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Published on November 18, 2007

The Democrats' constituent MP candidates were ahead of their PPP rivals in 11 of 12 Bangkok constituencies.

Among 1,555 samples of Bangkok voters, the Democrat Party, led by Abhisit Vejjajiva, was the most popular of the six political parties running for party-list MPs in Zone 6, which consists of Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani.

Nearly 48 per cent of the respondents opted for the Democrats, while just over 20 per cent went for the PPP, led by Samak Sundaravej.

Third most popular was Chart Thai, led by Banharn Silapa-archa, with 4.9 per cent, followed by Matchima Thipataya with 4.6 per cent, Puea Pandin with 3.4 per cent, and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana with 3.4 per cent.

UUU

Siam City Cement (SCCC), Thailand's second-largest cement-maker, will shut down two old kilns next year, due to increasing energy costs and weak domestic demand in the absence of mega-projects.

The company's export profits have also been hit by the stronger baht.

The shutdown of the kilns will require the company to shed some of its 2,500 staff. The loss of the kilns' capacity of 2.25 million tonnes per annum will reduce the company's capacity to 12.25 million tonnes.

UUU

In three months, drivers using a mobile phone without a hands-free device will face a fine of Bt400 to Bt1,000.

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) approved an amendment to the Land Transport Act, which will go into effect 90 days after publication in the Royal Gazette.

The NLA committee vetting the bill had attached a notice to it saying the partial prohibition would cover many motorists, especially those in big cities with heavy traffic.

It said a public relations campaign was needed for better understanding of the law and for easier enforcement by police. An equipment budget should be prepared for police to implement the new regulation.

The committee also urged moving towards an outright ban on all mobile phone usage while driving. Since traffic jams and road accidents cost the economy dearly, the government should improve and update the whole Land Transport Act and have the national police authorities adjust traffic police operating procedures for faster and better enforcement of road rules.

UUU

Former senator Chalerm Phromlert was taken to Pathum Thani Prison after the Supreme Court upheld his 36-year jail term for statutory rape.

At Thanyaburi Provincial Court, Judge Samart Ardnarong presided over the verdict in a case filed against Chalerm by five girls aged 13 to 16 at the time of the offence.

The court said Chalerm was clearly guilty. He was a well-known person who knew his actions were illegal and his appeal did not carry sufficient weight to clear him.

In 2002 the Criminal Court found Chalerm guilty of four counts of statutory rape from November 2000 to January 2001 and sentenced him to four years in prison on each count. Chalerm posted Bt1 million in assets as bail.

UUU

The Commerce Ministry will forward the country's first Retail Business Act for National Legislative Assembly (NLA) consideration in a bid to pass the law within the current government's term.

The Act will be a priority for the NLA, because the government wants to ensure it is implemented before it leaves office, Skol Harnsuthivarin, secretary to the commerce minister, said.

Skol also hit back at an executive from Thailand's largest retailer, Tesco Lotus, who said the Act would be "inefficient" in operating the retail sector.

Skol said the government had considered the Act very carefully. It would protect consumers from unfair dominance by giant retailers and prevent some retailers from monopolising the market by offering short-term low prices to attract customers.

UUU

Cosmetic surgery clinic owner Dr Chalee Kanchanarak was sentenced to four years and three months in jail for recklessly performing a liposuction operation that killed a 17-year-old schoolgirl and for using expired drugs.

The Appeal Court upheld the lower court's four-year sentence on Chalee, who was found guilty of the manslaughter of Siriporn Muima, who died while undergoing the liposuction procedure at his clinic in December 2001. The court added three months to the sentence for using expired drugs on the girl.

Siriporn's parents Kamol and Bangern Muima and their lawyer were present for the verdict.