Russia drops joint WTO bid

Moscow and its partners will join the WTO separately, Russia's chief trade negotiator said Friday, dropping an earlier pledge to enter the global body with two ex-Soviet neighbors.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Strong quake rocks Indonesia

A powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's Java island on Friday, shaking office buildings in Jakarta and sparking panic closer to the epicentre, officials said.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Baby survives being run over by train

A six-month-old baby had a miraculous escape after his stroller rolled off a railway station platform and into the path of an incoming train.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

3G delays 'could' hit confidence

DTAC has warned that any further delays in 3G licence auctions could deter foreign investment and undermine the credibility of government policy.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Sudarat: A wider view is needed

The government should take an overall view of the political problem and only then proceed with constitutional amendment - by using either the 1997 or 2007 charter as a model, Sudarat Keyuraphan, former executive member of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, said on Friday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Afghan ambassador to U.S. sees runoff

A runoff election between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his leading challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, appears likely, Afghanistan's ambassador to the United States said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Five convicted in Australia of terror

Five men were convicted on Friday in Sydney, Australia, of trying to commit terrorist acts, court officials said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Suu Kyi, envoys talk sanctions

Burma's detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said her recent meetings about sanctions with diplomats and a junta minister were positive, her lawyer told AFP Friday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Italy denies paying Taliban to protect troops

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi denied Thursday that payments to the Taliban in Afghanistan were authorized to protect Italian soldiers deployed there.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

First woman wins Nobel Economics

Elinor Ostrom became the first woman to win the Nobel Economics Prize on Monday for research seen as highly topical amid efforts to tackle climate change and in the wake of the economic crisis.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

China: Death sentences over Xinjiang riots

Six people were sentenced to death for murder and other crimes in riots that killed about 200 people in western China, state media reported Monday.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

29 dead in Pakistan explosion

Four people were killed and more than 10 injured in a blast at a security forces checkpoint in northwest Pakistan, a government official said Monday.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Afghan election official resigns over fraud

One of five members of the Electoral Complaints Commission in Afghanistan resigned Monday, officials said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Decision on UDD case deferred

The prosecution has deferred a decision in a case against 15 United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship leaders in connection with the Songkran riots until Dec 22.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Oil prices rise after recent slump

Oil prices rebounded on Friday after recent heavy falls triggered by fresh concerns about the pace of economic recovery in the United States, the world's largest energy-consuming nation.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

G20 delivered on support pledge

The Group of 20 nations have delivered on their pledge of a 1.1-trillion-dollar support package for the global economy made five months ago, a final communique at their Pittsburgh summit will reveal, a G20 source said Friday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Safe houses for Afghan women are few

Nearly 90 percent of Afghan women suffer from domestic abuse, according to the United Nations Development Fund for Women. But there are fewer than a dozen shelters in Afghanistan, and abusers are rarely prosecuted or convicted.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Court dismisses Patcharawat's petition

The Central Administrative Court on Friday dismissed a petition filed by Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon seeking revocation of the National Anti-Corruption Commission's ruling against him in connection with the police crackdown on People's Alliance for Democracy protesters in front of parliament on Oct 7 last year.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Pro-govt. tribal elders killed Pakistan

Suspected Taliban militants opened fire Thursday on two cars carrying pro-government tribal elders in Pakistan's violence-plagued northwest.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Source: Deaths rise in alleged drone attack

An apparent drone attack killed three people in northern Pakistan's tribal region, a Pakistani intelligence source said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Govt to lower rice stockpile

The government plans to sell up to 500,000 tonnes of rice from its stocks by the end of next month, according to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

PNET opposes charter amendment

The meeting of committee members of the Peoples Network for Elections in Thailand (PNET) has passed a resolution opposing the move to amend the 2007 constitution.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

SET down 0.96%

Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index closed at 721.57, down 6.97 or 0.96% in trade worth 28.98 billion baht on Friday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Some exits as Palin woos Hong Kong investors

Sarah Palin touched on a host of topics -- including Reaganomics, China and human rights, Tibet, the Asian and U.S. economies, family and moose in Alaska -- as she delivered a speech to investors Wednesday in Hong Kong, according to audience members.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

House passes referendum bill

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Public Referendum Bill as altered by a scrutiny committee.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

ASC hits back at Attorney-General

Sak Korsaengruang, former spokesman of the now-dissolved Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC), lashed out at the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) on Wednesday for its remarks about Monday's Supreme Court verdict acquitting all 44 defendants of wrongdoing in the rubber saplings procurement case.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

