Thai elephant in Sri Lanka to return home for treatment

28 Sept 07:15 Key points summarised by AI

"Sak Surin," a Thai elephant gifted to Sri Lanka over two decades ago, is scheduled to return to Thailand in June for urgent medical treatment due to severe illness and poor living conditions.
Thai authorities initiated the repatriation after an animal rights NGO raised concerns about his mistreatment, prompting investigations and veterinary assessments that confirmed the need for his return.
The complex return involves specialized air transport, requiring a suitable aircraft and a newly constructed cage, with Sak Surin currently undergoing preliminary care at Dehiwala Zoo.
Repatriation is pending approval from Sri Lanka and adherence to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulations.

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.