Claiming the vaccine had already been used without permission, Sompat said yesterday he had instructed the Livestock Development Department to research the effect of the vaccine on poultry and the environment.

To counter public fears that the vaccine might mutate the  virus, Sompat said he wanted to carry out tests at the farm level to put any fears to rest. If the results were satisfactory, the vaccine would be used on fighting roosters and other birds.

Livestock Development Department director-general Sakchai Sriboonsue said the trial would be held at a research centre in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district and the artificial bird-flu strains, H3N6 and H3N7, might be used to prevent the virus from leaking into the environment. The trial would be carried out in a closed farm and all chickens would be killed after the trial, he said.

Bt10m to boost school standards

Schools need to raise their standards and the government is spending Bt10 million to get as many up to pass grades as it can. The National Education Standards and Quality Assessment office is also seeking help from the private sector.

"This is a one-year plan. It will cost around Bt10 million and cover 200 small schools around the country," said office chief Somwang Pitiyanuwat.

The office set more than 100 schools a pop standards quiz, and many failed.

Guarantee for firms hiring ex-felons

Companies employing ex-cons will be paid compensation if the jail birds cause "non criminal damage" while on the job.

Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat says as much as Bt30,000 will be paid by the Corrections Department if the former felons do something wrong in their first year of work after release.

Daily Xpress