Bangkok News

The blast, which caused no injuries, occurred in front of the building housing the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn told reporters.

"Based on circumstantial evidence it's likely to have been caused by an M-79 (grenade)," he said.

The capital has been under emergency rule since April 7 in response to anti-government "Red Shirt" protests, in which 91 people died and about 1,900 were injured in clashes between protesters and the army.

The Bangkok Post, the 64-year-old English daily in Thailand, today published a 3D newspaper, the first of its kind in this country.

The three-dimensional effect was applied to most of the daily's coloured news photographs and advertisements which could be seen through 3D-viewer glasses provided free with the newspaper. The text is still in the same format.

Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Lt Gen Jakthip Chaijinda confirmed the figure estimated by field reporters.

Jaktip said more protesters are expected to join the rallies at night.

Abac Poll of Assumption University announced Tuesday that Natthakorn, better known as Khun Pluem, receive a popular rating of 37 per cent compared with MR Sukhumbhand Baribatra, the candidate of the Democrat Party.

The survey was carried out among 2,207 Bangkokians from December 3 to 8.

The survey also found that 9.3 per cent of the respondents said they planned to vote for Yuranan Pamornmontree of the Puea Thai Party.

Mr Thaksin said Mr Somkiat tarnished his and his family's reputation when accusing him of attempting to bring down the constitutional monarchy and tampering with the justice system to absolve himself of malpractice allegations.

The lawsuit also names ASTV Co and Thaiday.com.

Mr Thaksin also sought an injunction prohibiting Mr Somkiat from making false accusations and the two firms from broadcasting Mr Somkiat's comments.

The list was topped by New York for the eighth consecutive year, followed by San Francisco, Chicago, Charleston, S.C., and Santa Fe, N.M. Next were three Canadian cities, Quebec City, Montreal and Vancouver, with Savannah ninth on the list and the British Columbia city of Victoria at No. 10.

In her new role she is tasked to re-brand Hilton property to Conrad brand as well as responsible for the opening of new Conrad Hotels in Asia Pacific by providing orientation of team members with Conrad brand, value of individuality, brand standards, and service culture.

The BMA requires that goods in gift baskets should be at least six months from their expiry dates.

Content labels must be accurate, he added.

Bangkok is likely to become a decisive battleground in determining whether the Democrat Party or its rivals claim victory to lead the next government, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

"The race is expected to be intense, though not anticipated to degenerate into social divisions, and a victory in Bangkok is crucial for the Democrats to have a chance at running the country," he said.

Abhisit was speaking at a press conference to introduce 36 candidates for direct election in 12 Bangkok constituencies.

Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the coup's architect, also refused to rule out staging another coup d'etat if the People Power Party (PPP) loyal to Thaksin wins and brings him back to power.

"It is a future matter that we shall have to wait and see," he said.

He even challenged Thaksin, saying "he can return now so we can prosecute him." Thaksin is accused of the unlawful sale of a family-owned telecom company to a foreign entity.

"Laws, not statements of anyone, will tell whether he is right or wrong," Sonthi said in reaction to a statement by PPP leader Samak Sundaravej that a victory in December would vindicate the ex-premier.

No casualties were immediately reported in the blaze, said police Lt-Col Kittiphan Chunthakarn, chief of Thung Mahamek police.

He said the fire, which broke out in an area where about 500 old wooden houses are packed together on narrow streets, was brought under control after an hour, despite difficulties faced by emergency vehicles in getting through rush-hour traffic.

The statement said medical treatment and continued regular physical exercise have enabled His Majesty to steadily regain his strength.

The King had suffered from weakness to the right side of his body.

He is now able to walk a short distance without the aid of a walker.