Demand for IT protection to apply for medical treatments is against medical ethics, council president insists. A demand by US trade negotiators that intellectual-property-rights protection be applied in the case of medicinal treatments violates medical ethics, Dr Somsak Lolekha, president of the Medical Council of Thailand, said.

BMA probe finds strong evidence

The allegations of graft concerning 16 road construction projects awarded by the Bangkok city administration were 90 per cent accurate, House anti-corruption committee chairman Thewan Liptapanlop said yesterday. The panel’s investigation was now focused on individuals’ involvement in the deals, he said. “Any [Bangkok Metropolitan Administration] senior officials who signed the papers authorising the deals will be held responsible for their acts,” he said.

BURNING ISSUE: The indestructible PriMe minister

Thaksin’s opponents seem to be finding it difficult to leave a mark on the man

Chuwit already has plans for comeback

The Chat Thai Party is likely to field former MP Chuwit Kamolvisit in a Bangkok by-election if any of the February election winners is disqualified or refused endorsement by the Election Commission, a senior party figure said yesterday.

Support grows for Senate meet

Government chief whip Pongthep Thepkanchana yesterday voiced support for an extraordinary session of the Senate to rectify mistakes relating to the list of nominees for the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) that was sent back for review by the Royal Palace.

Forensics team begins probe at Justice office bomb site

Forensic expert Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunand yesterday began to inspect the site of Friday’s C-4 bomb explosion in the courtyard of the Software Park Building in Nonthaburi that houses government offices.

Ask Samak, Apirak says of Bt6.7bn fire-truck deal

Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin said yesterday the controversial Bt6.7 billion purchase of Austrian mini-fire trucks was finalised during the term of his predecessor.

Woman still unfit to stand trial: doctor

The mental state of the woman who attacked students at a prestigious girls’ school in Bangkok last year has not improved, her psychiatrist said last week.

Scholarships for foreign-language study

The Education Council will offer 22 scholarships for students interested in pursuing degrees in foreign languages overseas.

Official concealed information: panel

A top health official concealed crucial information about the Public Health Ministry’s multi-million computer-procurement, leading to the project being scrapped, a panel said yesterday.

Two hurt as scrap tubing explodes

Two people who scavenge among garbage for metal to sell were injured yesterday after one threw aluminium tubes on the ground and they exploded, police in Bangkok said.

IN BRIEF: SURPRISE PARCELS

Bt300,000 found in mail box

SHIN SELL-OFF: Thaksin to make official statement on deal ‘soon’

Now’s not the time, says angry PM; insists everything was done legally

Graft-busters seek an explanation

The operators of an anti-graft Internet watchdog will today petition the information and communications technology minister for an explanation about a decision last Saturday to shut it down.

iTV still Thai, Suranand claims

PM’s Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva insisted yesterday that iTV was a Thai television station even though Temasek Holdings of Singapore had gained control via its takeover of Shin Corp, the parent company.

SEC will explain all: Thanong

Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya said yesterday the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Revenue Department would soon explain to the public every issue relating to the sale of Shin Corporation to Temasek Holdings of Singapore.

Sondhi taking PM to court

Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul will file a lawsuit against the prime minister, the Natural Resources and Environment Minister and others in the Criminal Court today over the disturbance created at his “Thailand Weekly” show at Lumpini Park earlier this month, his lawyer said yesterday.

No cronyism in potash firm: PM

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday rejected an allegation that the government shown favouritism in allowing a Chinese national, Yien Ping, to acquire a significant number of shares in Asean Potash Mining Plc.

IN BRIEF: NONTHABURI

Islamic leader’s son arrested on assault weapons-dealing charge