Thai PM asks public to notify officials of illegal migrant smuggling networks

23 Sept 05:14 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha urges the public to report illegal migrant smuggling networks, identifying them as the cause of the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Samut Sakhon.
He clarifies that legal migrant workers are not the problem, but illegal entrants bypassing health screenings are, prompting orders to investigate smuggling rings and factories employing undocumented workers.
The PM also calls for solutions to register migrant workers and warns against spreading misinformation or abandoning illegal employees.
Prayut assures the public of the government's effective measures to contain the outbreak and asks media to only report official information from the CCSA.

The Buddha Comes Home

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Chong Para is a vibrant annual festival of the Shan (Tai Yai) people in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, celebrating the Buddha's return from Tavatimsa heaven after Buddhist Lent.
The festival's centerpiece involves families constructing intricate miniature palaces, also called Chong Para, from bamboo, paper, and lights, placed outside homes and temples as offerings.
For three days and nights, the quiet mountain town comes alive with folk music, traditional dances like the Shan bird dance, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings, showcasing deep-rooted Shan culture.
Beyond the celebrations, Chong Para reinforces family bonds, preserves traditional crafts, and offers visitors an authentic immersion into the unique cultural heritage of Mae Hong Son.