Thai PM “baffled” by allegation of involvement in illegal gambling activities

13 Sept 12:45 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed surprise and firmly denied allegations of benefiting from illegal gambling activities, insisting he has never received ill-gotten gains.
He declared his strong determination to decisively crack down on long-standing illegal activities, including gambling, illegal logging, and drug trade.
The PM attributed the recent cluster of COVID-19 infections to 'bad officials' who accept bribes, allowing illegal gambling dens to operate.
He warned against offering bribes to officials or using his name for protection, stating he despises such corrupt practices.

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

Yesterday 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.