Businessmen, diplomats say Thaksin’s plans and timescales are ‘unrealistic’. Several foreign businessmen and diplomats expressed bewilderment yesterday and a lack of clear understanding of the government’s much-heralded partnership for development programme.

Nathanon says she followed procedure

The alleged corruption in 16 road-construction projects yesterday put Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin in direct confrontation with City Clerk Nathanon Thavisin over her decision in a high-profile meeting to go ahead with some of tainted projects without notifying him.

FORUM ON THAI-US FTA: Major concerns aired about free-trade talks

‘Pact must go to Parliament, negative aspects be revealed, and public feedback be considered’

Consumers join Egat listing fight

A group of 2,038 electricity consumers yesterday filed an additional complaint with the Supreme Administrative Court, expressing their opposition to the Egat privatisation. The complaint was lodged in support of the ongoing litigation that was initiated by 11 civic groups in November.

Court accepts AOT ‘Post’ suit

The Criminal Court yesterday accepted a defamation suit filed against the Bangkok Post by Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) and New Bangkok International Airport Co Ltd over the paper’s report in August last year that cracks had appeared in the runways at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

SSO ‘won’t cover families’

The proposed expansion of social security coverage to include the wives and children of beneficiaries would be too much of a financial burden on the Social Security Office (SSO) and will not be taken up for consideration anytime soon, SSO secretary-general Phairoj Suksamrit said yesterday.

Govt’s role in deal queried

A Democrat working group formed to track developments leading to the Shin Corp share sell-off will try to determine whether the government abused its authority to make the Bt73-billion deal possible, MP Korn Chatikavanij said yesterday.

Chuwit ruled out as MP by top court

Chuwit Kamolvisit, the shining star of Parliament last year, was disqualified from being an MP yesterday by the Constitution Court.

‘PM should apologise’

Senator Chirmsak Pinthong yesterday criticised Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for selling Thaicom Satellite to foreigners, saying the business name was bestowed by His Majesty the King.

In Brief:

TOXIC EMISSION: Families affected by power plant in Mae Mo to be relocated soon

Resort ‘training’ rare pink dolphin

The head of a new police unit investigating wildlife crimes has reportedly vowed to look into complaints that a Koh Samui resort is training a rare pink dolphin obtained from local fishermen for tourist shows – instead of returning it to the wild.

PM promises transparency, fairness on project bids

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has launched a new policy aimed at tackling corruption by telling international investors that the winners of certain government projects would be decided by committees rather than through the standard bidding procedure.

Stiffer smoking laws promised

The Public Health Ministry is going all out in its effort to discourage smoking with comprehensive plans ranging from a ban on packets of slim cigarettes to declaring pubs and bars smoke-free.

Company sues BMA

A company has filed a Bt20-million lawsuit against Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin and Dusit District Office director Atthaporn Suwanthanadecha for “ignoring” its request to renew a permit to construct shophouses.

BURNING ISSUE: Any way you look at it ...

The Shinawatra’s Bt73.3-bn cash haul is so huge it’s hard to grasp. Imagine it this way: His son could spend Bt1.3m a day for 45 years …

Sondhi sues Yongyuth, 8 others for power abuse

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawa-tra’s most vocal critic Sondhi Limthongkul revealed yesterday that he had sued nine government officials, including Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat, for abuse of power.

Prawase calls for restraint

Social critic Prawase Wasi yesterday warned the government to exercise restraint in controlling the crowd at the anti-Thaksin rally on February 4 in order to avert violence.

Uraiwan sees writing on wall

Culture Minister Uraiwan Thien-thong conceded yesterday she was likely to lose her post if Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reshuffles the Cabinet next month.