Most projects by young Democrat have yet to bear fruit so he needs to work hard. There are a lot of “intelligent” projects but none of them seem quite smart enough for Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin to boast about.

Disease at goat farms

An outbreak of the infectious disease Brucellosis is spreading across goat farms in Kanchanaburi, where 19 workers have already been infected with the disease, authorities said yesterday. Doctors have advised those living in the area not to panic as the disease is only transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or animal products such as raw meat and milk.

NRC urges rights centre be established

The government should set up a centre for justice and reconciliation to protect human rights and provide legal assistance to local residents in the three southernmost provinces, the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) has suggested.

Poll finds many upset with ‘unreliable’ Kataleeya

People are upset with actress and TV host Kataleeya “Mam” McIntosh, believing that she failed to tell them the truth in acknowledging her pregnancy, a poll has found.

Return of body ‘handled properly’

The Foreign Ministry yesterday dismissed allegations of carelessness in providing assistance to Thai nationals in China, saying its consulate in Guangzhou tried its best to help bring the body of a Thai man who died in the country back to the Kingdom.

Blood gathered for tsunami-trauma DNA study

The first phase of a project to study the genetic code of tsunami survivors suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ended yesterday with the completion of the mammoth task of collecting blood samples from 5,600 people in the southern provinces hit by the December 26 tidal waves.

Criminal court scraps Hangthong cremation

The Criminal Court yesterday ordered the cremation of Hangthong Thammawattana be suspended, while the late MP’s brother Noppadol said he would seek a third autopsy on the body.

16 Tak Bai protesters surrender

Sixteen local residents who allegedly took part in the bloody Tak Bai demonstration last October surrendered to authorities in Narathiwat yesterday in return for leniency, the secretary of the Southern Border Provinces Peace-building Command (SBPPC), Pongsak Indarawongsak, said.

Tender for ambulance contract aborted again

The Public Health Ministry yesterday called off yet again an Internet-based tender to supply ambulances – the sixth time the bid has been cancelled.

Preecha mulled for OCSC nomination

Preecha Vajrabhaya will be nominated as secretary-general of the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC), a Government House source said yesterday.

Petrol stations may close earlier

The government might require petrol stations to close earlier to stem consumption in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the US Gulf of Mexico states and has pushed up global oil prices after forcing several refineries to close.

Push to boost nurseries

Thai children have a generally low IQ partly because of poor standards of nursery care, the permanent secretary for health, Dr Wichai Thianthaworn, said yesterday. Wichai made the comments as he announced a plan by the ministry to set up high-quality nurseries nationwide.

BURNING ISSUE: SURAYUD TO DISCUSS ROYAL POWER

Privy councillor and others to address sensitive topic in public forum today

Thaksin to kick start recapitalisation plan

Residents of Phang Nga and other southern provinces will be allowed to use their fishing boats as collateral for new loans after financial institutions signed an agreement under a government’s anti-poverty project, officials said yesterday.

Election watchdog urged to heed Council of State’s advice

The Election Commission should cancel a “red card” decision against an MP if the Council of State found insufficient evidence to substantiate alleged campaign violations, a former election monitor said yesterday.