Borrowers complain to police about interest and service charges exceeding 28% per annum limit. Suchat Sampaokaew turned to a credit company for quick cash last year – just one day before his pregnant wife was due to deliver a child. “I needed the money for my wife and our baby. At that time, I was not very fussy about the fact the company employees did not tell me the exact interest rate because I thought I was going to a company I could trust.

Rattana takes the money, ends protest outside BMA

Duped homeowner Rattana Sajjathep yesterday agreed to accept money to buy a new home and move out of her temporary abode in front of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) headquarters. Rattana, her family and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin yesterday met with Saneh Jamarik, chairman of the national human rights panel, to find a way out of her impasse with the BMA.

EC, COURT VACANCIES: Cabinet to seek charter amendments

Changes would streamline bodies’ selection processes

Experts in call for royal charter role

His Majesty the King should be petitioned to initiate constitutional amendments to break the dictatorial one-party rule, speakers at Thammasat University unanimously agreed yesterday.

PM urges flood system revamp

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday criticised the inefficient flood warning system in Prachuap Khiri Khan province and urged officials to learn from their mistakes.

Thaksin: I’ll serve out term

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra assured his Cabinet yesterday he would serve out his term in office, expressing confidence that he would ride out any political storms until the general election due in 2009.

Democrats ask for dam details

The Democrat Party will today ask the Treasury Department to clear up the details of its dam rent deal with Egat Plc and clarify if it was an agreement or just a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

IN BRIEF: Royal anniversary

All government offices to bear flags

Frozen pig semen used for breeding

Pigs with good genetic make-up could be genetically reproduced an unlimited number of times as a result of Thai veterinarians’ success

Public flocks to Night Safari trial run

The Chiang Mai Night Safari, currently open to the public free of charge on a trial basis, has proven popular, with more than 2,000 people pouring through the gates a night, its director said yesterday.

Local authorities take offensive over new school bill

Local administrative organisations yesterday pledged to stage a massive protest against the government for its decision to cave in to pressure from teachers opposing the mandatory transfer of state schools to local authorities.

Bird-flu alarm

The death of numerous fowls in Nakhon Sawan’s Banpotpisai district caused fears that the province was set to become another casualty of a resurgent bird flu epidemic.

University clamps down on sexy outfits

Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University is out to stop female students sashaying to school in provocative mini-skirts and tight white shirts.

METRO BRIEFS: Smart cards arrive

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will start issuing smart identification cards to residents tomorrow.

BURNING ISSUE: Thaksin dons the cone of silence

With scandals all around, the PM adopts a self-imposed gag order to save himself from further grief

Phumtham: I can smell a coup

Deputy Transport Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said yesterday he feared a move to topple the government may begin in the next two weeks.

MPs call off anti-Sondhi talk show

Three government MPs yesterday cancelled a mobile talk show, saying they no longer needed to counter government critic Sondhi Limthongkul, who has been gagged by a court order.

PM lets slip a ‘thank you’ to media

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had brief words to reporters yesterday during his wife’s birthday party despite vowing on Sunday not to speak to them until after the New Year.