Infections in 19 farm workers prompt largest-ever mass-culling in Kanchanaburi. About 2,000 goats will be culled today at the country’s biggest goat farm, in Kanchanaburi province, to prevent the spread of the infectious disease brucellosis, a senior Livestock Development Depart-ment official said yesterday.

GOVERNOR’S FIRST YEAR: Apirak forms ‘We Love Bangkok’ club

Marking his first year in office, Governor Apirak Kosayodhin yesterday launched the “We Love Bangkok” club, aimed at gathering ideas from one million members in one year on how to improve the capital. Apirak told a press conference at City Hall that he expects to recruit all 10 million residents of Bangkok as members before his four-year term ends.

Democrats to boost role of affiliates

The Democrat Party will strengthen its relationship with its affiliate s as part of the “rebranding” strategy which aims to improve the party’s image ahead of the 2009 elections.

PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS: Govt allies rewarded in reshuffle

Inspector-general, inactive posts for those out of favour

Judge’s son can’t get arrested

The son of a Constitution Court judge who tried to get himself arrested on purpose for possession of a single speed pill reluctantly walked out of court a free man yesterday because the prosecution failed to prove its case.

New plan would close petrol pumps at 8pm

The Energy Ministry has short-listed six measures for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s consideration, including petrol stations closing at 8pm or 9pm.

Callers slam new energy proposals

Thousands of disgruntled listeners jammed a popular Bangkok traffic radio station’s telephone lines yesterday to voice their disgust at the latest energy-saving proposals.

NAP alumni to gather

Thai Rak Thai Party MPs who were members of the now-defunct New Aspiration Party will gather tomorrow at General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh’s home to assess the current political situation, an MP said.

Group wants to visit Muslims

The Young Muslim Association of Thailand (YMAT) yesterday expressed its desire to enter Malaysia to console the 131 Thai Muslims currently being sheltered in the northern state of Kelantan.

Dates set for activities commemorating the tsunami

The official memorial service for tsunami victims will be held on December 26 in Phang Nga’s Khao Lak district, and a series of commemorative events will follow the next day, the Cabinet concluded yesterday.

Wheezing industry touts Singapore’s compromise

In a last ditch attempt to show that there are ways to combat smoking other than a total ban on cigarette displays, Philip Morris last week organised a trip for Thai media representatives to Singapore to show what the industries calls a “win-win” option.

Wan gets to choose his community service work

Wan Yoobumrung, a son of veteran politician Chalerm Yubamrung, may teach sports to students or help provide care to hospital patients as part of his court-mandated community service.

Air traffic control a go at new airport, officials say

Aeronautical Radio of Thailand expressed confidence yesterday that air traffic control operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport were fully prepared for the Thaksin Cabinet’s testing of the runway at the end of the month.

Thai team of 20 doctors and nurses to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina

Tomorrow, the Public Health Ministry will dispatch a team of 20 Thai doctors and nurses to help victims of the devastating Hurricane Katrina in the United States, a Cabinet member said yesterday.

OBEC furious as massage parlour opens near school

The Office of the Basic Education Commission yesterday called for a review of a recent police decision to allow a massage parlour to open near a high school, despite opposition from teachers and parents over the move.

Hospital, doctor must pay Bt3m

The Civil Court yesterday ordered Bangkok’s Synphaet Hospital and a medical doctor to pay Bt3.04 million in damages to a man whose wife died during childbirth at the hospital.

Villagers halt removal of ancient sculptures

Fine Arts Department officials yesterday failed to remove several 17th-century Khmer Bapuan-style sandstone sculptures from a temple due to a backlash from local villagers over the plan.

Threat to casino town

The authority to issue border passes has been transferred from the Aranyaprathet district officer to Sa Kaew provincial officials, possibly “cutting the blood line” of the casinos across the border in Cambodia’s Poipet.

BURNING ISSUE: Crowd enthralled by debate

Privy Councillor Surayud cancels speech because of concern over negative fallout

Thai Rak Thai members call for Pramuan to be dumped from the party

Thai Rak Thai members yesterday moved to oust rebel MP Pramuan Ruchanaseree from the party over his continual attempts to remove the Thaksin Cabinet.

EC to defend red card for Mahachon’s Tun

A representative of the Elec-tion Commission will appear before the Council of State today to defend a red-card decision against Mahachon MP Tun Jintavej.

Senators seek talks with King’s secretary to clarify Visut’s status

Four senators yesterday asked for a meeting with His Majesty the King’s Principal Private Secretary to break the deadlock over the nomination of a new auditor-general, for which His Majesty has withheld approval for three months.

Court decides silence is best option

The Constitution Court yesterday decided against issuing a statement clarifying the effect of last year’s verdict on Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka’s nomination on her current job status.