PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers - Jan 9
BANGKOK, Jan 9 (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.
TOP STORIES
- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva discussed national security with top Cabinet members and the police chief, including what to do about websites seemingly created to undermine the monarchy (THE NATION)
- Don Mueang's role as a commercial airport is likely to end as the Transport Ministry favours using only Suvarnabhumi under its single airport policy to foster Thailand as an aviation centre and tourism hub in Southeast Asia (BANGKOK POST)
- Thai auto-makers will attend an urgent meeting to brainstorm on the direction of the industry amid signals that domestic and international sales may be worse than expected (THE NATION)
- The owner of the fire-ravaged Santika pub, described as a "deathtrap", many escape charges for violating the Building Control Act through a legal loophole (BANGKOK POST)
BUSINESS
- Preuksa Real Estate (PS.BK), the country's second largest developer, plans to target Phuket and Chonburi, diversify into the self-build business and adjust its product segments to meet the challenges of a slowing market (BANGKOK POST)
- The sharp economic slowdown could result in a revenue shortfall of 120 billion to 130 billion this year and push the fiscal deficit up to 480 billion, or 4.8 percent of GDP, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said (THE NATION)
- Thailand's economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2008 was likely less than 3 percent, bringing full-year growth below 4 percent, according to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) (BANGKOK POST)
- Kasikorn Asset Management forecasts the SET index hitting 600 points for a gain of 33 percent by year-end (THE NATION) ** Looking for more information from local sources? Factiva.com has eight Thai sources including the Bangkok Post and The Nation.
