Anti-war protesters marked the first anniversary of the war in Iraq on March 20 with a peaceful rally around the city.

About a hundred members of the United for Peace chapter in Chiang Mai, mostly Europeans, some NGO personnel and Chiang Mai University students, assembled for the anti-war demonstration, calling for an end to the U.S. and British occupation of Iraq and for the Thai government to withdraw troops.

A yellow pickup truck with emergency lights flashing, hurrying to the scene of and accident, is a sight that city dwellers here see too often. Most mutter a silent prayer of thanks that the victims aren’t themselves or their families.

New financial institution and deposit insurance acts considered

Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula recently stated he would raise the issuance of new financial institution and deposit insurance institute acts for discussion with newly-appointed Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.

The BOT chief said the discussion would focus on a way to push for the issuance of the two new acts, projecting that the deposit insurance act would be put into effect soon.

A one-day workshop in Luang Prabang was jointly organized by Lao Airlines and Villa Santi Hotel and Resort. Khammouane Siphanthong, general manager of the resort at the outskirts of Luang Prabang welcomed the participants to Summer Package 2004.