Thai glory at Robot Olympics. Their inventions may not look hi-tech and they had never entered an international contest before, but 10 students from Benchamarachrung-sarit 2 School and their hand-made robots still managed to snatch three bronze medals at the China-Macao Robot Olympics.

Baby-abandoner sentenced

A woman who abandoned her new-born baby in a taxi was sentenced yesterday to a two-year suspended jail term, a Bt1,000 fine and 12 hours of community service. The Min Buri Criminal Court initially handed Kanokwan Chansiri a sentence of two years behind bars for abandoning a child under the age of nine.

Princess pens essay on palace pets

Are you curious to know about pets inside a palace? HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has plenty to tell in a hand-written essay in Your Pet magazine that will hit the shelves across the country today.

Death for drunk driver

The Provincial Court yesterday sentenced a 23-year-old man to death after his drunk driving killed four people and injured four others.

METRO BRIEFS: District offices

Receptionists to boost efficiency

RAMON MAGSAYSAY: I dedicate my award to missing lawyer: Jon

Somchai represents people striving to make nation better

Oppositio seeks 10% budget cut

Opposition MPs have called for the government to cut the 2006 budget by 10 per cent, arguing that economic growth is expected to be lower than previously forecast while plans for large central-fund spending are ambiguous.

Council member Ek sought for extortion

The Criminal Court yesterday approved a warrant for the arrest of Bangkok Council member Ek Junglertsiri on charges of extorting money from street traders in the capital.

Board denies Jaruvan report

The Board of Audit Commissioners yesterday dismissed reports that His Majesty the King’s principal private secretary had asked it to disburse back pay owed to Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka.

Case ‘is a test for freedom of speech’

Shawn Crispin, a former correspondent with the Far Eastern Economic Review magazine, told the Criminal Court yesterday that Supinya Klangnarong, the media activist fighting charges filed by Shin Corp, had a legitimate right to express her critical opinion about the firm and PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s government.

IN BRIEF: Military reshuffle

Raden passed over as Thaksin chooses Chalit for air force promotion

Surayud to speak on royal powers

General Surayud Chulanond, a Privy Council member and former armed forces supreme commander, will give a special speech next week on “Powers of the King” at an academic gathering.

Chalerm to contest Senate seat next year

Veteran politician Chalerm Yoobamrung announced yesterday he would stand in the senatorial election next March.

PM to visit Phang Nga, launch asset-conversion schemes

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to meet tsunami victims and launch asset-capitalisation schemes to assist local villagers next week in Phang Nga.

BURNING ISSUE: Water crisis to the rescue?

The drought has given the govt a good excuse to scale down its transit plans

Red-carded opposition MPs dispute allegations

Democrat MP Thanin Jaisamut yesterday claimed that the government was seeking revenge on him for distributing VCDs on the Tak Bai anti-riot operation during his election campaign.