Surin said an article posted on the website praising caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's trip abroad and criticising groups involved in anti-government protests was not democratic and could even be illegal. He said the groups that bore the brunt of the most harsh criticism were supported by the former opposition parties that boycotted the April 2 election.

He said the article could cause confusion, because other countries had their own ambassadors to rely on when it came to briefings about what was happening here the Kingdom. Presenting a one-sided view was not in the interests of democracy, he said.

An article was posted yesterday on the website www.thaigov.go.th entitled: "Why did Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra travel abroad?" "Indicating that the prime minister's trip last month was successful is like a tourist picking up souvenirs while overseas and then posting the pictures on a website.

"He might have only met them [foreign leaders] for 15 minutes and just took pictures," said Surin. - The Nation.

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KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS: 200 patients to get free treatment

About 200 patients needing kidney transplants will receive free treatment under a special programme arranged to mark the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King next year.

The project is aimed at helping low-income kidney patients given the high cost of transplants, said Emeritus Prof Pradit Charoenthaithawee, of the Nephrology Society of Thailand.

Normally, a kidney transplant costs between Bt150,000 and Bt200,000, depending on the cost of post-surgery care, which might involve some complications, said the doctor.

Although the project currently has a budget of around Bt80 million, members of the public are still encouraged to register so that they can donate their kidneys in case of death. - The Nation.