314 children and teenagers went missing last year - Mirror Foundation

13 Sept 13:41 Key points summarised by AI

A total of 314 children and teenagers were reported missing last year, marking a six-year high and a 6% increase from 2023.
The majority (72%) of cases involved children running away from home voluntarily, with some as young as seven, while a smaller number were due to developmental issues or kidnapping.
A significant concern is the increasing number of children, some as young as 14, being lured by attractive offers into forced labor at call centers in neighboring countries, often resulting in ransom demands.
The 'DNA-Prokids' international program is being utilized to help identify missing children through familial DNA comparisons, with the Mirror Foundation actively submitting samples to assist in tracing long-missing individuals.

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.