Kittisak Prokkati, a lecturer at Thammasat University's Faculty of Law, called for Parliament to approve the appointment of monarchs in the future during an interview in which he gave his perspectives on the Nitirat group's proposals involving changes to laws on lese majeste offences.

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok will give details next Saturday about compensation to be paid to victims of violence by security officials in the South.

The Pheu Thai Party has no policy to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code, which involves lese majeste offences, deputy party spokesman Sunisa Lerpakawat said yesterday.

Victims of violence by security officials in the deep South and those killed or injured during political protests since 2005 will be compensated equally by the government, Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said yesterday.

Thammasat University rector Somkid Lertpaithoon yesterday defended the Nitirat group of law lecturers and its leader Worachet Pakeerut for seeking amendments to the lese-majeste law.

The Office of the Ombudsman is unlikely to take action against two newly appointed Cabinet members for alleged moral wrongdoing because the petition against them was filed before they assumed office, Ombudsman Siracha Charoenpanij said yesterday.

Results of a Suan Dusit poll released yesterday show that the Yingluck Shinawatra government has outpaced, trailed behind and been on par with the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration on several different factors.

Some Thais still relate to the monarchy institution as if they lived under an absolute monarchy, leading them to become enraged when faced with people they think want to criticise the institution, said Thammasat University political scientist Kasian Techapeera.

The Office of the Ombudsman is unlikely to take action against two newly appointed Cabinet members for alleged moral wrongdoing because the petition against them was filed before they assumed office, Ombudsman Siracha Charoenpanij said Friday.

The government should rein in the debate on the monarchy, Supreme Commander General Thanasak Patimaprakorn said on Friday, voicing opposition to the push by the Nitirat academic group to amend the lese majeste law.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday said he was willing to drop the court battle on two financial decrees if the government could outline spending plans on flood control.

Suan Dusit Poll, released on Friday, found the Yingluck Shinawatra government to have outpaced, trailed behind and been on par with the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration on a combination of factors.

The government set up the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management to try and build public confidence, especially after it completely failed to cope with last year's flood crisis.

Thailand is calling on 13 countries to withdraw their advisory against travelling to the Kingdom based on fears of possible terrorist attacks, senior government figures said yesterday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday insisted to the House she was unaware of any US Treasury sanction against PM's Office Minister Nalinee Taveesin before inducting her into the Cabinet.

Key Cabinet figures yesterday maintained that the government has no plan to seek an amendment to Article 112 of the Penal Code regarding lese majeste.

Debate on Article 112 permissible on campus but not collection of signatures or politically related activity: rector

The sister of an Italian journalist killed during the crackdown on red shirts two years ago voiced support for providing compensation to the victims of the political turmoil, but said that getting all sides to reconcile was more important.

A spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration yesterday objected to the Pheu Thai Party's plan to push for an amendment to the BMA Act that would include the election of 50 district office directors.

Thailand is calling on 13 countries to withdraw their advisory against travelling to the Kingdom based on fears of possible terrorist attacks, senior government figures said Thursday.