Temptations from marketers affecting youth: academic. More attention needs to be paid to children in middle-class families in 2006 as businesses target their increased purchasing power, a child activist recently warned.

Dear prime minister, we want peace: Children in the South

Of more than 1,000 letters sent to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to mark National Children’s Day tomorrow, a handful were from students and teachers in the South appealing for peace in the restive region, a source at Government House said yesterday.

BBC THAI BROADCAST: Staunch fans bid farewell

Doctor’s last minute London visit fails to save radio service

Livestock criticised

Farmers from 34 provinces filed complaints with Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan yesterday about subsidised cattle they received from the government two days earlier.

In Brief:

LABOUR PORTFOLIO: MP says ‘incompetent’ Somsak should be replaced as minister

Govt cautioned to go slow on FTA

The Kasikorn Research Centre yesterday advised the government not to rush into signing a bilateral trade pact with the United States.

Sondhi’s anti-Thaksin crusade running out of steam

Media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul is clearly struggling to capitalise on the eroding public support for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to generate momentum for his drive to replace the current Constitution and topple the government.

Emergency decree to be extended until April

The Cabinet will be asked to extend the emergency decree for three more months in the three southernmost provinces, Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said yesterday.

Elusive contractor breaks her silence

The elusive woman behind the company that won the lucrative ground-services contract at Suvarnabhumi Airport has broken her silence while allegations of questionable dealings surround her company.

MPs, senators ‘educated’

More than half of Thailand’s 500 MPs and 200 senators have a master’s or doctorate degree, an opposition MP said yesterday.

DSI starts probe into ‘crooked’ road contracts

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has begun a criminal inquiry into irregularities associated with 16 road construction projects in Bangkok following the city administration’s failure to take action in the matter, a senior DSI official said yesterday.

‘Dog-bear’ fossil found in North

The Mineral Resources Department has discovered an unknown species of carnivorous animal that apparently became extinct about 10 million years ago.

Applying for US visa gets easier

New services arranged by the American Embassy in Bangkok will make it easier for people to apply for visas to the United States, Ambassador Ralph L Boyce said yesterday.

Dental fiasco

Labour Minister Somsak Thepsuthin yesterday set up a committee to tackle problems arising from the introduction of free dental services by the Social Security Office (SSO).

Samui murder suspects linked to another rape

Samui police and the British Embassy are checking into whether the two fishermen who confessed to raping and murdering Welsh tourist Katherine Horton on New Year’s Day also assaulted another British woman in October.

Senate an option if Chuwit loses MP status

Massage parlour tycoon-turned-politician Chuwit Kamolvisit said yesterday that if the Constitution Court disqualifies him from holding his seat in Parliament he would consider either becoming the secretary-general of a new political party or running for the Senate in April.

BURNING ISSUE: Thaksin acts to save his grip on power

Latest anti-corruption move shows PM is anxious to cool an angry electorate

Prime minister treats MPs like employees: Chuan

The Thai Rak Thai Party had fallen prey to the trap of single-party government, Democrat Party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai said yesterday.