Herbal liqueur-related deaths rise to four

13 Sept 11:10 Key points summarised by AI

Fatalities from methanol-laced herbal liqueurs, locally known as “Ya Dong,” have increased to four, with 15 patients on ventilators and 22 requiring dialysis due to severe poisoning.
At least 34 individuals have been hospitalized across Bangkok with methanol intoxication, experiencing symptoms such as blurred vision, dizziness, and seizures after consuming the toxic beverages.
Authorities have responded by closing 18 stalls selling the liqueurs in affected districts, while two brothers have been arrested and face potential attempted murder charges for allegedly selling the tainted products, with a factory owner implicating them.

Government to start building Chainat-Pasak-Gulf water diversion canal next year

Today 14:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government will launch the "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf" water diversion canal project in fiscal year 2027, a seven-year mega-infrastructure initiative.
This permanent structural solution aims to mitigate recurrent central plains flooding by diverting water from the Chao Phraya River directly into the Gulf of Thailand, significantly reducing flow to major cities like Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul justifies the long-term investment as a means to reduce future damages and fiscal burdens, contrasting it with the 40-50 billion baht spent annually on short-term flood relief.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister instructed officials to expand drainage capacity into the Tha Chin River and swiftly remove water hyacinths to improve immediate flood management.