PM promises to take teachers’ objections into consideration. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday he would heed the reasons behind the demand by government teachers against the plan to transfer supervision of government schools across the country to local administrative bodies.

Bt10 fare on extended BTS route

The Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTS) has agreed that fares for the Skytrain’s extended route from Saphan Taksin station to Thon Buri will be set at Bt10, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said yesterday.

BURNING ISSUE: Rejuvenated Opposition sees a big target in PM

Democrats, allies are keen to exercise restored power to launch impeachment

Confidence in govt, premier at record highs, poll finds

Public confidence in Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s government has hit record levels, despite his recent comments about giving Thai Rak Thai-held constituencies priority when it came to government funds, according to a political confidence index created by Suan Dusit polls.

Rakkiat moved to Udon Thani Prison

Former public health minister Rakkiat Sukthana was moved to Udon Thani Central Prison last Friday, where he will serve the remainder of his 15-year sentence for corruption.

Tougher alcohol, cigarette laws planned

The Finance Ministry will today ask the Cabinet to enforce even stricter regulations on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes. The new rules will make legal the current decree on liquor sales after midnight and prohibit the sale of cigarettes in educational institutions.

Bird vaccine back on agenda

The emotive debate about whether Thailand should allow vaccination of chickens against bird flu has been revived – after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra expressed interest in beginning to build immunity within the Kingdom’s avian population.

Labour shortage looms

The Labour Ministry plans to import a further 200,000 immigrant workers from Laos and Cambodia and allow for the registration of another 300,000 illegal workers already in the country to cover a looming labour shortage next year.

Army officer gets 20 years

An Army officer was yesterday handed a 20-year jail term for robbing Ch Karnchang Plc three years ago, before kidnapping an accountant and drugging him with amphetamines to force him to reveal ATM pin codes.

METRO BRIEFS:

NO DOGS IN PARKS

SOUTH TROUBLES: Warning systems for temples

Thaksin vows increased security; bomb found near PM’s restaurant

Governors to handle budget

Governors in the three southernmost provinces will be given responsibility for approving security budgets in their jurisdictions, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday, after a two-day trip to the restive South.

IN BRIEF:

TRAGIC LEAP: Accountancy student jumps to his death after row with girlfriend

EC denies it favoured a candidate

Election Commission chairman Vasana Puemlarp yesterday dismissed a report that the EC had helped a candidate in the 2003 tambon administrative organisation (TAO) elections by reversing its decision to give him a red card.

Analysis: Thailand plays a delicate game

Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon stressed repeatedly yesterday that Thai-North Korean relations are “very excellent”.

‘Fists of fury’ senator quits

Volatile senator and former police chief Pratin Santiprabhob yesterday quit the upper house as personal penance for having punched Mae Hong Son Senator Adul Wanchaithanawong last year.

Activists add PM’s name to Egat suit

Civic groups said yesterday that they would name Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as a defendant in their abuse-of power-suit challenging the government’s bid to list state-owned Egat Plc on the stock market.