Blinken to attend ASEAN Summits in Laos on behalf of Biden

14 Sept 21:03 Key points summarised by AI

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend the ASEAN-related summits in Laos, representing President Joe Biden, and participate in key meetings including the ASEAN-US Summit and East Asia Summit.
Blinken's visit highlights the US's deep engagement with ASEAN, emphasizing its role as the second-largest trading partner and a major investor, while also promoting new cooperation in digital economy and trade facilitation.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Today 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.