Industry Ministry plans end to sugarcane burning in three years

13 Sept 10:47 Key points summarised by AI

The Ministry of Industry will propose a Cabinet plan to eliminate sugarcane farmers’ practice of burning crops within three years, aiming to combat widespread smog.
A new ministerial regulation will mandate sugar mills to progressively reduce acceptance of burned sugarcane: 30% (2019-20), 20% (2020-21), and no more than 5% for the third crop year.
To facilitate the transition to machinery, the ministry will offer 6 billion baht in cheap loans over three years for farmer cooperatives and community enterprises to purchase cane-cutting equipment.
The ministry targets several provinces, including Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Chaiyaphum, Loei, and Uttradit, to be entirely free from sugarcane burning this year.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Today 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.