PHUKET: This mornings heavy rain did not affect the turnout for the “Tam boon klang lhad” (Merit Day) as hundreds of locals poured into downtown Phuket to donate food and items to the local monks and make merit.

BANGKOK: The reconciliation bill sponsored by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung is facing growing opposition as it would exonerate those responsible for the crackdown on the 2010 red shirt protests.

PHUKET: Phuket Town locals got a shock last night when they spotted Aerosmiths lead singer Steven Tyler partying at Timber Hut bar in Phuket Town.

PHUKET: China’s Haad-Yai-based Vice Consul, Qin Jian, has urged police to crack down hard on sexual attacks on tourists, following yesterday’s alleged molestation of a 19-year-old Chinese tourist by a “black taxi” driver who picked her up from the airport.

PHUKET: A“black taxi” driver was accused today of molesting a 19-year-old Chinese tourist during a five hour ordeal, during which he repeatedly tried to have sex with her and she repeatedly defended herself.

BANGKOK: Bowing to a public outcry and resistance from many civic groups, the Education Ministry has agreed to create a joint committee to look into the issue of small school closures.

HUA HIN: The Department of Special Investigation arrested the head of a Swiss bank robber gang on May 16 in Hua Hin.

PHUKET: As part of an ongoing investigation into land encroachment on the island, Pol Lt Gen Jutti Thammanovanich, Head of the Special Unit of the Ministry of Interior came down from Bangkok to investigate land plots in the Patong, Kathu and Kamala areas today.

PHUKET: The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is due to visit Phuket on May 28, anchoring in Makham Bay off the deep sea port.

Behind the news of this weeks main stories in The Phuket News. Executive Editor, Alasdair Forbes on Phuket in Focus.