PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers on June 12

BANGKOK, June 12 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Thai newspapers on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

TOP STORIES

- The government has been warned to expect protests across the country by groups ranging from farmers to truckers who are struggling to survive due to the soaring cost of living (BANGKOK POST)

- The government is trying to control the media with the new broadcasting and telecommunication commission that is due to be created, the National Economic and Social Advisory Council said (BANGKOK POST)

- The Supreme Court set up a committee to investigate an alleged attempt by a politician's lawyer to bribe court officials, which a spokesman of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra described as "a joke and impossible"(THE NATION)

- Bangkok passengers will have to pay 11 percent more on average for their taxi rides if the government approves the proposed fare increase on Thursday (THE NATION)

- A government coupon programme to help the poor cope with soaring food and energy costs could be run for 6-12 months, Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- The government's intervention programme "could create a loss of 8 billion baht ($241 million) and may fail to buoy rice prices" after it rejected rice exports under a government-to-government contract with the Philippines, traders said (THE NATION)

- The baht could see increased volatility if Vietnam is forced to devalue the dong, a Bank of Thailand senior official said (BANGKOK POST)

- Thai exports are expected to remain intact although Vietnam, one of the country's exporting rivals especially for rice, has cut its official dong rate by almost 2 percent against the dollar in what analysts called an effective devaluation (BANGKOK POST)

- Thai bankers are watching nervously events to the east, where Vietnam appears to be on the verge of a full-blown currency crisis (BANGKOK POST)

- The Foreign Business Act amendments proposed by the previous military government will not be pursued by the current government, Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti said (BANGKOK POST)

- Phoenix Pulp and Paper has targeted revenue growth of 50 percent this year, from 4-6 billion baht, following an increase in its capacity to produce uncoated paper (THE NATION) ($1=33.15 Baht)