Rally on Phuket to reclaim public beaches from developers

13 Sept 23:55 Key points summarised by AI

Hundreds of Phuket residents rallied on Yamu Beach, demanding its reclamation as public property after a controversial incident.
The protest was triggered by a viral report of a Swiss tenant allegedly assaulting a Thai doctor for resting on a villa's staircase, which she believed was part of a public beach.
This incident has escalated into a broader campaign, calling for the Swiss national's deportation and a provincial investigation into potential illegal occupation of Phuket's beaches by developers.
The controversy has brought the issue of public access to beaches into sharp focus, as many residents previously believed Yamu Beach was private land.

Thailand secures US$200m World Bank loan for clean energy and low carbon cities

Yesterday 09:24 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand secured a US$200 million loan from the World Bank to significantly invest in clean energy and low-carbon urban development initiatives.
The program aims to drive clean energy funding and low-carbon growth, ensuring a just transition for small and medium-sized enterprises, workers, farmers, and local communities.
Channelled through the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, the loan will fund energy efficiency upgrades in public buildings and industrial areas, including rooftop solar installations and electrical system modernizations, reducing initial capital burdens via Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).