In brief :Surayud reallocates duties and will be responsible for security
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has allocated responsibilities for economic and social affairs to his two deputies while he will supervise the ministries of Justice and Finance, as well as security matters, a Government House source said yesterday.
The premier met deputy prime ministers Kosit Panpiemras and Paiboon Wattanasiritham at his office to discuss duties. The source said PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan would see his responsibilities regarding state-run media reduced. He will oversee MCOT, but no longer the Public Relations Department. Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan, another PM's Office minister, will oversee the PRD and TITV, which was formerly known as iTV, according to the source. Paiboon said after the meeting he would oversee social affairs while Kosit would take charge of economic affairs.
Burmese labourers killed in Pattani Three Burmese workers died and five other people were injured during a brutal attack by militants in Pattani's Nong Chik district late on Sunday, police said yesterday. Some 10 militants, armed with guns and knives, stormed a construction site housing 18 Burmese workers. The 15 minute-attack killed three people - one was beheaded. Among the injured were two children, police said. The attackers painted a message on a wall saying: "As you kill innocent people, we kill Thai Buddhists." In neighbouring Narathiwat province, a wooden classroom building used by primary students at Ban Kae Na School was burned down at about 2.30pm on Sunday.
Toll move to help holiday traffic The Ministry of Transport will ask the Cabinet to approve a fare exemption on highways seven and nine during the Songkran festival next month and during New Year celebrations between December 27 and January 3. The aim is to cut fuel consumption and reduce congestion around Bangkok during the long holidays. Highway seven links the capital with Chon Buri and highway nine is Bangkok's outer ring road.
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