Medical forum believes ethical controls will be imposed by society. A medical forum on the ethics of stem cell research admitted yesterday there were no regulations to control clinical trials of stem cell therapy or to prevent use of the therapy for commercial purposes.

Infant gift sets launched to spur mental development

To reverse the nation’s flagging IQ, the government yesterday embarked on a countrywide scheme to distribute baby gift sets designed to assist parents in raising a crop of intelligent and happy kids. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra kicked off the gift programme, which also marked HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s birthday, at Bangkok’s Rajvithi Hospital.

SUVARNABHUMI SAGA: Airport will open late, PM admits

Launch date for Bt150-billion gateway to be delayed up to eight months

Alongkorn beats accuser to court

Democrat MP Alongkorn Pollabutr has scored the first legal victory in his airport bribery case by getting his two criminal lawsuits placed on the court docket ahead of suits filed by his accuser.

Probe into empty longan boxes

A panel charged with destroying contaminated, dried longan found more than 5,000 empty boxes of the fruit at a warehouse in Muang district, a source said yesterday.

Wissanu: Act may replace security decree

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday said it was possible that the administration could replace the State of Emergency Decree with an act of Parliament if lawmakers insisted it was necessary.

Home-made bomb found in front of bank in Yala

A home-made bomb was discovered under a bench in front of a bank in this southern province yesterday, apparently intended to kill police officers who normally guard the area.

Senate seeks Royal nod for Visut

The Senate has sought a Royal command to install Visut Montriwat as the new auditor-general, but His Majesty the King has yet to endorse the appointment, the chamber’s speaker said yesterday.

Home-schooling scam fears sounded

An activist yesterday called on the Education Ministry to clarify the official definition of “home schooling” before more children are lured into paying for schooling that is not recognised by the official educational system.

Plans to privatise Channel 11 not clear

Although many questions remain unanswered about its new look, Channel 11, the only state-owned television station, will be privatised in the next two months.

Cancer alert for five vegetables

The use of artificial colouring may make five commonly grown vegetables carcinogenic, the Food Safety Institution has announced.

Prapas’ family wants seized assets back

The family of the late Field Marshal Prapas Charusathira has petitioned for a judicial review to decide whether a 1974 government order to seize the family’s property was constitutional.

Mental health institute to aid stressed-out populace

The government plans to set up the National Mental Health Promotion Institute to tackle the alarming rate of mental health-related problems threatening Thailand’s social and economic well being.

Feud likely behind killing of new monk

A monk was shot dead and another injured by gunmen on a motorcycle in Trang yesterday morning.

Chiang Mai Brand firms being sought in province

Foreseeing the high potential for growth of handicrafts and local small businesses, Chiang Mai province two years ago developed a project which distinguishes itself from the countrywide Otop campaign.

HAZING TRAGEDY: Outlook grim for Chula freshman

18-year-old likely to remain in a coma, doctors say

List of laundering offences

The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) will include bidding collusion and seven other offences in the anti-money laundering law, secretary-general Peeraphan Prempooti said yesterday.

Krung Thai Bank to collect own debts on student loans

Krung Thai Bank Plc will lend money to university students to buy computer notebooks and be in charge of collecting repayments itself, a senior official said yesterday.

Samet locals in land protest

Some 200 villagers from Koh Samet rallied outside Parliament yesterday, petitioning senators for their help over “unfair” land seizures by government agencies.

Changes to phone networks to include ‘direct line’ to govt

The public could soon be able to use toll-free numbers to file complaints or provide information to government agencies, a member of the National Telecommunications Commission said yesterday.