The Rolls-Royce bribery scandal that sent Thai national airline into nosedive

13 Sept 14:24 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) indicted two former Thai Airways International (THAI) executives for violating anti-corruption laws in a 1990s Rolls-Royce engine procurement deal.
Rolls-Royce admitted in 2017 to UK authorities that it paid US$36.3 million in bribes to Thai government officials and THAI employees between 1991 and 2005 to secure engine purchase deals.
The scandal, involving significant outlays for engines due to bribery and mismanagement, is identified as a primary cause for THAI's financial downfall and subsequent bankruptcy, leading to court-supervised business rehabilitation.

Lamphun in a New Light

Today 15:02 Key points summarised by AI

Lamphun illuminates its ancient city with two concurrent light festivals: the high-tech VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN and the traditional Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival.
VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN transforms historic landmarks into an outdoor gallery, using projections and multimedia to animate Lamphun's history, including Queen Chamadevi's story.
The Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival, part of Yi Peng, fills temples and streets with countless traditional lanterns, symbolizing Buddhist devotion and personal wishes.
These festivals offer a unique after-dark experience, blending contemporary light art with centuries-old Lanna traditions, connecting visitors to Lamphun's past and faith.