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foxnews.com At least six people died and another 25 were injured in a crash between a freight train and a passenger train near Moscow, Russian authorities said.
PhuketWATCH Daily Media Wrap
PHUKET: The daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media.
Today's Top News Items
nationmultimedia.com Martial law chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha will today meet acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan, anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and acting Deputy Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboon-lertchai, who are all involved in the power play.
bangkokpost.com Army chief Gen Prayuth, who heads the new all-powerful Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC), says martial law will remain in place until no longer needed. Red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan said he was prepared to talk with Suthep Thaugsuban if Gen Prayuth agreed to mediate. Mr Suthep praised Gen Prayuth's decision to impose martial law and asked supporters to give moral support to the military.
nationmultimedia.com Foreign chambers and business associations hope that the declaration of martial law will lead to an increase in security and safety, and eventually to a functioning government. Hugh Vanijprabha, executive director of the Thai-European Business Association, said clarification was needed from the caretaker government so that foreigners could understand the current situation in Thailand.
bangkokpost.com Martial law chief Prayuth ordered print media and TV operators from carrying interviews with anyone who might ''confuse society or provoke violence''. Gen Prayuth indefinitely suspended the broadcasting of 14 satellite TV stations known to support political factions such as the red shirts, yellow shirts and People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) including the highly interactive Voice TV station.
reuters Thailand's caretaker prime minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan said he had asked the Election Commission to organise an election on August 3. Mr Niwatthamrong also said he would talk to the army chief ''as soon as possible'' to end the country's political crisis, hours after the army declared martial law.
bangkokpost.com Mr Suthep insisted the PDRC will stick to its protest schedule, saying that demonstrators will on Friday march from Ratchadamnoen Avenue to Sukhumvit Road between 5pm and 9pm and also on Saturday and Sunday to undisclosed destinations. Mr Suthep said the PDRC would declare ''the people's victory'' on Monday.
bangkokpost.com Acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liangboonlertchai said that he would announce senators' solutions to the political impasse of the country in a few days.
independent.co.uk At least 118 people have died after twin car bombs exploded at Terminus market in the central Nigerian city of Jos. It is believed to be the work of the extremist Islamic militant group Boko Haram.
Phuket World of People
csmonitor.com Despite its denial, critics have warned that the Army's action could be seen as a silent coup against a weak interim government. Thailand has seen 18 coup attempts (11 of them successful), since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. Adding to suspicions of a military takeover, the imposition of martial law reportedly occurred without warning for the civilian government.
cnn.com She was only crowned Miss Universe Thailand on Saturday but Weluree ''Fai'' Ditsayabut, 22, has already become caught up in the political crisis engulfing her country, after comments were found on her Facebook page referring to pro-government demonstrators as ''dirty,'' ''evil activists'' that should ''all be executed.''
nationmultimedia.com Association of Thai Travel Agents members are advising tourists who arrive in Thailand to adjust their schedules and head to places other than Bangkok, such as Chiang Mai, Phuket or Samui.
bangkokpost.com Movenpick is expanding throughout Asia and will operate at least seven properties in Thailand by 2020, from two hotels in Phuket now and three others, The Movenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai (in the last quarter this year), The Movenpick Hotel White Sand Beach Pattaya and a hotel on Koh Samui in 2015. More are scheduled. Phuket occupancy was 80 percent last year but may drop to 78 percent this year.
bbc.com The search for four British sailors missing in the Atlantic Ocean since Friday has resumed. The US Coast Guard confirmed it had begun searching again after an online petition gathered 200,000 signatures.
scmp.com India's Sonia and Rahul Gandhi offered to resign after leading the Congress party to its worst election defeat, only for colleagues to insist the dynasty stay in place, a lawmaker said.
TAT The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to collaborate with the Middle East big three airlines, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar, to help maintain a steady flow of visitor arrivals from some of Thailand's highest-spending source markets.
abcnews.go.com Oscar Pistorius will begin his court-ordered observation at a state mental institution on May 26, with psychiatric evaluation lasting a month, the judge in his murder trial announced.
What's Happening Around Asean
usatoday.comThe Malaysian government and a satellite company that helped track missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 announced they are planning to release the raw data that led the search to be focused on a remote section of the Indian Ocean. No timetable was announced for when the information will be released.
themalaysianmailonline.com Intan Maizura Othman, the wife of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 steward Mohd Hazrin Hasnan, has given birth to a baby boy.
dailymail.co.uk An Australian man is in an induced coma in a Bali hospital after a road accident, while his family scrambles to raise funds for his medical evacuation. Nicho White, 43, was hit by a car while riding a motorbike in the Kerobokan area on Friday.
reuters United States President Barack Obama has extended some economic sanctions against Burma (Myanmar) for another year, telling Congress the step is needed despite some progress on reforms made by the country.
channelnewsasia.com Singapore's GDP growth forecast for 2014 will remain at 2 to 4 percent after the economy grew 4.9 percent on a year-on-year basis in the first quarter.
Phuket World of Sport
sport.msn.co.nz Persiraja striker Akli Fairuz died six days after he was kicked in the stomach during a challenge from PSAP Sigli goalkeeper Agus Rahman during an Indonesian Premier League game on May 10, Indonesian media reports.
bbc.co.uk New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal wants to replicate his feats at Barcelona and Bayern Munich by winning the Premier League in his first season. The Dutchman won the 1997-98 La Liga title at Barcelona before securing the 2009-10 Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.
goal.comAshley Cole is a target of Liverpool and Tottenham after revealing he is unlikely to be at Chelsea next season.
Phuket Coming Events 2014
July 11 Arsanha Bucha Day
July 16-20 Phuket Race Week yachting, Cape Panwa
August 12 Queen's Birthday
September 24-October 2 Vegetarian Festival, Phuket
October 23 Chulalongkorn Memorial Day
November 6 Loy Kratong
November 14-21 Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket
December 5 King's Birthday
December 10 Constitution Day
December 25 Christmas Day
December 26 10th Anniversary, 2004 Tsunami
December 31 New Year's Eve
