PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers - July 8

BANGKOK, July 8 (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

- The People Power Party is prepared set up a new political entity if ex-deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat is disqualified by the Supreme Court today in a vote-buying case from last year's general election (BANGKOK POST)

- The World Heritage committee meeting in Canada has approved Cambodia's application to list the 11th century Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site (BANGKOK POST)

- The Civil Court ordered leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy to open blocked roads to traffic during daylight hours after hearing testimony from senior police officers and protest leaders (THE NATION)

BUSINESS

- The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has asked the Transport Ministry to clarify the additional 18 billion baht budget for the urban Red Line electric train project (THE NATION)

- The Tourism Authority of Thailand has sharply cut its projection for the number of international visitors and tourism revenue next year due to soaring oil prices, which has led to fewer inbound flights (THE NATION)

- Sahaviriya Iron and Steel Co SSI.BK, the operator of a 500-billion-baht smelting plant, expects to start construction by the fourth quarter of this year once it receives the green light on environmental assessment, financing and investment privileges, says acting president Win Viriyaprapaikit (BANGKOK POST)

- Retail fuel prices may soon top 50 baht a litre as world oil prices continue to rise on the weakening US dollar, tight supply and political tensions in oil exporting regions, Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop said (BANGKOK POST)

- Siam Makro PCL MAKR.BK, the local unit of the Netherlands-based cash-and-carry store operator SHV holdings, has become a new market focus for the Dutch company after it sold its stake in Makro Indonesia (BANGKOK POST) ** Looking for more information from local sources? Factiva.com has eight Thai sources including the Bangkok Post and The Nation. ($1=33.36 Baht)