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Published on October 28, 2007

 The Princess's physical sensations on her right side became faint and a computerised X-ray examination showed an extensive area of infarction on the left side of her brain as a result of an occlusion of the cerebral artery, the bureau said in its statement. The Princess was admitted to Siriraj Hospital on June 15 after developing abdominal discomfort. Doctors detected cancer cells and she has been under medical treatment since then with her condition fluctuating at times, the statement said.

UUU

The government will face a dilemma if it cannot control high inflation during the rest of the year. Manufacturers, transport operators and farmers - driven by cost-push factors - are demanding price increases for their goods.

These groups gathered at the Commerce Ministry's Internal Trade Department, asking for increases in both retail prices and fares, in order to cope with their rising costs. The cost-push factor, driven by rising oil prices, has increased manufacturers' costs. However, the ministry wants to restrain retail prices of goods to control inflation that would otherwise have a domino effect on the Kingdom's entire economy.

UUU

A senior police officer who paraded alleged drug kingpin Mayakee Yakoh in front of the media said the suspect told him there was at least Bt50 million hidden in his house, raising the question of what happened to a missing Bt20 million.

Pol Maj-General Adithep Panjamanon, deputy commander of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, said Mayakee had stashed away Bt50 million. The statement further complicated an already complex drug case involving allegations of authorities siphoning off money.

Army chief General Anupong Paochinda called for a probe into the allegation.

Police said the October 9 raid on Mayakee's house in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok district discovered Bt30.5 million stuffed in PVC pipes.

Mayakee was not permitted to talk to the media during an appearance before journalists that came across to many as part of a desperate act of damage control after an informant accused the police of cheating him out of money he had been promised. The informant went to the media on condition that his identity not be revealed.

UUU

One woman was killed and five people injured in an amusement ride accident at Siam Park on Tuesday. The accident, on the Indiana Log ride, happened at 12.30pm. It sparked calls for better safety rules for amusement parks.

Noppakarn Luang-amornlert, deputy administration manager at the park, said the accident happened because a sudden drop in power caused a water pump to fail - so there was no water for the ride to float on. The ride ran all the way from the top to the bottom of a hill and crashed, because there wasn't enough water to cushion the impact. The ride usually careens down a waterway at a speed of 50 kilometres per hour.

UUU

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont admitted he had photocopies of documents purported to undermine the People Power Party but detected no violence or malicious plans against the party.

"In the documents I don't see any mentions of violence or suspicious activities although the government and the junta will review the matter in order to ensure a fair and transparent election," he said. Surayud said the documents outlined how the junta evaluated and braced for the situation in the past year. He said the people would render their judgement on People Power and that the Army already made it clear soldiers would not tamper with the electoral process.

UUU

An ambitious plan to merge three political parties failed, less than 24 hours after it was announced. The planned merger of the Pracharaj, Matchima Thippatai and Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana will be suspended until after the December 23 election, Pracharaj deputy leader Korn Dabaransi said.

Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana's key men insisted National Legislative Assembly member Admiral Bannawit Kengrian, supposedly representing it in the merger talks, was not authorised to do so. They said the party would not merge with any other political party until after the election.

UUU

Social Development and Human Security Ministry permanent secretary Wanlop Ploytabtim has been transferred to an inactive post in the Prime Minister's Office, pending an investigation into alleged corruption and an extramarital affair. Deputy Social Development and Human Security Minister Poldej Pinpratheep confirmed Wanlop was transferred on Friday. "Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont signed the transfer order on October 19 and it took immediate effect," Poldej said.

Poldej said he and Social Development and Human Security Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham agreed that Wanlop should be transferred while the investigation - chaired by the Justice Ministry permanent secretary Charan Phakdi-thanakul - was being conducted.