Losing companies complain terms were specifically tailored to suit winning bidders. Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said yesterday that he had ordered a temporary halt to 16 large road construction projects, worth around Bt20 billion, which were initiated during a former governor’s reign, claiming irregularities had been found associated with them.

Police to check if accused fishermen raped another Brit

Police are investigating whether two fishermen charged with raping and killing Welsh student Katherine Horton on New Year’s Day sexually assaulted another foreign tourist on Koh Samui. The other woman, aged 26 and also from Britain, lodged a complaint with police in October about an assault that took place on Samui Island during a vacation with her family.

Who’s who of Thai business community

In ancient times, distance was a key factor in determining a person’s importance in society. The further from the capital city a person was stationed, the less important he was in the ruler’s eyes.

US Congress must approve trade pact

Both houses of the US Congress would have to approve any trade deal reached with Thailand, Senator Kraisak Choonhavan said yesterday.

Mia Nois better watch it

A government committee yesterday approved a series of landmark legal amendments that would empower wives to demand compensation from other women involved in routine extramarital affairs with their husbands.

Court set to rule on Somchai’s abduction

The Central Criminal Court will today hand down its verdict in the case of a prominent Muslim lawyer’s disappearance that resulted in five police officers being charged with theft and illegal detention.

BURNING ISSUE: Plum job for clash-prone Somchai

Being Thaksin’s brother-in-law has meant others get transferred instead

‘I’m not the premier’s puppet’

Somchai Wongsawat, outgoing permanent secretary for justice, yesterday pleaded for time to prove himself following his transfer to the Labour Ministry, saying his critics should not judge him too hastily.

UBC to broadcast PM’s poverty trip

Fans of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will have a chance to follow him more closely than ever on a live television programme that will cover the entirety of his five-day mission to tackle poverty in At Samat district of Roi Et next week. The cameras won’t quite follow the premier around the clock, however.

Snoh has nothing to say to Thaksin

Snoh Thienthong, leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party’s Wang Nam Yen faction, has rejected a proposal that he meet with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to discuss their differences.

Belton to compensate injured workers

The factory belonging to Belton Industrial (Thailand) Ltd where a chemical leak sent more than 200 workers to hospital late Tuesday night will compensate injured workers and remain closed until March 1, management said.

Kids reaching puberty at younger ages, study shows

Young people are reaching the age of reproduction earlier than in the past, a study released by Chulalongkorn University has found.

Psychiatrists to talk to children in baby mix-up case

Government child psychiatrists will talk today to two children switched at birth in Trang province’s Had Samran sub-district, an official said yesterday.

Mandarin teachers on the way

Thailand and China will join forces to tackle the shortage of Mandarin teachers and textbooks in the Kingdom, Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang said yesterday.

SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME: Overwhelmed hospitals pull out

Two private Phitsanulok clinics exit plan, sending 40,000 patients to govt facility