Yongyuth wants EC to re-investigate his case

Yongyuth wants EC to re-investigate his case

(BangkokPost.com) - Deputy Leader of People Power party (PPP) Yongyuth Tiyaphairat called on Election Commission (EC)'s sub-panel taking care of his alleged vote-buying case to re-investigate it.

Mr Yongyuth said he believes evidence handed to the EC by the Special Branch Police that are used against him are set-up in order to frame him.

He also said he has his own evidence to fight the case, adding that he believes PPP will not be dissolved if he is found guilty of vote-buying.

15:51 Jan 12, 2008


Insurgents kill man, wound another

(BangkokPost.com) - Insurgents shot dead a government official in Narathiwat province on Saturday morning.

Abdullah Taloh, Samakhee tambon administration organisation chief, was gunned down on a motorcycle in Rueso district when he was returning from sending his daughter off to a Children's Day event in the district.

The killing came after an ambush of a man early today.

The victim, identified as Jaeyor Dum, was attacked while he was riding a motorcycle from a rubber plantation in Yala's Raman district.

14:18 Jan 12, 2008


Bourse expected to be volatile next week

Worries over poor earnings results of American major firms along with local political problem are expected to force the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) to move in volatility while the baht is to remain strong against the US dollar next week, according to reports issued by Kasikorn Research Center.

Stock investors are expected to invest cautiously next week on worries about local by-elections along with the Bank of Thailand's rate-setting meeting, scheduled to be held on Wednesday, according to Kasikorn Research Center.

Analysts have forecast that the central bank would keep its key interest rate unchanged at 3.25 per cent.

External factors including expected poor earnings results of American major companies, due to be released next week, and key US economic indicators, especially in the property sector, are expected to depress the SET next week, it said.

On Friday, the SET composite index closed at 796.47 points, down 3.07 per cent from a week ago.

Kasikorn Research Center forecasts that support level for the SET index next week would be around 783-794 points while resistance at between 821-840 points.

On the Thai baht, it predicts that the Thai currency would move between Bt33.05-33.30 against the US dollar next week.

Factors which will lead the baht to appreciate further against the greenback include the selling of the US currency by exporters, movements of foreign capital inflows, possible intervention by the Thai central bank in the money market in an attempt to keep the baht from strengthening sharply and progress in formation of the Thai coalition government following the December 23 general election, it said.

On Friday, the baht strengthened to Bt33.14 against the dollar on the onshore market compared to Bt33.43 a week ago. (TNA)

13:34 Jan 12, 2008


Military accuses protesters of receiving bribes

(BangkokPost.com) - Acting Council for National Security (CNS) chief Chalit Phukphasuk accused people who rallied against Election Commission (EC) on their decisions to yellow- or red-card winning candidates from the Dec 23 general election of receiving bribes.

Gen Chalit said he is not worried about the rallies, saying it is normal that EC is pressured by those going against their decision.

He also said he knows the masterminds behind the protests, but denied to give detail.

Gen Chalit also denied reports that he has tried to lobby for the Defence Ministry's top post.

"If the a CNS member wants to be a minister, we would have taken the job since a long time ago," he told reporters.

12:39 Jan 12, 2008