SET index up 0.85%

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index on Wednesday gained 6.15 points or 0.85 per cent to close at 730.52 points. The market value was 32.50 billion baht, with 8.12 billion shares traded.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

ASC hits back at Attorney-General

Sak Korsaengruang, former spokesman of the now-dissolved Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC), lashed out at the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) on Wednesday for its remarks about Monday's Supreme Court verdict acquitting all 44 defendants of wrongdoing in in the rubber saplings procurement case.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Democrats want all sides to be constructive

The ruling Democrat Party calls on all sides to play a constructive role to improve the country's image.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Gandhi murder plotter ends hunger strike

A 43-year-old woman convicted in the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on Wednesday ended her hunger strike after authorities agreed to review her demand for early release.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Ex-ranger, woman murdered in Pattani

A former paramilitary ranger and a Muslim woman were killed in a ride-by shooting in Pattani late Wednesday morning, Pol Col Naruecha Suwanlapha, chief of Panareh police, said.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Ex-paramilitary ranger shot dead in Pattani

An ex-paramilitary ranger and a Muslim woman were killed in a ride-by shooting in Pattani late Wednesday morning, said Pol Col Naruecha Suwanlapha, chief of Panareh police.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

India launches satellite for ocean study

India on Wednesday launched a second satellite to study oceans.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Recovery credited to low interest rates

The Thai economy is recovering not because of the government's stimulus measures, but because interest rates remain low, MFC Asset Management chairman Narongchai Akrasanee said on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Low interest rates help economy recovering

The Thai economy is recovering, not because of the government's stimulus measures, but the low interest rates at present, MFC Asset Management chairman Narongchai Akrasanee said on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Dust storm sweeps southern Australia

A massive dust storm swept through parts of southern Australia on Wednesday, bathing them in a reddish haze and prompting health officials to warn asthma patients to take cover.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Whip chiefs agree on charter change

The chief whips of the government, the opposition and the Senate have agreed to the six-point charter change proposed by the parliament�"s Committee for Reconciliation, Political Reform and Constitutional Amendment, government chief whip Shinnavorn Boonyakiat said on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

ASC hits out at Att-Gen

Sak Korsaengruang, former spokesman of the now-dissolved Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC), on Wednesday strongly hit out at the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) for its remarks about Monday's ruling by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions that all 44 defendants in the rubber saplings procurement case are not guilty.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Whip chiefs agree upon charter change

The chairpersons of whips of the government, the opposition and the Senate agreed to the six-point charter change proposed by the parliament�"s Committee for Reconciliation, Political Reform and Constitutional Amendment, chief of government whips Shinnavorn Boonyakiat said in a press conference on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

ASC hits out at OAG

Sak Korsaengruang, former spokesman of the now-dissolved Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC), on Wednesday strongly hit out at the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for its remarks over the Monday ruling by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions that found all 44 defendants in the rubber sapplings procurement case not guilty.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Patcharawat sues NACC

Outgoing police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon on Wednesday petitioned the Administrative Court to revoke the National Anti-Corruption Commission's (NACC) findings against him over the lethal police crackdown on People's Alliance for Democracy protesters in front of parliament on Oct 7 last year.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

SET index rises 0.72 points

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index was up 0.72 points or 0.10% to close at 725.09 points at the end of the trading session on Wednesday morning. The trade value was 15.96 billion baht.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

SET index rises 0.72 points

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index went up 0.72 points or 0.10% to close at 725.09 points at the end of trading session on Wednesday morning. The trade value was 15.96 billion baht.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Patcharawat sues NACC

Outgoing police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon on Wednesday filed a petition with the Administrative Court against the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for its findings against him over the police crackdown on People's Alliance for Democracy protesters in front of parliament on Oct 7 last year.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

PM: No progress in Thai-US FTA

It is still not clear when talks on a free trade agreement with the United States will resume, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in an interview with the media via video conferencing from the US on Wednesday morning.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

PM: Shape of economic recovery unclear

The Thai economy is definitely recovering but there is no clear sign whether it will move in a 'W' or 'U' shape, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters during a video conference interview from New York to Government House on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

PM: No progress in Thai-US FTA

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in an interview with the media via a video conference from he United States on Wednesday morning that it is not yet clear when talks over the free trade agreement (FTA) between Thailand and the US will resume.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

