reuters Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste was released from a Cairo jail on Sunday and left Egypt for his native Australia after 400 days in prison on charges that included aiding a terrorist group, security officials said.

cnn.com At least 13 people are dead and many workers still missing after a fire broke out inside a factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh - the latest such deadly blaze in the south Asian nation.

AP Japan and other nations condemned with outrage and horror the beheading purportedly by the Islamic State group of Kenji Goto, a journalist who sought through his coverage of Syria to convey the plight of refugees, children and other victims of war.


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



news.com.au The Islamic State claims to have beheaded Japanese hostage Kenji Goto in a sickening new propaganda video, ending days of negotiations by diplomats to save the man.

nationmultimedia.com The US charge d'affaires has been invited to appear before a parliamentary panel on February 11 to explain the recent remarks by a visiting senior American official and also about reports that US Embassy officials had met red-shirt leaders.

bangkokpost.com The government has set up a 200-million-baht assistance fund to regain the trust of foreign tourists, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says. Any tourist who travels to Thailand and is affected by violence, terrorism, natural disasters, accidents, transport delays, crime or any other threat which was not their fault will be eligible to receive aid from the fund.



bangkokpost.com An American man is fighting extradition to Thailand on kidnapping and extortion charges brought by another American said to have strong ties to senior Thai officials. Shawn Abraham Shaw, 43, has denied the charges, saying the alleged victim laid a complaint with Thai authorities after the pair had a falling-out in Phuket over a business deal.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/462968/bizarre-extradition-drama

freshfruitportal.com British researcher Andy Hall won a small victory for free speech in Thailand last year, after a defamation case against him from pineapple processor Natural Fruit Company was dismissed in the Prakanong Court in Bangkok. The fruit manufacturing company has since appealed the decision however, and on Monday the academic will face court again for a preliminary hearing under the Computer Crimes Act.

Phuket Update Phuket police will be keen to talk today to a Chinese tourist who attempted to take her own life when she slit her throat with a kitchen knife at Supalai Resort and Spa Phuket in Thalang. Rescue workers rushed 46-year-old Yan Wenhong to Thalang Hospital.

news.com.au Bobbi Kristina Brown, the daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, has been found unresponsive in a bathtub at her home. Her husband Nick Gordon and a friend found her, according to police in Roswell, Georgia.

smh.com.au Jailed Australian journalist Peter Greste could be released and deported from Egypt as early as today, unconfirmed reports suggest. Greste was originally sentenced to seven years jail and has spent 400 days behind bars.

AP Thousands of Shiites across Pakistan mourned and protested Saturday after a bombing at a Shiite mosque in the country killed at least 59 people.

bangkokpost.com The long-awaited multibillion-dollar Dawei megaproject in Myanmar is set to get off the ground after Japan agrees to take part and possibly offer loans.



Try Phuketwan's Asean Today daily:
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/asean-today-await-death-row-bullets-english-standards-questioned-naked-tourists-expelled-21803/



afp Premier League leaders Chelsea remained five points clear of second-placed Manchester City after drawing 1-1 with the defending champions.

news.com.au Australia has been crowned the champion of Asia after a thrilling 2-1 win against South Korea in the Asian Cup final. James Troisi's extra time strike proved the difference.

smh.com.au Vomiting mid-match proved an unlikely tonic for Serena Williams as she claimed her 19th grand slam singles title. Williams, 33, withstood the valiant effort of Maria Sharapova to claim a sixth Australian Open singles crown 6-3, 7-6.



bangkokpost.com A five-day Songkran holiday in April is hardly enough. The cabinet has added an extra holiday on May 4, to make a second five-day holiday, for tourism.

January 30 US consular outreach, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort

February 26-28 Phuket Old Town festival

March 1-15 Heroines festival

March 4-8 Bay Regatta

April 11-13 Phuket Bike Week

April 17-19 Songkran Festival