Tossaporn asked the commission to dissolve both parties because of their boycott of the April 2 election, arguing they should be treated the same as the Democrat Party. The Thai Rak Thai Party filed a complaint against the Democrats over the boycott. - The Nation.

telecoms

Mobile numbers to get longer

Thailand will change its mobile telephone numbering system from nine digits to 10 digits on September 1, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said.

Direk Chareonpol, an NTC expert in the field, said the change, approved by the commission recently, was in response to the rapid increase in the number of mobile phones in use. The new system, he said, would result in 100 million more cell phone numbers - enough for the next 30 years. 

When the new system is implemented, the two-digit prefix of all mobile phone numbers will have an "8" in the middle. For example, mobile phone numbers starting with 01, 06 and 09 will become 081, 086 and 089 respectively. After dialling the new three-digit prefix, callers will follow the existing seven-digit number. Direk said the NTC will test the system this month and next month.- The Nation.

procurement scandal

Call to revoke fire-engine purchase

The government should cancel the Cabinet resolutions approving the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's controversial purchase of Austrian fire engines and investigate the case, the deputy leader of the Democrat Party said.

Alongkorn Polabutr yesterday said if the resolution issued by the Thaksin Cabinet in August 2004 to approve Bt1.5 billion for the equipment was not revoked, the government would have to pay Austrian manufacturer Steyr Bt506 million before September 30. The remaining Bt991 million will be required next financial year.

The Democrat also called for the cancellation of a Cabinet resolution in June 2004 allowing the Interior Ministry to sign a contract to buy the 176 fire engines. Alongkorn demanded a probe into the contract, as the trucks cost more than the market price. - The Nation.

junkets

CIFS spending probe winds up

A panel investigating allegations of improper use of the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS)'s budget for overseas fieldtrips will conclude its fact-finding report this week.

Narcotics Control Board chief Pol Lt-General Krisana Pon-anan said the panel would conclude its findings into whether there were grounds for claims that Justice Ministry and CIFS officials withdrew more funds than necessary to make field trips abroad. If it finds grounds for the allegation, an investigative panel will be set up, Krisana said. - The Nation.