PM unsure about economic shapes

The Thai economy is definitely recovering but there are no clear signs whether it will move in a 'W' or 'U' shape, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told the reporters via video conference phone links at Government House on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Flu death toll rises to 160

The Ministry of Public Health confirmed on Wednesday morning that seven more patients died of A(H1N1) flu last week, bringing the country�"s death toll from the virus to 160 since the outbreak began on April 28.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Flu death toll rises to 160

The Ministry of Public Health confirmed on Wednesday morning that 7 more patients had died of A (H1N1) flu virus last week, bringing the country�"s flu death tool to 160 since its first outbreak on April 28.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

PM: Thaksin must face justice

Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must return to face justice in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told a crowd of Thai people in New York on Tuesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Q3 GDP projected at minus 3-4%

The country�"s gross domestic product for the third quarter of the year is projected to contract by 3 to 4 per cent, and was expected to grow by 3 to 4 per cent in the fourth quarter, the Office of Fiscal Budget spokesman, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, said on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Q3 GDP projected at minus 3-4%

The country�"s gross domestic product growth rate for the third quarter of the year is projected to contract by about 3 to 4 per cent and the economic expansion rate would turn to a plus 3 to 4 per cent in the fourth quarter, the Office of Fiscal Budget spokesman, Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

PM: Thaksin must face justice

Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must return to face justice in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said while speaking to a crowd of Thai people in New York on Tuesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Sri Lanka stuns Champions host South Africa

Tillakaratne Dilshan scored a century and spinner Ajantha Mendis also starred as Sri Lanka defeated hosts South Africa in a rain-affected opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy at Centurion on Tuesday.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

US Fed not ready to hike rates

With the Federal Reserve having sent a clear message it is not ready to hike rates, financial markets will be closely watching its statement this week for signs on the timing of the next rate move.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Thailand's king admitted to hospital

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, has been hospitalized with fever and fatigue, the royal palace says.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Cabinet approves hemp farming

The cabinet on Tuesday agreed to set up a committee to promote growing of hemp as a new economic plant on high land, as proposed by the National Economic and Social Development Board, deputy government spokesman Vachara Kannikar said.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

King's fever easing, doctors say

His Majesty the King was in hospital for a fourth day on Tuesday where his fever eased further, the palace said.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Palin to speak before investors in Hong Kong

Former U.S. Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be in Hong Kong this week to address about 1,000 investors from around the globe in what is billed as her first speech outside North America.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Death toll rises to 11 in Bhutan quake

The death toll from Monday's 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Bhutan rose to 11, the country's home minister said Tuesday.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

SET up 1.57%

Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index closed at 724.37, up 11.21 or 1.57% in trade worth 27.03 billion baht on Tuesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Renault gets suspended ban for Singapore GP

Renault's Formula One team was handed a two-year suspended ban by the sport's governing body Monday after a hearing into their part in fixing the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

New part of Great Wall discovered

Chinese archaeologists have discovered a new section of the Great Wall, showing that it stretched at least 11 kilometres further east than previously thought, state media said on Tuesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Govt approves billions for army, police

The cabinet meeting on Tuesday approved a budget of almost five billion baht for the army to buy new weapons, including a submarine, and 81 million for the police to buy equipment for controlling riots and protests.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Thaksin: I am ready to return as PM

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Tuesday he was ready to return to Thailand to be prime minister if it is the people's wish for him to solve the country's problems. He also called for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House of Representatives to return power to the people.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

China will curb carbon emissions

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday pledged to curb the growth of China's carbon dioxide emissions by a "notable margin" by 2020 from their 2005 levels.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Villager killed in Yala

A Muslim man was killed and another injured in a ride-by shooting early Wednesday morning, Yala police said.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Man granted right to starve to death dies

An Australian quadriplegic who won the right to refuse food and water died Monday of an upper respiratory infection, his brother and a right-to-die advocate said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

U.S. general seeks more troops in Afghanistan

America's top commander in Afghanistan warns that more troops are needed there within the next year or the nearly 8-year-old war "will likely result in failure," according to a copy of a 66-page document obtained by The Washington Post.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

NATO chief: We must succeed in Afghanistan

More resources and personnel are needed to train Afghan security forces so they can become "masters in their own house," NATO's secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Disabled lose skytrain court case

The Central Administrative Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed against the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Bangkok Transit System Co (BTS), the electric train operator, for not providing facilites for the disabled as required by the law.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Hu pledges steps to combat climate change

