Royal Thai Navy helicopters were monitoring the situation and told reporters yesterday that the slick was moving in a westerly direction and back towards the scenic Andaman coastline. An earlier report predicted the pollution would move in a southerly direction and towards international waters.

Diesel fuel evaporates and disperses through seawater over time and can also be broken down by marine-dwelling microbes. But it remains one of the most deadly fuels for ocean life in its undiluted form and promptly kills fish, seaweed and invertebrates.

There is also a worry that tourists in the region may be put off visiting the picturesque Andaman coast, with the Thai hospitality industry already reeling from the protracted red shirt protests which kept thousands of visitors away over the summer.

But the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) claims that small diesel spills of around 2,000 to 20,000 litres in open water are diluted so quickly that fish do not die as a consequence. It remains to be seen whether this larger spill off Phuket will be similarly benign.

There have been a total of 511 arrests for violating curfew intentionally or without justified causes since May 20 according to the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Authorities warn they will continue to arrest those who violate the condition, which has been put in place in the Thai capital and northern provinces after escalating violence.

Meanwhile the Criminal Court will announce tomorrow whether it will approve an arrest warrant for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges, as the massive clean up operation in Bangkok gets underway.

The judicial body will re-examined a request by the Dept of Special Investigation for an arrest warrant for Thaksin.

Volunteers including teenagers and students were among those who helped to clean six venues which remained littered with rubbish and reeking of sewage after the red shirt demonstration.

Participants wanted to remind the red shirt rioters of the damage they had done to the peaceful image of Thailand around the world and the damage done to the economy through the destruction of property and decline in tourist numbers.

The 44-year-old Siam Theatre, in Bangkok, and CentralWorld shopping centre are just two of many buildings left gutted by fire.

And the troubles have spread further afield with the Pattaya hotel market facing another awful year with occupancy of luxury establishments falling to below half.

In 2006 and 2007 Pattaya experienced usual booming tourist trade with occupancy reaching three-quarters of all four and five star rooms.

The upgraded advice will be a dagger blow to the already wailing Thai tourism industry which has seen a sharp downturn in bookings since the start of the troubles.

Recent demonstrations in Chiang Mai and violent protests in the centre of Bangkok are said to behind the upgraded security directives.

A statement from the US government said: ““Political demonstrations by the UDD are expected to continue in Bangkok indefinitely. As a result, traffic congestion and difficulty of movement is possible throughout Bangkok, and traffic patterns may change unexpectedly as demonstrators block roads.

“Other forms of transportation, such as the BTS Skytrain, may close unexpectedly in response to threats or incidents, such as occurred on April 27, when protesters jumped onto the tracks and tried to block the tracks with tyres.”

In response a whopping 1.6billion baht has been allocated to restore Thailand’s battered tourism industry once the current political crisis ends.

The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced the spending plan which is liable to have major benefits for the whole of Thailand .

The scheme includes 600million baht to restore domestic tourism with the remainder allocated for foreign markets with the scheme kicking off as early as June.

Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa said: “The number of visitors is likely to rebound in the third quarter should we be able to implement the stimulus plan within the second quarter.”

Foreign arrivals at Bangkok Airport only average 21,000 per day currently, a drop of almost one-third from last year.

The Kingdom’s tourism industry has remained slumped after grenade attacks at Silom in central Bangkok which killed four people and left 80 people injured.

Many foreign governments, including the British, Australian and Canadian embassies, have warned their citizens against travelling to the Thai capital in wake of the protests.

In the most recent violence, there were hots fired between red shirt protestors and security forces outside Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport.

The United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) have demanded PM Abhisit Vejjajiva call snap elections to allow fugitive politician Thaksin Shinawatra to return to power.

The former Manchester City FC chairman has been on the run since he was ousted in a military coup and faces corruption charges should he return to Thailand.

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Activists from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) are camped out at the Ratchaprasong intersection of the Silom district of Bangkok.

But a new ‘multi-colour’ protest has come out on the streets aiming to bring the ongoing political unrest to a halt.

Many average people are angry at the way the red shirts have paralysed the capital, with the closure of five department stores, 13 hotels, 30 bank branches and 63,000 people unable to work.

But red shirt leaders said they would resist a blockade of the site and took increased security at checkpoints entering the area as a sign of a possible government assault.

They have continues to strengthen make-shift barricades constructed of tyres and sharpened bamboo poles.

Red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan said: “Starting tonight, we will break through with our bare hands every checkpoint which prevents people from joining the rally.”

“More checkpoints mean the government is preparing to disperse us. We will not stand still and be trapped.”

Air force commander Itthiporn Supawong told reporters that the multi-coloured shirt movement spoke for the majority of Thais and that the stand-off would be resolved soon.

He said: “More people are coming out to voice their opinions. The country does not belong to any particular colour. It belongs to all colours.”

The UDD have demanded PM Abhisit Vejjajiva call snap elections to allow fugitive politician Thaksin Shinawatra to return to power.

The former Manchester City FC chairman has been on the run since he was ousted in a military coup and faces corruption charges should he return to Thailand.

Meanwhile, two branches of Bangkok Bank in Chiang Mai were attacked with explosives in separate incidents but no casualties were reported in either.

A M26 grenade was launched at San Kamphaeng district branch but caused minor damage to a mobile phone shop next door. The safely lever of the device was found in a gutter.

Police believe two attackers targetted the store from a motorbike after realising that the bank was equipped with CCTV cameras.
 
A bottle bomb was thrown over a wall by the side of Chom Thong district branch at around 03:00 yesterday but caused no damage to property. Police said the device was formed from petrol, gunpowder and fertiliser-based explosives.

Vesak Day, or Visakha Bucha, takes place between May 22 and 28 and is the most important Buddhist festival in Thailand.

Followers head to temples at this time every year to hear sermons from monks and take part in some of the processions being organised.

Buddhists will also offer donations and prayers at the many shrines and temples around the country.

Holidaymakers cannot not fail to notice the streams of people making their way to the religious buildings.

One of the festival’s highlights are the candlelit parades which often take place around Thailand’s temples.

The celebrations are always timed to coincide with the full moon and therefore the date of Buddha’s birthday varies from year to year.

Tourists staying on Koh Samui will find the biggest events likely to be centred around Wat Phra Yai, which is home to one of the island’s most famous landmarks – Big Buddha.

This golden statue of the deity stands at 12m in height and is an especially impressive sight when lit up in the evening.

Jetsun Pema, younger sibling of the exiled Tibetan leader, was turned down by the Thai government in case allowing her in the country enraged China.

The 69-year-old, who currently resides in India, was hoping to speak at a three-day cultural show in the capital which starts on Friday. She was due to discuss spiritual education for Buddhist exiles.

Foreign ministry spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut told reporters that her visa application was rejected by Thailand’s New Delhi Embassy as they “did not want to get involved in international politics”.

China has been highly critical of any nation which overtly exhibits any diplomatic ties with the Dalai Lama and even fiercely condemned US President Barak Obama for meeting him last month.

The Dalai Lama fled his Tibetian homeland in 1959 and currently resides in Mcleod Ganj in the Indian Himalayas. He speaks out for greater autonomy for Tibet but is dismissed by Bejing as a dissident separatist.

China currently invests large sums in Thailand’s industrial and agricultural sectors.

There were no injured caused by the blasts but Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ordered troops to remain on alert in wake of the attacks.

He attributed the incidents to red shirt supporters of fugitive PM Thaksin Shinawatra protesting against the decision to seize US$1.4billion of his family fortune on Friday.

Mr Abhisit said in his weekly television address to the nation: “The bomb incidents were expected after the verdict. They are the actions of a small group of people who want to create unrest.”

But red shirt leaders denied any connection between the Thaksin-supporting United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship and the bank grenade attacks.

Thaksin watched the verdict unfold from exile in the United Arab Emirates. He refuses to return to Thailand where he faces charges of corruption but recently undertook the post of economic advisor to Cambodia, increasing tensions between the two neighbours.

Red shirt supporters of the fugitive politician watched the Bangkok court proceedings on huge televisions, with fears that violence could escalate following an unfavourable decision.

The criminal division of the Supreme Court is debating whether family assets worth 76.6 billion baht which were frozen following corruption charges should now be permanently seized by the state.

Mr Thaksin, who was born in the northern Sankampaeng district of the Kingdom, pledged to accept whatever verdict is handed down today by the court.

He told members of the Puea Thai Party via videolink that his relatives would cope with any decision the court made.

“Today, I’m more heartened and ready for any outcome of the verdict. My family and I are prepared to deal with the imminent situation,” Thaksin said.

“I would like to thank the leaders and core members of the Puea Thai party and hope that everyone will be rational when listening to the court’s ruling.”

Meanwhile red shirt members in the north of Thailand pledged to join mass anti-government protests next month in the capital.

Jetstar flight JQ28 was expected to depart from Phuket’s International airport at 9pm local time on Monday, however the flight was cancelled forcing all 290 passengers to spend Australia day in Thailand.

After spending the night on the island passengers returned to the airport yesterday and after proceeding through security checks, immigration and onto the plane, were told for a second time the flight would not go ahead.

The plane is expected to depart Phuket tonight and arrive in Sydney early tomorrow morning.

Jetstar issued a statement which said that the cancellations were due to two separate technical issues, and all passengers were given two nights’ accommodation, with the airline covering costs for meals and airport transfers.

The airline said that it had offered a refund for the full return airfare as well as a $600 travel voucher as compensation for the disruption.

One passenger on the flight said that tempers flared as passengers were left waiting with little explanation.

The passenger said that after disembarking the aircraft, she had to deal with local ground staff, who were unable to offer any information.

It is believed that children who were expected to return from school holidays were also aboard the flight.

Complaints from tourists led to Phuket International Airport Director Prathueng Sornkham announcing the crackdown earlier this week.Complaints from tourists ranged from harassment to being coerced to go on impromptu shopping trips, where they are forced to buy things they do not want.

Airport Director Prathueng Sornkham has said the crackdown will continue, with the police keeping a close eye on taxi drivers seen as annoying or harassing tourists.

The Nation quotes the airport director as saying: “We need to restore our good image among tourists…From the information we have, we think there are now about 200 illegal taxis operating here and we hope to solve this problem soon.”

Airport officials and other staff were given advance warning of the crackdown, so that the process was smooth and seamless. Tourists however, had not been warned, and many had to wait for around half an hour or more to find taxi rides to their respective destinations around the island.

The ‘black plate taxis’ which were the focus of the crackdown have been operating surreptitiously out of the airport without authorization for many years now. Legally, every taxi that picks up a fare from the Phuket International Airport must pay AoT (Airports Authority of Thailand) the requisite fees.

Transport Ministry officers and Phuket Airport security staff interrogate a driver attempting to leave through the exit gate at Phuket Airport this morning.