Mekong is half-dead

12 Sept 18:51 Key points summarised by AI

Environmental expert Niwat Roykaew declares the Mekong River 'half-dead,' citing drastic changes in water levels, sediment disappearance, and increased waste as primary indicators of its severe degradation.
Upstream dams are identified as the main accelerators of the Mekong's decline, with Niwat presenting evidence from the free-flowing Salween River to suggest their impact outweighs that of climate change.
Niwat and Waterkeeper Alliance CEO Marc Yaggi advocate for urgent, open discussions and collaborative decision-making processes that include local communities and all connected governments, emphasizing water as a shared, vital resource.
There's a strong call to integrate local wisdom and community-based studies into project reviews, ensuring participatory processes replace top-down, government- and investor-driven development decisions that have historically excluded affected populations.

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.