Obituary - David Steinberg: Friend of Myanmar and Thailand

11 Sept 10:44 Key points summarised by AI

David I. Steinberg, a distinguished professor and leading American expert on the political economies of Korea and Myanmar, passed away at 96, leaving a legacy of 15 books and over 150 articles.
He was renowned for his extensive knowledge of Southeast Asia, particularly Myanmar, and frequently contrasted its military-ruled chaos with Thailand's monarchy-supported stability in his writings.
Steinberg's career spanned academia, public service with USAID, and non-profit work, where he advocated for regional affairs and the recognition of Myanmar refugees' contributions to Thai society.
His deep engagement with Asia, including over 17 years of fieldwork, solidified his expertise and made him a pivotal figure in understanding the complex dynamics of the region.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Yesterday 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.