Many believe new watchdog will strike a hard blow against ‘dirty’ officials, politicians. The new “Corruption Watch” group offers hope to society that systematic graft will eventually be stamped out and that the government will be rid of its self-serving practices because of the credibility of many of its high-profile members, observers said yesterday.

Fewer road deaths on Day One

Thirty-seven people were killed and 495 injured in road accidents on the first day of the New Year holiday period, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported yesterday. Interior Minister ACM Kongsak Wantana told a press conference yesterday that 408 accidents occurred on Thursday - the first day of the seven-day New Year period considered high-risk for road travel.

Hoontown puppets pull in the crowds

A festival of multinational puppets kicked off last night, entertaining the audience with music, lights and visual effects. Thailand’s first Hoontown Festival 2005 is being held on Samsen Road Soi 5 in Bangkok. The event drew a large crowd of people from the neighbourhood, especially children in the Wat Sam Phraya community, as well as many foreigners passing by.

Media rating to shield children

The government hopes to give youngsters a special present next Children’s Day. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra wants to give Thai children a “rating system” on January 14, according to Ladda Thangsupachai, director of the Culture Ministry’s Cultural Surveillance Centre. There have been attempts to enact legislation to institute a rating system for more than 30 years, but the current administration sees it as imperative to act quickly.