Pata Chiefs in a Lather; Tourism Blames Weather; Cruise Settles; Phuket Events

bangkokpost.com The Disease Control Department has confirmed that the lethal hand, foot and mouth disease virus found in Cambodia is of the same strain previously detected in Thailand. The virus - suspected of being responsible for the deaths of more than 50 children in Cambodia - is known as EV-71.

bangkokpost.com The financially strapped Pacific Asia Travel Association has undergone a reshuffling of its senior management as it struggles to cut costs, streamline working procedures and improve service delivery to its members. Two key appointments made in 2011 to carry out a new ''Building the Business'' strategy did not last a year.

3news.co.nz Nearly $8000 has been raised towards the medical costs for New Zealander Sean Kenzie, who bought full travel insurance for his holiday on Phuket, but didn't know that he wasn't covered for a motorbike crash.

pattayadailynews.com Frenchman Anthony Marc Christophe Claude, 24, was arrested while attempting to withdraw cash using fake credit cards. Pattaya police seized 97 fake credit cards, mostly belonging to victims in France. The man also had a Google Earth map to locate ATM machines.

reuters Tourism officials on Belgium's coast are so upset about a long-term forecast for a rainy summer that they are considering legal steps against the weather service. The officials say a report by private weather bureau Meteo Belgique, which was published in tabloid newspaper 'Het Laatste Nieuws' and predicted only five days above 25 Celsius in July and bad weather in the first half of August, was bad for business.

dailymail.co.uk Katie Holmes' lawyer has confirmed her highly-publicised divorce with Tom Cruise has been settled, as reports emerge she will have ''sole custody'' of their six-year-old daughter Suri. It seems the couple have reached an agreement out of court, meaning the actor's beloved Scientology is no longer at risk of scrutiny with secrets being dissected during a trial.

psfk.com The disproportionate use of fresh water by tourists in developing world destinations is causing local conflict, exacerbating poverty and helping to spread disease, says a report to be published next week by the charity Tourism Concern.

bbc.co.uk Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has started her first day as an elected politician in Burma's parliament. She is one of 43 members of the National League for Democracy in parliament after historic by-elections in April.

onislam.net Her silence on the continued persecution of the Rohingya makes her complicit in their persecution. According to the UN, they are among the most persecuted minorities; and aside from occasional reporting, their plight, particularly in current days, remains poorly reported.

radioaustralia.net.au The governor of Bali has slammed tourism in the popular holiday destination, calling it a ''disaster for the poor''. Governor Pastika: ''Tourists is okay . . . but the greedy investors - that's the problem.''

balidiscovery.com Indonesia's Interior Minister said that infrastructure problems in Bali have become a matter of national importance. He explained that Bali's governor has been invited to participate in several limited meetings of the National Cabinet in order to provide insights and explanations on Bali's traffic problems.

channelnewsasia.com Singapore proposes to change the law so that when specific conditions are met, the courts will have the discretion to sentence a drug trafficker to death, or to pass a sentence of life imprisonment with caning.

afp Malaysian customs officers have made the country's biggest drug bust so far this year, seizing nearly three million party drug pills worth $18.4 million, an official said. Five people have been arrested.

smh.com.au Two drinkers aim to quaff a different beer every day in 2012: After 182 beers - one for every day of the year so far and with surprisingly little overlap in our two lists - Shane's now sourcing Scottish beers even the Scots haven't heard of (Brewdog's Punk IPA?). I find Green Star Lager, a vegan-friendly blonde beer.

Phuket World Sports Wrap

telegraph.co.uk To achieve regular success against the very best players, Andy Murray has two areas he can work on: the forehand and the forehead.

dailymail.co.uk Manchester City killed off Russian interest in Roberto Mancini by making him the highest-paid manager in Britain after agreeing a 37.5million pounds five-year deal.

afp Britain's Bradley Wiggins tightened his grip on the yellow jersey after claiming his maiden Tour de France victory in the ninth stage time trial.

Sourced: phuketwan