CCSA to decide next month whether to lift emergency decree

13 Sept 10:52 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's CCSA will meet in September to decide on lifting the state of emergency, which was implemented in March 2020 to control COVID-19 and is due to expire at the end of September.
The CCSA is developing a framework for Thailand's transition to a post-pandemic era, aiming for safe co-existence with COVID-19, which will be reclassified as an "infectious disease under watch" after October 1st.
Despite high vaccination rates and booster effectiveness, the decree is currently deemed necessary for disease containment, though it has faced criticism for allegedly curbing protests and freedom of expression.
Some observers predict the emergency decree might remain in place until at least November, coinciding with Thailand hosting the APEC 2022 meetings.

Thailand secures US$200m World Bank loan for clean energy and low carbon cities

Today 09:24 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand secured a US$200 million loan from the World Bank to significantly invest in clean energy and low-carbon urban development initiatives.
The program aims to drive clean energy funding and low-carbon growth, ensuring a just transition for small and medium-sized enterprises, workers, farmers, and local communities.
Channelled through the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, the loan will fund energy efficiency upgrades in public buildings and industrial areas, including rooftop solar installations and electrical system modernizations, reducing initial capital burdens via Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).