Cases of suspected human infections on the rise as villagers resist efforts by livestock officials to cull fowl. Avian influenza has spread to more than half the country, with 39 provinces reporting confirmed or suspected cases of fresh bird-flu infections. Last week, the authorities had just 21 provinces under close watch for bird flu, suggesting the virus is spreading rapidly.

Floods hit holidaymakers in Hua Hin for long weekend

Heavy rain caused flooding in Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province yesterday, submerging roads under 30-40 cm of water, and marooning tourists who had gone to the popular tourist spot for the long weekend.

BURNING ISSUE: bts extension is more important

Bangkok governor’s bid to complete the long-stalled link to Thon Buri was blocked by the PM, who badly needs to reconsider his priorities

Vote counting system to change for Senate poll

Government whips are vetting draft amendments to revise the vote-counting procedure for Senate elections and expect to enact the new rules before the Upper House’s current term ends in March.

Hundreds of farmers gather to demand help with debts

Nearly 1,000 farmers gathered at the Royal Plaza yesterday morning to demand that the government honour its pledge to tackle farmers’ debts.

SENATE DILEMMA: Candidates seen as too close to MPs

Upper House faces tough battle against political interference, to be independent

21 injured after buses collide

Twenty-one city commuters, including a heavily-pregnant woman, were injured yesterday when two buses collided at a busy intersection on Phetburi Road.

Computer centre for tsunami children

A computer learning centre for children will be established in Phang Nga province to provide opportunities for youths – and revi-talise one of the areas worst hit by the tsunami.

Private, public agencies join the fight

Many measures to detect and prevent the spread of avian influenza are being implemented as a fresh outbreak sweeps the country. A look at initiatives in some areas:

Gang strips teens of jeans, shoes and cash

Two teenagers were attacked by a gang of youths for just their jeans and sneakers while waiting at a poorly lit bus stop in Bang Kapi on Sunday night.

Elephants lead charge on Guinness record book

Thai elephants have made it into the latest edition of “Guinness World Records”, Songyos Samka, deputy manager of Chulalongkorn book centre, said yesterday, having received the news from the book’s UK publisher Macmillan.

SKYTRAIN EXTENSION: Ministry drops opposition to BMA funding

But now says fares should be cheaper and an environmental assessment done

SOUTHERN UNREST: KL vows to maintain border cooperation

Malaysia yesterday promised to continue cooperating with Thailand to patrol the border in a “well-coordinated manner”.

Queen issues appeal for national unity, peace

Her Majesty the Queen yesterday called for unity among all Thais to protect the country from harm and danger.

Govt attorneys vow to fight Tak Bai compensation demands

Government attorneys are prepared to defend a Bt78-million compensation demand stemming from the use of excessive force in the botched anti-riot operation at Tak Bai last year if a civil suit is filed today by a group of victims and families of those killed.

Go, you’re not needed, Suchai told

Public Health Minister Suchai Charoenratanakul is being pressured by government and opposition lawmakers to honour his word to step down by next Monday even though he has expressed his willingness to stay on and fight the fresh outbreak of bird flu.

TRT plans call centre

The Thai Rak Thai party will launch a “call centre” next month to receive complaints from 15 million party members nationwide, and a mailbox where Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra can field complaints from non-members, a party deputy spokesman said yesterday.