Phuket Writer Wins; Accused Killer Nabbed; Resort's 'Private' Beach; Phuket People

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

japantimes.co.jp A Thai murder suspect who escaped from Japan in 1993 was arrested while traveling by long-distance bus from Bangkok to his home in southern Thailand. Wirasak Iamphongsa, 40, is wanted by Japanese authorities for allegedly murdering a Japanese woman in Tokyo in 1993. Because Thailand has no extradition treaty with Japan, Wirasak will be prosecuted in a Thai criminal court, according to a senior police official.

guardian.co.uk An attempt by the Taliban to kill a 14-year old girl, famous for speaking out against the Islamic militants and their attacks on girls' education, has triggered a wave of national revulsion in Pakistan. Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head and neck while she sat with classmates on a school bus.

nationmultimedia.com Some 400 kamnan and village headmen staged a brief rally at Parliament while lodging a petition calling for the legislature to drop a draft bill on local administration. Their petition claimed that provisions in the bill would have adverse impacts on the job status of local chiefs.

Editor's Choice: Today's Essential Reading

traveldailymedia.com Regent Hotels & Resorts has announced that its new Phuket resort will open on December 1. Located at Cape Panwa, next to its own private beach, Regent Phuket Cape Panwa will feature 105 rooms: 35 Pool Villas, 48 Suites and 22 Pavilions. The Pool Villas come with their own private outdoor pool and sundeck area overlooking the ocean, plus 24-hour butler service.

bbc.co.uk Police investigating the alleged sexual abuse of girls by the late Sir Jimmy Savile are pursuing 120 separate lines of inquiry, Scotland Yard has said. Police said they had recorded eight allegations against him, including two rapes, and there could be 30 victims.

telegraph.co.uk A clifftop path named after Saville has been dismantled while a memorial plaque has been vandalised. Earlier the Prime Minister had hinted that Savile could become the first person to be stripped of their knighthood posthumously.

abc.net.au Eleven people have been killed in a series of attacks by militants in southern Thailand. There have been recent informal peace talks with Muslim insurgents after a spike in attacks since the beginning of this year.

nationmultimedia.com A Muslim scholar in Yala urged the government to declare Fridays a public holiday in three southern provinces to be in line with people's ways of living and to reflect government's understanding.

smh.com.au Almost everything that happens in Australia goes with alcohol. We can't have a celebration without champagne. Can't have a barbecue without a few beers. Can't have a nice meal without a bottle of wine. Can't have a game of cricket without a full carton. And can't end a hot day without a cold stubby.

afp Thierry Gillier, the boss of French clothing firm Zadig & Voltaire has apologised for saying that Chinese tourists would not be welcome at an exclusive new hotel planned by the company in Paris.

Phuket People

allafrica.com In 1993, we stopped at Phuket, a holiday Island of Thailand. A notice posted at the airport caught my attention. It itemized the people not allowed into Phuket: Hippies, people with dreadlocks, people with pierced ears, faded jeans, etc. The obvious intent was to preserve the Island's ability to attract tourists. If you made such laws here, our democrats and human rights activist will go to court on behalf of the suffering masses!

prweb.com Head to Villa Padma, on the east coast of Phuket mere minutes from the stunning Phang Nga Bay home to the notorious 'Man with the Golden Gun'. This elevated villa is the perfect tranquil escape and features a 25-meter pool with submersed beds; water fringed sunken sala and extravagantly sized bedrooms. Whether you're escaping a golden bullet or the daily 9-5 this luxury ocean front villa is sure to delight and spoil.

nationmultimedia.com At a two-day meeting in Phuket, education officials discussed international studies in an attempt to discover students' abilities, performance and problems. The 53rd IEA General Assembly Meeting hosted by Office of the Education Council wraps up today.

travelmole.com Around 430 jobs are under threat at Thomas Cook after it announced plans to reduce its UK fleet from 35 to 31 aircraft. The move will impact operational staff, engineers and office-based support.

groundreport.com Staff of the Movenpick Hotel and Spa Karon Beach in Phuket, Thailand, surprised guests with a flash mob dance sequence to the popular song ''Gangnam Style.'' Almost all of the dancers were members of the hotel staff, although the crowd did include a few professional dancers who were disguised as tourists and hotel employees.

Phuket Coming Events 2012

Friday for IBAP, 6pm Urban Food restaurant, Central Festival
SPEAKER Anant Akanisthaphichatis is a well-known attorney experienced for approximately eight years in Phuket. He specialises in property issues and litigation.
In his own words: ''My personal opinion is quite conservative about the property issues in Phuket and may be quite discouraging to people considering real estate here in Phuket.''
Khun Anant has very interesting arguments for considering rentals and leasing as opposed to purchasing and he's pleased to deal with individual questions, making this a program you won't want to miss.

Sourced: phuketwan