Thai tragedy in Israel a wake-up call to tackle stark inequality in society

23 Sept 06:31 Key points summarised by AI

The high number of Thai migrant workers killed in the Hamas attack on Israel highlights Thailand's severe income inequality, forcing its poorest citizens to take risky jobs abroad.
Predominantly from Thailand's impoverished Isaan region, these workers migrate to Israel's agricultural sector for higher wages, as domestic jobs provide insufficient income to support their families and manage debts.
Experts criticize the government's perceived inaction and advocate for policies to address inequality, suggesting investments in worker upskilling, creating better domestic job opportunities, or identifying safer overseas employment destinations.
Thailand's deep-rooted wealth disparity and unequal development between Bangkok and other provinces drive this migration, with national unemployment figures masking a prevalence of low-paying jobs that fail to meet basic needs.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Yesterday 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.