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


time.com In a memorable line, Time magazine reports: The world's oldest profession isn't about to take the recession lying down. Ranging from Bangkok to Berlin, hard times have hit the sex trade. The article reveals that brothels and bathhouses have launched promotions to arouse interest among wary spenders. ''You have to offer better service these days and special packages,'' says the manager at Yes Sir! in Hanover, Germany, where revenues have fallen 30 percent. As part of a new deal, customers pay $111 to have as much sex as they want (or can) for one hour. In Patpong, one of Bangkok's red-light districts, go-go girls count their livelihood by the number of sex tourists they entertain. ''Three inches, three minutes, 3000 baht ($87),'' laughs Goy, a 25-year-old bargirl.

voanews.com (voice of america) Thailand hopes new legislation will curb official corruption. But some business-risk experts say the chief concern lies in political will and government stability. To curb corruption in public office, the new laws offer more flexibility in prosecuting suspects. Professor Pakdee Pothisiri of the National Anti-Corruption Commission is confident changes will strengthen the fight against graft: ''What we call for [is] all the sectors to work with us in dealing with the corruption.'' Thailand ranks ahead of Indonesia as most corrupt in Asia.

ftnews.com (focus on travel) CNN International reports Thailand was chosen as representing the best value for money for travellers in the Asia Pacific region in a survey of 5000 respondents globally. China came second, India third. While times are tough, the recession hasn't reduced people's desire to travel. People are trading down, not trading out, but not compromising their experience. William Hsu, VP Advertising Sales, added: ''These results send a strong message to tourism boards that smart destination branding is critical for country differentiation and return on investment.''

heraldsun.com.au A killer may have avoided capture by boarding a Jetstar flight to Bangkok immediately after the murder of good samaritan Luke Mitchell in downtown Melbourne, Australia. JQ flight 29 was five hours into its journey when Jetstar's operations centre was told someone of interest to police was on board. That would have put the plane well out of Australian airspace and, with no arrest warrants issued, the decision was made not to turn the plane around because of safety fears.

Bangkok Post Veterinarians are closely watching seven-year-old giant panda Lin Hui after she gave birth to her first cub, in the hope she will give birth again. There was a chance she could deliver another cub within 50 hours of the first, according to Prasertsak Boontrakulpoonthavee, chief of the panda research team. He said she was cleaning herself, as she did before giving birth to Thailand's first baby panda, a female, on Wednesday. Six staff at Chiang Mai zoo take care of Lin Hui in shifts.

Phuket Post Coming out on Fridays now, this issue of the island's english-language fortnightly includes an article in which Mom Tri of Phuket restaurants fame says: ''Phuket is as big as Singapore so don't pass laws that say we can't build high-rise buildings here. The authorities must allow Phuket to develop as a real business centre for Asia, and compete for business with places like Singapore.'' He adds: ''We also need to make it easy for foreigners to settle here, work here and live here. We don't have to give the same rights to all of Thailand, but because Phuket is an island, special legislation should be possible.''

wsj.com Myanmar's financial system and economy are largely cut off from the outside world but not the global economic crisis. Key sectors such as agriculture and tourism are reeling, and business in the commercial center of Yangon has dwindled, residents and economists say. Credit has dried up, remittance income is falling, and thousands of workers returning from abroad are discovering that jobs are scarce. Some residents say they hope a 'guilty' verdict on Aung San Suu Kyi could ignite protests and destabilise a regime that has ruled the resource-rich nation since the 1960s.

su-spectator.com Patrick Cook-Deegan has chosen to spend his time as a Fulbright scholar offering aid relief to one of the most under-reported countries in the world. ''No one knows what's going on in eastern Burma,'' Cook-Deegan said. The military government has burned over 3300 villages and is building more roads through the thick jungle region, making it harder for the native Karen to hide from their attackers. Cook-Deegan advocates for US support of the International Crime Court so the junta can be tried for human rights abuses and travels the country encouraging students to support the ICC.

