ndtv.com The head of the junta that seized power in Thailand last month said that an interim government would be set up by August, the first time he has given a clear date on delegating any sort of power in the country.

Thai PBS The National Council for Peace and Order is expected to lift the curfew in Bangkok and remaining provinces Friday night after General Prayuth Chan-ocha's weekly 'Return Happiness to the Thai People' program.

nytimes.com Ukraine's interior minister claimed that an armored column from Russia crossed the border into eastern Ukraine overnight and fought with Ukrainian troops during the day.

bangkokpost.com The US and several other Western countries now have a better understanding of political developments in Thailand after the junta seized power, say Thai ambassadors and consuls-general assembled in Bangkok.


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



bangkokpost.com Business operators expressed concerns about possible electricity blackouts during a 28-day disruption of natural gas from the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area, starting today. Phuket-based Krisada Tansakul, president of the Thai Hotels Association's southern chapter, said while the business sector already had measures in place for unexpected situations, he was worried about the effect on the economy.

mcot Hoteliers in Krabi are prepared for the impacts of gas supply disruption from the Thailand-Malaysia Joint Development Area. They are building up fuel stocks for generators for possible interruptions from June 13.

news.com.au The US has begun evacuating an Iraq military air base as Sunni militants continue to storm into towns and cities across the shell-shocked nation.

scmp.com Jihadists were pushing towards Baghdad after capturing a town just hours to the north as the US mulled air strikes in a bid to bolster the country's collapsing security forces.

cnn.com According to state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun, the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been touring meteorological facilities in his country complaining that there are ''too many incorrect'' weather forecasts.

bangkokpost.com The National Council for Peace and Order tells media not to call the May 22 coup a coup because it's ''totally different,'' and says those detained 'need attitude adjustment'.



theguardian.com So far, so Brazil. On a fretful, at times sleepy, ultimately rousing night in Sao Paulo Luiz Felipe Scolari's team came from behind in the opening match of Brazil 2014 to beat a well-grooved and resilient Croatia 3-1. In doing so they confirmed what had already seemed clear: the cup hosts are a resilient, well-drilled team - with added Neymar.

cnn.com CNN visited Bangkok's Khao San Road to find out how bar owners and guest houses plan to deal with the curfew situation during the World Cup. While many bars will try to get away with airing the 11pm games, that's as hard as they'll push it.

Cup Games Tonight Mexico v Cameroon; Spain v Netherlands; Chile v Australia.



nationmultimedia.com The residential market in provinces such as Khon Kaen, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) and Chon Buri is in a state of oversupply, with the number of new projects launched since the start of 2012 exceeding demand, according to property experts.

bangkokpost.com Tourism operators have expressed relief and optimism for the industry after the army-imposed curfew was lifted in 32 more areas nationwide.

Phuket Update Police from Phuket City are questioning workers at a Shell gas station after two female staff from the station were robbed at gunpoint of about 900,000 baht in the Tesco Lotus shopping mall car park. Supincha Muangming, 37, and Chaweewan Permpon, 24, said they had noticed two men on a motorcycle following them.

Phuket Update Doctors are keen to contact and help a woman who gave birth to a newborn in a rubber plantation about three days ago, not far from Patong. The newborn's body was found on Thursday by a mushroom picker and doctors at Patong Hospital fear the mother may need physical and mental help in coping.

bangkokpost.com Australian Mark Robert Coutelas, 53, has been arrested allegedly with crystal methamphetamine at his apartment in Phuket's Katu district.



bangkokpost.com Thailand voted against an International Labor Organisation pact aimed at ending forced labor, but cannot prevent the treaty coming into force.

nationmultimedia.com Permanent secretary for foreign affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, will today meet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay to explain the latest political developments and human rights practices in the country after the military coup last month.

theguardian.com Theresa May, the home secretary, has announced new measures to ease delays in processing thousands of passport applications, just days after denying there was a backlog. May said people renewing UK passports from overseas will be given a 12-month extension to their existing passports.

afp Indian police said they were investigating a spate of rapes and hangings in a troubled northern region, as the national women's rights body called for the state government to resign over the crisis.

news.com.au The wife of British actor Rik Mayall says he died after suffering a sudden heart failure following a morning run.

independent.co.uk The Great Recession led to 10,000 suicides across Europe and North America with home repossessions, unemployment and debt taking a heavy toll on public health, experts have said.



wsj.com Families of the people on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 are being paid $50,000 a person from the airline's insurers as interim compensation, a Malaysian official said.

reuters More than 100 US lawmakers and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights groups urged the Obama administration to stop trade talks with Brunei unless the country revokes Islamic criminal laws they say jeopardise human rights.

voanews.com Officials in Phnom Penh say thousands of Cambodian workers have fled Thailand since the military coup in Bangkok, and more people are crossing the border every day.

reuters The US has voiced serious concerns about proposals to criminalise interfaith marriage in Burma, while rights groups warned that passage of such discriminatory legislation could spark more violence against Muslims.

time.com More than 86,000 people have attempted the treacherous voyage from restive western Burma to perceived safe havens such as Malaysia since the outbreak of sectarian violence in mid-2012, according to the UN.

reuters Indonesia's central bank kept policy rates on hold, but once again trimmed its economic growth outlook as weakening exports add pressure on the country's current account.



news.com.au American Kevin Na and 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland took top spot in the clubhouse with rounds of two-under 68 while a host of big names shot 69 in the opening round of the US Open.

telegraph.co.uk Andy Murray's streak of 19 straight grass-court victories has come to an end against Radek Stepanek, the wily Czech, who beat him 7-6, 6-2 after a bizarre first-set tie-break in which Murray muffed eight set points.



Until June 14 Phuket prisons fair, Saphan Hin, Phuket City

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