Collusion concerns resolved, firms lower bid prices. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday gave the green light to six mega-projects he had halted only the day before due to suspicions of bid collusion. Thaksin said yesterday that he was giving the renewed go-ahead to the projects, whose combined value is Bt9.3 billion.

Rights body slams land grab

Residents of three villages in Phang Nga that were destroyed by the tsunami hold legitimate rights to the land that was subsequently claimed by private parties, the National Human Right Commission said yesterday. The ownership documents provided by the private parties should be revoked because they were issued illegally, the commission said.

Grants approved after complaints

The head of the National Research Council (NCRT) has approved a budget transfer two days after the government appointed a committee to investigate his management of Bt500 million for integrated research projects.

Khon Kaen gold shops hit by wave of fake jewellery

Numerous gold shops in Khon Kaen province have fallen victim to a scam whereby partly fake gold ornaments are pawned as real gold. The fraud spree may be aided by expert goldsmiths taking advantage of high gold prices, police said.

Baby chokes on button

A 13-month-old baby boy died late on Tuesday night after choking on a button in the Bang Chan area of Bangkok, police said yesterday.

Hundreds of thousands of children being injured

One and a half million children suffered from Thailand’s lack of child-friendly and safe environments in 2005, an official at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) said yesterday.

BURNING ISSUE: Senate faces long legal wrangle

Suchon submits names of nominees for NCCC despite calls that legal issues had yet to be resolved.

Chavalit vows to fight poverty

Former premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh yesterday confirmed that he would assist the government in its campaign to fight poverty.

DSI to help stop forest encroachment

The government plans to clamp down on forest encroachment next year and has already recruited the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to act as legal adviser for local officials in court battles against influential defendants with strong legal representation.

Radio concessions reclaimed by PRD

The Public Relations Department (PRD) will reclaim all FM radio frequencies from private concessionaires as part of a plan to turn the department into a Service Delivery Unit.

MPs against 90-day rule should quit: PM

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has expressed his irritation that some government MPs advocating for the “90-day rule” on lawmakers swapping to other parties be dropped from the Constitution.

‘Reality-TV’ broadcast of anti-poverty workshop from Roi Et

A 24-hour live television programme is set to show how Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is tackling poverty among villagers in Roi Et’s At Samat district, PM’s Office Minister Newin Chidchob said yesterday.

IN BRIEF: Flood relief

Mahachon Party sends trucks loaded with supplies to South