Thailand sounds alarm as Arcturus strain arrives just in time for Songkran

18 Sept 04:51 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand confirmed the arrival of the highly contagious COVID-19 subvariant XBB.1.16 (Arcturus) with 27 detected cases, coinciding with the post-Songkran festival period.
Health authorities raised an alarm due to Arcturus's significantly higher transmissibility and its potential to evade immunity, warning of a new wave of infections despite no evidence of increased severity.
Experts predict a surge in cases from mid-May, peaking in June, urging the public to maintain vigilance, practice hygiene, and get booster shots to mitigate the spread.

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.