nbcnews.com The response of pilots to a computer failure caused a loss of control and led to the crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 last year, killing all 162 aboard, investigators said. While the pilots struggled to handleelectronic warning messages, the plane rolled sharply, climbed too high and ultimately stalled before crashing into the Java Sea.
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/airasia-plane-crash/airasia-crash-report-blames-computer-failure-pilot-response-n471831

reuters The Thai junta knew that two Chinese men it detained were refugees awaiting resettlement in Canada but still deported them to China, according to a United Nations letter seen by Reuters.


PHUKET: The daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media. Phuketwan closes December 31.



nationmultimedia.com Thailand was named the Best Beach Destination 2015 from National Geographic Traveller Russia, a print and online magazine, according to Tourism Authority of Thailand. Thailand was also voted the Best Beach Resort via an online poll from 240,000 readers. Travellers from Russia are attracted to Phuket, Pattaya and Samui.

Phuket Update The family of tourist and scuba diver Lin Zhang, 23, whose body was found at a depth of 11 metres off the Similan islands, is flying to Phuket to seek answers to many questions that surround her unusual death. Diving is considered a safe sport, provided basic rules are followed.

bangkokpost.com A former Australian motorcycle gang member arrested six years ago for drug trafficking, obstruction of justice, and involvement in the theft of five million baht from a Melbourne casino was abducted at gunpoint from his Pattaya home.



nationmultimedia.com A three-year investigation into slavery on Thai fishing boats has uncovered a well-oiled system of trafficking, abuse and exploitation in the southern port of Kantang in Trang, leading to eight arrests this month, a campaign group said.



bangkokpost.com Seven assistants to the Similan Islands National Park chief have been transferred following a sharp drop in fee collections at the popular park in Phang Nga, north of Phuket. If nothing wrong is found, they will be reinstated and transferred back.

travelpulse.com Phuket has had a huge problem with uninsured travelers. Foreigners come to the popular beach destination, get injured and then are unable to pay their hospital bill. By some estimates, hospitals across all of Thailand have lost $5.58 million in unpaid hospital bills from tourists over the past 12 months.

bangkokpost.com Critics voiced concerns about the appointment of Mr Nonthawit Jaturabandit .as the new Sa Nang Manora Forest Park chief. They questioned how he managed to get the job as he is undergoing a disciplinary probe amid allegations that he unlawfully approved land ownership rights at Phuket's Sirinath National Park when he was park chief.

bangkok.coconuts.co The Australian expat widely praised for cleaning a Pattaya beach said he had been doing it out of love for Thailand. The uplifting story of an awesome Aussie who was seen picking up trash around Amat beach has made Mark Blackburn, 41, the favorite of Pattaya locals.

khaosodenglish.com From Chiang Mai to Songkhla, an organised campaign turned out hardline supporters of the monarchy to denounce US Ambassador Glyn Davies for his comments about Thailand's harsh treatment of those found guilty of defaming the royal family. Protests were mounted in Phuket, Krabi and more than a dozen provinces.

afp After recent extremist attacks, the United States is to ''tighten'' security procedures for its visa waiver program for visitors from friendly countries, the White House said.

Phuket Update Prices of new ''super prime'' properties launched in Phuket this year show an increase of 120 percent compared with similar ultra-high-end properties launched between 2007 and 2011, reports Knight Frank (Thailand).

telegraph.co.uk Vladimir Putin accused Turkey of secretly purchasing oil from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil), and claimed that the decision to shoot down a Russian warplane last week was motivated by the desire to protect the flow of oil from the terrorist group. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, denied the allegations and said he would resign if it could be proved that Turkey had bought oil from Isil.

smh.com.au On the same day that Chinese President Xi Jinping was due to address climate change talks in Paris, Beijing issued its highest air pollution warning so far this year. Air quality index readings surged beyond 500, more than 20 times levels considered safe by the World Health Organisation.

nationmultimedia.com Frenchman Andre Cabau, 39, wanted in France for allegedly conspiring with others to move illicit drugs around Europe, has been arrested in Bangkok, Pol Maj-General Apichat Suriboonya, chief of the Police Foreign Affairs Division, told the press.

valuewalk.com Several tiers of the US government hierarchy have confirmed that the Philippines will be receiving greater military aid from the United States as compared to previous years.

pinknews.co.uk A new UN report cites the boom in hook-up apps as one of the drivers of a worsening HIV epidemic in Asia: ''In a study in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, almost half of 15-19 year olds surveyed reported inconsistent condom use during anal sex.''

PA ''To all those who unjustly use weapons in this world, I appeal: Put down your weapons of death; arm yourselves instead with justice, love, mercy and authentic guarantees of peace,'' the Pope said to applause.

Phuket Update The average Russian drinks at least three cups of tea every day, basically with every meal they take. Tonic agents contained in natural tea help to wake you up, re-energise during the day and refresh after work.

afp Chinese internet tycoon Jack Ma's mooted buyout of Hong Kong's struggling South China Morning Post could see the paper prosper from his Midas touch, analysts say, but also further erode its independence and with it the city's press freedoms.

cnn.com Unlike the isles just over the horizon, including Lanta, Phi Phi and Phuket, theislands of Trang, a sleepy province in southeast Thailand, remain remarkably under the radar. Yet they're just as magical as their more famous contemporaries, with crystal-clear waters and inspiring scenery.



reuters Indonesia was set to publish the results of its investigation into last year's crash of an Indonesia AirAsia passenger jet on Tuesday, the first official explanation to the families of the 162 people killed in the disaster. The Airbus A320 crashed into the Java Sea on December 28 last year, less than halfway into a two-hour flight from Indonesia's second-biggest city of Surabaya to Singapore.



November 29 Phuket King's Cup Regatta

December 5 HM The King's Birthday

December 26 Tsunami memorial ceremonies



January 7-10 Phuket International Boat Show