PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers on June 9

BANGKOK, June 9 (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

- Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun believes Thai politics has become so polarised that it is beyond reconciliation (THE NATION)

- The Democrat Party accused the government of abuse of power for cracking down on people and the state agencies involved in pressing corruption charges against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (BANGKOK POST)

- Most people support the demonstrations by the People's Alliance for Democracy but on the condition that its rallies must not lead to turmoil, according to an opinion survey (BANGKOK POST)

- Activists accused the government of intending to create "black holes" in the broadcasting administration by making a new subcommittee inactive over the past three months (THE NATION)

- Up to 8.8 million Thais are at risk of kidney disease, according to a study, prompting health agencies to undertake screening and prevention programmes (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- Political uncertainty was the main reason for TCC Land and Development to postpone a number of projects this year, chief executive Soammaphat Traisorat said (THE NATION)

- Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee is considering a plan to cut taxes and streamline laws and regulations to promote mergers and acquisitions as part of his efforts to develop the stock market (THE NATION)

- The struggle for Thai Mobile between TOT PCL and CAT Telecom appears to be over, with politics the culprit, as it often is when potentially valuable assets held by the state are in play (BANGKOK POST)

- Siam Cement Group is embarking on a major overhaul of its Home Mart Building material retail chain in order to increase sales in a stagnant market (BANGKOK POST)

- The Stock Exchange of Thailand will begin reviewing options for a new shareholding structure for the exchange after it becomes a listed company, a process known as demutualisation (BANGKOK POST) ($1=33.20 Baht)