PM wants mega-projects started quickly

bangkokpost.com — Concerns over the global financial crisis which has started affecting the economy have prompted Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to order concerned government agencies on Friday to accelerate long-delayed mega-projects, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the capital and surrounding areas, a deputy government spokeswoman said. Suparat Nakboonnam said Mr Somchai told economic ministers during the meeting that disbursement of government budget and spending on mega-projects is now seen as vital as it could create employment and revenue for related industries such as the construction industry. read more...

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Thaksin's extradition possible if govt is serious to do so

nationmultimedia.com — Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra could be brought back to face justice in Thailand if the government is serious about doing so, said legal experts. Sak Kosaengruang, the former spokesman for the Asset Examination Committee, said authorities could ask Thai envoys posted overseas to help find Thaksin or could offer a bounty for the convicted expremier. Over the weekend, it was confirmed that the UK had already revoked visas for Thaksin and his wife Khunying Pojaman to reenter the UK where the couple earlier lived in exile. The whereabouts of Thaksin is not known, but Tej Bunnag, a former foreign minฌister, said yesterday that he believed Thaksin was currently in China. read more...

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PAD denies connectin with two men arrested with bombs

nationmultimedia.com — The People's Alliance for Democracy said Monday that it has fired two men who were arrested Sunday with assorted bombs and weapons in possession. Chamlong Srimuang and Pipop Thongchai, co-leaders of the PAD, said Thanit Khanurai, 28, and Watana Kijpithaksin, 22, used to work as guards of the PAD but they were fired over ten days ago. Chamlong said the chief of the PAD guards fired them after they were found to often use violence and carry guns. Chamlong said the two were warned several times to behave but they disobeyed so they were removed from duty. Chamlong said the PAD also had records of firing the two and could present the evidence to police. The two were arrested while on a motorcycle on Ratchasima Road in Dusit district at 2.50pm. read more...

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Abhisit hopes Thaksin will speak the truth

bangkokpost.com — Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called on ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to speak the truth when he makes a call to political talk show to address to his supporters. Mr Abhisit said he hopes Mr Thaksin would speak the truth and confess what he has done wrong. If he does so, political tension would ease, he added. "If he thinks about the country, Mr Thaksin must speak the truth and admit what he has done wrong, like cases against him," he said. read more...

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Court annuls post-coup conflict of interest law

nationmultimedia.com — The court ruled that the post-coup National Legislative Assembly in 2007 had lacked a quorum for the final reading of the bill. Hopes were high for the legislation as a deterrent for aspiring politicians because it sought to penalise office holders as well as their relatives linked to conflicts of interest. However, many politicians were unhappy, saying the law would discourage capable and qualified people from entering politics. The definition of kinship was so broad as to span 84 tiers of family members and in-laws. The law was dubbed a seven-generation punishment, drawing on the analogy of an ancient penalty of beheading a wrongdoer and all members of seven-related families. According to precedent, the NLA needed a quorum at the precious time of voting on passing a bill and not just at the calling of the session to order.k ra..asana bby? heheheok ra cy... read more...

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Reporters call for the end of violence

bangkokpost.com — Reporters at the Government House wore white shirt on Friday to campaign for the end of violence in the country. They all wear the shirts that bear the words, "End Violence" on the back. The shirts were distributed by the Thai Journalists Association, which requested that reporters wear them Friday to call for peace in the country. Fear of violence occur after ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra said he would phone-in to a political talk show to speak to his supporters on Saturday. Army chief Anupong Paojinda said soldiers are ready to provide assistance to police to prevent clashes between pro-government and anti-government groups. read more...

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Pilot who barred PPP MPs from flight reinstated

nationmultimedia.com — Thai Airways International has reinstated captain Chakri Chongsiri who was earlier suspended for his alleged refusal to let three MPs of the People Power Party board the flight. THAI President Apinan Sumanaseni said yesterday that the pilot had been cleared of the allegation after an investigating team found that he did not breach the protocol. Chakri has resumed his work as pilot since early November. Apinan said Chakri had vowed in writing not to repeat the incident. On October 8, the three MP members filed complaints after they were not allowed to board their flight to Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. Eyewitnesses said the captain came out of the cockpit and announced that his flight would not allow "tyrants, PPP MPs or politicians who harm people" to board. Chakri was consequently subjected to investigation. Capt Kathathong Suwannathat, deputy chief of Boeing 737-400 pilots, said Chakri was issued a written warning and told to control his emotion. Chakri was also placed under surveillance to see if he would follow instructions. Kathathong said five pilot trainers resigned as trainers after Chakri was reprimanded, saying the order was unfair. Chakri was also reinstated as a trainer in mid-October. read more...

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Bank of Thailand advised to cut interest rates

enews.mcot.net — Citing fears of a possible Thai economic recession due to global downturn, members of the Thai private sector urged the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to further lower interest rates. Federation of Thai Industries president Santi Vilassakdanont expressed grave concern over the outlook of the Thai economy in 2009, as it must battle both global recession and domestic political crisis which erodes consumer and investor confidence. Mr. Santi said the economic stimulus planned by the government are good but not adequate, in light of the fact that consumption and investment still show signs of sliding. To enable Thailand to ride out of the storm, Mr. Santi said the Bank of Thailand should cut interest rates by at least another 0.5 per cent to complement other economic stimuli. read more...

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