Depression, moving at 50kph, causes death, flooding from Isaan to the South. A five-year-old girl was killed in Chon Buri and two men drowned in Chachoengsao and Pichit, after a tropical depression entered Thailand, causing heavy rains and flash floods in provinces of the North, Northeast, and Central regions yesterday.

THE MOVE FOR MATICHON: ‘Disloyal’ Wanich axed

SeaWrite Award winner suspected of being mole in Paiboon’s takeover bid. A SeaWrite Award winner has had his columns dropped from all Matichon publications after he was suspected of being GMM Media’s mole in its takeover bid for the company, a source said yesterday.

Newin unveils taxi plan to solve Bangkok’s traffic woes

PM’s Office Minister Newin Chidchobb has come up with a new idea to solve the capital’s traffic problem: having government offices, hotels and shopping malls give free-of-charge parking space for taxis to pick up customers.

Suicide puts spotlight on model schools’ money woes

The suicide of a dream-school director has raised alarms about the financial problems being faced by many other such model schools across the country, as more school executives yesterday came out to discuss their own financial battles.

Hepatitis expert joins Asian panel

The president of Thailand’s Liver Club has joined an Asia-Pacific committee dedicated to making a positive impact on fighting hepatitis B in Asia.

Nationwide campaign aims to reduce obesity

In a bid to effectively curb growing nutrition-related problems, particularly obesity, an alliance of three health organisations yesterday agreed to work together to carry out a nationwide weight control programme.

Just a dream?

The government launched its “One District, One Dream School Project” in March 2003 with the objective of ensuring that each district would have at least one high-quality school.

Police shoot crazed Rottweiler

A pet Rottweiler dog was shot dead by police in Tak’s Muang district late on Tuesday after it went berserk, attacked its owner and another man, and failed to calm down after 10 shots of anaesthetic.

TV TALK SHOW: Minister spurns call of disabled

Appalled hosts of ‘Kom Chad Luek’ advised to raise issue at ministry

Kingdom sees rise in sex crimes

An average of 12 sex crime complaints are filed with police every day, but this figure accounts for only 5 per cent of the sex crimes that actually take place, a National Economic and Social Develop-ment Board report said yesterday.

BURNING ISSUE: Are politicians behind bids?

Grammy secures Bt2.6-bn loan for the takeover, yet has only Bt1.8 bn in assets

AUDITOR-GENERAL ROW: Suchon lodges complaints with police about his critics

Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua yesterday filed a complaint with police to deflect criticism by observers, journalists and politicians over the controversial nomination of the auditor-general.

I’ll talk to the right people: Pramuan

Rebel Thai Rak Thai MP Pramuan Ruchanaseree, author of the best-selling book “Royal Powers”, indicated yesterday that he was willing to discuss his “rebelliousness” through proper party channels – but would not bow to pressure from “minions” within the ruling party.

Cloud remains over NBC process

A selection panel member yesterday tried and failed to dispel doubts regarding the nomination of 14 National Broadcasting Commission candidates.

IN BRIEF: Election commissioner

‘Jaral’s case should be heard in court’

Endless rain brings capital to standstill

A tropical depression in the Northeast of the country brought nearly 24 hours of steady rain to Bangkok, paralysing traffic throughout the city yesterday.

A disturbing parallel in the Philippines media

To veterans of the daily newspaper business in Southeast Asia, the Matichon and Bangkok Post takeover drama has an apparent historic parallel in the case of the Manila Times, the Philippines’ oldest newspaper.

Newspaper’s staff circle their wagons

Executives and editorial staff of Matichon daily were uniting with their allies against an attempt by entertainment magnate Paiboon Damrongchaitham for a hostile takeover of their newspaper company, a senior editor of the paper said yesterday.

Help to be given to Bangkok’s mentally ill: police

Police will recruit the help of various authorities in caring for the large number of mentally ill people who are roaming the streets of Bangkok.

SOCIAL ORDER: Panel moves to revoke massage parlour’s licence

Committee reverses earlier decision because operator withheld information

TRT MPs urge closure of pondok

A group of 25 Thai Rak Thai MPs came up with a surprising proposal yesterday to shut down Islamic boarding schools and create a militia to contain violence in the restive South.

Army boss appeals to fellow Muslims

Newly appointed Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkarin yesterday reached out to fellow Muslims, urging them to work with state agencies to bring an end to the ongoing violence in the Malay-speaking deep South.

Military can interview group of 131: KL

Malaysia will allow the Thai military to interview 131 Muslims who fled to the northern Malaysian state of Kelantan to assess whether they really are a security threat.

THAI net profit target slashed due to fuel costs

Thai Airways International Plc yesterday reduced its net profit target for the year to Bt7 billion-Bt10 billion, much lower than its initial target of Bt19 billion, largely because of high fuel prices.

EU-Asean team in Aceh

The European Union and five Asean nations, including Thailand, have begun a full-scale monitoring mission in Indonesia’s Aceh province, the EU said in a statement.