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13th Annual Laguna Phuket Triathlon

The 2005 Thai Airways Laguna Phuket Triathlon
champions, Greg Bennett from Australia and young Canadian Samantha
McGlone have confirmed that they will return to Phuket on 3 December
2006 to defend their titles.



Both Bennett and McGlone, who were newcomers to Phuket last year,
thoroughly enjoyed their experience and warm Thai welcome, and are
looking forward to racing in Phuket again this year.

For the first time in the history of the event, registration was closed
prior to the 2005 race with a record number of triathletes from over 30
countries entered. The race office is anticipating another sell-out this
year after receiving a tremendous amount of positive feedback from athletes,
sponsors and spectators following the 2005 race.

Event Director, Paula Himel, attributes the overwhelming success to a number
of factors. "The popularity of triathlon in Southeast Asia and around the
world has taken off, and continues to do so. I believe this continued
growth, and the fact that we offer a unique and fun event in such a
spectacular setting, makes this a race that the pros and amateurs from all
over the world truly look forward to every year."

As in past years, the 2006 course will comprise a 1.8km swim, a 55km cycle
and a 12km run which for the first time will wind its way around the
award-winning Laguna Phuket golf course.

The Laguna Phuket Triathlon offers a US$20,000 Pro Prize Purse and 25
guaranteed entries into the 2007 Ironman Australia to the highest place
finishers in each age group.

Once again, a 6-km Fun Run will be held on race day, set to begin once the
triathletes have transitioned to the bike course.

Online registration will begin on 1 May and all five Laguna Phuket hotels
will offer discounted room rates.

In addition to offering a spectacular race course, Laguna Phuket also offers
a list of leisure activities suitable for travel companions including spa
treatments, golf, water sports, kid's clubs, local day trips and much more.
The Laguna Phuket Triathlon is a magnificent race and an experience of
beauty, tranquility and excitement.

One Destination, Five Experiences... Laguna Phuket is Asia's leading resort
destination comprising five deluxe hotels: Banyan Tree Phuket, Dusit Laguna
Resort, Laguna Beach Resort, Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket and Allamanda
Laguna Phuket, which all share 600 acres of tropical parkland and three
kilometres of beach frontage with the Laguna Phuket Golf Club, Canal
Shopping Village, Banyan Tree Spa, four Angsana Spas, Laguna Wedding Chapel
and Quest Laguna Phuket Adventure, a leading corporate training and outdoor
recreation facility.

For online registration or further information and updates, please visit

www.lagunaphukettriathlon.com

'Coup' sparks Thailand emergency

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok amid reports of a coup attempt. Soldiers have entered Government House and tanks have moved into position around the building. Mr Thaksin, who is at the UN in New York, said he had removed the chief of the army.

National television announced that forces had taken control of Bangkok "to maintain law and order", and that they were declaring loyalty to the king. However, the BBC's Kate McGeown in Bangkok says King Bhumibol is held in high esteem by all Thais, and the declaration of loyalty does not necessarily imply that he backs the takeover attempt. An army-owned TV station is showing images of the royal family and songs linked in the past with military coups. The announcement said the troops belonged to the "Council of Political Reform".

BBC World, CNN and other international news channels have been taken off the air, readers in Thailand told the BBC News website by email. Our correspondent says low-level rumours of a possible coup have been circulating for weeks. Thai media say that two army factions appear to be heading for a clash, with one side backing the prime minister and the other side backing military commander Lieutenant General Sonthi Boonyaratglin. The general was sacked by the prime minister earlier in the day.

Political impasse
Our correspondent Jonathan Head said it was not clear which faction had taken the initiative and moved into Government House. He said there has been pressure growing on the prime minister to resign, including groups close to King Bhumibol, following a political impasse in which April's general election was declared invalid. But it was thought that Thailand was making progress towards holding another election later in the year, our correspondent says. Witnesses said several hundred troops were posted at key points around Bangkok, including at government installations and major intersections. Russell Miles emailed the BBC News website to say there were troops "dressed in Swat-style gear strolling around" near Government House, and "a tense, but fairly controlled atmosphere". He said: "We saw a group of blokes bundling a cameraman and another chap into a van. We are taking photos, but not out in the open." At the United Nations, where the annual General Assembly is under way, it was announced that the agenda had been changed to allow Mr Thaksin to address it in the coming hours.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5361008.stm