PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers - August 24

BANGKOK Aug 24 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Thai newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

POLITICS AND GENERAL NEWS

- The resignation of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor to Cambodia and subsequent return of Thailand's ambassador to Phnom Penh have boosted hopes of an easing of diplomatic tensions between the two countries (BANGKOK POST)

- The Court of Justice dismissed a claim that it had been pressured by the United States over its ruling in the Viktor Bout case, warning that anyone unhappy with last week's verdict should refrain from personal emotion in the words they use (THE NATION)

- Human Right activists are slamming the Department of Special Investigation over its failure to reveal the progress of investigations into who killed 91 people during the political riots in April and May (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- Stonger-than-expected growth in the second quarter has led the government to double its 2010 economic forecast to 7.0 to 7.5 percent, the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) said (BANGKOK POST)

- Economic indicators signal a deceleration of growth in the second half of the year from the robust expansion in the first half, the NESDB said (THE NATION)

- Prices of several products including packaged riced are expected to increase in early October after the government stops trying to control prices (BANGKOK POST)

- The National Environmental Board has listed 11 types of industrial projects it regards as harmful and will be required to undergo environmental and health impact assessments (BANGKOK POST)

- Airports of Thailand Pcl <AOT.BK is optimistic that the Cabinet on Tuesday will approve the company's 62-billion-baht ($1.97 billion) expansion plan for Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport, as the planned third runway has been taken out of the project pending an environmental impact assessment (THE NATION)

- Next year will be an exciting time for the telecom industry with the expected expansion in demand for wireless data and the 3G-2.1 GHz wireless broadband service becoming available from private telecom operators, Petter Furberg, chief commercial officer of Total Access Communication DTAC.BK said (THE NATION)

- Listed developer Quality Houses QH.BK is confident that prospects for luxury detached homes have turned around (BANGKOK POST) ($1=31.46 baht)