• 
• 

Published on August 12, 2007

The measure is aimed at preventing the destruction of the Surin Islands National Marine Park in Phang Nga, Khao Laem Ya-Mu Koh Samet National Park in Rayong, Nakhon Ratchasima's Khao Yai National Park, Kanchanaburi's Erawan National Park and Chiang Mai's Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.

However, association president Songwit Itthipattanakul said it would affect domestic tourists and tour operators, especially those with no advance programmes.

He suggested the requirement be an occasional one rather than year round. This will be more convenient, he said.

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park chief Amporn Panmongkol said the regulation was not yet in force. The park will discuss the issue with tour operators on August 27 and report the results to the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.

Airport rail link, ktb loan: Light soon on two AEC probes

An investigation into the multi-billion-baht rail link between downtown Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport and the probe into irregularities in loans by Krung Thai Bank to the Krisada Mahanakorn Group should be concluded next month.

Kaewsan Atibhodi, who heads the Assets Examination Committee panel investigating the link, said yesterday the Transport Department did not have to wait for the probe results before extending the construction contract, which ended on August 7, because the investigation was only for Criminal Code violations.

As for the Krung Thai loan probe, a committee source said a panel was considering explanations provided by those implicated.

If no more witnesses need to be heard the matter can be wrapped up by early September and submitted to the full committee.

Football gambling:Watch the children, parents told

The national police are asking parents to watch their children for football gambling as the English Premier League and other competitions in Europe kicked off yesterday.

Spokesman Lt-General Ronnarong Yangyuen said that in the past many youths had robbed and stolen to pay for bets. Adults got into financial trouble and committed crimes to afford gambling, too.

Police will come down hard on football gambling, Ronnarong said. They are looking for illegal gambling and watching venues featuring football matches, especially in the Ramkhamhaeng and Lat Phrao areas of Bangkok. Cyber cops are also on the online beat, he added.