Chinese President Hu Jintao told a U.N. summit on climate change Tuesday that China will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase reliance on clean energy sources in coming years.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Pakistan arrests top Taliban commander

Pakistan has arrested a key militant commander suspected of launching suicide attacks in the country's northwest, Pakistan's army announced Monday.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Emergency decree to be invoked if security law fails

The government will invoke the emergency decree if the being imposed Internal Security Act fails to keep the situation under control, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Friday morning.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Security tightened at Prem's home

Around 600 police have been deployed around Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda's residence in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Friday morning to ensure safety for Gen Prem who was scheduled to stay there when the anti-government group holds a mass rally in Bangkok on Saturday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Tightened security at Govt House

Police and soldiers were deployed inside and around the Government House compound early on Friday morning as the Internal Security Act was invoked ahead of Saturday's anti-government rally.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

PM tells whips to agree on procedure

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva has given government, opposition and senate whips seven days to discuss and agree on the procedure to amend the charter, while he is attending the UN General Assembly in New York.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Tightened security at Govt House

A number of police and soldiers were dispatched inside and around Government House building compound early on Friday morning as the Internal Security Act was invoked for the first day today.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

UDD won't seize airports, govt offices

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship will not lay siege to important places in the capital - including government buildings and airports - during its mass rally on Saturday, UDD leader Nattawut Saikua said on Thursday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Tiny T. rex fossil find startles scientists

A pint-sized version of the Tyrannosaurus rex, with similarly powerful legs, razor-sharp teeth and tiny arms, roamed China some 125 million years ago, says scientists who remain startled by the discovery.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Karzai rejects Afghan election fraud claims

President Hamid Karzai on Thursday rejected widespread allegations of massive fraud in last month's elections and said he was awaiting the results of investigations conducted by Afghanistan's electoral bodies.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Red-shirt rally at Prem�"s Korat home

At least 20,000 red-shirts will protest against Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanond outside his home in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Friday, Kwanchai Praiphana, leader of Khon Rak Udon (Love Udon People) group, said on Thursday afternoon.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Terror cell leader arrested in Pakistan

Authorities arrested a commander of a terror cell in Pakistan and captured dozens of suspected militants as part of an ongoing offensive in the country, military officials said Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Biden: 'Premature' to say if more troops needed

It's too early to say whether more troops are needed for Afghanistan, Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday, days after the top U.S. military officer said more forces are probably needed in order to effectively fight the insurgency.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Report: Man fathered four with daughter

An Australian man has been arrested for allegedly fathering four children with a daughter he repeatedly raped for more than 30 years, local media reported Thursday.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

PM gives one week for decision on change

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva told whips of government, opposition and senators to discuss and make decision on the procedure to amend the charter within 7 days, while he is visiting the United States to attend UN general assembly in New York.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Heart defect baby loses battle for life

A baby born with his heart protruding from his chest died two weeks after undergoing complex surgery to correct the problem, doctors said Thursday.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Sonthi wanted as Matuphum leader

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, former chairman of the Council for National Security, will be invited to be leader of the Matuphum Party, acting party leader Man Pattanothai said on Thursday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Suwit: Cabinet could meet at Khao Yai

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said on Thursday he plans to invite Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the cabinet to hold a meeting at Khao Yai National Park around the end of the year.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

SET down 0.14%

Stock Exchange of Thailand index closed at 709.23, down 1.02 or 0.14% in trade worth 28.43 billion baht on Thursday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

SET up 1.01%

Stock Exchange of Thailand closed at 710.25, up 7.09 or 1.01% in trade worth 25.70 billion baht on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Somjet: No conditions for a coup

Gen Somjet Boonthanom, a former secretary-general of the Council for National Security (CNS), said on Wednesday that there were currently no conditions that would lead to a military coup.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

EU: 1.5M votes in Afghan election 'suspicious'

About 1.5 million votes cast in last month's Afghanistan elections are suspicious, election observers for the European Union said Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

PM to chair ISOC meeting Thursday

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will chair a meeting of the Internal Security Operations Command at parliament Thursday afternoon to discuss measures to be taken under the Internal Security Act which has been imposed in Bangkok's Dusit district between Sept 18-22, said acting government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

PAD: Govts 'neglected Preah Vihear'

The People's Alliance for Democracy on Wednesday petitioned the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), accusing past and present governments of negligence of duty in allowing Cambodia to encroach on a disputed border area near Preah Vihear temple.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Afghan junkies risk triggering AIDS explosion

