BANGKOK, May 24 (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. TOP STORIES - The Supreme Administration Court finalised its critique of the draft constitution, highlighting a wide range of issues to factor in for its revision (THE NATION) - The government is considering revoking the compulsory licence issued for a generic version of the HIV/Aids medicine Efavirenz after a promising start to informal talks with U.S.-based patent holder Merck & Co Inc. <MRK.N> (BANGKOK POST) - A week before "Judgement Day" on the 2006 election fraud cases, the Thai Rak Thai Party has stepped up preparations for being dissolved and launched a popularity campaign (THE NATION) - The government is ready to declare an emergency decree in Bangkok, anticipating chaos when the verdicts in the party dissolution cases are handed down next week, Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said (BANGKOK POST) - A bloody two-hour gunfight between an engaged gunman and scores of police officers at an open market on the outskirt of Bangkok ended in the death of four people, including the attacker. Seven others were injured, some of them seriously (THE NATION) BUSINESS - The Bank of Thailand cut interest rates by half a point to 3.5 percent as the economy continued to slow due to weak investor and consumer confidence (BANGKOK POST) - Thailand's small insurers are being urged to identify niche and maintain their share of their chosen markets in order to stay competitive, or risk being taken over or liquidated, rating agency Standard & Poor's said (BANGKOK POST) - Thai food processors and exporters are focusing on domestic markets as the strong baht <THB=TH> has reduced their export earnings sharply (BANGKOK POST) - State-run PTT <PTT.BK>, Thailand's largest energy firm, plans to invest more than 10 billion baht to address pollution problems at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong province, president Prasert Bunsumpun said (BANGKOK POST) - Top Thai industrial group Siam Cement <SCC.BK> is ready to team up with Unique Engineering and Construction to bid to build a new Bangkok rail line (THE NATION) - Srithai Food & Beverage has shut down its business permanently and laid off 144 employees due to losses from the impact of bird flu, competition and unsuccessful debt restructuring (THE NATION) ** Looking for more information from local sources? Factiva.com has eight Thai sources including the Bangkok Post and The Nation. ($1=34.6 Baht)
