Does Thailand’s deal for 8.5 million ATKs pass the corruption test?

20 Sept 11:49 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's procurement of 8.5 million Lepu Medical ATK sets is embroiled in a corruption scandal, with the Rural Doctors Society (RDS) challenging the deal.
Concerns arise from the US FDA's recall of Lepu kits due to accuracy issues and their higher bid price (Bt70) compared to online alternatives (Bt33), despite the winning company's (Ostland Capital) history of financial losses.
The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) and FDA defend the deal, citing significant cost savings and local clinical trials that affirm the kits' efficacy, dismissing US bans as registration-related rather than quality issues.
RDS threatens legal action against the FDA and GPO if the kits prove ineffective in actual use, escalating the dispute with a complaint over a leaked audio clip.

Uthenthawai students and alumni declare truce with Pathumwan rivals

Yesterday 20:34 Key points summarised by AI

Uthenthawai students and alumni have pledged to cease violent clashes with Pathumwan Institute rivals, coinciding with their campus's reopening after a 90-day closure.
The Minister of Higher Education is mediating the long-running conflict, while the campus closure has significantly disrupted in-person classes and laboratory work for over 1,000 students.
Uthenthawai resists relocation from its current site, citing a historical land grant from King Rama VI, despite Chulalongkorn University's plans to reclaim the land for an educational hub.
Concerns are mounting over the legality of the campus closure, its detrimental impact on uninvolved students, and the potential commercial development of the land, which critics argue contradicts the late King Rama VI's intentions.