PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers - July 23

BANGKOK, July 23 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Thai newspapers on Friday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

POLITICS AND GENERAL NEWS

- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva vowed to select a new national police chief by next month, ensuring a smooth transition before the retirement of incumbent General Patheep Tanprasert on Sept. 30 (THE NATION)

- Thailand is in a good position to attract rebounding global foreign direct investment thanks to the country's strong economic recovery, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says (BANGKOK POST)

- Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun's reform committee urged the government to end the state of emergency to create the right atmosphere for national reconciliation as the political situation has stabilised and rival yellow and red groups are showing signs of compromise (THE NATION)

- Six people earlier suspected of funding the red shirt protests will have their bank accounts unfrozen (BANGKOK POST)

- A group of doctors and medical professionals met the Prime Minister to voice their opposition to a bill aimed at protecting patients from medical malpractice (THE NATION)

- Key leaders of the rival yellow-shirt and red-shirt camps agreed to drop all eight libel lawsuits between them after a marathon meeting arranged by the Criminal Court (THE NATION)

BUSINESS

- Exports in the second half could have a bumpy ride as the global economic recovery becomes vague, particularly in the U.S., Europe and China, the Bank of Thailand cautioned (THE NATION)

- Thailand's national oil flagship PTT PTT.BK has joined with Mitsubishi Chemical Corp (4188.T) to build the first biodegradable plastic plant, says Parjya Phinyawat, PTT's chief operating officer for downstream petroleum business (BANGKOK POST)

- Information and Communications Technology Minister Chuti Krairiksh denied a rumour that attempts were being made to delay publication of the 3G-spectrum licensing plan in the Royal Gazette (THE NATION)

- Thailand's autmobile production will likely set a record this year because of strong demand both at home and abroad (BANGKOK POST)

- PTT PTT.BK will not hold shares in Star Petroleum Refining (SPRC) once the company is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) next year to avoid monopolising the refining industry (THE NATION) ($1=32.23 Baht) (Bangkok Newsroom +66 2648 9721, e-mail: bangkok.newsroom@reuters.com)