IN BRIEF
CONSTITUTION drafters: NPA left with 1,982 members after seven candidates disqualified
The National People's Assembly (NPA) will comprise 1,982 members because seven candidates were disqualified at the last minute due to their links with political parties, the panel chairman said in reference to the NPA selection process.
"Of the 1,989 candidates, seven still have partisan ties," Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukphasuk said. He had already finalised the list of candidates and submitted it for approval by Council for National Security (CNS) chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.Under the Interim Constitution, the NPA is designated to become a precursor body to conduct a peer-vote to name 200 candidates for charter writing. The CNS is responsible for picking 100 candidates to sit on the Constitution Drafting Assembly. NARATHIWAT: Violence in far South claims two Two people were killed and six others injured in three separate gun attacks, a bombing and arson in Narathiwat and Pattani yesterday. The first incident was in Narathiwat's Rangae district where assailants shot and killed Abdultolea Botoh, 44, while walking to a nearby paddy field. He was found dead only 20 metres from his home. Initially relatives refused to allow forensic police to conduct an autopsy, but the conflict was resolved after the body was brought to Rangae Hospital for examination. At 1pm, also in Rangae district, two gunmen strafed a restaurant with M-16 rounds, injuring three people, eyewitnesses said. Hours later, a group of gunmen attacked a shop in Rangae, killing shop owner Petharat Pinsirodom and injuring her husband Pradit. The gunmen planted a bomb in the shop before leaving, which detonated when soldiers stationed nearby arrived to investigate. The explosion seriously wounded Sergeant Pramote Thonsai, according to Pol Captain Heraman Jehdee from the district police station. In Pattani, Nayok Tappradit, 81, survived an attack by assailants who clubbed him on the head before setting fire to his house. Fire-fighters arrived to rescue Nayok, but officials said he suffered serious burns. MEDIA: Junta keeps tabs on TRT shows The Council for National Security (CNS) is keeping an eye on Thai Rak Thai Party leaders who have been operating a radio programme at the Public Relations Department (PRD) radio station. Veera Musikapong is a host of "Sabai Sabai Style Khai Muk Dam" or "Take things easy in Black Pearl style'' on FM 93.5 from Mon to Fri 8-10am. Chatuporn Prompan, the Thai Rak Thai spokesman, and TRT member Nattawut Saikua host the show on weekends. They were allowed to operate the show provided they don't criticise the government or CNS. Chatuporn said Veera rented the air-time from the department to operate a current affairs show because he has nothing to do and he used to work in the media field before being a politician. The show covers social issues, arts, and sports. "We do not intend to operate a programme that criticises the government and we have sought permission from Thai Rak Thai Party leader Chaturon Chaisang,'' he said. Sport Online is the subsidiary of Than Settakit Co, who rent air-time of FM 93.5 from the PRD. Traffic Corner, the media giant whose major share holders are members of the deposed premier's family, also receive concessions under the PRD's FM 92.5 stations. MAHIDOL FOUNDATION: Govt donates Bt1 billion The interim government yesterday donated Bt1 billion to the Anantha Mahidol Foundation to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne. The foundation grants scholarships to students who resume post-graduate studies abroad.
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