leader Tesco Lotus. Tops supermarkets and 7-Eleven convenience stores are preparing to guard their market shares and fight back against the two remaining hypermarket chains in their own ways.
vnagency.com.vn Viet Nam failed to meet its 10-year target to turn the country's tourism industry into a key sector, although it met two of its goals, achieving 25 million in domestic tourists by 2009 and reaching an annual of US$4-4.5 billion in revenue by 2010.
timesofmalta.com Italy banned plastic bags from shops and supermarkets across the country as shoppers eager for the sales prepare to swap to biodegradable, fabric or paper bags. Italians are among the top consumers of plastic bags in Europe, using more than 300 per person a year, or around a quarter of the 100 billion plastic bags imported from China, Thailand and Malaysia that are used annually across Europe.
ntdtv.com Garbage Overtakes Holiday Islands in Thailand: The future will tell if the beautiful Koh Lanta Island will keep its reputation as a paradise island without any odorous gases and contaminated groundwater.
telegraph.co.uk Pete Postlethwaite, the Oscar-nominated British actor, has died at the age of 64. One of his most recent appearances was in Inception, last year's hit science-fiction film. He continued to work until recently despite receiving treatment for cancer.
bloomberg.com Singapore says housing prices edged up to a fresh record high in the fourth quarter as the city-state's economy surged almost 15 percent last year.
nytimes.com Facebook, the popular social networking site, has raised $US500 million from Goldman Sachs and a Russian investor in a deal that values the company at $US50 billion, according to people involved in the transaction. The deal makes Facebook worth more than companies like eBay, Yahoo! and Time Warner.
afp Authorities in Shanghai plan to keep five foreign pavilions from this year's World Expo that were popular with visitors as public landmarks. The pavilions of France, Italy, Russia, Spain and Saudi Arabia have been donated to the city and will soon reopen to the public.
wsj.com The saddest thing about childhood obesity is that it's unnecessary. It's inexcusable that in the breadbasket of the world American children are eating so much lousy food.
Associated Press A woman who claims Donald Duck groped her at Disney's Epcot theme park in Florida will have her day in court. A federal judge in Philadelphia says Disney must defend April Magolon's post-traumatic stress lawsuit.
Phuket Coming Events
Until January 9 Phuket Red Cross Fair, Saphan Hin park, Phuket City
January 6-9 Pimex boat show, Royal Phuket Marina
January 15-16 Phuket Air Park fly-in
January 22 QSI International fun run day at Bang Wad Dam, Kathu
January 23 Great Phuket Rubber Duck Race Day, Laguna Phuket
February 3 Chinese New Year
February 9-13 The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi
February 11 Phuket Chinese New Year
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
March 14-19 ADFEST 2011 at Movenpick Resort, Phuket
March 27 Earth Hour commemoration on Phuket
April 13-15 Songkran Festival
Phuket Coming Events 2014
Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket
