PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers - February 11

BANGKOK, Feb 11 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Thai newspapers on Monday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

TOP STORIES

- Prime Minister Samal Sundaravej takes up the reins as defence minister with plans to call in the top brass to talk about the unrest in the far south and military allowances (BANGKOK POST)

- Samak hinted his government would set up a new independent television stantion and suggested it might employ former TITV staff who lost their jobs when the station was handed over to the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (THE NATION)

- A debt suspension programme should be implemented selectively, with the focus on certain groups of farmers in need, the president of the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives said (BANGKOK POST)

- From tonight, Bangkok's legendary nightlife will be under a cloud as pubs, bars and discotheques are legally required to ban smoking in air-conditioned zones (THE NATION)

- One in five teens is likely to end up having sex on Valentines Day this year, according to a survey by Assumption University (THE NATION)

BUSINESS

- The baht could reach 31 to the dollar this week if the 30 percent capital controls are cancelled, according to local bankers (BANGKOK POST)