Afghanistan's reputation as the world's leading narcotics supplier is well-known, but in a squalid ruin in Kabul, the country hides a darker secret -- a huge home grown drug addiction problem now on the brink of fueling an HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Pakistan's female fighter pilots break barriers

Six years ago an ad in the Sunday paper changed a young Pakistani woman's life and made aviation history.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Democrats top with B50m in donations

The ruling Democrat Party received nearly 50 million baht in donations between January and July this year, while the newly established New Politics Party received almost 24,000 baht, according to the Election Commission.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

English lessons for India's rickshaw drivers

Indian tourism authorities will be holding English classes for auto-rickshaw drivers in New Delhi as the city prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

200 police deployed near P. Vihear

Police Region 3 commander Pol Lt-Gen Krisda Phankongchuen said on Wednesday he had 200 police deployed from Si Sa Ket and nearby provinces to the area near the Preah Vihear temple to deal with the planned rally by yellow-shirt demonstrators.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Isoc will act according to situation

Action to maintain peace and order during the anti-government rally on Saturday will be dependent on the situation at the time and the movements of the red-shirts, Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) spokesman Maj Gen Ditthaporn Sasasamith said on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Police: Train carrying Rahul Gandhi stoned

A train carrying Rahul Gandhi, the heir apparent of India's ruling Congress party, was pelted with stones Tuesday night, police said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Hatoyama elected as Japan's prime minister

Yukio Hatoyama is elected as Japan's new prime minister after his party's landslide election win last month, which swept the Liberal Democratic Party from nearly 50 years in power in the wake of the country's worst recession since World War II.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Charter change gets support

Phayao senator Pong-ekk Apirakyothin told the joint sitting of parliament he supported the six recommendations for charter change proposed by the Committee for Reconciliation, Political Reform and Constitutional Amendment.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Troops ready to help police at rally

Soldiers are available to reinforce police if requested when supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) hold their mass rally on Saturday, army chief Anupong Paojinda said on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Direk: Amend charter or face crisis

The government should start the process of constitutional change now or it would face critical problems such as Thai society had never experienced, the chairman of the parliamentary Committee for Reconciliation, Political Reform and Constitutional Amendment, Direk Thuengfang, told the joint sitting of parliament on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

UN: No plans to set up office in South

The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) Thailand said in an email on Tuesday that it has no intention to set up an office in the far South.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Malaysia releases 5 militant suspects

Malaysia said Tuesday it has freed five alleged members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group, saying they have been rehabilitated during years in detention without trial.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Hundreds of Afghan votes declared invalid

Afghan presidential election results from five polling stations were declared invalid by the Electoral Complaints Commission on Thursday because of fraud.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Volunteer fighters strike back against Taliban

Sixteen-year-old Akbar Zaid dreams of becoming a teacher. But for now, his summer job involves holding an automatic rifle and hunting down Taliban fighters in Pakistan's restive northwest region.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Puea Thai reunion golf day Sept 14

A large number of former executives of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai and People Power parties are expected to turn up for a round of golf on Sept 14 which will feature a phone-in by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said event organiser Surachai Baochanya.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Japan death row inmates 'pushed to insanity'

Death row inmates in Japan spend decades in isolation and face inhuman conditions that can lead to mental illness, Amnesty International said Thursday.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Poll: Charter changes won�"t help

Most people do not think that constitutional amendments would improve the political situation, Suan Dusit poll at Rajabhat Suan Dusit University concluded on Thursday afternoon.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Afghan vote commission orders first ballots invalidated

Afghanistan's vote monitoring body on Thursday ordered for the first time that ballots be scrapped from 83 polling stations finding "clear and convincing evidence of fraud" in troubled elections.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

200 missing in Sierra Leone boat tragedy

Around 200 people, including a large number of children, are missing feared drowned after a boat sank off the coast of Sierra Leone, the government said on Thursday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Bus plunges into river, killing at least 11 in Nepal

At least 11 people were killed and about 15 others were left missing after a bus plunged into a swollen river in central Nepal on Thursday, police said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

FM to visit area near Preah Vihear

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Thursday he will visit Si Sa Ket province to give morale support to Thai soldiers in the Thai-Cambodian border area this Sunday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

20% cut in energy use by 2011

The Energy Ministry aims to cut the country's energy consumption by another 20 per cent by 2011 to reduce the number of power plants, industrial sector operating costs and the causes of global warming.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Jatuporn: It's a Sondhi plot

