Civil groups in Chiang Mai called on the governor yesterday to release blueprints for the city’s biggest mega-project - Chiang Mai World - for public debate amid increasing fears that it might have wide-ranging cultural, social and environmental repercussions for city residents. The development package comprises 14 tourism-related projects stretching over 23,000 rai of the Suthep-Pui National Park. The park covers woodland on and around Doi Suthep, home to a revered Buddhist shrine, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.

BIRD FLU: Lab tests reveal virus in local sparrows, pigeons

Officials order high-risk poultry farms to be sprayed as migration season nears. In an alarming development amid frenzied attempts by the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) to control the spread of the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza, laboratory tests have revealed the virus has already spread to such migratory birds as sparrows, pigeons and mynas.

Activist bemoans alien law move

The government must reveal the details of the Alien Business Act or Thai consumers would be hurt, manager of Foundation for Consumers, Sairung Thongplon said yesterday.

PATTANI TEMPLE RAID: Killers caught us off guard: Thaksin

PM vows to track down offenders, says police have ‘full support to use all means’

Kantathi accuses KL of insincerity

Foreign Minister Kantathi Supamongkhon lashed out yesterday at Malaysia for making negative comments about the Thai government’s handling of the insurgency in the deep South, accusing Kuala Lumpur of insincerity.

IN BRIEF:

CAR-PARK SCANDAL: ‘Besmirched’ Yaowaret Shinawatra makes case for her libel suit

Ministry seeks right to make Tamiflu

The Public Health Ministry has assured that by the middle of next year Thailand will have access to Tamiflu, the only antiviral drug that has been found potentially effective in treating H5N1.

Free treatment for cerebral palsy offered

Siriraj Hospital is looking for 50 children suffering from cerebral palsy to receive a free treatment with expensive medication that could improve the quality of their lives.

Educators bristle at low budget

The Education Ministry will ask for a further Bt12 billion for the fiscal year 2006 to fund its mega-project scheme, following the Budget Bureau’s approval of just Bt4 billion.

METRO BRIEFS:

FLYOVER OPENS

BURNING ISSUE: New bill A muzzle on free speech?

Moves to regulate pollsters working for state institutions have sparked controversy and fears over limits on opinion polls

Whip endorses polling Act despite concerns

An amendment to the Statistics Act has been endorsed by the government whip despite concerns that it impinges on fundamental freedoms.

Govt denies trying to influence by-elections

A senior government figure yesterday dismissed an allegation that the ruling Thai Rak Thai party was using its power over local officials in a bid to win the October 30 by-elections, particularly in Phichit.

Elephants recovering

The two elephant sisters that suffered severe injuries earlier this month after stepping on a landmine near the Burmese border are recuperating well, their veterinarian said yesterday.

Panel should reveal what it knows: Somsak

Labour Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has urged the House of Representatives’ Labour Comm-ittee to reveal the evidence it has on senior officials who sought exorbitant fees from Thai workers wanting to work abroad.

Senator alleges intimidation over Klong Dan probe

A Samut Prakan senator claimed during an Upper House session yesterday that he had received threats to his life and family business after scrutinising irregularities in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment project.