UPDATING All Day, Every Day
independent.co.uk Thousands of fans of the great fantasy author Sir Terry Pratchett have signed a petition to bring him back from the dead.
The Canadian Press Canadian Antonius Ceulen, reportedly wanted in the US on fraud and racketeering charges, is under arrest in Thailand and likely to be deported soon, officials said.
bangkokpost.com The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and Fourth Army region officers on Thursday inspected Koh Raet in Phuket following complaints that title deeds have been issued illegally. Plots were sold to foreigners for billions, it is claimed. Ownership documents were also wrongly issued at Surin beach where a 16-metre-high building is now being constructed.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/495796/realty-firms-eyed-in-phuket-land-grab-case
Phuket Update Phuket City police arrested five females - four Burmese and one Cambodian - for working illegally as masseuses at the popular Sinthavee Hotel in Old Phuket Town.
PhuketWATCH Daily Media Wrap
PHUKET: The daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media. Beware of inconsistent imitations.
Today's Top News Items
bangkokpost.com Parents and motorcyclists have expressed disagreement with the Office of the Consumer Protection's (OCP) proposed plan to ban young pillion passengers from riding on motorcycles. The plan is drawing the ire of parents and motorcyclists, saying motorcycles are the best mode of transport for people who cannot afford cars.
asiatraveltips.com Eurowings has unveiled plans to launch flights connecting Bangkok and Phuket with Cologne/Bonn Airport in Germany from 25 October 2015. The Phuket-Cologne route, for example, is offered as a one-way ticket at prices from THB 7550 (Basic), THB 9850 (Smart) and THB 18900 (Best). All flights can now be bought at germanwings.com.
bangkokpost.com A Si Racha man was arrested after taking authorities on a wild chase through Pattaya that saw three cars smashed and two Russian tourists injured, police said.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/495404/2-hurt-3-cars-smashed-in-wild-pattaya-police-chase
Human Trafficking in Thailand
nationmultimedia.com Thailand has high hopes that its efforts to improve labor rights will be reflected in the next revision of the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, which is due in May. To publicise Thailand's attempts to clean up its act and improve labor standards in the fisheries, foods, and other industries, eight government agencies as well as Thai exporters will group together for missions to the US and the European Union.
Phuket World of People
Krabi Update Authorities will spend more than 100 million baht creating 13 bicycle parking zones in Krabi for Bicycle Health and Tourism, says Governor Songphon Sawasdham, with Ao Nang and Krabi Town among new bike centres.
thenewdaily.com An Australian business owner in Thailand is reportedly free on bail after murder charges were laid over a slaying outside a Phuket nightclub. Mark Hamilton Pendlebury said he was walking home from a Rotary meeting on Wednesday around midnight when he began videoing a scuffle outside the Tai Pan nightclub on Phuket, according to an interview with Phuketwan.
aap The man, who is said to run a successful sailboat company on the island, was charged with murder after a nightclub security guard was stabbed on Wednesday. The 59-year-old allegedly stabbed the guard after being set upon while filming a fight outside a nightclub.
foxnews.com An American fugitive who fled the country in 2009 to avoid going to prison over a fatal car crash reportedly has been captured on an island in Thailand that is popular with tourists. Kelly Lynn Miller, 36, was detained by tourist police in Koh Lanta, Phuketwan.com reports.
mirror.co.uk An American model who became a fugitive after killing a man while drunk behind the wheel has been captured after six years on the run in Thailand. Kelly Lynn Miller was finally apprehended after the FBI received a tip off she was living 9500 miles away on the remote island of Koh Lanta, off the coast of Krabi province.
Phuket Update A Chinese wedding photographer was arrested on Phuket's Bang Tao beach while taking pre-wedding photos of a Chinese couple. Ma Chuwan, 26, was charged with working in Thailand illegally. An increase in Chinese travellers has also increased illegal wedding photography.
AP A Canadian woman, who died when a surfacing whale crashed on to a boat during a snorkelling tour in Mexico, was reportedly on holiday with her family. The 35-year-old woman, identified in Canadian media as Jennifer Karren from Calgary, died in hospital after the freak accident.
nationmultimedia.com The Tourism Authority of Thailand cancelled its recruitment of a new governor, claiming that all five finalists were unfit for the top job during these difficult times for the industry.
bangkokpost.com Thirty-eight former senators accused of illegally trying to amend the composition of the Senate survived impeachment votes in the National Legislative Assembly.
Phuket Update Diversions for motorists are coming around Laguna Phuket as Cherngtalay Pattana Co, responsible for the poor quality entry road, is advising residents that renovations will begin later this month and last until July.
reuters The shooting of two police officers in Ferguson, St Louis, has sparked an intense manhunt and ratcheted up racial tensions in the city.
bbc.com Former celebrity publicist Max Clifford has been arrested by Operation Yewtree officers, the BBC understands. Clifford, 71, who is serving eight years for indecent assault, is thought to have been interviewed by officers over sexual offence allegations.
scmp.com China convicted and sentenced 712 people for terrorism, separatism and related crimes last year, the top court said, adding that such offences were its top priority this year.
Phuket Update Police on Phuket are seeking the owner of a black purse containing currency valued at 40,000 baht, found by a group of teachers inside the women's restroom at a PTT gas station in Thalang: ''The teachers told Phuket Tourist Police that they found the purse near a sink in the women's restroom . . . they thought it might belong to a Chinese tourist.''
contactmusic.com Sir Terry Pratchett, the renowned author of several fantasy novels, has died at the age of 66. He died at his home surrounding by his family, eight years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
andrew-drummond.com ThaiVisa.com the English language internet forum in Thailand appears to be heading for a period of controversy.
sfist.com A new detail about the closeness of current Apple CEO Tim Cook and the late Steve Jobs has emerged in an excerpt from the forthcoming book Becoming Steve Jobs. Cook, of the same rare blood type as Jobs, offered a partial liver donation. Jobs immediately refused the offer.
thephuketinsider.com Posh boutique resort Kata Rocks is offering luxury day passes for non-resident guests. Couples can enjoy applying the 5000 baht against food and beverage and other services at the resort.
Around the Asean Region
bloomberg The Philippines is seeking to replicate Thailand's success in building its auto industry, offering tax breaks to as many as three carmakers to become a regional production hub.
Try Phuketwan's Asean Today daily:
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/asean-today-adidas-gap-armani-accused-warns-viet-base-ppines-sex-tourism-burden-22028/
Phuket World of Sport
bbc.com Serena Williams says she never believed she would return to Indian Wells after suffering crowd abuse at the tournament as a teenager. The 33-year-old world number one is this week ending her 14-year boycott of the BNP Paribas Open in California.
Coming Events on Phuket 2015
Until March 15 Heroines Festival
April 11-19 Phuket Bike Week
April 13-15 Songkran Festival
May 4 Additional public holiday scheduled
June 20-21 Baba wedding at Old Phuket Town
July 15-19 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek
