(Java) How to stop a thread without Thread.stop()

The stop() method is deprecated, for example:

private Thread blinker;

public void start() {
blinker = new Thread(this);
blinker.start();
}

public void stop() {
blinker.stop(); // UNSAFE!
}

public void run() {
Thread thisThread = Thread.currentThread();
while (true) {
try {
thisThread.sleep(interval);
} catch (InterruptedException e){
}
repaint();
}
}

Why is Thread.stop deprecated?

Because it is inherently unsafe. Stopping a thread causes it to unlock all the monitors that it has locked. (The monitors are unlocked as the ThreadDeath exception propagates up the stack.) If any of the objects previously protected by these monitors were in an inconsistent state, other threads may now view these objects in an inconsistent state. Such objects are said to be damaged. When threads operate on damaged objects, arbitrary behavior can result. This behavior may be subtle and difficult to detect, or it may be pronounced. Unlike other unchecked exceptions, ThreadDeath kills threads silently; thus, the user has no warning that his program may be corrupted. The corruption can manifest itself at any time after the actual damage occurs, even hours or days in the future. (From java.sun.com)

To replace this method, here is an example:

private volatile Thread blinker;

public void stop() {
blinker = null;
}

public void run() {
Thread thisThread = Thread.currentThread();
while (blinker == thisThread) {
try {
thisThread.sleep(interval);
} catch (InterruptedException e){
}
repaint();
}
}