Residents throughout flood-ravaged region warned to brace for more heavy rain over the next three days. Residents in the South - already reeling from the worst flooding in decades - are bracing for more heavy rain. Downpours are predicted for today, tomorrow and Friday.

German tsunami assistance reaches Bt1.4 billion

Germany has poured more than Bt1.44 billion into tsunami-hit areas over the past year, the German Ambassador to Thailand Christoph Brummer said yesterday.

IN BRIEF: Health

Minister to open first clinic for Thai and foreign gay men in Phuket

Democrats deny Chuan visa snub

The Foreign Ministry seems to have jumped the gun in its bid to censure the Burmese military junta over reports former prime minister Chuan Leekpai was denied a visa to visit the pariah state, the opposition claimed yesterday.

Farmers back after HK protest

The remaining batch of 58 Thai farmers arrested during an anti-WTO demonstration in Hong Kong arrived home yesterday.

Spurned columnist sues ‘Matichon’ for Bt30 million

The Criminal Court has accepted a libel lawsuit filed by former Matichon columnist Wanich Jarungidanan against the paper’s parent firm in connection with a failed take-over bid by GMM Media in September.

LATEST GOVT PLAN: Cattle giveaway for poor farmers

Cabinet backs move to give stock to

BURNING ISSUE: Why is thaksin so fond of Russia’s jets?

The premier must ensure that military procurement procedures are transparent

No major drop in TRT’s popularity: Phumtham

Deputy Transport Minister Phumtham Wechayachai played down claims yesterday that urban voters would inevitably oust the Thai Rak Thai party from power.

Chirmsak appeals on NCCC

Senator Chirmsak Pinthong announced yesterday that he had appealed to the Ombudman’s Office for a judicial review of the Senate vote on the nine anti-graft nominees.

IN BRIEF: New year gifts

Thanks but no thanks, senators tell Pongsak

Mental scars trouble hundreds

As the anniversary of the tsunami draws near, Chanya Hutsanee still bursts into tears and gasps for breath when she recalls the disaster that took her 18-year-old son.

Death toll hits 35, three still missing

The death toll from the floods and landslides in eight southern provinces has reached at least 35 people – and three missing – from last Wednesday until Monday.

Night Safari free on New Year’s Eve

The Chiang Mai Night Safari will be open all night for free on New Year’s Eve and Bangkok revellers will be able to ring in the New Year with a candlelit prayer ceremony at Sanam Luang, officials said yesterday.

Poorest villages in the North and Northeast: Govt

The “poorest” villages in the country are in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai but the Northeast has the largest number of poor villages overall, a recent government report has found.

Blankets given to the needy

His Majesty the King has asked the Rajaprajanigroh Foundation, which is under royal patronage, to supply blankets to villagers suffering from cold weather in Udon Thani.

METRO BRIEFS: Taxis initiative

City taxi drivers will gather at Hua Mark Stadium on Sunday morning to watch Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra unveil his “Taxi Stop-Taxi Stand” project.