PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers April 10

BANGKOK, April 10 (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

- Lakshmi Mittal, co-chairman of ArcelorMittal Group (ISPA.AS), the world's largest steelmaker, said his group was conducting a feasibility study for an integrated steel production plant in Thailand with annual capacity of 2 million to 2.5 million tonnes (THE NATION)

- Chaiya Sasomsab has pushed for his elder brother, Padermchai, to succeed him if he resigns from his post as public health minister (BANGKOK POST)

- Advance Info Service ADVA.BK will debut a third-generation (3G) service in Chiang Mai on May 6, followed by Bangkok on June 15, under the 3GSM Advance brand (THE NATION)

- The government will offer around 100,000 households interest-free loans of 10,000 baht each to purchase highly efficient home electrical appliances (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept its key interested rate intact at 3.25 percent as widely expected, due to upside risk to inflation and economic growth (THE NATION)

- The Commerce Ministry is tightening measures requiring exporters to set aside 500 tonnes of rice as working stock in a move to prevent a rice shortage (BAGNKOK POST)

- Mitr Phol Group plans to invest 12 billion baht in the next two years to expand its alternative-fuel business (BANGKOK POST)

- Amid mounting political concerns, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej called on local businessmen and investors to have more confidence in the country's government and economy (BANGKOK POST) ** Looking for more information from local sources? Factiva.com has eight Thai sources including the Bangkok Post and the Nation.