Bangkok - More than 50 international scholars and dignitaries presented a petition Wednesday calling for the reform of laws designed to protect the Thai monarchy which they claim are being abused for political reasons.

The letter said the "frequent abuse of the lese majeste law against political opponents undermines democratic processes" and generates "heightened criticism of the monarchy and Thailand itself, both inside and outside the country."

Bangkok- Thailand has declared a drought in 25 of its 76 provinces, affecting 2.7 million people, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office announced Monday.

Bangkok - Thai shared dropped nearly 3.5 per cent in value Mo

Bangkok  - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Saturday his fugitive rival Thaksin Shinawatra has cancelled his plans to speak to reporters in Hong Kong.

Supporters of the former prime minister said however that Monday's address to the Foreign Correspondents Club of Hong Kong will go ahead.

Abhisit has instructed the foreign ministry and Attorney-General's office to try to extradite Thaksin if he is located in Hong Kong.

"The latest I have learnt (is) that he is cancelling his speech," said Abhisit, quoted in the Nation.

Bangkok - Bangkok's deputy police chief said Friday that 21 leaders of the royalist Yellow Shirts would be charged with unlawful gathering, leading to the seizure of Government House last October during a series of protests aimed agains the then government.

Metropolitan police Major General Amnuay Nimmano said the leaders of the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - allies of the current government - would also be charged with obstructing the work of the authorities.

Bangkok - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday he might ask China to extradite fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The controversial former premier is scheduled to give a speech in Hong Kong Monday. He has kept clear of Thailand after being given a jail sentence last year for breaching corruption rules when his wife successfully bid for government land while he was in office.

Thaksin, who won all three general elections he fought since forming his own political party a decade ago, remains deeply distrusted by much of the military, as well urban elites and the palace.