Government urged to focus on Blue Carbon action

13 Sept 09:58 Key points summarised by AI

Assistant Professor Thon Thamrong-Nawasawat emphasizes that Blue Carbon ecosystems, especially seagrasses, must become central to national carbon mitigation strategies due to their superior capacity to capture and store carbon dioxide compared to forests.
Kasetsart University is collaborating with major businesses and government organizations on feasibility studies and restoration projects for seagrass plantations in pilot areas across Thailand, with laboratory success in transplantation but awaiting real-world survival rates.
The initiative aims to utilize seagrasses to generate carbon credits, underscoring that government recognition and protection of Blue Carbon ecosystems are crucial for Thailand to achieve its carbon neutrality and net-zero greenhouse gas emission targets.
Despite being often overlooked, Blue Carbon is gaining increasing attention, with a recent conference in Thailand highlighting its importance and international entities like Amazon establishing an International Blue Carbon Institute to integrate it into climate policies.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Today 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.