bangkokpost.com The military junta has denied ordering the mass expulsion of Cambodian workers, as reports of extortion and abuse filtered in from the tens of thousands of migrants fleeing across the border.


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



bangkokpost.comThe body of an Italian man was washed ashore on North Pattaya beach in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri province, at 3.30am on Saturday. Pattaya police said Antonio Lardo, with a 3cm laceration on his forehead, had been dead no more than two hours, according to a Khao Sod report.

nationmultimedia.com Power demand in the South was still at an ''acceptable ceiling'' on the first night of a maintenance closure on a major gas source, officials said. Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Krabi, Phuket and Trang are under the office's supervision.

undercurrent news.com Thailand reversed its initial no vote to the International Labor Organization's (ILO) protocol on the heels of statements of shock and outrage from the international community. In doing so, Thailand joins the near-consensus that passed the protocol at the ILO convention against slave labor in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday in a vote of 437 for, 27 abstentions, and eight against. Four of the against votes had been from Thailand.

APThis coming week, when a US report on human trafficking comes out, Thailand may be punished for allowing such exploitation. The country has been on a US State Department human trafficking watch list for the past four years. Washington warned in last year's report that without major improvements, it would be dropped to the lowest rung, Tier 3, joining the ranks of North Korea, Syria, Iran and Zimbabwe.



bangkokpost.com Former Premier League star Mario Balotelli headed in the winner as Italy began their World Cup campaign with an entertaining 2-1 win over England.

afp The World Cup hopes of Uruguay, who were missing influential striker Luis Suarez, were kept in check by Costa Rica who hit three second-half goals to humiliate the former champions 3-1 in Fortaleza.

afp James Rodriguez rounded off a convincing 3-0 win for Colombia over Greece as the South Americans made light of the absence of injured striker Radamel Falcao in their opening Group C match at the World Cup.

reuters Didier Drogba came off the bench to again show his inspirational qualities as the Ivory Coast recovered to beat Japan 2-1 on Saturday and boost their bid to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.

Cup Games Tonight
Switzerland v Ecuador; France v Honduras; Argentina v Bosnia and Herzegovina



nationmultimedia.com At least six beachside homes have been damaged by gusty winds and two-metre waves at Koh Libong in Trang's Kantang district. The weather bureau warned residents living in Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi of the possibility of flash flooding.


businessweek.com The US moved an aircraft carrier into the Persian Gulf for possible air strikes as President Barack Obama looks for signs that Iraq's Shiite prime minister will do more to share power with the nation's disaffected Sunni and Kurdish minorities.



bangkokpost.com Cambodian migrants are leaving in droves, at least 70,000 in a week, many of them fired from their jobs by employers fearful of an army crackdown.



dailymail.co.uk Germanys' Martin Kaymer will take a five shot lead into the final round of the 114th US Open after an enigmatic third round 72 at Pinehurst followed two 65s.



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