UPDATING All Day, Every Day
reuters ''We can say that 800 are dead,'' said Carlotta Sami, spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Italy.
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
AP The European Union is to give Thailand six months to drastically change its policies on illegal and unregulated fishing or face an EU seafood import ban by the end of the year. Two people with knowledge of the decision told AP Monday that the 28-nation bloc will give Thailand an ultimate warning or it could face export losses of over half a billion euros (dollars) a year.
http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/AP-NewsBreak-EU-to-put-Thailand-1-step-away-from-6211129.php
ft.com One of the biggest consumer credit binges in the emerging world is now showing signs of unravelling, with potentially severe consequences for Thailand's retail sector. Thai household debt will approach or exceed 100 per cent of GDP by 2020 under likely macroeconomic scenarios. Other risks complicate the outlook.
reuters Thai customs officials have seized four tonnes of ivory worth $6 million, largest bust of its kind. Thailand was given until the end of March to take measures to shut down domestic trade in ivory or face sanctions under the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES).
Phuket World of People
bangkokpost.com Along with paying for your beer, mobile top-up card, toasted sandwich and utility bill, 7-Eleven stores will now let you book airline tickets on Thai Smile Airways.
nationmultimedia.com The ''light premium'' airline, a subsidiary of Thai Airways International, will begin operating scheduled flights to Colombo, Hyderabad in India, and Mandalay and Yangon in Myanmar (Burma) in the current second quarter.
bangkokpost.com The passenger services of 28 Thai-registered international airlines will for a time be at the mercy of the countries they fly to because verification of their air operator certificates cannot be completed within the deadline set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Phuket Update Forgetful Australian tourist James McDonald, 65, was due to fly home last night from Phuket after his holiday turned sour when he couldn't remember where he was staying and lost his luggage and passport. Family and Australian embassy staff helped him get a new one.
nationmultimedia.com The lifting of martial law and crackdowns on illegal businesses have been the highlights of the government's six-month performance, according to tourism industry representatives, but they have called on the regime to ensure the safety and security of tourist for the long term.
xinhua No more than 1.2 million Russians are expected to visit Thailand throughout this year, marking a substantial decline from last year.
nypost.com Thailand's famous Tiger Temple, a monastery and wildlife sanctuary a few hours outside of Bangkok that's home to 147 roaming tigers and other animals, is being forced to give up its tigers.
echo-news.co.uk Gina Moss was enjoying a three-week family holiday in Thailand when the Krabi to Phuket ferry caught fire and passengers were forced to jump into the water to save their lives: ''We were in complete shock and the embassy did little to help us. They put pressure on us to fly to Bangkok and then had the audacity to charge us 500 pounds.''
halsteadgazette.co.uk ''The fire was at the back and we were trying to get to the front. We had to ask for life jackets. In the end, everyone just jumped. We've been there [to Thailand] five times - but not again.''
wsj.com One of the few survivors from a migrant ship that capsized off the Libyan coast said hundreds of people were locked inside by smugglers and were trapped below deck as it sank into the sea, according to Italian investigators.
nytimes.com Prosecutors said they had arrested the boat's captain and a crew member. Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Liguori said two men were charged with favoring illegal immigration and that the Tunisian captain was also charged with reckless multiple homicide.
thestandard.com.hk A Cathay Pacific pilot was busted for carrying knives in his hand luggage at Heathrow Airport less than 90 minutes before he was due to fly a plane with 262 passengers to Hong Kong.
theage.com.au Women and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God, writes Jimmy Carter.
nationmultimedia.com Minor Hotel Group and Dusit International have increased their presence in Africa, aiming to prove that they are ready to spread their wings into any territory.
Around the Region
smh.com.au The Indonesian President has warned that it is ''only a matter of time'' before 10 drug felons including Bali nine organisers Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan are executed.
Try Phuketwan's Asean Today daily:
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/asean-today-ikea-thinks-china-seas-warning-aussies-send-mixed-messages-asia-22298/
Coming Events on Phuket 2015
May 4 Additional public holiday scheduled
June 20-21 Baba wedding at Old Phuket Town
July 14-16 Trial of Phuketwan journalists at Phuket Provincial Court
July 15-19 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek
