A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective. Reports from national and international media, with translations into English from Thai.

timesonline.co.uk The Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is facing an almost certain criminal conviction and a sentence of up to five years in prison when a Rangoon court delivers its verdict at the end of this week, her defence team says. Wrapping up her two-and-a-half-month trial, Ms Suu Kyi's lawyers gave their reply to the prosecution's final arguments in a court in Insein prison, Rangoon. She is accused of violating the terms of her lengthy house arrest by giving shelter to an eccentric American who entered the lakeside home where she has spent 14 of the past 20 years in detention.

irrawaddy.org Aung San Suu Kyi insisted after Tuesday's final session of her trial before Friday's scheduled verdict that the proceedings would show ''whether or not the rule of law exists in the country,'' according to her lawyer Nyan Win. Suu Kyi made the comment to Nyan Win after the court announced a verdict would be announced on Friday. Suu Kyi was innocent, Nyan Win insisted. ''She [Suu Kyi] did not break the law. According to the law, it will be unlawful if the court even sentences her.''

Bangkok Post Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's official visit to Burma, scheduled for Friday, has been postponed for two or three week at Burma's request, said PM's deputy secretary-general Panithan Watthanayakorn on Tuesday. The request was made by the Burmese ambassador to Thailand, citing weather and internal politics as the reasons, he said.

AFP An agreement was signed in Laos on Tuesday to allow a pregnant British heroin trafficker to be sent home to serve her life sentence, a British minister said. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding to allow the transfer of Samantha Orobator to a British jail, UK Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant said. A male British prisoner is also going home.

The Nation The Cabinet has approved new regulations that prohibit karaoke parlors from providing drinking or singing partners to customers, with their business licences being revoked if they do. The new rules, which also cover Internet cafes, allow children to play computer games for more than three hours and up to six hours a day, says Culture Minister Teera Salakpetch. Those under 15 will be allowed to use the service from 2pm to 8pm from Monday to Friday and from 10am to 8pm during holidays and school breaks, while those aged 15 to 18 can play games until 10pm, Khun Teera says.

TNA Tourism in Thailand's southern resort island of Phuket is brightening after more direct flights from China are now being offered for Chinese tourists. Last week's inaugural flight from Guangzhou to Phuket was launched by private Chinese firm, CGZL International Travel Service, which charters aircraft from national flag carrier China Southern Airlines (CZ). Offering two flights a week for one year, the route is expected to bring 16,000 Chinese tourists to Thailand's Andaman Sea resort isle. Phuket Governor Wichai Praisangob added the success of the recent Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting and the Asean Regional Forum held in Phuket helped boost confidence among foreign holiday planners.

Bernama Malaysian Airline System sees its passenger load factor as being back to normal following initiatives to stimulate demand. Managing director Datuk Seri Idris Jala said the national carrier had undertaken an aggressive plan to attract travellers to fly with MAS. The airline's latest product, called Asean Pass, is a set of four prepaid ticket vouchers that enable passengers to travel on a maximum of four flights within Asean countries for US$229 on economy class and US$729 on business class.

Reuters German tourists can now reserve their poolside recliners before they have even left home. The German arm of Thomas Cook, Europe's second largest travel company, has been deluged with inquiries since announcing that holidaymakers at nine hotels in Turkey, Egypt and the Canary Islands can book recliners in advance for a fee. Germans are famous for rising early to reserve recliners near the pool with their towels, and then going back to bed or eating a lengthy breakfast.

Associated Press Italian officials say a Swedish couple looking for the pristine waters of the popular island of Capri ended some 660km away in the northern industrial town of Carpi after misspelling the destination on their car's GPS. The couple, who were not identified, arrived from Venice and later set off to their planned destination at the other end of the Italian peninsula.


Joggers Find Drowned Boy's Body at Karon
Latest Phuket's drowning toll for the year rises into the 30s with the death of a 16 year old at Karon. Six people are known to have died at Karon alone this year.
Joggers Find Drowned Boy's Body at Karon

Second H1N1 Death on Phuket, But No Alarm
Latest Phuket Public Health officials report a second death from H1N1 on the island. They say there is no cause for alarm as few people require hospital treatment in the pandemic.
Second H1N1 Death on Phuket, But No Alarm

MediaWATCH: Thailand Worst for Crime, say Brits
News Digest A survey of Britons reveals Thailand is tops for crime; Michael Jackson's doctor accused; H1N1 virus vaccine in short supply; China investing in Thailand; Next it's Thaksin TV.
MediaWATCH: Thailand Worst for Crime, say Brits

Phuket Seen As Threat to Remote Island Tribes
Latest Phuket could be the jumping off point for journeys to a remote Andaman island that are said to threaten an isolated tribe. The fate of the Jarawa people has become an international concern.
Phuket Seen As Threat to Remote Island Tribes

More Police Needed: Grateful Phuket Governor
Latest Phuket deserves credit for a ''wonderful'' Asean week, with the prospect of more in October, the island's governor says. But more regular police are definitely needed.
More Police Needed: Grateful Phuket Governor

China Invasion of Phuket Begins: Photo Special
Photo Special The first of 105 new flights from China arrived on Phuket last night, with others from Korea and Spain set to follow. It's a sign that the island is beating difficult conditions.
China Invasion of Phuket Begins: Photo Special


MediaWATCH: Thailand Worst for Crime, say Brits
News Digest A survey of Britons reveals Thailand is tops for crime; Michael Jackson's doctor accused; H1N1 virus vaccine in short supply; China investing in Thailand; Next it's Thaksin TV.
MediaWATCH: Thailand Worst for Crime, say Brits

MediaWATCH: Jakarta Bombs Link to Thailand
News Digest Bombs 'financier' hints at Thailand travel; Malaysia tightens trafficking; Thaksin v Abhisit; Britons held abroad; Hillary's 'public blunders'; Asia's best hotels.
MediaWATCH: Jakarta Bombs Link to Thailand