reuters Roger Federer pulled off a great escape by fighting off two match points to beat Frenchman Gael Monfils and reach the semi-finals of the US Open, keeping his bid for an 18th grand slam on track.

bangkokpost.com The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is taking steps to help local tour operators lure more European travellers through travel agents. There are good signs for November and December thanks to direct flights from Turkey, Finland and Denmark to Phuket.


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



fortune.com Nestled away on Phuket's west coast in Thailand sits the Amanpuri Resort. Almost as fast as entrepreneur Omar Amanat and Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin teamed up to buy ultraluxe Aman Resorts, the partnership exploded in acrimony and litigation. As the two battle for control, it's up to the courts to decide: Who conned whom?
The nasty battle for the ultimate luxury hotel chain
http://fortune.com/2014/09/04/aman-resorts-nasty-battle-for-luxury-hotel-chain/

abcnews.go.com Joan Rivers has died at the age of 81. She died one week after arriving at a New York City hospital. The loss of a legend like Rivers cuts across so many generations and so many cultures, whether you are a fan of her comedy or not.
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/joan-rivers-twitter-mourns-death-comedic-legend-81/story?id=25168073

reuters Thailand's new military-stacked cabinet met King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok, marking the formal start of an administration that will spend at least a year overhauling the political system before calling an election. His appointment has garnered mixed reactions.

bangkokpost.com Prosecutors said there simply isn't enough evidence from the National Anti-Corruption Commission to take former PM Yingluck Shinawatra to court over the rice-pledging program - and sent the case files back for further investigation.



reuters A third US health missionary infected with the deadly Ebola virus in Liberia left the West African country's capital in a plane headed for the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, the Christian organisation SIM USA said.



wsj.com Thailand's prime minister said the country needs its own version of democracy, as the country's ruling military junta prepares to put together its National Reform Council. ''We need to adjust western democracy to fit Thai people,'' Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha told committees in charge of applicant screening for the council.

bangkokpost.com German mechanic Frank Rainer Schmith, 52, was arrested on Samui for stealing a speedboat from Italian national Fernando Caracini, 64, who had refused to sell it to him.

smh.com.au A Jetstar spokesperson confirmed the airline will introduce cabin baggage officers to crack down on passengers who try sneak on oversized or heavy carry-on luggage on board, instead of paying to check-in them in.

bangkokpost.com Suwat Sidthilaw, permanent secretary to the Tourism and Sports Ministry, informally met and received policies from Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul. Mr Suwat said the minister wants to draw quality tourists to Thailand and use social networks as the main marketing channel to promote Thai tourism.

mashable As the classic book says, everyone poops. But not everyone has such exquisite timing as Al Ferguson's newborn, Ted.
http://mashable.com/2014/09/03/al-ferguson-baby-photo/

bangkokpost.com Pheu Thai sent a letter of complaint to Gen Prayuth at Government House to take action on the grounds that the Democrats had assembled more than five people to hold a political activity for the launch of the 'Epic Rice Scheme' book on Wednesday at the Democrat head office.

reuters US fast-food workers staged protests in some 150 cities in a fight for higher pay, and organisers said more than 450 were arrested from Manhattan's Times Square to Los Angeles. They hoisted placards reading ''Stick together for $15 and union rights.''

nnt Harbor Department officials in Krabi province have given a one-week deadline to operators of beach restaurants and beer bars in Phi Phi Islands to tear down their buildings.

foxnews.com Well, Mr President, WORLD WAR III is here. It's high time we turn our troops loose to let them GO KILL THE BAD GUYS. Open Letter by Larry Gatlin, a country music singer and songwriter.

afp One person commits suicide every 40 seconds - more than all the yearly victims of wars and natural disaster - with the highest toll among the elderly, the United Nations said

pattayapeople.com Another dead dolphin was found floating off the shore near the Cape Dara Hotel in North Pattaya. Two other dead dolphins have been found recently.

chinapost.com.tw Suspect Hsieh Yuan-hsin, who allegedly kidnapped and murdered a Taiwanese billionaire, has been arrested in Thailand, the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said.

jpost.com The popular destination spot of Thailand remains an alluring escape for a high-class getaway.



news.com.au When Australian surfer Peter Maynard, 45, vanished from his Bali hotel room, his Ipad was left on the charger, his phone was on the bedside table and his wallet was next to the sink. He was last seen at the hotel by staff having breakfast on the morning of August 26.

wsj.com Malaysia is reeling from a deadly outbreak of dengue, with nearly four times more deaths so far this year compared with the same period in 2013.

therakyatpost.com Malaysia's Defence Ministry, in its official Facebook page, denied speculation on social media and WhatsApp that missing Malaysia Airlines' flight MH370 had been found. The plane was claimed to have been hijacked and forced to turn back and head towards Phuket, Thailand, when it crashed.

Dutch air crash investigators announced that the preliminary report into what brought down flight MH17 over east Ukraine, killing 298 passengers, will be released on Tuesday.

thestar.com.my A local company which sold flags associated with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror group has come under scrutiny.



bangkokpost.com Asian Games team coach Kiatisak Senamuang said his players must improve their fitness levels after they beat League One side Phuket FC 3-1 in a warm-up match on Wednesday night.

aap Australia's Boomers have rejected suggestions their shock loss to Angola at the basketball World Cup was a tank job to avoid a quarter-final showdown with Team USA.



nationmultimedia.com Take a trip to Phuket and make peace with your fellow creatures. The Southern province will again fly the yellow flags of the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival from September 24 to October 2.

September 7 Thailand vs Phuket FC 6.30pm

September 12 Amcham at Angsana: the New Phuket

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



February 13-15 Phuket Yacht Show