European Chamber urging political de-escalation ahead of next FTA talks

15 Sept 20:10 Key points summarised by AI

The European Chamber (EABC) urges Thailand to swiftly resolve political instability, warning that continued uncertainty could jeopardize the upcoming Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the EU.
Previous FTA talks were suspended in 2014 due to Thailand's political instability, underscoring the risk of history repeating itself as neighboring countries intensify their pursuit of similar agreements.
Finalizing the FTA is crucial for Thailand's sluggish economy, promising significant benefits through tariff reductions, trade diversification, increased investment, and deeper collaboration with the EU.
European investors, who have contributed 1.5 trillion baht and created over 160,000 jobs, view Thailand as a long-term destination but emphasize the necessity of a stable business environment and consistent policy direction.

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.