OUSTED PRIME MINISTER
Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has applied for political asylum in Britain where he has spent most of his time since he was forced out of office two years ago, officials in London said yesterday. The Home Office said Mr Thaksin applied for asylum when he flew into Britain in early August, breaking his bail conditions in a graft case in Thailand.
POLITICS
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) last night sealed off parliament to prevent the government from announcing its policy today in a move that upset Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.
TAINTED PRODUCT
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is checking with the Livestock Development Department to see if powdered milk has been smuggled from China across a border checkpoint in the North. Pipat Yingseree, the FDA secretary-general, said he would ask for cooperation from the department to track down 9,000 tonnes of powdered milk reportedly imported from China as animal feed through Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen district.
Many worried parents have applied to sit for the pilot Aptitude Test, which in future will be included in the new university admission criteria, in order to help their children better prepare for the newly-designed exam. So far, 132,209 people have applied to take the Oct 25-26 pilot test for admission into Naresuan University in Phitsanulok.
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
Parliament yesterday approved the government's plan to accept the Asean-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) agreement, or Asean-Japan free trade agreement. Still, some parliamentarians fear the pact will open Thailand to toxic waste from Japan.
Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat will appoint army specialist Gen Worawat Inthatarat as the defence minister's secretary, a source said yesterday. The appointment of Gen Worawat, a classmate of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, will go to the cabinet for approval today. The general plans to tender his resignation from the army today prior to accepting the political office, said the source.
A lawyer for former prime minister Samak Sundaravej said yesterday he could not confirm rumours that his client is suffering from liver cancer, but could confirm that Mr Samak would lodge an appeal against the Appeals Court's verdict in a defamation case. The former prime minister has been in Bamrungrad Hospital since Oct 2.
The Bangkok election panel has suggested that the Election Commission (EC) not endorse Bangkok governor-elect Apirak Kosayodhin, pending an investigation into three electoral fraud complaints against him.
Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh yesterday vowed to continue his talks with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), adding there was no hidden agenda behind the arrest of Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, a core PAD leader, on Sunday morning. Gen Chavalit said his team's negotiations with PAD leaders would continue as they had almost reached an agreement.
BEHIND the News
Apirak Kosayodhin's convincing victory in the Bangkok governor election suggests not only a rise in popularity of the Democrat party in the capital, but also a decline in support for the Thaksin Shinawatra-financed People Power party (PPP).
Four leading political figures have confirmed their intention of forming a constitution drafting assembly, but a group of 40 senators yesterday voiced their opposition to the move. The senators are opposed to setting up an assembly to amend the charter and have demanded that an independent panel be formed to undertake democratic reforms instead.
THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER
SI SA KET : Two soldiers were injured after stepping on landmines while patrolling near Preah Vihear temple in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district yesterday.
NEWS Think
The political temperature along the Thai-Cambodian border has gone up again since troops from the two sides briefly exchanged gunfire on Friday, wounding two Thai soldiers.
GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS
Succumbing to the US financial crisis, American International Group Inc (AIG), one of the region's leading life insurers, yesterday acknowledged it is preparing to sell its stake in its regional life insurance and consumer finance banking arms.
Public Health Minister Chalerm Yubamrung yesterday lobbied Vichai Chokewiwat, chairman of the board of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), to drop his case against a cabinet order to dismiss the board.
ENVIRONMENT
Bang Saphan villagers have called on Prachuap Khiri Khan's town planning office to reject Sahaviriya Steel Group's proposal to turn 3,700 rai of land into an industrial zone. The company aims to pave the way for the expansion of its steel production empire, but the villagers will hold a mass rally and submit their petition to the provincial Public Works and Town & Country Planning office on Thursday.
NATURAL DISASTER
CHAIYAPHUM : A 13-year-old boy drowned in a stream in Chaiyaphum yesterday as officials were draining water from areas flooded by heavy rain. The boy was identified as Latipol Yutakam. He accidentally fell into the stream while watching his friends play in the water, police said.
EDITORIAL
After the new government was announced, some critics charged that the cabinet was formed by unaccountable, back-room political deal-making. Others lamented the number of "square pegs in round holes" - ministers with little background or understanding in the work and duties of their ministries. Both groups often centred on the new minister of public health, Chalerm Yubamrung. In his first week on the job, Pol Capt Chalerm made several astounding decisions that proved his eye was completely on the political ball. His early job performance actually went against his sworn duty to protect and improve the health of Thai people.
GLOBALISATION
COMMENTARY
The main worry of the Food and Drug Administration right now is melamine-tainted milk powder from China. But keeping its eye on Chinese milk should not translate into ignorance of domestic products.
BURMA
LET us imagine a situation: Burma without Aung San Suu Kyi. Undoubtedly, the ruling generals would see this as a dream come true. But for the majority of Burmese, it would come as a great disappointment to lose the leader of the country's pro-democracy movement.
SHADOW BOXING
I went to Singapore last weekend. This was not the most dramatic thing I've ever done, but this most recent visit to the island state made a real impression on many levels. The reason I went was to witness the first Formula One Grand Prix race in Singapore and the first one anywhere to be held at night. Hats off to Singapore, they really put on a good show.
POST BAG
PM Somchai owes us a quick and clear explanation on why the police have arrested Chaiwat Sinsuwong, one of the PAD's core leaders, just when political reform is starting.
THAI RATH EDITORIAL: The Somchai administration faces another crucial test today, when parliament begins its three-day debate on government policy.