irrawaddy.com According to Suu Kyi's lawyer Nyan Win, the American intruder at her compound was seen by four or five policemen who threw stones at him. According to Suu Kyi's lawyer, the man testified that Suu Kyi told him to ''respect the law'' and ''go back as soon as possible.'' Nyan Win said that during questioning, lawyers and even the judge laughed openly and mocked the American. The lawyer said that Suu Kyi expressed pity for the American for the way the court had humiliated him. The state-run press reported that he swam with an empty 5-liter plastic water jug, presumably to use as a float, adding that police confiscated a US passport, a black backpack, a pair of pliers, a camera and two US $100 bills.

Associated Press Firefly, the budget wing of Malaysia Airlines, is to launch flights from several Malaysian cities to Singapore starting in July as part of its regional expansion. Firefly will be the fourth no-frills carrier to fly the lucrative route from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, adding competition to rivals AirAsia, Jetstar and Tiger Airways. Firefly recently began daily Phuket-KL flights to Subang airport, less than half the distance to the main airport, which is 60 kilometers outside KL.


Phuket Set for October Asean Plus Six Summit
Latest The dates have been set for the important Asean Plus Six summit on Phuket again, this time in October. Will it be third time lucky? Another big island meeting is set for July.
Phuket Set for October Asean Plus Six Summit

Bangkok a Big Loser as April Flight Arrivals Slump
Latest While Phuket retained its appeal in April, latest figures for Bangkok show a street skirmish slide that saw Chinese, Koreans and Japanese especially cancel trips.
Bangkok a Big Loser as April Flight Arrivals Slump

DSI Probe Family Backs Phuket's New Highway
Latest A family with extensive land holdings now under investigation by the DSI has offered 40 rai to the Phuket government to help the governor create a second airport highway.
DSI Probe Family Backs Phuket's New Highway

Phuket Restaurants Soak Up Sin Taxes
Restaurant Survey Booze and cigarette tax rises hit Phuket restaurant owners with the seasonal downturn. Phuketwan checks to see how they are coping.
Phuket Restaurants Soak Up Sin Taxes

Immigration Nabs 'Phuket-Trail People Smuggler'
Photo Album Immigration officers say they have arrested a leading people trafficker as he prepared today to smuggle more than 30 Burmese laborers to Phuket.
Immigration Nabs 'Phuket-Trail People Smuggler'

Patong Shock Blast: Workers Electrocuted, One Dead
Latest A Phuket eye witness to the electrocution of two workers in Patong this evening told Phuketwan he heard an explosion and saw the men convulsing.
Patong Shock Blast: Workers Electrocuted, One Dead

Phuket Zen and Now: Setbacks and Survival Guides
Latest When times are tough, the tough stay calm. For the Phuket region's TAT director, the only way is up. Good ideas and inspired teamwork will guide the way, he believes.
Phuket Zen and Now: Setbacks and Survival Guides


MediaWATCH: Swine Flu to Affect One in Five
News Digest The H1N1 virus is now expected to infect one in five; Thailand's pandas give birth the hard way; Jetstar hits Japan turbulence; Burma trial continuing;
MediaWATCH: Swine Flu to Affect One in Five

MediaWATCH: Early Poll 'Still an Option'
Latest In an interview with another international publication, the Thai PM leaves open a 2009 poll; Aung San Suu Kyi tells; Burma protest; NYT on Phuket property.
MediaWATCH: Early Poll 'Still an Option'

MediaWATCH: Economy Shrinks to Recession
News DigestThailand heads into recession; Troubled Asia turns to religion; PAD set for politics; Burma wrangle grows; Hunt in Thailand for Aussie killers.
MediaWATCH: Economy Shrinks to Recession

MediaWATCH: Phuket Yacht Struck, US Sailor Lost
Latest A yacht sailing from Phuket is hit by a trawler and an American on board remains lost at sea; How bad are Aussie tourists?; Bali bounces back; Burma hits out at Thailand.
MediaWATCH: Phuket Yacht Struck, US Sailor Lost