The order transferring police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon to the PM�"s Office was planned by Sondhi Limthongkul, a core leader of the People�"s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a leader of the red-shirt movement, Jatuporn Promphan, said on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Thailand ready for Asean Summit

Arrangements are complete for the hosting of the Asean Summit and leaders of all 10 member countries and six non-Asean countries have confirmed they will attend, permanent secretary for foreign affairs Virasak Futrakul said on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Commandos free reporter in Afghanistan

A New York Times reporter who was kidnapped last week was freed by commandos on Wednesday, officials said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Patcharawat to be moved to PM's Office

An order will be issued today tranferring Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon, the police chief, to temporary duty at the PM's Office, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

SET index up 0.56%

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index on Wednesday gained 3.86 points or 0.56 per cent to close at 695.59 points. The market value was 29.47 billion baht, with 5.52 billion shares traded.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Thaworn and Porntiva cleared by EC

The Election Commission ruled on Wednesday that Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senniam of the Democrat Party and Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai of the Bhumjaithai Party are qualified to hold political posts.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Patcharawat resigns from police force

Pol Gen Patchawat Wongsuwon, the national police chief, on Wednesday resigned from the police service after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva signed an order transferring him to temporary duty at the PM's Office.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Analysts: SET index might hit 711 pts

The latest survey by the Securities Analysts Association found that most securities analysts forecast the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index could rally to a peak of 711 points later this year, association chairman Sombaht Narawutthichai said on Wednesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Charter rewrite debate on Sept 16,17

The parliamentary joint debate on proposed constitutional amendments will be on Sept 16 and 17, government chief whip Chinnaworn Bunyakiat said on Thursday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Chinese mine explosion deaths climb

Rescue operations unfolded at a mine in eastern China on Wednesday, following a gas explosion a day earlier that killed at least 37 people and left dozens missing, state-run media reported.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

16 MPs disqualified by EC

The Election Commission on Wednesday resolved to disqualify 16 MPs after finding them to have held shares in companies which have been granted a state concession.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Aquino's son to bid for Philippines presidency

Philippines Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III announced he will run for president Wednesday, a month after the death of his late mother, the popular former President Corazon Aquino.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Pilots' strike cancels flights in India

A pilots' strike forced one of India's largest airlines to cancel most of its domestic flights Wednesday, the airline said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Oil firms cut pump prices

The country�"s largest oil conglomerate PTT Plc and Bangchak Plc on Tuesday announced a cut in pump prices by 0.50 baht a litre for gasoline and 0.40 baht for B2 diesel.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Cabinet calls joint sitting on charter

The cabinet has agreed to ask Parliament President Chai Chidchob to call a joint session of parliament for a general debate on constitutional amendment, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Tuesday afternoon.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

PAD to oppose charter amendment

The People's Alliance for Democracy on Tuesday reaffirmed its opposition to constitutional amendment and vowed to gather up to 20,000 signatures to back a petition to remove MPs and senators who supported a charter amendment motion.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

EC approves Thani as Surat MP

The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday approved the election of Democrat candidate Thani Thaugsuban, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep's brother, as the constituency 1 MP for Surat Thani province.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Thaksin and red shirts to be under watch

The situation during the months of September and October is usually fragile and may open way for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the red shirts to step up their activities, PM's deputy secretary general and acting government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said on Tuesday.
Read More... [Source: Bangkokpost.com : Breaking News]

Taiwan premier quits over typhoon response

Taiwan's premier resigned over criticism of the government's response to Typhoon Morakot, which slammed into the island last month.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Suspected U.S. drone kills 4 in Pakistan

A suspected U.S. drone strike in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least four people, a Pakistani intelligence source said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

20 killed as bus hurtles into Kashmir gorge

At least 20 people were killed and 26 others injured, 21 of them seriously, Monday afternoon in a road accident in the mountainous Doda district of Indian administered Kashmir.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Strong quake strikes off Java island

A strong earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Java island late Monday, less than a week after a major temblor shook the island, killing at least 65 people.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

U.S. urges Karzai to allow vote fraud probe

U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry urges Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to allow the country's Independent Election Commission to thoroughly investigate allegations of vote fraud in the August presidential election.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]

Indonesia navy plane crash-lands; 4 dead

An Indonesian navy plane crash-landed Monday in eastern Borneo, killing four crew members and injuring five others, a navy spokesman said.
Read More... [Source: CNN.com - Asia]