PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers - August 26

BANGKOK Aug 26 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Thai newspapers on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

POLITICS AND GENERAL NEWS

- The Foreign Affairs Ministry has received an official request from the United States to withdraw money laundering and fraud charges against alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout (BANGKOK POST)

- The extradition of Bout to the United States has been delayed due to complications over Thai legal procedures, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said (THE NATION)

- Thailand and Cambodia have moved forward in their "normalisation" of diplomatic ties with the reinstatement of You Aye as Cambodian ambassador to Thailand (BANGKOK POST)

- Three Thai nationals are still under detention in Siem Reap because Prime Minister Hun Sen's instruction to release them remains unclear (THE NATION)

- After a marathon five-day debate, the 2011 Budget Bill, got the nod in the House of Representatives with an overwhelming number of votes (THE NATION)

- Differing legal interpretationss, vested interests and reluctance to take action are impeding the work of the Office of the Auditor-General, a senator says (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- The Bank of Thailand increased its benchmark interest rate for the second time in six weeks, sending a strong signal of more such moves in the future (BANGKOK POST)

- The National Telecommunications Commission has warned private telecom operators against any act that might be considered as colluding or inappropriate declosures relating to pricing and 3G auction information after Aug. 30 or face criminal charges and have their deposited confiscated (BANGKOK POST)

- The Office of the Attorney-General will represent owners of suspended industrial projects in Map Ta Phut in seeking the Central Administration Court's permission to resume operations, as most of the projects are not included in the National Environmental Board's list of harmful activities (THE NATION)

- PTT PTT.BK's sixth gas separation plant should be able to resume operations this quarter, a senior company executive said (BANGKOK POST)

- Market leader Kim Eng Securities KEST.BK expects net profits this year to be on par with 2009, with gains in private banking and higher net worth clients helping to offset lower brokerage fees from market liberalisation (BANGKOK POST) ($1=31.43 baht)