Bangkok  - Thai-based car manufacturers have lowered their production targets to 1.08 million vehicles this year, down 23 per cent from 2008 output of 1.4 million cars, media reports said Saturday.

Of the targeted 1.08 million units, 500,000 are expected to be sold on the domestic market and 580,000 exported.

"This figure is an estimate based on the present situation," said Piengjai Kaewsuwan, chairman of the Automotive Industry Club, which met Friday.

Bangkok  - Bangkok drivers who love to run red lights are now being captured by new traffic cameras, a report said Friday.

The almost 30,000 motorists who have been snapped jumping lights during the first week of the cameras' operation can expect postal fines of 500 baht (14.31 dollars), said deputy city police chief police Major-General Pharnu Kerdlarpphon.

In a city where frustrated drivers frequently run red lights rather than suffer yet another lengthy wait, people may take time to alter their behaviour, he said.

Bangkok - New York-based Human Rights Watch on Thursday appealed to newly appointed Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to show "political courage" in ensuring the prosecution of soldiers found guilty of torturing an imam to death in southern Thailand.

On December 25, 2008, the Narathiwat provincial court ruled that Imam Yapa Kaseng, 56, had been tortured to death by Thai soldiers while being interrogated on March 20-21.

"The court gave a brave and unprecedented verdict in the inquest, putting the finger on torture and other abuses committed by Thai security forces," said Brad Adams, Asian director for Human Rights Watch.

Bangkok - Thai shares lost 2.15 per cent in value Wednesday on profit-taking

Bangkok - Thai officials said Tuesday that the government has recently blocked 2,300 websites for allegedly insulting the monarchy and is seeking court approval to shut down another 400.

"We are preparing to ask for court approval to shut down an additional 400 sites," said Thailand's Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Minister Ranongruk Suwanchawee.

Bangkok - Thai shares jumped 6.39 per cent in value Monday as investors snapped up energy sector stocks, confident that oil prices will rise because of the crisis in the Middle East, brokers said.