IN BRIEF
Peace gesture :Egypt gives King olive trees
Egypt will present 80 olive trees to celebrate His Majesty the King's 80th birthday this year and to show that country's strong relationship with Thailand, Ambassador to Egypt Noppadon Theppitak said yesterday.
The delivery of the trees is expected around July, he said at the beginning of a three-day official visit by Deputy Foreign Minister Sawanit Kongsiri to Cairo. "Egypt would like to join the Thai people in their celebration on the occasion of HM the King's 80th anniversary this year. Olive trees are regarded as a symbol of peace," the envoy said. Foreign Affairs and Public Health officials provided free medical check-ups for Thai students in the Egyptian capital, as medical services there are too expensive for them. Marisa Chimprabha
The Nation
Cairo Pojaman's plot :Pridiyathorn to be questioned The Assets Examination Committee will today question former Bank of Thailand governor Pridiyathorn Devakula over the purchase of land by Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra from the Financial Institutions Development Fund. Udom Fuangfung, chairman of the AEC panel investigating the case, said 32 questions would be posed to Pridiyathorn, some of which were forwarded by the legal team of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. A source said most of the questions would centre on Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act, which bans state officials and their spouses from having an interest in contracts made with state agencies under their supervision. Udom said it will be impossible to wrap up the investigation this month and his panel will not hear more witnesses even if Pridiya-thorn mentions third persons during his testimony.
Referendum :Tough laws to stop opposition The Election Commission has agreed to a bill to strip the election rights from political party executives for five years if they do anything to stop the charter referendum, a member said yesterday. Sodsri Sattayatham said the bill would also punish people appointed by the National Legislative Assembly to provide support and advice to the EC on the referendum if they commit malfeasance or corruption. The bill sponsored by the EC will be forwarded for Cabinet approval, she said. Criminal penalties are also included, both jail terms and fines.
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