PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers May 20

BANGKOK, May 20 (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

- Thailand, as chair of ASEAN, has added its voice to calls for the immediate release of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (BANGKOK POST)

- A German woman who died while on holiday in Thailand tested negative for influenza type A (H1N1), senior health officials say (BANGKOK POST)

- The Democrat Party has topped the donation list, receiving 5.9 million baht in contributions from 57,124 citizens, topped up by the Election Commission (THE NATION)

- The parliamentary committee for national reconciliation, political reform and charter amendment told the sub-panel studying reconciliation to have its proposals ready by May 26-28 (THE NATION)

- Ex-Premier Thaksin Shinawatra has given the nod for Puea Thai Party MP Somchai Petprasert to become the new party leader, an MP said (THE NATION)

- Newin Chidchob's sixth sense is obviously telling him that general elections would be held sooner rather than later, which is probably why the cunning politician is consolidating his men and money in the Bhumjaithai Party (THE NATION)

- Bhumjaithai Party leader Chavarat Charnvirakul insists he will replace Chartchai Pookyaporn as deputy agriculture and cooperatives minister despite his insistence on staying in the Cabinet (BANGKOK POST)

- Nine-year-old Keigo Zato's dream to see his long-lost Japanese father is about to come true as his dad has promised to talk to him over a Japanese embassy webcam on Friday (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- The number of Chinese and Japanese visitors to Thailand is expected to drop sharply in coming months due to the spread of type A (H1N1) flu virus (THE NATION)

- Delinquent loans surged by 14.9 billion baht in the first quarter from the previous three months, bringing their share of outstanding lending up to 4 percent, the Bank of Thailand reported (THE NATION)

- IRPC Pcl IRPC.BK, one of PTT's petrochemical arms, may scrap some investments planned for the next five years to cope with the global downturn (BANGKOK POST)

- Thai rice prices are expected to come under pressure in the remaining months of the year particularly as India will resume shipments in July (BANGKOK POST)

($1 = 34.43 baht)

** Looking for more information from local sources? Factiva.com has eight Thai sources including Bangkok Post and the Nation. (Bangkok Newsroom +66 2648 9721, e-mail: bangkok.newsroom@reuters.com)