Farmers observing the Royal Ploughing ceremony collect sacred rice after the ceremony is over on Friday. — Thiti Wannamontha

About 15 protesters gather in front of the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok to condemn the junta's ways of solving peace problems in Burma and oppose the referendum on the constitution that does not come from the people. — Apichart Jinakul

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony begins on Friday morning at Sanam Luang.

A traffic policeman uses a camera to take pictures of motorists using their mobile phones while driving at the Lak Si intersection yesterday. — Sarot Meksophawannakul

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Going, going... not!

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej called off plans for a flying weekend visit to Burma, concluding late on Friday that not even he can talk the military junta into accepting international aid for its suffering cyclone victims.

BACKGROUNDER
Dictators' priority

While bloated corpses still litter Irrawaddy delta fields, the controlled media promote the referendum. While a million Burmese in deep shock fight for their survival, government ministers give speeches on the "flourishing discipline democracy."

Parachute drops possible

Day Seven: Relief agencies say the Burmese military junta wants cash and supplies, but will not allow cyclone relief teams into the battered country. The US is considering parachuting emergency aid to what the UN says are 1.5 million "severely affected" survivors.

Burma denies US access

RANGOON - Relief supplies from the United Nations began arriving in Burma yesterday, but US military planes loaded with aid were still denied access by the country's isolationist regime five days after a devastating cyclone.

PM: I didn't say banks onverge of ruin

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday denied saying two commercial banks were on the verge of jeng, or bankruptcy, on a TV show which led to a run on the banks.

Sutha resigns from cabinet

Sutha Chansaeng resigned as social development and human security minister yesterday, in a move that may lead to a cabinet reshuffle. Mr Sutha, of the ruling People Power party (PPP), has suffered from poor health. He tendered his resignation letter yesterday.

Bankers downplay Samak comments

Bankers and regulators sought to reassure investors yesterday that the financial system is strong after comments by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej raised doubts about bank stability.

TOT agrees to talk with DTAC

The board of TOT said yesterday that it would abide by the Central Administrative Court order to open negotiations on interconnection rates with DTAC but insisted that the old access charge regime was still valid.

Surapong sticks by high growth target

Economic growth for Thailand will exceed 6% this year with the help of higher government spending and investment, according to Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee.

Decision time soon for Thaksin

If Thaksin Shinawatra rings me for advice on his Manchester City, I would give him two choices - don't sack coach Sven-Goran Eriksson or find someone who is famous enough to please Blue fans and who looks capable of bringing success to the club.

Thais crash out in Asian C'ships first round

For the first time in the 24-year history of the ACBS Asian Snooker Championship, none of the Thais participating in the event could make it to the knockout stages of tournament.

Chance for rugby youngsters

The Thai Rugby Union has thrown open the doors to able-bodied youngsters who have a basic knowledge of rugby to be trained by expert coaches for the Thai national team. They are to be watched closely by a team of the experts, led by Sombat Vasuhiran, who will be assisted by Suparat Alhpath, Apirak Areemitr and Supaluck Peramabutr.

Myanmar seizes UN aid shipments, heavy rain forecase in areas devastated by cyclone

Myanmar's military leaders seized aid shipments headed for cyclone survivors and told the top U.S. diplomat there Friday that they're not ready to let in American aid workers despite warnings the country is on the verge of a medical catastrophe.

Aid agencies fear more cyclone survivors will die as Myanmar junta dithers over access

With only a few aging helicopters and little disaster experience, Myanmar's junta is risking the lives of millions of cyclone victims by running a massive relief operation alone, aid experts said Friday.

NC officials: Fatal twister could have been worse

Amber Parker watched on television as the storm near her home grew into a tornado threat. Then, when the roaring wind outside suddenly fell silent, she grabbed her two toddlers and rushed to get under the stairwell.