Measures adopted to shore up falling second-crop rice prices

14 Sept 01:52 Key points summarised by AI

**Implement credit incentives for farmers**: Provide 1,500 baht/tonne for farmers storing paddy in personal barns, or 1,000 baht/tonne (plus 500 baht for cooperatives) when using cooperative storage, aiming to store 1.5 million tonnes and prevent immediate market flooding.
**Offer interest compensation to rice millers**: Grant up to 6% interest compensation to millers who stockpile rice for 2-6 months, provided they purchase paddy 200 baht/tonne above market price, targeting an additional 2 million tonnes in storage.
**Facilitate direct market access for traders**: The Commerce Ministry will open markets for traders to buy paddy directly from farmers, funding 500 baht/tonne in management fees, with traders required to pay 300 baht/tonne above market price for an expected 300,000 tonnes.
**Projected price increase**: These combined measures are anticipated to elevate paddy prices from approximately 7,000 baht/tonne to 8,000 baht/tonne, aiming to meet farmers' demands for higher returns.

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.