Thaksin urges BOT to halve withholding tax and ease loan restrictions

18 Sept 07:07 Key points summarised by AI

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra recommended the Bank of Thailand halve commercial banks' withholding tax to boost liquidity for housing and car loans, aiming to alleviate household debt.
He proposed easing retail loan restrictions and the government buying non-performing loans (NPLs) from banks at 50% of their book value, mirroring a strategy from his 2001 administration.
Thaksin highlighted widespread debt, reduced economic opportunities, a substantial underground economy (estimated at 50% of the legitimate economy), and lagging industrial/agricultural technology as key national challenges.
He suggested legalizing the underground economy to help resolve household debt and criticized the slow, bloated bureaucracy, calling for direct responsibility to improve national competitiveness.

Lamphun in a New Light

Today 15:02 Key points summarised by AI

Lamphun illuminates its ancient city with two concurrent light festivals: the high-tech VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN and the traditional Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival.
VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN transforms historic landmarks into an outdoor gallery, using projections and multimedia to animate Lamphun's history, including Queen Chamadevi's story.
The Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival, part of Yi Peng, fills temples and streets with countless traditional lanterns, symbolizing Buddhist devotion and personal wishes.
These festivals offer a unique after-dark experience, blending contemporary light art with centuries-old Lanna traditions, connecting visitors to Lamphun's past and faith.