Video link opens channel for PM to lash out at critics, rally ministers to help the poor. Prime Minister Thaksin Shina-watra chaired yesterday’s Cabinet meeting via video-conference link from Government House to Wat Ban Kloy in Roi Et’s At Samat district.

BURNING ISSUE: Loss of Thai Beverage points to a weak leadership

SET misses out on what would have been its biggest-cap firm due to PM’s fear of alienating vocal groups like anti-drink lobby. Losing Thai Beverage Plc to the Singapore Exchange (SGX) might be considered a trivial issue when compared to other pressing emergencies facing the government.

ECONOMY: Cabinet approves 8.5% budget hike for ’07

Govt to invest heavily in mega-projects; Bt1.48 trln spending plan based on optimistic growth forecasts

Panel to monitor justice in South

The Cabinet yesterday set up a commission to monitor the justice system in the three southernmost provinces, following widespread complaints from Muslims in the region that their civil rights have been trampled on.

Police mull overthrow-of-govt charge against Sondhi, others

Police may press charges of attempting to overthrow the government against 20 people, including media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, who led thousands of protesters on a march to Government House last Friday. Some of them allegedly broke into the compound.

10 Tanyonglimo suspects released on bail

Ten suspects, including four women, in the brutal killing of two marines in Tanyonglimo village last September were released on bail yesterday.

Debt-relief programme swamped

The Civil Service Commission has been inundated with requests for assistance from officials

Senate to file complaint against SAC

The Senate committee on administration will file complaints against the State Audit Commission (SAC), charging it with malfeasance and lese majesty stemming from its

Pratin indicted for Senate brawl

Former Bangkok senator Pol General Pratin Santiprapop was indicted at the Criminal Court yesterday on charges of physical assault for allegedly punching a fellow senator in November of 2004.

Behind the Scenes: Snoring tentmate

Wakes Thaksin

LETTER FROM ROI ET: Villagers vie for 3 minutes with ‘Santa’

“So what do you need? How can I help you?” is a line that has been repeated over and over since Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra landed in Roi Et province’s At Samat district on his fast-track mission to eradicate poverty.

LANDMARK COMPENSATION CASE: Woman files suit against traffickers

Victim sues three Thais after being lured and forced to work at Japanese brothel. A terminal-stage cancer patient yesterday filed a Bt4.68-million compensation lawsuit against three convicted human traffickers who lured her to a brothel in Japan where she was forced into prostitution.

Pair to be deported

The Immigration Bureau plans to deport two foreign men – a German and a Swede – arrested on Monday. Both are wanted by authorities in their home countries.

METRO BRIEFS: Roads renamed

Several roads in Bangkok including Kaset-Navamin Road will get new names in May, Bangkok deputy clerk Rattapol Meethanathavorn said yesterday.

Policeman ‘shot man dead after drunken fist fight’

A young man who was shot by a police officer after a fistfight was declared dead yesterday.

Governor to handle bid grievances

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has set up a mechanism whereby all complaints over unfair competition from bidders on public projects will be forwarded directly to the Bangkok governor.

Culture Ministry backs ban

The Culture Ministry supports the Public Health Ministry’s plan to ban alcohol advertising in the media – to try to reduce alcohol consumption, a senior official said yesterday.

Dance event in France to honour HM

The Culture Ministry plans to hold a Thai cultural week in France with a Khon performance as the event’s highlight in September this year to mark the 60th anniversary of HM the King’s accession to the throne.