PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers Feb 27

BANGKOK, Feb 27 (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

- House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat edged closer to a five-year political ban when the Election Commission red-carded him for poll fraud in the Dec. 23 general election (BANGKOK POST)

- Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's plan to announce his imminent return to Thailand did not take place yesterday, raising doubts on whether he will definitely fly back home this week (THE NATION)

- Business executives say political risk is again an issue following the Election Commission's decision to red-card House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat for campaign offences during the run-up to the Dec. 23 general election (BANGKOK POST)

- Deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will arrive in his private jet at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday morning, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama confirmed (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- The Transport Ministry's top officials will convene today to discuss the expanded menu of mega-infrastructure projects, which will force the ministry to spend heavily for years to come (THE NATION)

- Japan-based companies are likely to continue delaying investment decisions as the strong baht has hurt their profits, the Japan Bank for International Co-operation said (BANGKOK POST)