Land bridge project public hearings held in Chumphon and Ranong

1 Oct 09:21 Key points summarised by AI

Public hearings in Chumphon and Ranong reveal a divided opinion on the controversial land bridge project, with business sectors and community leaders largely in favor for economic growth and job creation.
Civic groups, coastal fishermen, and farmers in both provinces voice significant environmental concerns, fearing construction activities like land reclamation and oil piping will devastate marine life, plants, and agricultural earnings.
The one-trillion-baht flagship project, primarily funded by foreign investors, aims to transform Thailand's communication by linking deep-sea ports in Ranong and Chumphon with a dual-track railway, motorway, and oil pipeline system.

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.