Kin of kidnap victims from Japan meet missing woman’s family, offer assistance. Relatives of Japanese kidnap victims confirmed yesterday that Chiang Mai native Anocha Panjoy had been abducted to North Korea nearly 30 years ago, as stated in the memoirs of an American army deserter.

Ministry calls halt to raids on cigarette vendors

Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat yesterday decided to put off further raids on shops for violations of the ministry’s ban on displaying cigarettes. The decision came a day after raids on two 7-Eleven outlets in Nonthaburi by police and health officers. Pinij said that further raids could not be conducted until the ministry completes the draft of guidelines for shops to comply with the law.

BUDDHIST RELOCATION: Kosin was just ‘floating’ an idea, says Kongsak

Democrat says proposal is an insult to Isaan people; govt says it wasn’t serious

Bird owners demand virus vaccine

Fighting-cock owners have threatened to organise a mass protest at Bangkok’s Royal Plaza to demand that the government provides poultry vaccinations against for the deadly bird-flu virus.

Rainmakers work set to increase

The Agriculture Ministry will push for the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agriculture Aviation to become an independent organisation so that it can work more efficiently, Agriculture Minister Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan said yesterday.

‘Voluntary’ stymies solution for schools

An Education Ministry panel yesterday failed to conclude a definition for the term “voluntary basis”, which is now a critical factor in the government’s plan to transfer state schools to local administrative supervision.

Airport city plan ‘odd, unnecessary’

Participants at a House of Representatives committee hearing voiced opposition yesterday to the government’s Suvarnabhumi city project, insisting the current town planners were capable of managing the new international airport.

Thai activist held in the Philippines

A Thai environmental activist was yesterday arrested in the Philippines after joining an international group of protesters picketing a local coal-fired power plant, said Uaphan Chamnan-ua, Greenpeace Southeast Asia’s media officer.

METRO BRIEFS: Bus inspections

The Transport Ministry will on Wednesday begin inspecting minibuses operated by private companies to determine whether they are roadworthy, Deputy Transport Minister Chaiyanan Charoensiri said yesterday.

Alarm over surge in children with obesity-linked diabetes

The number of Thai children suffering from diabetes as a result of being overweight compared with five years ago is alarming, health advocates said yesterday.

BURNING ISSUE: They have the numbers, but can they stay united?

Democrat leader Abhisit has the opposition resurgent, but must win over two wily old foxes: Banharn and Sanan

Government says no to joint session of Parliament on Jaruvan issue

A proposal by the opposition to convene a joint session of Parliament to debate the job status of Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka was snubbed by the government yesterday.

Search starts for next AMLO chief

The process to appoint a new head of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has started. Outgoing chief Peeraphan Prempooti said yesterday that the Justice Ministry’s civil service committee set up a selection panel on Wednesday.

TEEN SEX: Judge derides Watana’s new spotlight plan as ridiculous

Says police officers could end up in jail for Loy Krathong

BBC closure draws flak

A regional human-rights body has joined the movement to keep the BBC Thai service on the air, calling the decision to cease broadcasting a serious underestimation of its “popularity, impact and importance”.

New reporting rule on gold and gem deals

Gold and gem traders nationwide will have to report any business transactions worth more than Bt1 million made with non-regular customers once a new regulation takes effect next year, Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) secretary-general Peeraphan Premputi said yesterday.

Chiang Mai gets

‘Thanarak’ homes