Hat Yai prepares for start of the vegetarian festival on Monday

23 Sept 06:39 Key points summarised by AI

Hat Yai is set to launch its first vegetarian festival in three years, following the COVID-19 pandemic, with extensive preparations underway across the city.
Chinese temples are stocking vegetarian food and hiring staff to cater to pilgrims, primarily Thais of Chinese descent and Malaysian visitors, who will observe religious practices.
The festival is projected to generate approximately one billion baht in tourist revenue, with hotels in the district reporting near-full occupancy from Malaysian visitors.
Jointly organized by public and private sectors, the event will feature over 100 vegetarian food stalls and traditional activities, including the ceremonial torching of a huge boat replica at Chue Chang Temple.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Yesterday 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.