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‘2 meth pills = jail’: Thailand’s new anti-drugs push may ruin more lives than it saves

13 Sept 11:03 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Public Health Minister proposes a new regulation to classify possession of two or more methamphetamine pills as drug trafficking, a significant shift from the current law allowing rehabilitation for up to 15 pills.
Critics, including drug policy advocates and politicians, warn that this stricter approach will severely overcrowd prisons, treating addicts as criminals rather than patients, and could worsen the nation's drug problem.
Minister Anutin defends the measure, arguing it will deter drug dealers who exploit current loopholes by carrying small amounts and better protect youth, despite concerns from organizations like the UNODC about prison capacity.

Today 14:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government will launch the "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf" water diversion canal project in fiscal year 2027, a seven-year mega-infrastructure initiative.
This permanent structural solution aims to mitigate recurrent central plains flooding by diverting water from the Chao Phraya River directly into the Gulf of Thailand, significantly reducing flow to major cities like Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul justifies the long-term investment as a means to reduce future damages and fiscal burdens, contrasting it with the 40-50 billion baht spent annually on short-term flood relief.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister instructed officials to expand drainage capacity into the Tha Chin River and swiftly remove water hyacinths to improve immediate flood management.