Excise chief fears upcoming move will cut govt revenue. Excise Department chief Utis Thammavathin expressed concern yesterday that the ban on cigarette displays at all points of purchase will hurt the country’s revenue collection.

Anand: Ignorance to blame

Ignorance of cultural diversity and incompetent civil servants have fanned the flames of unrest in the three southernmost provinces, the chairman of the National Reconciliation Commission said yesterday. Anand Panyarachun urged the government to respect and promote cultural diversity and he warned against the creation of a “mono-culture” in the troubled region.

BURNING ISSUE: Ideas whose time haven’t come

Two new Cabinet ministers have tabled some odd proposals indeed

Route scrapping has MPs wringing hands

Bangkok Thai Rak Thai MPs will question the government’s decision to scrap the planned construction of two electric-train routes in order to use the funds to solve water shortages in the provinces.

Ruling party to pack debate

Government whips yesterday urged all Thai Rak Thai MPs to attend the House meeting to debate the 2006 fiscal budget bill tomorrow and Thursday to ensure easy passage of the legislation.

Apirak rebuts spending jibe

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin yesterday dismissed insinuations that he has spent the city’s money to woo votes.

Kingdom’s top scients honoured

Two doctors working on osteoporosis research have been honoured with Outstanding Scientists of the Year awards as part of Thailand Science Week 2005. The awards were judged by the Science Society of Thailand.

Metro Briefs:

DRAIN CLEAN-UP: Motorists asked to avoid areas

DEEP SOUTH: Secret Swiss talks with separatist group denied

Chidchai pours cold water on reports of Lausanne meeting with Pulo as killings continue in region

Senate passes emergency law

The Senate yesterday approved the State of Emergency Decree following a two-day debate that saw many senators express reservations over what they consider excessive provisions curbing rights and liberties.

Locks changed to Jaruvan’s office ‘to boost security’

The locks for the office of incumbent Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka have been replaced for security reasons, a senior official at the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) said yesterday.

Dokrak regains partial sight

A woman who was accidentally blinded after a botched medical procedure regained partial sight yesterday after surgery on her right eye.

In Brief

NCCC MEMBERS: Senate panel to screen candidates

Northeast gripped by drought

Drought continues to ravage the Northeast of the country with nearly 700,000 rai of farmland in Chaiyaphum province still dry, Khon Kaen planning an early drought crisis announcement and Nakhon Ratchasima preparing to make more rainmaking flights.

Britain wants Algerian suspect

Immigration police have received an official request from the British police for the extradition of an Algerian man arrested last week for passport forgery, division chief Pol Maj General Suwat Thamrongsrisakul said yesterday.

PR team to study noise at airport

The New Bangkok Interna-tional Airport (NBIA) plans to hire a team of professional public-relations experts to verify noise-pollution levels created by Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Rattana wins 11-yr battle

The government has agreed to shoulder the cost of re-housing duped homeowner Rattana Sajjathep and has offered to help her with legal issues pertaining to the case, Deputy Prime Minister Pinij Charusombat said yesterday.

Slim cops rewarded

All but one of the 83 traffic policemen who finished a two-month weight loss programme yesterday have slimmed down and pocketed bonuses for their efforts.