Suntharee Wechanont said she had received several anonymous phone calls from men asking her to stop her anti-government activities.

And hate messages had been written on a large number of banners displayed throughout Chiang Mai including some near her restaurant, Suntharee said. However, the intimidation would not stop her, she said.

She claimed that several Chiang Mai-based business people supported her campaign against the prime minister, who is also a Chiang Mai native.

"They are also members of the Lovers of Chiang Mai Front but are too afraid to openly express their opinion [to Thaksin] for fear of damage to their businesses, possibly from the abuse of state power," she said. - The Nation.

---------------------------------

CHAT THAI LEADER: Banharn out of hospital soon

Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa, who was rushed to hospital on Sunday, should be released in two days and completely recovered from stomach ulcers within two weeks, doctors said yesterday.

Banharn was taken to hospital on Sunday after almost fainting while visiting an aquarium at the Bueng Chawak Chalerm Phrakiat project in Suphan Buri's Doem Bang Nangbuat district.

Professor Rajata Rajatanavin, of Ramathibodi Hospital and Mahidol University's faculty of medicine, yesterday said laboratory tests had revealed Banharn's red blood-cell count was inadequate. Doctors diagnosed bleeding in the digestive system.

He said the symptoms were side effects from antibiotics Banharn had been taking for about a month. The medicine had been prescribed for muscle damage sustained in a recent fall.

Doctors said Banharn's stomach had been producing too much acid and that had caused bleeding. Yesterday he had a blood transplant and was prescribed new drugs to treat the condition.

Doctors reported immediate improvement.

An examination revealed Banharn had two ulcers, one in his stomach and another in the small intestine. Doctors said upon his release, Banharn would be able to work, but he would need to rest for another two weeks yet.

Dr Pakorn Chandanamattha said Banharn's antibiotics had caused the bleeding and he had lost a lot of blood in the past month. On Sunday doctors gave him two units of blood and another one yesterday. His blood pressure now is normal.

Pakorn said Banharn, 74, was in quite good health overall for his age. - Nerisa Nerykhiew, - The Nation.

---------------------------------

CHAMLONG'S ANIMAL SHELTER: Army cuts vet services for dogs, cats

Anti-Thaksin protest leader Chamlong Srimuang said yesterday 2,000-plus stray dogs and cats at his Kanchanaburi animal shelter were being made to suffer because of his political row with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Chamlong said the Army's Veterinary Department had suddenly halted services it had been providing free of charge to the shelter for more than three years.

"The officer in charge said he could no longer give us such help since his superiors had ordered him to stop. It is because I led protests against the prime minister," he said.

The shelter is now sending sick dogs and cats to a clinic in Kanchanaburi's Muang district for medical treatment and must find money to pay the bills, Chamlong said.

"Even dogs and cats under my care have to suffer. They won't spare them even on humanitarian grounds," he said.

Thaksin, while campaigning in Bangkok on Saturday, attacked Chamlong, asking how someone who couldn't take good care of strays could lead protests against him.

"How can someone who can't even take good care of dogs and cats be good at anything else?" he told a crowd of supporters. - The Nation.