Sawang Phoophatwibool, rector of the Phibool Songkhram campus, said apart from honouring His Majesty's graciousness extended to the Thai people, the granting of degrees was also meant to express the institute's personal gratitude for his permission to grant the name Rajabhat.

Most degrees are involved with urban and rural developments - and agricultural planning. The Rajabhat Institute includes 41 campuses across the country. 

'Rape' dismissed

A court yesterday dismissed a claim of alleged sexual assault at Makkasan police station two years ago on the grounds the plaintiffs' testimony did not carry enough weight and lacked support.

A lawsuit filed by the parents of a 15-year-old alleged rape victim claimed their daughter was molested a

second time by former investigator, Major Sawai Roblad, who had headed inquiries into her sexual assault case, in a toilet at the station on

Feb 23, 2005.

However, the court ruled that the charge against the former investigator was not strong because the victim's testimony did not carry enough weight. There was no fingerprint of the defendant or victim in the toilet, or evidence of sexual assault to verify her claims, it said.

Lotteries case

Three ticket vendors yesterday took the Government Lottery Office, Finance Ministry and Cabinet to court over repealing the popular two- and three-digit lotteries.

According to their petition to the Supreme Administrative Court, all three bodies committed malfeasance for halting ticket sales for the two- and three-digit lotteries and failing to get Cabinet approval for the GLO to keep holding them.

Map Ta Phut

A plan to regulate volatile airborne organic compounds in the heavily industrialised Map Ta Phut area of Rayong will reach the National Environment Board next Friday. A committee studying the impact of air pollution on the health of nearby residents has already approved the proposal and decided to put it before the board, Pollution Control Department chief Supat Wangwongwattana said.

Brain scan

 Revered monk Luang Phor Khoon Parisuttho yesterday underwent a brain scan for intensive stress disorder suffered during his latest hospital treatment, which began on Wednesday.

Personal physician Phinisjai Nakhaphan said his order for the brain scan was also prompted by the 83-year-old monk's frequent complaints about life. The scan showed no signs of irregularity.