Thailand will not pay ฿28m to Cambodia for SEA Games broadcast rights

20 Sept 12:55 Key points summarised by AI

Cambodia is demanding US$800,000 (฿28 million) for live broadcast rights to the upcoming SEA Games, a price deemed excessively high by participating countries, including Thailand.
Thailand's Sports Authority (SAT) cannot afford the fee and plans to negotiate for a reduction, potentially seeking government assistance if negotiations fail.
This high charge significantly deviates from historical norms, where SEA Games hosts typically charge only token fees (e.g., US$5,000-US$10,000), with past attempts at high fees (like Laos in 2009) also going unpaid.

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.