Govt urged to ease restrictions on foreign investment

12 Sept 22:19 Key points summarised by AI

The Thailand Development and Research Institute (TDRI) advocates for easing foreign investment restrictions and reducing bureaucratic red tape to swiftly boost Thailand's sluggish economy, which recorded the lowest Q1 growth among ASEAN countries.
Despite potential 2.5% annual growth driven by government spending and export rebound, the Thai economy faces significant challenges from geopolitical uncertainties and intensified US-China trade rivalry, potentially leading to product dumping in ASEAN.
Amidst external risks, Thai industrialists can find opportunities by importing raw materials from China for local production and export; long-term growth hinges on investing in advanced labor skills, digital infrastructure, and preparing for future technologies like 6-G.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Yesterday 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.