Bangkok prepares ‘defensive strategy’ against risk of widespread outbreak. About 40 special units in four of Bangkok’s major hospitals have been set up as a preparatory measure to deal with a possible influx of bird-flu cases, a senior health official said. Dr Chatri Bancheun, director-general of the Department of Medical Services, said that the units had been prepared in case of an increase in patients suffering from bird flu.

Plans afoot for Buddhist meet

The government has allocated a budget of Bt15 million for the fourth world Buddhist summit, which Thailand will host next week, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said yesterday.He said the summit would run from Tuesday to Saturday at the auditorium at the Chumporn Khet Udomsak building.

KKOWLOON MURDER: HK police quiz man over Thai’s death

Suspect worked in same building where body found

Thaksin accused of breaching poll law

The opposition Mahachon Party has accused Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of violating electoral laws and has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission to that effect, deputy party leader Akapol Sorasuchart said yesterday.

Protesters demand dissolution of NRC

More than 50 protestors who claimed to represent Buddhists and religious organisations gathered in front of the Prime Minister’s Office building yesterday to demand the dissolution of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC).

Militants ambush psy-ops unit

A military psychological operations unit was ambushed yesterday shortly after a session in Narathiwat with local residents.

Staff work on as axe hovers over BBC service

Somchai Suwannaban, head of the BBC’s Thai section, left for Bangkok yesterday to discuss the termination of the BBC’s Thai service with local radio stations.

Call to close cable-TV loophole

The House committee on telecommunications yesterday called on the government to crack down on “illegal” television broadcasts via the Internet and satellites.

PM still weighing up reshuffle

The format of a new Cabinet line-up remains uncertain with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra saying yesterday that he wants to ponder his options over the weekend before finalising any decisions.

Diabetes epidemic to ‘devastate’ Asia

Asia is likely to suffer social and economic devastation from an escalating diabetes epidemic that could be even more crippling than HIV/Aids or a feared influenza pandemic, a World Health Organisation (WHO) expert warned yesterday.

Zoo plans to celebrate as pandas come of age

Chiang Mai Zoo is to hold a series of celebratory events between November 8 and 12 to mark the second anniversary of the arrival of its two resident giant pandas and its own 28th

Farmers to extend their vigil

The 5,000-strong farmer demonstration will continue outside Government House until they get a meeting with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to demand debt relief, a representative said yesterday.

Pedestrian killed by bus, driver denies blame

An air-conditioned bus yesterday hit and killed a man instantly in Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district. Bus-driver Montri Tangsujarit, however, blamed the victim for jumping into the road and making it impossible to apply his brakes in time.

BURNING ISSUE: Court to consider audit commission’s shameful legal ploy

Constitution judges face major dilemma as auditor-general fiasco grinds on with bid to replace her

Judges ‘unlikely to review Jaruvan case’

The Constitution Court is likely to reject a petition by the State Audit Commission (SAC) to rule on the status of Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka, a source familiar with the case said yesterday.

PM plans two-day trip to North

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has scheduled myriad activities, including the distribution of government handouts, for his two-day trip to Nakhon Sawan starting on Monday.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

No grace in buying victory: Navin

METRO BRIEFS: Ayutthaya campaign

The Ayutthaya Provincial Administrative Organisation is to spend Bt7 million on posters promoting the province’s historic sites to be displayed on Don Muang airport buses to boost tourism.