PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers - March 10

BANGKOK, March 10 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Thai newspapers on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

TOP STORIES

- Members of Thaksin Shinawatra's immediate family have left or are leaving the country ahead of this weekend's rally by supporters of the fugitive prime minister (BANGKOK POST)

- British Ambassador Quinton Quayle expressed concern over the "red shirt" demonstration, urging all parties to exercise utmost restraint and not use violence against each other since it would damage Thailand as a whole (THE NATION)

- The Senate has rejected taking retroactive action against former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat for alleged malfeasance in the lethal crackdown on anti-government protesters on Oct. 7, 2008 (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- Bangkok Expressway BECL.BK plans to focus on cost management following lower revenue sharing and partial loan retirement (THE NATION)

- Four more projects in the Map Ta Phut industrial estate have been given the green light to continue their operations by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, said Sorayud Petchtrakul, an assistant to the Industry Minister (BANGKOK POST)

- Robinson Department Store ROBI.BK is investing 2.4 billion baht ($73.39 million) this year on four new stores as part of its plan to expand in the country by three to four outlets annually over five years (THE NATION) ($1=32.70 Baht) (Bangkok Newsroom +66 2648 9721, e-mail: bangkok.newsroom@reuters.com)