Paetongtarn spending Songkran in Hong Kong raises eyebrows

13 Sept 09:44 Key points summarised by AI

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the ruling Pheu Thai party and chairwoman of the national Songkran festival panel, faces public criticism for planning to celebrate the Thai New Year in Hong Kong.
Netizens question her decision to travel abroad during a festival she is tasked with promoting domestically, especially as the government has allocated over Bt100 million for its celebration in Thailand.
Her trip means she will miss the first opportunity to celebrate Songkran with her recently paroled father, Thaksin Shinawatra, since his return to Thailand.

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

Today 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).