If it were not for the bomb blast that hit him four years ago, Mangkornthong Limprasertkul might have joined the Army Non-commissioned Officer School and become a young corporal.

Help the mother, and you help her whole family. Who can argue with that? Why then has the 7.7-billion-baht Women's Fund got the thumbs-down from many women's rights groups and legal experts? The answer lies in their common concern regarding abuse for political gain. This is a real concern.

Royal Irrigation Department chief Chalit Damrongsak faced a lightning transfer yesterday amid speculation that the Pheu Thai-led government was unhappy with his performance during the severe flooding last year.

The Constitution Court yesterday cleared the way for the Pheu Thai-led government to go ahead with its multi-billion-baht post-flood spending plans that are designed to strengthen investors' confidence.

The Constitution Court on Wednesday ruled that two executive decrees related to water management and post-flood rehabilitation and debt management issued by the cabinet do not violate the constitution.

The cabinet on Wednesday has approved the 2013 fiscal budget framework with expenditure of 2.40 trillion baht, reports said.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Thursday announced a ballot for the Labor leadership and called on ex-leader Kevin Rudd, widely expected to challenge, to accept its outcome as final.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Thursday called a ballot on the leadership of the ruling Labor party, bringing to a head an ugly row with predecessor Kevin Rudd.

Australia's foreign minister Kevin Rudd resigned Wednesday, saying he was unable to continue without Prime Minister Julia Gillard's support, paving the way for a challenge to her leadership.

Australia's foreign minister Kevin Rudd resigned Wednesday, saying he was unable to continue without Prime Minister Julia Gillard's support, paving the way for him to make a leadership challenge.