Few people would have believed that less than a year after the Thai Rak Thai Party won the February 6 election by a landslide Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra would be on the brink of a downfall. From the continuing violence in the deep South to the scandal over the CTX explosives-scanners and the phenomenon of anti-government maverick Sondhi Limthongkul, each new development seemed to throw Thaksin further off-balance as his popularity kept plunging.

EASIER ACCESS: New law a step in right direction for the disabled

Public premises must be made more accessible. The rights of disabled people will move from the margins to the forefront in the new year due to their success in pushing for a law that ensures public premises are equipped with facilities that make them accessible to the physically impaired. Nearly 5 million Thais with disabilities struggle to get around in their daily lives because most public buildings lack basic facilities for them.

Crown Prince to bring aid

HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will make a royal visit to Pakistan on Wednesday and Thursday, Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said yesterday.

IN BRIEF: bangkok

Avoid drinking binge, public told.

Facilities still have a way to go

Mobility is still difficult for disabled people in Bangkok because they remain “second-and-a-half-class citizens,” says Kampol Tewphophumi, who depends on a wheelchair to get around.

‘Dog collars’, ‘house of slaves’ derided

MPs amount to “Shin-breed dog collars” and senators belong to the “House of Slaves”, while a massage-parlour tycoon metamorphosed into a firebrand, and an anti-vice MP was named the “shining star” of Parliament in this year’s nicknaming rite by political reporters.

TSUNAMI ASSISTANCE: Body to speed up relief work

Committee to work with representatives. Branches of a network operating in the six provinces hit by the tsunami last year have sent six representatives from each province to work with a special committee to speed up the implementation of relief measures.

IN BRIEF: elections

Thaksin stays firm on 90-day rule for ruling party members. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday promised to allow enough time for MPs to switch parties if he were to call a snap election. He reiterated, however, he would not push for the cancellation of the 90-day rule as suggested by Wang Nam Yen faction leader Snoh Thienthong.