PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers - March 18

BANGKOK, March 18 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Thai newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

TOP STORIES

- Military officers linked to ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have pushed for a committee to investigate the alleged misuse of the military budget by the now-defunct Council for National Security, a Defence Ministry source said (BANGKOK POST)

- House speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat filed a complaint asking police to launch criminal proceedings against the Election Commission for abuse of power in charging him with electoral fraud (THE NATION)

- A pro-government group formed by People Power Party members of parliament plans to hold weekly meetings in parallel with those organised by the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (THE NATION)

- The Public health Ministry declared rabbit fever an emerging disease in Thailand after its first victim was diagnosed in Prachuap Khiri Khan (BANGKOK POST)

- The ball is now back in Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin's court after the government refused to allow him to take a leave of absence as he fights corruption charges (THE NATION)

BUSINESS

- Consumers are likely to face an increasing loss of purchasing power and moderate rates of consumption may continue because of the rising costs of goods and services, according to economists (THE NATION)