Phinij Sartsara said the fund's credibility and public image had been affected by rumours that those who obtained loans would not have to repay them because the fund was to be abolished.

Phinij pleaded with Kosit for an official document promising that the fund would continue, as well as the appointment of a new fund chairman to replace former deputy prime minister Suwit Khunkitti.

He dismissed reports that loans were granted only to people with connections to members of local fund offices and said the fund had been operated in a transparent manner. A report said around 88.26 per cent of members would repay their debts by the end of the year, lower than the 98.85 per cent reported last year. 

TPI building

3,000 flee after bomb threat

A bomb threat was made at the TPI Building in Bangkok's Sathon district yesterday, sending workers running outside.

More than 3,000 workers in the 38-storey building were asked to leave before policemen and security guards searched all floors for a bomb. No bomb was found.

A telephone operator at TPI Polene, on the 16th floor, received a call at 11.50am from a man who said a bomb would go off at 1.30pm.

Atthaphong Suksan, a building management official, said the TPI Building, which also houses the office of the Pracharaj Party, had received two bomb threats in three years.

Bangkok school

Two teachers charged with rape

After months of strenuous denials, two government teachers at a Bangkok school accused of raping six young students were yesterday charged with five criminal offences including statutory rape.

Lorn Sorakanit, 56, and Pimol Chunsri, 48, face charges of forceful statutory rape of people under 15, holding people under 15 for sexual gratification, sexual molestation and criminal intimidation.

According to a police investigation report, both suspects, from the Prachanukul School in Bangkok's Sai Mai district, raped six girls on 12 occasions at several locations inside the school compound.

Acting on a fresh tip-off, police are gathering more evidence to implicate both men on two other occasions in which they allegedly sexually violated one of the girls. - The Nation.

n election commission

Electronic balloting considered

The Election Commission (EC) may introduce electronic balloting at the next general election after its five members yesterday witnessed a successful demonstration of voting machines.

"Electronic balloting for national and local elections will likely ensure fast and accurate tallying of votes and prevent cheating such as the switching and stuffing of ballot boxes," EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said.